A few days had passed and the Sovereign was currently flying above the Opal Ocean on its way towards the Komi Islands.
This ocean was a well known danger zone to many who either sailed it's waters or flew above its skies. It's weather patterns were largely unpredictable and could shift from mild and calm to disastrous in mere moments.
This factor played a huge part in why conflict between the Komi Islands and Ettenheim never solidified. As for traders and other ventures, they needed to use alternative routes that would require them to go around the continent just to guarantee safety. They were of course some who dared use the direct route but this was more often than not very unsuccessful.
At this very moment, violent winds and roaring thunder raged through the skies of the Opal Ocean yet the Sovereign remained calm and steady in its flight.
Not because of it's unique structure and high grade features but instead it was because of Lady Rose's scouters which hovered above the airship at all times redirecting the violent lighting that came its way.
The winds on the other hand were easily delt with by barriers.
...
During this trip Jagu like most times had isolated himself either in the training hall or his quarters, avoiding as much contact with humans as he could when work wasn't required of him.
On this day however a loud knock resounded on his door causing a frown to emerge on his face as it awoke him from his slumber.
"What?!" He growled in irritation as he walked over towards the door. Upon opening it however his frown lessened as he locked gazes with a cold eyed Aron staring at him blankly.
"We need to talk." Aron simply said before walking into Jagu's quarters without waiting for a response. Jagu wasn't pleased by this but he only let out a grunt before closing the door. "What is it?" He immediately asked Aron who just stood in the center of the room with his arms crossed.
"Before we begin, here." Aron reached into his pockets and took out a small vile with a crimson liquid before tossing it to Jagu. Jagu caught it in his large hand and looked at it with narrowed eyes before giving Aron a questioning look. "And this is?"
"It's a serum I had Rose make to combat the high levels of testosterone you're experiencing. It's mating season for your people is it not?" Aron explained bluntly causing Jagu to furrow his brows.
Although he always had a fowl temper, it had become far more aggressive as of late. Hence his choice to avoid people entirely, the reason for this extra anger being the hormones building up within him.
"You studied me?" Jagu asked in a growling voice that couldn't hide his anger but Aron wasn't the least bit fazed as his expression remained the same.
"It's only natural I investigate given we're on our way to the Komi Islands. Studying the inhabitants traits, customs, physiology...weaknesses, you never know when this information would come in handy." Aron said casually before showing a small smirk.
Jagu could feel himself grow agitated from this statement as his gaze towards Aron grew more furious. He could no longer control himself and he lunged at Aron with great ferosity.
Aron didn't shift from his position as Jagu's movement was sloppy and driven by anger. He simply reacted quicker than Jagu's eyes could follow and landed a a fist into his gut.
"Arck!"
Jagu felt the air leave his lungs and he dropped to his knees while holding his belly in pain. "Drink the serum before you completely lose yourself to anger." Aron advised in a plain tone while looking down at him as if he was no threat.
Jagu grit his teeth and quickly opened the vile before drinking the serum all in one go. As soon as he did so his bloodshot eyes began to whiten and his bulging veins became less and less visible.
"Tsk, I'm fine." Jagu slowly got up on his feet while still holding his belly. His breathing had also been uneven but he tried his best to seem okay.
It was only when his mind began to clear that he realized how irrational he was just a moment ago. The fact he could still feel a burning sensation on his belly was testament to this.
"Good, but I didn't come here because of your issue. I've learnt all I can about the Komi Islands from books but I need you to tell me things outsiders wouldn't know. Be it about your tribe or others so I can make a proper plan for when we arrive." Although Jagu had drunk the serum, he couldn't help but still feel angered by Aron's words.
"If you've studied our people like you say you have, then you should already know humans are not welcome. It's shameful enough that I must interact with those weaklings but to divulge my people's secrets would be an unforgivable act." Jagu immediately refused to cooperate with Aron.
The races of the Komi Islands were known to be very stubborn and although Jagu was a member of the faction and indeed respected Aron's strength, at the end of the day they weren't really friends.
"Either those are indeed some great secrets to have not been leaked after all this time or your race is simply too prideful."
"Humans aren't welcome on the Komi Islands and although there is no law that restricts entry it's common knowledge that humans that do go there don't live long and "mysteriously vanish", so that makes exploring freely a rather daunting task." The more Aron spoke the more Jagu furrowed his brows and became worried.
The relaxed yet cold tone Aron was speaking in made it seem like he wasn't at all bothered by Jagu's refusal, almost like it was expected and this worried him. "What are you trying to say?" Jagu saw Aron was purposefully not getting to the point so that Jagu could ponder countless ways in which his decision could backfire.
Taunting was common among fighters so he quickly picked up on this and asked Aron to get to the point. Aron simply released a sigh and relaxed his hands before asking him a question.
"What do you think me and Lady Rose will do to those who try to get in our way? Your tribe included." Aron finally gave him a clear scenario to picture and it caused Jagu's expression to darken but Aron continued speaking regardless.
"Don't misunderstand, this isn't a threat as I myself would prefer a less tedious approach. And even if I was magnanimous enough to not attack, do you think the other factions will be the same once they discover they might be a ruin in the Komi Islands?" Jagu's anger began to slowly rise once again but this time because he could understand the truth behind Aron's words.
He knew if Aron and Lady Rose really did decide to attack very few races could withstand it, his included. This left him basically no choice, he now understood why Aron was relaxed and unfazed from the start even when he refused in the beginning.
"You knew I'd have no choice but to agree..." Jagu muttered as he felt a sense of humiliation overcome him. It was clear to Aron that Jagu wasn't getting stronger for himself but for his clan. So the chances were good that Jagu would agree once backed into a corner and left with no choice between that or annihilation.
"Nothing in life is guaranteed, I just knew my odds were good. No need to look so aggrieved, my plan will even bring your clan to the pinnacle. Think it over carefully and we'll speak again later." Aron said while walking over to pat the slouching Jagu on the shoulder.
Jagu said nothing in return so Aron let himself out, leaving Jagu with countless thoughts running through his mind. Was this a blessing or a disaster...
...
A short while later Aron returned to Lady Rose's room and found her still looking over a map while stroking her chin.
"Will we be proceeding with the main plan of approach?" She asked with her arms crossed impatiently and Aron nodded. "Yes, he's agreed to cooperate so we shall be able to proceed with little hindrance."
"Good, I have an odd feeling this trip will be fruitful." Lady Rose folded the map she was holding and looked over at Aron with satisfaction in her eyes.
"I didn't think you were the type to trust instincts alone." Aron replied with a brow raised but she simply showed a small smirk in reply before turning away.
"There is much you don't know about me Aron. Now let's finish making preparations."
....
Meanwhile much further away from the Sovereign another airship could be seen traveling the same route.
This was the same eerie black airship that had also been seen in the Newman highlands before the disaster.
"My Lady! The storms may prove too much for the airship!" A hooded figure standing on the deck yelled towards the door with great worry.
"Keep going, nothing risked is nothing worth gaining." A groggy voice responded sternly and left no room for refusal.
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