Where Geno gains more knowledge from Alter but some randoms finds them to ruin their mood

but before ya proceed green beans, quick warning for the chapter you're 'bout to read:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xNLxtZR850

now onto the chapter!

Geno's POV:
-

We stop some steps away from where the sea reaches. Alter let go of my hand and sits down on the sand with crossed legs. I sit next to him, hug my knees and close my eyesocket enjoying the sea breeze.

"Does it feel nice?" Alter asks still looking far away. He's holding his prayer rope and clacks the beads again.

"Yup." I reply looking at him for a moment before looking to the horizon too. Silence falls between us for minutes and only the clacking from the beads, the seagulls squawking and the waves are heard now...

...

... I still have questions. Not only for the letter we sended but... previously from the slave bazaars. And other questions I wanna ask the most, are more personal ones. For Alter.

We talk a lot together, he knows a lot about the world and teaches me that way but... I feel he's uncertain talk to me about himself more. He told me about himself enough, but hardly talks about his family. He didn't tell me about his parents! As for his 2 brothers I still remember his sharp answer,

"... Both dead. Years now..."

On my very first days in
the crew. And he kept his
mouth shut after. I sigh.

"What's wrong son? Is there something ya wanna tell me?" He asks me. I look at him hesitant but I take a breath.

"I have so many questions. This adventure might take me to not so pleasant places but I meet the reality slowly either way. I have questions with how this world works... I have questions about you." I see him raising a bonebrow but doesn't say anything. I continue.

"I appreciate everything you do for me and I'm being thankful for protecting me and believing in me when others don't. You teach me everyday something about life... But you still stay silent when it comes to your past life. Your family..." I see his face spasming a tiny bit but still doesn't say anything.

"... And... I'm sorry..." He raises both bonebrows. "... When I remembered again my life with my family the memories brought me pain. But I didn't hesitate talking with you about it. The loss of my brothers taught me to tolerate pain and quickly get used to it. I mean, horrible things happens to me all the time and nothing good stays too long for me. I don't find it all the time hard to remember. And talking with you about it, sharing my story, it helps more. But... if it's so much harder for ya to remember all good times from your past, how you lost your family, again, I'm really sorry. I feel I'm pressuring y-."

He cuts me by wrapping his arms around me. I don't move and freeze from surprise.

"... Wow. Am I really that silent about my family? *sigh* It's true many times I tend to be... secretive. Very silent, especially if I'm asked about my family. You shouldn't apologise Geno. I have to. I'm sorry if I don't talk for things about my personal life often. My family, they're all... not as long as yours gone and it still hurts me. But maybe... trying to talk with someone I feel close, a good friend like you, might help. Like it helps ya talking with me as you said. Welp. Perhaps I... can try get out of my shell a tiny bit. After all why hide from ya? It's not fair. We're friends and I can trust you. So? Would you like to hear now?"

He didn't sound, nor looked really hesitant. But something in his expression was showing he wasn't completely ready to speak. I had the itch to learn a little bit more about himself. But ya know, sometimes you gotta respect the eldest. I smiled.

"Thank you for saying how you trust me. But ya know what? There's time for that. Later. When you yourself will know you feel completely ready. For the time being, I have other questions. Let's take more irrelevant stuff." I look up for a moment and again back at Alter raising a bonebrow.

"You pirates... You're raiding the ships to take the captives and the gold? But how are ya doing the share? Are you just grabbing whatever you prevent and fight for who will take more?" I ask. I dunno where did that come from but I wanna see what he'll say. Alter chuckles and shakes his head left and right.

"Piracy wouldn't even exist if things weren't a tiny bit organised. There are rules to follow for the crew to work properly, or else we would be killing each other for nothing and there wouldn't be a crew. And these rules are also about sharing the gold."

"So? How ya share after raiding ships?" I ask. Alter thinks for some seconds.

"... Since we're talking about raiding ships specifically and not about the treasures we find in weird places, from my experience, once the victim ship can't fight back anymore, we take everything from it. For the gold and valuable things, a careful examination starts. They can be even hidden behind wooden walls or under floors so pirates must be careful and check if they are hiding something. The treasures are equally shared to each pirate."

"Captain takes the biggest share, doesn't?"

"*chuckle* Usually. In case any pirate dies their share is also equally shared to the other crewmates, same for all the gold they earned in their life."

"Have you experienced any pirate's death upon a fight with other ships?"

"Hmmm... all the years I'm in Captain Reaper's crew I personally haven't seen any from pirate's side dying during raiding. Probably before I join, there would be deaths. But so far for me, no."

"If a pirate kills more sailors than any other else, will they take bigger share?"

"It can't be proved easily upon a fight who killed the most. But we have an easier way to choose who will take the biggest share: bonus gold takes the pirate who will step first on the deck of the enemy ship and will survive after the raiding."

"So whoever is braver and has balls deserves more than the others? And how much more he takes?"

"3 times more than the others' share." I whistle. Damn.

"Have ya ever make it to step on an opposite ship's deck?" I ask interested. Alter taps his index finger on his bottom jaw thoughtful.

"3 times." He finally replies.
I raise a bonebrow.

"Really?! How did it feel? How was the first time?!" I ask.

"Welp, the first time it was... weird. I hadn't close an year in Captain Reaper's crew. That day anyway, we were trying to raid a big merchant ship. But it wasn't easy. It's sailors were fighting very aggressively, at the same time being extremely defensive. They had very valuable stuff and they were fighting like that, to not let any pirate step on their deck. Pirates started slowly getting desperate, not being able step on the other deck and Captain getting irritated this raiding was taking long. Me and Michael were up to the deck too, but aside and not taking action. Michael because he was still little. Normally, no age matters really, you'll fight if you're pirate, whether ya like it or not. If you live, you're lucky. If ya die, despite being kid, bye bye. But it works differently in our Captain's crew, things are more merciful."

"Oh, your Captain's mercy!" I interrupted sarcastically. "I wanna kiss Captain Reaper's hands from gratefulness!"

"And since Dave had taken full responsibility for his cousin..." Alter continued, definitely ignoring my sarcasm. "... he didn't want him to risk yet. That obviously meant he had to share his gold with Michael. That's the reason Dave attempts harder than any other pirate to step on other ships' deck. As for me why I wasn't participating? The others were still disliking me. They hadn't even give me any weapon. But I didn't really want anyway to fight. I thought I'd stay inactive."

"And how didja decide to take action?"

"... Like I said, I didn't even have the appetite and wasn't even planning to step to the opposite deck first. But for real, my luck was weird that first time."

"How did it happen?"

"Except from having to be really alerted not to die from the enemy, a second thing ya have to be really careful are the ropes. It's very easy to trip if you're not careful."

"And ya tripped?! But how did you end up to the merchant ship's side?"

"A sudden jolt made me loose my balance and my legs got enmeshed with ropes. Then, before I knew what was going on, something happened with the mechanisms of the ship upon the fight, the ropes pulled me up abruptly and... I was flying in the air." I wheezed and fell backwards.

"Oh my God Alter! Really?!"

"*sigh* Yeah yeah. I saw how I was above the 2 ships and then I heard Dave yelling, Guys, priest Alter is flyiiing?!" I wheezed even harder and wrapped my arms around me.

"Good gracious! *wheeze* Sorry for- *snort* laughing! Haaa..." I had started coughing from laughter and I needed 10 seconds to relax a tiny bit. When I turned again at Alter, he was staring at me with his calmest smile.

"Has anyone ever told ya how adorable you look when you're laughing?" He suddenly says. I immediately stop laughing and feel my face boiling. I cover my face with my scarf. I can hear him snorting.

"Alter!"

"But it's trueee." He says and pocks the temple of my skull. "And when you're embarrassed-"

"Shush!!!"

"Don't be ashamed to laugh Geno! Genuine happiness is medicine. It makes except from your face, the world around you more beautiful also."

"Yeah yeah, whatever! What happened next after you flew in the air?!" I ask still hiding and trying to relax.

"Hm. Fine. As I was flying, the rope had untie from my legs. Then I suddenly collided with the cloths of the merchant ship and started falling. Luckily, I prevented to summon 2 bones in my hands, stab the cloths and fall more smoothly. Both sides, pirates and sailors, were looking at me with dropped jaws. When I stepped on the deck, immediately 3 sailors ran towards me."

"And ya killed them?!" I asked a little frightened.

"Holy gracious, no! But upon my panic I summoned a long bone and threw it towards them horizontally yelling, No wait! That way I didn't stab them but hit them on their tummies and they fell backwards. Seeing my, even accidental achievement, I heard Captain saying loudly, Come on lads! Our priest without any weapon and only his magic is first and better alone to the opposite deck! Lemme see some more courage and bravery from ya, come on! And indeed pirates got more courageous. And because I kind of distracted the sailors with my appearance, they lowered their defence, which was enough for Captain Reaper's crew to finally kill, break more the defense and finally one by one step to the opposite deck. In minutes, half sailors at least were dead, the others were tied up and pirates were searching the whole ship for valuable things thrilled."

"And what didja do with the survivors? What are you doing in general with 'em?"

"The sailors, welp, first Captain asks who wants to join. If they don't want, they die. But in other cases, Captain keeps them alive for selling them. With that merchant ship we raided, he just sended 'em to the cells for selling later."

"And the ship? Didja let it empty in the sea?"

"No. Even ships are valuable, just like anything they might carry. They are sold too and in some cases can become one day pirate ships if someone wants to start crew. We tie it with the pirate ship, drag it all the way for some pirate island and sell. And the merchant ship of that day was well armed and strong. Very valuable. I might did ripped a cloth from it but that can be fixed. And the rest of the ship was in still perfect condition."

"I didn't know that. Didn't think this was possible."

"Now ya do."

"What did the other pirates say for your action after taking all valuable stuff and finishing with the captives?"

"Immediately there were complaints. Most pirates were yelling that I didn't deserve take bigger share than them, that I accidentally ended up to the other deck first. Captain then said that whoever was thinking deserves the extra gold more than me, the solution would come from the old fashioned uncivilised to him way: they should fight me. It caught me off guard for a moment when he said that. But surprisingly, that made most pirates immediately stay silent and step back, hearing they had to fight me, each one alone against me."

"Man, why surprising?! Ya beat up some of Captain Nightmare's best pirates once! You're stronger than all of these Captain Reaper's stupid assh*les-! Ow!" I yelled when he smacked my head. "Why didja do that?!"

"Don't swear in front of me young man."

"For just a swear ya hit me this hard?!"

"This hard for ya? I barely put any strength."

"Welp, I'm fragile!" I say annoyed and angry looking away. But suddenly I feel his hand gently placed on my head and healing magic flowing. "Alter wait, don-!" He signs me to keep quiet and soon takes his hand from my head.

"I'm sorry for hitting you. Please don't swear too much, if can't help it, at least in front of me control yourself... Anyways. Like I said all pirates stopped complaining and didn't wanna fight me. Except Dave, he was the second one who had make it step to the other deck so he didn't wanna pass up the opportunity take my share. We had sword fight duel, which I won in less than 10 seconds by unarming him."

"Wow. He's useless in sword fight."

"He's not bad, but his paws are just too big to hold the cutlass comfortably. And tibia honest I was kinda annoyed with his behavior towards me all the time I was official member of Captain's crew, that's why I finished the fight fast."

"What didja say once ya defeated him?"

"At first nothing. But I approached him, kneeled and pressing my sword with the sharp edge near his head I looked at him coldly and said, ya challenged me for nothing you know. I might did step first to the other deck, but I don't wanna take gold stained with blood. I eagerly give to all of ya my share, for all I care and like I always do after sharing. And as for you David, be really careful when ya challenge me to anything and always think twice. Cause patience has it's limits too and you don't wanna see me snapping one day really bad. Capiche?"

"With the expression ya gave him, there's no way he would say he didn't understand a thing." I teased but my hands were shaking with how he was narrating.

"Unnecessary to say, him and all pirates who were still disliking me wouldn't 'bully' me for at least 2 weeks."

"If ya give your whole share to the other pirates everytime after raiding, how come ya still have gold on ya?"

"Michael." Alter replies. I look at him surprised.

"The blonde shrimp? Why?"

"It started the next day after that merchant ship raiding, when I wasn't anywhere near my room. When I entered and approached the table I observed behind the book piles a small pouch hiding. It was heavily full with golds. Seeing it I got completely confused. But it didn't take me long to suspect Michael."

"Didja accept that pouch though?"

"I took it up to the deck and let it fall to the floor secretly. Whoever was taking it was lucky. I didn't think of it again. But the next few times we raided, next day after the raiding I would always see a full with gold pouch at the same position."

"What didja do eventually?"

"Since this kept going, I just decided to catch Michael upon action, it was actually him who was letting the gold. I saw him getting in my room sneaky, holding again a pouch with gold. I just approached from behind quietly and placed my hand on his shoulder. He flinched and I asked him why was he letting gold in my room. He turned and started explaining me that it wasn't fair for me not to get anything and he begged me to accept something from the gold."

"At least he's sweetheart, unlike his full of sh-." I went to say but I bit my tongue afraid of another smack on my head from Alter. "... unlike his cousin!"

"... I simply replied saying I don't need it for anything and told him to stop it. But he insisted and said, even if you never actually need it at least keep something little. Just in case. And so we started 'friendly arguing' about how much I would accept. After less than a minute we agreed to 10 golds, despite Michael wanted to leave more for me. I found it enough however, because from the many successful raidings Captain Reaper had we would gain a lot of gold often..."

We keep silence for some seconds or so. Then I see him getting more serious.

"We'll need the gold... You know, for the mission. But this is not the only thing we'll need..." He turns to look at me and his eyesockets are half closed. He's not creepy though. "... The next few days Geno, they'll be really important. You must watch closely for the preparations and listen. Not just me but anyone who'll work mostly to prepare us 2. Captain Reaper doesn't attack often and for long to villages and talking about Lisbon... he doesn't want us to go unprepared. Especially you."

"Hm. Yeah of course. He doesn't want his little sacrifice for the Tearful Cave die there." I reply sarcastically.

"Geno. Don't think of it as if you're doing this for anyone. You narrated me your story. Ya decided to end this too. Like ya said yourself, you're doing nothing for anyone. Only for you. But in order to succeed, you'll need to accept the preparations and advices. Do ya think you can listen and accept anything for the mission?" He asks me still serious. I look away sighing.

"For this once I'll try participating in the preparations. But if anyone wants me to try something not funny I'm out." I declare and stay silent for some seconds. Another question pops up in my head quickly though.

"With the male sailors ya said what you're doing. What about the women? Simply sell them too? Have fun with them before that?" Alter looks up thoughtful and hugs his knees like me too.

"... I've been told that before Captain Reaper, with the previous Captain of the crew, these stuff were regular and normal. These would happen, if getting ships that were carrying women, whether they were displaced, whether kidnapped by other pirates. But from the time Captain Reaper took the lead, this changed."

"How much different?" I ask a tiny bit more interested.

"I witnessed this in my beginning of piracy. When I still was figuring out the other crewmates from the Reapers and I wasn't sure. We had raided another ship, an aristocratic galleon in fact. Nightmare's crew wasn't with us, I mean, the 2 crews aren't stuck together always. If they want they'll take separated ways to go to different places, but always meet again. Anyways, the soldiers and sailors of the galleon were killed and soon some pirates announced that they found cells with many women in them, probably for displacement. All of them were brought to our deck, shaking like fishes out of the water and crying from fear. My soul sunk with this. I had think I knew what was gonna happen. Some pirates were about to lay hands on them already."

"Needy bastards..." I murmured as much quietly as possible looking away.

"But suddenly, as they were about to touch them, Captain's order stopped them all. In fact they all stepped back once he was closer to the women. He looked at them silent for a while. Then he turned to look at all of us and said, In case some of you forgot, some rules have changed from the time I became your Captain. If ya didn't like them, you had your chance to leave the crew. None of you touches the women."

"Huh?!" I did surprised.

"I had quite the exact same surprise. But it grew bigger when he said that not only they would stay untouched but also they wouldn't be sold anywhere and instead be secretly sended to safe for them ports. Most pirates didn't seem surprised, they knew more than me anyways. Some pirates were grumpy about it but they didn't bring more objections."

"For real?!"

"Yeah. I asked Markus about it. The time I witnessed wasn't the only one Captain Reaper has ever shown such mercy as he said. From the beginning of his leadership, all the times we would have women... and if Captain Nightmare wasn't with us, he would send them in the cells but make sure they are taken care very well. Later he would simply let them go. I was very relieved after hearing this. But alas whoever wouldn't obey. Markus had also told me that a bold pirate that tried either way to touch a woman, was cut to pieces by Captain's magic and thrown in the sea. I hadn't get in the crew when he said Captain did that."

"But... why do such thing for them?" I asked still surprised. Alter sighs and looks at me a little sad.

"His reason? It's a very serious one. Something only a few pirates from his crew knows the whole story behind it and detailed. Captain Nightmare must knew too."

"Ya know though?" I ask hoping to hear more, curious.

"I know. And I can't tell ya this Geno."

"But why?!"

"It's a very sensitive matter that is... connected with his past. Only whoever Captain Reaper feels close and comfortable with and fully trusts knows. It's not right to reveal other people's whole secrets Geno. I wouldn't want my secrets be spreaded to everyone either. Captain trusts me and everyone else from the crew who knows, that they'll stay silent. Do you understand this?" Alter asks in the end. I don't reply, just look away, feeling heavy with the sudden mood change.

"... I can only say... he does this favor to the women for the sake of someone..." He eventually says bluntly and we're now both looking away to the open sea. What should I do to change the mood? Maybe continue the conversation from another subject we had before.

"... I see... When were the other 2 times ya jumped to the enemy's deck?" It was the first thing I thought of asking. Alter stays silent for some seconds before huffing.

"... Tibia honest those times had nothing to do with merchant ships. In fact they were other pirate ships." He replies. My eyesocket widens up.

"Other pirates?! Ya attack to other pirates too!"

"Yeah. Welp, they attack us but with their right, Captain likes to get in other seas where other pirates roams and explore. The second time I jumped to opposite deck, we fought against Egyptian pirates. My 3rd and last time I stepped to other's deck were with Maltese privateers. They are very difficult and very good with the ships and maneuvers, excellent with handling the helm. And like they have agreement with the sea and they can move their ships where they want 'em to go every time. Both these times were difficult but we managed to beat 'em."

"How didja beat them?" I ask. I thought my question was simple and easy. But I saw Alter's irises disappearing for a moment and he looks away. Ok, where's the odd this time and he clearly tries to hide-?

"Hey! You with the dress!"

Both me and Alter flinch. I would be laughing with what we just heard if the rough manly voice that said it wasn't sounding rude and aggressive. We turn our heads. Alter sighs.

"*sigh* Here we go. They finally found us." He bluntly says as if it's not something interesting. But this catches me off guard.

"Finally?! Ya mean ya knew someone was following us this whole freaking time?!" I shout-whisper to him as we're both getting up. I peek from behind him and I see... wait, I remember these dudes, they were sitting at the table behind Alter! Back at this tavern where the waitresses were being flirty!

I try to see Alter's expression. He's smiling! I clench his cassock and I'm about to hiss at the 4 pirates that are approaching us. But Alter shuts my mouth gently.

"Shush." He does and suddenly puts his fingers in his mouth. He leaves a thin whistling sound, but so thin I almost can't hear it. What did he do that for?

"I want ya to stay behind me and try to stay calm. Ok Geno?" Alter tells me quietly. He finally looks at the 4 pirates and intertwines his fingers in front of him. The long sleeves are covering them.

"How may I help you gentlemen and you followed us all the way here?" He asks. He sounds almost normal, but I can hear the gentle discreet sarcasm decorating his words.

"How come every single damn time you come in this island all women are stuck to someone like you?" The one human asks pointing at him angry.

"Tch." Alter does and then groans rolling his eyesockets. "Is this why ya followed?" He asks a little bored.

"For f*ck's sake, stop dragging all the chicks when you step your foot on the island!"

"Seriously, what does even women like to a dumb priest like you?!"

"Lemme think..." Alter says sarcastically. "... Ah yes. I'm quiet, I avoid using vulgar words to talk with them, I'm being the nicest I can be cause usually they don't do anything extreme to me in the first place, I ignore my most inferior weaknesses cause they don't even deserve attention and I don't seek do anything with them except mostly having a short nice conversation."

"Ya forgot to say you're more handsome than them!" I say out loud.

"Shut up you little ugly pale sh*t!" The one monster says opposite us angered.

"Whatever! Stay away from the chicks, will you?!" The other monster says. Alter chuckles.

"Do ya own any of these women? No, none of us does. They're not objects that anyone can take. And last I remember, they're not labeled as 'yours'. Who cares who they prefer approach, besides I don't stay in this island for long. Ya all 4 definitely stay more often, like many other pirates. Don't ya?"

"Oh shut up. Look at you, you're more astray than any of us. Go back from the church you came from in case God gives you forgiveness for the path you took. You don't belong in piracy!"

"These pirates are really pissing me off. When the f*ck will they go away?" I thought holding back the desire to hiss at them.

"I have my reasons and I know myself why I chose piracy. Now if it irritates ya that a priest is in piracy and gets the attention of women even if not wanting to, it's only your problem. Please, turn around and leave us alone with my friend. We're trying to relax here." Alter says quietly and never loosing his smile. Which made the pirates even angrier though.

"SHUT THE HELL UP NUN! PREPARE TO GET BEATEN UP!" Alter doesn't just chuckle he laughs. His laughter is deep and rich.

"Oh Lord, nun?! Now that was hilarious!" He says cheerfully.

"Out of the way ugly shorty!" The one of the human pirates said enraged. "... After we're done with the f*cking nun, it's your tu-!"

"Oh my God, Geno! Are you ok?!" Alter suddenly interrupts and he doesn't sound cheerful. He's looking at me, his hands are on my shoulders and looks at me with a terrified expression. I start getting worried too. For a moment I thought my slash had opened and I hadn't understood anything.

"Alter? What's wrong? What did I d-?!"

"Oh thank Lord, ya haven't crack or anything!" He says. I look at him confused. But he soon explains.

"This human thought you're a mirror! I feared you're going to crack the way he was staring at ya with his friends!"

I look at him surprised. And then start laughing.

"EXCUSE ME?! F*CK YOU YOU DAMN-!" The human who called me ugly shorty went to say. But suddenly his soul flew out of his chest and... flew towards Alter, who grabbed him from his collar. I step back surprised. I can't see Alter's expression, but whatever that human sees, I know it's terrifying.

And the voice that comes out of Alter's throat betrays his mood. He's suddenly furious.

"Stop swearing for a minute, will ya?" He says with a vibrating voice and throws him with telekinesis again at his friends.

"Woah Alter!" I say surprised. He looks at me. He's smiling but still seems a little pissed.

"I'm starting loosing my patience son. It's not your fault. But please, stand back, I don't wanna hit ya accidenta-." He gasps and stops talking. I didn't prevent to see it. One of the monsters pirates had grabbed a stone and threw it at Alter, finding his back. I know what I heard. I heard a very creepy crack coming from Alter's back.

"A-Alter?" I say shocked. His irises are gone. He's leaned forward shaking. His arms, from shoulder to the edge of the fingers are shaking a lot more. Under his sleeve I see a golden glow. The siren symbol.

"Ge... no..." Alter whispers. "... Run... now..."

"Ha ha! What's wrong skeleton? You're disabled now? Want some more stones?!" The pirates are mocking him, picking from the sand more stones. I look at them angrily and I'm ready to attack them, for all I care. They dare hurt Alter like that!

"Son... seriously... run!" Alter snaps me out of my anger. I look again at him• and the anger instantly turns to fear. Alter's irises are now having colors I've never seen. They're not only cobalt blue, there are also fadings of cyan and white! Also, all of a sudden I feel the temperature rising crazily.

When did that happen again? I remember, Alter was mad then and arguing with dog face and the temperature made me dizzy and I almost lost consciousness... So that temperature rise then was coming from... Alter? And it comes from him again! What is going on with him everytime he looses his chill?!

"Sweet dreams!" The one of the human pirates says ready to throw one stone at Alter. But before he can do that, I see a black and white figure literally knocking him out with flying kick. The other 3 pirates turn to look surprised. When the figure stays motionless I realise it's...

"Dog face!" I say surprised. But then I see also, "Big tooth!" Aldo just now appeared from the path me and Alter had taken for the little beach and stopped leaning forward with hands on his knees. He's panting.

"Enjoyed the sights of the island before these idiots ruin it garfish?" Ramirez asks and stomps the human's face, leaving him completely unconscious. He then looks at Aldo, who's still panting hard. He rolls eyes. "Oh sh*t us! We ran only 20km. distance nonstopping and you're already dying from fatigue?!" He asks grumpy. Only 20 WHAT?!

"Well well well, if it isn't Captain Reaper's dog!" One of the monster pirates says sarcastically. But with also hatred, same for the other 2 pirates. Why so much though?

"And well well well, if it isn't some boring peasants I see here." He replies sarcastically. He looks at our direction for a moment and growls annoyed. "Better check the damn priest before he snaps from pain or anger. Aldo! Occuparsi di questi tre idioti per me!" He says and casually walks towards us with his hands in his pockets.

"Sometimes this chill of his really gives on my nerves..." I thought and look at him annoyed. He ignores me and stands next to Alter. He looks at his expression with apathy and carefully makes him sit down.

"Quit whining, you're fine." He only says and approaches the sea. He takes from his pocket a towel, wets it with the sea water and approaches again Alter. He lowers his hood and places the towel at his forehead. Now he looks at me.

"Genocide, while I examine him for injuries, keep an eyesocket on Aldo. Not like he needs help, but, just in case." He says bluntly. I shouldn't be caring but, you f*cking dog, did you even take a glance if your friend needs help or not?! Do ya even know how he's doing?! I look at Aldo's direction irritated. CHECK ON HIM NIG-!

Actually no. Aldo is literally having the time of his life! He enjoys it! Welp I've seen him how he fights, back then when the sirens and mermaids attacked us for the Tearful Cave. But only for a little bit. Now with day's light I see more clearly. I silently admit it's even more impressive than the last time.

If the pirates are throwing at him stones, he smacks them back at them with his tail• and with high accuracy! When the pirates moved from throwing stuff at him to attacking him directly Aldo shines even more. I'll never understand how this beaver is so flexible.

How he's jumping so high, how these bony and skinny arms of his are capable to hold tight the enemy and throw them to the sand. Talking about a monster that doesn't have high magic levels and looks fragile by looking extremely skinny it's actually cool.

I have the feeling Aldo purposely kept the fight for long instead of finishing the pirates quickly. But it was done when the pirates decided to give up. They didn't wanna fight the beaver anymore and ran away leaving behind their still unconscious friend, the one Ramirez knocked out first. Aldo jumps excited up and down, sometimes doing backflips.

"Enough with the backflips beaver! Get your ass here!" Ramirez suddenly barks after a while. I turn to look at him but end up looking at Alter. He's hugging lightly his knees and his eyesockets are still empty. He seems pale but not so much in pain.

"I don't know if the idiot that threw the stone at him wanted to find his head..." Ramirez says coldly. I look at him. "... but whether he missed because he was too stupid, whether he didn't really care where the stone would hit the priest, the throw was strong. It cracked a little bit a rib, very close to his spine..." He looks at me and crosses his arms. "... Nothing to worry much about. He'll be fine."

I approach and kneel in front of Alter. His expression is still empty.

"Alter? Hey, buddy, are you ok?" I ask calmly. He blinks 2 times and I finally see his white irises back inside his eyesockets. He smiles and slowly manages to get up.

"Better son." He replies. He turns his head at the dog. "Thanks Ramirez."

"Whatever." He replies and looks at Aldo who finally decided to come, smiling widely and proudly. The dog looks down at him with crossed arms. They look at each other silently for many seconds, what the hell are they doing? Communicating through minds? Finally the dog closes eyes and exhales from his nose.

"Eccellente." He says bluntly and Aldo smiles even wider. He lifts his fist, which makes Ramirez roll his eyes, but lifts his fist too. They hit each other's fist gently. Alter chuckles quietly. The dog looks at his fist as if he grabbed sh*t and rolls again his eyes.

"I'll never get used to that peasant gesture you put me do." He says, causing Aldo to laugh. Ramirez snorts and looks away, supposedly offended, which makes it funnier.

"Thank you both for coming." Alter says. Dog's attention turns again at Alter and glares at him.

"Don't get used to it. I won't come next time you whistle." I flinch, is this why Alter whistled before?! Ramirez heard him from so far away! Sheesh, that's some strong hearing.

"You said that last 3 times I knew I'll be in difficult position my frie-."

"Shut up!" Ramirez barks and suddenly turns back, but not without almost literally grabbing Aldo from his nape and forcing him to walk together. I laugh and he twitches his head to look at me with a sharp look. I stop, feeling a cold shiver running down my spine. He walks again ahead letting Aldo.

But then his look stops at the pirate he knocked out and approaches him.

"Beaver, heads or tails?" He asks taking from his pocket a coin. Aldo pats his head. Ramirez flips the coin in the air and that eventually lands on the back of his hand. With the other he covers it. When he lifts his hand he shakes his head left and right.

"Tails. Alright, I decide what we're going to do with him. Throw him off the first steep cliff we find on our way back it is then." He says chilly. Excuse me, WHAT?! He kneels, grabs him from his ankle and starts dragging him.

"Enjoy your short 'vacation' priest. Garfish." He simply says and walks away with Aldo next to him, dragging the pirate. We stay again alone with me looking still surprised at where the dog and the beaver were. Alter's quiet sigh gets my attention and I look at him as he's sitting down. I sit next to him and I look at him.

"How's your back?" I ask still concerned. He smiles gently and pats my head.

"The pain isn't so annoying. I'm better, thanks." He says and looks again ahead. I curl up like a ball and bury my face between my legs. I feel guilty for what happened to him, his attention was distracted because of m-

"It's not your fault Geno." Alter interrupts my thoughts and I feel his hand on my head. I look at him trying to look indifferent and hide. But who am I kidding, he has already understand me. I have the feeling he can read minds. As if he knows everything already.

I look at him some more still with some guilt and then again ahead so we can enjoy the peace. Me not for long. Unconsciously I touch my cheek and trail it near my bad eyesocket.

"Am I really that ugly?" God d*mnit, why do I even care how my face looks?! I know how I am, I can't really change that. Many people would always call me ugly back to the village. And now these jerks from a while ago made me question myself today!

"Whay didja say?" Sh*t, did I say that out loud? I look at Alter for a moment and then look away letting my face.

"N-Nothing." I stutter, f*ck.

"Geno. Son, look at me..." Alter tells me calmly. After some seconds I decide to look at him. He's smiling, but with that way, I can't tell what is he thinking. He sits down on his knees so he's completely facing me. I look at him still a little embarrassed he heard me asking myself... what I asked before.

He stretches his arm close to my face and waves it. I feel the glitched cloud disappearing and I cover my eyesocket with my hand.

"Alter, what are ya doing?" I ask looking down.

"Please, can I see it from closer?" He asks calmly and with the same smile that makes him unreadable. Slowly and hesitantly I take my hand from my eyesocket and look at Alter, to see his reaction. He only raises bonebrows but doesn't frown, he doesn't show disgust, just keeps smiling. I look away after a while.

"How horrible do I look?" I ask, not looking at him. Always smiling, he suddenly gets up and starts circling me with his hand on his jaw. I look at him confused. After doing 4 circles around me he sits again next to me. His smile grows bigger.

"Did these pirates made ya doubt if you're beautiful or not? They didn't even see ya with uncovered eyesocket and called ya ugly. But now that I saw ya, how you truly are, I prefer ya that way." He pats my head gently and I look at him trying to understand if he's mocking me or not.

"Looks aren't everything. But I did 1, I did 2, 3, 4 circles around ya and still couldn't help but think, whether covering your eyesocket or not, I still find ya pretty ok and adorable." He says calmly and looks again ahead hugging his knees. I look ahead too feeling... flattered. Whether he said that just to cheer me up, whether he meant it with every cell of his body, I feel nice.

*sigh*

7000 words. goodbye and we'll continue soon the adventure. stay determined *pet pet pet*