"Cody! I never thought I'd end up thanking the person who hijacked my ship, but you were a big help." The captain laughed as he stepped into his quarters. Cody was busy getting ready to leave.

  "Haha, true, but the circumstance weren't the best." Cody replied as he gathered his gear.

  "Yes, that's right. Are you planning to stay in Gulress?" The captain asked casually.

  "For a bit probably, not forever though, I get the sense my journey has just begun." Cody replied as he pulled his bag onto his shoulder.

  "Ah, of course. I believe I'll stick around Gulress for a bit. Sell my stock and find some work from the locals who need a ship. Let me know when y'all plan to leave. You can hitch a ride again."

  "Captain-"

  "Jack, call me Jack."

  "Jack, you don't have to do that. I'm sure we'll find another ship. Besides, we could be here for awhile." Cody tried to assure him that it was fine.

  "I'll leave if it becomes too bothersome to stay alright." Jack laughed while slapping Cody's shoulder.

  "Fine, good luck man."

  "Same to you, hero."

  Cody's boots hit the dock with a thunk, after having finished his business with the captain he was now heading towards the capital of Gulress as it was the only city on the island. Of course there were small villages and tribes but none of them could be considered cities or even towns. The majority of the population lived in the city, though one of the most interesting parts about this place was actually the weather. Right here on the dock it was rather sunny and warm and it wouldn't be bad to go for a nice swim or play at the beach, however the closer you get to the center of the city the colder it gets. Though the reason for this is actually because of the elevation. The City of Gulress is a circular City that has multiple inner circles that are raised higher the further you go inward. That elevation is rather dramatic and about halfway towards the center it starts getting cold enough to snow. The castle at the center is always covered in snow.

  A thought crossed Cody's mind as he looked at the beach, it was Skarlet, Amber, and Beatrice playing on the beach in swimsuits. He shook his head quickly and started walking, he was already sweating just standing here in his winter gear. Looks like I'll have to pack up the winter stuff and maybe even get some lighter clothes. Not that the winter gear won't be helpful towards the center. But it's debatable if we'll even see the center. I'm being dragged around by Skarlet's whims so it'll depend on her.

  He could see the walls of the City, ironically named Gulress, though it was fitting as it was the only city on the island. This coastal town was set up against the wall of Gulress, making practically an extension of the city. It didn't take Cody long to find a Guild and he headed inside. Guild's were mostly impartial and existed with immunity in the various countries around the world. So he could obtain information about himself and Kozak without fear of being arrested or targeted.

  "Hello. I'm Grant" He was greeted by a young man with blue hair, small horns grew from his head and he wore glasses. There was a refined air about him, or maybe it was the book he had just been reading as he placed it down to greet Cody.

  "Hello, I'm Cody, here's my card. I would like to make an appointment with the Guild Master please." Cody placed his card down and pushed it under the glass, Grant took the card and read the details before pushing it back.

  "Alright Cody, I'll send your details to the Master, may I know where you're staying so a messenger can reach you when it's been decided." Grant asked casually while jotting down some information on a piece of paper.

  "Uh, sorry I just got into town I haven't picked an inn yet." Cody couldn't help scratching his cheek a bit in nervousness.

  "Oh yes that's right. Here, it almost slipped my mind but you're name seemed familiar." Grants eyes suddenly lit up as he thought about it. He then stood up and turned around. He grabbed a letter off the desk behind him and handed it to Cody.

  "Uh this is?" Cody took the letter in slight confusion before asking.

  "A recommendation and a referral. There's an address there and it should take you to an Inn give them this and the first two nights are on the house." Grant explained with a smile as he finished jotting down the information on his own paper and then folded it.

  "Who's it from?" Cody asked as he began to leave.

  "The Guild Overseer in Kozak, apparently it's an apology or something. It wasn't specified." Grant satisfied his curiosity before picking up his book once more.

  "Thanks."

  "Don't mention it."

  Cody gazed at the inn in surprise, it was a nice place. Reasonably priced but still on the expensive side, he sighed before stepping inside where another receptionist greeted him. This time a young girl who looked about twelve, she had her hair in two tails and was sitting really straight. She had light pink hair and cute little horns that peeked out from the hair on her head. Cody searched his memory to try and determine what race they were, and an old text he'd read in the Kozak library had been about Gulress. The book had a catalog of the races, the race he was looking at was probably an ogre. Well technically not the same as the monster ogres, it is said that the dark God had made races from the monsters. Using the god of lights beautiful races he tried to match it using the blood of monsters. The girl standing before him was born from that, with the blood of the monster known as ogre but with beauty and the intelligence of man.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  There were plenty of races made like that but the church denounced them some even went extinct due to the church's witch hunts. And around 400 years ago after the Demon King was slain the church did a really good job of scaring the world. To protect themselves a majority of the beast and monster races all came to Gulress, an uninhabited Island, and they made their home.

  Cody passed the letter of recommendation to the girl who read it before frowning lightly.

  "Um, I'm really sorry sir. I'll be right back." She clasped her hands together in apology, her light one-piece dress fluttered as she spun around. Pigtails dancing as she disappeared into the back.

  Cody sighed and rested his elbow on the desk, he was carrying two swords. One was sheathed on his back while the other was sheathed at his waist. He drew his back sword and glanced at it, the sword that Skarlet always had close to her. Since he'd separated it from her it had slowly changed the way it looked. It had a beautiful black obsidian blade and a crossguard that looked like a fallen angel's wings. A red jewel sat between the crossguard and Cody couldn't help but feel like it was gazing at him. He frowned as he traced his finger down the blade.

  "Sorry for the wait. Sir Hero, here's the key to your room." A mature woman's voice broke him from his thoughts and he turned to look at the woman. She was older and had grey hair, the same small horns peaked through her hair. She was offering Cody a key with a card hanging off it. The number thirteen was written on the card.

  "Um, no problem ma'am, thank you." He was hesitant at first but took the key anyways, she smiled slightly mischievously.

  "Is something the matter?" She asked politely, but he just shook his head with a sigh before heading up the stairs. "The Overseer of Kozak's guild said that you would appreciate the number thirteen. Sorry it was a harmless joke. Though I myself do not get it." She smiled and Cody couldn't help but laugh.

  "Yeah, it's something from my home. A superstition, thirteen is supposedly bad luck. However no evidence supports it so it's really just a silly superstition." He explained with a more relaxed face. "I feel at ease knowing that it was a joke. I would be anxious if you had unknowingly given that number though."

  "Ah, I will keep that in mind for any future otherworlders." She bowed and he returned the bow before continuing up the stairs.

  Cody pushed open his room's door and stepped inside. It was a nice room. Two beds, a table with chairs, and a partition between. There was also a balcony, and a small cooking area closer to the door. He stepped inside and took the two sword sheaths off and set them down on the table. he also took his cloak off and hung it on the coat rack near the door. Then he sat down on the bed and relaxed for a moment.

  I wonder how Beatrice and Skarlet are doing? He thought for a moment before bringing his mind back to his future. Actually, I wonder if I've changed my fate at all. I wish I could talk to Amelia.

  Knock knock

  A sound at the door got his attention, he stood up and approached the door. Pulling it open revealed a young man, he had slightly pointed ears and red eyes. He was wearing high quality clothes and a cap pulled down on his head. He had a pouch and he reached into it before pulling out two letters.

  "For Cody." He spoke, a young voice, the letters were pushed towards Cody. He took them gratefully and thanked the boy. He just nodded and turned to leave, Cody closed the door while reading the letters. The first one was addressed to him from the guild so he opened it.

  Sir Cody, my name is Grussel, I'm the Guild Master of the Guild you visited. However I'm also the Overseer, there's only one city and town on this island so I'm the manager of all the branches. I've accepted your desire to meet and I've attached the address of the main branch I stay at to the bottom of the letter.

  I'll be free to meet you two days from now, when you arrive simply tell the receptionist your name and that you have an appointment. I'll see you soon Sir Hero.

  That was the gist of the letter, he smiled as he folded the letter back up and set it on the table. His eyes now moved to the second letter, it was addressed from- Cody paused as he read the name.

  Princess Sapphire

  He frowned almost immediately, isn't that too fast, how'd they know I was here? What does she want?

  He couldn't help but worry as he opened the letter and began to read.

  Dear Sir Cody,

  I'm writing to you as I've been informed of your arrival on my island. As a man of many accomplishments for the people I greatly respect you and would love to invite you to the castle. An important Guest like you shouldn't be stuck in a shabby inn by the sea. I've included a seal in the envelope to be used as intry to the castle. I am patiently awaiting your arrival.

  Sincerely, Sapphire

  Cody frowned even deeper, for some reason he had a bad feeling. But he sighed as his hands were tied, he couldn't go against Royalty. He couldn't help his pacing, as he tried to think of the best way to deal with this. Skarlet's face appeared in his mind and he paused by the table. His eyes landed on her sword, and his own. He took a moment to write a letter then he turned and got dressed, leaving a note on the table Cody stepped out from the room.

  It was more comfortable without his coat as he headed down the stairs. Passing by the reception he paused, the young ogre girl was running the reception again.

  "Hello miss, I have a companion I expect to arrive in the next couple of days. Her name is Skarlet and she's a black cat Lithian. Please show her to my room when she gets here." Cody asked politely.

  "Of course Sir Hero, l'll do my very best!" She saluted him rather clumsily causing him to smile.

  "I appreciate it. Thank you, have a nice day." Cody waved as he stepped out onto the street. He hitched a ride with a carriage heading into the city. Handing the driver a silver coin to pay for the ride, it was a merchant.

  "Got any swords back there?" Cody asked casually, pointing to the back with his thumb.

  "Ah, sure. You wanna buy one?" The merchant responded, glancing at Cody. Cody patted guys empty sheath.

  "Yeah, something basic, not too expensive. Just need something to put in my sheath you know?" Cody smiled and offered the merchant a bag of coin.

  "Of course, feel free to pick something when we stop." The merchant nodded with a laugh.