Hi guys! Here is the next chapter!

And in this, we meet new people!

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax


Ace walked around in Hell, as he wanted to see more around, and he wouldn't walk too far either, as he didn't want to get lost. Marco had said that if he ever did, to ask a gremlin, and he would be shown the way back. If there was no one around, to call for him. But was also told not to walk too far away or too close to the pits. Not that it was dangerous, but that it might upset him, so Ace stayed clear of the places where he knew the pits were.

As he was walking around, he found a few Hell trees and took some flowers and leaves that he didn't have yet, as he saved every one of them and he loved them. They were really pretty and beautiful, and they all were so different. Some were just really beautiful, and others also felt cool to the touch, warm to the touch, some were wet or covered with ice. Some even acted as a weak light, and Ace wanted them all. At first, he thought he would be labeled as weird for liking these flowers, but everyone had been very nice about it and helped him get more into his collection and walked him to different trees, Ace felt really included here. And it felt good. And he hoped he could bring Eustass here and how him the Hell trees one day.

As he was walking, he blinked as he saw a mix of red and blue ahead, seeming like the ground changed colors. Everything was usually vast here, except for the trees and other small things, and everything had a consistent color, not two colors. So, he walked towards it and saw it was a sort of ocean, which was red with lines of blue in it, which was moving. There were no waves and it didn't seem like it had a current as it was still, so how did the blue colors move? Curiosity got the better of him, and he walked to the edge where the water started, which didn't move at all, it was like a huge puddle in a way, as there was no current making small waves as the ocean did on Earth. It was perfectly still. Maybe since there was no wind here? It also didn't smell anything.

Ace moved to couch down and moved a hand out to touch the water, curious if it would feel like water, or if it would be hot or cold. Just as he was about to touch it, a voice spoke. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Ace blinked and looked up and to his left, where a small boat was and a man in it, who held a long stick like an oar. The man gave a small smile. "You must be new here. If you touch it, your soul might get lost in it."

Ace blinked, and moved his hand back from the water. "Oh, thank you, for warning me. I am new here. Who are you? What is this ocean?" The man hummed. "I am Shanks, I bring souls and other beings across this vast river." Ace blinked. "It looks more like an ocean than a river." Shanks gave a curious look to him, making Ace feel a bit uncomfortable. "I didn't mean to sound mean." Shanks hummed. "No, you are right. It seems more like an ocean. Would you want a ride? This one will be free of charge." Ace blinked. "Um… I am not sure I am allowed… I shouldn't walk too far away from the house."

Shanks hummed. "Just a small ride? So you can see the river's full color. I can even show you to a special Hell tree on an island." Ace blinked. How did he know Ace liked Hell trees? Then Ace looked at his hand and saw he held flowers and leaves from the tree he had run into before. Ace gave a small sound. "Um… are you a… demon?" Shanks shook his head. "No, do I look like one?" Ace shook his head. Shanks looked like a normal man, with red hair, maybe in his late thirties, and three scars over his right eye, but it still seemed like it worked. "No, you don't. I just haven't met anyone that wasn't demons or gremlins here." Shanks hummed. "I am known as the ferryman, I bring beings over this vast ocean, I am the link between the living and dead."

Ace blinked. "Oh, like the river Styx?" Shanks looked at him. "What is 'the river Styx'?" Ace blinked. "Oh, it is from Greek mythology. There is this river you need to pass to go into the afterlife, and there is a ferryman there who takes one coin to bring you over, and if you have none, you don't get to pass. I don't remember what the ferryman was called, but it wasn't Shanks." Shanks hummed. "I have always been the ferryman since day one. This is my job. I did not know my job was known to those on Earth. And I take a coin." Ace blinked. "Does it need to be a silver coin? That's what Greek mythology says." Shanks shook his head. "No, any coin will do. What do you say to the trip?"

Ace gave an unsure sound. "Um, you're not going to like… hurt me? Or take me away?" Shanks shook his head. "No, is this… ferryman of the Greek evil?" Ace tried to think. "I don't think so, but I am not that knowledgeable about Greek mythology. But I know the river Styx is full of lost souls and its waters have been used as poison." Shanks hummed. "I am simply a ferryman, I am no demon, but also no angel. I value my job and I like to talk with those I offer rides to." Ace nodded. "Oh… It won't make you late if you take me on a trip? I don't want to mess up your job." Shanks shook his head. "No, feel free to join me. I know the tree on the island are translucent and in different colors, if you are interested. This will be free of charge as you seem nice."

Ace blinked, before he nodded. "Okay, I would love to see the trees and gather more flowers and leaves." Shanks gave a small smile and moved the boat closer. It wasn't a large boat, more like a punt if he remembered right. Shanks stood on the back end with the long oar. As it was close, Ace wasn't too sure about this, but didn't want to seem rude, so Ace moved to board the boat. But as soon as both feet were on it, he felt himself grow warm for a second, before he looked down at his hands and saw they were gray. He didn't mean to change into his demon form.

As he felt himself very confused, Shanks spoke with a small hum. "My boat will always reveal your true self, your majesty. I did not know there was another prince now. I knew there was a shift a bit ago, but not that a new price was made." Ace looked at Shanks. "Oh… Um, please call me Ace." Shanks nodded. "As you wish, Ace." Shanks then moved the oar down and the boat moved very smoothly. But Shanks had been doing this for very long. As he saw the place he had been on get further and further away, Shanks spoke. "I can take you back, Ace, if you are uncomfortable." Ace shook his head. "Oh, no. It's fine. I am just still settling. I really want to see the tree." Shanks nodded and he moved with smooth movement with the oar, not seeming to use too much force either, but they still moved at a fast pace.

After a minute, Shanks spoke. "You don't act like a prince." Ace blinked. "Oh, um, I don't know what a prince acts like." Shanks nodded. "You seem very unsure and timid." Ace felt that himself. "This is new for me." Ace said, and Shanks hummed. "How did you get to become a prince here?" Ace made a small fidget before he answered. "I made a deal with the prince, when I was alive. And then we became friends. Then someone killed me and he bonded me to keep me alive, but only half of me, and then things happened and now I am a full demon in Hell and a prince." Shanks hummed. "So, you were a pure soul?" Ace blinked, now feeling a bit scared that Shanks would take him and use him for his soul. Shanks gave a small chuckle. "No reason to be afraid, it was just an observation. I am sorry, my people skills are not the best."

Ace blinked, before he shook his head. "Oh no, you seem like a nice guy. I am just very new here." Shanks nodded and then they sat in silence a bit, before he saw a small island, and on it, was a lone Hell tree. And when they were close, Ace moved to the island and to the tree. It had different colors on its leaves, being a mix of green, purple and blue. But the flowers, they were all translucent and somewhat glowing, like they had very small lights on them that shined, like glitter. They looked like vinca flowers. He had not seen any like these ones. He carefully picked a few, being sure to grab different colors, which were pink, blue, white, and red.

As he had a few, Shanks spoke. "Take a flower, and move it carefully back and forth." Ace blinked, before he took the blue one and did, and as he did, it made a soft sound. It was like a soft humming of a woman's voice. He then took the red flower and did the same, and it also hummed, but in a different tone, and this one sounded like a man's voice. Ace felt so mesmerized by this. Shanks hummed. "Once every other month, there is a gust of wind, and the trees' flowers sing. There are 8 other trees and small islands around, all different colors, shapes, and sounds." Ace nodded. "Why do these hum? Those I have found earlier don't." Shanks hummed. "Because these are not Hell flowers, but soul flowers. While Hell flowers thrive on blood, these thrive on souls from the water." That was amazing.

Ace looked at Shanks. "There were more trees?" Shanks nodded. "Yes, there are. Would you like to see them?" Ace nodded, before he blinked. "But not now, as I think I should head home soon, before anyone gets worried for me." Shanks nodded. "I understand. Let us head back." Then Ace got back into the boat, and they headed towards where he had been. How Shanks managed to orient himself in this vast place, was amazing. They spoke a bit as they sailed, before they reached the shore and Ace disembarked the boat and looked at Shanks with a smile. "Thank you, for this. I really love the flowers." Shanks gave a nod. "It is nothing. Most don't see the beauty in them, I am glad someone does. I hope we will meet again, Ace." Ace nods. "I do too. You seem like a really good guy. Bye." Then Ace headed away, looking at the flowers, as they were so beautiful.

Today was a good day.

-x-

Shanks watched as Ace walked away, before Shanks hummed to himself. Never had anyone called him a good guy, never had he met someone who was interested in the trees or flowers. But this Ace seemed different. And not only that, he was a prince. That was very interesting. As Ace disappeared, Shanks chuckled and started to head towards where other souls were to bring them over the river, or ocean felt more right.

He hoped he would run into Ace again.

-x-

Marco walked to his room, having had meetings all day, and he was glad to see Ace there, who was placing some new flowers in different vases and on the counters and other places they fit. As he saw the flowers Ace was handling now, he frowned. "Where did you get those? I haven't seen those before, yoi." Ace looked at him with a smile. "They were on an island in the ocean… I forgot to ask if the ocean had a name…" Marco frowned, before it hit him. "The river? The vast river, yoi? Ace, you can't touch it, it is very dangerous."

Ace looked at him with a smile. "I know. Or, I didn't. But Shanks stopped me from touching it and said it was dangerous, then he took me on a small ride to a small island that had this tree with these flowers and those leaves." Marco blinked. He had no idea there were islands with trees on them. As he was on his way to speak, Ace did as he grabbed a blue flower. "Also, listen to this!" He said excitedly and moved it a bit back and forward, and the flower hummed. That was new.

He looked at Ace. "And Shanks took you on a ride, yoi?" Ace nodded. "Yeah. He said he could do one free of charge, and I had fun." Marco blinked. Shanks was a loner. He steered away from everyone and kept to himself. Marco wanted to tell Ace to stay away from him, as Shanks wasn't a demon or anything, therefore didn't fall under the same rules as them. But Ace looked so happy and really liked the flowers. And Shanks hadn't seemed like a danger at all, but Marco would try and keep an eye on Ace. "Are you going back to him, yoi?" Ace hummed. "I don't know. He did mention there were different trees with different leaves and flowers, and I kinda want to see them and gather some."

Why did Ace have to be so innocent? Marco looked at Ace. "Okay, but be careful, okay, yoi?" Ace nodded and frowned a bit. "Is Shanks dangerous?" Marco hummed. "No, I don't think he is. But the river is very dangerous, even for us demons, yoi." Ace nodded. "Okay. I promise to be careful." Marco nodded and smiled, glad about that. He would be sure to send a raven or crow to watch over Shanks, all just in case. but he didn't want to stop Ace from speaking with others and opening up and growing more sure in himself. He would just keep a watch out on Ace, as he cared deeply about him. And he wouldn't stop Ace from maybe getting a friend, even though that might be Shanks. Yes, Marco would keep a close eye on Shanks.


And that's the chapter! I hope you enjoyed!

I am slowly expanding the plots and how Hell works, and I hope it seems interesting

If you have any ideas, don't be afraid to share them!

I hope you enjoyed, and if you want to, I do love feedback, so don't be afraid to leave a review, or send a PM!

If you also want to, I have a Twitter, my name is Azuruko, and I have a discord, my tag/username is just azuruko, as well as a server (Instant invite: discord . gg / 6hzMhbR) where everyone is welcomed! Updates is also posted there, both on discord and on twitter