A trip to Sparta.

Chapter 25: The road ahead.

“Not there, you fool!” Basilius barked, his voice booming over the bustling preparations as the Black Rose crew worked tirelessly to ready the Trireme. One of the men sheepishly scrambled to fix his mistake, nearly dropping a second crate in the process.

Our time in Delphi was coming to an end. As we prepared to sail, the weight of our next destination settled heavily in my chest. Sparta awaited, and with it, more uncertainty and peril. “Hey, Basilius. Need a hand?” I offered, stepping forward after finishing my share of the tasks.

He glanced over, shaking his head with a wry smile. “No, thank you. The only thing left is getting the cargo into the hold, and I’m confident they can manage. Or at least, they’d better.” He shot a sharp glare at the clumsy crewman, who visibly stiffened. Turning back to me, his expression softened. “I’d rather you focus on making sure you haven’t left anything behind, and saying your goodbyes.” A sly grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I’m sure Lissandra will miss you.

Caught off guard, I scratched the back of my head. “Yeah, I should thank you for everything, actually.”

“For what?” he asked, though his smirk suggested he already knew the answer.

“You’ve been... incredible,” I admitted. “Not just as a captain but as a person. Treating us like part of your crew instead of just passengers, most wouldn’t have bothered.”

Basilius folded his arms, his tone softening. “To be honest, I’ve grown fond of you lot. You’re good people. Watching you stand against **** itself without flinching, it’s damn impressive. Few have the courage to risk everything for the sake of others, let alone inspire the kind of trust you’ve managed with your companions.”

“I only do what I must,” I said, hoping to deflect some of the praise.

“No,” he countered, his voice firm. “You do it because it’s right. Don’t lose that, lad. I’ve seen too many good men falter under pressure, and you’ve got more of it on your shoulders than most. Trust me.” He chuckled, gesturing at my hair. “It’s no wonder your hair’s already white.”

I laughed, appreciating the levity as our conversation drifted to lighter topics.

“Looks like you’re ready for the high seas,” came a melodic voice from behind us. Lissandra’s radiant presence was enough to still the air. Even amidst the noise of the dock, she commanded attention. Basilius gave me a knowing nod and stepped away to give us space. “You weren’t planning on leaving without saying goodbye, were you?” she teased, a playful glint in her eye.

“Never,” I said, clutching my chest in mock offense. “The thought would never even cross my mind.”

Her laugh was as warm as the sun. “So, to Sparta, then?”

I nodded. “Yes. We need to warn them about the Erebosian threat and try to rally their support. Plus, Ikaro and Iris have family matters to settle. If they can mend old wounds, it might give us a better chance at an audience with King Leonidas.”

“Spartans are a proud people,” she said, her tone shifting to one of wisdom. “Formidable and resilient, but not easily persuaded. Still, they respect strength and honor. If anyone can win their favor, it’s you.”

Her words carried both pride and concern, and I felt a pang of gratitude for her unwavering belief in me. “How are you all faring?” she asked, her voice softening.

“We’re better, thanks to your healers and the hospitality you’ve shown us. It was more than we could have asked for.”

“And the company?” she added, a teasing lilt in her voice.

I stepped closer, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Perfect,” I said, leaning in to kiss her.

Hmm I’m going to miss you, you know?” She said with a gorgeous smile. “But I’m sure our paths will cross again at some point, I think there’s still much to do and I believe we are going to have to work together more if we want to see your mission completed and the Erebosian defeated.”

“Hopefully, I wouldn’t mind share your bed again one more time.” I said as my hands lower themselves to her backside.

She let a soft moan “I wouldn’t mind either.” Then she remembered something “Almost forgot.” She added pulling from her bag a helmet, a gift. “I think it was only wise you protect that beautiful face of yours.”

I inspected the helmet carefully; the quality was beyond impressive clearly this was done for someone of renown in the city. The helmet was a Corinthian helmet of high quality, not masterwork like the quality of Dawn but still of high standard. The helmet was of a brass gold colour with a crest of red of decoration, the helmet looked tough giving me good protection and flexibility as it also allowed my vision not to damper. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”

She gave me a tender smile happy seeing my appreciative of the gift “Don’t let it go over your head… I already gave each of your companions a parting gift.” She said teasing.

“I can tell this one is the most special.” I replied jesting back earning a chuckle

“Indeed. It belonged to one of greatest heroes, I think it’s only right the Hero of Delphi should inherit it now. Besides.” She got closer giving me a kiss on the cheek “I like to see you still alive.” Earning a smile from me.

“I will, I promise.”

The group and I boarded the Black Rose, waving goodbye to Lissandra as the trireme set sail. The journey ahead promised to be far more grueling than our previous voyage from Corinth to Delphi, as the high seas tested not only our endurance but also our resolve. Under Basilius’s unerring command and expert navigation, however, the crew remained steadfast in their belief that we would reach our destination safely. The days stretched endlessly, marked by storms that battered the ship, the oppressive sun during calmer weather, and the ceaseless motion of the vessel that tested even the hardiest among us.

One afternoon, as the ship rocked gently under the late sun, I spotted Noor seated on a crate near the railing. Her entire focus was consumed by the thick tome in her hands the Celestia Ataraxia. Her lips moved imperceptibly as if rehearsing an incantation, and her brows furrowed deeply in concentration.

“Enjoying the book?” I asked, stepping closer. My voice, though soft, startled her enough that she snapped the tome shut and clutched it protectively.

“Fuck... you startled me.” she exclaimed, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of annoyance and embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, I wanted to see how you were doing.” I said comforting her.

She exhaled sharply, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “It’s okay I’m… deep in thought with this thing. I knew it’s was impressive but now that I’m reading it It’s just… wow.” She replied genuine impressed by the depth of the Celestia Ataraxia.

“What are you reading right now or what have you read by now?” I Inquire intrigued as well and as always enjoying my talks with Noor, I think it’s her charm and her wisdom that are so captivating to me.

“I started studying a couple of days ago so I’m not that deep yet but I already read some stuff absolute incredible and some others that well… they are fucked up. Seriously this book is a like an open library to most impressive high arcane knowledge and the darkest.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, though I knew from what she told me, this book locked hidden knowledge that could be dangerous in the wrong hands.

“Well for starters I read some spells that could be useful to us, how to amplify my own spells or conjuration and some alchemy and medicine which is amazing to learn.” She explained.

“That’s good.” I said pleased at her discovers.

“That’s the good side the other… well. Let’s say they are nightmare like in some cases.” She spoke. “For example, there are like 3 full pages on just how to open up and dissect a corpse for “medicinal” reasons according to the sorcerer who wrote these pages, then he goes on about how to reanimate the corpse. Then there are curses like torturing, blood magic and invocation of beings beyond our plane which for me what sounds like something only a mad man would do.” She saif genuinely shocked at the darkness and light mashed together in the pages of the book.

“That’s bad.” I added concerned.

“I wanted to ask your opinion about that… Look. I was planning on reading this whole book and that includes the nasty parts like the ones I mentioned, despite the dark magic written here, they can give us an advantage to us on combat and on our mission.” She said as she put the book away and looked at me in the eyes with a serious look, this tome, as much as it excited her, it scared her and she needed someone to talk to about what she discovered.

“At what cost? You said this book had blood magic and was able to invoke creatures from outside our spectrum. That doesn’t sound like it’s free of charge.” I muttered with a grim tone.

“That’s what I wanted your opinion on. I’m willing to take the risk but I’m afraid I might…” She struggled muttering the next words, her hands tightened around the tome, her knuckles whitening.

“Lose control?” I said, completing her sentence.

“…yes.” She answered genuine tone of fear “I know I can do it, but some of these spells require a lot from me and just a false step and I might injure any of you… I might hurt you.”

Gently, I reached out and lifted her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes. “You won’t. I trust you, Noor. You’re one of the strongest, most capable people I know. If anyone can navigate this, it’s you. And whatever you uncover, I’ll be here to help you shoulder the burden.”

Her lips parted as though to protest, but she stopped herself, exhaling slowly. “I just… need you to promise me something,” she said, her voice soft but resolute. Before I could respond, she pressed a finger to my lips, silencing me. “Let me finish. I’m telling you this now because I need you to understand. I know myself...I can be obsessive, especially when it comes to knowledge like this. If I lose myself to it, I need you to be ready to stop me.”

“Noor…” I began, my tone laced with concern., “you know what you are saying right?”

She gave me a small, sad smile, the weight of her fears still visible in her eyes “Yes, I’m fully aware. If I lose control I need you to end it, I want you to kill me.”