The sun was visible on the horizon along with a blue sky as the watchman shouted from the crow’s-nest. “Liberin City! We’re almost at Liberin City! We’re almost at Liberin City!” The man waited for some kind of response, but no one answered. As he was about to shout, the doors to the captain''s cabin opened, and the man halted. Looking at his captain and waiting for some kind of response.


    Evan approached the bell attached to the center mast with his sloppy, drunk walk. He pulled the rope and rang the bell. He intended to do it slowly, but being hungover, he leaned too far forward and almost fell to the ground along with the bell, if not for the mast in front of him, making the bell ring faster.


    The crew quickly gathered on the deck in front of the captain, waiting for his orders. He looked around and couldn’t shake one feeling off. “Is everyone here?” Asked Evan as his gaze moved from one head to another. Not sure if someone is really missing or his head is messing around with his eyes.


    “Well… One person is missing.” A man awkwardly answered as he scratched the back of his head.


    “Then go get him…” Said Evan as he tried his best not to barf, holding one hand over his mouth as he spoke, his voice harsh and dry.


    “That might be a problem. He won’t get out of the bed. Hell. He won’t even speak to us. He whispered something about being close to death or something.” Said the pirate, barely believing his own words as he tried to explain why August was missing.


    Evan grunted loud enough for everyone to hear his annoyance. “I warned him not to get close to her. Let this be a warning for everyone. Don’t get close to her alone. At least three people will be needed to escort her when the time comes.” The captain explained as he supported himself against the mast. Pushing himself away, he began to march slowly from one side of the ship to another. “We’re going to sell most of the slaves to the Markiz Family. Along with the two new assets.” The crew began to whisper loudly at the mention of the family name. “I know we never sold anyone to them, it''s the worst possible fate. Once we sell them, we won’t be the one holding that curse of death under us.” Evan pointed his finger at the floor and what was beneath it. “If all things go right. Soon we’ll hear very good news like a downfall of the Markiz Family!” The pirates began to cheer, showing support for the captain’s plan.


    The Dark Wave was getting close to an island fully covered by a city. It looked like the city was built on a mountain, with new floors separated by the walls. In reality, there was no mountain. The city was massive, and each floor was built by the hard effort of humans. Buildings as tall as towers stretched from each floor, bridges built between them almost as if the place itself was one big fortress. Around the island was a massive wall with cannons and artillery. Many soldiers stand on the walls with muskets in their hands. There were four gates to the city, one from each side of the world. The gates were wide enough for three ships to pass through at once without any worries.


    The guards observed the ship closely but didn’t do anything, they let them pass through. Behind the walls, another island was visible. The left side of the city was massive, towering toward the sky, while the right side was much smaller, aiming to be built as high as the other.


    There weren’t any walls right by the city, but between the outside walls and the island, watch towers were placed. Each one of them was equipped with one artillery and four cannons. Prepared for the worst type scenario.


    “The safest place on earth. Liberin City.” Said Edgar, amazed by the massive structure in front of him. Even though he had seen this place many times, he always observed it with awe.


    Evan placed his hands on the railings of the ship to stand beside Edgar and observe the view with him. “Best prepared. I would say there are two places much safer than Liberin City.”


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    “There are other fortresses like this one?” Asked Edgar, curious and in disbelief that there might be greater defenses than the ones in Liberin City.


    Evan turned around to lean against the railing and looked Edgar straight in the eyes as he explained. “No. This place is unique with the amount of weapons, but that is only useful against those weak monsters. There are beasts that can withstand a cannon to the head. That’s when a strong warrior comes in. Where can you find those kinds of fighters? In Monestery and The Order Of Tomorrow. There are warriors capable of cutting steel with their bare hands. That is the power needed to kill those beasts.”


    The Dark Wave drifted toward the smaller part of the city known as the red zone. The part of the city with the biggest criminal activity and no police patrols because of that uncontrollable part of the community. The docks of the red zone needed renovation, but people still used them. Some planks were shattered, some broken in half. One bridge seemed as if its front was about to sink into the water.


    Evan took a long breath and with a smile, he announced “Smells like shit. Just like I remembered.” He looked down on his crew from the steering wheel. “Get all of the merchandise. You two will get the special one.” He didn’t need to mention her name to make the two men''s faces go pale. “I’ll be there to assist you.” Added Evan to make them less worried, not wanting them to faint on the spot.


    The air from the outside was just as bad as the one in the ship’s prison cells. One man was standing outside the cell looking around, clearly worried and stressed as he didn’t know what to do.


    “Captain!” The man said with surprise, as he didn’t expect him down here. “I have one small problem… I wanted to take that little one, but she is clinging to the cursed woman. She warned me not to touch her… and…” The pirate stuttered as he tried to explain why he was just standing there, pointing his finger at the people inside the cell but quickly moving away in fear.


    Even took a peak and slightly smirked as he saw Navia chained up to the wall and Mirabell clinging to her leg. The woman’s eyes are like a predator ready to kill. He then entered the cell. The two men wanted to follow him but he stopped them.


    Before Navia could threaten him, he cut in. “I need to clear one misunderstanding. If I knew you were from the Order, I wouldn’t lay a finger on you. You killed one of my men, and the other went insane…” He slowly kneeled down in front of Navia, his gaze on the ground for a moment. Once he looked her straight in the eyes, he continued, “That’s why I’m going to sell you as a slave.” In those words, Navia shook the chains in anger, wanting to kill the man right in front of her; they could break at any second, and the pirates behind the captain shook in fear.


    “I didn’t finish. I’ll get money out of selling you, but I sell you with loosened shackles so you could easily run away once I get the money. Then it is their problem for not being able to contain you. Because I am sure that you could even escape The Great Tower. I think it’s a good deal for what you’ve done to my crew.” Evan whispered so Navia could hear him very well but not his crew; he knew that some of them might not like this idea. “To sweeten up the deal, I’ll sell the girl to the same person so you both can escape without any harm. Because if you tried something right now… I can’t promise anything.” Evan lifted his hands close to his head, his eyes looking away as if the whole plan wasn’t in the palm of his hand.


    “Fine… But if you do something else… I’ll kill you first. That’s a promise.” Navia warned the man with her sharp eyes and voice that stabbed him like a dagger.


    Chills ran down Evan’s spine at this threat, and he took a deep breath. “You’re a feisty one… I’ll keep my end of a promise.” Said Evan with a slight bow. He then waved his finger to signal his men to take both of them. “Keep them together if you want to live another day.” The captain warned his men as he stood up, observing them closely so they wouldn’t make any wrong moves that could cost their lives.


    Navia followed the pirates as they dragged her from the ship. The man that was holding the chain tried to stay close so as not to push her with the chain, he didn’t want to risk his own life by doing that. A cold sweat constantly trickled down his spine. Uneasy breaths audibly even from behind.


    Navia looked around at the place, and she quickly knew where she was. What was more surprising was the gaze of the people living in this part of the city. They weren’t surprised at all, it was a normal thing for them. “Maybe some of them are slaves…”