The Port

A Couple Hours Later…

Abraham and Solara were dragging their feet, tired from the constant walking without any breaks. Starrk on the other hand, was feeling amazing. 

"Ah Young Abraham! Isn't this walk just amazing? I needed this cardio."

Abraham looked like he might cry. "I have never hated someone more than I hate you in this exact moment."

Solara didn't answer. She was more concentrated on trying to not fall over from sheer exhaust.

Starrk stretched his arms towards the sky, basking in the sun. "I needed this. A lovely walk under the golden rays of Solis' light — it's invigorating!" He exhaled and inhaled slowly, as if taking in the smell of food cooking. "You know, this is why I don't ride horses."

Abraham was going to retort, until Solara cut in and said, "There's a pack of those stupid dogs up ahead."

Starrk simply smiled. "I'll deal with them, you two just sit back and watch."

With that Abraham and Solara sat in the grass and watched as Starrk approached the pack.

"Hello, vile beasts! I must apologize as I will have to kill all five of you."

The dog-things, naturally couldn't understand him and therefore couldn't comprehend the meaning behind his words.

They all lunged at him.

Starrk smiled as a molten-rock katana forged into his hand. It glowed with lava veins across obsidian steel, humming low like a furnace.

He swiped it through the air. Everything went silent.

Time felt like it froze. Abraham blinked.

The creatures fell to the floor, still alive.

Starrk dismissed his sword and walked back towards the group.

He stretched his arms. Abraham and Solara stared in awe at what happened as he walked back.

As Starrk walked back towards them, the five dog-things exploded.

Abraham's eyes widened. 'Good thing he's on our side…'

"Shall we continue?" Starrk stared at the both of them, still smiling.

They continued their walk where they finally reached the port.

"For a port, this place isn't as busy as I thought it would be. Huh." Abraham scratched the back of his head.

Starrk looked around. "Ah this is the port you guys wanted to go to?" He looked somewhat… angry.

"This is where those damned pirates are…" Starrk continued. 

Solara raised a brow.

"Oh yeah, I'm meant to visit pirates, they're meant to be my taxi out of here so."

Starrk looked over at him, disappointment in his eyes. "You could have just come to Calor, our people are kind and would have given you a nice boat." He paused for a moment. "You wouldn't have to side with these… animals."

Solara sighed. "You don't have to come along, you know."

"Oh but I must. You both are weak dormants who can't even fend off a pack of bloodhounds." He looked at them, almost judgingly. "I cannot risk your blood tainting the land and seas covered by Solis' grace."

There was silence for a moment. Then a gunshot. The bullet scraped the side of Abraham's head.

Starrk's spine glowed orange, visible even through his clothes and armor.

The stranger appeared, two flintlocks spinning in his hands.

"Hey there lads, what brings you all the way here?" The stranger said, calm as sea breeze..