Chapter Text
“Okay, what’s the meaning of this?” Viktor frowned as he stared at the triumphant looking Jean Jacques, “like we had a fucking choice!” growled Yuri, sending glaring daggers at the other captain, “this guy the one who tipped us to the navy!” Viktor scowled, “You!” he growled, “What do want you want from us?” he asked stomping his way to him, “I’m fine that we had our fights from time to time but this is NOT amusing,” he said as he jabbed a finger on Jean Jacques chest, faces inches closer to each other.
“Well, I have my intentions,” he smirked. Viktor was silent waiting for the man to finish, “I just want a share from the treasures,” he admitted, “You want what?” he asked, unbelieving, “You heard me right. Everything was a set up to make you force…” he stopped, playing trying to remember by tapping his chin with a finger, “…form an alliance with me,” the deck was filled with gasps and widen eyes.
“I can still pull this stunt once again, Captain Viktor… if you don’t go as I wanted…. You’ve been hunting these legends with hundred percent of finding and obtaining them these past few years… I’m in loss, you see, since I wanted them too,” his eyes darkened yet glinting with mischief and threats.
“I can’t believe I was outwitted,” groaned Viktor as he returned to his quarters, followed by Yuri and Yuuri. Chris is left outside to give orders, “I wished I see it coming… it’s my fault,” said Yuuri, “What? No…. it’s no one’s fault,” he said. He gritted his teeth in frustration, “The Missing Island has been hunted by pirates all over the history. Ever since that theory was made because of the large gap between Hiems and Pruina. Soon legends and myths arose and everyone has been going mad going after it… then for over fifty years, it died down because futile searching. Now, the legend has been living just between pirates. It’s no surprise if Captain Jean Jacques is also after it… it’s just that… I don’t want to form alliance.”
“Well Pirates are known to be selfish,” commented Yuri, “Well we need to be careful from now on. I’m sure that Sanctus already knows that you are missing Viktor. They’ll be after our toes.” Yuuri warned.
“Le-let’s just go and find the next stone,”
The group contains of Viktor, Yuri, Chris, Yuuri, and some of the cabin boys went down the ship, “Oh, leaving me out the party?” Jean Jacques jump down, “You only?” asked Viktor, frowning, “Oh no, my wife is going to join me,” then a woman trotted over him, “Oh, it’s been a while Isabella,” greeted Viktor, although his face stayed neutral due to circumstances, “Oh don’t be like that Captain. Don’t be so grim… we are quite desperate you see…” she wrapped her arms around Jean Jacques’ one.
“Let’s just go,” grunted Yuri.
It took them awhile even though the Island only contains of sands, coconut trees and a forest that is not that thick enough to get lost. Just walking around looking for something out of place until Yuri stepped and slipped. It appeared to be a rotting trapdoor.
Yuri groaned from pain, “Are you alright Yuri?” Viktor asked from above, “Do I look I’m alright?!” he snarled, “What is down there? Can you get up?” he asked again, “No… I don’t think so? And also… there’s a tunnel here,” he answered, “Really? We’ll go down there okay?”
Everyone dropped down with their lanterns and self made torches as light sources. They went through it as they descend further, air pressure starting to get noticed,
“What is this tunnel used for?” asked Yuri, “Probably for mining,” answered Yuuri, “I don’t see any tools for mining though… just pickaxes and shovels for digging,” said Chris, “A place for refuge?” Isabella guessed, “It’s possible. Do you know the Great War back 200 years ago? A war broke out between the 10 powerful countries. It broke out because of territory dispute and gold to mine. The countries that participated were: Hiems, Pruina, that once one country of Manere, Vivere, Sanctus, Ebrios, Amare, Nullam, Eros and Agape,” Yuuri explained then cut off by Viktor, “Eros and Agape? I never heard of them,” he said, “Of course you won’t since they don’t exist now. Those two countries are like hot and cold, polar opposites but they had the best of relationship ties. Together, they are the most powerful countries. Hiems allies with Vivere and Sanctus went against them and wanted their territories. Nullam fought alone, trying to solve their problem through talks and negotiation. Ebrios and Amare sided with Nullam, although they wanted but didn’t signed any alliance because of their opposite methods, meaning those two countries want to shed blood. Pruina and Manere are allies but they are neutral in not a good way. Meaning they are everyone’s enemies. As for Eros and Agape, the group of Hiems’ succeeded in taking them down and killed almost everyone. They probably have migrated over here and built a tunnel… but this tunnel has disadvantage because of the air supply. Safe from the eyes of Hiem’s people and allies, but not safe from the nature. Eventually, the people of Eros and Agape went extinct.” He finished.
“Eros and Agape never appeared in the history books,” commented Isabella, “It’s the influence of Hiems. Everyone that tried to write about it got it burned and authors got killed. Although, the archives of Nullam still has, hidden in the depths of the archives. King Phichit showed it to me once. Hoping that I will also be part of spreading the truth,” he admitted, “Oh… you know the king of Nullam? What’s your relationship with him?” she asked, curious, “A close servant and a friend.”
“I just want to ask. Where was Eros and Agape located?” asked Viktor, “just beside of Hiems.”
Yuuri was right, everyone thought when evidence of clothing belonged to humans were seen on the side, either hanged or half buried on the dirt. They even passed through a manmade cave with graves and a skeleton was seen sitting near to one of them and beside it was a shovel. There are even writings on the wall filled with two different languages that no one was able to decipher, meaning that they don’t know what’s the meaning of it. There are even childish drawings carved in it. Many images flying through some of their minds, thinking what happened to them. Even imagining the most hurtful thought that children probably died first, not able to handle the situation.
The tunnel was easy to follow, although at its end it was going even far deeper and the air started to thin and thus they stop.
“If this place is a refuge, why is it going deeper?” Yuri grunted, deep breaths are audible within the crowd, “I have a bad feeling that this tunnel will lead us to our deaths… I don’t even know why,” Yuuri said, “We should go back…” and so they did. Better get out than being sorry.
As they turned back to their way, the atmosphere within the tunnel dropped tremendously. Feet bound on the ground, breathes getting even heavier, sweat started to drop. A fear that they never experienced gave chills through their bone.
A presence of a demon.
Clacking sounds echoed through the wall. Viktor’s body felt like a boulder but forced his self to move. Trying to know what was behind the shadow, he set a foot step further and lifted up the lantern.
A white stick-like figure finally resurfaced, holding a shovel. It was the skeleton that they saw before. Its jaws started to move and began to speak. A language that they don’t understand yet Yuuri and Yuri were able to.
Descendants of either Eros or Agape
Bring us justice, tell and spread the truth
And our souls shall find peace.
Its boney finger pointed at them and they gulped. The skeleton then dropped and the heavy atmosphere finally lifted up.
Everyone took a deep breath and sighs of relief. “What was that? What did that mean descendants?” Yuri was confused now and Yuuri was silent, trying not to give comment about it. “W-whatever was that, let’s get out of here,” the entire group went ahead then Viktor stopped when Yuuri didn’t move, “What’s wrong?”
“I’ll go further,” he said, “What are you saying Pig? Didn’t you tell us not to?” Yuri was scowling, “two days…. Give me two days. On the second day, when the sun completely sets, it means I’m dead and go. Losing one life is better than losing lots,” he explained, “No Katsuki, we can’t lose you!” Viktor protested, “He’s right. You’re a great asset Katsuki, you read the navy’s movement better than anyone’s,” Chris said, face full of concern, “We don’t know what lies ahead! What if the thing we are looking for just lies at the end of this tunnel! Also… I had a feeling that I need to know what’s in there,” he protested.
Silence fell upon them, “If you are going then I’m going,” Yuri proposed, “What? Not you too,” Viktor said, “It’s better than one. If this guy is in need of help, at least I’m there.”
The talk of protest and convincing took them long until Viktor finally huffs and gave up, letting the two go, “I’ll stay from the entrance. You better come back alive.”
The two descended the tunnel, with lesser people their breathing wasn’t as difficult as before, “Hey Pig… do you know what that was?” he asked, “Descendants of either Eros or Agape…. We should probably trace our family tree after this whole ordeal,” Yuuri suggested, “You were able to understand that too?” Yuri turned to him and Yuuri nodded.
Yuuri then stopped making him stop too and he gave Yuuri a puzzle look. He followed his gaze and saw they were at the dead end, “What the—? What’s going on?” Yuuri scanned the wall trying to see anything odd then proceeded to the tunnel walls, “Are you fucking serious?” grunted Yuri. Yuuri went back to the wall and started tapping at some places, “What are you doing?” he asked, “searching a hollow,” Yuuri answered.
He finally tapped a spot causing some parts to fall, “The dirt is loose,” Yuuri said, “We can dig through it,” Yuri went to his side and tried to dig it with his free hand. Yuuri put down his lantern and started to dig. They finally reached at the end and hole’s length is quite long, “You’ll go first Yuri,” he said. Yuri started to climb the hole and as soon as he reached the end, Yuuri passed the lanterns the Yuuri preceded.
As Yuri turned around, he was quite shock to see a large deep hole just a few meters before them, “Okay, now what the fuck is this?” Yuuri frowned, not liking their progression, “It’s a sinkhole.” The end appears to be a natural cave, “We need to find a way getting through the other side,” Yuuri said.
Both were careful walking around the sinkhole’s edges paired with rock falling every time they walk through it, adding to more tension in them, “How is this made?” questioned Yuri, “This is rare phenomenon actually. It’s my first time seeing one,” he answered. They reached a part where they need to jump at other side since a part of the sink hole’s edge reached the cave’s wall. Yuuri gulped and braced himself and jumped. He wobbled a bit then he steadied, “Okay Yuri, jump! I’ll catch you!” he shouted.
Yuri looked down at the endless abyss and the nerve finally hit him, “I-I can’t! I’m afraid to fall,” Yuri body started to tremble, “It’s alright! Look at me Yuri, you can do it!” Yuri looked at him then he gulped, trying to calm his self. He moves backwards and started to run, bracing himself in the jump. He finally took off the leap.
He crashed down against Yuuri who was trying to catch him if he failed to reach the edge. Both stumbled down. Yuuri grunted in pain and one of the lanterns that stumbled down, rolled off and fell into the sinkhole. He pushed himself up and expected for the other to give space, when he felt Yuri’s arms tightened around him and his head pressed further to his chest, then he felt Yuri tremble.
He hugged Yuri back, his left on Yuri back and the other is soothing his head.
“It’s okay now… we are both safe…. Except for the other lantern though,” he chuckled. It took minutes before Yuri let go of him, “I-I’m okay now… let’s go.”
They reached the other side of the tunnel and made their way. Both finally calmed down calmed down until a realization hit Yuri, “H-how we will get back?” he asked, “Let’s see what’s in the end of this tunnel… there must be a way out.”
At its end of the tunnel was a massive door with a circle filled with inscriptions and carved path-looking lines. When Yuuri touched the edge of the circle, the inscriptions glowed and showed a language they could read.
A descendant must be wounded,
A drop of blood is needed,
To open the door where lies ahead,
The freedom we always wanted.
This descendant must carry our will,
Or we stuck at the time that stood still,
Curse carries on up till,
Never freed, wishes never filled.
Fake blood must never sacrificed,
Nor too much given, we advise.
A wrath will befall,
Your soul shall be eaten
By the demon we called.
“Holy crap…. There’s a demon?” Yuri winced, “So this explains the presence we sensed…” Yuuri sighed. He slowly took his dagger hidden from his sleeve, “Which of us?” asked Yuuri, “I’ll do it…. You just recovered from your bullet wound,” Yuri took the dagger and brought up his finger and slashed with it. Little droplets trickle down from his finger and brought up to the path-like lines. As the blood of drop finally hit it, the carved path was already filled with blood.
The door rumbled and finally opened by itself.
Extras (
because idiot author forgot the parts and just went ahead and jump to the gun
):
Old Clothes
Yuuri has already recovered but he needed clothes, thought Viktor. So he went to his chest filled with his old clothes and old belongings, looking through it to find a pair that it would suit him.
“What are you doing?” asked Yuri who just entered the room, “Giving the new kid some clothes. He can’t be wearing sleeping gowns all day long, does he?” grinned Viktor and was given a scowl as response from the blond, “Che, whatever. Also, we are running low on food and beverages. We need to restock.”
What Happened After
When Minami collapsed, everyone crowded over him to help and was carried to where all they sleep and let him rest. One of the cabin boys would often avoid him because of what happened. A bit scared of the stone. He was even looking at Yuuri weirdly.
One day, he confronted Yuuri, “I don’t like you,” he blurted out, “Okay…?” was his response, “You are just a new guy and now you are making trouble,” he said, “Trouble?” Yuuri can’t follow him, “You know, what happened to Minami? What was that? Why did he collapsed?” he asked, “It’s the stone’s influence or maybe you can say, magic?” he answered, “You mean the stone is cursed? Weren’t magic used by witches?”
“You meant black magic. That was not black magic and not all witches are bad. There’s called white witches, people who uses good magic. People often mistook them as one because they are female practicing magic. The unfair judgment and discrimination towards women,” Yuuri sighed, “Anyway, I’m helping your captain finding what you were looking for. Look, I don’t care if you dislike me but let’s try and get along. Okay?”
The cabin boy nodded.
Four Dotted Wounds
Chris walked in when Yuri was dressing up. His pants were on and what was left was the shirt. Chris stopped in his tracks when he noticed Yuri’s body wrapped in bandages, “What happened?” he asked, “Oh, Chris,” he said, “We got stabbed,” he answered as he took his shirt and put it on, “We? Who got stabbed? Who stabbed?” he asked.
“Me and Viktor by the Pig,” he answered. Another questioned was popped out, “Why? What happened?”
“He got a fever after that night when he looking over the sword. Saw him down on the floor and was burning with fever. Then he constantly was getting nightmares. After recovering, he got depressed and…” he frowned, “and then…” Chris urged, “I… somewhat provoked him and we got attack…”
“….”
“….”
“With a fork,”
Chris laughed.
“It’s not funny! The pig looked like a devil when he attacked us!”
“But seriously…. A fork? Just a fork enough to give you serious wounds? Well I assume it’s quite serious,” he said, calming after the laughter.
“He dug it deep. He even twisted it. Shoulder and abdomen. Viktor was just simply got stabbed on his right thigh because he tried to stop a flailing beast.”
“O-okay… I’m sorry… don’t push yourself to hard.”
Yuuri’s Bullet Wound
“Yuuri, before we proceed, let’s take that bullet from your shoulder,” Chris called. Yuuri was ushered to a room. He sat on a tall stool beside a table with two basins filled with water and the other is hot and stacked cloths and other medical supplies. Chris was behind him holding a bullet remover. Chris’ hand holding a thick folded cloth entered in his peripheral vision, “What’s this?” he asked, “Bite on this,” he instructed and Yuuri took it and put it between his teeth and bit it.
The procedure on taking out the bullet was very painful. Yuuri’s body tensed and painful groans escaped his lips, teeth clenched unto the fabric. Chris tried to sooth him out which helped a bit.
Everything was finally done and now Yuuri felt the throbbing pain. It didn’t end there however.
The next step was stitching the wound close. Another set of painful sounding grunts and groans every time Chris pierces the needle into the skin.
After the whole ordeal was done, Yuuri was left panting, dropping the cloth soaked with his silava. Chris dressed his wound and let him rest.