Many things happened within the 7 days upon Elishia and Cetas’ return.

One, is that Cetas’ hand fell off as soon as the moon rose.

Possibly caused by him losing his arm in the Prophet of Perfection’s dream.

Two, the very same hand that Cetas lost, grew within a day. Naturally, the rest of the crew was shocked, even more so than the stories that Elishia and Cetas told.

Three, regarding what happened in the dream, it was like no time passed at all in the real world. Which was really trippy in Elishia and Cetas’ mind. And that dream, at first, Reid and Galkan couldn’t believe it.

But as Cetas and Elishia kept telling the story, the rest of them accepted it completely.

Of course some facts such as the truth about the Historian were left untold.

Elishia decided that it was for the best.

Immediately afterwards, Skadi contacted The Historian and consulted him about what had just happened.

Personally, the Historian contacted Cetas and Elishia, having them retell the dream that they experienced.

They also told him about the Drowned Gods, the true identity of the Historian, and the Prophet of Perfection’s goals.

After their conversation, the Historian stated that he’d come to Flag himself, addressing a meeting for the entire crew.

After that, nothing much happened, Cetas and Elishia took their rest as usual.

Skadi and the others kept consulting the ship while guarding them.

The crew remained wary, watching out for any signs of ’Perfection.’

Once Cetas and Elishia finally rested, the crew went on a stocking spree, buying everything that they needed for a long journey.

They also bought Cetas clothes, and personal belongings such as a pouch, a bag, and a few other things.

And so, after 7 whole days, the day in which the Historian was to arrive in Flag came..

Standing in the 1st Layer along with the crew, Cetas donned the usual black cloak to hide his features and a normal pirate’s garb underneath.

In this afternoon, the Historian would arrive in a carriage.

Pretty ironic for a Dreadspawn as strong as him.

Nevertheless, the crew patiently waited.

Cetas looked over to Elishia’s direction, her gaze still unsure of what to expect.

He walked beside her, aiming to address her expression.

"You alright?"

Elishia, wearing a white blouse layered under a leather corset, paired with black trousers and black boots, turned around to Cetas.

Her hair no longer tied up behind a red bandana, rather, she let it loose to flutter in the wind.

"Yes.." She lowered her voice, "Just uneasy.. After learning what he is.. I’m not sure how to act anymore, I don’t even know if we can trust him.."

"We’ll know after meeting him."

"Yeah.."

Elishia gazed at Cetas’ right hand.

"How’s that faring?"

"This?"

Cetas raised his arm and moved it in a repeating pattern.

"I can control it pretty well now.. Still seems off though.."

Elishia grinned.

"I’m sure you’ll get used to it soon."

Just then, the ever-so taciturn Reid joined their conversation.

"You two seem awkwardly close."

"Ugh- buzz off, Reid."

Elishia rolled her eyes.

"How’d you two even survive? I mean Elishia’s weak as he-"

Elishia quickly blocked Reid’s mouth.

"I. Get. It. I’m weak! You’ve been saying that for the past 7 days already! Once I become a Bringer, the first thing I’ll do is to ’bring’ flames to that ashen hair of yours!"

Reid fought back, overpowering her flimsy arms.

"I’d like to see you try!"

The two bantered for a while, Cetas observing them with curiosity.

They seem closer though?

"Quiet down, you brats!"

Galkan, who stood a few distances away from the three, turned around and screamed.

His tank top revealed his bulky muscles, making it reflect under the sun’s blaze.

Skadi stood near him, donning her usual black outfit. Meanwhile, Jones was a few feet away from them, exuding a scholarly look with his decent clothing.

The winds blew a distinct feeling of warmth along the crew, as if extending Skadi’s senses in the surroundings.

She was alert.

After all, she didn’t want any accidents to happen again to her crew.

A few moments passed and the sounds of horses galloping in the pathway could be heard.

Soon, multiple carriages arrived. Some of them belong to a merchant’s ride, others simply for travelling, and a few more revealing a luxurious view.

Once the carriages stepped foot in Flag, they were inspected one by one.

A merchant’s carriage arrived in front of Cetas and the others, and from it, an elderly man with round glasses and peasant’s clothing descended.

He held a cane in his right hand, supporting his weight as weary bones could barely do so..

Elishia’s mind rang.

’Is he only pretending to be weak?’

She doubted his stature.

Still, Skadi welcomed the Historian dearly.

"Mr. Historian, sir. Let me carry your bags.."

However, the old man waved his hand.

"Pah! I’m not so old to not be able to carry my own things, I’m fine."

He walked slowly with his cane, arriving at where Cetas, Elishia, and Reid were.

Behind him, the other three followed.

He locked eyes with Cetas, giving him an odd gaze as he walked along.

"You should’ve used your Zeal to travel, it’d have been faster and less taxing on your body.."

"Don’t mind me, Skadi. It’s nice to feel human once in a while, you know?"

Skadi sighed.

She knew there was no winning against this stubborn old man.

"Then let me at least ease the weight of your body."

She flicked her finger and sent winds towards the Historian’s body, carrying it albeit only slightly to not make any noticeable difference in an outsider’s perspective.

But to the Historian’s view, his body turned as light as a feather.

Yet, he remained sour.

"Ah- This girl keeps doting on me.."

With that, the crew passed along the streets of the first layer. Soon, they descended down and headed to the 2nd layer.

As they walked, Cetas heard the Historian and Skadi talking.

"How’s your ship doing? Is it done yet? Are you ready to leave anytime soon?"

Skadi replied in a formal tone:

"Yes. It finished its modifications 2 days ago. We are ready to set sail at any time, but we waited for your arrival first."

"Ah if that’s the case then I apologize for delaying your travels."

"We don’t mind at all, the little ones needed to rest after everything that’s happened to them.."

The Historian turned around to look at Cetas and Elishia.

"You two, come closer.."

As he spoke, Cetas and Elishia hastened their pace to go behind the Historian.

"Surviving such an encounter with the Prophet of Perfection, I must commend the both of you.."

Cetas expected Elishia to answer, however she remained completely silent.

"No.. It’s thanks to your protection, sir.."

The Historian let out a grin.

"So you’ve noticed, hahaha!"

He only noticed because of the Prophet of Perfection though.

Still, Cetas was quite grateful to the old man.

Soon, they went past the 2nd Layer and descended down to the 3rd Layer.

Once they did, the Historian immediately brighted up.

"I know someone here!"

He then reached in his pocket and brought out a piece of paper.

"An address?"

Skadi studied the paper thoroughly.

After doing so, she looked forward and guided the crew across the 3rd Layer.

When they finally arrived at the destination, the crew looked dumbfounded.

The address was situated in the corner of the 3rd Layer, particularly behind the looming cathedral of the 4th Layer.

Surprisingly, even though shadows were casted behind all day, people still managed to find themselves a place to find home.

The entire area was greatly in contrast to the usual grandiose of the 3rd layer.

It looked like the slums of the 5th layer but only containing lesser garbage.

Mainly, there were beggars laying in the side of the streets. But in some corners of the dark, threatening eyes seemed to hide.

The entire place was well off than that of the 5th Layer, yet it seemed more dangerous..

When Cetas entered this place, his heart seemed to skip a beat.

He grew a lingering fear of the dark.. After all..

As they stood outside of a building with a ’GET OUT’ sign posted at the door, Galkan nudged at Skadi.

"This the right place?"

She lightly nodded.

Then, she looked at the Historian.

"What do we do now?"

The Historian’s eyebrows furrowed, "What else do you do when you’re at a doorstep!? Knock, damn it!"

"Oh." Skadi eyes turned blank.

Then, she raised her hand forward and knocked three times at the door.

But nothing happened.

Skadi looked at the Historian again.

The latter brushed his chin.

"Try knocking exactly 17 times."

"Okay."

She did exactly that but still, nothing happened.

Or so they thought.

Immediately, the door creaked open.

"Yes?"

A silhouette looked from the edge of the door, its eyes darting around the distinct individuals in front of its doorstep.

However, once it locked its gaze towards the Historian, it immediately slammed the door shut.

The Historian’s face turned perplexed.

"..?"

He took a step forward and knocked on the door 17 times.

"It’s me! Did you not notice?"

"Go away! You’re not allowed in here!"

Behind the door, an elderly woman’s voice resounded.

"Can’tya read the sign, GET OUT, means’ya get out!"

She talked in an odd accent, one not belonging to a standard Heliosian.

The crew looked at the Historian, who placed a palm on her face..

As he shook his head, the surroundings around them changed.

Warmth began enveloping them and an odd smell lingered in the air.

Opening his eyes, Cetas found himself inside of a cozy room, one so neat that it almost made him forget that they were in the slums.

The chairs were lined up nice, no dust could be found on the corners, no webs either.

Additionally, the entire place looked small, as if perfectly housed for only a single person.

So, when 7 people showed up at once, the entire room looked cramped.

The room aside, an elderly woman wearing black drapes looked surprised.

"I-I said yaren’t allowed! This is trespassing!"

"Come on, aren’t you glad to meet an old friend."

"Old friend??"

The elderly woman raised her hand and pointed at the Historian.

"Ya’ removed me Zeal and made I pathetic! Ya’ dare call me an old friend?!"