Chapter Text
"Roderick?"
Coming from the lower deck, The dark-haired swordsman limps towards the captain.
Guts feels a quite strong breeze blowing right from the back of the ship. Sore are his wounds that are still healing from the last battle and the salty air only makes the soreness worse. Of course, Serpico standing close to the bow always provides a good strong wind that is perfect for traveling, with the wind elementals swarming around him. Accompanying the user of the wind are Roderick, Schierke and Farnese, lost in conversation.
"Guts, aren't you supposed to- ", Farnese starts to tell him off, but Guts pays no attention to her.
"What's the course, Captain?"
"Aye Boss. We're trying to find land and assess the situation."
Initially, Roderick wanted to take a quick stop in Elfhelm and continue his journey home, but he is wondering whether that would be any good after all that happened. That strange wind that blew past them during the journey? Evil spirits and even Gods crossing their paths? Judging by the conversation he just had with Schierke, the entire world is probably in chaos. He wonders whether his family, his friends, his people were doing okay. Probably not. The thought embitters him.
"We don't know how much time has passed ever since we arrived in Elfhelm." Roderick is crossing his arms, staring into the vastness of the ocean. "Anything could have happened in the meantime."
"Once we arrive, we may find traces of human civilization, ", his voice becomes bitter and lower, "or we don't."
Guts frowns. His eyes conveyed worry as he steps next to the captain. "We still have to find a place that's safe for us." , he says, resting his palms on the railing before him. But, will they find a place like this, he wonders. Farnese finally gets to have a say.
"Skull Knight did mention that locations void of astral activity exist", she brings up. "But he was very cryptic about where: 'Lands of the far east will give you the answers you're yearning for'".
Guts smirks and lets a breath of air out of his nose. Very typical of him. "Only he knows what that means...", he mutters, remembering the cloud of words Skull Knight was hiding himself every time he met him. He was always as hazey as possible and Guts hated that. He prefered being straight-forward, uncomplicated and clear. He also wasn't there when Skull Knight appeared, only Farnese and Casca.
And Farnese? Farnese does not dare telling Guts the complete truth. Skull Knight also said that there is no guarantee they would be able to settle in those lands. She realizes that giving Guts a reason to leave wouldn't do good to anyone. In a worst case scenario, the entire group would fall apart. She did find her place she could call home, and she wants to make sure it stays that way.
"If we find land first, we lose even more time." , Guts concludes. The others look at him. "We might as well sail east right away." He is indeed correct with this assertion. Roderick scratches his chin.
"Hmmm. If my memory is anything to go by... the Kushan lands should be reachable to us from here", he says. "However, they are located in the opposite direction. The Seahorse will have to travel around the entire continent and the journey is going to take six months, at least."
Guts grumbles. This is taking far to long. Kushan lands? That's heading right into the enemy's camp, too.
"Months? You don't think you can speed it up?"
"I'm afraid not, Boss. Our windy lad here already does the best he can."
The young witch lady, who was following the conversation closely, squeezes herself between Guts and Roderick to get their attention.
"There are ways to get there faster.", she says, looking up to the both of them.
Everyone is looking at her. How could they travel even faster than they are right now?
"And you're sure that's going to work?"
Schierke nods at the swordsman, who is covered in bandages, leaning against his crutch.
"I have read about it in my Mistress' scriptures. Previously, it was considered a matter of legend."
"The mages at Elfhelm have told me about it in more detail. As far as my knowledge goes, in ancient times these monoliths were constructed in locations with a high spiritual energy. There is an entire network of nodes across the entire world. Similar to the spirit trees themselves, the network was originally a mechanism that keeps balance between material and physical realms, exchanging excess spiritual energy as needed. Ancient humans have created the monoliths when they were still living in peace with astral creatures, but their true purpose faded away from the memory of mankind. According to Dannan, the network of monolith nodes have started to connect to the branches of the World Spirit Tree ever since the transformation. There should be such a node somewhere in the Kushan lands, as well. But, here is the catch: The branches of the World Tree naturally all lead back to the city of Falconia. If we use it to travel, we will have to pass by the city first."
Guts' eyes flare up. Falconia? Does that mean he can... His heart almost skips a beat. He's clenching his fist as anger is cooking up inside of him.
"I guess we have no other choice.", Guts replies mind-absently. He is not even sure anymore whether he wants to avenge the Hawks and kill Griffith. He's sitting between two chairs. He does want to spend time with Casca, trying to restore the relationship they had and stand by her in this time of dire need... at the same time he doesn't know whether he can take any more of her screaming. The first and second time were already painful enough. Then again, if he really thinks about it, like the fact she seems to approach him on her own, and is still concerned for his well-being... perhaps it's going to work out. But will she still do that in the face of the truth? Will she still care, remembering everything that happened during their journey? Including him screwing up, like tying her up, leaving her alone for two years, or choking, harming and assaulting her after he got her back?
"Aren't you supposed to be laying down?", Schierke says as her worried expression meets his glance, interrupting his train of thought. She notices that something is up with him. She knows this is face he makes when he's brooding over something, especially something he doesn't like.
"I... I can't go back to my quarters now", he says finally.
Schierke's being persistent: "Why not?"
Farnese takes note of his silence, too: "Did something happen?"
Guts shakes his head. He bobs his head to the side once, as if trying to point towards something. "You should go see for yourself."
Dumbfounded, Farnese and Schierke look at eachother. What was that supposed to mean? They both give Guts a strange look as they walk past him, heading below deck to his quarters.
Serpico, Roderick and Guts are alone now. The swordsman limps towards them, leaning against the railing, watching the waves strike against the ship bow.
"So... how was the reunion with Casca going, chief?", the captain of the ship pipes up. "I must admit, hearing what happened had me worried."
The fact Guts seems very affected by it doesn't escape Roderick at all. Guts sighs.
From the start, he knew this wasn't gonna be a piece of cake. He knew...