Freedom's Horizon (WLW) (Full Trilogy - Ongoing/Editing)

Book Three: Part Five: Chapter Five

Monaco, France, October, 1928, Sailing Off the Coast of Monaco

"You look so dainty in that garb, Ines." Gen cooed toward her from her perch on the single bunk in their room on the ferry and their companion Hyeon-Ju giggled from across the small expanse. Ines narrowed her gaze at him, but it only served to make him balk even louder. Renting a room in the ferry had paid off. While the engines were stalled for some unbeknownst reason, they could use the time to regroup and discuss their next plan of action, but all Ines' comrades wanted to do was tease her after she'd changed into her nightgown. She grumbled under her breath as she turned her head back toward Gen and she snorted up at her, rubbing her hands up and down her thighs. She rested her chin along her stomach and Ines habitually began running her fingers through her longer than ever bright red locks. "Alright, I will hold off on the teasing. For now."

"Thank you. We do have other matters of discussion after all." Ines turned around and sat down in Gen's lap, then waved Hyeon-Ju over to join them. He sat down on the floor on the opposite side of the small table between them and furrowed his brow as he ran his eyes over the Book of Life, then sent a speculative expression toward Ines and Gen. "Is something the matter?"

"Well, I know what you and Gen are. Hell, after you both rescued me in the Yellow Sea, I'll forever be in your debt." He sighed with great gusto as he rested his crossed arms along the small table.

"But...?" Gen popped her head around Ines' shoulder, then rested it there as she awaited his reply.

Hyeon-Ju was now their closest companion and a shield of sorts when faced with prying eyes. He was strong and had an unwavering sense of loyalty and justice for those whom he cared for most. Always the first to defend or even attack, he made it his mission to constantly be aware of their surroundings and protected the women when given their abilities and experience, it really should have been the other way around. He was, however, entirely human and Ines always worried that he might go too far some day, becoming injured beyond repair before they could reunite with Aimee. If they could get to her, Hyeon-Ju would possibly be able to join the crew as one of them. Especially with how much Aimee's magical strength had grown over the years.

All of the ghosts grew stronger. Bullets bounced off their skin leaving nothing more than bruises. Blades ran along their skin, never puncturing it aside from small nicks here and there that healed the moment they made contact with water. Their intelligence had even grown as each group bettered themselves for the day of their fated reunion, which Ines felt was fast approaching. Not fast enough, though.

"But I worry for you both. I always will." Hyeon-Ju finally answered as he sat back with a huff.

Ines reached over and took his hand with a smile. "And we worry for you, my friend, but this is a battle that began centuries, if not millennia ago that will not end unless we bring it about."

"And this book will help with that?" He poked at Sah's previously hidden heirloom and looked past Ines toward Gen with whom he shared a somewhat brotherly bond.

"Not necessarily." She leaned around Ines' side and tapped the book. "This just needs to stay in our possession. Without it, Francisco and his acolytes will not be able to find out specifically how to revive Sol. And that is the one thing we must prevent at all costs. The detriment he poses on society is astronomical and we cannot allow for the day of his return to ever come."

"Wouldn't it be better to get the Book of the Dead and end him altogether?"

"That would be impossible for us. Sol isn't just some being like us and the Book of the Dead was not written by him. It was written by his sister, despite what we originally learned. Sol is a true immortal locked in a cage that must never be opened, which is why Sah even recruited Taria in the first place. Sol has his three shields of protection, which we still are not sure what they are, and Sah had... Well, us." Ines sat back in Gen's arms and rested her hands along hers, running her fingers along the outside of one of her hands. "But Francisco is still caged as well, hopefully, so what we need to find is a way for him to be ended. If we can make such a thing finally come to pass, we might just end it all before he ever has a chance to come across his liege ever again."