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“Exactly. This is the Dagger Key… And you, Miss ___________… are the harbinger of war…”

Your eyes narrowed at Wang as he finished his explanation.

“What do you mean by ‘harbinger of war’?”

Wang smirked, beckoning you to follow him.

“I shall show you. Come this way, but only you and the captains. Everyone else return to your respective ships.”

After the crew took their leave, you, Arthur, and Antonio followed Wang out of the palace throne room to a separate building annexed by a thin, open-air corridor. The doorway led into a large room brightly lit with several hanging lanterns, each glowing with a multitude of soft hues. Swords from each part of the globe decorated the walls, while their corresponding suits of armor rested on golden mounts beneath them. On the far back wall, there hung a large world map which expanded from wall-to-wall and ceiling-to-floor. You gaped at it in awe; there were so many lands unknown to you painted upon the weathered parchment. Your eyes scanned the foreign names, wondering if any of them were truly parts of the world or reflections of a fantasy.

Wang stopped just before the map and turned to face you.

“I have traveled to hundreds of lands in my time, each one more strange and curious than the last. I fashioned this map myself, entering each new location’s name and shape with the finest of detail. However… This area…” He pointed to a spot near the southern tip of the New World, where a distorted white mass was painted. “… is still a mystery to me. My former captain, Feng Yun, first took me to this area when I was but a child swabbing decks for petty coin. He was researching a mysterious energy concentrated on one of the islands as yet unclaimed by man.”

He held up your dagger, looking at it as if he was remembering an old friend.

“It was Feng Yun who crafted this dagger. He infused it with properties of ancient Chinese magic, designed to slice through the energetic forcefield and open the rift to what lay beyond… and he was successful.”

“What happened once the rift was opened?” Arthur inquired.

“The rift first appeared as a distorted, crimson miasma in the center of the island. Once the dagger was finished, Feng Yun performed a ritual to cleanse the area of any evil spirits and energies. He then took the dagger and with one final spell of protection, he sliced the air in eight points, symbolizing the eight directions - North, Northeast, and so on. The rift parted along the cuts, revealing a giant set of stone doors with a single lock between them. He stuck the key inside. He turned it once… And…” Wang lowered the dagger somberly. “That was the last time I ever saw him…”

For a moment, Wang was silent. You felt a pain in your heart as you watched him; he appeared to be holding back tears.

“What do you suppose happened to him?” you asked, a hit of concern in your voice.

Wang shook his head.

“I have been back to that island a handful of times, but I’ve never found a single trace of him. He just… vanished. Only this Key remained behind, along with the doors.” He turned to face the white spot on the map, symbolizing the island of his tale. “For nearly twenty years, I’ve researched, scoured, and conjured, but I’ve had to do everything without that dagger… until now.”

“What happened to the dagger after Feng Yun used it?” you asked.

“It rose into the air above the doors, glowing with a bright red light. The miasma cracked all around us, and shot into every direction. Then the doors cracked, and an outpouring of these strange shadows flooded forth, surrounding us. I was too young to fully comprehend what was going on. All I remember is being grabbed by a crewman and being rushed back to the ship. It would be another five years before I was old enough to make my own voyage back to the island. But upon my return, the Key was not there.”

You eyed the dagger in Wang’s hands.

“It must not have been long after that ritual that my mother found the dagger. Her last voyage as Captain Silverblood was in that same area.”

Arthur suddenly grabbed your shoulders.

“Captain Silverblood? The Captain Silverblood!? But I thought he was a man!”

You smirked.

“It seems you have a habit of misjudging female pirates.”

Arthur returned your smirk with one of his own.

“It seems you keep finding new ways to turn my world upside-down.”

You fought to stop the blush forming on your face. You returned your eyes to Wang, who was studying the location of the mysterious island.

He spoke once again, “I knew of Silverblood, but never had any dealings with him-- ah… her. Had I known she had it, I would have sought her out long ago.”

“That’s… no longer possible…” Your sentence trailed as an ache filled your chest.

“My apologies,” Wang responded sincerely. “But I am glad she entrusted it to someone. She must have felt the weight of its importance, despite having not done anything about it.”

“So… Was she the harbinger, then?”

“It’s possible, since Feng Yun cast a curse upon the blade, rendering it useless to any who were too weak to withstand the powers of the miasma. Your mother was able to touch it, but she apparently never knew of its true purpose. It is fortunate she had you to pass both her blood and her strength onto.”

“What made her the harbinger in the first place? What war are you talking about?” Antonio chimed in.

Wang rubbed his temples with an exasperated sigh.

“So many damn questions… Look, I don’t exactly know the answer to that myself. Feng Yun recorded his research in a journal which he kept on his person at all times. It was enclosed in his coat pocket, even in the instant he disappeared. I only know some things he told me in confidence, and all of those things have been stated here.” He turned his gaze to you. “I fully believe it was fate what brought you here this day, __________. Your mother could not finish this task, but you can, and I will gladly and eagerly help you. I just need a couple days to gather provisions and prepare my fleet.”

Your head was spinning, completely overwhelmed, but you somehow managed a nod.

“That’s fine. I… Thank you for all your help, Master Wang.”

Wang stepped before you, placing a hand on your shoulder.

“It is the least I can do to thank you for your help, my dear. Now, all of you, please make yourselves at home whilst I prepare. We have a long journey ahead of us.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You trailed several paces behind Alfred and Lovino, who were gibbering excitedly about playing with Wang’s exotic beasts. They wanted so badly for you to come with them, and you agreed, despite your unwillingness. Your mind swarmed with the information Wang had given you, coupled with the onslaught of new and even more frustrating unanswered questions. You were so lost in your own head that you didn’t notice the sounds of footsteps approaching you from behind.

“Off to brave the beasts, I see.”

The voice belonged to Arthur.

You kept your drudging pace, barely passing him an acknowledging glance.

“The kids really wanted me to come, and you know as well as I neither of those two will take ‘no’ for an answer.”

Arthur laughed.

“They sound like someone else I know,” he said with a gentle nudge to your arm.

You couldn’t help but smile, despite your heavy head and heart.

“I wish I believed in my stubbornness as much as you right now…”

“What do you mean?”

“I just… When I made that promise to my mother, I never anticipated keeping it would be this… enormous…”

Arthur grasped your hand, easing you into a stop. He tilted your face towards his, forcing you to look into his eyes, which were unwaveringly assuring.

“You are not going to face it alone. Whatever you have to face, I will be right by your side.” He ran his fingertips along your cheek. “I hope you know that…”

You smiled, holding back a swell of tears.

“Of course I know that, you dunce… But it is nice to be reminded every once in a while.”

Arthur smiled, leaning closer to your lips.

“I’ll remind you as many times as it takes.”

You closed your eyes as his warm lips pressed to yours. His hands lost themselves in your hair and pulled you against his firm body. You willingly fell against him, reaching up and grasping the back of his black tunic. You could feel his heartbeat quicken against your chest, which sent your own heart into elated spasms. In that instance, every fear and every doubt weighing on your mind dissolved into the wind. Very soon, the only thing filling your senses was him.

“Hey! What are you two doing?”

You both pulled away, looking down the stone pathway. Alfred and Lovino were standing a little further aft, both of them harboring bewildered looks on their faces.

“Stop sucking faces and come see the animals! Master Wang’s got a whole bunch of new ones!” said Alfred, almost sounding a bit scolding.

You laughed, taking Arthur’s hand.

“What say you we continue this a little later?” you said softly with a flirtatious grin.

Arthur squeezed your hand, winking in agreement.

Your steps to the field where Wang kept his creatures were much lighter and sprier. Your were filled with a renewed vigor, and you silently promised yourself not to let it go to waist. You would keep your promise, you would find answers… and you would make sure those who fought by your side stayed by your side… No matter the cost…

~TO BE CONTINUED~

Description
“Exactly. This is the Dagger Key… And you, Miss ___________… are the harbinger of war…”

Your eyes narrowed at Wang as he finished his explanation.

“What do you mean by ‘harbinger of war’?”

Wang smirked, beckoning you to follow him.

“I shall show you. Come this way, but only you and the captains. Everyone else return to your respective ships.”

After the crew took their leave, you, Arthur, and Antonio followed Wang out of the palace throne room to a separate building annexed by a thin, open-air corridor. The doorway led into a large room brightly lit with several hanging lanterns, each glowing with a multitude of soft hues. Swords from each part of the globe decorated the walls, while their corresponding suits of armor rested on golden mounts beneath them. On the far back wall, there hung a large world map which expanded from wall-to-wall and ceiling-to-floor. You gaped at it in awe; there were so many lands unknown to you painted upon the weathered parchment. Your eyes scanned the foreign names, wondering if any of them were truly parts of the world or reflections of a fantasy.

Wang stopped just before the map and turned to face you.

“I have traveled to hundreds of lands in my time, each one more strange and curious than the last. I fashioned this map myself, entering each new location’s name and shape with the finest of detail. However… This area…” He pointed to a spot near the southern tip of the New World, where a distorted white mass was painted. “… is still a mystery to me. My former captain, Feng Yun, first took me to this area when I was but a child swabbing decks for petty coin. He was researching a mysterious energy concentrated on one of the islands as yet unclaimed by man.”

He held up your dagger, looking at it as if he was remembering an old friend.

“It was Feng Yun who crafted this dagger. He infused it with properties of ancient Chinese magic, designed to slice through the energetic forcefield and open the rift to what lay beyond… and he was successful.”

“What happened once the rift was opened?” Arthur inquired.

“The rift first appeared as a distorted, crimson miasma in the center of the island. Once the dagger was finished, Feng Yun performed a ritual to cleanse the area of any evil spirits and energies. He then took the dagger and with one final spell of protection, he sliced the air in eight points, symbolizing the eight directions - North, Northeast, and so on. The rift parted along the cuts, revealing a giant set of stone doors with a single lock between them. He stuck the key inside. He turned it once… And…” Wang lowered the dagger somberly. “That was the last time I ever saw him…”

For a moment, Wang was silent. You felt a pain in your heart as you watched him; he appeared to be holding back tears.

“What do you suppose happened to him?” you asked, a hit of concern in your voice.

Wang shook his head.

“I have been back to that island a handful of times, but I’ve never found a single trace of him. He just… vanished. Only this Key remained behind, along with the doors.” He turned to face the white spot on the map, symbolizing the island of his tale. “For nearly twenty years, I’ve researched, scoured, and conjured, but I’ve had to do everything without that dagger… until now.”

“What happened to the dagger after Feng Yun used it?” you asked.

“It rose into the air above the doors, glowing with a bright red light. The miasma cracked all around us, and shot into every direction. Then the doors cracked, and an outpouring of these strange shadows flooded forth, surrounding us. I was too young to fully comprehend what was going on. All I remember is being grabbed by a crewman and being rushed back to the ship. It would be another five years before I was old enough to make my own voyage back to the island. But upon my return, the Key was not there.”

You eyed the dagger in Wang’s hands.

“It must not have been long after that ritual that my mother found the dagger. Her last voyage as Captain Silverblood was in that same area.”

Arthur suddenly grabbed your shoulders.

“Captain Silverblood? The Captain Silverblood!? But I thought he was a man!”

You smirked.

“It seems you have a habit of misjudging female pirates.”

Arthur returned your smirk with one of his own.

“It seems you keep finding new ways to turn my world upside-down.”

You fought to stop the blush forming on your face. You returned your eyes to Wang, who was studying the location of the mysterious island.

He spoke once again, “I knew of Silverblood, but never had any dealings with him-- ah… her. Had I known she had it, I would have sought her out long ago.”

“That’s… no longer possible…” Your sentence trailed as an ache filled your chest.

“My apologies,” Wang responded sincerely. “But I am glad she entrusted it to someone. She must have felt the weight of its importance, despite having not done anything about it.”

“So… Was she the harbinger, then?”

“It’s possible, since Feng Yun cast a curse upon the blade, rendering it useless to any who were too weak to withstand the powers of the miasma. Your mother was able to touch it, but she apparently never knew of its true purpose. It is fortunate she had you to pass both her blood and her strength onto.”

“What made her the harbinger in the first place? What war are you talking about?” Antonio chimed in.

Wang rubbed his temples with an exasperated sigh.

“So many damn questions… Look, I don’t exactly know the answer to that myself. Feng Yun recorded his research in a journal which he kept on his person at all times. It was enclosed in his coat pocket, even in the instant he disappeared. I only know some things he told me in confidence, and all of those things have been stated here.” He turned his gaze to you. “I fully believe it was fate what brought you here this day, __________. Your mother could not finish this task, but you can, and I will gladly and eagerly help you. I just need a couple days to gather provisions and prepare my fleet.”

Your head was spinning, completely overwhelmed, but you somehow managed a nod.

“That’s fine. I… Thank you for all your help, Master Wang.”

Wang stepped before you, placing a hand on your shoulder.

“It is the least I can do to thank you for your help, my dear. Now, all of you, please make yourselves at home whilst I prepare. We have a long journey ahead of us.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You trailed several paces behind Alfred and Lovino, who were gibbering excitedly about playing with Wang’s exotic beasts. They wanted so badly for you to come with them, and you agreed, despite your unwillingness. Your mind swarmed with the information Wang had given you, coupled with the onslaught of new and even more frustrating unanswered questions. You were so lost in your own head that you didn’t notice the sounds of footsteps approaching you from behind.

“Off to brave the beasts, I see.”

The voice belonged to Arthur.

You kept your drudging pace, barely passing him an acknowledging glance.

“The kids really wanted me to come, and you know as well as I neither of those two will take ‘no’ for an answer.”

Arthur laughed.

“They sound like someone else I know,” he said with a gentle nudge to your arm.

You couldn’t help but smile, despite your heavy head and heart.

“I wish I believed in my stubbornness as much as you right now…”

“What do you mean?”

“I just… When I made that promise to my mother, I never anticipated keeping it would be this… enormous…”

Arthur grasped your hand, easing you into a stop. He tilted your face towards his, forcing you to look into his eyes, which were unwaveringly assuring.

“You are not going to face it alone. Whatever you have to face, I will be right by your side.” He ran his fingertips along your cheek. “I hope you know that…”

You smiled, holding back a swell of tears.

“Of course I know that, you dunce… But it is nice to be reminded every once in a while.”

Arthur smiled, leaning closer to your lips.

“I’ll remind you as many times as it takes.”

You closed your eyes as his warm lips pressed to yours. His hands lost themselves in your hair and pulled you against his firm body. You willingly fell against him, reaching up and grasping the back of his black tunic. You could feel his heartbeat quicken against your chest, which sent your own heart into elated spasms. In that instance, every fear and every doubt weighing on your mind dissolved into the wind. Very soon, the only thing filling your senses was him.

“Hey! What are you two doing?”

You both pulled away, looking down the stone pathway. Alfred and Lovino were standing a little further aft, both of them harboring bewildered looks on their faces.

“Stop sucking faces and come see the animals! Master Wang’s got a whole bunch of new ones!” said Alfred, almost sounding a bit scolding.

You laughed, taking Arthur’s hand.

“What say you we continue this a little later?” you said softly with a flirtatious grin.

Arthur squeezed your hand, winking in agreement.

Your steps to the field where Wang kept his creatures were much lighter and sprier. Your were filled with a renewed vigor, and you silently promised yourself not to let it go to waist. You would keep your promise, you would find answers… and you would make sure those who fought by your side stayed by your side… No matter the cost…

~TO BE CONTINUED~