The bustling noise of the tavern resounded all around, making the voices of both Skadi and the Captain of the Sea Dog Pirates to be washed in it.

In all actuality, their voices were loud.

It is just Skadi’s attunement to the Winds that made it seem quiet to the outside world.

But in Skadi and Cetas’ perspective, they could hear everything all too well.

"There be a legend in me home town, coming from a distant pirate washed ashore years ago."

The Captain clasped his fingers.

"The poor soul washed up alone, starved, and weak as a landlubber’s tea. When he came to, the villagers folk pressed him from where he sailed from. But that be neither here nor there.

His eyes sharpened.

"One day, a wee lad from the village asked the man how in Helios’ name he kept from croakin’. The scoundrel swore that he couldn’t recall, but he rightly remembered a feeling.."

"..."

"A feeling of a heavy wind catchin’ the sails of his ship and carryin’ him straight ashore."

He leaned forward.

"Thus, the story spread like the plague, buildin’ a legend from me home. A legend of a Wind Spirit guidin’ seafarers through the jaws of the depths, towards safety.. And yet, ne’er a soul has encountered such a mythical being."

His tone became cheerful.

"That is, until a few months back when me lads and I were floatin’ helplessly upon the Sunset Sea. It was an eerie, elegant thing, that ghost, carrying us with its winds. Couldn’t catch the sight of the thing, though, didn’t have me Zeal o’ Metaphysical yet. But I’m forever in the debt of that tiny phantom."

As he remembered the saving grace of the Fae of the Winds, the Captain of the Sea Dog Pirates’ expression softened. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Afterwards, we shouted the tale of the small Fae, tellin’ travelers and scallywags alike that a wee little spirit fishes men out o’ the brine! But the lot of ’em took us for madmen! No one believed us! Ain’t that right lads?"

The Captain of the Sea Dog Pirates laughed loudly and so did his men.

The lot of them were reminded of the several ridicules they endured from spreading such an absurdity!

Of course, the individuals that they spread the tale to were normal men—normal people, not Zealots.

No one knew much about Zealots, therefore, those kinds of tales were buried as comical tales!

Nonetheless, a Zealot such as Skadi believed it, no matter how absurd it may be.

It was a clue to gain a step closer to her goal.

"And then?" Skadi asked with a flat tone.

THe Captain of the Sea Dog Pirates shook his head.

"’Fraid that’s the end of it, Ma’am."

Skadi frowned.

"So you’re telling me that you randomly came across that Fae whilst being lost at sea?"

"Not at all! Y’see, before we were adrift, a rival crew plundered our deck, leavin’ us to starve for days. The scoundrels even made off with our charts and compasses, blindin’ us to the world!"

"I see."

Skadi noted all of the details in her mind, even the specifications that led to the appearance of the Fae of the Winds.

The two stories that the Captain of the Sea Dog Pirates matched. In it, the pirates were starved and lost at sea. Only then would the Fae of the Winds show up to guide them.

But starving at sea?

It held a great amount of risk.

The two stories were merely.. Stories, after all. There were no certainties as to whether the Fae will arrive to save them or not.

Additionally, with Cetas’ Droplet of Divinity, the danger of a Leviathan showing up to challenge them would pose a major threat.

Battling while starved is a bane that not many would choose to shoulder.

It was not worth it at all..

’There must be some other way..’

Skadi wanted to think about the clues handed to her, however, she wasn’t at the right place nor right time.

After listening to the Captain of the Sea Dog Pirates, she bowed lightly and brought out a moderate-sized pouch from her coat.

She threw it at the table in front of the Captain, then turned around.

"Thanks."

Soon, she walked away from the Sea Dog Pirate crew, Cetas trailing from behind her.

They left the tavern without a trace nor sound—the winds covering every step they took.

Once they reached an open space, Cetas curiously asked.

"All that information, couldn’t you have just asked the Historian?"

Skadi pursed her lips.

"I could’ve.. But it’s impossible. That old man is very stingy with his information."

"But isn’t he the strongest out of the crew? I mean, I think he’s on par with the Prophet of Perfection.."

Skadi looked over to Cetas.

"Child, he’s all-knowing, not all-powerful. He may be a high-rank Zealot but his power compared to those of the same rank could be considered as subpar.."

Her tone softened.

"Besides, what fun would it be to have everything laid out to you from the get-go." Skadi said as she smiled at Cetas, "Wouldn’t it be more fun to earn your strength by yourself?"

Cetas went silent for a second.

"I..guess you’re right. Thanks."

As the two walked, the sun in the distance slowly descended on the horizon.

"It’s sun down, let’s hurry back."

Cetas nodded, "Aye!"

*

Heading from one side of the Sixth Layer to another proved to be quite.. easy.

Maybe Cetas just got used to walking or perhaps it was because Skadi lifted his body ever-so slightly so as to not exude more weight on his body, making his walking speed faster.

Nevertheless, Cetas didn’t think much of it.

As they arrived at the ship, Cetas and Skadi found the rest of the crew standing at the deck, waiting for their Captain to return.

The first to talk was Elishia, who had been tired from walking and boredom. She held a lamppost by the edge of the deck, lighting up the ship slightly.

"You’re late, Captain! You said to be back by sundown. It’s after sundown already!"

In the distance, the sun had already set, putting the world in darkness.

Numerous homes lit their lamps to illuminate the night, the streets had lampposts that challenged the darkness further, lighting up the upper layers of Flag.

However, here at the Sixth Layer, the streets were as dark as a cave.

Many people still traversed the Harbor and Market, however, many of them carried lamps or candles to see.

Skadi looked up at Elishia whose face was lit by the lamp on the side of the deck.

"I apologize, Elishia. We got caught up talking to a Pirate Captain."

Elishia’s mouth formed a circle, "Oh no! Did you kill someone again?"

Skadi let out a little laugh.

"No, not this time!"

Skadi and Cetas walked atop the gangplank, entering the ship’s deck.

She looked at the crew side to side.

"So, did anyone do their jobs?"

"Aye!" The crew collectively said.

Skadi first faced Galkan, her eyebrows raising.

Galkan scratched the back of his neck, and then said:

"I got enough materials to sustain the ship for months, that is of course if there are no damages caused. "

Skadi shifted her head to Jones’ direction.

"All utilities are bought, I ensure it. They are all situated at the clinic below.."

Skadi then looked at Elishia last.

"We have food for days! At least weeks before they spoil, I also implemented a cooling storage near the mess hall. Reid helped me unpack the ice and used some of his Zeal to maintain the temp! Once we run out, we will have to fish for a while! Oh, and also, I stocked up on mandarins and oranges in the mess hall. You can find them in a crate in the corner."

After hearing that, Skadi nodded with satisfaction.

"Great job, all of you.. Tonight, we shall rest and tomorrow, we will sail!"

The crew stood up straight, and said with a unified voice, "Aye!"

"But before we can set sail, we will need a name for our ship."

She looked around.

"Anyone?"

Jones raised his hand.

"How about.. The Butterfly? Since it has 24 sails, resembling wings of a butterfly, although not perfect of course.."

The air grew colder. Cetas and Elishia’s skin got goosebumps.

Upon noticing this, Jones’ mouth was left agape, "Oh."

"I do apologize for this, I didn’t quite consider the traumatic scenario that you both experienced.."

"I-it’s alright.." Elishia reassured.

Afterwards, Galkan opened his mouth.

"Let’s name it 24-Winged Lady! Perfect for its nature!"

His loud voice echoed all across the ship.

"We can consider both of your ideas.." Skadi said, "What about you three?"

She looked at Elishia, Reid, and Cetas.

"Got nothin’" Reid immediately shrugged.

As for the other two, Elishia looked like she was thinking and Cetas’ face remained blank.

After a few moments, the two of them didn’t answer.

"If you can’t come up with a name then-"

"Wait!"

Elishia stopped Skadi’s words.

"I have an idea! Maybe since Cetas is the newest member of the crew, we should make him name the ship!"

"That.." Skadi thought for a while, "That’s not a bad idea. What does everybody think?"

Galkan gave a big thumbs up, Jones made a silent nod, and Reid didn’t look too offended.

"It’s a yes then.."

Skadi looked towards Cetas, "Well, it’s up to you, Cetas."

Suddenly given responsibility, Cetas felt a sense of nervousness.

Inside he asked:

Why me?!

He looked at Elishia, who gave a wide grin.

Elishia!

With a heavy breath, Cetas looked down at the planks below him.

He started to think.

Out of everything—of the experiences that he had in these past few weeks, and the struggles. He thought about a word that encapsulated the identity of the pirate crew.

It was actually really simple.

Although already known, Cetas wanted something to embrace.

So, he raised his head and looked at the crew members one by one.

Galkan had a great smile, one that is encouraging whichever Cetas would choose.

Jones looked pleasing as if his presence alone comforted Cetas.

Elishia gave off a wide grin. Although, her action of shifting the responsibility to him, made Cetas ticked off a little bit.

Reid remained aloof but this time, it didn’t seem like he wanted to deny anything that Cetas would say.

Even though Cetas had only been at the crew for weeks, each and every single one of them realized his presence and accepted him completely.

Lastly, he looked at Skadi, whose presence was warm and gentle.

She was the reliable captain that he knew he could always count on.

And so, Cetas parted his lips and let out his voice.

Around the serenity of the night, a single word permeated the silence in the darkness.

Upon hearing his words, the crew found it suitable for the ship’s name. After all, it was already what they were called.

"Aegir."

Cetas’ voice was gentle but also indifferent. His word carried a great weight that cemented itself to the ship’s element.

"From now on, the ship’s name is Aegir."