Bruno stood on the balcony of his room, his eyes fixated on the vast expanse of the sea stretching out before him. The rhythmic sound of crashing waves filled the air, creating a soothing melody that seemed to dance with the gentle breeze. The sun bathed everything in warm golden hues, making the scene truly picturesque.

Yet, despite the serene ambiance, Bruno's mind was preoccupied with a single purpose – the search for the elusive 'Blue whale.' This vessel had become an obsession for him in those few past days, the key to the next step of his adventure, as the pirate king insisted it was used as the means of transportation for him.

The day was a perfect blend of sunshine and clear blue skies, typical for the time of the year and the coastal geography of the region. The recent departure of the diplomatic envoy had left a mix of emotions in its wake. The diplomats appeared dissatisfied, caught off guard by Hugo Wagner's audacious demands for the princess's hand in marriage. Bruno couldn't help but smile at the memory of their exasperated shouts and complaints that had echoed through the fort's corridors.

In the midst of this unbelievably audacious smoke screen, Sa'di Najjar discreetly received the true demands of the pirate king during a secret meeting. Then he was allowed out of the wooden fort and even provided with a good opportunity to slide his way back on the ship. With this out of the way, the young alchemist cleared his mind of all the worries surrounding that part of his plot.

The thought of what awaited him on Frontier Island found its place in the vacant space. Those excited him to the core. It was a place shrouded in mystery and danger, where unknown adversaries lurked in the shadows, and treacherous intrigues were woven like an intricate tapestry. For Bruno, it was the ultimate test of his skills and wit – a true playground for a cunning mind and a fearless heart. Something he was born for.

As he continued to scan the horizon, his eyes caught sight of a dark and unrecognizable shape in the distance. ‘Could it be the 'Blue whale'?’ The anticipation surged within him, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Without hesitation, he made up his mind to embark on this journey of a lifetime.

Gathering his belongings, he packed them neatly in a brand-new leather bag he recently acquired. Among his possessions were a few treasured items – tokens of memories and experiences that shaped him into the person he had become. The weight of gold coins added a reassuring jingle to the bag. But Bruno knew that true wealth lay in the experiences he sought, not in mere material knickknacks.

Leaving behind the comfort and safety of his room, Bruno navigated through the familiar corridors of the wooden fort nestled within the split mountain. The echoes of his footsteps seemed to resonate with the pounding of his heart, each beat propelling him forward into the unknown.

Finally, he arrived at the docks, where his loyal friends Viki, Javohir, and Raul were waiting, sitting on the crates filled with supplies and equipment Bruno ordered. They too had their eyes fixed on the horizon, searching for signs of the 'Blue whale.' Munching on apples they acquired from the tall man, Vere, they shared the sense of adventure that had united them as a close-knit group.

As Bruno approached, he greeted them warmly. "Good morning, my lords and my lady," he responded bowing politely. It earned him a few smiles in the tense atmosphere.

With anticipation building in the air, they continued their watch, each heartbeat in sync with the rhythm of the sea, as the already legendary ship they sought drew ever closer. And as the sun continued its ascent in the sky, the group of friends embraced the promise of adventure that awaited them on the shores of Frontier Island.

The quay was already busy, and the group of young people seemed like an island among the moving pirates, busy with work. They were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the 'Blue Whale'. The anticipation of what lay ahead shone in their eyes.

"Are you ready?" Javohir asked, glancing at Bruno. "You packed everything?"

The young alchemist replied with a confident nod, affirming that he was indeed prepared for the journey that awaited them.

"Have you seen the ship from your crow's nest?" Viki inquired.

"I've seen a ship. Hard to say if it was the 'Blue Whale', but we should know in an hour, or maybe less. I bet the news will spread," he responded.

"So we wait?" Raul asked.

"Yes. We wait," Bruno said, joining them on the crates, where they had found a good spot to sit.

As the minutes passed, the news quickly spread through the crowd, and it became widely known that the approaching vessel was indeed the 'Blue Whale'. Their excitement grew, and they decided to move closer to the dock, taking their belongings as well, attempting to predict the ship's exact mooring spot.

They missed the mark, and it seemed that Billy, always the trickster, chose an alternate location just to tease them.

Finally, the gangplank was extended, and the moment they had been eagerly awaiting arrived. The captain, Marco, and a few sailors stood ready to receive them, preparing for the ship's imminent departure.

Among them stood a mysterious figure, cloaked in a shroud of gray and dirt, with a deep hood obscuring his features. Despite the disheveled appearance, the air of confidence emanating from him hinted at something more beneath the surface.

"Good to see you," Bruno greeted Billy warmly as he approached.

"Good to see you too," the captain responded, a smile showing on his face. "Are you ready for a new adventure?"

He nodded in response, while his friends, with hearts full of anticipation and minds ready for the unknown, stepped onto the ship.

Marco immediately gestured toward them to follow and led them under the deck, through the ship's corridors, navigating the labyrinth of wooden walls and passageways, straight to their tiny rooms where they settled.

In the meantime the pirates working in the docks began moving the prepared supplies, as well as the equipment, onto the ship, creating even more ruckus than before. The voices and noises melted down into a true cacophony. Fortunately, the tiny group of four was spared from all this chaos, as it didn’t reach them under the deck.

The allure of uncharted waters beckoned, and as the 'Blue Whale' prepared to set sail, the camaraderie of these young souls found in each other the strength and support they needed to face whatever challenges awaited them on this extraordinary voyage.

Soon the 'Blue Whale' sailed smoothly through the vast expanse of the ocean, carrying Bruno and his friends on their epic journey.

Later, with the ship back at sea, the young alchemist emerged to enjoy the invigorating sea breeze and the breathtaking view of the water stretching endlessly before him. Spotting Billy in the company of the mysterious man in the grey cloak, he approached them to join their contemplation.

"What are we looking at?" Bruno inquired, attempting to strike up a conversation.

"We are observing the clouds," Billy replied. "The weather seems promising for today, but a stronger wind would be beneficial. We lost some time picking you up, but perhaps we can make up for it. At least to an extent..."

The mysterious man, visibly unimpressed, snorted at Billy's response before walking away. Bruno remained silent, curiosity gnawing at him for a moment before he finally mustered the courage to ask about the enigmatic figure.

"Who is that?" he questioned.

Billy's response was cryptic. "His name is none-of-your-business."

Unsatisfied with the lack of information, Bruno pressed further with more questions, but Billy remained firm. His response was short: "It's not my secret to share. It's between him and Hugo."

Feeling a mix of frustration and disappointment, Bruno watched Billy leave. He was not left alone for long, as soon Viki appeared.

„What’s wrong?” She asked while approaching, sensing his unease.

"It's nothing," Bruno replied, attempting to dismiss the topic.

Lowering her voice, she broached a different subject. "I didn't see the princess. Valeria's daughter. The one you told me about a long time ago. Remember? The one who was taken by the pirate king."

Bruno's smile revealed that he found her curiosity quite funny, but he used the opportunity to engage in conversation with her. "It was just a story, so who knows how much of it is really true? Even if there was a princess, they wouldn't keep her in such an obvious place. They would hide her well, perhaps on one of the many islands in the chain."

His explanation rendered the girl silent, as she felt silly.

Recognizing Viki's underlying need for companionship, Bruno extended an invitation. "Hey... Want to watch the waves together?"

Her face lit up with a grateful smile, and she eagerly agreed to the proposition with a firm nod, finding comfort in having a friend by her side during the journey ahead.

As the 'Blue Whale' sailed onwards, Bruno and Viki shared the beauty of the ocean waves.