Esau and Micheal cocked their heads to the side.

  “A woman?”

  It wasn't strange for a woman to be amongst the sailors of a pirate ship. However, it was a completely different story if said ship was the most terrifying in all the five seas.

  Commanding such a ship undoubtedly required spirit.

  Just who was this Saturn?

  Odin wiped his mouth and gazed into the distance— towards where the behemoth was docked. A reminiscent smile found its way to his lips as he explained, “They call her Saturn of the Deep. And she is one of the most daring people I know.”

  He paused for a moment, took a sip from his booze pouch, smacked his lips, then continued, “Actually, the Pillager originally belonged to the first-mate. The ‘Gentleman Barbarian’, as they call him. But, on that ship, the role of captain can be challenged and usurped.”

  “They're fighting amongst themselves?” Esau asked with an amused frown.

  Odin nodded.

  “Whoever wants to be captain can fight the current holder of the role. If they win, they get to lead the Pillager, until a new challenger appears. This rule is not limited to sailors on the ship. Outsiders can directly demand a challenge for the role too. However, should the outsider lose, they have to become a sailor on the ship forever.”

  “I see…” Esau nodded in thought. “In doing that, the ship would inevitably draw in more powerful individuals and grow in strength.”

  “Smart.” Odin praised. He threw Micheal a mocking look, then said, “And that was when Saturn appeared. She was a Luminary at the time. The Barbarian, who had managed to remain captain for years, prepared to go into battle with her. However, Saturn demanded that all those who had ever contended for the role be present too.”

  “What?”

  Odin’s smile grew wider. “Yes. She was going to fight them all at the same time.”

  Lunatic! Esau’s heart throbbed as he unknowingly tightened his grip on his bowl.

  Beside him, Micheal was the same. There was no need for the first-mate to continue the tale, because judging from how Saturn was the current captain of the Pillager, that battle had ended in her victory!

  Odin noticed their astonished looks and couldn't resist laughing. He added, almost as if to further ignite their amazement, “Just so you know, all three previous contenders, along with the captain at the time, were Luminaries too.”

  In other words, Saturn of the Deep had fought against four Luminaries and emerged victorious.

  Esau turned to look at the crude, yet magnificent ship in the distance. A familiar feeling spread through his chest as he muttered, “Power.”

  He looked at his hands…and his expression turned somber.

  …Powerless.

  Odin noticed the subtle shift in the little boy's demeanor. After pondering for a moment, he said, “Power comes to those who yearn for it. Power stays with those who bleed for it. Keep that desire aflame, and power will come whispering on a cold, desperate night.”

  Following that, First-mate Odin jumped to his feet and waved as he left.

  “I'm off. I have some affairs awaiting me in the city.”

  Both boys couldn't spare the attention to respond, as they sat quietly, contemplating his words.

  After a while, Micheal exhaled and looked up. The blue sky was bright and clear, with a few clouds drifting across its expanse.

  He muttered with a frown, “How strange. There hasn't been a single storm since we arrived.”

  …

  Middle Ring, Salem's chapel.

  The Middle Ring was vastly different from its lower counterpart. The structures here were more pleasing to the eyes, compared to the metallic cluster of containers below. Proper vegetation carved through the streets, filling the cracks of stone buildings with blooming flowers.

  Salem's chapel stood at the very end of a street, inviting weary travelers and merchants into its embrace. The chapel originally belonged to the Goddess of Everlasting Life, however, it had accommodated all sorts of faith over the years.

  Although it could be considered blasphemous to pray to a Deity in the worship place of another, it wasn't necessarily the case for the Mother. She embraced all— She was All.

  The High Priestess of Salem was an aged woman who had long lost her sight, and thus, gave Maria the perfect chance to execute her daily sham.

  In the chapel’s yard stood a large tent. In that tent was the Druid with jade eyes and birth tattoos running from her forehead to her ears. Maria's hair hadn't grown one bit, nestling above her neck still.

  She stretched as she walked to the entrance of the tent, parting the curtains to allow in sunlight.

  “Should be time now,” She muttered as she hid a yawn behind her hand.

  If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  Just as she had predicted, a figure emerged from the backdoor of the chapel. The figure was a robust man in a multi-colored garment. He trembled with every movement as he supported his weight with a cane. Maria had always found the man's appearance laughable. He seemed like he would swell and burst apart at any moment.

  That would certainly be a lovely sight… Maria mused.

  Still, the man was her biggest patron, so she put on an endearing smile when he drew closer.

  “Lord Harlan, it gladdens mine eyes to behold thee in such high spirits.” Maria gave a terse bow.

  The robust man, Harlan, flashed a grin as his face wobbled like dough.

  “Ah, Priestess Hannah! My favorite person! Of course I'm in high spirits. Ever since you've stepped into my life, it's been nothing but wonderful business all week round!”

  “The Goddess’ will worketh ever in miraculous ways. Pray, enter.” Maria stepped aside to let him in.

  However, he seemed to be bigger than the entrance, so Maria parted the curtains even further. Frankly, she was well aware he would have trouble passing through. It was just a little something she did to mock him every time.

  Maria closed the curtain when the merchant took his seat. She moved around the table, her star-dotted robe swaying with grace. She retrieved a large orb from a shelf and took her seat across from the man.

  “Now then,” She smiled. “What knowledge seekest thou this day?”

  Harlan rapped the wooden surface of the table. His expression seemed troubled. After a moment, he spoke, “I was approached by a group of adventurers. They spoke to me of their recent journey beyond a safe sea route, and their discovery.”

  Maria's fingers caressed the curve of the orb, as she settled into her role as a diviner. She urged him on with a smile.

  Harlan cleared his throat and lowered his voice, almost as if wary of entities listening to them from Goddess knows where, “They spoke of a gem even rarer than the Nightshade. Moonstone, they called it. And they showed me proof!”

  He lowered his voice once more, to a whisper this time, “Appraisers deemed its value equal to fifty Darlét per stone.”

  Fifty Darlét… Even Maria was stunned. Luckily, the avarice in her eyes was veiled by the sheen of the orb on the table.

  Harlan continued, “The thing is, they lack the necessary tools to dig out the gems from the cave they discovered. They also lack a boat, as their previous one was damaged on their return to the island. What they need is for me to provide better equipment, as well as one of my boats, in exchange for half the quantity of whatever gems they procure.”

  “And yet thy heart is not steadfast,” Maria said calmly.

  Harlan nodded. Beads of sweat were starting to line his face, indicating that he was struggling with a decision.

  He said with a grunt, “Adventurers can't be trusted. They're no better than pirates in my books. Greedy bastards, the lot of them. What if they do not keep their word? At the same time, I do not wish to let them go, lest they approach one of my rivals with the offer.”

  Greedy bastards, you say… Well, you're clearly one too. Maria chuckled inwardly.

  She said with a smile, “So thou hast sought mine counsel, that I might unveil the thread of fate for thine name.”

  Harlan nodded vigorously, so much that his chin flapped.

  “Very well,” Maria nodded.

  She pulled the orb closer and began to caress its surface. The orb shone with a faint blue luster, darkly illuminating the interior of the tent. In that ghastly atmosphere, Maria muttered a few absolutely meaningless words.

  This was the usual for her. Masquerading as a diviner in the chapel’s yard, Maria told lies to wealthy merchants and desperate traders alike, garnering herself a huge sum of money over a few weeks.

  The fact that she could speak the ancient dialect of the church laid the foundation for this grand sham of hers. All she did was acquire a star navigator’s robe and a measly orb that glowed in the dark.

  Maria wasn't even a Blessed, so how could she possess the ability to pry into fate in its whole grandeur? She was a mere Seeker with an affinity towards flames. But these greedy pigs didn't care.

  Maria gasped, her fingers tightening around the curves of her tool as she muttered, “I see a ship…”

  “...Dangerous waves.”

  Harlan’s gut tightened. He knew not to interrupt the process and could only hope for a satisfying result.

  Maria let out another gasp, this time, dragged out.

  “I see great peril!”

  Just when Harlan fisted his palm, the great diviner before him added with a smile, “I see bountiful returns.”

  Bountiful returns! Harlan’s throat bobbed with glee. That was all he needed to hear. Without wasting a single moment, he whipped out a pouch from within his robe and placed it on the table.

  “For you, great diviner…”

  Maria exhaled and tucked away the orb. She said with a gentle smile, “Thou knowest I have no need for this.”

  “As you have mentioned numerous times. But, as I always say, it can go into restructuring the chapel.” Harlan pushed the pouch towards her.

  Maria's smile widened. She kept the pouch filled with coins and bowed, “Thy character is worthy of praise, Lord Harlan. The Mother shall look kindly upon thy generosity.”

  “Your unfailing prowess is equally worthy of admiration.” Harlan bowed in return.

  After the merchant left, Maria chuckled and grabbed the pouch. She poured the coins on the table and counted:

  “Eleven, twelve…fifteen, huh. He couldn't have added more?” She clicked her tongue and transferred the Moppets into a chest in a corner of the tent. She smiled at the pile of coins she had gathered, before closing the chest shut.

  “Well, now that the lump of meat is gone, I should get going too.” Maria took off the star-adorned robe and wore a hooded cloak instead. She slipped out of the tent after ensuring everything of value had been hidden away.

  The Druid skillfully climbed the wall that surrounded the chapel and landed on the cobblestone street, on the other side. She whistled heartily as she followed one of the paths that led to the Upper Ring.

  The Upper Ring was also vastly different from the other Rings. It was occupied by a dead forest that spread in all directions, with no man made structure in sight. Except, of course, the strange tower that reached into the skies.

  Maria was curious about the citadel belonging to the Six of Swords, so she had been poking around for a while now. Whenever it neared sunset, she switched from a shady diviner to an explorer.

  Maria carefully ascended the rocky path, mindful not to slip. If she fell whilst ascending, she would undoubtedly lose a few limbs. Soon, her hand grasped the roots of a burnt tree. She groaned as she pulled herself up, sprawling over the ash that spread in all directions.

  The Druid exhaled and sat up. From here, the edge of the Upper Ring, she could see the entire island, the ships docked in the distance, and the silhouette of other islands that made up the Archipelago.

  After enjoying the view for a while, she turned around. The forest was as it usually was. The trees were burnt, the ground was littered with ash, and there were no signs of life nearby.

  It seemed like a great battle had happened here, involving a Graced with the affinity of flame.

  But Maria had asked around. No one in the Middle Ring could remember such a devastation, saying that the Upper Ring had always been that way. And that was what puzzled her the most, because the ash smelled strong. The scorch marks across the ground were fresh too.

  Being a firekeeper herself, she was especially sure of it.

  Maria reached into her satchel and grabbed a cloth to wipe her hands with. Then, she began her walk to the citadel.

  The sun soon disappeared below the horizon.

  Under the dark skies, Maria paused in her tracks and exhaled. Beyond her was a clearing, a shimmering lake that reflected moonlight, and a grim, gigantic tower with heavy doors.

  Maria stood still for a moment, before reluctantly reaching out her hand. In the next instant, her hand was repelled, leaving a sizzling sensation on her skin.

  Maria gnashed her teeth. “Ah, for heavens sake! The stupid barrier is still up.”

  Unfortunately for her exploration attempts, there was an invisible wall surrounding the entirety of the citadel. The Duid had never been able to go past the spot she stood in now.

  Maria watched the tower in strange silence, her eyes betraying a hint of frustration.

  “Well, it certainly cannot be a Blessed keeping the barrier up. They would eventually run out of Essence. An artifact then?”

  In the midst of her pondering, a deafening boom reminiscent of thunder shook the entire Upper Ring. Following that, she heard an increasingly loud whistle, and that whistle… was headed straight in her direction.

  “Curses!” Maria hurriedly scampered to safety and hid behind a large tree.

  In the next moment, a figure descended, sending another thunderous crack throughout the forest. Maria had to dig her nails into the bark of the tree to prevent herself from being thrown off balance and revealing her location.

  After she collected herself, she carefully poked her head out and glimpsed the entity that now stood before the barrier.

  A man occupied Maria's earlier spot. He was broad shouldered, had a head of untidy brown hair, and he wore loose pantaloons. His coat swayed slightly as remnant sparks of lightning faded from his form.

  He said with a hint of amusement, “These idiots have a barrier up now? That only increases my suspicions.”

  Maria frowned. She had thought that the citadel had always been protected by a barrier, to repel attackers and the likes, but it would seem that it was merely a recent thing.

  And what does he mean by suspicion? Who is this person? Maria's eyes settled on the figure once more. She was awed by his vast presence, feeling the strange urge to bow at his feet and sing his praises. That level of submission was something she only felt when she was in the presence of Father Ramses.

  Paragon! Maria's eyelids twitched.

  Her mouth fell open when the figure simply stepped through the barrier, like it was something unworthy of his presence.

  Just like that?! Maria felt a wave of frustration.

  At that moment, she noticed something else. When the suspected Paragon stepped through the barrier, the previously invisible surface was now fairly visible to her.

  She saw a tall wall of color, mixing like liquid and spreading across a vast distance around the citadel. However, now, in the spot the man had passed, a tiny area didn't bear that color. Almost as if a tear had occurred in its composition.

  Maria reckoned she would be able to pass through that tiny spot.

  But was that a good idea?

  She'd be in great trouble if she was caught. However, would she pass up such an opportunity simply because of that? For Abyss’ sake, no!

  Watching the figure stride across the clearing and past the lake, Maria crouched low and dashed towards the gap in the barrier.