Panic, fear and hopelessness arises in your mind as you run out of Medusa's quarters and stand on the top deck, staring out as the ship flies through the dark clouds above and towards the monstrous space station, rendering you frozen and stunned in your place. It sits there, threatening, jagged, with tall claw-like spires reaching up to the stars and down to the planet below; the clouds surrounding it in a thick blanket, but not daring to cross through or underneath. The whole thing seems to be inexpertly crafted with scrap metal, and whatever else the creator could get their hands on. An incomplete, large ring, where other space ships are docking or departing, connects the many 'claws' that stand tall and menacing.

A soft gasp escapes your lips, and you don't acknowledge Raphael until his shoulder brushes against yours while he stares up at the frightening sight. You glance at him. His lips are parted, mouth hanging open slightly, green eyes so wide you believe they might pop out. Medusa saunters up behind you, resting one hand on your shoulder, leaning close to whisper in your ear.

"Welcome to Otropus, home to Astraeus Terminal," she murmurs with a sultry voice. You shrug her hand off and ignore her, watching the Dragons Delight lower into a dock, everything going extremely dark. You bite your lip nervously, all the terrible, frightening stories of pirate space stations overwhelming your mind in a sudden flood, and making you extremely nervous.

"You alright?" Raphael inquires of you, causing you to jump back in surprise.

"Yes. I'm fine." You reply with a sharp, defensive tone, turning your eyes away. Raphael frowns and places his hand on your shoulder

"Hey, take it easy, Y/n. We've got this." He assures you, yelping in sudden alarm as a pirate alien shoves him forward and off the ship.

"HEY!" You snap, shoving that alien with all your strength, and forcing him to stumble back and tumble off the ship. Raph lets out a laugh as he rolls and falls limp on the ground.

"Ahaha, that was amazing!" He says with a wide grin. You're set at ease– even if only slightly– at that, and laugh with him as chains are placed on your wrists and you're pushed and escorted off the deck. Stumbling and barely able to keep up with the large, long stride of your captures, you glance at Raphael as you both walk. You must appear very worried, because he catches your eye and gives you a small, reassuring side smile as you walk inside.

Entering the Astraeus Terminal, you are greeted with the sight of millions of dirty, loud, thieving pirates of all sorts, participating in many different activities. Drinking. Gambling. Fighting. And some doing all three at once. Raphael seems right in his element, looking around with a cold, narrow stare,glaring at passing scoundrels who glare right back. You take quick glances at bystanders, watching Raph from the corner of your eye. Medusa leads her crew down the dark hallway with coils and thick wires dangling from the ceiling, passing many doorways marked with numbers in yellow. Once you build up the courage and curiosity to look around, you spot many other crews with prisoners in chains, seeming far dirtier and sullen than you and Raphael, you're guessing from being enslaved and shackled for longer than a half of a day. You wish you could help them, but you are unable to think about it for much longer as a sudden shove sends you flying down to the floor with a pained groan, which is echoed by Raph as he falls next to you. Your chains are removed, and a loud mechanical whirring sound behind you follows as a heavy iron door closes and locks you in.

With a groan, you stand and rub your wrists where the shackles had made your skin raw.

"Well, this is terrific." You huff with aggravation, observing the door with a cold glare. Raphael stands and looks around before walking up to you.

"Any way we can break out?" He inquires, leaning against the wall with one shoulder, his arms crossed and eyes watching you closely and curiously.

You glance at him with an eyebrow raised in curiosity.

"I don't believe so. The security system is so crude that it would simply take brute strength to open it. But, it is a solid iron door, quite possibly one of the four that was forged in the heart of the Cestrichi Sun." You answer, sounding very grim as you speak.

"So that's a no...?"

"Yes! That is a no!" You groan and lean on the wall, your arms crossed and your eyes cold, sorrowful, and frightened... "They're playing the game of fates for us..." you mumble. "They place their propositions on what to do to us, and then the neutral calls out the numbers for each offer, and the others place their bets. We could be separated, sold, whipped, bred for fun." You sink down to the floor and curl up, your silver hair falling around you like a thick curtain. Raph sighs and sits beside you, beginning to wrap his arm around you, then deciding not to.

"Alright, you're scared, I get that. I'm a little worried, too." He admits, glancing at you as you hide behind your hair. "But we gotta stay strong, put up a fight. Stay cool and calm."

You move your hair back to reveal your chin on your knees, and your eyes closed in thought.

"There are over a thousand pirates out there.. fighting means we die, and so will our planets. Escaping is impossible." You look at him with sad eyes. You truly feel that your situation is hopeless.

He stares at you for a few moments, his eyes intense as they bore into yours. Determination sparks in his glowing green orbs, and you blink several times, leaning back slightly.

"I'm gonna make you eat your words." He finally replies with a grin. You blink again, shocked, confused and slightly concerned.

"P-Pardon?" Your voice shakes with nervousness. 'Eat your words?? What does that mean? I don't understand!'

"I'm gonna prove you wrong. We're gonna escape and get back to my brothers and the Fugitoid." He smirks at you, and your face pale face bursts red, confusing you even more.

"Well, I suppose trying is better than giving up completely.." you murmur, moving to the other end of the prison cell. Raphael stays in his seat, watching you.

"Don't worry, princess. I've been in pretty tight spots like this." He assures you, leaning back with his arms on top of his knees, glancing out the door as people walk by.

Hours pass. You and Raph sit in silence for most of it, stealing a few minutes of sleep before a clatter or clomp of passing feet jolt you awake once again. Finally, Medusa stands in the doorway as the iron door rolls back, her clothes and hair tousled and unkempt.

"Come, now. The game is over, and your fates have been chosen." She smirks smugly and shackles you both once again, and you are lead out and down the halls..

(Astraeus Terminal: Far view

Closer view:

City of Otropus:

(Please ignore the 😋 on the ships sail, I swear I didn't see it when I first found the picture! And I'm so sorry I've published this a little late, I was working a lot last night and was so dead tired after. ALSO! I'm changing the names of the last two chapters, since their escape and reuniting will probably take longer than two chapters.)