Chapter 15 - Departure

In the full shining daylight, the Captain walked through the dark, narrow corridor lined with numerous rooms. His footsteps echoed softly. As he reached his quarters, he stopped before a navy-blue door adorned with a golden lion symbol—the crest of his household. 

His gloved hand rested on the door handle, and for a moment, he stood still, staring deeply at the emblem.

After a pause that seemed to stretch infinitely, he turned the handle and stepped inside with a measured grace, his every movement exuding nobility. 

Once inside, he quietly locked the door behind him. Leaning back against it, he let out a long, silent breath. His yellow eyes, usually sharp and piercing, now appeared dull and tired as they fixed on the white, lustrous marble floor—a stark contrast to the ship's wooden decks.

He deliberately removed his black leather glove from his right hand. He lifted his scarred palm, gazing at it intently.

The countless marks etched into his skin told the story of relentless training and countless battles, of the sacrifices made to stand where he was now. Slowly, he flexed his fingers before clenching them into a tight fist. 

His eyes, though weary, flickered with a spark of determination that refused to be extinguished.

He snapped his fingers, and three lamps flickered to life, casting a dim glow around the room. 

Yet, despite the light, shadows clung stubbornly to the corners, as if the darkness were an inseparable part of the space.

Straightening himself, the Captain's gaze swept across his quarters. At the center of the room stood a large, dark marble desk, cluttered with books and scattered documents. 

The three dark blue walls were adorned sparingly; a navy banner bearing the golden lion crest hung prominently on one wall. To the left, a bookshelf brimming with volumes and vital records stretched toward the ceiling.To the right, a plain wooden door led to another section of his quarters.

The room, while appearing lavish by ship standards, fell far short of what might be expected of true nobility.

Walking toward his desk, he slipped his glove back onto his hand in a fluid motion. Picking up a document folder sealed with a rose emblem, he studied it for a brief moment. 

His hand began to glow faintly with a golden aura as he channeled his energy into the seal. With a faint crackle, the seal dissolved, breaking open the folder. 

Inside, instead of the official, legally authorized documents he had expected, there was a handwritten letter. As his eyes scanned its contents, his expression hardened. Cold and unyielding, his gaze seemed to pierce through the very paper in his hands.

"Bastards," he muttered under his breath, the word dripping with disdain.

He dropped into the plush chair behind his desk, the golden lion crest etched into its back faintly catching the light. Grabbing a piece of paper and a finely designed red quill, he dipped it into black ink and began writing a response, the scratches of the quill sharp against the silence of the room.

Meanwhile, on the ship's deck, two figures had just finished preparing for departure. Jack and Jaz stood side by side, their expressions still marked by disbelief.

It had been over more than five years since they had started traveling together, facing battles, wars, monsters, and duels with powerful warriors. They had seen lazy antics from the vice-captain and unwavering resolve from the Captain. But nothing had prepared them for what had just happened.

"But why?" Jack asked, his voice tired and filled with confusion. "Why would the Captain allow that kid to join us?"

"How would I know? And how can anyone know what the Captain is thinking?" Jaz replied flatly, standing at the edge of the ship. Her eyes were fixed on Sol, who sat cross-legged in the sparring area at the ship's center.

"Yeah, but…" Jack's voice trailed off as a realization struck him. His eyes widened, and he turned toward Jaz. "he'll earn his place... starting with the chores" he repeated, the Captain's words ringing in his ears.

Jaz glanced at him, confused by his sudden change in tone. Then, like lightning striking her mind, she understood. Jack's intentions became clear, and she straightened, falling into step behind him as he began walking toward Sol.

Sol, deep in thought, sat quietly in the sparring area. His fist was clenched tightly, his wide smile brimming with innocence and excitement. His eyes gleamed with hope—a rare light for a boy who had spent his life on Zenora.

Finally! I can escape this rotten place, he thought, his heart swelling with anticipation. All his life, he had heard scavengers call Zenora an abandoned island, a forgotten place where its inhabitants were destined to be lost and discarded. For a long time, he had believed them. But now…

"Oi, kid!" Jack's loud voice shattered Sol's thoughts. The excitement in Sol's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a sharp, guarded glare. He sprang to his feet, his body tense, ready for anything. He didn't trust these people—not yet.

Jack and Jaz stopped in their tracks, startled by the boy's defensive reaction. Jack let out a nervous chuckle, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "Oh, hey, relax! We're not…"

"Oi, idiot. What's the situation?" A sudden voice barked from the communication band on Jack's wrist. It was the vice-captain, calling from the engine room below.

Jack's face twisted in irritation as he yelled back, "Everything's set! We're ready to go! Just start the engine already! GODDAMMIT, START THE ENGI—"

The vice-captain cut off the connection with an exaggerated sigh, scratching his ears. "Why so loud, idiot~," he muttered before turning his attention to the engine.

The ship's massive machinery roared to life, filling the lower decks with a symphony of metallic groans and low-pitched rumbles. The vibrations reverberated through the entire vessel, reaching the deck where Jack, Jaz, and Sol stood. Sol stumbled, losing his balance and falling to the deck, his body unaccustomed to such sensations. For him , the first time - the ship began to move.

As Sol regained his footing, he ran to the back edge of the ship. His eyes locked onto the shrinking silhouette of Zenora, watching as the island faded into the horizon. He stood there, motionless, until Zenora disappeared completely, swallowed by the endless sea.

Meanwhile, Jack and Jaz remained on deck, gazing out at the open waters. Their emotions were a mix of nostalgia and relief. The journey that had shaped them, challenged them, and strengthened them was finally over.

"What a journey it's been," Jack murmured in a low voice. Jaz nodded silently, the weight of their shared experiences heavy in the air.