Chapter 9: A Voyager's Purpose

It has been five days since Orion started training me. Everyday was hellish. He would wake me up earlier than usual and make me do some exercise with him. Sometimes I would complain but he will just lecture me about the things I don't know. That I should be taught how to protect myself. That the world is cruel and soon it will unfold before my eyes.

Now we're in the main deck and the crews are watching us, including Hades who was cheering me up anytime I hit my sword against Orion's.

"Too lousy, hit it harder!" He commanded.

I frowned at him yet attacked furiously, the clang of our swords echoed and I actually like the sounds of it. Unlike the previous days, I can now turn around and use tactics while fighting him. Sadly, he taught it to me so he can dodge it without sweats.

"That's right, unleash your inner demon and let go of your fears. A drop of blood won't kill you."

He laughed loudly and advanced, I took a step back to gather more strength from my feet for another attack. I guess however, he saw it coming so he leaped backwards and caught my wrist. I kicked his leg but he caught my ankle, he smirked at me as soon as he marked my skin with his tight grip. My eyes widened when he advanced and pushed me back, but I can't walk because he's still holding one of my ankle. I leaped to adjust at his speed, he, on the other hand was serious as he advanced more.

"I'll have a kiss if I got you," he told me, "So think of an escape, faster."

"Darn it, why won't you just let go of me!"

"Your enemy won't let you go once you're caught."

"But this is just training, let me walk—ouch!"

I almost fall when I made a wrong leap, but somebody caught me from behind. I felt calloused hands in my waist and in no time, I was lifted steadily. I gulped and looked behind me over my shoulder. My breathing hitched and my heart pounded crazily when I got to stare at those familiar cold and void ambers. I stiffened at the idea that he's holding me in his arms. For a moment, his expression softened as he looked down at me. I read untamed sentiments and wonders through his beautiful ambers. But not long after, Orion's hostile voice ruined everything.

"What are you doing, Poseidon? Let her go, we're in the middle of our training."

"You have a cheap way of training, it's been five days and she's still incapable of holding a sword properly."

That sounds like an insult, is he saying that I have no improvements? But I can now protect myself, I can fight and dodge an attack now. What does he meant by that? Orion gritted his teeth and irritation devoured him, he tilted his head as he arched his brows at the man behind me. Who was still holding me, and I'm here, unable to move.

"Well, just you wait until she can no longer feel doubt about herself. It's just five days but as you can see, she's able to dodge an attack and advance. Good teacher matters."

"Yeah, good teachers. She should find one."

"And I am that one good teacher," Orion fired.

He averted his gaze at me and frowned at the way Loquet holds me. Just then, Loquet let go of my waist. He tossed me one last long stare before he glanced at my sword. Whether I was just hallucinating, or I really saw his lips twitched. He shook his head in dismay and turned around to leave.

"Why won't you let her fight the others then, if she's really improved. How will you be a good teacher to her if you can't make her bleed? Too afraid to bruise her, huh?" Yet he added before he faded in sight.

My lips parted at his words, he wants me to bleed?

"Don't mind him, perhaps he's bored because he can't find his mate yet. He's getting nosy each day."

"Mate? He has a mate?" I asked Orion.

He smirked at me and a playful smile danced on his lips. Everyone got back to their posts and I can see Hades talking to Dread at the far corner.

"He's got a mate, but she's missing. We've been sailing for years just to find her, and guess what? She's spotted at the next Island. Maybe he can't wait to see her that he wants to mess around. What a poor guy that he is."

Mate, he's got a mate. Poseidon got a mate. I can't get it off my head, is she the reason then why he's sailing the sea? Is she that important? How did they know they're mates? The thought didn't left my head even until dinner. I laid down my bed and stared at my book, absolutely lost in thoughts and understand nothing. I tossed the book aside and went out of my cabin.

The cold wind embraced me, yet the stars and the pale huge spherical thing above us warmed my heart. The moon. I always wonder how did it endures millions of years of loneliness, while giving us light and some people doesn't even appreciate its beauty. The stars that glitter every night to keep us amazed held the brightest light, just to give sparks in the night skies. They all deserve to be appreciated. I held unto the railing and gazed below me, the blue-green water darkened yet shone in the moon's light. It's beautiful.

"Why do you keep on watching the sea, is it that beautiful?"

I jerked in surprise when I heard his tranquil voice, he was there, standing meters away behind me. He was standing near the bowsprit while holding into the ropes. His long golden brown hair looked dark without the moon's light and his face left unseen.

"It's not just the sea, also the moon and this whole world."

He remained quiet, I prodded my lips thinking that he might didn't like my answer. But a minute had passed and he chose to reply.

"There is nothing interesting in this world, there is only just cruelty and suffering. As long as there are people who are greedy of everything." He sounded hopeless and fierce. "Nothing lasts forever, unless you are nothing. Everything you see right now will fade into nothing when time comes."

My lips hanged open at his words, years ago, I met him in the shore of our land. He was young and full of life that time, I even liked the thought that he's hopeful and kind. He was different, and now he's badly different. He sounded so dark and strange. How can he think like this?

"Of course it will, we are merely mortals and material things vanish in broad daylight after it's used," I replied. "But that doesn't mean we're bound to end just like that. As long as there is light, there is hope. Before everything fades into nothing, we can be successful. We can live this life memorably, Loquet."

My soft voice was drowned to the lazy humming of the engine, I doubt if he heard me? He stayed silent at where he stands, I can't see his face due to the masts that covered him from the moonlight. I moved my feet near him without making a sound, he averted his gaze to me. I felt his stares piercing through my bones like how the cold wind does. I swallowed the lamp in my throat as I remembered something.

"So, you are searching for your mate? And she's in the next island, are you excited to see her?"

How I wish we can have a longer conversation, but he just won't respond. I sighed and go on.

"You must be yearning for her you can't calm down, is that the reason why you can't sleep yet? Well, is she that beautiful? How did you meet her, anyway? And when?"

He didn't respond, I almost thought he's a statue standing proud at the browsprit. I frowned at him and came nearer.

"Do you still remember the day we met? It was when I was drowning in the shore of our land," I muttered and the wind brought back the memories of the past. "You came and saved me, we then toured the palace because you said you're a traveler. I didn't expect to...still remember you."

I honestly unconsciously waited for him to come back when he left without telling me where he's going. I never thought I'll see him again, not in this huge pirate ship and apparently not in this man's body. Not in his new form. How fortunate of him, I still remember him even when we only spent few hours before. I can still remember why I didn't forget about him. He was the first person I became friends with when I first sneaked out of the palace without royal guards.

I stopped from my track when he suddenly jumped off and landed skillfully on the floor. At first, I thought I offended him and he's going to hurt me. But he grabbed me away my spot, I landed at his chest and gasped. The next thing I knew, there was an arrow that was about to hit me. I felt my blood leaving my face and I stiffened. What the frigging hell!?

"You were too talkative that you summoned enemies. I doubt about Ilumi's expertise in teaching, didn't he teach you how to feel if there's a storm brewing near?" He snarled quietly.

"How would I know? The night is peaceful."

"And dark, always dark. Now, why won't you sneak back to the cabins and tell the others to wake up? I got an exercise for them."

"I'll try," I whispered as if it's needed.

He let go of me and I suddenly craved for his warm embrace. That's utterly ridiculous. Perhaps just because of the cold wind brushing my skin. I sneaked back to the cabins, I chose to wake Hades first and asked his help to wake up the others. It was quick and in a matter of minute, everyone was up for a sleepy battle.

"You can go back to your cabin, Alanah. We got this," Hades said to which I frowned.

"I can't just hide inside my cabin and wait until everything is fine. I have to see what's going on, my curiosity will kill me. And I know how to fight now."

He thought about it for seconds before he nodded with the slightest frown on his face. I smiled at him. Lost paradise actually boarded hundreds of pirates, the ship is huge and it needs hundred of pirates. The usual night for them is having drunk crews and loud laughters. But not tonight, some were sleeping and some were just on post. Some were actually in the dining hall and drinking. It isn't really peaceful but they were less louder so it felt like a serene night.

"There's a big ship coming, seems like we're going to have bloods scattered on the floor!" One of the pirates announced.

I bet he's from the crow's nest who just got down for an announcement, everyone was quick to get into their armors and weapons. I saw Orion in the upper deck holding a long telescope, it was dark but the moonlight is enough for me to see his manly figure. Pirates deployed themselves on their posts, everyone was ready in split seconds for the upcoming attack from the unseen ship.

It was all dark, the sea is full of menace and I can only hear our engine. Loquet must have real keen eyes to see that there were enemies lurking around. He saved me from death a while ago.

"Quite large number of enemies, and they're coming nearer."

I glanced at Hades and caught him peeking at a small telescope, it's probably his own collection.

"What can you see?"

"A big ship, large number of rogue pirates, and there's a cannon ready to blow our ship. Darn, what are they up to? They dared fight against us."

"Are you guys that invincible?"

He had the time to glance at me and smirked, he put down his telescope.

"Well, my brother will be the next pirate king. Everyone knows him, they feared him and the authority and power he holds. Nobody has ever taken him down in a duel."

It left me in awe, I never really thought Loquet reached this far in this kind of world. No wonder why he's called Poseidon. My amusement was replaced by shock when I heard commotions. It was then that I realized that the battle has started. There's a large bridge made of wood connected with our ship and pirates from the opposing ship used it as means to infiltrate ours.

They were however, welcomed by the crews and were slaughtered without mercy. I gasped at the sight of the ruthless warriors of the sea killing each other for victory and honor. No one from the opposing ship has successfully entered ours, they were killed as soon as they came close.

"Attack them! No one threatens our power!" Shouted Orion.

And the crews obeyed, they were rejoicing as they advanced towards the ship of the opponent. I can no longer count my breathes, I'm heaving too fast and deep. I found myself gasping for air while watching pirates slaughter each other. Blood dripped down their body in every cut they received. Clangs of swords and gunshots filled the air, some unfortunate pirates fell off the sea if not killed.

I held unto my booming chest and shook my head at the violence in front of me. This is the life of a pirate. You have to kill or you will get killed, you will either fight or be enslaved for being too weak. I can't stand this!

"Fire!"

"Goodness!"

I almost fell when the loud bang of cannon shook the ship, I covered my ears when another one followed. I watched as the pirates in our side were being killed. A cannon fire from Lost Paradise lit up the opposing ship, three consecutive cannot fires followed and the pirates gained back their strength. They advanced and successfully infiltrated the opponent ship.

I realized they're too much for the opponents to handle, the sea was filled with gunshots and clashing of swords. Shouts and orders. Cannon fires and smokes started to fly. The Lost Paradise's crews successfully hijacked the vessel and killed large numbers of opponents. I can't believe I'm a witness of this. I frowned in disgust and turned around. I was leaving when I saw captain Jehovah coming out from his cabin.

Guess what? He just woke up, he doesn't mind that there's a battle out there. That's how bold he is.

"Am I missing a party?" He said while laughing.

"Definitely yes, some stupid fools dared to hijack us," a pirate hanging in a rigging answered. "Little did they know that they are challenging the strongest pirates of the sea. We are under Poseidon's great influence. Not even royal pirates can take him down."

The confidence! What should I expect? They are under Poseidon's great influence. How's that?

"I was awakened by the rocking of my bed, so I'm missing something here, huh?" Another pirate came, it's Dread and he looked sleepy still.

I can't believe they're this bold not to care if their crews are being slaughtered or something. I glanced back at the other vessel when a defeaning explosion happened. I was tempted to cover my ears but was too late. My mouth dropped open when I saw the fire that's quickly eating the drowning vessel.

The crews jumped back to our ship with the loads they took from the sinking ship. My chest hammered when the dead bodies floating at the sea lighted when the fire burned brighter. The fire revealed the bodies of the sinking ship's crews. And as the vessel quickly sunk, the fire began to die down and the saddest ending of the unfortunates was what's left in my mind.

This isn't the life I wanted. Never will. If I have a purpose in this voyage, that is to change their way if living. I firmly oppose the idea of killing in order to be victors. Not this way, this isn't winning. This is giving their souls to death.

After that merciless night, I distanced myself from everyone. How ridiculous when I'm actually in the same ship with them. Hades noticed my distant behavior that he tried asking me what's wrong. I can't hide it to him, as bitter it is to spill as hell, I told him nonetheless.

And all he could say is, "I'm sorry."

I know he's got no choice, too. I glanced at the far horizon that seems to never end and fades. I wonder when will there be peace in the seas? Will these pirates forever live a life so full of blood and loss? How sad.

"What do you think is the purpose of this voyage, Hades? Except from searching for the woman that is your brother's mate, what do you think is the purpose of this life you guys are living?"

I got him stunned, he thinks for few minutes then he smiled at me. A smile that is genuine and kind. A normal boy's smile.

"This voyage is for the people, Alanah. We are risking our lives for the people who needs home. The search isn't only for a woman, but for freedom that will someday give us back our land. You will know about it yourself if you stay with us longer."

For freedom. I wonder what kind of a freedom is that? I always wonder. This voyage is full of mystery and it's keeping me curious. A thought came into my mind.

"How about the legendary Island of Jeuda? Have you heard about it?"

"The Paradise of Jeuda. Where mysteries lie forever undiscovered. Of course, I wish a voyage to that place, too. If I'm lucky enough to stay alive for the next few years."

A paradise they say, yet full of mysteries that will forever be mysteries. Unraveling an unwilling fact about the world's secrets and the sea's treasure. Could this lifetime even be enough for all of those things? Because I feel like, this isn't enough to unravel all those hidden wonders. Just won't be enough.