Reality pieced itself back together as the light and darkness that, for the moment, dominated Tsuna’s senses shifted into a deep blue body of water. Immediately put off, he realized he was falling away from the body rather than falling into it. Tsuna forced his head up against the rushing wind and saw that he was falling towards another body of water while the smell of burning coal flowed into his nostrils. A structure that could be mistaken as a gliding fortress came into view, fleeing from a mass number of the same creatures that had attacked his home. The fortress’s metal wings spread across the sky, casting the shadow identical to that of a giant eagle onto the waters below. It crossed Tsuna’s path, his body ricocheting on the deck and jolting the rest of his senses. His eyes fluttered, then stuck opened as he reached out for the guardrail built along the ship’s deck and secured his grip.

Metal clunking from the deck followed by a whistle of released pressure overtook the rushing wind. “They’re going to pierce the frame!” The voice rode on the wind as a bulky man with dreaded hair exited a hatch. “The ship’s done for if we let them stay on the deck! For Carouser, it’s up to us to stop them!”

Creatures splat onto the deck, reforming into their bestial shapes as several men and women climbed from the hatch. Members of the crew unsheathed their swords, while others pointed their flintlock pistols and engaged the creatures. The shadows met their assault, diving at the crew, impaling the first to attack and tossing them over the deck. The crew retaliated, blasting the creatures with their pistols to stun them, then decapitating them. A terrifying cry came from overhead, turning some of their attention to the sky, to a figure that blocked the sun’s intense rays through the floating ocean.

Tsuna had gone unnoticed by both sides, but followed suit. He looked up into the waters, spotting a gargantuan beast descending from the sea in the sky with the appearance of a deformed whale-like monster. “What the…” The ship rattled as the creatures crashed along its wings and deck. Their beady eyes turned towards him and slinked in his direction. “They’re after me here too!?” Eyes wandering over towards the fighting crew members, one of them being impaled by the creatures. His sword flew out of his hand, and landing between him and Tsuna. Tsuna had an idea. I have to get inside this thing! It was now or never.

Striking down on the creature in front of him, the dread haired man’s blade slid in between its eyes, followed by the clicking of his pistol that blew its head to pieces. He wiped the slimy residue off of his face as he scanned his surroundings and caught notice of Tsuna, who was running along the guardrail for the stray sword nearing the deck’s end. “Tighten the formation and cover the hatch!” His massive frame shook the deck with a single step, moving swiftly to Tsuna’s aid.

“Zikel, wait!” A woman said.

Tsuna scooped up the weapon before it fell overboard, resetting his footing. His enemies had already surrounded him, moving faster than he expected by using the shifting deck to their advantage. He swung wildly, trying to cover himself from all sides at once as the creatures stared awkwardly at him. They inspected him, watching his desperate swinging, then effortlessly disarmed him.

The beast above roared again, holes opening along the bottom of the gargantuan body gathering a glittering blue essence. From each hole, a glittering beam of water launched. A hail of blasts fell upon the ship as it maneuvered from side to side, its size making each yaw harder than the last. A single beam struck the right wing of the ship, with a force strong enough to rip through the metal exterior. The muffled sound of a blaring alarm escaped the open hatch, as the ship tilted towards the damaged wing. The crew disregarded their enemies once their footing became unstable and scattered for something to hold on to as the shadows slid off the deck. Tsuna tightened his grasp on the guardrail, the creatures sliding in his direction. He braced himself, using his free arm to protect himself, knowing there was no way out of this predicament. Suddenly, the creatures burst. A crackling light whipped into his sight as fast as it came, an electric spark emitting around Zikel’s blade. The bolt tore through the creatures, ripping them apart and leaving a scent of hot tar as the sizzling residue fell onto his arms and hand. The substance boiled on his skin, causing him to jerk his hand and release the guardrail falling towards the ocean.

Zikel grabbed onto the guardrail, swinging in order to reach Tsuna. “No!” He wasn’t fast enough. As he stared at the falling man, a dark red blur came into view. The blur grabbed Tsuna by the back of his shirt and brought him near the open hatch.

Tsuna felt nauseous, his eyes drifting down to the ocean that built up a bubbling in his stomach. He turned his head, looking at his savior, not expecting the bestial creature that held onto him. Small horns extended from its head like curved daggers, its face shaped something similar to what he could only identify as a type of lizard. The dark red essence flowed into his expanded wings, arched from his back. Bright red eyes looking towards Tsuna, it exhaled a black smoke from his mouth.

A light blonde man poked his head out of the hatch, a light green scarf draped around his collar. Wasting no time identifying the direction of the gargantuan. “It’s like the legends, Zio! Too bad I don’t have the time to record this properly.”

The lizard-like creature released a frustrated huff. “You’re worried about that now? In the middle of the Twin Seas on a damaged ship?”

“I’m tracking the situation! Just let me dream a little.”

“Dream when you’re asleep!” The lizard lifted Tsuna into the hatch. “I’ll handle the wing. Can you take care of our legendary guest?”

“Leave it to me!”

Despite the ship shifting, the scarfed man ran against gravity with a dash up the deck. “I’ve been waiting for a moment to test my these on an ether touched beast with enough power. Don’t let me down, Terror of the Sea!” With sleight of hand, he pulled a long-barreled gun from his waist, loading a shell from his pocket into the chamber.

Leaning back, the lizard fell towards the wing of the ship. “Hold on everyone! Just a little longer!” His wings opened and flapped, carrying him towards the man-sized hole. His chest puffed forward before he exhaled a bright orange substance along the edges of the hole, slowly reducing its size.

When the scarfed man reached the top of the wing, the gargantuan dove back into the water above. It picked up speed as the man aimed his weapon. Each of the holes along its body reopened in the water, the blue essence glowing brighter than before. With a cry, the beast leaped from the body of water, the combined essence firing towards the ship as the creature dropped into the other body of water. The gun clicked, then the hammer slammed into the shell, firing a solid brown bullet with a recoil powerful enough to fling the man’s arm. His bullet collided with the first beam, landing in the center of the blast, and dispersed it around the ship.

Rotating his arm, he winced, feeling it crack. “Prototypes… the kick on this thing is ridiculous. Almost took my arm off.” His hand moved above his eyes, spotting the lizard, then shifted his hand to the side of his mouth. “Zio, It’s back in the water! How much longer will it take?”

The lizard stopped, examining the size of the hole that was now the size of his torso. “Give me three minutes!”

The gargantuan roared again, its voice erupting from the waters below them.

“I don’t think we have that long! My arm only has bout two shots left! Maybe!”

“Two and a half!”

Amidst the chaos, Tsuna overheard the men and women below him hanging for their lives. A man shrieked as his hands slipped from the guardrail. Tsuna bit his lip as the adrenaline swelled through his chest. He looked around the hatch, finding grates that spread from one side of the deck to another. He jumped. “Hey!” The crew turned their head toward Tsuna, stretching his leg towards the man. Clinging to the grates, he allowed the man to grab onto his leg. The mans weight adding to his own.

Moments passed as Zio finished repairing the damaged wing. He jumped to the front of the ship, giving a thumbs up in the window before fleeing back into the skies. After Zio’s signal, the ship slowly turned upright, allowing the dangling crew members to climb safely on the deck. People’s panic turned into cheers, everyone checking on one another. The man released Tsuna’s leg, moving to celebrate with his crewmates as they pointed towards a landmass ahead of them.

“The Crossing! We’ve made it!”

Picking up his exhausted body, Tsuna curiously looked in their direction. The What?

The Twin Sea ended, the skies above them a bright yellow in color. A holy glimmer shined, as he looked directly at the radiant tower at the heart of the island. Its scope was more than grand. It was as if the tower itself was what held the oceans, or maybe even the world, together. Absorbed in the mysterious structure, another roar came from the ocean. An explosion from behind them, as a gargantuan tail sliced through the ship’s rear. The deck staggered, the crew reaching below themselves for balance.

“Brace for impact! In the ship!” Zikel said, ensuring everyone made it inside. Looking at Tsuna as he continued to stare at the tower, he saw the scarfed man grab him by the shirt.

“In you go!”

Tsuna’s body jerked as if a vehicle hit him. He fell into the hatch and the last thing he felt was a sharp pain in the back of his head.

***

“Wasn’t a gentle landing, that’s for sure.” Zikel said, as he twisted his neck enough to hear an audible crack. “It’s only been a few hours and we’re almost out of rations. Most of them in the ocean or turned to ashes. For the amount of bodies we have left to feed, I’m not sure what the Captain has planned. There will be trouble, especially since several men had mixed feelings about this expedition since the beginning. Religious bastards can’t see the entire picture. The rumors will only spread and get worse until Rylen gets those engines running.”

An unconscious Tsuna came to. He’d overheard the man’s rant as his head spun like a top. From what he could tell, he was looking at the sky covered in an aurora, overtaken by celestial light flowing from the colossal tower. As he leaned forward, he felt a tightness around his wrist and legs. Why am I tied up? A thick rope constricted his hands and feet, though he saw something he’d almost forgotten. The gem fused into his skin now shown completely. It rested differently than it had before, void of light or color. He averted his eyes to the people in front of him. A woman and Zikel were in the middle of a conversation, leaning on wet crates lodged in sand before the brilliant tower.

“Astraea’s damned us! The Captain should have followed the ritual through the church. He made his choice and now The Goddess has damned us with ill fortune and death! Everyone on the North Continent knows that in order to have a safe trip to The Crossing, certain rites must take place first!”

A frustration built on Zikel’s face, as he changed from his relaxed posed to a more upward one. “But here we are. At the base of The Crossing, with most of the crew still alive and walking. The ambitions of the Captain have gotten us this far and we must take risks in order to seek something greater in our lives.”

The woman only turned her head in response to his statement. His intense stare continued, and after a moment of silence, she cracked. “I’m not doubting the Captain’s ambition. I think we’re the only two who’ve survived long enough to attest to his goals. It’s just this place… It’s nothing like the adventurers say it is. Full of life, they’d say. Like they were being welcomed by The Goddess herself. In our few hours here, it’s been nothing of the sort. We’ve departed mainland at noon and twelve hours have passed and yet the sky is still so bright, terrible beasts roaming through the forests with trees as fat as an Elysian noble, the tower with no entrance, a deserted beach. It’s all so different.”

“Aye.” Zikel said, “Perhaps they were only telling stories of grandeur. Every adventurer who lives to tell the tale is the one who failed The Crossing’s challenge. We won’t be like them. Our dreams shine brighter than the rest and I’ll do anything to see all of our dreams fulfilled, Saria.” Saria slumped, Zikel taking her by the chin and placing his lips against hers. “This is the last trial.”

Saria’s face lit up, standing up from the crate. “Still, I suppose we’re stranded until we find a way in the tower. Zio suggests that the stowaway we found might be our key. And if what he says is true, this might just be our destiny.”

Stowaway? Are they talking about me? Ahh shit, so much has happened that I don’t even know what’s going on! It’s like some fever dream!… Well, if I say nothing, I’ll stay in the dark. So, here goes. “I don’t get a say in the matter then? Considering I risked my life for one of yours, I’d at least like to talk to the man in charge. This ‘Captain’ you’ve mentioned or we can untie my hands. I’ll take either or.” The two of their heads turned, finally noticing that Tsuna was wide awake sheepishly smiling at them. Maybe that was a bit too much to ask for.

Zikel licked his lips and walked over to him, the ground trembling with every step. “Captain’s orders. We have a certain method of interrogation for stowaways.”

Eyes wandering, Tsuna quickly looked back at the man. “What if I told you, I’m not a stowaway?”

“Then I would ask, how did you get aboard our ship?”

“Do people often fall out of the sky here? If yes, then that’s my answer.”

Zikel chuckled at his response. “Saria, go get The Captain. Let him know the stowaway is awake.” Saria ran in Tsuna’s direction, the scent of alcohol passing as Zikel kneeled down to get a better look at him. “You’re a funny one. What’s more surprising is that you’re a Southern Continent stowaway too. I was born there, if the brown skin wasn’t enough of a clue. Which part are you from, brother?”

The question caught Tsuna off guard. He blinked and recomposed himself with a lie ready. “The part where it’s hot! My heads hurts, so it’s hard to remember the name right now!”

Zikel laughed again, droplets of spit shooting from his wet lips, this time lifting Tsuna to his feet. “Every part of the Southern Continent is hot! You talk in circles and joke like a Tengu. You must be from Zamra.”

In shock at how easily the man picked him up, a fearful instinct spread like wildfire in his brain. I should just play along! “Zamra, it’s been years since I heard of that place! I’ve been on a pilgrimage and thought it would be grand to see the rest of the world before I return home to my loving wife, who misses me so much I’m sure!” As he finished, Zikel gave him a swift pat on the shoulder that numbed his arm.

“You’re married? One would think that would be enough to settle down. Give up on the hopes and dreams others might call childish. To solve that, you find a partner who supports the ideas that others would consider crazy or outlandish. Is she also from Zamra? Or did she fall from the sky too?”

“Uh.” Shit. “She’s an angel, so why wouldn’t she have!”

A crease reappeared on his lips. “So she’s a Tengu? First time hearing a man marrying a beast, but everyone has their fetish. I’m sure the late night fun with that one has your ears bleeding often, doesn’t it?”

Tsuna pursed his lips and widened his eyes at the comment. “You know what? I’m just going to be honest with you. I’m-.”

“The Captains here! Everybody clear out and make way!” Saria returned with three men tailing her and stepped aside.

Zikel took a few steps back as the men came closer. Tsuna pivoted on his heels to turn towards the men. As he spun, he could see more of the area. There were dozens of men and women scattered around, moving debris from the wreckage of the ship resting on the coast of the island or scavenging barrels and crates. A broken and shredded wing lodged in the sand, the rear of the deck almost completely missing. Fixing an engine will not change an entire wing. The men who Saria had returned with blocked his vision, tension filling the air as they approached. To Tsuna’s right was the scarfed man, bags under his eyes, walking with a slumped posture. To his left, a red-haired man in a black and purple jacket, hands in his pockets and one eye closed. In the middle of those two, a man who carried a boorish expression with grayish hair in the center. A golden compass hanging around his neck and tattoos that ran from his neck down to his fingers. Forcefully, the tattooed man took Tsuna by the wrists, examined the gem, then scoffed.

“What is this? I’d call it a shitty tattoo if not for the coin-like shine of the center. How did you get this?” He gazed at Tsuna dead in his eyes, unflinching, as he waited for an answer.

An anxious Tsuna’s words clogged his throat. The Captain’s gaze paralyzing him, the gun on his hip making him nervous. A bead of sweat slid down to his chin.

His yellow-tinted teeth shown as he sneered, leaning back and turning to the man in the jacket. “This is our ‘key’, Zio? Sure acts like one, might be too dumb to speak. I’ll be honest, I had my doubts when you mentioned we had a stowaway and said stowaway also happens to be the missing piece we need to open the door. But to see that hand of his in person only confirms that Astraea sent him to me.”

The red-haired man crossed his arms, tilting his head towards the man. “Your crew hired me for my experience. Then I tell you my experience and you don’t trust me? Do you see an issue there?”

“I have to be cautious, being so close to the end of this long road. A man who doesn’t dictate his own fate will die to a man of stronger ambition. And you, Zio, were just that once upon a time. Your tale is no secret to any of us, Tarragon. I only question for what reason did Astraea bring you here to aid me?”

“You paid the right price.”

He dropped Tsuna’s hands. “A mercenary through and through, but currency isn’t the only thing a man can pay.”

The scarfed man stepped forward, giving Tsuna a brief inspection. At this distance, Tsuna could now see that the man had pointed ears beneath his scarf. Readjusting his scarf, he stepped back. “Focus. It’s imperative that I return to fixing the engines so less dilly dallying and let’s get to the point. Does the boy speak common?”

Common? They haven’t been speaking Japanese?

“He speaks it.” Zikel said. “Well too. Claims that he’s from the Southern Continent, but mentioned something about falling from the sky. A beggar who’s wit is as dull as my last sword if you asked me.”

“And here I thought we were getting along, ‘brother’.” Tsuna said.

Tsuna’s response raised the scarfed mans eyebrows and his ears noticeably twitched inside of his scarf.

Zio turned over to the man. “Everyone knows how to speak in common. What made you think otherwise, Rylen?”

“I had a hunch, but it’s not important for now. What is important is that I return to work so that we may see a way off of this ‘paradise’ we’ve found ourselves stranded on. There isn’t much to debate with Zio, Captain. This boy is indeed special and in my experience with relics, that gem in his hand is a trigger to many objects. With this knowledge, what will you do now?”

The Captain angled his head towards the highest visible point on the tower, its size extending through the clouds. “We carry out the purpose of any key. We’re going to open the door. Prepare another expedition to The Crossing, we’ll have Zio lead to deal with any more of those monsters lurking in the shadows of the forest. I want us moving within the hour. Any longer and the crew will become restless. Go!” His attention turned to Tsuna. “Don’t think of running anywhere either. There’s no civilization here. You’ll only end up dead if you do something stupid.”

The Captain headed back to the wrecked ship, Zikel and Saria following close behind. Tsuna observed the two men who stood out from the rest. Zio and Rylen. They looked at the tower, then nodded to one another without a word.

Those two seem to be much more aware of what’s going on than the rest. If I recall from before, Rylen called that Lizard thing Zio. So he’s a man? Or is he a lizard? Rylen’s definitely hiding something too. The fact he covers his ears with that scarf implies something. If things line up here like they did back home, he’s an Elf. He used a gun though and from what I know of them, Elves don’t use guns.

Rylen swiveled back to the damaged ship, leaving Zio alone with Tsuna. He scanned their surroundings. “Hey, kid.” He muttered.

“I’m not a kid.”

“Whatever. What were you thinking, jumping on a ship full of pirates? The Carouser guild has a poor reputation for theft and banditry. I’m sure the Captain doesn’t even brush his teeth either, but that’s besides the point. If you were looking for help, you should’ve paid the North Star’s toll.”

Tsuna stared at him plainly, his expression sending an unsure message to the rugged mercenary. He cupped his hands and brought them to his mouth, open in Zio’s direction. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

His response caused Zio to perk up, a glint flashing in his red eyes. “So you’re going to joke around? These people will kill you as soon as they’ve used you! Anyone else would be panicking.”

A quivering feeling came over Tsuna. First in his legs and then crawling up to his arms. He’s right. I should be panicking. But just because I don’t know what’s going on doesn’t mean I should lose composure. His heart wavered, Zio glaring at him angrily for a moment longer before walking past him.

“Stop trying to be some hero. Leave that to people like me.”

Perplexed, Tsuna raised an eyebrow in confusion at Zio’s statement. It sounded contradictory to what his known status was amongst the strangers, yet it left him wanting to know more. A pulse of light from the body of the tower pulled Tsuna’s attention. Questions filled his chest like gunpowder. What is that place and why is it here? Then a fire in his stomach sparked the flame “What is The Crossing?! Why is it so important to that Captain that he’s willing to let people die to get inside of it?”

Dust kicked into the air as Zio stomped to a halt. “Have you ever wanted something enough that you would undergo trials that even the most powerful of men could succumb to? Or would you walk in the light of a god, pushing your life to the edge for a chance of bypassing those trials and transcend mortality to create that which you desire?”

“Godhood?”

“If you so wish it.” He looked over his shoulder. “So, which would it be, the first or the second?”

Silence passed, the sound of the ocean’s waves crashing against the coast. Tsuna didn’t respond.

“I'll tell you my answer.” Zio raised his hand, curling his fingers until only his index finger remained visible. “Life is far more important to experience. No shortcut will ever compare. Anyone who says otherwise either wants an easy way out or cannot bear the weight of their choices.” He opened his palm and waved as he walked away, leaving Tsuna alone.

“What’s his deal?” Tsuna looked around. “So, there’s the ship there. People to my right, people to my left. Even if I slipped away, I’d be easy prey. This sucks.”

***

For a moment, I thought we were headed in the right direction. No more outside peers, finally getting a place for ourselves. That’s how the cycle works, right? If I worked hard enough, I could sell my stories to some big company and the two of us would’ve been set for a while. Tsuna looked towards the luminescent sky, it’s Aurora weaving through The Crossings unnatural light. It was a dream. Something that was probably doomed to crash and burn. Everyone has a dream though, I’m sure Mr. Amagi also had big dreams. Probably didn’t imagine himself growing up to run a store, but it seemed he was happy with his place, changing his community and fixing idiots like me. I miss home. Since falling here, I’ve been tense. First those monsters and now these people. And that Zio guy said I might die. If it comes to it… I won’t go down easy. I won’t surrender.

“It’s time to go, boy!”

Saria’s voice shook his core. He spun in a panic, locking eyes with the stranger as she twirled a knife between her fingers.

“Captain says we’re moving now. So you’d best be ready for a long walk.” She flipped the handle into her palm and leaned down to cut the rope around his legs.

Survive. The word rang in Tsuna’s head. If he wanted to live, he would need information. As much as he could get from his captors. If I’m some sort of key to them, if I died, would it still be able to work? The only two who would know that are Zio and Rylen and only one of them is going with us. “Ready? We’ve spent hours flying across the ocean and on this beach! My mouth is dry to where I could faint! I can’t be ready if I’m starving!” One of Saria’s eyes half closed as she contemplated his sentiment. Fully closing the eye, she reached behind her back, pulling forward a pouch. The smell of the pouch was a familiar scent, particularly the same scent that came from her breath. He shook his head in refusal.

“Eh? I thought you were thirsty? A bit of drink too much for you?”

“Being drunk is the last thing you need for your key! I wouldn’t be able to do anything!”

“Fine. Beats me if we need you dead or alive, so I’ll play it safe. We’ll get you some water, only a swig, before we regroup with the others.”

A relieving exhale escaped Tsuna’s nose. I’m glad that worked. So they have no clue of whether they need me alive. Those mercenaries didn’t tell them. Or maybe they don’t know either.

Saria finished cutting the rope and pulled Tsuna on his feet. With a rough push, she forced him toward the rest of the crew. There was a line of men and women in front of several barrels, filling their pouches with water.

They’re surprisingly orderly.

Saria latched her hand to a man’s shoulder and yanked him back with a shocking ease. “Back up! Captain wants the key hydrated before we head out!” She glanced at Tsuna and tilted her head towards the barrels. “Stick your hands out.”

Without hesitation, Tsuna followed her instruction. Water drizzled into his hands as the barrel leaned, struggling to cup as much as he could between his palms. It tasted bitter. He didn’t know water could taste like a mix of cheap alcohol with juice to give it flavor.

“That’s enough!”

The water ceased, Tsuna streaming as much as he could into his mouth, the rest dropping on his shirt or sliding down his wrist and soaking into the rope.

A yank of his arm and the two were on the move again. “Captains waiting, we’ve wasted enough time!”