Salvation
Chapter two
The Falcon

Shadow made his way south of Rally’s house. The ninja was grateful that he was rescued in a port town. As he wondered about the city, he couldn’t help but look upon the faces of men, women, children...people. They looked joyful and content despite the obvious fact that the world was still dead. How can they be happy in a world like this? Shadow watched a boy and girl chase each other through the bumbling crowds. They laughed and played like normal little kids do, no different from any child. No more special then the next. Fools... The ninja thought, though deep inside something about these children being able to make the best of this gave him some hope that perhaps there still was a way to fix this world.

Shadow finally found the docks. Young sailors boarded the ship with heavy cargo balanced on their shoulders. The ninja also found what seemed to be a captain of this particular vessel. “Where’s your boat going to?”

The captain casually looked up at the ninja, a snide look to his hard face. “To South Figaro.”

“When are you leaving?”

“I don’t take passengers. My ship is fer cargo. If you wanna boat for passengers, yer gonna have to wait.” The captain flicked dirt from under his nail onto the ground and walked briskly passed him.

Asshole... Shadow sighed grimly. How long do I have to wait in this godforsaken shit hole? The ninja couldn’t see any closer ships. But he did notice the pub not to far from the docks. I can wait there...

Shadow made his way to the bar. Opening the pub doors, he could see that a small crowd of sailors, bums and hookers inhabited this certain tavern. Again the ninja let out an irritated sigh. It was bad enough he had to even mingle with these people, but now he had to be stuffed in the same space as them. Two seats were clear at the front bar table, so Shadow sat upon one of the ripped barstools. The bartender soon appeared with glasses for awaiting customers.

The ninja really couldn't care less if he was waited on. He wasn’t thirsty so he could have lingered around all day, but the fact that this place was so packed with people gave him a suffocating sensation. The barkeep soon came to Shadow.

The ninja asked for a shot of vodka.

To the right of him, a man ordered the same thing.

Shadow watched this stranger. In fact, he wasn’t sure if it was male or female, with all those layers of robes and hoods covering his face and body. Though this newcomer seemed strange enough by his looks, he had a mysterious air about him.

Shadow dismissed it and waited patiently for the bartender to fulfill his order. The ninja shifted uneasy in his seat.

The stranger besides him did the same.

Shadow raised a brow at this man. What the hell is he doing? Miming me? The ninja said nothing for he figured that this man was simply drunk and had nothing better to do with his time.

The barkeep slammed down the glass near the ninja, causing him to jump a little in his place.

Shadow drunk down the shot and waved for the bartender to bring another. The barkeep nodded and poured him another drink.

The man besides him asked for another as well.

Shadow decided that if he was to wait with this trash at least he was going to make sure he didn't have it copying his every move. The ninja calmly turned to the stranger. “Why in God’s name do you keep mimicking me?”

The stranger simply grinned at him with humor riddled in his voice. “Do you find it annoying sir?”

“Yes, so quit it before I shove that--” Shadow eyed the man’s clothes-- “Costume of yours down your throat.”

The stranger paid no mind to Shadow’s comments and simply turned away.

Shadow drunk down the second shot.

In through the bar doors came another stranger. This one was in an odd yet fashionable outfit, one that seemed familiar to the ninja. This man took a seat on the right of Shadow, a cocky smile on his pasty face. This man looked to be in his mid to late twenties with elegant platinum hair falling to his shoulders, hair a little too elegant for a man. Of course maybe this was what he wanted, as it took away from the scars on his face.

The man simply ordered a beer, which when served was quickly drunk. The man asked for another and waited for it to be given. This man looked the type who would converse with just about anyone. As he turned to Shadow, the ninja couldn‘t help but figure that fact out. “So, what brings you to bum town?”

Shadow let out a little snicker, but only to humor him. “I need to get to South Figaro.”

The man smiled. “Well, why didn’t ya say so? I can give you and your buddy a ride.” The man pointed to the stranger on the other side of Shadow.

The ninja ignored that and continued on, “I don’t need a ride, especially from some one like yourself.”

The man snorted. “Shit, what a bastard. You try to help people and this is what ya get.” The man looked over at the stranger next to Shadow, “How do you put up with him?”

Shadow abruptly pushed him out of his way. “You’re blocking my light,” he growled.

Some people in the back were drawn to Shadow’s voice, for it was clear they wanted to watch a fight if not start one themselves.

“Hey, hands off the clothes! What’s your damn problem?” The man looked shocked at Shadow’s outburst and was becoming enraged with his attitude.

“I don’t like your kind of people.” Shadow said simply.

The man rose from his seat now feeling as if he had to defend himself. “What do you mean ‘my kind of people’?”

Shadow yawned. He visibly was not intimidated by this man’s threatening tone. “I said what I said. Take it how you wish.”

“Listen you smug asshole, I don’t have time for your attitude problem. You seem like you have something you’d like to prove. How about you prove it?” The man drew cards from his jacket pocket.

Shadow sighed. “I have no need to prove anything to you.”

The man leered. “Obviously you do. So why don‘t you prove it? Or are you too scared of what you started?”

The stranger in robes leaned over to the bored Shadow. “Do you not want to prove yourself sir? It would certainly put him in his place.”

Shadow huffed at the stranger, but he indeed had a point. He wasn’t going to get rid of this man by ignoring him. Shadow rose from his seat. “Well, my boorish man, if you want to have your ass kicked, then it is a beating you will get.” The ninja unsheathed his sword and held it a little ways from the man‘s face.

The bartender waved his hands to the men. “Hey, ladies, if you wanna fight, take it outside!”

Both men ignored his comment and continued their started battle. “Well, well, well. Look who changed their mind?” Ribbed the man. He held two cards between two gloved fingers. “Dodge this my friend!” He threw the cards towards the ninja's feet.

Shadow blocked the fiery sprays with the blade of his sword. “You have to do better then that!” The ninja leaped onto the bar table and called out, “Fire Skill!” Streaks of flames blasted on either side of the man, singeing his shoulders through the thick jacket.

“Shit!” The man ducked down under a table, sorely regretting the battle.

Shadow laughed with a mock of superiority. “Well, well, well, look who’s running scared!”

The man poked his head up from under the table, his cocky grin back on his face. “I underestimated your strength.” The man admitted, coming out of his refuge. “I like you my friend. I’d be more then happy to give you a ride, if you are still interested of course.”

Shadow’s smile faded. He didn’t want to wait in this dump any longer then he had to and maybe this man could get him to where he wanted to go faster. “I will have to take you up on your offer.” The ninja jumped down from the counter.

“I’ll even let your friend come too!” The man laughed. “By the way, the name’s Setzer.” He stuck out a hand. Shadow only looked at it with a raised brow. Setzer sighed. “You really have to work on your attitude.”

“Your opinion, not mine.” Shadow placed his sword back in it's holder. "My name is Shadow."

“What’s your friend's name?”

Both men turned to the robed man. “That’s a good question. What is your name?” The ninja asked.

“Gogo, sirs.” The robed man stood from his seat. “And I would be more then happy to accompany you on your journey.”

“Well, there ya have it! Let’s go!” Setzer led the way out of the pub.

Shadow looked about for his boat once they reached the docks again. But not seeing any unused ones at the moment made him question, “Where’s your boat?”

“Boat?” Setzer laughed. “Who said anything about a boat?”

“Then what--”

“We, my friends, will travel first class by flying ship.” Setzer lead them to an empty space on the waterfront. With outstretched hands he pointed to the water in front of them.

“Nothing’s there.” Shadow looked with skeptical eyes at the man.

“Not on the water! Air ships are in the air!” Setzer gazed with the group at the large ship above them. “The Falcon. She‘ll take you wherever you wish to go.”