Across the Galaxy: A Pirate's Path to Glory

The family heirloom

The ship landed in Yoter, the landscape was much different from Sadotune and Peclite. The buildings didn’t seem to be very modern but much more ancient and lots of beautiful greenery was surrounded everywhere. It was almost as magical how Eviri once was. 

We got out from the ship and Tristen began to lead the way to his old home. He was quiet and fidgety, unusual to his usual confident nature. Sylas was walking beside him, their hands brushing against each other but they didn’t hold hands. I didn’t understand why they needed to hide it. But I didn’t question them, they probably had their reasons. 

Eventually, we arrived at a farmhouse. Animals were roaming around and eating grass or sleeping. In the distance, you could see a long dragon, fly around the sky. It was hard not to look. The dragons in Yoter is what makes them stand out so much. It’s like their gods they pray to, hoping they won’t spread fires or lighting all over. Living here seemed so simple… being in this beautiful nature all day, taking care of animals and just living simply. But thinking about it, it wasn’t something I longed for. Being used to my extravagant lifestyle, I couldn’t imagine settling down like this… It felt boring. Tristen probably felt the same. Which is why he left.

Zayn suddenly stopped me when Tristen arrived at the door. We backed a bit away, giving space. The door soon opened and an older woman opened it. She was well built, wearing simple clothing with minimal colour. She also had four arms just like her son. Tristen was explaining something, his hand kept rubbing the back of his head while his other arms were moving left to right, doing gestures. His mother didn’t say anything but just suddenly hugged him which made Tristen calm down and hug her back. I could hear the relieved sigh from Zayn.  

“Come on in. Let me make you some tea.” His mother offered and pulled Tristen inside and the rest of us followed after. Everything was simply decorated with few pictures here and there of the family. Everyone was curious to see how Tristen looked like when he was young, snapping a picture here and there as well. Then there was Krish as well. He looked more like his father, with four eyes. 

Everyone was later gathered in the living room where Tristen’s mother poured tea for all of us. 

“Ehem, mom. This is my crew.” Tristen then introduced us one by one. His mother gave us a respectful nod. 

“Nice to meet all of you. I’m Carline. I don’t have much but feel free to make yourselves at home!” I reached for my cup and began to blow on the hot beverage before taking a sip. 

“I know we came out of the blue mother but… We were thinking about the old legends you usually told me when I was younger. And… Thought maybe we have something that could lead us to the treasure, being the descendants of the legendary sisters.” Carline’s smile slowly faded as she looked at her son. 

“You can’t be serious… They are just legends. There is no way-”

“Dad always told you not to tell the stories but you still did. I know you are just as curious and hopeful as us.” She pressed her lips together then opened them before closing it again. She seemed to have something more to say, wanting to deny the fact but no words managed to come out of her. She ended up sighing and seemed to give in. 

“Just don’t tell anyone. It’s already hard to live alone. The neighbours are not too kind after having my sons leave for adventure.” Guilt flashed through Tristen’s eyes but before he got a chance to say something she stood up. 

“Wait here.” She left the room and came back after a few minutes with a rusty old box in her hand. 

“This box has always been with me for as long as I can remember. In our family generally.” She handed it to Tristen with care. 

“It’s said it was once owned by the Red captain, giving it to her sister as her final words. She probably kept it in the family. I hope this will help you on your journey.” 

“I’m sure it will, thank you mom” Tristen held the box while his mother has her hands underneath his. Then she slowly pulled away and cleared her throat. 

“Have you heard anything about Krish?” Her voice was slightly shaky as she had her arms wrapped around herself. 

“Not much. But he’s doing alright, mom.” Tristen smiled, placed down the box on the table and stood up. He seemed to be debating whenever he should hug her or not but he decided to place a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him and placed her hand on top of his and seemed relieved to know that her other son is doing alright as well.  

We stayed for dinner and helped her out a bit on the farm before we gathered on the ship and took off. We didn’t open the box until we had left the planet. It felt a bit bittersweet. I was happy that Tristen was able to meet his mom and be welcomed. I felt a bit guilty about leaving her all alone on the farm again but she did manage to take care of it alone for five years. If I was away for five years and came back to my family just like that, they probably wouldn’t talk to me… Or remember me for that matter. 

We sat in the meeting room and watched Tristen open the rusty box. He seemed extremely confused when he opened it and picked it up and showed it to the rest of us. It was an ancient golden pocket watch. 

“How is this a hint for the treasure?” Tristen placed it back in the box then put it down on the table, rubbing his temples at the same time he was running his hands through his hair, lightly pulling on it and sighed. Valerie picked up the box and began to observe it as well. 

“I’ll try and speak to the head captain. See if there is any job available for us.” Tristen stood up and sighed once more as he slowly walked out of the room. We took turns looking at the pocket watch. It wasn’t ticking either. Sylas and I tried to see if we could make it work again but as we were observing it, there was no way to revive it. Like someone purposely ruined the watch in a way to never be fixed again. 

“So in other words… It’s trash” Valerie noted and crossed her arms. None of us commented on her observation though. It was pretty insensitive to say after how Tristen’s mother handled it with such care. It was their family heirloom. 

“Great. This was a waste of time.” She groaned and just laid down across the couch, over Zayn. I bit my lip as I was looking at the watch. This is my fault… It was my idea to seek it out. 

We placed the heirloom into safekeeping and didn’t pay much more attention to it. My phone was stolen by Krish not long ago so I couldn’t check the media. But Zayn and Valerie were watching the news in the meeting room. 

“Ryu Tashido was celebrating his 26th birthday with a huge party at his family’s residents. Seems like he had a lot of sorrows to drown and ended up overdosing. Here’s an interview of his mother, mourning her son. Fun fact! Dahlia the now famed criminal is the daughter of the Tashido family-” My ears moved to the sound of my name. 

“Uhhh, Dahlia…” I heard Valerie calling out to me as well. I came rushing over just to see the body of my dead brother on the floor, pills surrounding him. Then it cut to the interview with my mom. 

“As a mother, we are usually prepared to have our kids leave the nest eventually. But I didn’t know I’d lose them both so soon. They were careless… And there is nothing I can do to save them. Ryu usually never shares his problems or worries but when his younger sister left without a word… It left a huge impact on him.” She shrugged and shook her head. If she was sad it didn’t show. Her voice was confident yet carried a bored tone. 

“Now I might return to my modelling career. Without family, I can now fully focus on it again.” Zayn turned it off and I could see the worried look from both of them. I felt the warmth of my tears running down my cheek. 

“I…” Blinking, I tried to stop my tears but they kept flowing. Zayn stood up and pulled me into his embrace. I didn’t know how to react. My mother just shrugged it off, blamed me for his death and they didn’t take it seriously. Just another famous person overdosing. Just another Sunday.