Chapter 2

A Meeting Decided by Fate

Ace slowly opened his eyes and blinked in shock and confusion. Firstly, he was shocked to find out he was still alive and, secondly, he was confused about his whereabouts. He expected, in the case anyone did manage to save him, to wake up in the cabin of a ship or at some deserted island. Never did he imagine he would wake up in a place like the one he was at currently. Taking a moment to properly wake himself up and make sure that he was indeed alive, he started examining his surroundings more carefully.

After a quick glance around he could be sure for one thing; the room was strange and the faint smell of incense seemed to linger in the air, causing the pirate to feel a little lightheaded. The walls and the ceiling were completely covered with dark blue and purple fabrics that were entangled together in a confusing yet beautiful way. Long strings with little stars were pinned to those fabrics, some of them hanging until they were touching the floor, giving the feeling that you were looking at the night sky. The whole place was illuminated by the light of many lanterns and candles, all in different sizes and shapes, which added to the eerie feeling.

Ace caught himself being distracted by the game of the shadows and the light on the fabrics, the way the fake stars were gleaming reflecting the candlelight was not helping either, and he internally scolded himself for that. Frowning, he pushed the covers of the bed he was lying on away and started to get on his feet only to realize how unusually stiff his muscles were. Attempting to relieve himself of the uncomfortable feeling he stretched, wincing at the sharp pain that instantly run through his body.

Feeling slightly better he walked towards the door on the other side of the room but stopped upon noticing something he had, surprisingly, missed before. In the far away corner of the room where most of the lanterns and candles were gathered was a desk made of dark wood and a chair. What got the boy's attention though was what was perched on the chair. There, all curled up and covered with a thick woven blanket, was a person. A sleeping person if the soft lullaby coming out of a small music box had anything to do with it. Raising an eyebrow, Ace decided to check on the stranger who was, most likely, looking after him while he was unconscious before leaving for the New World. Walking as soundlessly as he could he reached the desk and peaked a little to make sure that the person was still sleeping. Not being able to tell since the blanket was covering most of the stranger's face he was ready to leave, but stopped when the person started moving around to get more comfortable in the clearly uncomfortable wooden chair. All the moving around caused the blanket to fall to the ground, revealing this way a sea of long pink curls which looked so soft he had to stop himself from touching them or, at least, try to do so. His hand was soon moving stray strands of hair away from the sleeping girl's, he knew the person was a girl now that the blanket was out of the way, face.

Once his task was complete, Ace carefully studied the girl. She was beautiful. Her pink hair were contrasting with her darker skin and her dark clothes. Her full lips were slightly open and painted a deep red and it looked like black eyeliner was decorating her eyes. Yes, the girl was a sight to behold, but there was still something that ruined the whole picture for him. There were traces of tears on her cheeks.

Ace couldn't but wonder what could have caused the girl to cry herself to sleep. The only answer came in the form of a raven that flew from its nest somewhere in between the sea of purple and blue and landed on top of the music box, closing it in the process and allowing a sudden silence to fall in the room. Ace stood there looking at the bird which gave him an acknowledging look before turning its head to stare at the girl. A minute passed and she started stirring. A few more and she was staring at the dark-haired pirate, fully awake now and alarmed.

"You shouldn't be awake yet."

Her voice was low and raspy, probably from the crying and the sleep.

"Why are you awake? It's still too soon."

Ace raised an eyebrow again. He had no idea what this girl was talking about.

"Look, I just woke up in this room. I have no idea what you're talking about or how I got here. Last thing I remember is the war."

The girl sighed and looked down.

"I know. I was planning to explain everything to you once you woke up. I just don't understand why you are awake now."

"Well, I am, so why don't we get to the explaining part?"

"But you were supposed to sleep for at least one more month..."

Her whisper caused a wave of different emotions to wash over the boy.

"What do you mean?"

The girl looked him in the eyes. It was only for a moment, but Ace felt as if his whole being was scanned by those heterochromatic eyes. He had to admit to himself that he didn't really like the feeling. He could already feel the blood rushing to his head and this girl was just making things worse with her words and actions. Thankfully, she started talking again.

"I was keeping you unconscious here in this room for a whole month after the end of the war."

Her voice was monotonous and drained of any emotion. His, on the other hand, was overflowing with them even though it was barely audible.

"You mean to say that you forced me to sleep for a month in this damned place, using whatever means you did to achieve that, while Luffy and the others were out there doing whatever they could to survive? If they did manage to survive."

"Your friends are all safe."

Ace couldn't control his emotions anymore. His blood was boiling and he expected his flames to appear any moment now. Still, the girl looked unfazed. She just kept staring at him, waiting.

"You sound too sure about what you just said."

"Because I know that much."

Any moment now.

"I know you would prefer to see them and be with them right now but this is what, by any means, you mustn't do."

He felt his flames break through his body and soon he could hear their whispers as they danced on his skin. He knew that this time his voice was louder.

"And who are you to tell me what I must and must not do? Since when did you get this authority over me?"

The girl's previously calm mask was now shattered. Her eyes were now looking at him gleaming with the emotions that were storming inside. Her lips were tightly pushed together and her eyebrows were furrowed. When she talked, her voice was similar to a sinister growl.

"You are right. I am no one to you and you shouldn't be anyone to me, yet I did all I could to help you live. I did and now I wonder why. I should have let you die."

"Then why didn't you?"

"I couldn't!"

The sudden outburst startled Ace enough for his flames to subside.

"I acted on a whim and did the unspeakable. And now I have to make sure your brother won't find out. Stupid, this is what I am. Stupid!"

"Wait, my brother? You mean Luffy?"

The girl nodded. Now that Ace was calm enough to think straight, he could see that she looked extremely tired and, for some reason, defeated. He was actually feeling bad for starting this unnecessary argument. He wanted to talk, say something, but she beat him to it.

"If things were different, you would have been able to be with your brother now, but the problem is...he thinks you're dead."

He didn't react.

"Actually, everyone thinks you're dead. This is why I was keeping you asleep in my room for the past month. Because I knew that, once awake, you would do something stupid. Guess I was right..."

"One question. How come everyone thinks I am dead?"

The girl smirked slightly.

"It wasn't easy to make this happen, you know."

There was a shadow of amusement in her eyes.

"Don't tell me you were behind that too..."

"As I said before, it wasn't easy to do so. I had to find that Fruit and then a person willing to eat it. Luckily, I ended up only needing a person."

Ace's eyebrow was raised once more.

"Dare to share more details?"

"I bet you know Shanks."

"He helped too?"
A nod.

"Why am I not surprised..."

"Long story short, he had a way to contact the person I was looking for. And I had a plan. So he agreed to help me save you in exchange for some answers."

Her face was serious when she looked at him next.

"Your life did cost me a lot; you better remember this in the future."

He laughed. It was strange how they were now talking calmly, joking even, when a moment ago they were growling at each other.

"So, I have to thank Shanks too, right?"

"Huh?"

"For being alive, I mean."

"Next time he'll come by you can tell him."

"Next time? Where are we exactly?"

"Sabaody Archipelago. Shakky's place."

"Isn't this a little too close to the Headquarters?"

"A lot happened since the war and a lot more will happen. You can ask Shakky for more information. What I want to make sure now is that you understand why you shall remain dead."

"It has to do with Luffy, right?"

"Yes. He needs to grow stronger. They all do."

No one said anything else for a while. Instead, they spend the few moments of silence lost in each other's eyes.

"I get it."

"I'm glad."

As if to signal the end of the conversation, the girl sat back on the chair and lied down on the desk again, her face hidden behind her pink locks and her voice a muffled mumble.

"I'm so tired."

Immediately the raven started jumping around next to her, cawing sharply.

"I know. Thanks, Ebony."

It then flew to the bed Ace was occupying until recently. It cawed again.

"Yes, I'm coming."

She raised herself with slow, careful movements and walked, swaying a little, to the bed. This is when Ace realized something else too.

"Before I go and leave you on your own, may I ask you a final question?"

She looked at him and nodded.

"This was your bed right?"

She nodded.

"Then all this time I was stealing your bed from you. No wonder you're so tired."

She sighed.

"It's alright. I was the one that gave it to you. Don't ask why though since I don't even know myself."

Ace smiled.

"Also, I lied. I want to ask you another question."

She waited patiently.

"May I, please, have your name?"

She looked reluctant for a few seconds but, in the end, she answered softly.

"Calypso."

"Thank you. Goodnight then, Calypso."

He then walked out of the room, closing the door with as less noise as possible, and walked to the bar so he could get his countless questions answered by the bar owner as instructed while, on the way there, he was thinking about this strange girl he just met and what she told him. One thing was for sure. This girl was a riddle and he was intrigued to find its solution. Only the thought of doing so was enough to make him grin with excitement.