Xavier and Rose's path sloped upward almost immediately so the pair had to journey up a hill for some time with nothing to talk about as they trekked up the steep hill.

They finally reached the top of the hill and could see that the path they were on was full of bends and incredibly narrow as it wrapped around a large mountain.

"I hope you aren't afraid of heights." Xavier mused.

Rose frowned. "I'm not but I don't think these paths have been maintained so I'm not confident taking this path. It's way too narrow."

Xavier didn't want to turn around right away when it made all the sense in the world to hide the rare gem on the dangerous path. "Figure you could teleport us a ways ahead?"

Rose attempted to gauge the distance with just her eyesight. "I'm not sure. It'd be pretty risky since I can't see past the mountain."

"Well how about this," Xavier extended his arm and conjured a platform made from ice into the sky around where the trail curved behind the mountain. The cold air was easy to bend to his will and held strong in the sky. "Aim for that platform."

Rose took Xavier's hand and they zipped from one point of the mountain to the large platform that Xavier had conjured. The pirate was able to get his bearings and see that there was a safe space that the path led down to after going around the mountain.

Rose wordlessly grasped Xavier's hand again and the duo warped to the large safety zone and looked around. A barren tree hung over them and they could see the path lead down to some sort of man-made area.

"Since we're so ahead of schedule, how about we rest up a bit?" Xavier offered. All the magic usage from earlier in the day had exhausted him and the captain could tell his Kingston companion was even more worn down.

They sat down on some stumps of long-dead trees and enjoyed the serene atmosphere of the mountain path. "This is the kind of thing that made me homesick while out at sea," Xavier commented. "I love being on the open ocean but sometimes I just need to be grounded, ya know?"

Rose nodded. "Growing up on Kingston, I had acres of woods to explore and have fun in because the island is so large. The mainland is beautiful in its own way but it never felt quite right compared to being at home."

Xavier saw Rose frown and could tell she was saddened. "Well, soon enough we'll have you home. This is all almost over. And it'll be different no doubt, but it'll also be the same in ways."

"It's been so long. I was supposed to go back for my 20th birthday to visit but both father and I were so busy that before this past week I hadn't been to the isles in 8 years. And yet so much is still the same from when I was 15." Rose recounted. "I just hope I can enjoy being home with everything that's changed."

Xavier glanced at her. "What do you mean, lass?"

She sighed. "I made up my mind a while back that I was going to do everything I could as soon as I got home to advocate for the nations that Kingston is occupying and I imagine it's going to upset just about everyone in the nobility. But I don't even care. I know there are people on Kingston who can see the truth and if I can get them on my side we might be able to do real good."

"I bet the ongoing conflict that is control of Caros flaring up will persuade plenty of people." Xavier added, "And once I get my crew and ship back I'm going to be doing whatever I can to support Centrixia which will hopefully further your cause."

It felt good to state his desire to free Centrixia to Rose. The girl glanced at him with her shining jade eyes and softly smiled. "Good to know you won't be out of this game when this is all over either."

Xavier couldn't help but chuckle at the comment. It was true that he was getting himself into a fight that would only get him into even more trouble than he was in, but the adventure was calling and the pirate wouldn't stand by and watch. "Speaking of what we're doing when it's all over, I suppose we won't be in very close contact anymore?"

Rose pursed her lips and thought on it. "Well, I suppose. I could always use a pirate's help though, especially if things ever get too heated. I'll run away from Kingston before I back down at this point. But if you'd rather not be in contact with me, that's fine."

Xavier immediately jumped to correct his statement and make it clear that wasn't what he wanted. The idea that he could maintain communication with Rose was... appealing to him.

But why was that? The lass had a certain aura to her that Xavier wanted in his life and his horrified reaction to the idea that he would be the one breaking off contact spelled it out to him.

So, the pirate said it. "Rose, I fancy you. And I know it seems out of the blue but you're the exact kind of lass that I admire so much." And that was the truth.

The pirate had developed feelings for the girl and while he wouldn't describe himself as in love with her, he could see himself being in love with her one day. There was a potential that Xavier saw as he realized that he wanted to grow closer with her and see how their relationship developed.

Despite Rose's cheeks flushing red she didn't seem embarrassed at all. "I 'fancy' you too Xavier. You've got a pretty odd way of asking to date me."

Now the pirate's face was red. "It's not like I have much experience, lass. You never date members of the crew." He shrugged his shoulders alongside this explanation and she started to laugh.

"Whatever you say, Mr. Pirate." Rose and Xavier held eye contact for some time. "So-" Rose was suddenly cut off by shouting and a loud crash coming from the path.

Xavier and Rose shot to their feet and scrambled down the dirt trail which curved and lead to a circular altar. The Guardian with a mace, Crius, was standing over Atlas with the Indigo Jewel in his hand.

Jacob had been knocked off of his feet and the young rebel was trying to struggle back up. The jewel suddenly started to glow with a blindingly bright purple light.

When the light died down, Atlas was gone and the Indigo Jewel was pulsating with energy. "You bastard! Let them go!" Xavier shouted bad he ran at Crius.

The Guardian slammed his mace onto the ground and a shockwave rushed at Xavier. Before the pirate could react, he was knocked into the air and onto his back by the shockwave.

Xavier sat up to see Rose unleash a giant ray of light on Crius. But when the attack died down, Crius was completely fine. The Indigo Jewel was held out in front of him and had seemingly absorbed the magic.

Jacob sprinted across the stone floor with his sword readied to strike Crius. The Guardian seemed to hear him coming and grabbed the sword with his bare hand.

Jacob's shocked expression didn't last long as he was suddenly lifted into the air and thrown onto his back in front of Crius.

Rose wasted no time unleashing another blast of light which Crius once again blocked with ease.

Jacob had managed to get some of the light energy into Lumis and was now back on his feet. His proximity to Crius and his swift swing caught the Guardian off guard and the blacksmith was able to land a blow on Crius's arm.

"You little-" Crius grunted before slamming the jewel into Jacob's chest and throwing him away. "I'm sick and tired of you little pests!" He raised his mace into the air and magic from the Indigo Jewel poured into it.

The attacker slammed his weapon onto the ground again and another shockwave rippled across the ground. This time, towards Rose.

She was completely defenseless and Xavier sprung into action. The ice pirate was able to create a barrier between the nobility and the attack but it shattered and Rose was still blown back.

Xavier grit his teeth and sprung to his feet. "I've about had it with you!" He dashed across the altar floor towards Crius with his sword drawn.

Crius let him approach and then swung his mace at the pirate. The chain of the mace seemed to keep extending and Xavier realized it was going to hit him if he didn't counterattack.

The captain swung his blade into the magic-loaded mace and the blow was so powerful that Xavier felt the force of the impact all throughout his body and heard his sword shatter.

Pieces of his prized weapon clattered to the ground and Crius started to laugh. Pain pulsated all over the pirate's body and he couldn't bring himself to stand back up.

Jacob was once again charging at Crius, this time pouring all of his magic into his blade. Lumis was burning with fire but without the touch of light magic, Crius could once again grab hold of it.

The Guardian smirked at Jacob and slammed his mace into the boy's stomach. "Die." Jacob crashed onto the ground with a bloody wound on his stomach but was thankfully still breathing.

Crius prepared to finish the job but was blasted by the full force of Rose's light magic. The magical attack managed to briefly hit Crius before the bastard could use the jewel to deflect the rest of the damage.

He was now covered in injuries and clearly worn down while Rose was channeling the full force of her aura. The Guardian made a visible decision to leave the group and teleported away.

Atlas was gone, and the three of them were left all alone in the heart of Heau. Beaten by a singular Guardian. How could they stand up against all six?