Chapter Thirty-Four: The New Destination

At the Sanctuary the heroes gathered around the map table with Gabriel moving the Tarot card of the Hero of Will, "it's time we locate our next hero, the Apprentice, but let me formally welcome all our new members to the cause."

"This is an impressive setup you got here," Ash smiled looking around with her new seal tattoo showing proudly on her right shoulder.

"Where can we find the Apprentice?" Connor asked looking at the card of a student studying a book with a master pointing over their shoulder.

"The cards and strands of time have shown me a vast desert land with a thriving kingdom, I believe the Hero of Will is in Samarkand," Gabriel spoke snapping his fingers and making the card slip out of Connor's hand and float over to the country of Samarkand.

"Samarkand huh? Should we use the map table to travel there?" Kyler asked looking at Gabriel.

"While I do see that as an option for the threads, I also see traveling by ship is important, I can't see why but taking a ship seems to be the best route," Gabriel explained.

"That would leave us open for Raven to find us," Connor spoke narrowing his eyes.

"We need to do something about that big nose seer," Mika spoke seeing Gabriel smirk.

"I have figured out a solution, the Sanctuary has a cloaking charm in place, so I studied the Book of Heroes and discovered how the Hero of Bower Lake achieved this," Gabriel explained opening the book.

Gathering around Gabriel the heroes looked over to the page Gabriel had opened to, "A spell?" Connor read.

"An enchantment to be précised, one created by Garth, there are no mentions of what this enchantment is but I am willing to bet the new Hero of Will shall have the solution to our dark seer issue, or Garth trial will provide her with Garth enchantment," Gabriel explained with a shrug.

"What about the Relic? We never found it in Rosewood," Kyler asked.

"Connor found it, it will appear when needed," Gabriel simply replied looking to Connor, "once you find the Hero of Will I believe I have a lead on one of the Avo Sister Blades."

"That's great Gabriel! Where are they?" Jaya asked looking at the map table.

"Well, both ended up in the possession of your bloodline Connor, the Hero of Oakvale and the Hero of Brightwall, I believe I know where King Adam placed his sword, as for Zane I still need to do more research to be absolutely sure of it finally resting place," Gabriel spoke pointing to the map, "for now the Hero of Will is the priority."

"No doubt Raven will have told Tirich and Reaver of the Hero of Will location, meaning we gotta get there first," Connor spoke narrowing his eyes.

"Well with war on the horizon I don't think Tirich would send any of our armies to try and capture the hero, he may send a group like the Warden or even a pack of Half-Breeds," Mika spoke up.

"Or one of the remaining Sins," Gabriel spoke staring at the map, "my vision is hazy upon your arrival to Samarkand, just like the incident in Ravenstone, I fear you may face another of the Sins."

"Nothing we can't handle, Pride may have gotten a jump on us last time but we can handle the other arseholes!" Kyler smirked punching his fist into his palm ready for a fight.

"Sorry but what are these 'Sins' you keep mentioning?" Ash asked raising her hand.

"Creatures from the Void, huge and dangerous, they seek to spread Corruption across our world," Gabriel explained.

"Well let's get going then!" Ash smirked.

"You should take this route with your ship, just be careful of the Devil's Circle," Gabriel warned pointing to the map where to sail.

"The what?" Roscoe asked peeking from the corner of the map table.

"The Devi's Circle is an area in the ocean where many ships have sank, legends say that a Leviathan lurks in those waters devouring any who enter its territory," Seth explained.

"In LeDorada we call those seas Círculo de Demonios, no ship has ever been seen again after entering it," Tercero chimed in.

"Or it superstitious nonsense made to scare others from sailing in that area," Neo spoke with Merlin floating over.

"I wonder if these Leviathans are the same as the ones we have in our world," Merlin spoke.

"You have Leviathans?" Seth spoke with a raised brow.

"Sort of, they prefer to be called Precursor, massive aquatic aliens, view themselves as the apex race of the galaxy, all other races were mere tools to them, they even went as far as to erase any record of their existences when the Forerunner became a threat to them, so they vanished, watched and observe, this is, of course, military secret in my world so this is information does not leave this room," Neo spoke holding a finger to his lips.

"Well, maybe the Levithan in our world are friendly?" Seth asked looking at Gabriel who snorted.

"Oh no, dangerous, very dangerous, nearly everything in Albion's oceans wants to eat us," Gabriel chuckled.

"Geeze thanks for that Gabriel," Seth spoke sarcastically rolling his eyes.

"Let's head to the ship," Connor spoke about to touch the map but stopped, "You guys go on ahead I need a word with Gabriel."

Sensing their cue the others left one by one till it was just Connor and Gabriel alone in the Sanctuary.

"You wanna talk about what Raven told you," Gabriel spoke looking at the map table while Connor began to pace.

"Have you been lying? Is my sister even alive?" Connor asked with his back to Gabriel.

"She is very much alive Connor, I never lied to you, there will be a time and a place when you can meet her again but if you truly want proof I can tell you now where she is and you can use the Map to go to her," Gabriel offered.

"I had a feeling that arsehole bird man was trying to manipulate me, when is the right time, Gabriel? I deserve answers only she can give," Connor spoke turning to the seer.

"Soon, after you recruit the Heroes of Will you will have your chance to find her, get the answers you seek," Gabriel spoke seeing Connor face the map table.

"Raven, how do we beat him? With the power to see out every move none of us can even touch him," Connor asked seeing Gabriel studying the map.

"I have been thinking about that very same question for a while, how do you stop someone who knows what you'll do before you do it? If it was I who fought him the two of us would be stuck in a never-ending chess match with a thousand pieces on the board," Gabriel spoke almost picturing the chessboard with him and all the heroes as white pieces while Raven and their enemies are the black pieces.

"Think Garth Enchantment could be used on our seals?" Connor asked this getting a raised brow from Gabriel.

"That could cut communication between us, unless...yes! Find the Hero of Will Connor, if we are to be victorious in this fight we will need her magic on our side," Gabriel spoke opening the Book of Heroes.

"Got it, we'll be back soon," Connor spoke leaving the Sanctuary.

Looking at the book Gabriel found a section where a smirk crossed his lips, "I got you now your bird-faced bastard, checkmate."

In Bloodstone Isaac stood on the baloney looking out to the sea when the doors of his office were kicked open, glancing over he saw his father enter with two Patrol Guards.

"Search this office!" Reaver ordered approaching the desk.

"I already told you 'Father' Renee covered her tracks," Isaac spoke turning to face his father who opened his desk.

"Somehow I don't believe that," Reaver spoke taking Isaac's phone trying to unlock it but growled when he saw it needed a thumbprint, "Blasted technology! Open it!"

"Oh, very well since you asked so nicely~" Isaac spoke sarcastically taking the phone and unlocking it, handing it back to his father who snatched it and began to search through the call logs.

"I know you have been in contact with her! Which one of these fake contacts is her?" Reaver glared handing the phone to his assistant who began comparing the numbers to her own.

"Now father, surely you don't think I am dumb enough to use my work phone if I wanted to contact others under your nose?" Isaac smirked, "like I said, I have no idea where my sister is."

"He speaks the truth," Raven spoke entering the room his presence making Isaac feel uneasy, "but he has been in contact with a Highwayman who knows where she is, he pops in and visits."

"Is that so?" Reaver spoke looking over to a picture on a wall and smirked, "Ahhh little Calen, isn't it?"

Not saying anything Isaac glared watching his father pick up the frame off the wall, "will he be visiting soon Raven?"

"No, this trip was almost wasted," Raven spoke looking around the office.

"Almost?" Reaver spoke watching Raven approach the balcony.

"Who do you think led the Hero to the old Marianne?" Raven spoke.

"Well, isn't this an interesting development," Reaver spoke approaching his son, "anything to say in your defense son?"

"Nope, that old ship was an eye sore, I am glad I could get rid of it so that I can expand the city into those caves," Isaac smirked taking his phone back from Reaver's assistant.

"Come, Reaver, the brat is of no use to us," Raven spoke turning into a flock of ravens on the balcony and taking off.

"Going against your father to conspire with heroes, such a betrayal from my own flesh and blood," Reaver spoke dropping the old picture on the ground before stepping on it and twisting his boot over the picture.

"You would be an expert on hurting those you claim to love wouldn't you Father," Isaac shot back with a glare.

"I want cameras set up in this room, tap his phone lines, monitor his internet activity, if Calen or Renee tries to contact him, I want to be the first to know," Reaver ordered before he left.

Unable to do anything Isaac sighed picking up a plant from his desk and taking it outside to set it on a balcony.

On the roof, in the distance, Calen used binoculars to see Isaac place the plant on the balcony a warning for the Highwayman to let him know he had been compromised and was no longer safe to be in direct contact.

With Isaac's main phone in his hand, Calen began to scroll through the contacts before calling Connor.

At Marianne, the ship had set sail when Connor's phone went off, "oh it's Isaac, wonder what he needs?"

"Answer it and find out, it must be important," Seth spoke leaning on the rail.

"Hey Isaac, what going on?" Connor answered when he put it on speaker.

"Ohhh you have a sexy soothing voice, you must be the famous Connor Lionheart," Calen replied his voice alerting the others.

"Who is this?! Where is Isaac?!" Connor demanded.

"Relax hero, I am on your side, your two lovely companions can vouch for that, darn I didn't get their names! I recall one with stunning Aurorean tattoos," Calen spoke getting Jaya's attention.

"Wait that voice, you're that Highwayman who helped Mika and I when Pride attacked us," Jaya spoke recalling the stranger who saved her.

"At your service! Allow me to properly introduce myself, I am Calen the Highwayman~" Calen introduced.

"A highwayman? Hang up on this bastardo Connor! Highwaymen can't be trusted," Tercero warned.

"Such venom~ you must be an Assassin, love that sexy Spanish accent," Calen replied making Tercero shiver in disgust at the man flirting.

"Get to the point Calen, why do you have Isaac's phone?" Connor asked narrowing his eyes.

"Because he has been compromised, Reaver is rigging his office with cameras as we speak, it is no longer safe for him to be in direct contact with you or your friends, I have to keep my distance to keep Renee safe as well," Calen explained.

"Renee? Who the bloody hell is Renee?" Kyler asked looking to Neo who shrugged.

"She Reaver's daughter, I recall the name when Reaver was questioning his son about her location," Tercero spoke.

"She had to go into hiding, Reaver thinks she is the new Hero of Skill," Calen explained getting the other's attention.

"Well, is she?" Connor asked.

"Hmmmmmmm~ no clue," Calen replied, "until we know for sure she thinks it safe to lay low, for now, for Isaac's safety."

"Ok and what if it turns out she is the new Hero of Skill?" Seth asked.

"Then I will arrange a meetup, until that time, stay safe, be weary, and stay sexy all of you! Bye bye!" Calen said hanging up.

"What a flirt," Mika spoke rolling her eyes.

Later that night the heroes set sail across the Albion Sea heading toward the East away from their kingdom.

On deck the heroes gathered around a table where they clinked their drinks in celebration, Seth being the first to make a toast, "Cheers everyone! Connor located the relic and we can say the Hero of Will is as good as ours!"

"So, what exactly makes these 'Heroes' different from other heroes anyway?" Ash asked taking a seat on a crate with a bottle in hand.

"Well Kyler is our only walking example but he is supposedly the 'Hero of Strength' Guess that means he is a giant with a hammer?" Mika spoke seeing Kyler take a swing of his ale.

"Shall we put it to the test?" Kyler smirked bringing two crates over to the table and placed his elbow on the table, "anyone thinks they can beat me?"

"Hmph I'm game," Ash smirked taking a swing of her ale before handing it to Jaya who held her bottle before she strolled over to take a seat and placed her elbow on the table taking Kyler's hand.

"Here are the rules, no cheating, elbows must stay on the table, no outside help, and do not break anything, that means you Kyler!" Seth spoke placing his hand on the two hero's hands, "Ready?"

"Ready to lose big boy?" Ash smirked.

"I never lose baby girl," Kyler smirked back.

"GO!" Seth shouted releasing the hands and watching Ash and Kyler begin to match slowly watching Ash struggle as Kyler began to bring her arm down.

"Come on Ash kick his arse!" Mika cheered.

"I can't believe you people enjoy such humiliation," Roscoe spoke getting a pet on his head by Tercero.

"It's all in good fun," Tercero chuckled watching Ash last a few seconds more before Kyler slammed her hand down.

"GAH! I lost! Well, good game Kyler, you are indeed a man of brawn," Ash chuckled taking her ale back from Jaya.

"Who next?" Kyler smirked motioning for his next challenger.

"Why don't you try Connor? You're supposed to be the Hero who embodies all three traits, let see if you're stronger than Kyler yet," Seth suggested.

"Oh no no I ain't getting humiliated today," Connor chuckled before getting elbowed by Mika.

"Come on Connor, if you don't beat his arse he will NEVER stop gloating about it! Do you really want us to endure that torment?" Mika pleaded.

Looking at Kyler's cocky smirk Connor sighed before taking a large swing of his ale for liquid courage, "Ah what the bloody hell! Let's do this!"

"Fresh meat!" Kyler smirked watching Connor take a seat across from him and took his hand.

"Same rules! Fair game you hear?" Seth spoke seeing both heroes nod, "Ready? GO!"

Starting their arm wrestling match Kyler noticed Connor had indeed gotten much stronger, it was him who was able to make him bleed in the arena, so it was no surprise he was actually giving Kyler a run for his money.

"Come on Connor!" Seth cheered watching the two warriors struggle.

"How intense, don't hurt yourselves," Jaya chuckled watching Kyler and Connor gritting their teeth and slowly Kyler began to get the advantage.

"You've gotten much stronger but..." Kyler spoke before slamming Connor's hand down, getting awws in disappointment from their friends, "You aren't ready to take my title!"

"Damn! I was close!" Connor chuckled picking up another ale.

"At this rate, you will beat me, I can honestly say by the end of our journey I do think you may very well beat me, maybe," Kyler smirked winking to Mika who rolled her eyes.

"Ugh and it begins," Mika sighed taking a swing of her ale.

"Hey, Tercero! Come over here and play!" Kyler smirked seeing Tercero shake his head.

"That would be a hard no from me, amigo," Tercero chuckled reaching into his pocket and slapping down a deck of cards on the table, "I know I can kick your ass in cards."

"Oh, you are so on!" Kyler smirked.

"I wanna play!" Jaya smiled pulling up a crate for a seat.

"I'm gonna check the helm, you guys go ahead and play," Connor spoke heading up the stairs to the helm while the others began to set up the table for poker.

"Hmph a game I am actually familiar with, I'm in too," Neo spoke taking a seat.

"Okay, but Merlin can't cheat for you!" Mika pointed seeing Merlin glow.

"I would never!" Merlin huffed floating over to Neo to whisper, "Sorry boss."

"I'll join in the next game," Seth chuckled watching Ash, Mika, Kyler, Tercero, Neo, and Jaya set up for their card game before heading up to join Connor.

"Ain't it crazy Seth? It started with just us two again and now look at how big our group got," Connor smiled looking down at their friends before his smile turned sad, "makes me think of the friends we lost, do you still think of them too?"

"All the damn time," Seth sighed leaning on the rail and looking out to sea, "I keep replaying in my mind how I could have prevented it, what if I had done things differently? Then I remember that in life there are no do-overs, all we can do is learn from the mistakes and remember those we lost."

"Raven got in my head; he said 'Death awaits us' I don't wanna see any of them get hurt," Connor spoke hearing Roscoe whine and softly smile before petting his hound's head.

"Same mate, but after everything we all been through, every fight, every near-death moment, I can say with confidence nothing gonna kill us, well nothing that can get past Kyler," Seth spoke hearing Kyler slam his deck on the table.

"Taste the bitter taste defeat losers! Straight in diamonds baby!" Kyler smirked showing his hand.

"Damn, Kyler your good! However, not good enough honey~" Mika smirked turning her deck around to reveal a royal flush, "I believe this game is mine."

"Dang it!" Ash huffed slamming her deck down.

"New game!" Tercero demanded shuffling the cards again.

"Hey tag me in!" Seth yelled running down to join them.

"Hey scoot your arse over Kyler I'm in too!" Connor called walking down to join the new game.