((Well, yeah, but I used to pride myself on lacking a life! What the heck’s happened to me?!))

Kester made good on his word. By the time the sun’s last rays disappeared beyond the horizon, the ferry was inching its way towards one of the few open wood-and-stone docks that lined the water’s edge. Most of the multi-dozen docks had vessels ranging from small trawlers like Lissie to massive warships that seemed to belong to a steampunk era fixed to their moors. Every dock fed further inland to a large complex of warehouses and temporary housing; a short distance beyond that, Inkua’s massive white eastern wall rose to nearly block out the sky above the smattering of squat, stone buildings. The giant pearl gate that faced towards the water was sealed shut for the night – as Kester’d explained.

“Trouble is… they lock the city up at nightfall,” he said as he gestured towards the smaller buildings near the docks. “You can find decent rooms for the night, though, in the inns they keep out here for late travelers and workers.” Lissie finally came to a stop next to one of the docks, and Kester secured the vessel.

Gilgamesh instinctively wrinkled his nose at the prevailing odors of fish and seawater – this was not someplace in which a King should be spending his time. Nevertheless, he waited until Kester had made sure Lissie wasn’t going anywhere before the Golden King disembarked.

"I'm sure that won't be a problem." Axl said. "Thanks a whole bunch for the ride, Kester."

Martin looked over at the buildings. The fact they locked the gates suggested that something was being kept out but they gave workers shelter so maybe it wasn't to bad. Martin followed Axl "thanks for the lift"

Shiki nodded her thanks as she stepped onto the dock; Fynt was the last to disembark. “Anytime lads,” Kester replied to Axl and Martin with a smile. “Keep safe – you hear?” With that, he brought in Lissie’s lines and set the small trawler back towards the island from which they came.

The dockyard was surprisingly lifeless; save for the large number of torches scattered across the entire complex, as well as the occasional guard that would emerge from one alleyway only to vanish down another, little seemed to stir once nightfall settled.

“Any ideas where to go from here?” Gilgamesh eventually voiced.

Axl waved a final goodbye to Kester and 'Lissie' before turning to the others.
"Well, doesn't look like we can do much until daybreak." He said. "Find a place for the night, I guess?"

Martin who was watching the guards was more bothered about why they lock the gates "Why do they lock the gates Fynt?" he asked

Fynt opened his mouth to respond to Martin, but was immediately interrupted when he heard a few guards shouting several buildings away. Military training and instinct kicked in and before he could help it, Fynt had his hand on the hilt of his sword and ran off in the direction of the shouting.

Gilgamesh gave an audible sigh of relief. “Finally! We’re rid of the leeching mongrel,” he groaned after nodding in agreement with Axl.

“Should we get involved with whatever that was, or just stick with the first plan?” Shiki asked, to which Gilgamesh merely responded by marching away from the docks in search of any nearby inn, before anyone could voice their answers.

Martin didn't follow Gilgamesh "we should go help. Making process with the guards could really help us long term"

"I'm with Martin, we should help out." Axl said.

Gilgamesh stopped and turned towards the others; his expression was one of confusion. “You wish to aid those who insist in persecuting us?” he asked incredulously.

Shiki, who’d remained in place with Axl and Martin, simply nodded. “Unanimous vote, Goldenrod,” she replied.

Gilgamesh’s jaw clenched tight, but his response was a simple shrug. “Well, we’ll just have to see how well this turns out,” he said as he rejoined them.

"Hey, if people need help, I'm gonna help them." Axl said, before heading over where Fynt went.

"As I said long term it could be of big benefit" Martin said following Axl

Shiki followed the others, while Gilgamesh reluctantly kept up. The shouting hadn’t yet ceased, and it came from the far end of the complex – towards Inkua’s outer wall. As the warriors moved closer towards where Fynt had disappeared, Shiki could hear an additional sound amidst the voices of the soldiers ahead – it was the unmistakable screech of an Ing.

When the group arrived, they came to a small clearing between four buildings and the capitol’s giant white wall. An active Dark Portal sat within a charred divot in the stone wall, with four soldiers surrounding it; three were from Inkua’s guard while the fourth was Fynt. Between the soldiers and the open Portal hovered a creature nearly four feet tall ((and yes, this thing does float/fly; I'm not sure why its concept art shows it with roots...)), with a body that looked like some twisted, black ribcage surrounding a glowing red core. Four dark tendrils lanced out from the creature’s “body” and struck one of the soldiers, sending the flailing man crashing into the wall of one of the nearby buildings, where he silently slumped to the ground.

"Woah.... what IS that?" Axl exclaimed at seeing the... thing? Animal? He wasn't sure. But it looked like bad news so he almost instinctively whipped out his weapon.

Martin observed the creature he was already holding his zonpakto. As he watched the red cores were either the weak spot or its greatest strength. He decided to stay cautious for now and with the guards near by ranged attacks were not an option

Axl’s proclamation immediately caught the attention of both the guards and the floating Ing.

The leader among the guards – indicated by small gold adornments on the armor – took a brief glance at Axl’s and Martin’s weapons while noticing Shiki brandishing her knife and Gilgamesh wielding a short golden broadsword he’d summoned. “Civilians, leave these premises, immediately,” the leader ordered in the stern voice of an older woman. “This area is unsafe.” As if to prove her point, the creature let out another Ing-like screech and lashed out with two of its tentacles towards an unsuspecting Fynt. At the same time, it used its remaining two tendrils like a massive whip against the leader and the second guard, who managed to successfully brace their blades against the strike.

Martin stepped in slashed at one of the tentacles going towards Flynt. He had chosen to ignore the comment about civilians and keep his full abilities under wraps for now

"We've noticed." Axl simply said, before slinging one side of his chained scythes around one of the tendrils attacking the guards like a lasso, before fiercely trying to pull it away.

Shiki bolted into the battle and defended Fynt alongside Martin by deflecting the remaining tentacle; both it and the one Martin had attacked recoiled with small signs of damage. Axl’s grip on the Ing’s tendrils kept it from the attacking the other two guards, to which it gave out a screech in protest. Gilgamesh calmly sped towards the creature and attacked with a vertical slash. The instant the blade was to connect with the Ing’s “flesh”, though, the entirety of the creature suddenly became transparent and wavered in the air like that of a mirage. Gilgamesh’s sword passed right through its body without causing any damage and Axl’s grip on its tentacles was lost completely as his chains passed through the tendrils as though they weren’t even there.

Martin watched Gilgamesh attack go through the creature. However his and Axl's attacks hit so it looked like they had to strike when it was attacking. So he had to wait for it to attack before attacking