Miller and the others arrive at an island near the sunken airship, disembarking the ship, with the captain and his crew staying behind. Tisha climbs atop a tall the tallest tree she can find and scoops out the distance. She keeps a close eye on the airship, staring at it cautiously as she clenches her fist.
“How is it?” Miller asks from below.
“No movement. I hate all this waiting. I want to break in there and deal with this mess already.”
Miller nods. “Unfortunately, this is as close as we can get.”
“So, we’re just sitting on our thumbs doing nothing.” She leaps down from the tree and lands next to Miller.
Pepper flies around Tisha and lands on her head. “I can barely sense Glyn, and Mila's connection is even fainter than it was before.”
“We should try locating the others around here. Like the one who had that giant sea beast or that light cannon?” Tisha grabs hold of Pepper. “Can you try locating them?”
“The other candidates. That would be difficult. I would need time and a clear environment. But this area is contaminated with Miasma, so there are impurities in the air. I can’t even maintain my human form in this environment.”
“Is being here dangerous for you?” Miller asks.
“Somewhat. Fairies like Pepper are more Mana than anything else. So, Miasma harms her health. I’ve been feeding her some of my own through our Pieces to counteract the effects, but it’s still notable.” Tisha explains.
“If Glyn were nearby, I could leech off his untapped Mana. But sadly, he’s behind that barrier, and I don’t have a way of getting around it without aid.”
“Aid?”
“Thanks to my contract with Glyn, I can be summoned to his side under the right conditions. But it might be something impossible for him.”
“Hey, Boss!” Tan lands next to the group. “We’ve got a problem.”
“What?” Miller asks.
“We were exploring the other side of the island, looking for a place to make camp, and some crazy guy ran up to us and started a fight. Zanrit is holding him now, but it’s weird the way he fights is bizarre.”
“Alright, I can use something to destress,” Tisha says.
“Fine, but don’t kill them. They could be on our way in with one candidate.”
“You act like I’m bloodthirsty.”
“Sometimes I can’t tell.”
In the middle of an enormous field, a figure in a suit of armor rushes ahead at top speed down the road. They swing their fist, smashing into Zanrit’s club and shattering it in a single blow. They swing around, kicking Zanrit in the stomach, knocking him back as he slides across the ground.
“Your body is very sturdy.” The man says, staring at Zanrit.
Zanrit smirks. “And you're fairly strong and fast.”
“Thanks for that.”
Zanrit plants his feet on the ground. “I am Zanrit, currently in service to Glyn Mattox!”
“Huh?”
“Is it not a custom to introduce yourself to a worthy opponent?”
The man pauses. “Oh…. I think Emily mentioned something about this.” He nods and stares at Zanrit. “I am Ashton, I am in service to Lady Zeng Hai. She has claimed this island as her base, and I won’t let anyone take what belongs to her.”
“I see. Then come!”
“Alright then!” Ashton yells at the top of his lungs.
He charges in with Zanrit, swinging his fist down at the armored man. Ashton dodges the blows and closes in, throwing a punch out at Zanrit. His attacks bounce off Zanrit’s body, and he leaps back to catch his breath.
“What? His body wasn’t this hard before? Some type of magic.”
Zanrit rushes in and throws a punch at Ashton, striking him and sending him flying back into a tree. Ashton’s armor cracks, and he forces himself up and stares at Zanrit.
“I wasn’t planning to use this, but I guess I don’t have a choice.” He stands and takes a deep breath. “Knight Install!” He yells at the top of his lungs.
His armor shines brightly, blinding Zanrit as the armor changes color. Ashton stands with his armor now in a deep red color. He takes a step forward and charges in, aiming at Zanrit, only for someone to leap in the way of his blow, shielding Zanrit from the attack.
“What?”
“Attacking a blinded opponent, are you?” Sam asks, holding up their shield as Ashton stares at them.
“Wait, I wasn’t…”
A fireball shoots out, hitting Ashton and knocking him away. “I got him,” Rufus says.
“Good job.” Ivar gives Rufus a thumbs-up. “We were just going to stay on the sidelines. But you’ve taken it too far.”
Tan flies in, grabs Ashton, and flies back into the air. “I won’t let you hurt him.”
“Wait, I….”
She tosses Ashton to the ground as an arrow flies out, stabbing into his chest. Vines and roots erupt from the arrow, digging into the earth and trapping Ashton.
“There. Now he’s trapped.” Tisha says, arriving with Pepper and Miller.
“An elf?”
“Sorry for interrupting your fight, Zanrit. But we need to figure out what this guy’s deal is,” Miller says.
Zanrit nods. “Sorry. I might have been enjoying the fight too much.”
“It’s fine. You're not hurt, right?” Tan asks, flying next to him.
“Listen, I didn’t mean to….” Ashton struggles against the vines. “Enough of this…Queen….”
“Stop!” A voice cries out from above.
A blond woman floats down from above, landing next to Ashton and tapping at a point on his helmet. The armor fades away instantly, revealing the young man underneath as the girl looks down at him.
“Ashton. Lady Zeng stated you were just supposed to introduce myself to start a fight. But using your full power is not allowed.” She says.
“But Emily.”
“You Elf. I believe your name is Tisha.”
Tisha steps forward. “Yes.”
“Good. The Elf in our camp, Voron, told us of you after we learned who you were fighting for. Glyn of House Mattox, correct?”
“Yes.” Miller steps forward.
She closes her eyes and nods. “I see the Pawns, a Knight, a Bishop, and a Rook. But no King or Queen. Where are they?”
“Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to say that at this time,” Miller says.
She nods. “Fine enough. Lady Zeng sends an invitation to your group. Please come with us to our camp.”
“But Emily.”
“Quiet, Ashton. Lady Zeng is furious with you. Do you wish to disappoint her twice today?”
Ashton goes quiet. “Oh, please release your magic over, Ashton.”
“Alright,” Tisha says nervously.
“Oh. I am Emily Hinton. I am a servant of and the Queen of Lady Zeng. I welcome you to our camp for the time being, at least.”
Miller and Tisha follow Emily and Asher to the other side of the island, where a makeshift camp is in the middle of construction. A large tent sits in the middle of the camp with a duo of armored guards standing in front of the tent. They step out of the way, opening the way for the three to enter.
In the middle of the tent, a young woman with long dark hair sits in the middle of the camp, covering her face with a folding fan. She folds her fan and bows in her long red dress.
“Welcome, allies of House Mattox. I am Zeng Hai. I welcome you to my camp. Now let us plan how to eliminate this threat at our doorstep.”
Miller steps forward. “You’re willing to work with us?”
“Of course. The demonic threat is too dangerous to ignore. And besides, your King is trapped within the vessel, is he not?”
“How do you…” Tisha steps forward.
“The Shadows informed us of an unknown ally trapped within. And now that they're known, I can plan my next steps.” She says with a smile. “Now, how will that Half-Elf surprise me this time?”