Post Wano spoilers in this chapter!
Oriana's days blurred into one another as she wandered aimlessly around the island, her mind adrift in thought. The steady rhythm of the breeze brushing against her face at sunrise and sunset, paired with the distant sounds of nature, lent a gentle calm to her sensitive mind.
Amazon Lily became her sanctuary, a place where she could escape the crushing weight of her loss. The island nurtured this fragile illusion, letting it shield her from the harshness of reality.
She allowed herself the comforting delusion that her father was still out there, alive and sailing as he always had, that any day now, she might spot the familiar shape of the Moby Dick on the horizon, coming to take her home.
Yet even in her quiet retreat, Oriana knew this peace was temporary. Sooner or later, news would find her and pull her back to the Grand Line she was so carefully avoiding. But for now, she could pretend that everything was still intact, holding onto the delicate threads of her illusion just a little longer.
She spent most of her days by the shore, watching the endless stretch of sea and listening to waves crashing against the island. Memories of her father drifted through her mind like whispers on the breeze. In these moments, she felt closer to him, almost as if he were just beyond the horizon, waiting for her.
Deep down, Oriana knew she couldn't stay on the island forever. The New World was waiting for her return, along with the crew she'd left behind. She trusted they would be all right, yet in her current state, the thought of facing them felt too painful.
That's why she chose to embrace this fleeting peace. Oriana would return when she was ready, when the weight of her loss no longer felt so unbearable, and not a moment sooner.
The islanders had been watching her from a distance, no doubt under Boa Hancock's orders. Oriana sensed their presence through her haki, but she also noticed the subtle signs of their watchfulness, rustling leaves, shadows shifting just out of sight. Yet, they respected her solitude, keeping their distance, as if silently acknowledging her need for space.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted her thoughts. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but Snake Princess wishes to speak with you, Oriana-sama," a local said, bowing slightly in respect. Oriana let out a soft sigh, a mixture of reluctance and curiosity settling in her chest. She wondered what the Warlord could want now, but knew she had little choice but to find out.
When they arrived at the castle, Oriana couldn't help but notice Boa Hancock sitting on what could only be described as a snake throne. "Huh?" Oriana muttered, too focused on the bizarre sight of the snake throne to respond immediately.
"I'm going to bring food to Luffy. Would you like to accompany me?" Hancock repeated with a soft smile.
"No, I need him to focus on his training," Oriana replied simply, her tone firm. "I've already arranged food for him a few times, and according to my warriors, he seems to be doing much better." Hancock offered.
"That's good, but I can't see him just yet," Oriana said, unwilling to distract him.
"He deserves to know what's going on with you, don't you think?" one of Hancock's younger sisters asked, her voice soft but insistent.
"I don't want to burden him with my problems. I'm his older sister after all," Oriana responded, glancing at Hancock, knowing only an older sibling would understand the weight of what she was carrying.
"You better fix yourself. You're coming with us, or would you rather I invite him here instead?" Hancock's voice dropped, her smile turning sinister.
"You wouldn't," Oriana said, narrowing her eyes in warning.
"Oh, I would," Hancock teased, her grin widening. "I'm sure when Luffy finds out about your state over the last couple of weeks, he'd come here voluntarily."
Oriana sighed, before crossing her arms. "It's good you have a beautiful face, 'cause your personality is awful!" she snapped before turning and heading into the bathroom.
After a quick bath, Oriana returned, towel draped around her body, her white hair still damp.
"You look better," Hancock commented, her tone softer now. "Now, I've prepared some new clothes for you." She motioned for her servants to approach.
Oriana's gaze flickered to the women around her, all wearing barely anything. "I'm not going to dress like that," she said, not bothering to hide her distaste.
"I made you something more in your style," one of the servants said, stepping forward with a white sleeveless mid-thigh dress along with a brown belt just like the empress.
"Careful, sister, it's almost as if you care," Oriana remarked, a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips as she took the dress and slipped into it. Using her wind powers, she dried her hair swiftly.
"I'm doing this for Luffy!" the empress protested, while Oriana rolling her eyes as she adjusted the dress.
The warriors quickly prepared the food and made their way to the pirate ship. The island where Luffy was training, Rusukaina, wasn't far off, and soon they were sailing toward it. As they approached, the sight of movement and commotion on the island caught their attention.
Before they could even dock, a familiar figure appeared at the edge of the shore. Luffy came running toward them, his usual grin lighting up his face, though there was a sense of urgency in his steps.
"Oii!" he shouted, waving enthusiastically as he sprinted towards the ship.
Oriana eyes widen, "Luffy," she muttered before her red eyes soften and a small smile emerged. "Oria!" he yelled brightly but his smile suddenly faded when the ship got closer. Luffy stretched his arm out and rocketed himself to the ship, "Luffy-sama!" the Kuja pirates yelled, but he ignored them and went straight for his sister.
"Oria," he said softly, his voice dropping. "What's wrong?" His hand reached out, hesitant but steady, as if afraid she might disappear. Oriana's smile faltered, the warmth in her red eyes dimming slightly. She forced a chuckle and took his hand, hoping to brush off his concern.
"Come on, Luffy. You're supposed to be training, not worrying about me." But Luffy wasn't convinced. He placed a hand on her cheek, his touch gentle, yet his gaze was unwavering. "You look tired," he said, his voice unusually soft.
"You're not like yourself at all." There was an innocence in his worry, but his tone was serious. "Have you… been like this since the war?" At his words, Oriana's breath caught. Her hand instinctively moved to cover his on her cheek, feeling the warmth of his palm and the steady beat of his pulse.
She hadn't realized how visible her pain was, nor how sharply it would affect Luffy. For a moment, she considered brushing it off, offering a light excuse to ease his worry. But the look in his eyes was too genuine, "Yes," she admitted quietly, her voice just above a whisper. "I… I haven't been the same since then."
Luffy tugged Oriana toward the island and into the jungle, he didn't let go of her hand, his grip reassuring and warm but not before he grabbed the bag of food with them, "Thanks Hancock! We'll be back!" he said.
She could feel the energy buzzing from him, a liveliness she'd missed in herself for too long.
Luffy's eyes lit up the moment he saw the food, and he barely contained his excitement, patting the spot next to him for Oriana to join. She settled beside him, amused as he immediately began piling food onto her plate before grabbing for himself, just like he used to do when they were younger. It was a small gesture, but one that made her feel like she was home.
"So!" he said, already halfway through a mouthful of rice, "tell me about everything you've been up to!" His voice was muffled by food, and he grinned sheepishly, making her chuckle.
She took a slow breath, glancing down at her plate. She thought about the battles she'd fought, the sleepless nights, and the memories of her father that lingered like shadows in her mind. But right now, all she could feel was Luffy's presence beside her, grounding her.
"Well, you know I'm pretty much lost without you around to keep me in check," she joked, giving him a playful nudge. Luffy laughed, swallowing before nudging her back, almost knocking her over.
In between mouthfuls, Luffy glanced at her, his eyes softer now. "So, Oria… what's really been happening? You said things haven't been the same since the war, but…" He hesitated, his hand pausing mid-bite.
Oriana's smile faded, her eyes growing distant as she looked out at the open sea. "I thought..." she murmured. "I thought I'd find some way to make peace with everything that happened. But it's hard…letting go. It's like everywhere I go, I want feel his calm and strong presence." Her voice softened, almost a whisper. "It's like I'm still waiting for him to come back."
Luffy swallowed, his gaze never leaving her. "Your dad?" he asked gently.
She nodded, a faint, bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. "I know he's gone. But part of me… doesn't want to believe it. I keep thinking I'll see the Moby Dick on the horizon, and he'll be there, laughing like he used to. It's silly," she added, looking down, almost ashamed of her own lingering hope.
Luffy's face softened, and he set down his food, reaching for her hand again. "That's not silly at all, Oria," he said firmly, giving her hand a comforting squeeze. "He was your dad. It makes sense you'd want to hold onto him." His voice dropped, becoming softer. "I still think about Ace all the time. Sometimes I think I see him in my dreams, still seeing his death."
Oriana's eyes glistened, and she tightened her grip on his hand, feeling a shared understanding pass between them, a bond of loss and remembrance, of family that neither could truly let go of. For a while, they simply sat in silence, letting the unspoken words fill the air.
"I've learned to live with it," Luffy said, his gaze steady, though a shadow of sadness flickered in his eyes. "And I use that to push me forward, to make sure I'm never weak enough to let that happen again." His voice held an intensity that Oriana rarely saw.
Oriana looked at him, seeing in his face the weight of his own battles, the ghosts he carried. She could feel the strength behind his words, the determination that burned within him. He'd faced his own heartbreak, his own losses, and instead of letting them pull him down, he'd turned them into fuel.
"Luffy…" she murmured, a swell of admiration mixing with her own sorrow. "You really are something, you know that?"
He shrugged, the edge in his expression softening as his usual carefree smile crept back. "I'm just doing what I can. Besides, I'm not doing this alone, I've got my crew; my friends… and I've got you."
She felt a flicker of warmth spread through her chest. Luffy had endured so much, but he still reached out, still shared his strength freely. After a long pause, Oriana took a deep breath and squeezed his hand back. "Thank you, Luffy. I didn't know how much I needed this."
Luffy's trademark grin returned, brighter than ever. "Anytime, Oria!"
Luffy beamed, the joy in his eyes uncontainable. "Now, let's eat! We've got a feast here, and I'm not letting you leave until you've had your fill." Laughing, Oriana finally allowed herself to relax, embracing the lightness of the moment and the comfort of family she knew she could always count on.
As the last of the food was cleared, Oriana moved closer, settling beside Luffy. She slipped her arm around his and rested her head on his shoulder, feeling his warmth as they sat side by side in comfortable silence. Neither of them spoke, simply letting the still nature fill the space between them as they watched the sun dip lower, painting the sky.
The waves lapped gently against the island, a steady rhythm that seemed to echo their quiet, shared peace. Oriana closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the calm. It was a rare, fleeting moment where the weight of the past faded.
Luffy shifted slightly, leaning his head against hers in an unspoken gesture of reassurance. She felt his familiar, unwavering presence beside her and, for the first time in a long while, a calm settled deep within her heart.
-x-
The siblings returned to the Kuja pirate ship a little after sunset, with Oriana finally smiling. She didn't notice Boa Hancock watching them with a fond smile, which quickly grew when she saw a certain someone. "Luffy! I was worried those vile beasts would attack you!" she cried out.
"Oh, right, but they didn't even come close. I wonder why?" Luffy said, glancing back toward the jungle. Oriana had sensed the animals approaching them but knew that Rayleigh was keeping them at bay, something she was grateful for. It seemed Luffy hadn't fully unlocked his Observation haki yet.
The Empress spoke with Luffy for a while, her words as smooth as ever, before finally proposing to him. Luffy, however, simply responded with a blunt "no," leaving Hancock momentarily stunned. Oriana couldn't hold back her amusement, watching the scene with a smirk.
It wasn't long before Rayleigh called Luffy back to training, and they had to prepare for departure.
As Oriana leaned on the ship's railing, Hancock approached her. "Talking to Luffy must have been just what you needed, Oriana," the Empress said.
"Yeah, thank you for that, Hancock," Oriana replied gratefully. "I'm glad you 'convinced' me to come."
Hancock smiled, nodding. "I'm glad things worked out with Luffy," she said, then her tone grew more serious. "But I'm curious; what do you plan to do now?"
Oriana hesitated. "I… I'm going back to Amazon Lily with you?" she said, her answer coming out more like a question as she tried to figure out Hancock's intentions.
The Empress raised a brow, still direct. "And how long do you intend to stay on the island?"
Caught off guard by the sudden shift, Oriana blinked. "I thought my sister would allow me to stay as long as I need?" she responded, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"That's right, but I'm not going to let your current mood go to waist. You can stay as long as you want, but you'll have to follow the traditions and laws of the amazons while you here," The empress wasn't asking it felt more like an order from authority.
Oriana had always respect authority on her crew... mostly, and would challenge them sometimes, but she didn't know this woman in front of her. She had heard rumors going around the Grand Line about the man-hating empress and the only positive thing she heard was about her beauty.
Being surrounded mostly by men her whole life, Oriana hadn't thought much about her feminine side. But maybe here, in this place that thrived on its own traditions and strength, she could explore that part of herself a little more deeply.
"Alright, then," Oriana replied uncertainly. The future she was shaping here felt unfamiliar, but there was a resolve behind her words. She wouldn't let this opportunity slip away, especially if it could help her grow in ways she'd never knew.
"Good," Hancock nodded. "Are you familiar with using a bow and arrow?"
"No… why?" Oriana asked, her brow furrowing.
"It's a tradition that every warrior on Amazon Lily upholds," the Empress explained.
Oriana glanced at the other women on board and noticed a peculiar detail she'd missed before. Each one carried a quiver of arrows. "I only see arrows… and, wait, snakes. Do I have to get a snake too?"
Hancock nodded. "Yes, and they use the snake as a bow."
Oriana let out a laugh, "Okay, now I know you're messing with me. There's no way that's real!"
Hancock raised an eyebrow but said nothing, turning to one of her warriors. "Rin! Show our guest your archery."
"Yes, Snake Princess!" Rin stepped forward, retrieving an arrow from her quiver. The snake on her arm slithered down, straightening along her forearm and forming a bow. She smoothly pulled back the arrow, aimed, and released. The arrow flew with incredible speed, piercing the water, and within moments, a fish floated to the surface.
Oriana's eyes widened in awe. "That's… amazing! I thought the whole snake thing was just some weird fashion statement," she said, stopping herself before adding her usual sass. Hancock offered a faint smile, watching Oriana thoughtfully.
"You're strong, but you're carrying a lot of sorrow," Hancock said quietly. "Training here might help you channel it."
Oriana felt excitement and unease too. The idea of finding purpose through training, of facing her pain instead of running from it, both scared and intrigued her.
"I… I need some time to really think," she replied, overwhelmed. Turning, she walked into the forest when they got back, letting the sounds of nature calm her racing mind. She had come to Amazon Lily to escape, but now she wondered if this place could offer her a new path forward.
Oriana wandered aimlessly, lost in thought, until she leaned against a tree and drifted off to sleep. When she awoke, the sun was shining directly into her eyes, and hunger gnawed at her. A delicious smell filled the air, and she followed it like a starved animal, eventually finding the old woman from the village cooking nearby.
"Are you trying to lure me out or something?" Oriana asked, confused.
"What do you mean? I'm just making lunch," the old woman replied innocently, though her eyes sparkled with something Oriana didn't quite trust.
"In the middle of the forest?" Oriana raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, and I wanted to have a talk with you, Winter Blaze." She held out a plate of food, and Oriana took it gratefully.
"About what?" Oriana asked, taking a bite.
The old woman looked at her with sincere sorrow. "I wanted to say how truly sorry I am to hear about your father. He was a great man."
"Yeah, he was one of a kind," Oriana replied softly, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"I wish I could have seen him one last time before he passed," the old woman said with a wistful tone. "But I guess it wasn't meant to be."
Oriana nodded, mumbling, "Sometimes it's like that…" Then it hit her. "Wait… you knew my father?"
"Yes," the woman answered, her eyes shined with old memories. "Newgate and I knew each other when we were much younger, and much wilder. We sailed together nearly forty years ago."
Oriana stared, stunned. She knew her father had been on another ship in his youth, back when he'd sailed under a Captain Rocks. He'd barely spoken about those days, but it was enough to know they'd shaped him. "What was he like back then?" she asked, her voice full of longing.
The old woman's eyes softened. "Powerful and full of ambition, even then. But he was different from the rest. Unlike the others, he didn't care about treasure or glory. He always wanted one thing, a family."
A lump formed in Oriana's throat as she listened, feeling a strange combo of warmth and sorrow at hearing about her father before she was born. "He really was special," she murmured, almost to herself. Elder Nyon nodded with a gentle smile. "You're following in your parents' footsteps. Your mother came to this island with a broken heart, too."
Oriana's eyes widened. "My mother?" She hadn't expected the conversation to turn to her, especially not in such a personal way. Oriana knew little about her mother's past, only fragments her father had shared.
"Yes, Kat," Elder Nyon said, her voice soft with memory. "She came to Amazon Lily after her homeland was destroyed. She joined the Kuja Pirates for a while and met Newgate through them. The Kuja Pirates tried to get me to return as the empress of Amazon Lily, but I couldn't due to my illness. Shakky had to step in and take my place," she explained.
Oriana was surprise. Her mother's past had always felt like a mystery, and here was a piece of it, finally revealed. "That's how they met?" she asked quietly, leaning forward.
Nyon nodded. "Yes, Newgate saved her more than once. The government nearly arrested her, but he intervened. Later, when she fell seriously ill, he encouraged her to come with him and find a new life together," she smiled, "Stussy wasn't too pleased about that," she added with a chuckle.
"Who's Stussy?" Oriana asked.
Nyon's eyes sparkled with a mischievous smile. "She was part of our old crew and had quite a fondness for your father. They were close in some ways, but not in the way Stussy had hoped. He'd never shown interest like that... until he met your mother."
Oriana found herself smiling, imagining her father's soft spot for her mother. "That's romantic, they must have really loved each other," she murmured, feeling a deep, quiet pride in the strength and courage they'd both shown.
"Yes," Nyon agreed, "They were a team, like two halves of a whole. You are a product of that love."
Oriana's voice softened as she spoke. "My father saved me too and gave me a home, promising he'd always be there for me, like he did for so many others." She managed a small smile, but her words were barely a whisper. "Now that he's gone, I don't have anywhere to go back to. But I'll figure something out," she added, wanting to believe it herself.
Elder Nyon's eyes were warm, her expression steady. "You'll find your way, Winter Blaze," she said with quiet confidence. "Whether it's here or somewhere else, trust your instincts. They'll lead you where you need to go."
Oriana nodded, letting the words comfort her. Despite feeling lost, it was reassuring to know that people cared for her even in this unfamiliar place. She knew that nothing would truly feel like home with her father, but for now, she would lean on the kindness of others, even if the future remained uncertain.
After finishing her meal, she sighed and thanked the old lady before heading to the castle. "I'll stay here and get stronger," she declared determined when she came to the empress. Boa Hancock nodded satisfied, "Good. On this island beauty is strength and it will push you to your limits,"
Oriana felt nerves and anticipation. She wasn't sure what this new chapter would bring, but for the first time since her father's death, she felt like she had something to focus on that didn't involve running away from her grief.
"Immediately," Hancock replied, her voice carrying authority.
Oriana nodded thoughtfully, not showing much emotion. "And when do I get a snake?" she asked, more out of interest than excitement.