Exulansis • One Piece

Chapter Thirteen

The next day was simple, filled with a lot of planning and moving. We we're able to move back to the original village, which felt way better to lay a bed in then over in the hot tents.

Once me and Marno made it back there, we made a funny discovery after talking with Nami.

It turns out the only reason we are able to do this is because the sea-king Luffy and Sanji defeated on our way here turned out to be the one terrorizing this village. In light that their curse is over, and many, many apologies to me later, I only agreed to forgive them if they created a grave for everyone lost, and they agreed with no hesitation.

And two long days later, I finally walked through the same temple that Zoro and Sanji discovered.

"I can walk by myself, I don't need help." I told Marno, who was basically attached to my hip. Ever since our last talk together he seemed to hover around me more, but I understood this not as attachment, but him being savory of our last days together.

"What if you trip and hurt yourself? Nami was very clear to me that if you come back with even a new scratch that she'll have my head on a platter." He shivered.

I scoff, but I didn't argue it, Nami was a very scary woman when it comes down to it.

We past by a couple old walls, the place wasn't huge at all, but it was definitely walkable. Tiny blocks of sunlight illuminated the ground and walls, leading our path to a ending room.

"Wow, this place is old." Marno looks around with curiosity, and I agree, the cracks and growing moss only showed its ancient nature. "They say that room is at the end of the hall, just past the main room."

We walked deeper into the temple, and my mind wanders to think of the horrors that happened in these walls. Probably gruesome, but nothing I want to think on, considering there is a chance a friend's sister would have to experience whatever I come up with.

The room widens as we pass a doorway, I look up and noticed a broken roof. "Must be where he released that thing." I mutter to myself as we walk deeper.

Before I went to search for the possible room full of goods, I walk forward. A broken but large slab of concrete stood under the sky, large enough to hold a single person.

I theorized for a second, this must be where they did the old fashioned stabbing thing, but it looks like the place was too broken for any sacrifices to be made. If thats right, it makes sense why they went the old fashioned way with the boat and flowers. But that leaves a large void area were the lines don't connect as well.

"What are you thinking about?"

Hmm...

"I'm thinking about if this place was destroyed just today, why I was sent out into the sea when I first arrived here instead of being sacrificed here..."

"Ah well, because they wanted to get rid of the monster right... By giving it... people?" He replied, hesitant.

"I guess..." I see some parts of the building that already seemed to be old and broken for a long time now. Maybe because this place was already eroding away that they had to change it up anyways? Or maybe it was solely about appeasing that Sea Monster?

But that old man was adamant about tradition... So why—

"Juno, you're muttering again."

I turned around to look at Marno, slightly embarrassed.

"Oops... Uh let's look what we were originally here for." I placed my hands back to my side, looking around for the door Sanji talked about, Marno tapping my shoulder in that process.