Xavier's boat cut across the water throughout the day, flying past various ships. They passed both Marok and Clamerates, and all the while Xavier said little to nothing.

Helena chatted with the two girls and got to know them a bit better, as the girls recounting very escapades from their times in Heau.

Xavier cursed himself over and over as they approached their next destination, he wished he hadn't mentioned her name. At the very least, being able to focus on sailing pulled him from that despair.

Another thought floated in the back of his mind, however. Xavier had neglected to talk to Jacob much at all, and there was no telling if the rebel had continued to guard his post.

Perhaps he had been captured, or returned to the CIF. Xavier would likely be finding out soon. The federation now controlled the entire island, minus the base Clamerates had built. They likely had tabs on Jacob, and Xavier dreaded having to face another of his sins.

The boat approached Caros as the day was turning to night, with the sun embracing the call of the sea. The island had a dormant volcano that gave it a distinct frame.

The mountains of the island were all now covered in snow. While the island was fairly north, the peaks got incredibly cold this time of year.

The rest of the island was much more bearable. With Alport being illuminated by lamps and having little snowfall decorating the city.

The buildings were all stationed on various parts of an incline, as the city transitioned into the mountains above. The grand docks decorated the coast of the city, and staircases lead to the commercial level of Alport.

Xavier was shocked to see how well the city had recovered after the Second Great Battle for Caros. The docks had been smashed and the town had been turned into an intense battlefield.

But now, it was like none of it had ever happened. The city was flourishing, and it made Xavier feel just a bit joyful as he approached. Everything that they had worked for, it hadn't been for nothing.

"Woah, this is Caros?" Maya marveled.

Luna looked at the city in awe. "I'd heard a bit about Alport, but this is something else."

Helena chuckled a bit. "A bit familiar, but it's also changed quite a bit. I wonder how Valras is now."

"I can assure you," Xavier said to his companion. "It's just as beautiful. I'll have to make sure both of you visit sometime, the city is exquisite. As is Lonore."

The group approached the docks and let their ship drift into an empty spot. Xavier wasn't entirely sure of the docking permissions on Caros, but he had to imagine he'd be allowed to dock.

A guard made his way over to them as Xavier was tying the ship down, and cleared his throat. "Name and permit?"

Xavier gestured to the flag they were flying. "I'm Xavier Glactern, the Ice Pirate. I don't have a permit, but I need to speak with the CIF leadership about business regarding Kingston and Tradton." He explained.

The guard was a bit skeptical, but the name and flag seemed to convince him. The group were allowed to disembark, and the guard motioned for them to follow him.

The guard lead the group up the stairs and to Alport prior. "It's nice coming back here and not being attacked." Xavier mused, breathing a sigh of relief.

Helena raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, this was from a few months back." Xavier explained. "We were attacked by Clymene the first time, and then the second time were leading the whole invasion."

"I still can hardly believe you orchestrated freeing Caros," Helena stated.

"The news was so big," Maya chimed in. "Even though the Goldplates tried hide it from us, everyone on Heau found out as soon as it happened."

Luna nodded. "It inspired a great amount of hope in us."

"You really have changed this place, cap." Helena said, distantly. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but the guard cut into their conversation.

"If it weren't for you, I don't know what I'd have done!" The guard volunteered. "The Goldbacks were onto my CIF involvement, but you all drove 'em out!"

"Right, all of us." Helena murmured.

Xavier wasn't used to seeing Helena so downtrodden, but there wasn't time to focus on it. The group were led through the city and eventually to a large, newly constructed building.

The building had CIF branding all over it, proudly flying the flag and touting the insignia. It was a strange sight, but an exciting one.

The guard dropped the group off, and they walked inside of the new building. It was rather exquisite, being constructed primarily of fresh wood farmed from Caros.

A few members glanced over at the arriving group, and their faces immediately lit up. "It's the Ice Pirate! Captain Xavier, welcome to Caros!"

Xavier waved to them and said. "I need to speak someone high up on the chain of command, I've got plans for taking down Tradton."

One girl appeared from atop the stairs and went up to the captain. She was dressed in fairly professional attire, but had a dagger around her belt. "Captain! I'm Cleo, I think I can answer your questions!"

She led the group into a smaller room on the first floor and shut the door. The room was a tiny office, that had various items scattered in it. "What can I do you for, captain?"

Xavier cleared his throat. "Well, we're currently trying to wipe out Tradton. We've successfully beaten two of the commanders, and were wondering if you knew the whereabouts of any of the others."

Cleo thought for a bit and sighed. "Unfortunately, I don't. We've heard some rumblings, but mainly of the commander who was beaten in Heau. Which I'm assuming was your doing?"

Xavier nodded, and he gestured to Maya and Luna. "We're particularly good at dispatching them."

The girl pursed her lips. "Well, I'd love to help. Best I can tell you is that recently, a gaggle of Kingston troops have been causing trouble in the strait up where the Clamerates base is. Maybe they know where one of the commanders are?"

Helena crossed her arms. "Or in other words, you want us to go take care of them?" Helena knew when to be gentle, but also when to be blunt. Another trait Xavier admired in his friend.

"W-well, if you could that would... it would uhm..." Cleo very quickly became flustered. "Yeah, that would really help us."

Xavier grinned. "No worries lass, we have no problem knocking sense into Kingston. And odds are, we can get some good information either from Kingston or Clamerates."

"Thank you all so much," Cleo said to them. "We've been spread incredibly thin, and Clamerates insists it's our job to manage the strait that they have a military base in."

"It's not a problem," Xavier assured her. "One more thing, has there been any word from Jacob?"

"Not much, we just know he's got some commanding position in Kingston." Cleo said with a sigh. "He hasn't been able to communicate recently. If you can find any news of him, that would be a great relief. He hasn't even gotten to receive his new position."

Xavier nodded and then ushered the group to take their leave. Everyone poured out of the building and started to head back to the docks.

Maya sighed. "So now we have to blow up a bunch more Kingston ships?"

"Don't worry, Maya." Luna assured her. "We can handle a few Kingston ships."

"Oh I know," Maya responded. "I just was hoping we could enjoy the new sight for once."

"I'm sure we can swing by and properly take in the city another time," Helena comforted the girls. "Xavier, Jacob was someone you traveled with, right?"

The pirate nodded. "Yup, he was a member of the CIF. We ended up joining forces to stop the Guardians. Now he's at Kingston, impersonating a hero role to protect the shards of the jewel."

"Hm, right." Helena responded. "Atlas and Jacob, and now Maya and Luna. You've sure done a lot in these past few months, cap."

Xavier could tell something was off with Helena, she was acting odd. While the pirate had a bit of a hunch, he wasn't in a position to confront her about it. Not while the group needed to stay together.

They arrived back at the ship and pushed off from Alport, sailing close to the island's coast as they approached Kingston. The Kingston-Caros strait was a channel of water that separated Kingston and Caros.

It could be cleared in a shockingly low amount of time, which made it a great location for Clamerates to have access to. Maya and Luna marveled at the island as the group moved around it, and Kingston could be spotted in the distance.

They sailed into the channel, and it wasn't long before they spotted a small party of Kingston ships sailing the waters. They seemingly had no interest in landing on Caros, only sailing the waters to cause trouble.

Xavier grinned as they got closer to the ships. "Alright, let's dispatch these boats. Nice and easy!"

"C-captain, are you sure we can just engage them?" Helena confirmed. "We haven't fought many Kingston ships in the past."

Xavier shook his head. "We haven't, I have. And Kingston ships are overrated."

Helena looked off to the side when he said this and clutched her axe. "Take the lead, captain."

Xavier couldn't put up with it anymore, and decided to just ask her. "Helena, what's wrong? You're not acting like yourself. Be honest with me, please."

His second in command sighed. "Cap, I just feel like things have changed so much. I still want to be your second in command, but how can I when I barely know what's happened or what you've done? And I tried to hide it from the crew, but it isn't the same running the ships without you."

The vulnerability caught Xavier a bit off guard, and he wasn't sure of how to respond. The pirate shook his head. "Helena, I know it seems like everything has changed. I was in a sea of chaos, and it's hard to keep track of. I can barely explain it all myself. However, I'm extremely happy I now have my crew to help me chart this sea. And if you ever get caught up in it, that's not a problem. I'm sorry if you feel left behind, I've needed you all more than ever. And I hope you know that."

Helena started to tear up a bit, and grinned. "Thanks Cap, I really needed to hear that." Xavier and Helena shook hands, and they turned their attention back to the ships. "I await your orders."

"Just bust 'em up, and do it fast!" Xavier flexed his fingers, and then summoned a giant icicle that pierced the hull of one of the ships.

Helena tossed her axe at another one, while Maya fired off a bolt of lightning. Luna unleashed several balls of dark magic.

The dark magic reacted with the lightning, creating a massive explosion that consumed a few ships.

Helena spun at the axe around, decimating one of the remaining ships. She called it back to her once the job was thoroughly done. And Xavier turned his attention to the final boat.

Xavier was about to demolish the ship, when their own boat was suddenly jerked towards Kingston. Xavier had no idea what caused the sudden jolt, but it happened again. The pirate looked around, but couldn't identify what was moving their ship.

The boat quickly washed aboard the Kingston shore. "What in the name of the Maker is going on?" Xavier wondered, getting out to push his boat back out to see.

"Why, we just caught some fish with our bait." A voice echoed from the woods ahead of them. Xavier turned to see a tall woman with black hair approach them. She had a wooden staff in her hand, and was wearing a blue dress. "If it isn't the Ice Pirate himself!"

Maya seemed to shoot lightning from her eyes. "And who the hell are you?"

The woman narrowed her eyes. "I'd watch my mouth if I were you." Tendrils of water shot from the ocean and grabbed ahold of everyone's arms. "I am Lady Serene of Alport, your worst nightmare."