Somewhere Between the Sea and the Sky.

Episode 0: Chapter 16

Seven Seadogs.

What was a place like that doing on Oxpass? Perhaps it was a trap, a symbol that attracted pirates. Maybe they were going to kill him if he set foot inside that place.

But it had come to him as a last hope, what if it was real?

He could not pass by.

He took a deep breath and brought one of his hands to the weapon he was carrying, prepared for the worst. Then he opened the door and entered.

"... Uh?"

The truth was that he expected absolute darkness, some creepy things ... Something like what was in the Seven Seadogs from Crowhost.

But he was wrong.

It actually looked like a shop. Normal shelves, normal displays, good lighting... No cats.

"Am I in the right place...?"

"I don't know. Are you?"

The voice behind the counter was the same one that yelled at him when he punched the door.

Finally he looked over at him, waiting for some eccentric dude.

But there was this guy, sitting quietly behind the counter.

Dark brown hair, remarkably strong body, sitting like a normal person... The most striking thing about him was a scar across his face, it even took one of his eyes. At that moment Hongjoong realized that the sinister shop was Kiet's, not all Seven Seadogs.

"You came in to pay me for the door? It was just a warning, I doubt you broke it." The other said as he stood up, glancing at the captain's body for a moment. "No way you did."

"What? No, no. I'm a customer. A pirate. I didn't expect to find this place— "

"In Oxpass? Yeah, I hear it often." Then he cleared his throat, preparing his voice for false enthusiasm. "Welcome to Seven Seadogs! What brings a pirate like you to this hell of a city?"

Such enthusiasm made that last sentence sound even comical, Hongjoong would have laughed had he not been desperate.

"A friend." However, he didn't take long to correct himself. "Well, no. I came for something else, but the plans have changed."

"They're going to kill him tomorrow, am I right?" The stranger seemed even happy about it. He raised an eyebrow, impatient for an answer. "Then you're in the right place."

"Can you stop the execution...?"

"Oh, gods, no."

Then Hongjoong sighed, beginning to look at the items on the shelves before giving an answer.

"Can you take me there?"

"The Oxpass executions are a celebration, the noble's victory over the filthy pirates." He began to explain. "That's why they are held in the palace, usually at large events."

"They kill their enemies during parties. Is that what you're saying?" Hongjoong frowned a bit. Why did he sound excited about the execution...?

Also, how cruel could these nobles be? They probably didn't even consider pirates people.

"Exactly! And the old Carlos has seen a lot of parties."

"Who the fuck is Carlos—"

"I- I'm Carlos, you dumb bitch."

"You're not that old, huh."

"Shut up and let me finish."

Hongjoong just raised his hands a little, didn't say anything else.