Somewhere Between the Sea and the Sky.

Episode 1: Chapter 8.

Jongho didn't want it to go that way.

He was just eating, ignoring all the drama in the tavern for a good meal, enjoying his reward after some hard work. After some minutes and a lot of cold water the stranger managed to relax and speak again, making it clear to everyone that he didn't know what happened either. While everyone regained their breath the blacksmith shouted for Yeosang to enter the tavern again, just like he demanded.

Everything was according to Jongho's plan then, at least until the prince asked for a weird as shit place named The End of The Abyss. What the fuck was that? Everyone around them seemed familiar with the name, they reacted like it was some kind of shop or herbalism.

"They cured my son!" "I went there when my tail felt dead." "They took out my cousin's extra fangs and paid to keep it!"

Those were some of the comments stuck in Jongho's mind, but not the worst ones. The worst one was "I'll guide you there".

Oh, how kind of a stranger who almost had a heart attack in front of them, Jongho thought. What a good guy he is , Jongho thought. It will be nice , Jongho thought.

All those thoughts vanished as soon as Yeo let him know the guy was a fucking soldier, a Specialist. A murdering beast ready to kick their asses, an assassin in black uniform. He didn't really look like it, but the blacksmith knew well appearances should not be trusted. Oh, how many customers ordered him dangerous weapons to use against their enemies, how many of them seemed nothing like fighters.

They paid well, tho.

But the matter was— they were exploring Ellond with the enemy by their side. Dino, name Jongho recently learned, seemed completely oblivious to their identities. Watching him wander and wave at everyone, one could never guess what he just went through. How did he recover from it so fast? After some mutters with the prince, both pirates agreed that it had to be magic. Perhaps some kind of monster deleted his memories from the fight, maybe the beast— or humanoid didn't want to be discovered.

But the soldier mentioned he wasn't alone when it happened. The other two might have suffered the same destiny.

Jongho and Yeosang couldn't speak much more about it since the other decided to actually communicate with them. Disgusting.

"So you guys are sailors?" He said, his voice cheering and kind. "That sounds so good! I also travel a lot, but work is work."

"Doesn't your work allow you to enjoy the islands you visit?" Jongho asked out of sheer curiosity. Back in Black Hallows everyone said soldiers were heroes, strong and free guys who saved the people. He learned they didn't always save the right people, and they were definitely not heroes for what he saw. If they also weren't free, soldiers were just... strong. And not all of them. "I thought the White Army—"

"Oh, no, no! Don't get it wrong, I do!" He nervously waved his hands, laughing a bit. "It's just— Traveling for work is not the same as traveling as a lifestyle, you know." Then Dino closed his eyes for a moment, imagining every word coming out of his mouth. "Not having a home, discovering old legends and stories, meeting all kinds of people... Maybe even treasures hidden in the sea!"

Both Yeosang and Jongho were looking at him, thinking about said words. It felt so warm, like it was something the soldier always dreamed about. It was a destiny none of them really saw possible, but it turned their reality. They didn't really get the chance to appreciate it like the soldier did.

"You—" Then his eyes opened wide and he turned around to stare at the others. "You guys are like pirates!" He seemed happy about it, something he shouldn't be. Dino understood something was wrong as soon as he saw Yeo and Jongho's shocked expressions, their hands almost trembling. After some seconds of silence, his expression also changed. "Oh shit—! No, I didn't mean it! You're like pirates but not evil! Because pirates are evil, but you're not!"