A streak of lightning and a heart full of blazes stared out into the open sea from an enclosed harbour whose walls filtered out the unnecessary horizon. All that was before them were the calm waters where a monstrous fleet had been anchored. They could see dozens of steel hulls with the silhouettes of fortresses, but there were scores more behind the mask of fog. Even from afar, they could hear the lively bellows of ships, which had the vigour of an industrial city blending with the ambience of the harborfront.
The day was new, and the scent of morning dew faintly seasoned the coastal air. Fishermen sold their catch from their boats docked at the promenade. Fishmongers worked tirelessly, gutting and cleaning, before the seafood was sent, in cartloads, to restaurants and cafés before their opening. They did this every morning, and it was the norm of a peaceful life that was Haven, but many knew, through gossip, rumours, and speculation, this was just a facade. Behind it was a truth that the protectors of the city did not wish to reveal lest it draw suspicion from their enemy.
Two of those protectors stood at the end of a pier, pretending as if nothing had happened and nothing ever will. They agreed to stand in silence side by side. However, one knew that he could not spend his entire life living under the shadow of another, and he had to leave a mark in this world for himself before his name could be erased from history. There was a corvette beside them that would mark the beginning of his journey to further his dream, and he hoped that he could embark it before the storm came for the sky had turned overcast and there was a chill in the wind.
“How long did they say the journey was?” Gazing out into the blue waves, Arminius asked his friend.
“Eight days from Alben to Äzhypten, then three across the desert, and twenty-six more at sea.” Colt replied solemnly, sighing at the long trip that was ahead of him. “To know I could get there in a day by air.” He recalled a time when travel was easier.
Quiet, his comrade did not react. He acknowledged it in silence, neither doing nor saying anything to convince him to stay. Arminius knew that he could not keep him caged in a place where he did not wish to be from the beginning.
Smiling optimistically, the sergeant rested his hands on his belt. “But, no matter how long it’d take, I’ve always wanted to go back.” Colt admitted his greatest desire, despite his reservations about the duration of the journey. “I’ve never felt at home here anyways.” The Easterner added.
“Neither.” Arminius agreed with him, expressionlessly.
Surprised, Colt chuckled with a smirk. “Then why bother with this place?” He found his answer, as usual, unusual, and tried his luck in asking him.
The lieutenant remained gazing out at the sea, paying no heed to anything else. “It’s the closest thing I have.” Unsure if it was the wind or his words, his eyelashes flickered. “I should do everything I can to protect this.” Arminius promised himself.
Colt’s condescending smirk gradually became an understanding smile as he looked at him sincerely. Annoyed, he faced ahead again finding out that he had grown soft within. It gave Arminius a chance to scoff at him, but he did so amusedly.
“Not that I would wanna be on the same continent as you are, but surely, you’d be safer in Seriken.” The Seriker clarified with him, but it was out of his character to suggest to his comrade-friend that he should take the same path.
Already having been committed to his cause, Arminius shook his head. “You said it, there’d be no place for us both.” He could not believe he was the one to remind him.
The sergeant began to snigger uncontrollably, and it brought Arminius’s attention away from the sea for a moment, staring at him who behaved like a madman. Out of nowhere, the lieutenant was punched in his arm, and he reeled back in pain, rubbing his old bruises. After all, it was he who lowered his guard, for it had been years since Colt pulled this prank on him.
His fist loosened, and he drew his arm away from his comrade. “Not even I know what you want anymore.” Colt mused, his eyes pointed at the waters that lapped against the concrete shores.
They could not hear footsteps approaching until they were just a few paces behind them, despite the burden being carried on their back. Swinging canisters clanked, and a sword’s sheath holstered at their hips was being dragged along the ground, ignoring everything else that did not concern them as they made for the end of the pier where their comrades were. Curious to see who it was, Arminius looked over his shoulder, cautiously, and caught a glimpse of a girl’s sandy blonde hair.
“You too, Alexandria?” Arminius was surprised to find himself greeting her in the very same place where the corvette that Colt was to embark on had been docked.
With two rucksacks on her shoulders, she lowered one that thumped onto the ground. “Anything to escape this dump.” Alexandria turned to Colt as if he had known her answer before Arminius had asked.
She added nothing to her words and marched off, her back relieved of half the weight she had to carry to the pier because the sergeant had forgotten his belongings. However, Alexandria seemed more spirited than usual for the simple fact that she was leaving this continent.
Colt moved towards his bag on the ground, sighing before hurling it onto his back, and with Arminius, they walked together towards the gangway. The girl seemed to be in a hurry, and she did not even bid anyone goodbye, deeming it a waste of her breath before she ran onto the ship, but the vessel went nowhere without her last passengers, and among those was Colt, who was taking every last second possible to burn these moments into his memory.
It was an uneasy feeling, but the lieutenant felt the same. “Who knows how long it’ll be… or ever…” Arminius wondered, looking straight ahead.
“Some day. I’m sure of it.” Colt reassured him with a hand on his shoulder. “Besides, only hell knows whether we’ll still be standin’ on the same side.” He invited the possibility of conflict out of friendly rivalry, having always wanted to test his strength against the only man he can call equal.
“I hope so, given all those times you’d beaten me to shit.” Arminius smacked his hand away and shoved him back.
Colt stepped onto the gangway towards the ship, his head held low, with something on his mind. As he journeyed onto the deck of the corvette, he paused and turned around one last time, holding Arminius in suspense. His eyes were not aiming at his friend, as if he was unwilling to face him. “Y’know, I’ve always wondered…” The sergeant spoke, knowing that it was likely his last chance to ask. “Were you holding back every time we sparred?” He finally found the courage to look at the lieutenant for answers, but the only response he received was silence.
Arminius let off a slight smile as if he thought his friend was baiting him into revealing the truth, but it was no trap. It was a genuine question Colt had long pondered, yet his minute reaction was enough for him to figure it out alone.
Understandingly, the Seriker softly nodded and turned to his side. “Jyai ne. (See ya).” Colt said his goodbye.
“Sai ya. (Farewell).” Arminius replied.
and then Add to home screen.