A streak of lightning and a heart of blazes stared out into the open sea from an enclosed harbor whose walls filtered out the unnecessary horizon. All that was before them were the calm waters where a monstrous fleet of ships had been anchored. They could see dozens of steel hulls with the silhouette of fortresses but perhaps there may have been scores more behind the mask of fog. Even from afar, they could hear the lively noises of the ships that had the vigor of an industrial city that blended soothingly into the ambience of the harborfront. The day was new and the scent of morning dew faintly seasoned the coastal air. Fishermen sold their catch from their boats docked at the promenade by lifting their baskets of fish into the bags of old townsfolk for they were the only ones who could bear the pungent smell. Fishmongers worked tirelessly, gutting and cleaning, before the seafood were sent, in cart loads, to restaurants and cafés before their opening. This was every morning and was the norm of a peaceful environment that was Haven, but many knew, through gossip, rumors, and speculation, this scene was just a facade. Behind it was a truth that the protectors of the city did not wish to reveal lest it draw the suspicion of their enemy. Two of which stood at the end of a pier, pretending as if nothing had happened and nothing ever will. Instead, they agreed to silence side by side. They had different characters and natures yet were friends and comrades and never had they thought that they would be fighting beside each other given their rivalry. However, one knew that the time that he had spent under the shadow of the other was nearly up and he had to leave a mark in this world for himself before his name would be entirely erased from history. There was a corvette beside them that would mark the beginning of his journey to his distant homeland to further his dream and he hoped that he would embark before the storm came for the sky was overcast and there was a chill in the wind.
“How long did they say the journey was?” Staying his gaze out into the blue waves, Arminius asked.
“It’s eight days from Alben to Äzhypten, then three across the desert, and twenty-six more at sea.” Colt replied solemnly, sighing at the long trip that was ahead of him. “To know I could get there in a day by air.” He recalled a time when travel seemed easier.
Quiet, his comrade did not react to his answer. He simply acknowledged it in silence and did nothing, said nothing to convince him to stay. Arminius knew that he could not keep him caged in a place where he did not wish to be from the beginning.
Drawing an optimistic smile, the sergeant rested his hands on his belt. “But, no matter how long it’d take, I’ve always wanted to go back.” Colt admitted despite his reservations towards the duration of the journey. “I’ve never felt at home here anyways.” The easterner added.
“Neither.” Arminius agreed, expressionlessly.
Surprised, Colt chuckled with a smirk. “Then why bother with this place?” He found his answer as usually unusual and tried his luck in asking.
The lieutenant simply stared out into the sea, paying no heed to anything else. “It’s the closest thing I have.” Unsure if it was the wind or his words, his eyelashes flickered. “I should do everything I can to protect this.” Arminius had promised himself.
Colt’s typically condescending smirk slowly withdrew and became an understanding smile as he looked to him, sincerely. He scoffed annoyedly before he faced forward again upon finding out that he had grown unnaturally soft. It gave Arminius a chance to scoff at him but he did so amusedly.
“Not that I would wanna be on the same continent as you are but,” The Seriker sought to clarify. “Surely, you’d be safer in Seriken.” Although it went against his character, he suggested that his comrade-friend should take the same path.
But already having been committed to his cause, Arminius shook his head. “You said it, there’d be no place for us both.” He could not believe he was the one to remind him.
The sergeant began to snigger uncontrollably and it brought Arminius’s attention away from the sea for a moment, staring at him who behaved like a madman. Then, out of nowhere, he was punched in his arm and he reeled away in pain, rubbing his old bruises. Afterall, it was Arminius who lowered his guard for it had been years since Colt pulled this prank on him.
His fist loosened and he drew his arm away from his comrade. “Not even I know what you want anymore.” Colt mused, his eyes pointed at the sea that lapped against the concrete shores.
Weightless footsteps approached them from behind that they had not heard until they were a few paces behind them despite the burden that was being carried on their back. Swinging canisters clanked and a sword’s sheathe holstered at their hips was being dragged along the ground, ignoring everything else that did not concern them as they made for the end of the pier where their comrades were. Curious to see as to who it was, Arminius looked over his shoulder, cautiously, and caught a glimpse of a girl’s sandy blonde hair.
“You too, Alexandria?” Arminius was surprised to find himself greeting her in the very same place where the corvette that Colt was to embark from had been docked.
With two rucksacks on her shoulders, she lowered one that thumped onto the ground. “Anything to escape this dump.” Alexandria turned to Colt as if he had known her answer before Arminius had asked.
She added nothing to her words and marched off, her back alleviated of half the weight she had to carry to the pier because the sergeant had forgotten his belongings. However, Alexandria seemed more spirited than usual for the simple fact that she was leaving this continent. Left in her trail was the bag on the ground that Colt moved towards, sighing before hurling it onto his back, and together with Arminius, they walked towards the gangway. The girl ahead of them was in a hurry and she did not even bid anyone goodbyes deeming it a waste of her breath before she ran over the gangway and boarded the ship but the vessel went nowhere without her last passengers and among those was Colt who was taking every last second possible to burn these moments into his memory.
It was an uneasy feeling but the lieutenant felt the same. “Who knows how long it’ll be…or ever…” Arminius wondered, looking straight ahead.
“Some day. I’m sure of it.” Colt reassured him with a hand on his shoulder. “Besides, only hell knows whether we’ll still be standin’ on the same side.” He invited the possibility of conflict without ill-intent but out of their rivalry.
“I hope we are, given all those times you’d beaten me to shit.”Arminius smacked his hand away and shoved him.
Colt stepped onto the gangway to the ship, his head held low, clear that he had something on his mind. As he journeyed onto the deck of the corvette, he paused and turned around one last time, holding Arminius in suspense.
His eyes were not aiming towards Arminius as if he was unwilling to face him. “Y’know, I’ve always wondered…” Colt spoke his doubts, knowing that this was likely his last chance to ask. “Were you holding back every time we sparred?” He finally found the courage to look at him for answers but all the lieutenant gave in response was silence.
Arminius let off a slight smile as if he thought his friend was simply baiting him into saying what he should have already known and knew better not to fall for his trap. But it was no trap. It was a genuine question that Colt long pondered and in that instance, he was given no verbal reply, yet his reaction was enough for him to figure out alone.
Understandingly, the Seriker softly nodded and turned to his side. “再ネ Jyai ne. (Seeya).” Colt gave his goodbye.
“再ヤ Sai ya. (Farewell).” Arminius returned.
Colt returned on his path with hesitation, looking over his shoulder before he committed himself to boarding the ship. As he traversed further onto the upper deck of the vessel, his back was watched on by Arminius from behind whose mind had drowned out the conversation that was happening beside him just a dozen paces away.19Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRe29k0OM6
