Later that day, Noon, Oblitesco Tavern
~Pax’s Perspective~
We sit on a bench while Theos stands in front of us, looking frustrated.
“Pirates offered you this?” he asks.
“Yes,” I reply. “We were going to tell you later, but you came here while we were discussing it.”
“What did you tell them?”
“Well, they told us to talk to you first.”
“What did you say?”
“I told them we would think about it,” Landon answers.
Theos sighs.
“Despite the fact that I don’t concern myself with pirates, I have heard of the Rebel 25 before. They are among the most notorious pirates in the Seven Seas. Despite this, I don’t mind you allying with pirates so long as you don’t harm others unnecessarily. But, I do have one question.”
He looks at me and Will.
“How exactly did you become associated with the Rebel 25 of all people?”
Me and Will exchange looks. I turn to Theos.
“It’s a long story,” Will responds.
“Well, I have time,” Theos responds calmly. “And if I’m being honest, I would like to know about your adventures in the 1st Sea.”
Will details our adventures from Doom Island to getting the letter at Savaria after we beat Veridies. When we’re done, Theos is quiet.
“That explains a lot,” he muses. “Speaking of which, would you like to learn about your second trial?”
“Yeah,” I reply.
“If possible, I would like for you all to collect 5 sea shards.”
“Um, about that,” Landon mumbles. We all turn to him. He looks up, uncomfortable.
“Can you two even swim?” he asks.
“Um… no,” Will replies.
“I dunno,” I answer. “Why?”
Landon’s eyes gleam.
“Wanna find out?” he asks.
–
I gasp as Landon pulls me out of the water.
“Looks like you can’t,” he says dryly.
“No shit, dumbass,” I retort.
He turns to Theos.
“Looks like we can’t do your trial,” he tells Theos.
“Wait, can’t you swim?” Will asks indignantly.
“You have any sharkrepel potions?” Landon shoots back. “‘Cause I’m not swimming all the way down to the bottom of the sea just to get eaten by a poison jaws.”
“Can you teach them?” Theos asks.
“That depends on if you’re willing to wait for at least a few weeks.”
Theos sighs.
“What exactly are the specifics of Castor Aaio’s offer to you?”