[Black Gold Island - New World]
It's a warm summer night. In the main town, a big party cheers the citizens, as usual. The adults enjoy drinks and food while the children have fun with games. The ambient full of joy, wealth and light
Not so far from there, a group of teenagers is walking out of the town, going straight to an abandoned library.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" one of the girls asked nervously.
"Come on, it'll be fun!" A boy replied.
They stepped inside. Despite being abandoned, it's oddly clean and tidy, like someone has been taking care of it. They feel the scent of herbs and fruits.
They ventured further, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the empty space.
"Hey, look at this," One of the girls said, stopping in front of a small table. On it sat a bundle of flasks filled with glowing liquids of different colors.
The others gathered around her, their earlier trepidation momentarily forgotten.
"Wow, what do you think this stuff is?" The boy asked, peering closer at a flask filled with a bright blue liquid.
"I don't know, but it looks magical."
Just then, a low rumble echoed through the library, causing them all to jump.
"Did you guys hear that?"
"Probably just the wind."
Suddenly, they start hearing some humming from inside the library.
The group exchanged wary glances, their earlier excitement now mixed with a palpable tension.
They look in the direction of the source of the humming and keep silent. Soon, a figure walks in… but it doesn't look human. It has a long tail, a weird form and red glowing eyes.
The thing looks straight to the teenagers in silence and unmoving.
As their shock fades and they regain their senses, they start running away in fear.
They all scream in unison. "Monster!"
The group bolted toward the entrance, their footsteps pounding against the stone floor as they ran away from the creature.
[WEEKS LATER]
A marine ship is sailing at the seas. A cherry-red-haired woman is on board watching the sea with a bored face.
Behind her, the sound of boots echoed on the deck. A younger marine hurried over, saluting her quickly.
"Vice-Admiral Lily, we've received a report from the nearest island. It seems there are a group of pirates attacking-"
The woman stares at him and interrupts him. "Don't you dare to talk anything about work. I just started my vacation. This trip is just to take me to the island where I will be staying."
The young marine looked taken aback. "But, ma'am, the pirates—"
"Pirates are a dime a dozen." Lily interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. "Unless they're causing serious damage or threatening civilians, let them be. This island is not my problem right now." She turned her attention back to the horizon, her long red hair blowing in the salty breeze.
"But, ma'am, the captain said—"
"I don't care what the captain said," She snapped, her voice sharp. "I have enough on my plate without dealing with petty pirates. We'll report back to headquarters when I'm back from my vacation."
The younger marine hesitated. "Yes, ma'am,"
Lily leaned against the railing, the warm wind tousling her coat as she continued to scan the vast sea. She longed for some peace and quiet after the relentless grind of naval duty. She had earned this break, and nothing was going to ruin it.
The ship sailed closer to the island. The Black Gold island. A really wealthy and friendly place, with very strict laws against violence, the perfect place for her rest.
As the ship glided closer to Black Gold Island, the vibrant colors of the sunset painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, casting a warm glow over the picturesque landscape.
"Ma'am," the young marine said, breaking her reverie. "We'll be docking soon. Is there anything specific you'd like us to prepare?"
Lily considered this for a moment. "Just make sure I have a nice room with a view. And maybe find out where the best local spots to eat are. I want to enjoy the island's cuisine."
"Yes, ma'am!" he replied eagerly, disappearing back into the ship to relay her wishes to the crew.
Lily turned her gaze back to the island, its lush greenery and quaint buildings coming into sharper focus. It seemed peaceful, almost idyllic.
As the ship docked, the sound of the gangplank clattering against the side echoed in the quiet harbor. A welcoming committee awaited her, consisting of a few local officials and a small contingent of marines stationed on the island.
"Welcome to Black Gold Island, Vice-Admiral Lily! We hope you enjoy your stay here."
"Thank you," she replied, her demeanor softening slightly. "I'm looking forward to some relaxation."
As Lily stepped onto the dock, the salty air filled her lungs, mingling with the sweet scent of tropical flowers from nearby gardens. The officials greeted her with warm smiles, their suits pressed neatly, reflecting the island's affluence.
"Shall we escort you to your accommodations?" One of the officials suggested.
"Lead the way," Lily replied, her earlier irritation fading.
As they walked, she couldn't help but notice the lively atmosphere. Townsfolk bustled about, setting up stalls filled with colorful fruits and handcrafted goods, laughter and music ringing in the air.
As the sun dipped beneath the horizon and the festivities on the island continued into the night, Lily settled into her luxurious room overlooking the harbor. The glow of the party lights and the soft sound of distant laughter created a peaceful ambiance, exactly what she had hoped for.
But just as she was about to close her eyes and sink into the bed, there was a sharp knock at the door and someone calling for her. "Ma'am! Ma'am!"
Lily groaned and sat up in bed, running a hand through her hair. So much for peace and quiet.
She threw the blankets off and made her way to open the door. "What is it now?"
A teenager stood before her, breathless and clearly rattled. "Ma'am, I apologize for disturbing you, but it's urgent."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "What do you want, kid?"
"Please, ma'am, hear me out." He said. "There is a monster on this island! Me and my friends saw it and tried to warn the people, but they did not believe us!"
Lily stared at the boy for a long moment, trying to gauge whether this was some sort of prank.
"A monster?" she echoed, rubbing her temples. "What kind of monster are we talking about? Pirates? A rogue Devil Fruit user?"
"No, no," the boy shook his head frantically, stepping closer. "It wasn't human! It had glowing red eyes, a tail, and was watching us. It's still out there!"
Lily sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. She could feel the weight of her vacation slipping through her fingers.
"Alright," she said at last, stepping back. "Tell me exactly what happened."
The boy nodded, calming down to explain. "My friends and I were exploring the old library outside the town for fun. It's been abandoned for years. But when we got there, it had these weird flasks, and this smell of herbs. Then, we heard this humming, and that's when we saw it."
Lily listened in silence, her arms crossed as she leaned against the doorframe. "Where exactly is this library?"
The boy hesitated for a moment. "It's a few minutes from town. Just follow the path that leads into the forest."
Lily sighs, annoyed by the interruption of her peace. "Go home kid. I'll check that 'monster'."
The teenager's eyes widened with relief as he nodded. "Thank you, ma'am! I swear, you won't regret it."
As he scurried out of the room, Lily watched him go with a skeptical glance. She sighed deeply, knowing this was likely nothing more than a prank or a case of overactive imagination. She pulled on her coat, grabbed her saber, and headed out of her room.
The night air was cool, a stark contrast to the earlier warmth of the day. The festivities in town had died down, with only a few lingering voices drifting from the distant square.
She made her way deeper into the woods, her keen senses alert to any unusual several minutes, she reached the abandoned library.
It loomed in front of her, larger than she expected. The door creaked open as she stepped inside, her boots echoing in the quiet space.
The air was thick with the scent of herbs, just as the boy had said. But what caught her attention were the rows of bookshelves, all neatly organized, despite the building's abandoned state.
Lily narrowed her eyes, taking in the scene. "This place... it's too clean for something abandoned."
She walked deeper into the library, her gaze shifting to the flasks of glowing liquid scattered on the tables. They emitted a faint glow, casting an eerie light around the room.
Suddenly, a soft humming filled the air.
Lily's hand went to her saber as her body tensed, her senses sharpening. The sound grew louder, reverberating through the library, and then she saw it moving in the shadows.
A figure emerged from behind one of the shelves, its red eyes glowing in the dim light. It wasn't very tall, but it had a long tail and an unsettling aura. When the creature saw her it stood there, watching her, unmoving.
Lily drew her saber, her eyes narrowing. "So, you're the so-called 'monster,' huh?"
The creature's eyes glinted as it tilted its head, almost as if it were studying her. It sighs. "... well, I should've expected that… yet, I'm frustrated. I wished to be able to stay here for more time."
It stepped out of the shadows and revealed its appearance. It is a short, humanoid, wolf-like creature. It had wolf ears, a snout and wolf legs. It had a simple Shirt and pants.
Lily kept her saber steady, her eyes locked on the creature. "You talk?"
The creature blinks surprised a few times before the realization hits it. "Oh, you didn't know I could talk? Pardono." It clears its throat and says polite and softly. "Sì, I can talk."
Lily lowered her saber slightly, her curiosity piqued despite the tension in the air. "What are you?"
The creature's glowing eyes softened. "My name is Leonard, Signorina. I've been living here for some months. I'm an alchemist of sorts, gathering knowledge from the ancient texts in this library. I came from a bad place, and I just want peace in this new world I came into."
Lily blinked in surprise, her saber lowering further as she took in Leonard's words. "You're an alchemist? And you've been living here alone?"
Leonard nodded slowly. "Sì, I prefer solitude. The world outside can be... chaotic, especially for someone like me."
"Someone like you?" Lily echoed, curiosity overriding her initial wariness. "What do you mean?"
The creature gets slightly nervous and fidget with its fingers. "Uh… well, Signorina. I came from a very bad place, and if humans knew about that they would be… mean to me, to be very optimistic."
Lily raised an eyebrow, intrigued yet cautious. "Bad place? You mean, like, a prison or something worse?"
Leonard hesitated, his red eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Something worse, I assure you. I… I came from Hell itself."
Lily's expression shifted to disbelief. "Hell? You're serious?"
Leonard nodded, his gaze earnest. "Yes, Signorina. But unlike sinners, I was born there. Hellborns like me don't suffer the torture the sinners do, but we still have to survive. I never was very fond of violence myself, so I managed to come to the Living Realm and I decided to live here."
Lily stared at Leonard for a moment, weighing his words. A creature from Hell, living peacefully on Black Gold Island? It sounded impossible, but she had seen her fair share of strange things in the New World. She couldn't dismiss him outright.
"So, you've been hiding here to avoid humans," Lily said, lowering her saber completely. "But now you've been found out by those kids."
Leonard sighed softly. "Sì, it was inevitable. I just hoped to go unnoticed a little longer. Humans can be... unpredictable. I've had enough of cruelty in Hell."
Lily crossed her arms, her curiosity still piqued. "You're not exactly the picture of a dangerous creature, though. What makes you think people would be 'mean' to you?"
Leonard hesitated before replying, his voice quieter now. "Because people fear what they don't understand. And when fear takes over, violence often follows. I've seen it happen countless times."
Lily was silent for a moment, watching him closely. She couldn't argue with that. The Marines dealt with chaos on a regular basis, often rooted in fear or ignorance. But there was something different about Leonard, something almost pitiable.
"Alright," Lily said at last, sheathing her saber. "I'll keep your secret. But only as long as you don't cause trouble for the people here. I'm on vacation, and the last thing I need is more work."
Leonard's glowing eyes brightened with surprise. "You… you will?"
She shrugged. "For now. But if you turn out to be a threat, I won't hesitate to deal with you. Got it?"
Leonard bowed his head slightly, his voice filled with gratitude. "Grazie, Signorina. I promise you, I mean no harm. I only wish to continue my studies and live in peace."
Lily gave a small nod, already feeling the weight of responsibility creeping back into her supposed vacation. "Good. Now get back to whatever you were doing. And stay out of sight. I don't want any more kids screaming about monsters."
Leonard gave a soft chuckle. "Of course, I shall remain discreet."
She nods. As she turned to leave the library, Leonard called out for her. "Signorina… mind if I ask for something?"
Lily stopped, glancing back over her shoulder, her expression a mix of curiosity and exasperation. "What is it?"
Leonard hesitated for a moment, his glowing eyes flickering uncertainly before he spoke again. "I know this is a strange request, but… could you come back tomorrow? It has been quite a while since I had an actual talk with someone and… well, I got some board games, but I need someone else to play..."
Lily blinked, caught off guard by Leonard's request. A strange creature from Hell, living in an abandoned library, asking her to play board games? It wasn't exactly how she imagined spending her vacation.
"I'm not exactly the type for casual board games," Lily replied, folding her arms. "And I'm supposed to be on vacation. You want me to spend my time off playing games with you?"
Leonard's red eyes shimmered slightly, the glow dimming as he shifted shyly. "Perdono, Signorina. It's a selfish request. I didn't mean to bother you."
Lily sighed, rubbing her temples. She had come to this island for a break, not to babysit a lonely alchemist from Hell. But something about Leonard's awkwardness made her hesitate. He wasn't a threat, at least, not yet, and besides, she had nothing better to do.
"Alright," she said finally, much to her own surprise. "I'll think about it. But don't expect me to stick around for long."
Leonard's eyes lit up with unexpected joy, his tail swaying behind him. "Grazie, Signorina! I'll make sure to set up a good game for us."
"Yeah, yeah," Lily muttered, already regretting her decision as she turned on her heel and headed out of the library.
Before she leaves, Leonard calls her again. "Signorina, one more thing."
Lily paused at the doorway, glancing over her shoulder. "What now?" she asked, her patience wearing thin.
Leonard points to a desk with potions. "You can take one of my potions. Their effects are on the label. Take this as an act of gratitude."
Lily hesitated at Leonard's offer, glancing back at the desk cluttered with colorful flasks. "You're really giving me one of your potions? What's the catch?"
Leonard shook his head earnestly. "No catch, I promise! I only wish to express my gratitude for your kindness. Just choose one that piques your interest. I recommend the Reinvigoration one. It revigores all your strength and makes you feel like new, besides it has strawberry taste."
Lily eyed the array of colorful flasks warily, her curiosity piqued despite her better judgment. "Reinvigoration, huh?" she mused, glancing between Leonard's eager expression and the flasks before her. "Sounds interesting. But if I drink it and start sprouting wings or something, I'll hold you responsible."
Leonard chuckled softly, his glowing eyes sparkling with amusement. "I assure you, Signorina, you won't sprout wings. It simply enhances your stamina. A perfect choice for someone in your line of work."
With a reluctant nod, Lily selected the flask filled with a vibrant pink liquid, the label adorned with illustrations of strawberries. "Fine. But if I regret this, I'll be back to collect my debt."
"Understood!" Leonard replied, his tone light, though he looked genuinely pleased.
Lily corked the flask and tucked it into her coat pocket. "I'll see you tomorrow, Leonard. But don't expect me to be your entertainment for long," she added, trying to sound stern despite the small smile creeping onto her face.
"Tomorrow it is! I'll have everything ready!" He called out as she made her way to the entrance, his voice tinged with excitement.
As Lily stepped into the cool night air, she felt a strange mix of anticipation and reluctance. What was she getting herself into? But for the first time in a while, she felt a flicker of interest, a sense of novelty that hadn't accompanied her duties as a Vice-Admiral.
[TO BE CONTINUED]