The academy agreed to take care of our people for a week and no longer. That should be sufficient time to figure out where we should head to next. I introduced Kahoda to others, Elonshe and Marie greeted them nicely, Estrella was hesitant to even talk to me from the moment she touched the ship, I don't know what she saw but she saw something, but I don't want to force her into saying anything. The headmaster and the others don't seem to wish to speak with me, Marie is the diplomat in this whole thing which I don't find it bad, I hate interacting with people. Elonshe managed to get us a map from which we spent hours on figuring out where to go. We came from Glowith, the continents name, currently we are on Bamesh and from what we were able to figure, there is only one kingdom on here and it is in no way positive towards demons and such. Our only hope of being actually somewhat welcomed would be to go to Eodris, it is east from here. It has a single dynasty and me and Kahoda came to conclusion that they are really similar to the feudal Japan, samurai and all that shit. They are mostly compromised of demi humans, kitsune and cat and other animal folk. They aren't in good odds with most, they live completely isolated, but that doesn't mean that they are weak. I in the meantime changed the ship from the Agincourt to the Richelieu for the speed.

The witches and wizards gasped at the sight of it forming, the darkness molding into the shape. Some even scared, as I was told, dark magic isn't exactly looked upon. Kahoda remained in his destroyer, but it seems the highest he can summon is a light cruiser, he is limited in power. The following they interact little with us. We buried Miriam properly and as we are packing to set of Marie approaches me with an expression of guilt. It is clear that she wants to talk to me.

Marie: Hey, um, Draven. Can I talk to you?

Draven: Sure, what is it?

Marie: I don't know how to say it properly. I hope you won't hate me for this, but I would like to stay here. 

Draven: Really? 

Marie: Y-Yeah, I was even offered a position to work as a teacher. I know it is shallow of me, but I believe that I belong here. 

This is not something I was expecting, but it is clear that she wishes to stay here. And maybe it is for the better, staying with me could only put her in danger, nothing more. She would be accepted here, work with children which she likes. It pains me to hear this, but it is her decision and she would be able to take care of Miriam's grave. 

Draven: You can stay here, maybe it is for the better. 

Marie: Really? 

Draven: Yeah, who knows, if you stayed with me in how much danger you would find yourself. Plus, I can see it in your eyes that you want to stay here. 

Marie: I am really sorry, but it just feels right. 

Draven: No, no, I understand you. What about Elonshe? 

Marie: I don't know about her. She said that she now fears you, you creep her out.

Draven: Ouch. 

Marie: I will go and check in on her, be right back. 

I watch her run away, there is this pain in my chest that I can't explain. Soon she comes back, I have a gut feeling that Elonshe too wishes to stay with her.

Marie: Bad news, she wants to stay here too. I am sorry. 

Draven: No, it is alright. I expected it. So, this is it, our last time of seeing each other.

Marie: Oh don't be silly, we will see each other plenty of times. I expect letters when you settle in. 

She gives me a good tight hug, it is clear that there is guilt still in her. I hug her back, it pains me to separate but that is life and it is their wish. Kahoda sounds the horn, scaring the populace, that everything is ready. 

Draven: I guess, this is it. I wish you the best in life and take care of Elonshe for me. 

Marie: Thank you and good luck to you too. Take care of those people and write to me. I hope you come visit me some time. 

Draven: I hope so to. I have to go, good luck and goodbye. 

She smiles and gives me one last kiss before waving to me. As I board the ship and we begin to leave we both wave at each other. I hate it, I truly hate it, this twisted destiny. From there on we sail for countless night and days, days turn into weeks, the boredom setting in. Kahoda and I chat over the radio, he offers me word of encouragement and solace. The two of us nerd out on things, talking about stuff from our lives back on Earth. However, our voyage is not without problems, one is the refugees, some had become more rowdy and dangerous so we were forced to eliminate them. Our small numbers only grow smaller. The second one is the many sea creatures that threaten us, however, a monster stands no chance against 15 inch shells. The battles were something exciting, they broke the mundane nature of sailing the rough seas, it gave us something to do. The sailing is long and tedious, there is literally nothing to do in the open sea, nothing to see. The only thing is the water and the sky. And after a long time on of my fire control puppets sends a signal that they spotted land in the distance. I jump up from my hammock and head to the bridge and grabbing a pair of binoculars. Finally some good news. Kahoda decided to ditch his ship and joined mine. He both stand there, looking out and then looking at the map. Something isn't quite right. 

Kahoda: Now, I don't know if I am stupid or we are not where we are supposed to be, but that shit don't look like Japanese architecture. 

I frantically look at the navigation, nothing seems to be wrong. 

Draven: Did we go down the wrong course? 

Kahoda: Impossible, we followed the compass and the map to the last detail. 

Draven: Unless. 

Kahoda: There was an area where the magnetic field was wonky, shit. It would probably disrupt it and we would stray off course unknowingly. 

Draven: Even if it is for a small bit, that small bit after a long distance turns into a massive miss. 

Kahoda: Well, what are we going to do? I mean, we got no clue where we are, we don't know how they will react. 

Draven: But we also can't afford to go back, can we?

Kahoda: No. 

Draven: We have no choice. I want you to be on full alert. 

Kahoda: I know. Let's hope that we aren't forced to head back. 

The city stood on coast, it was a rather large one. There was a castle atop a hill, building made of stone and wood. As we got only closer more detail got into view, a large port with sail ships in it. The city stood between two large hills and through it flowed a large river, this must be a delta, a good place to build a port city. We slow down to only 1/4 power, bleeding speed and sailing in slowly. Immediately ships are sent out to intercept us which is a good thing, not only will we see who these folk are but at the same time figure out if they are friendly or not. Though, I am not the most presentable. 

Draven: Kahoda. 

Kahoda: Yea? 

Draven: You go ahead and greet them, I will head inside. 

Kahoda: Hold on, why me?

Draven: Look at you and then at me. Tell me, who is more presentable and less scary looking?

Kahoda: Damn you and your ugliness. 

I laugh out and head inside, letting him hand the talking and talk they do a long time. A lot of time passes, too much but eventually he knocks on the steel hatch door. As I open it I see him standing there. 

Draven: So? 

Kahoda: Good news, I explained to them how you look. 

Draven: You what?!

Kahoda: Relax, they agreed for us to meet their leaders.

Draven: How do they look? The people that is.

Kahoda: Well, you know how we talked about missing the continent we were aiming at. 

 Draven: Yeah?

Kahoda: Well, we haven't. It turns out that they have different factions now. There was a war of some sort and this is the Wuqecia Dynasty. 

Draven: Oh. Well, I guess, we should head out. I hope there won't be trouble. But, how the hell are we going to leave, we can't park exactly there. 

Kahoda: Oh, there have a ship waiting for us down there.

I nod and both of us walk towards and look down, a wooden sailboat, it looks so small compared to ours. As we get on board I can see the fear and uncertainty in their eyes but nevertheless, they help us get on land. Once there, we are escorted through the city, the people hide their children. But all we can do is look around, it is more of a European style of a coastal town than anything. The city is pretty, there is no denying it that, it has it's charm. And the people are definitely interesting looking, god damn I want to feel those fluffy tails and ears but I must abstain, I have to look professional. Then I notice at the corner of my eye something I recognize weirdly and stop. Walking up to it I take a closer look to see if my eyes are actually deceiving me. Kahoda walks up. 

Kahoda: What are you looking at?

I point it out. 

Kahoda: What is that? Wait! Oh, OH, EW, what the hell is that thing doing here? 

Draven: Now, either the people don't know what it is and the maker is a pervert, or they also come from Earth. 

Kahoda: Considering the many places I have been which were more advanced and I for sure haven't seen this so I am betting on the later.

Draven: Remember this shop.

Kahoda: I will. 

We come back to our escorts, they weren't pleased by our actions but nevertheless we continue. We walk for quite sometime until we reach the castle grounds where we are told to wait. It gives a time to look around, there are many eyes on us, some hiding behind their fans as they comment while others brazenly comment, not caring that we even exist. There are knights and such things around, noble looking ladies, maids, it is rather nice. Soon the soldier returns and asks us to follow him. We walk inside, anticipation building up inside of us as we walk through the many halls. It is rather lavish inside, not too much but not primitive. We are led into a empty room where there is a table with food on it and drink. We take a seat and are told to wait so we do. Finally we hear footsteps and in come walking five people, older man and woman, but appear to be cat people, two males, one a goat and the other a monkey and a kitsune. I don't know how the species is decided but I won't question it. We stand up, instinctively giving a salute, they stare at us like we are some morons which we might actually be. Then we extend our hands in a handshake and again they look at us. The kitsune chuckles, she seems amused by our stupidity. All of us take a seat. The man speaks up. 

Cho: Greetings guests. My name is Cho, the woman to my left is my wife Reika, the two young boys are my sons Kaede the older and Matsui the younger and finally, my daughter Atsuko. 

Draven: It is an honor to meet you. My name is Draven and my colleague's name is Kahoda. Shall our talks begin?

Cho: Let us begin.