Wicked [Super 4]

XXI.Observation

Ruby

We gathered around the same barrel again, the one that now had a mark from my saber right in the middle. The difference was that this time, everyone was calmer. Well, Ana and Morgi were still slightly pissed, but at least they were willing to talk.

--So--I started--, do we just list all of the weird stuff that went down yesterday and try and make a guess of what's up with that witch?

--Kinda like that, yeah--Karma explained--. For example, Morgi could open portals, but not attack her. And I could cast spells, but not turn into my demon form.

Ana tinkered with one of her guns while the rest of us tried to figure it out. I couldn't understand her lack of seriousness during all of this.

A prideful smile formed on Morgi's face as she spoke:--I got it! My utterly brilliant mind came across an answer! The wicked witch mentioned a "blessing" unearned by outsiders.

--So she isn't just demented, she's actually worshipping a real thing?!--Ana exclaimed.

--It's a possibility, but we shouldn't draw conclusions so quickly. Ruby should be the one knowing the most about furios, no?--Karma looked me in the eye.

--Well, all I know is that they're noisy and angry all the time and very aggressive and...

Leonora lifted Alien up in her arms and interrupted me. To be a princess, she's been abandoning her manners for the last few days:--He probably knows more!

We listened to him ramble in his language, but other than Leonora, none of us could understand anything. The princess nodded every now and then in and whispered stuff like "Oh, so that was it!" or "Of course!". I saw Ana zoning out at some point.

I thought I was going to fall asleep, but then she finally told us what she got out of all that yapping.

--Apparently, no mysterio has ever been able to see what the furios actually do in regard to their religion--she explained--. Or at least, none of them have come back alive to tell the rest of the tribe. But he does know about a legend. More like a tale to scare children, though.

Morgi pulls at Ana's hair to get her to pay attention. All of our eyes were on Leonora as she narrated:--One night, there were two little creatures playing in the dead of night. Two brothers that couldn't even imagine the enormous abbys that would separate them that same night. Their world was shaken up by the unknown force of the Mist, that which brought the outsiders and made them part of the very fabric of the planet, granting them a so-called blessing. One of the creatures ran away, scared, and created the tribe we now know as the mysterios. The other one, far from frightened, was amazed by the raw power of the divine fog and decided to worship it, thus creating the tribe that now calls itself the furios. They vowed that, reached the right time, they'd sacrifice the purest blood on the planet to the Mist to return the purity to the world.

We look at each other, dumbfounded.

--He told you allat?--Ana questioned.

--That little dipshit talks?!--Morgi added.

Franz

Brock has been unusually clingy for the whole trip to Gunpowder. We've almost reached the island, so that means that he's being holding me for about fourty minutes. He keeps telling me that I don't need to worry about the pirates because "he'll kick their asses". That, in all honesty, just makes me worry about his safety instead.

Gene's voice informs us of our arrival at the pirates' land. He then discusses something with Alex while Twinkle taps my shoulder excitedly.

--We could find Ruby and Alien here!--she squeals.

I nod, trying to look as calm as possible. But I must be a terrible actor, since she asks me if I'm okay right away. Brock almost spills out something I don't want her to hear, so I quickly cover his mouth. He tries to remove it while the fairy looks at us as if we're a pair of freaks. Luckily, Alex and Gene address us before the situation can get any worse.

--Gene and I will go investigate the island--the knight explains to us--. Meanwhile, you should stay in here, guarding the Chameleon.

--Hey, come on, bro! That's not fair! Why should I, the greatest adventurer of them all, stay inside like a chicken?--Brock complains. Gene rolls his eyes in annoyance.

--No, my friend, I think you're misunderstanding it. This is the most important task!--Alex reasons with a smile--. You must guard our base, the most vital part of our adventure!--I know it's just a little bit of trickery to keep my friend at bay, but I still obey not to cause any trouble. Brock does the same.

Twinkle gets up and flies right up to them with a smile.

--We'll be back soon!

No one answers her. Alex and Gene look at each other for a brief moment and then the knight gently spoke to her:--Twinkle, you have to stay too...

She looks baffled.

--What? Why? I've been in Gunpowder Island a whole bunch of times already!

--It's not because if you, Twinkle--Gene clarifies--. It's because if a certain... individual--He peaks at Brock and my friend crosses his arms in petty response.

--Aw...--The fairy mutters before sitting back with us and waving goodbye to the two boys.

Something's a little fishy about them wanting Twinkle to stay.

Leonora

We concluded that the Mist was, in fact, the "Omnia" that Morgi remembered Scelesta mentioning, and the fact that Ana, Karma and Morgi didn't have their full capacities was due to them coming from outside but not making contact with this strange force the legends spoke about. If Gene was here, and I'm sure Ruby would agree with this, he'd call us "irrational" for speculating so much over a single myth Alien just happened to tell me.

--Only one thing left to discuss--Karma sighed, looking at Ruby--. Where to go now?

The pirate thought about it for a while before she made up her mind.

--To The Lost World. That's where the furios come from, and that's also where my friends went before the first attack. I doubt they're still be there, but... I can't think of anywhere else we could look for any leads and it's worth a shot to check out if they're, by chance, still there.

Morgi didn't even let us blink before she loudly ordered:--You heard her! Full speed ahead!

--Wasn't I meant to be the captain, miss Morgi?--Ruby raises an eyebrow at her.

--Dearest lady pirate, you're the one giving the orders, but I am the most gracious amongst the five of us!

I can't help but notice the way Ruby slightly chuckled before walking off to the rudder. And it was not a malicious laugh, at that.