Just wanted to finish the book, so here are the last chapters of book 2
Chapter XLVII
Morning, Amerios
~Cassius’ Perspective~
I grab my glove from the bedside table and look at the medallion inlaid into the glove. I find myself thinking about Valeria, my home in the 4th Sea.
It’s been 7 years since my mother, Julia Kestos, gave the Medallion of Gales to me. 7 years since my father, who also worked with leather, fashioned this glove for me, combining leather and metal to create my 18th year gift. 5 years since the Bellona killed them looking for this ancient relic, which my mother stole from her own family.
I put on the glove. I wonder what Cagney’s doing now. She must have gone through hell to get that bill passed, freeing Lageros. Especially since she looked so much like my mom, and she probably reminds them of my mother running away from them for my father.
I shake the thoughts off and put the fingerless glove on my left hand. I put on my clothes and loop the belt around my waist, placing the sword and flintlock in their sheath and holster respectively. I walk out the door and walk down the hallway.
I walk to the training yard. Selene’s already there, punching and jabbing a practice dummy with her hands wrapped in cloth. I set my stuff down beside her and begin swinging my sword.
I’ve swung my sword a few times before I notice Selene watching me. I turn to her. She jumps slightly.
“What is it?” I ask her.
“N-nothing,” she replies.
“Then why are you staring at me?”
“I’m not! I just noticed how you fight, that’s all.”
I sigh and put my sword on the ground.
“Wanna spar? Fists only.”
Selene looks at me quizzically. “Sure,” she finally replies.
She throws me 2 long strips of cloth.
“Wrap those around your hand. It’ll absorb some of the impact and prevent any serious injuries.”
I nod and do as she says. I put my fists up and we circle each other.
“No hits to the head or neck,” I tell her. She nods in acknowledgement.
She lunges at me first.
I block her attack and respond with a punch of my own. She dodges it and swings at my head. I duck down and punch her gut. Hard.
Selene collapses and doubles over in pain. She lets out a groan as I stand over her, worried.
“Fuck,” she groans. “Just because there’s cloth around your fucking fists doesn’t mean you get to punch as hard as possible.”
“Sorry,” I reply.
Selene pushes herself up and takes another stance. We start again. I start the fight this time, sending a punch at Selene’s head. Selene jumps back before running at me and sending a punch. Or at least, what looks like a punch. I react to the feint and Selene takes advantage of the opening.
WHAM!
I’m kicked between the legs. I fall to my knees in pain.
“That,” Selene says matter-of-factly. “Was for that gut punch.”
“Overkill, bitch,” I shoot back. “That hurts way worse than a punch to the gut and you know it.”
She laughs. A real, genuine laugh. I let out a chuckle when I see her face. Selene stops herself.
“Fuck you,” she says coldly. “I’m going to get breakfast now.”
Selene walks away, leaving me alone with my stuff. I sigh as I grab my sword.
Seeing Selene laugh and smile for the first time felt good. She should’ve had a happy life with her family, but me and my friends played a part in ruining it. And there’s no going back to those days, no matter how much I want to.
“Focus,” I tell myself. “You’re here to kill Adrius, no matter what deal you made.”
I feel horrible, but deep down in my heart, I know that betraying Selene again is the only way to protect the Shining Pirates.
–
8 years ago, Valeria
Legal documents lay on the table between Cassius and Julia. Cassius looked through them, confused.
“Are these adoption papers?” he asked in confusion.
Julia nodded.
“Signed by me, Jonathan, and that poor excuse of a mother,” said Julia. “All we need now is your signature and you become my son.”
Cassius mumbled something quietly.
“Cassius?”
“Why?” Cassius repeated. “Why are you doing this for me? I haven’t even repaid your kindness, so why?”
Julia went silent for a few moments before chuckling. Cassius stared at her, confused.
“Why? Isn’t it obvious? You already have. You are like a son to me and Jonathan and a brother to Julian and Cagney. You want nothing to do with your mother, and she doesn’t want anything to do with you. So why don’t we make you our son?”
Cassius stared at the papers, silent.
“You remind me of my younger self,” Julia murmured.
Cassius looked up. Julia had never mentioned her past, and none of the other Kestos talked about it.
“When I was around your age, I met Jonathan. He was nothing like the children of the Arcane Government’s higher-ups. He was kind, humble, and treated everyone with respect, even if they didn’t treat him back. Me? I was the prodigy of Bellona, groomed to be their future leader one day in the future. But Jonathan lived the life I wanted to live, free of the political squabbles and corruption.
“Our relationship was unusual to say the least. The Bellona disapproved of his roots in the commons, and marriages between mages and those without magic were rare if not unheard of. But I didn’t let that stop me. So the Bellona tried to stop it.
“So I ran away, stole their most precious artifact, and married Jonathan. I was never going to let them kill him, and I wanted to spit in their faces. So I made my choice to reject my birth family.
“You’re facing that same choice. Your fate is in your hands. So I’m asking you, what is your choice?”
Cassius thought about Julia’s words for a few moments. He said nothing as he grabbed the quill and signed the paper. As he looked at his signature on the paper, Cassius started crying.
Julia walked over and hugged Cassius. Cassius, finally free from his biological mother, uttered one sentence.
“Thank you.”
Chapter XLVIII
Noon, Dawn’s Refuge
~Avery’s Perspective~
I walk down the gangplank to the dock as the crew rushes to fix pieces of the ship from a recent engagement, following Castor as he walks down.
“Where’s Mayor Oswald?” he asks a resident.
“Over here,” Mayor Oswald says, walking through the crowd. “What is it?”
Castor grins.
“We won. Altavista’s yours again.”
People cheer at Castor’s words. I smile slightly. I signal to Arianna and she brings down crates of food and alcohol.
“Why don’t we celebrate?” I say. Everyone cheers louder.
10 minutes later
~Landon’s Perspective~
I watch the festivities from the brig with a small smile on my face. Everyone looks so happy.
My eyes catch on someone weaving through the crowd, following Castor. Wait, is that…?
“Landon!” Alfred shouts as he sees me. He runs to me and hugs me. I hug my younger brother back, holding onto him as tight as I can.
“I’m so happy to see you again!” he tells me happily.
“Me too kid, me too,” I reply. We let go of each other, although I keep my hands on his shoulders. “How have you been?”
“I should ask you the same thing,” he says. “But I’ve been ok. What about you?”
My face falls. I look around before looking at him.
“Do you know any private places?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Great.”
10 minutes later
I hug Alfred as he cries into my chest.
Alfred was born a happy kid. He was always a bit less mature than the other kids his age, always daydreaming and having trouble focusing. But if something caught his interest, he would direct his focus on it until he either knew everything he could about it or strived to be as good at it as he could until he lost interest in it. But no matter how many things he lost interest in, he never lost interest in fishing. Whether it was fishing itself or the business and logistics, he learned everything he could, and he still is. But our parents always encouraged him, and now they’re dead. And I may leave just as I came back.
“Why?” he asks tearfully. “Why are you leaving? You just came back. Mom and dad are dead. It’s just us now.”
“I’m not leaving for sure,” I tell him, stroking his hair. “I just wanted to tell you what happened to me.”
I look to the light blue sky. We’re outside, our legs hanging off a ledge overlooking the sea.
“I’ve seen so much. And I’m happy to be home, I really am, but I feel it. The call of adventure. The same thing that drove dad and mom to take us to new places. The same thing that drives my friends to explore. And I want to see the world the same way my parents did. The places my mom described beyond our home. I want to see these places. But I missed you. I don’t know what to do, so I’m asking you what I should do.”
Alfred goes quiet. He thinks about what I said. I nervously wait for his answer.
Without a word, Alfred pulls up his left pant leg. His pants are loose, allowing him to reveal a leather brace on his lower leg.
“Alfie,” I begin. “What happened to you?”
“Dumb luck,” he explains. “I was on a ship escaping Altavista when a metal mage hit it. Broke my lower leg bone. We didn’t have any alchemists on board, so they patched me up with a brace. Good thing it wasn’t strong, or it could have been worse.”
“It doesn’t matter. That should have healed weeks ago.”
“The bone didn’t just break, it cracked in other areas too. And it was just above my ankle. I’m going to have a limp for the rest of my life. The local alchemist survived and gave me a healing potion, but it wasn’t strong enough to heal me completely. You know about healing fatigue. And my bone had partially healed, so they couldn’t set it.”
Alfred looks to the sky. He goes quiet before continuing.
“I never really wanted to see the world. You always wanted to do that. I wanted to stay here in my own world, open a fishing business, and live my life.
“I was born different from the other kids my age. I didn’t grow up as fast, and I always had trouble paying attention.
“You were the curious one. The person who always wanted to know more. And I’m not going to stop you. You deserve to fulfill your dreams without anything holding you back. So you know what? Go ahead. I’ll be fine. I know mom and dad would have wanted for you to go too.”
I look up. Despite being a year older than him, I forget that Alfred has probably been through worse things than I have.
“Alright,” I finally say after a few moments. “You’re right. But I’m staying here for a few days.”
“Fine by me.”
~Selene’s Perspective~
I eat my food in silence, my thoughts flowing through my mind.
Cassius is worried about me. I know this because he’s been doing things for me I never asked for him to do. Cutting deals, advocating for me, and who knows what else.
I spear a piece of fish with my fork as I think about what I should do. I want to repay him, but how? He probably won’t take anything I get for him, so what should I do?
I think about the time he mentioned that he had cut a deal to protect my skin. I have heard about how loyal the elites of the Underworld are to each other, so what could he have…?
A thought hits me at that moment. I freeze as I let it stew in my head. A feeling of dread fills me.
A few minutes later, I walk out of the tavern. I look around before walking back to the inn.
I’m about halfway there when a person stops me.
“Excuse me?” they ask. “Are you Selene Liannos?”
I raise my eyebrows.
“What do you want?” I ask.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, but my boss really wants to see you. She says it’s a matter of extreme importance.”
“I’m sorry but I’m busy right now.”
“It will only take a few moments. I’m sure you can spare some time to hear her out at least.”
“Fine,” I sigh. “Where is she?”
“Follow me. I’ll take you to her.”
I follow the person down the road. And for some reason, I feel nervous.
Chapter XLIX
3pm, The Southern Arena
~William’s Perspective~
Me and Pax walk along the stone path. Around us, stone formations rise to the sky. Everything here is a dark grey, as if the rocks have been burned.
We reach the end of the path, and I stop. Pax stops behind me.
Theos sits in the middle of a depression in the island. He holds his staff in one hand. He turns and walks to us.
“You’re here,” he says. “I was beginning to worry.”
“Alright,” Pax says. “You said that this would be the final trial. What do I have to do?”
Theos lets a smile form on his face.
“For your final trial, you will be fighting me using no weapons. I will only use a tenth of my power to avoid hurting you seriously.”
Pax grins slightly.
“Alright,” he says.
“William, you should find somewhere to watch safely. The battles of mages are not something you can watch up close.”
Amerios
~Cassius’ Perspective~
I sit on the edge of the dock, allowing my legs to hang over the water. I look out to the horizon. Rain falls in a small sprinkle, but the clouds say it’s gonna get worse.
“There you are,” Selene says behind me. “I was wondering where you were.”
“Don’t you have more important things than talking to me?” I retort.
“No, you’re just the person I need to talk to right now.”
Selene looks to the horizon.
“I get that you have your own secrets. I get that you really don’t want to put me in danger. But we’re the same age Cassius. And honestly, after everything you’ve done, I think I deserve some compensation.”
I sight and turn to her.
“Why are you bringing this up now?”
“Because, I have a few questions about you. And since the next time we meet will probably be as enemies, why not clear up things now, while we’re still allies.”
I think about her words for a few moments. She does have a good point.
I’m about to respond when I hear a huge explosion. Selene and I turn to the source of the noise.
People run as a plume of smoke rises in the distance. From the smoke floats a single man using a flight spell.
“No fucking way,” I whisper in shock.
“What the hell?” Selene agrees.
Baron Adrius looks around before his eyes land on me. He smiles and forms a magic circle made of shadows.
I pull out my sword. Selene readies her magic. Adrius’ smile grows as he aims at us.
Chapter L
Southern Arena
~Pax’s Perspective~
Theos floats above the ground. Green and yellow wings flap behind him as we look at each other. I ready my lightning magic, creating a magic circle made of electricity.
I attack first, sending a blast of electricity at Theos. He dodges it, flying to the side before sending a wave of orange flames at me.
I yelp as I dodge the attack. The flames scorch the ground where I was.
I use my magic to jump high before sending a bolt of lightning. Theos barely dodges it before flying right at me.
I create a shield using my magic. Theos destroys it easily and I’m sent flying backwards. I roll on the ground and recover quickly.
Holy shit. Theos is more powerful than I imagined.
I watch as he creates a magic circle made of those green and yellow flames. He sends a ball of flames at me. I dodge the fireball before responding with my own ball of electricity. Theos dodges again before using a snare spell to freeze me in place.
“You aren’t trying hard enough,” Theos says matter-of-factly. “The whole point of the trial is to push your limits. Otherwise this whole process was a waste. Don’t hold back Pax. Show me what you truly can do.”
He frees me and the duel begins again. It starts sprinkling. I smile.
Some magics work better in tandem with each other or in the right conditions.
I smile. Water conducts electricity.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Amerios
~Cassius’ Perspective~
BAM!
I dodge the ball of flames and roll on the ground. Selene goes the other way, imbuing her magic into her fists in the process. The rain’s falling harder now, soaking us. Adrius notices and growls. Water puts out fire.
He deactivates his flight spell and lands in the ground. He imbues his gauntlets with shadows and runs at us. I exchange glances with Selene before we both run at the Baron. I imbue my cutlass with spirit energy.
Adrius blitzes at Selene. She is barely able to dodge and responds with beams of light and shadow magic. Adrius dodges them and releases an explosion that sends her flying backwards and into a wall.
I lunge at Adrius, swinging my sword at his neck. He intercepts the sword with one of his gauntlets just before it touches his neck.
Shit.
He smiles and sends a shadow-imbued punch at my gut. I’m barely able to get a spirit shield up before the fist makes contact with it. I’m sent flying backwards.
Selene blitzes Adrius, sending a flurry of punches at him as well. Adrius takes multiple punches but remains on his feet. Selene’s fast, dodging his counterattacks, but he has a size and strength advantage. I run at him and imbue my left fist with spirit energy and send a punch.
I hit his leg hard. He falls down on one knee. The rain’s falling in sheets now, and water is pouring down like crazy.
Adrius releases a shadow explosion that sends me and Selene backwards. He stumbles up.
At that moment, Selene does something most mages would never do. She creates 2 magic circles, one made of shadows and one made of light, and aims at Adrius.
She fires. Adrius prepares to block. But the target was never him.
The 2 blasts collide right in front of him and create a huge explosion.
I go flying.
I hit a wall.
Everything hurts.
I look at the site of the battle. Selene’s down, and she looks bad.
I watch in horror as Adrius pushes himself up near me. He doesn’t see me. He looks horrible, stumbling around. How is he still standing?
He prepares a magic circle made of shadows. He aims at Selene.
I feel adrenaline coursing through my veins. The pain dulls, and I find the strength to push myself up.
I wipe the rain from my face.
I hold out my left hand. The Medallion of Gales glows an ominous dark purple.
Every relic is enchanted by a god. Every relic resonates with a magic. This one loves the wind.
Tendrils of spirit energy start rising out the ground. Adrius turns to me.
Each relic has what they call an ultimate art. This one’s known as the “Might of Aeolus.”
Adrius’ eyes widen. Everyone whose someone knows the story of the Medallion of Gales. The symbol of the Bellona Family’s power, stolen from them 30 years ago.
It calls me its owner. It calls me worthy.
And I answer the call of its wind.
The spirit energy spins around me like a tornado, swirling the wind. The energy flows into the medallion. I aim at Adrius.
He attacks first. A beam of shadow flies at me. It’s met by a beam of spirit energy that’s as free as the wind.
The wind surrounds both of us, creating an arena of purple energy.
Adrius stops. So do I. Because unlike other relics, this one puts rules on its user.
I pull out my sword and imbue it with the medallion’s spirit energy. I look at him and beckon for him to attack first.
He obliges.
He sends a punch at me.
I dodge it.
I’m still deciding what to do.
I dodge again.
Should I collapse the space on him?
I dodge a blast of shadows.
Should I kill him using my sword?
I block another punch by creating a wall made from spirit energy and wind.
Here, the winds respond to my needs.
I decide his fate.
I go on the offensive.
I’m sorry Selene.
The Might of Aeolus enhances the user’s speed in a way that looks unusual. Using the winds, they seem to glide across the ground, as if they are dancing. I do that now as I attack Adrius. I move constantly, never stopping. I dodge and only block when I need to, exchanging blows with Adrius like they’re nothing.
I cut his leg, severing his hamstring. He falls. I stand over him.
“You shouldn’t have gotten caught,” I say. I slash his throat. He falls over, his life bleeding out of him.
My vision blurs. I fall on one knee as exhaustion overtakes me. I gasp for air as my vision flickers. I over exerted myself, and now I’m paying the price.
Selene walks over to me.
“What was that?” she asks.
I point to the medallion on my glove.
She nods. Something’s wrong. Why is she looking at me as if I’ve done something wrong?
Selene turns to the body. She looks troubled.
“You killed him,” she says. She turns to me. “You actually killed him.”
What the fuck is going on?
“You mentioned that you cut a deal to protect me. Did it perhaps involve Adrius by any chance?”
My face pales, saying more than words ever could. Selene’s face sours. Her hand curls into a fist and begins to emit shadows.
“Who told you?” I ask her. I push myself up, using my sword to help me.
Selene glares at me.
“The very person you made a deal with.”
I pale.
“I should kill you,” Selene says. “You’ve put me and my family in danger. How is my mom supposed to get help for my sister now? How am I supposed to survive if the Underworld itself is hunting me down? Answer me Cassius. How?”
I have no answer. She’s right. I chose my mission and didn’t honor my end of the deal. Now the Underworld will hunt Selene down for allying with me.
“I’m sorry-” I begin.
FWOOM!
I’m sent flying backwards into a wall. Pain flashes through me.
Selene walks over to me, puts her foot on my chest, and aims a magic circle at my head. I wait for the fatal blow.
It never comes.
After a few moments, confusion fills my brain. Selene steps away and fires the spell to the sky. She looks at me with pure hatred as she grabs a knife, and cuts her hand. She sucks on the cut before spitting on me.
“This is a blood feud, Cassius. From now on, we are enemies forever. When we meet, we will battle with a hatred that will rival the battles of the gods. That is my revenge against you.
“Leave, Cassius. Get out of here. You’re not the only one who can cut deals.”
“Why are you-?”
“Because I owe you, right K?”
My face gives me away again.
Selene walks away.
“Goodbye, Cassius. Pray we never meet again.”
I watch her walk away into the rain. I push myself up and stumble to the docks.
Chapter LI
Southern Arena
~Pax’s Perspective~
I dodge a phoenix-shaped blast and leap at Theos with a lightning imbued fist and punch at him. He dodges the attack and releases a fiery explosion. I’m sent flying backwards and land on my feet. I send a beam of lightning at Theos. He intercepts it with a wave of flames.
We’ve been fighting for who knows how long. I’ve only landed one hit on him, and it was just a glancing blow. Nothing more. I still don’t know what the goal of the trial is. I’m soaked, tired, and at my limit.
I dodge another wave of flames. A fiery phoenix flies at me. I create a wall using my relic and block the attack. I send a spirit blast and ball of electricity consecutively. Theos dodges both and flies right at me. I create a wall again. Theos breaks through it. I release an explosion. It hits Theos. He flies back, his armor smoking.
I can’t keep going like this forever. I know it. Sooner or later I’m going to collapse from exhaustion.
Theos flies up again. He prepares another attack.
Alright Theos. You want all out? I’ll give you all out.
I let out a yell, swing my right arm, and send a beam of lightning at Theos. He responds with a beam of flames of his own.
The 2 meet in the middle. An explosion sounds as the 2 magics clash with each other. Neither of us stop and the beam of flames slowly moves closer to me.
I feel energy beginning to flow in my left arm. I ignore it as I continue to focus.
My right arm hurts. I keep it up. The energy in my left arm burns now, like there’s fire in my veins.
The beam of flames moves closer to me. My left arms hurts even more. It ruins my focus, and my beam begins to weaken.
A few moments later, I can’t handle it anymore. I yell as loud as I can as I swing my left arm at Theos. A magic circle made of flames forms and I send a ball of fire at Theos.
It hits him square in the chest. He’s sent flying backwards, his armor smoking even more.
I collapse onto the ground, spent and exhausted. My vision flickers as I fight to stay conscious.
I fall over and everything goes dark.
“Pax!” Will yells.
~William’s Perspective~
I run to Pax as Theos lands. The rain batters the ground as I stop to check on my friend.
He’s still breathing, much to my relief.
Theos walks up behind me. I can tell he’s concerned as well.
“I didn’t expect him to achieve his second magic in such a way,” Theos says in wonder. “And fire magic at that. He is truly unique.”
I turn to Theos. A suspicion takes root.
“You’re the mage, aren’t you?” I ask. “The one that almost killed Acheron.”
He nods, solemn and grave.
“I have kept it a secret for years. If everyone knew that my failure to kill Acheron the first time was a cause of the world’s ruined state, they would lose hope. I am the most famous and loved man in the Seven Seas. I represent the hope of the people. And hope is what they need. I hate lying to them, but it is necessary.
“I fought Acheron twice. The first time, I spared him. He hadn’t become a monster yet, so I gave him time to redeem himself.
“He never learned anything. He massacred my homeland of Dunwich and we fought again. I was close to defeating him, but in his desperation, he sent a blast of all the magics and curses he had absorbed and sent it at me. I barely dodged it, and the world was fractured.”
I nod.
“I can see that,” I tell him. “So what now?”
He looks up at the clouds.
“Pax has passed the trial,” he finally says. “Meet me at Alalea in the 3rd Sea when you are ready. And give Pax my regards. It is time we enlisted allies.”
He flies away after saying those words. I look at Pax and lift him up and over my shoulder. I turn around and walk back to the ship. Time to see if Landon’s going to show up.
Epilogue
2 days later, Judgement Isle
~Pax’s Perspective~
I walk along the beach, looking out to the horizon. I absentmindedly create a magic circle made of flames. The image of a fire is in the middle of the circle.
The whole purpose of the trial was to get me to awaken my second magic. And I passed it. Now, me and Will are waiting to see if Landon will show up and join us. We’ve only spent a day on the island and my new magic’s already proven its worth.
Me and Will have a bet on when Landon will show up. My money’s on him showing up in at least 2 more days.
“Oi Pax!” Will yells at me. I look back to see him grinning. Landon stands behind him, confused.
“You owe me 50 lamina motherfucker!”
I swear loudly before grinning and jogging to the duo.
Dawn’s Refuge, the Delta
~Castor’s Perspective~
Cassius lies unconscious in the medical room as Arch checks up on him. He stumbled onto the ship, wounded, sleepless, and exhausted an hour ago. Something happened, but he’s not in the condition to talk about it.
The only thing he said before he collapsed was, “Tell Averill the mission’s done.”
I don’t know what the mission was, but it didn’t sound good. What happened to him?
Arianna runs into the med bay. She’s holding a letter. I take it and look at it. It’s from Averill. I open it.
Hide and lay low. The Underworld’s going to want your heads. Get to the base as fast as you can.
“What was the mission?” I ask Arianna.
“I don’t know,” she responds. “But whatever it was, it was bad.”
I look at Cass with worry and concern. I’ve already lost 2 friends under my command. I can’t afford to lose another one.
What happened to you man?
The Bloody Mary
~Selene’s Perspective~
I sit in the chair across from Archon Alethia. She flips a coin using her thumb multiple times. My head still throbs from the blow it took 2 days ago.
I’ve been trapped on this boat since Amerios. I have no idea how much time has passed, and no one has told me a thing.
“Have you thought about my offer?” she asks.
“Didn’t really have the time to after Cassius killed Adrius,” I respond.
“Yet you let the murderer escape.”
“I like to repay my debts.”
“Which is understandable. And it’s also why I haven’t killed your family yet for letting him escape. But I have the power to do so. So, what’s your decision?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“Oh I know how to fix that. Bring her in!”
2 brutes walk in. A person is sandwiched between them, a bag over their head. They’re unconscious from the looks of it.
One of the brutes takes the bag off the person’s head before leaving the room with their companion. I feel the blood drain from my face.
Archon Alethia walks over to Pandora, grabs her hair, pulls her up, and puts a knife against her neck. She looks at me with a cruel and calculating smile.
“So, what is your answer now?”
End of Book 2
