Once close enough to Erpath, Semya's home island they first dock towards the nearest bridge, everyone gets ready then Captain Moed walks towards Semya and Narrow. As he noticed Semya's uneasy feeling about returning to his original home so suddenly, they saw he was approaching them and stood tall yet Semya almost felt hesitant to speak.
"Do you need something Captain"
"Not yet Narrow, but I think it is perfect if we bring Semya along. He's the only one who knows the island better than any of us, he'll become our guide, what do you say Semya, are you in."
Semya was surprised to hear such a request from Captain Moed.
But Semya still has a feeling of doubt swelling inside as he looks forward to his home island "are you sure? None of my people had ever accepted for who I am? And it's all thanks to this arm?" Semya uses his normal hand to hold onto his sharp and scaly claw, almost disgusted at the thought seeing certain people who used to make his life miserable as possible. Staring at his dragon arm, so different from his body and hated by the sight of his people.
Though in his thoughts, Captain Moed puts his hand onto Semya's shoulder getting his attention "Semya remember, anyone has a redeeming quality to them. It doesn't matter what you look like, it only matters only here" Captain Moed points towards Semya's chest "remember that okay."
Semya nodded "okay, Captain. I'm in"
Captain Moed smiled proudly "that's all I need to hear."
Captain Moed then gathered Sally, Luughead, Kalkeck and two more crew members before heading onto the island "alright Narrow, twins you'll be on guard duty be sure to keep her from any danger"
"Yes Captain" Narrow, and the twins said in unison.
"Alright everyone lets go."
They all got off the ship and headed onto the docks and were quickly greeted by the residents of the people of Erpath.
"Oh pirates of the sea, what business do you have in our village good sir"
"We like to see your village chief. If that is okay with you"
"Sure our chief is due north from our village, hope you find what you're looking for…"
The crew then started to go towards the house of the village chief, one of the villagers took a quick glimpse at Semya and was quick to be afraid "it's him! The curse!!" The village guards immediately hold their weapons against Captain Moed and his crew, taking them all by surprise, but Semya sighed at the sight.
"Here we go again" Semya feeling numb for being hated for years.
"Semya what do you mean again?"
"What are you talking about Luughead look at them his people obviously hate him, can never have a peaceful time with island folk"
"Yes Sally, I see that but they don't have to be jerks to Semya" as Luughead and Sally are having a conversation with each other Captain Moed is trying to ease the situation. "Alright everyone let's be respectful people here"
"Respectful?! How could a pirate like you say that when you brought the plague into our village"
"Semya is also a resident in your village, don't let judgement be the deciding factor."
As to all the arguments everyone is having with the other almost drawing their own weapons to defend themselves along with Captain Moed trying to calm the situation. But then the village chief comes to stop the whole situation after witnessing his own people trying to attack some visitors from the sea "what seems to be the problem" as the village chief looks at Semya, surprised to see him here.
"Chief Mazof" he waved at him subtly
"Semya" he sighed
"I see the village hasn't changed one bit since my departure"
"Though from your departure from Erpath the village still strife to make a good harvest"
Captain Moed quickly intervenes into their conversation "alright Semya let me have a talk with the village chief"
The chief looked at the Captain "and who are you?"
"I am Captain Moed, the leader of Founders Seek"
"Pirates I assume. Well as we should welcome any outsiders who come to our island, and as an island full of merchants you may take a look around the our humble village"
"But sir, the plague" then the villager who was talking about Semya, gets punched by the chief along with a stern stare at his people "as of today Semya is now a pirate and will be welcome, even though he may no longer live among us, it is our duty to welcome anyone no matter who they are, do you understand"
"yes chief."
The guards and aggressive villagers then backed away, allowing the crew to roam freely into the village of Erpath the crew started to explore while Captain Moed had a talk with Chief Mazof.
"So Semya, what does your village have?" Luughead asked honestly.
Semya shrugged his shoulders "well we do have a huge abundance of fish after all its also a fishing sight tho the fish you guys always eat isn't special here" Semya pointed towards the few fishermen present near the docks.
"Well fish is fish, it's good"
"Luughead don't go snacking off without a reason"
"Fine Kalkeck have it your way"
"There is also a blacksmith here. I believe Xavier lived here and was given great tools for our village. Though I heard the master has long since passed away"
Sally sighed "shame I would've loved for him to inspect my weapons"
They kept walking through the village and a lot of residents started eying the crew "hey Semya for some reason everyone is giving you the side eyes"
"It is due to my appearance." He shows everyone his dragon arm "Ever since I was born I was shunned by everyone, it was only my mother who cared for me"
"Sounds like you went through hell. If I were in your shoes I would show resilience"
"Sally don't push it"
"You're probably right. But until she died due to unknown illness I lived alone for years"
"Unknown illness, did you try to find a doctor?"
"I tried but when they see me they immediately ignore me as if I was a boar in a herd of pigs"
"Sound ruff"
"Please let's treat this as another vacation"
However on their walk around the village they were suddenly stopped by someone who stood in front of them and looked at Semya with a vendetta against him "well looked who the freak dragged in"
"Azin long time no see" he said sarcastically
"I see you've even brought friends, never thought I see the day"
Semya sighed and felt even more annoyed since coming back to the island, as he was expecting this but didn't think it would be more annoying seeing someone who used to torment him for a long time "what do you want Azin. Or are only here to make me miserable as you've been doing it all my life"
Then one of the crew heads down to ask Semya "Azin, who's this guy?"
"He's just a bully with no friends. It's best if you ignore him" as Semya tries to go away from Azin he stands beside and pushes Semya.
"You've always been a coward Semya, not having the guts to fight back" Semya tries to get back up but was pushed again by Azin, Luughead tries to stop Azin but Sally stopped him "Sally what are you doing"
But before he could protest, he saw the biggest smile on her face "this is Semya's problem not yours, its his and only his"
Semya tries to get up one more time and sees Azin trying to push him and dodges Azin's attack and retaliates by punching Azin in the face.
"Now that's the spirit" Sally quickly praises Semya and let out a big laugh of satisfaction even some of the crew members were surprised by. Azin wiped his nose off and saw the blood. He started feeling nervous "you… you're going to pay for this!"
Azin tries to fight Semya, but thanks to his training Azin was easily defeated "Azin I don't want to fight, but if you keep continuing this fight then I might as well start trying"
"I'm not scared I throw rocks at you everyday, yet you don't give a damn"
"Maybe it's because I moved on, from being terrorized by you everyday. Learn to grow a backbone" then they all leave Azin to his despair lying on the ground as they all walk further and further away from Azin.
(End of chapter 9)