Tepo’s eyes focused on Quill, wanting to know how the warrior intended to deal with the situation.

But the latter just chuckled behind his mask.

“Well, you heard him. Let’s go out.”

Tepo was unperturbed. He had seen Quill’s prowess before. He didn’t think a random pirate group could threaten him.

With a command from Quill the glass hatch opened, letting the duo step outside. Tepo was almost blown away immediately, but fortunately Quill grabbed his shoulder. The man somehow managed to stay still within the wind channel.

A few moments of silence followed. It seemed even the pirates were surprised to meet such compliant clients. Only a few seconds later did the captain’s voice sound out again:

“I see you know what’s good for you! Now move away from your ship!”

Quill didn’t even deign to answer, carrying Tepo far to the left, almost entering the storms.

The pirates grew excited. They had always announced their names to spread their reputation. Then, letting their victims live and only taking the valuables, they built up a certain image.

Could it be their efforts finally bore fruit today? Were their victims ready to hand over their wealth without a fight?

With a command from their captain, all the pirates left their ship at the same time. Fifteen armed men and women suddenly appeared in the wind channel. All of them looked rough and dangerous.

Although the guards might have been stronger on paper, but these pirates clearly had an advantage in experience. If they fought a group of guards with the same strength levels, they would probably wipe the floor with them.

“Surprisingly their captain isn’t far from the level of a nine-circled aspirant.”, murmured Quill.

Tepo was shocked to hear this. Didn’t this mean the captain was almost as strong as Tondka Senior? Was this a result of pirating being too profitable?

As Tepo and Quill looked on, the pirates carefully advanced. With vicious faces and raised weapons they slowly encircled their victims. It was important to spread their intimidation, so those victims would behave.

Meanwhile two of the pirates closed in on Quill’s ship. Their eyes fell on the bag lying on the floor. Rubbing their hands, they just wanted to grab the artificial core when Quill’s voice sounded out:

“What do you think you are doing?”

The pirates were taken aback. Wasn’t their purpose obvious?

The captain, a thin, bearded man fletched his teeth.

“What does it look like, mask? We are taking some weight off you! Just stay where you are and don’t do anything stupid! We will be done soon.”

“Are all pirates this reckless?”, mumbled Tepo.

The captain’s eyes immediately narrowed:

“What did you say?”

Raising his saber in a threatening posture, the captain took a step forward. He began to feel uneasy. His prey was too nonchalant, not taking him seriously at all.

“He said:”, answered Quill. “Don’t wave around your saber like this while all of your weapons are held against your necks.”

Suddenly surprised shouts broke out.

“What’s going on?!”

“F*CK, my sword.”

“Captain, let’s attack.”

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

The pirates trembled, almost pissing in their pants. Some gulped, some wanted to escape, others fight.

A flash of light suddenly shot through the air. Tepo’s eyes widened abruptly. Sweat ran down his back. The smell of blood wafted into his nose.

Before the young man could react, his own knife had cut through the bag, sliced a pirate’s shoulder and arrived before his neck in an instant.

All the pirates didn’t dare to move. They realized they had kicked an iron plate this time. While all of them scrambled to find a path to survival, Tepo, already having gained an inkling of how Quill’s powers worked, turned his disgruntled face towards the green-masked man.

“Can’t you choose your words better?”

“Believe me, I always say exactly what I mean. I learned from experience.”

Tepo stayed silent, staring at Quill.

“Don’t look at me like that. Just grab your knife. I don’t influence it.”

And indeed, with those words the knife immediately dropped, threatened to be carried away by the wind. Tepo scrambled to hold onto its handle, before he won’t reach it anymore.

Meanwhile the pirates stared, incredulous. Their hearts were in their throats, feeling as if their heads would fly into the storms at any second.

Grasping any straw of hope, the captain carefully spoke up:

“Ehm. Sirs, this… We can agree that it was our loss this time. If you spare us, we will give you everything we have. What do you think?”

“It’s not impossible to spare you.”, answered Quill in a laid-back manner. The captain’s eyes turned hopeful.

“Ask your weakest member to spar with my friend here for a few rounds and you can go.”

Quill remained perfectly calm as two disbelieving pairs of eyes stared at him.

“Really?!”, spoke two voices at the same time. One filled with joy and one with annoyance.

“Of course. I never break my word.”, assured Quill.

Tepo gritted his teeth. He knew he wouldn’t get out of this. Opposite him, the captain was filled with joy. His eyes turned towards a young man at the far right.

“Louin, you go up!”

“But, father…”

Louin looked at Quill full of dread. Could this man hiding behind a mask really be trusted? What if he injured the weak youngster and still had to pay with his life?

But he felt the angry gaze of his father. Louin knew he had no choice. And the same was true for Tepo.

Reluctantly the young men both readied themselves for a fight.

Quill had everything under control. He took out a small rectangle made of some bone-like material and threw it towards Tepo while addressing Louin:

“I won’t influence your sword, young man.”

Finally, Louin’s sword landed back in his hand. Meanwhile Tepo fiddled with the device Quill had just given him. It took him a while, but he found information in his memories.

His eyes lit up when he recalled that his was a W-Stabilizer, a device which lets one treat the wind channels like a room. It was also what the pirates were using right now to stay in place.

Led by Quill the two young men positioned each other a few meters away.

Tepo took a deep breath. He knew this would be no easy fight. His opponent had already awakened his core, making him physically superior. He even had the better weapon.

Not knowing if this was a test by Quill, Tepo was ready to do his best. He quickly calmed his mind, entering a combat state. His eyes turned frosty. The demeanor of a killer returned.

Quill was slightly surprised as he loudly shouted: “GO!”

Abruptly the two youngsters accelerated. The distance was closed in a moment. Louin slashed out with his sword.

Against the longer weapon, Tepo couldn’t close in. He held the knife before his body, taking a defensive posture.

With a loud clang, metal hit metal. Tepo was immediately in the worse position. His wrist trembled as he did his best to offset Louin’s strength.

Abruptly the young pirate pressed his advantage. With a stern gaze he swiped at tricky angles.

Tepo was quick on his feet. Chaotic fights were his forte. He fought against hordes of ‘outsiders’ and the sneaky vines. Confidently he evaded and blocked Louin’s attacks.

But this wasn’t enough. Tepo knew that he was posed to lose like this. Louin’s physic was too far ahead of his, aided by a core.

Not prepared to make this a fight of endurance, Tepo had to play some tricks. The young man blocked another sword strike. This time, his arm shook. He wouldn’t be able to take much more.

Louin’s eyes lit up. The pirate saw his chance. He slashed once more from the same angle.

Tepo remained calm. He showed no sign of deliberately revealing a flaw. Focusing on the sword shooting towards him, he waited for the perfect timing.

Now!

Suddenly Tepo stomped. He put all his power into the next attack, smashing his knife against the sword.

But unfortunately, the young man had misjudged his opponent. So far Louin hadn’t been going all out. Realizing that Tepo attacked with all his strength, the pirate also increased the power behind his sword.

A strong clash followed. Tepo’s body trembled. His wrist made ominous sounds.

Louin saw his chance. Suddenly he kicked towards Tepo. If his leg hit, this fight would definitely be decided.

Tepo tried to recover. His knife still protecting against the sword, he could only punch at the leg.

Pain shot through Tepo’s fist. For a moment he lost all feelings in his fingers. He staggered backwards, his face sweating.

“Alright!”

Quill’s voice ended the fight. The pirate immediately retreated, afraid to lose his life.

But Quill ignored Louin as he gave his judgement to Tepo:

“You did better than I hoped. Your instincts are great, but you are too inexperienced. From the first clash you were in the defensive and you had no concept of a warrior’s physical strength.

Be prepared for lots of training.”

Tepo sighed heavily. Quill’s words were fair. The young man nodded.

“You aren’t stubborn, good. Then let’s go again.”

Two sighs were carried away by the wind.