Yes they are. To give more info, they were the pieces that were used to seal a demon of the sea, using the sins and darkness of humanity as the cage. But that was years ago and now that man kind has become darker, the pieces are losing power on their own and becoming parts of the demon, which is why if a normal human touches them the darkest part of them comes out. Avery is trying to get the pieces together to the pirate lords of now to redo the seal and then hide the pieces so no more will be hurt...

Does that make more sense now??