The next day, approx. 10am, The Delta
~Pax’s Perspective~
The wind whips through my hair as the Delta moves through the water alongside the fleet of Shining Pirates. The sails billow above us.
“With this wind, we should get to Altavista in an hour,” Castor yells over the wind.
I look at Landon.
“You hear that!?” I yell at him.
“Yeah,” he yells back. “I did.”
I look out to the sky. I instinctively grab at the bandana tied around my wrist for comfort. Theos’ words to us come to mind.
“After you have completed your mission, meet me at the Southern Arena,” he had said. “There, you will have your final trial.”
I hope we survive this.
~William’s Perspective~
I use the whetstone to sharpen my sword. As I run it carefully along the blade, I get a look at my reflection.
When I was a kid, people told me that me and my dad looked alike. To be honest, I can see the resemblance. But my dad was controlling and discouraged my dreams. We couldn’t be more different.
“Hey kid,” someone asks me. I look up. “You done with that whetstone?”
“Not yet,” I reply. “But I’m almost done.”
“Great. We get to Altavista in an hour.”
“Got it.”
~Landon’s Perspective~
I look out to the sky. I recall my mother’s words to me when I first joined my parents on a sailing job.
“Look out to the horizon, Landon,” she had said. “Beyond there is a world more vast than we can imagine. Don’t fear the unknown. Embrace it.”
I pull a locket from under my shirt that once belonged to my mother. I clench my fist around it for luck.
Mother, father, Alfred. Don’t worry. I’ll help our people come home.
I think about my brother, whose fate is unknown to me. I hope he’s alive.
I look at Pax. He’s looking at the sky, grabbing that bandana.
If we survive this, will I join them on their adventure, or will I go home?
I don’t know what I would choose.
End of Chapter XXXIII