Winds of Freedom

Chapter 21: Commander Torque

{Pre A/N}

Sup? Been cooking this backstory for Torque and as I said, I changed quite a lot of his backstory as well as add some more OC's, but don't worry about them. Also my first attempt of doing something remotely sad and tragic, so, uh, lets see how I did. Enjoy.

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Chapter 21: Commander Torque

Shuigang Island – Shuigang Docks

Meanwhile, in another part of the archipelago, a new night had settled over Shuigang Island, casting an uneasy silence over its northern reaches. The town of Shuigang, lays quiet beneath a thin layer of freshly fallen snow. The usual sounds of commerce and busy streets were replaced by an eerie stillness. In the distance, the dark, imposing silhouette of Shuigang Palace loomed against the night sky, a constant reminder of the island's recent troubles.

Near the docks, nestled in the cold and gloom, stood a small inn. Inside, the air was warm and comforting, a stark contrast to the frigid wind howling outside. The inn's common area was sparsely populated, with only a few patrons seated at the tables, trying to escape the biting cold. Among them, however, were three figures who seemed anything but ordinary.

"Gah! Stupid radar, work already!" Fang frustration cut through the peaceful quiet of the inn. Seated at a table near the fireplace, he repeatedly slammed the Emerald Radar against the wooden surface with irritation. "Grrr, useless, useless! Why did it bring us here?!"

Bean, seated across from him, gave a casual shrug as he wiped down one of his many bombs with a cloth. "Have you tried turning it off and on?" he suggested innocently, completely unfazed by Fang's outburst.

Fang shot Bean a venomous glare, his patience wearing thin. "Quiet, mook!" he growled, returning his attention to the radar. The screen blinked sporadically. "It doesn't make any sense! The radar's only pointing to one Emerald when it's supposed to show multiple! Not to mention, it's hard to pinpoint its exact location." He groaned in frustration as the device once again flickered between random coordinates. "This island is messing with the radar, I tell ya!" His voice was a low growl as he leaned back in his chair, kicking the table leg. "We should've stolen that Emerald from that mutt when we had the chance..."

While Bean continued to meticulously clean his bombs, completely ignoring Fang's complaints, Bark sat quietly in the corner, minding his own business. Unlike his companions, he was engaged in a far more delicate task: sewing a small scarf. His large hands moved carefully and skillfully, stitching the fabric together with surprising precision.

Beside him, two small deer children—both grey-furred—watched him in awe. They had nestled up against Bark's warm, fluffy form, their eyes wide with admiration as they observed his handiwork.

"Wow, Mister Bark, it looks beautiful!" one of the children, a young girl named Miri, whispered, her eyes shining with wonder as she admired the scarf.

"Yeah, it's cool..." her brother, Rudi, mumbled as he snuggled deeper into Bark's thick fur. "Way cooler than what Auntie Babsi makes on the walls outside the docks."

"Rudi, don't be mean to your aunt," a gentle voice reprimanded from behind the counter. It was their mother, Anni, a grey deer who ran the inn. She gave her son a stern look, though her tone was warm.

"Sorry..." Rudi muttered, burying his face even further into Bark's fur, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. Miri giggled softly, joining him in resting against the giant polar bear, who remained still and unfazed by their presence.