The Erratum

The figure raised its arm, extending it towards Cetas’ head.

Cetas leaned to the side, aiming to dodge, however, he couldn’t react quickly!

With only a hair’s length away, he suddenly saw a silver blade strike down on the fingertip, slicing it cleanly.

Looking to the right, he saw Reid’s dark expression — his eyes stormy gray and face focused on the figure.

He saw it too!

That’s right, Reid’s specialty in Metaphysical Zeal made him perceive the world differently!

After his swift gesture, a strong wind pushed Cetas back, making him fall down to the sand cushioned by the wind. He fell on his rear, using his hands to support his weight.

Skadi reacted quickly.

Although she couldn’t see the humanoid figure, she trusted Reid’s vision and protected Cetas immediately.

The figure disappeared from Cetas’ view, reappearing away from the crew, gaining distance with every second.

It’s fleeing!

However, its speed wasn’t quite useful in this situation.

Everywhere around them, the winds caved in and formed a domain where everything is pushed inside.

However, it wasn’t a simple one with winds covering its edges. Instead, she imbued the essence of a Metaphysical by utilizing a charm in her left hand.

So, once the humanoid figure reached its outer walls, it got deflected and was stuck inside.

It turned around, looking at Skadi.

Just then, Reid was already upon it. He carried his silver blade with his right hand and adjusted his body to strike.

He made a faint, tricking the figure into thinking that he would strike in its left side, however, Reid ducked and twisted his body around.

Then, he struck!

But the figure survived the blow, containing the blade with only a shallow cut in its lower body.

It then counterattacked, slamming Reid in the stomach and sending him far to the edge of the domain.

He landed on his feet, balancing perfectly.

Then, he ran back to the crew.

Cetas observed as the figure stood in place, observing what to do next. Naturally, it was stronger than Reid in terms of raw power, however, Reid’s Unique Zeal allowed him to touch the souls of his enemies.

It seems that the humanoid figure made out of Cetas’ sands had an innate element to souls.

But Cetas knew not to underestimate it.

There was something amiss!

As Reid made his way back, Jones immediately healed the bruises that he suffered upon impact.

"What is that thing?" Reid asked.

"It’s the will of the Zeal Essence inhabiting a soul, creating a sentient incorporeal being — A ghost." Skadi shared with the crew.

Upon hearing this, Elishia’s body shuddered.

"A ghost? So what those people were saying are connected! They mentioned something about a ghost!"

Skadi focused on Reid.

"You have to be careful, none of us can see it except for you and Cetas. I will provide the necessary support for you but I can’t guarantee a full one."

Encouraged, Reid narrowed his eyes and nodded.

As the creature observed, it looked at Reid and tilted its head to the right, looking as if it had snapped.

Then, the sands around it vanished, reappearing in a striking motion near the crew.

However, Reid was fast, blocking the blow with his silver sword.

As the two clashed, Cetas made his way back near the crew.

"Cetas.." Skadi leaned down to him, "I want you to use your Ivory Flintlock and support Reid whenever he’s in a pinch. I know that you have an exceptional talent for shooting, that’s why you must remain focused."

"Aye." He inclined his head and reached for the Ivory Flintlock in his waist."

After loading a couple bone bullets into it, Cetas faced towards where Reid and the ghost were fighting.

But what could he do?! Even Skadi’s winds could not affect the ghost without some sort of special aid. So how can mere bone bullets damage the ghost?

His eyes darted around trying to follow their movements. However, he could not keep up!

They’re too fast!

There was a vast difference between a Spark and a Mid-Level Acumen!

But Cetas didn’t give up and remained engrossed.

Reid struck the ghost in its right side, however, the ghost blocked it easily.

The Sands of History was slow, so in Cetas’ perspective, sands appeared then reappeared near Reid. And then suddenly, Reid was forced to retreat.

The sands then showed the ghost making a striking gesture. Then, it reappeared near Reid once more.

Although Reid’s movements were fast, Cetas could not perceive the ghost fast enough with his Sands of History.

The two clashed for a while, their immense speed making Cetas not see any sort of opportunity to help.

Sometimes, when Reid was pushed back to the sand below, his body would get carried up by the winds.

Reid twisted his body around when he lunged on the ghost, the sands below halting his full speeds.

Then, he used his mobility to make a horizontal crescent slash. However, the sands around the ghost appeared then reappeared away from him.

It dodged!

Reid gritted his teeth.

The strands of his white hair were laid down, covering his eyes and hiding his face. As his eyes glistened gray, Reid held his blade firmly.

As the two fought, Cetas went into deep contemplation.

Since Reid is the one fighting, then could Elemental and Physical Zeal attacks be useless against the ghost?

If so, then how can I improvise? I have no Metaphysical Zeal to back me up!

The Sands of History? No, so far it doesn’t have any offensive capabilities. Life? I can’t risk utilizing a Conceptual Zeal, still, I don’t even know how!

Then what about..

Cetas’ eyes widened.

He recalled the words of the people in Mirage Island.

They were begging for Life!

However, using a Conceptual Zeal might prove to be dangerous for Cetas. For all he knew, based on the warnings of the Historian, his status as a Spark can’t contain such a strong Zeal!

But there was one thing that the people in Mirage Island said.

Water!

But how could an Elemental Zeal affect a ghost?

If even Skadi’s winds didn’t work, then how would his Zeal fare?

Anyhow, if Skadi had a Zeal Weapon to handle such a being, then why didn’t she just use her winds to inflict damage?

It was because Skadi couldn’t see the foe, if she randomly attacked then her crew might get hurt in the process.

Cetas figured out that it must be that..

So, it was up to him to figure it out.

He looked at Skadi, and at the charm she held in her hand.

"What does it do?"

Skadi noticed Cetas and turned her head towards him.

"This? This is a charm that applies Metaphysical properties to my winds, however, its potency is limited. I can only conjure a domain of this size with this charm, any larger, then it would break easily."

Cetas understood, and with that, he began to ask once more:

"Then would it work with my water? If I have an opportunity to shoot, I might be able to help Reid with it!"

"Cetas, I appreciate your idea but if I let go of this charm then the domain surrounding the ghost will vanish, giving it the chance to flee.."

"That’s.. I hadn’t considered that."

She was right!

If given the chance to flee, most likely, the ghost would be able to! Since its strength is higher than Reid, then there’s no guarantee that the guard of the Aegir Pirates would be able to catch up with it.

From the looks of it, in the battle of the two, Reid was the one on the losing side.

"But at this rate, Reid will lose.." Cetas let out his concern.

Right then and there, he felt a soft hand pat his head.

"Trust in Reid, he still has some cards to play. But in the low chance that things get bad, let’s devise a new plan." Skadi said, ruffling Cetas’ hair.

"I’ll let go of this charm and you inject your Zeal to it immediately. Take aim and then shoot while the ghost runs."

Skadi looked at Cetas.

"Can you do that?"

Cetas gave off a quick nod.

*

Back at Reid’s fight, his stamina was slowly becoming depleted. Facing off a battle against a ghost was not easy! If a normal person were to ever face one then they would immediately succumb to its lethal prowess.

After all, fighting something you can’t see is harder than it sounds!

Thankfully, Reid’s Zeal allowed him to have a better vision of things that are in the Metaphysical Zeal.

In his perspective, the ghost was a simple illusory humanoid figure that resembled a man in his middle age. The figure was short but not as short as Elishia or Cetas.

He couldn’t see what finer details were there but Reid didn’t care.

Seeing its figure was enough already!

Reid jumped back, recuperating his lost stamina.

Then, he glared at the ghost.

It seems that the way the ghost fought was through its fist. It possessed a harrowing strength, outclassing him in a clash of brawn.

But even with its strength, Reid’s swift blow could deal lethal damage to the ghost.

So, the ghost couldn’t let out its full strength. It had to be wary of counter attacks and tricky blows.

And that was Reid’s specialty! He struck from the shadows, cutting enemies in half when they least expected it.

’This ghost is clever..’ Reid inwardly thought.

As he observed the ghost, the ghost observed back, studying Reid’s every move and attack.

The will of the Mirage Island’s Zeal essence was potent!

Or perhaps it was the Soul that made the ghost deadly.

Either way, they could’ve supported each other.

’Just who does this Zeal Essence belong to?’

Reid breathed deep.

Then, he struck again!

This time, he aimed for the ghost’s neck. Seeing as the ghost had already adapted to his tricks, Reid simply went for a barbaric clean slice.

The ghost thought that Reid was going to feint, so it moved its body backward. However when it saw Reid’s blade forming an arc near its neck, the ghost retreated in the distance.

’So it got scared?’

It was ironic.

A ghost being scared of a human.

’I should end this. I have already taken enough damage.’

Reid sheathed his blade, then crouched down to the sand. Then, he closed his eyes, letting his perception of the Metaphysical Zeal take over.

All around him, illusory sands and waves appeared. The world looked as if it were twisted, seemingly on the brink of vanishing.

Then, he retained his focus, gathering all the energy he had used into his Zeal.

His Zeal, although Reid’ hadn’t run out of it yet, became instantly replenished.

Then, upon being full, it continued to be replenished, creating an excess Zeal in his body.

Naturally, this would be dangerous for a Zealot as they would risk losing control! However, Reid was different.

He created a skill based on this fact alone.

As the ghost saw Reid gathering up strength, it immediately knew that it was in danger.

The ghost quickly jumped towards Reid’s direction and if Cetas saw this, then the ghost would have appeared and reappeared in the sands.

But as it made its way to Reid’s figure, a harrowing sensation filled the air.

Everything became colder.

And in a second, Reid was in front of the ghost, staring at it with terrifying eyes.

Then, Reid struck its neck!

The ghost fell to the ground. And its head..

Was still intact!

Reid failed!

’Damn it!’

Suddenly, the wind domain around them vanished!

The ghost noticed this and only had one thought in its mind. If it even had a mind, that is.

To escape!

It stood up, turning around and aiming to head towards the jungle.

However, before it could even move, a bone bullet infused with water headed towards the ghost’s head.

And it struck!

The ghost fell to the ground once more!

*

I did it!

Cetas looked at the ghost’s body covered in sand. He didn’t know if a hole made its way to its illusory head but Cetas was satisfied that his method worked!

A second passed and then a few more but the ghost didn’t move an inch!

So, understanding the situation based on Cetas and Reid’s reaction, Skadi looked over to Jones and gestured to her.

Jones immediately ran towards Reid and began healing him.

The crew, too, made their way towards the young man.

"I couldn’t deal the final blow.." Reid gritted his teeth.

"It’s alright, it was because of you that we took it down. None of us could’ve ever held on for that long."

He slowly nodded.

"..Aye."

"But still, that thing was quite the formidable foe.. Great job, Reid."

Elishia gave him a thumbs up, a large smile painted on her face.

Just as they were talking, Cetas looked over to the ghost’s figure, covered in sands that changed every second.

However..

"Huh?"

Cetas couldn’t believe what he saw..

At first he thought that it was the Sands of History that created this vision, however, there was something else!

The ghost’s figure was.. turning real!

From where Cetas struck it, a head was regenerating!

It resembled the face of a wrinkled man with silver hair and a short silver beard, it had wide eyes and a frozen expression. However, once the head fully regenerated, it shifted its gaze towards Cetas.

From the neck down, the ghost began to regenerate its body.

Cetas couldn’t help but scream.

"Skadi!"