“So, you kids want help getting down this river here, huh?”

After nearly a half hour of riding, we arrive at this dock. The fisherman is here, at his favorite spot, along with his boat.

“Yeah, we'd really appreciate it,” I say. “You'd be doing the lady to the east a favor, helping us out.”

“Oh, her?” He scratches at his bearded chin. “I do owe her one. One day, when I couldn't get any to bite for some reason, with a wave of her hand, it was as if the fish were drawn to my hook like magnets. I didn't even need to bait it for the rest of the day!” He laughs. “We ate well, that night. Really needed it, too. My son was going away on his journey the next morning. Wanted to see him off with a good feast.”

“Hm, it sounds like her to have helped out with something like that,” Fal says.

“Okay, then, I can sort of help,” the fisherman says, “but it's not so simple. I'd be honored to take you all the way to the Old Capital, but I just can't make that trip. What I can do, however, is give you a ride northwest, where the Garrett River Church is. They have a large ship that goes down the whole east side of the river, and I think they'll even let you ride for free.”

“Okay, that sounds good to me. What do the rest of you think?”

“Yeah, going like this seems like it'd be the best. Let's do it,” says Maria.

“I've got mixed feelings about going to a Church of El Rey, but I won't complain. This is good,” says Fal.

I nod. “That settles it. Oh, and you'll be taking the speedscales across as well, right?”

“Yeah. Alright, everyone, get on board. Shouldn't take us too long to get to the church.”

“Hmm. I'd bet kids like you might have an interest in this. Do you know why they call this the Garrett River?” Asks the fisherman, now that we're out here.

“I've heard the story,” Maria says. “It's said that when Sir Garrett of the Imperial Four slashed his sword during the final battle with Emperor Zalom in the Raul Rebellion, it was so powerful that it went across the entire eastern half of the continent, and then water flowed in where the slash did its damage, literally creating a river.” She looks around, as if confirming the size of the river she's in and thinking about the feat that Garrett achieved. “I think that story might be a bit of an exaggeration, though. How could one man do that?”

“Actually, that really happened, and exactly as the stories describe it.”

“You've gotta be kidding me.” Maria raises an eyebrow at the fisherman's statement.

“See, this I know for a fact that this happened, young ones,” says the fisherman, looking at each and every one of us. “I was there when he did it. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“What!?” I say.

“Bullshit!” Says Fal.

The fisherman just laughs. “Yup. That's how they always react.”

“Tell us!” Maria says. “Tell us what you saw!”

“Alright, then... the capital was in complete chaos. You had people running all over the place, trying to get away from the fighting. Let me tell you, one hell of a fight was happening. Zalom and Garrett were wielding powers unlike anything we had seen before. It was almost like watching two gods clash.” From the look on the fisherman's face it seems as if he is still in awe of what he saw that day. I don't doubt that he really saw this. “Garrett dealt Zalom the final blow. When that happened, the ground split before my eyes. That was the power it took to put an end to that tyrant for good. I'll never forget it. When that happened, I understood what it meant right away. Our lives had finally been pulled free of Zalom's grasp. With his godlike strength, Garrett took it from him, and offered us our freedom.”

“Amazing... you really are telling the truth, aren't you?” Maria says.

“Ask any of the old folks who were there, young lady. Every part of what I said is the truth.”

“I had been told it was true by my elders,” I say, “but I've always doubted it a little.”

“Me too,” Fal says, “even though Master told me again and again that it really happened.”

“Well, what matters more than the display of power, if you ask me, was what it meant. With that swing of his sword, I finally saw just how hard Sir Garrett and the others were fighting to save us, save the rest of the world, even, from Zalom's oppression. I can't help but highly respect such a man.” The fisherman sighs. “I wonder what Garrett is up to, now. Agil is still in the Old Capital, but his best days are behind him. Lady Eiha's been kicked out of nearly every town or city, but I honestly believe that she might be that woman who lives in that house to the east. And really, I don't believe she had anything to do with that Ghost Hurricane, honestly. She just didn't seem like that kind of person. As for Grandall, even back then, he was very old. It wouldn't surprise me if he had already passed away.”

“Y... yeah,” I say, knowing the truth, but not wanting to interrupt the man.

“Still, no one has any idea what happened to Garrett. It's too bad. Most people liked him. Not really surprising; out of all the Imperial Four, he seemed like he believed in the people the most. I wonder, what would he think of all this stuff that's happened in his absence?”

“I hope we figure out some day,” I say.

“Well, this has been an interesting chat, young folks, but...” the fisherman points at the church. “We're almost there. Look.”

“Hm?” I stare at the church as it comes into view. Indeed, the seven triangles engraved into the front of the building resemble the Light Rune Complexes Maria has on her hands. Slowly but surely, we're getting closer... “...wait. This location...” Ah, dammit. How could I have not realized that it was this place?

“What's wrong, Yrza?” Maria asks, resting her hand on my shoulder. “You look uneasy.”

“We'll talk about it once we're on solid land again,” I say, moving her hand away. Not much time for a conversation, anyway; before I can even think of where to start, the ship is about ready to dock.

“Wow. I don't quite remember this place being so crowded.” Without a doubt, there are a ton of people, here. I had been hearing that the Church of El Rey was making a comeback, but even this one, all the way out here, and this much?

“Greetings, travelers, and welcome! This is the Garrett River Church.”

Almost right away, one of the brothers is here to greet us.

“Hello to you, too,” I say. “A ship rides from here, all the way to the Old Capital, doesn't it?”

“Yes, but unfortunately, we have only one of those ships, and the trip can take days back and forth. We anticipate that they'll be back maybe early this evening. Until then, why don't you come in and say hello to Mother Marine? She does enjoy seeing and speaking to the travelers that come here.”

Hearing that name, I hesitate a bit. I haven't seen her in so long. It'll be a little awkward, after all these years. I wonder, how have things been since I left?

Perhaps seeing this hesitation, Maria replies: “Sure, we'd love to meet her.”

“Sounds good,” says the young brother. “Follow me. Don't worry, it's not going to be a very long walk.”

“Alright.” With that, we walk inside the church, close behind the brother.

“Hey, Yrza,” Maria says, tapping me on the shoulder, “you sure you're alright?”

“Never better,” I say, trying to look calm and probably failing.

“If you say so...” Maria frowns, looking concerned.

“I gotta say,” Fal says, observing the environment, “Seeing this many people at a Church of El Rey is really surprising. I remember seeing some of them during The Last Days and right after the Ghost Hurricane, and this is such a far cry from what I had seen back then.”

“Yes. The Last Days were a pretty dark hour for all of us,” the brother says. “Believe it or not, I was one of the wasters back in those days.”

“Are you having a laugh, brother?” I ask, looking at the man. “You don't seem anything like them.”

“Oh, it's no joke, believe me,” he says, a bittersweet smile on his face. “During The Last Days, I thought there was no point to life other than to enjoy one's self as much as possible. Looking at what there was for me to enjoy myself with, I ended up exposing myself to so much debauchery that it was disgusting. Seriously. Drinking all the wine, smoking all the dreamweed, sleeping with all the women I could get my hands on... I'm not very proud of it, you might guess. 'twas a horrible sight to behold. However, that fateful day came and the Ghost Hurricane with it, and somehow I knew. Without anyone saying it to me, I understood that I had to do something.” He points to himself as he says this. “As I wandered around, I would wonder what was motivating me to do good works, because as a waster, I basically didn't believe in anything but feeling pleasure. Yet here I was, trying to put smiles on other people's faces, not expecting anything in return. When I came across this church, Mother Marine interpreted my change in attitude as me finally opening my eyes to what God was trying to show me the entire time. Without a doubt, I'm sure this is what I was meant to do.” The brother looks around. “I think many of the good folks here are like me. Lacking direction, yet drawn to El Rey all the same. Seeing so many people finally find what they're looking for brings a smile to my face. Gives me joy greater than any wine, dreamweed, or any lady of the night, I know it for sure.”

Hearing him speak makes me think back to something Walter had said. Something along the lines of leaving the answers all to God being like giving up, to him. I guess that doesn't really apply to everyone. When I think about it, I guess it makes sense that not everyone can decide to stand on their own. Perhaps some people need that guidance. Need something greater to cling to. For a moment, I lose myself in thought, wondering if this is good or bad. Or if it just is.

“Yrza? Yrza, watch where you're--”

“Oof!”

“Ah! Whoa, are you alright?”

I really gotta pay more attention when I'm in populated areas. I help the young man I just ran into off of the ground. Doesn't look like this guy isn't carrying any books with him, even though he does look like the kind of guy I'd expect to be well-read. Clean (well, at least until I knocked him to the floor) white robes with El Rey's emblem on the right side of the chest. Long, wavy brown hair that he clearly takes good care of. Actually, wait. Now that I think about it, have I met this guy, before?

“I'm fine, thank you,” he says, taking my hand. “Yrza?” He looks to Maria. “You said his name, right? This is Yrza?”

“Mm-hm,” she responds.

He studies my face carefully. “Oh, God, it is you!” He exclaims, suddenly laughing. “Ah, it's been far too long! So good to see you again!”

I search through my memory. No doubt this guy grew up in the church, like I did. Just gotta take a moment to remember exactly who he is. Let's see, the hair, orderliness of his robes... the person I'm thinking of also loved to read, and I'll bet this guy does, too. “Johnathan?” I say, snapping my fingers and pointing.

“It's me!” He spreads his arms wide, walking closer. Normally I'm reluctant to embrace somebody like this, but it only makes sense for me to be so friendly to another one of the Marine Kids. “Talk about an unexpected surprise! How have you been, Yrza?”

“Oh, it's been a ride, John, I gotta tell you about it--”

“Johnathan?” I hear a woman say. She walks into view. A blue-haired woman with blue eyes. The silver circlet on her head, gold trim of her robes, and the scepter in her hands would immediately tell anyone looking that she is an important woman, but to me, she sticks out for a different reason entirely. “Is everything alright? I thought I heard screaming.”

“Mother Marine, you won't believe it!” John says, walking over to her. “It's Yrza! He came back!”

“Really? It's not a joke, is it?” She asks, looking at me.

“Uh, yeah, Mother Marine, it's me,” I say to her. “I'm here, but I'm only staying long enough to catch the next ship to the Old Capital.”

Mother Marine holds my face in her hands and examines my eyes. “I've missed you dearly, since you left with Grandall,” she says, smiling. “How it warms my heart to see you alive and well after all this time.”

“Yes, yes, I know,” I say, removing her hands from me. “This is touching and all, but really, we just came to say hello.”

John chuckles. “Yep. That's our Yrza, alright,” he says, looking at Maria and Fal. “Really, he seems cold and uncaring, but trust me, Yrza cares very deeply for the people around him. He's just too proud to admit as much out loud.”

“Oh, shut up, John!”

Maria breaks into a loud fit of laughter, hearing this. “You hit the nail right on the head!” Why are you agreeing with him!?

“Y'know, that take on him sounds kind of accurate,” Fal says, nodding. “At first, he seemed like kind of a rude guy, but he is surprisingly friendly once you get to know him.” I'm standing right here, you know!?

“Oh, come on... it's not like I'm doing that on purpose!”

Mother Marine also joins in on the laughing. Yeah, everyone laugh it up... “Honestly, though, I don't blame Yrza for keeping his guard up. The world can be a dangerous place.”

“Yeah, no arguments, here,” Maria says, seeming a bit embarrassed.

“Anyway, my young friends,” Mother Marine says, switching the topic, “You said you were traveling to the Old Capital, yes? The ship is supposed to be back before this evening, I believe. Yrza, you and your friends are free to stay here as long as you need to. I'm sure you know where to find me if you need something. I'll let you and Johnathan catch up.” With that, she walks away.

“So, John,” I say to him, “you really decided to stay here?”

“Well, not so much I decided to stay, it's more so that I didn't have anywhere else to go.” He spreads his arm out, gesturing towards the rest of the church. “Besides, remember? I felt that I really didn't need to go anywhere. Even after most of the others left, there were still other orphans coming in, and as you may have heard, many lost souls have found their way here after the hurricane. It was obvious to me that the thing I wanted most, some sort of role to fulfill, was right here.” John smiles. “I mean, that's how it was for you, too, wasn't it? You saw purpose in following Grandall, so you went, right?”

“Hm... I guess you could put it that way.”

“Yrza, come on!” I'm not sure what Maria is so excited about, but here we are. “You never told me about this! Why didn't you say you lived in a place like this? I didn't know you were brought up in a Church of El Rey!”

“Actually, I'm pretty curious, myself,” Fal says, staring inquisitively. “All I knew about you was that you were Grandall's last student. If you don't mind, could you tell us a bit more about what your life was like before that?”

“Yeah! Tell us how you met your master, at least!”

“Uh, you two are kinda putting me the spot, here.”

“Yrza, I'd say go ahead and tell them,” Johnathan says. “I know you want to catch up, but there's plenty of time for that, I think. Go ahead and let them hear the story of when Grandall visited.”

I let out a loud, exaggerated sigh as they all look at me with excited eyes. They're really not going to let me be until I tell some sort of story, are they? “Alright, fine. Just that much shouldn't take too long.”

“Yay!”

“Hope this is good.”

“See what I mean? He's only stubborn to a point, but then--”

“Quiet, you three,” I say, sitting down in a nearby chair. “Okay, gather around, ladies and gentlemen. It's story time.”