''Everyone is dead.''
Looking outside the window, the old man started telling his story.
''And none of us could do anything to stop it.''
''Stop what?'' Aster asked.
''The False Dawn. One of the 4 emperors of the sea.''
The old man took a long pause.
''We were after a generational treasure, a treasure which sent all pirates across the world into a frenzy. In the process, we ran into an emperor's crew.''
Silence descended on the caravan.
''Then, why did they let you live? And why are you here with the rest of us?''
The old man sighed.
''Their captain…is known for being a prominent figure in the slave trade. I'm not sure why, but they decided to send me here. Perhaps he thought that this would be a good punishment for chasing what he sought.''
''Uh…what does sought mean?'' The teenage boy asked, it seemed that everyone wanted to ask the same thing.
''Forget it.'' The old man hissed and pinched his nose bridge.
Then, he looked out the window again.
''None of this matters anyway.''
''How does this not matter? They killed your crew, took away your dream and freedom, and made you a slave.'' Aster couldn't help but ask.
He couldn't fathom the old man's last statement.
Looking away from the window, his gaze landed on Aster. He seemed to look at him intently.
''What is your name, boy?''
''Aster.''
''Aster huh, that has a nice ring to it.'' He smiled, as if recalling something.
''Why are you aski-'' Aster was going to ask before getting interrupted.
''We all tread down very different paths, all hoping to reach a certain place. I, too, used to only care about the destination.''
''But slowly, I experienced things. And as time passed, I lost everything. I didn't reach the final destination I wished to reach.''
''Instead, I was met with a conclusion I never predicted, nor desired.''
''I was lost, trapped within these chains I never chose.''
''But that's when I learnt, sometimes, it isn't about the outcome. What has always mattered was the journey towards it. The bonds we create, the emotions we feel, and the lessons we learn.''
''In the end, we are all just side characters in a huge world. No one will care if we cry, fear or beg. So we must learn to appreciate what we have.''
''Because at the lowest of times, even nothing is a blessing.''
—————————————————————————————————
Hours rolled by, and soon enough, they had arrived at Greyfield.
The city was divided into an inner and outer segment.
The open market was found on the inner segment, while houses were found on the outer. This was so farmers could be right next to the land and crops.
Currently, they are in the inner segment.
Unending lines of stalls and people selling all kinds of products could be seen.
The first to step out were the slavers, along with Sir Watkins.
Next, the slaves left their caravans and got tied up in a long line. They were tied by ropes.
Looking down at his tied hands, a small smile graced his face.
'You lot are a lot dumber than I thought. Ropes? It's like you ask for chaos.'
He turned his head left and right to take in his surroundings as they walked.
'I wonder where this black market is.'
''Everyone, we have arrived.'' Sir Watkins claimed.
Everyone looked visibly confused, they were standing in front of a trash container.
''A melody flows throughout the ages, the tales of numerous beings unforgotten within its melody. Dracora.''
Sir Watkins started reciting with a solemn look on his face. Making the confusion on their faces grow more apparent.
''What are you doin-'' One of the slavers was about to ask before the trash container suddenly opened.
Wild tendrils rushed out of it and grabbed everyone watching this scene in horror.
'Shit! What the hell is this?!' Aster thought in a panic as he tried to do something. But he was powerless against the tendrils, and so was everyone else.
Everyone present was pulled into the trash container by the tendrils.
Into another world.
—————————————————————————————————
(Aster's pov)
Purple, red, blue, orange, green, yellow.
My vision was dyed in those colours, flowing together in straight lines as if they were a melody.
These colours rushed by me, twisting and swirling around each other.
I couldn't feel my physical body.
Like I was a spectator to this cosmic sight.
It felt otherworldly, like a scene out of a dream.
[ ■■■■ ]
A distant echo resounded.
It sounded...
Wait, what did it say?
What was that?...
….
As if answering my question, I felt a ticklish sensation run through my entire body.
Slowly, I regained the ability to reopen my eyes.
And what I saw...
Hooded men, blood, absurd buildings.
...
So…this is the black market.