The Shatran Campaign came to an end. The job of the rest of the fleet in-charge of the cleanup was to take care of any resistance. Which means that only a few ships are left in the Island alongside a Grand-Galleon and its Destroyer escorts.

With the Shatran Islands, the nearest island where the enemy could muster their forces are burnt to a crisp save for a few islands and islets that have fleet-soldiers watching the horizon.

The Tundrae, the first island they discovered for a while, was also cleansed thoroughly. It may sound arrogant to say so, but the Elven-kin, who led the genocide of the natives, were driven out and killed. The only animals left in the open are the sauropods and the other gigantic creatures that the fleet have deemed to be eligible to become cattle for the fleet.

If he wasn’t around to witness it. Gabrio would have misunderstood the treehollow houses that have been built. Some are even bigger than the ones in the Arkshelled Island. The large spaces also made the Elven-builders go nuts. Their desire to create such structures made them build a tower with its inside hollowed out naturally.

Gabrio’s sitting in front of all of this. The hustle and bustle of the fleet of Jagged Fjords that was opened up by the Arkshelled Island, now used to hold the Arkshelled Island and some of the ships that needed maintenance. Making use of the natural formation to create anchor points that would be able to maintain and upgrade the ship, making use of the bountiful resources of the fleet.

The Island had natural walls that allowed it to be defended. It was shaped like a crater and if one would look outside of the island. They would find a tall cliff that prevented anyone other than a giant beast from climbing it.

They have every reason to suspect that there was something that hit this island, creating what it is right now. One could say that it was fortuitous of the fleet. But the fleet had already adapted to the ways of the water. They are seafarers. Most of the current generation preferred the open sea and rarely would stay on the island longer than they needed to be.

The elven-kin, especially the very long-lived ones, and the elders cherished hard land. They were quite interested about the island and had started planning on ways to gather everything they can before the fleet traveled again.

As Gabrio stirred on his seat. Mana sat next to him with her eyes on the treehollow homes. She sat still without speaking. Following Gabrio’s gaze and taking time to yawn. She was quite human in her mannerism and if it wasn’t for her medium-sized ears and the small strips of green on her white hair. She’d be mistaken for one.

“Looks like we’re settling in.”

“For now. You should see the scholars over the island. They are now rocking their heads on how to make plans and record everything.”

Every record must be written. Every item listed down. Organizing the resources, and managing them was one of the reasons the fleet lasted this long.

“The region’s secured. We can start building defenses here.”

The plan of the fleet was simple. To hide from the forces of the interstice and make use of the natural formations to defend the horde while also making sure that the fleet gets what they want. The purpose of this in the first place was to hold out. Examine the flow. And make sure that the fleet can leave.

Like vultures that had already eaten all they could.

But it was reasonable to hold out. And considering what they did. The fleet was going to need some rest in order to replenish what it spent and also create the projects that it needed to create.

Gabrio and Mana spent the entire day attaching prosthetics on the fleet-soldiers who got their limbs severely damaged. Attacking the housing organ and the limb. Sometimes, they have to amputate a limb to make the prosthetic fit.

So seeing a lot of the fleets-soldiers having wooden hands and legs made Gabrio think of those pirates who lost their limbs and replaced it with a hook or a peg leg. The difference was that they were functional.

There are even some who would cut off their left arm and then have it replaced with a prosthetic arm because of how durable it is.

Even Gabrio had no say in what they should do. It was their choice and in some way it’s one of the few benefits of being close to the elven-kin. The implant will only work when the deed is done with the help of an elven-kin.

Gabrio… had been working on his imitations as well. He had a century of watching the process and after so many years. He had insights on how they worked and had started his project. Of course, it also helped that Datu, the giant smith, was well-versed in technology and after years of conversation and brainstorming, they were able to figure something out.

The weaponry of the fleet itself wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the insights and ingenuity of the last giant who swore an oath to the Blinder of light.

There were thoughts that maybe the fleet was actively making use of him. But Datu thought differently. You could say that creating for the sake of creating something new was his purpose.

So he was glad to assist. The giant was lonely and being surrounded by ‘little brothers’ pleased the giant. He was a teacher and a survivor. A giant who had lived throughout the ages. But was also someone who spent years alone as the last of his kind.

Gabrio blinked. His eyes focused on the work being done by his kin. It was uncanny how the fleet-kin didn’t think of how much bloodshed they caused. Then again, they weren’t human or elven so they didn’t think that they were wrong.

It was engraved into their blood that they are enemies. The enemies who made them live in the seas.

***

Mana finished moving their furniture on the treehollow home she has recently made out of her own hands. She was about to place down furniture when a figure wrapped in golden butterflies appeared.

“I see that you have been living well.”

“Master.” Mana turned around neatly.

“It has been a while. It looks like the elders have decided to make use of me at the moment.”

Mana nodded and put it down lightly. There was a certain pressure that came out of Mana as she did.

The woman surrounded with golden butterflies smiled. “You have matured. I was going to scold you… but it seems like your companion has received the blessings of the Mother. Of course, I’m glad that you haven’t been truly lured yet.”

Mana’s face twitched. Like a sore spot that she didn’t want to poke. The woman with the golden butterflies leaned on the wall and crossed her arms.

“I wonder if there’s something wrong with your companion. But it seems like inheriting a treeheart will give certain benefits. It is fascinating. Now, don’t give me that look, even I cannot hate a man who would be so keen and focused on his profession.”

“Why are you here?”

“Is it wrong to visit my student? No, I was simply wondering how you were doing. Aren’t you surprised?”

“Partly. But I know you better, Master.”

“You always do. I’m pleased that the centuries have matured you. I liked your childish ways.”

“Is that so?”

“How curt.”

The golden butterflies faded. She appeared next to Mana who was arranging her things.

“You’ve learned well from Ristina. A shame that she wasn’t as long-lived as we are. She would have changed the world.”

“She would.” Mana frowned. “And as her student I have learned her ways and absorbed them into me.”

Mana recalled suddenly. When Gabrio was learning all kinds of things. She had asked why he’d be so eager. He answered rather simply.

“It will remind me of them. What they strived for in life will never fade away.”

Never fade away. Gabrio was a rather sentimental man. But he was someone who’d do what was necessary to protect his kin. He’d donned that mask of his to do cruelty. But she knew him well enough that he was someone who preferred to be in his clinic, tending wounds, checking up on his patients, and asking them if they were all right. She was fond of the Doctor more than the Mime.

The Mime that reflected the actions of others. She made a Vitae for him to go along with that mask of his to strengthen him. It was a mask that focused him and gave him strength.

Because despite all the skills he had learned to protect himself. Mana knew it best that he was kind to seldom use them. Though she sincerely thinks that it’s more because of what had happened back then. He didn’t want to be helpless. He wanted to be strong enough that he could reach his hand out.

A man whose goal in life is to heal must never tear.

“And yet he smells that of the Butcher of Fort Rava.”

Mana turned her face sharply. “You knew?”

“How could I not? I have met the Butcher of Fort Rava. In fact, I have worked with that fool. A shame that he has been twisted. It is odd that his pupil would turn out so decent.”

Mana trembled. The sprites that were around her turned red. The intense burst made the woman with the golden butterflies frown.

“If you are implying that this was my doing. Then, you think wrong. I was working with the butcher for five years, but nothing more than that. That man wasn’t even his apprentice when he was old. But I must admit that it is a small world.”

Mana’s fury simmered down. She held her left elbow in relief. There was a strange disappointment. The woman with golden butterflies gaped.

“Oh my… you would have preferred both.”

Mana snorted. “If you already know then please stop teasing me!”

“I will not. I am quite jealous actually. Not everyone can have a fortune like you two.”

“It’s not fortune. It’s his deeds that made it happen.”

“Perhaps. Still, I’m glad that you have made a friend.”

Mana cringed. She composed herself and then asked. “You’re here… then that means the others as well.”

“That is right. We have felt the stir of the Blinder and also the interstice screaming at us. Just like how everyone has noticed. We are like a Lighthouse with its light finally burning away the darkness. Now the moths gather at our location. Thinking that they are here to finish us off.”

“Is that right?”

“There are other stir… we can feel some of them resisting. I think that many of the fleet-kin forgot that we are still experiencing the final battle. Oh my, did you really think that the fateful battle that will decide this world’s path would end so easily? There are no victors yet.”

Mana furrowed her brows. “Then?”

“The Blinder of Light lives. And he’ll one day take a step and face the eyes of the world. And then the eyes shall be blinded and there shall be separation of the light and of the darkness.”

“Will we win?”

“Uncertain… but the fleet shall not exist.”

“What?”

“Every journey must end, my dear. A fleet like this… its singular purpose is to carry the hero to his duties. And have you forgotten what the Grand-Galleons and the ships are made of?”

“What are you saying?”

“The day will come. But for now you and your kin must hold the tide that is about to come. My student, you must remember that all shall come to pass. And every journey must end someday.”

Mana looked down.

Her Master started to fade away with her butterflies. “But the end of a journey doesn’t necessarily mean the ending.”