Bo'sun, The Explosive Knight

I was disappointed with Levi's performance. While the combat itself was quick and efficient, she had taken her easy victory and learned nothing because of it. Still, I wish I could have joined the others, but I was paid well to perform this task. My sword was honed, and my turn was coming. It felt like it had been years since I was truly alive. Four at least since I tossed away my shield.

I pulled out the black pearl string, with the phases of our moon carved onto them. I softly rubbed them between my gloved fingers, sending a silent prayer to my goddess. Praying as I did every time before a battle, hoping that the souls of my crewmates could rest in peace. I briefly wondered if the goddess of our village could even hear me from so far away. As if in retaliation to the doubts I had, I felt the string holding the pearls together, finally snap. The pearl I held between my fingers was that of the new moon.

I fell to my knees, offering my sincere apologies to the goddess. I was to be tested on the trial of new beginnings and forgiveness. I do not know when the trial shall come, but I will meet it with the fervor I had been lacking. One by one, I picked up the pearls. Stopping when Jacky knelt down to pick the last one up. "Hey Bo'sun, Cheshire sent me here to talk to you."

I held out my hand, while Jacky placed the pearl on my palm. "I see, thank you for helping me pick up my pearls. Do you have any string per chance?"

Jacky reached into his sleeves, to pull out a small thread of silk. "Did you watch the first battle by chance?"

I took off my gloves, to tie the knots needed for my pearls. "I did not, I was honing my blade. I heard Ron has died, which is why I watched Levi's battle. Why do you ask?"

Jacky tilted his head back, "Well you're next, and you're going to be fighting someone in a new gang from the looks of it."

I did not dare to take my eyes from my task, making certain each pearl was in the right order, before tying it in place. "I see, I am here on the coin paid by the Fiend's Eye. As far as I am aware, they only invested in myself. What is the name of this new gang?"

I barely saw Jacky shrug from my peripheral, "No idea, they haven't announced it yet. Cheshire is talking to them, probably threatening them for killing Ron. Though I think he's got other plans in mind, and we both know Ron will probably come back easily enough."

"Indeed, a skilled necromancer, such as himself, would be hard pressed to stay dead for long. You only wanted to know if I was associated with them, before moving against the new gang?" I tied the last pearl into place, before working on the sacred knot at the top.

Jacky let out a small laugh, "Kind of, I wanted to check on you. You always get a little thrown off on this day. I know our past shouldn't matter, but something is clearly bothering you. Do you mind telling me what it is?"

I lowered my head in prayer, thanking my goddess for this chance. To have a trial placed before me, was a clear way to help me overcome the obstacles in the future. After a minute of silent prayer, I rose to my feet. "This is the fifth anniversary of the day I defeated my brother. The fourth of the year he ran off from my care. If I had not hurt him the way I did, we could have been working this job together."

Jacky tilted his head towards me, "You had a brother?"

I placed my pearls back in my pocket, before putting my gloves back on. Leather on the palms, folded metal on the back. "Not by blood, but by oath. We fought in this same arena so long ago. Our captain was dying, and we needed coin to get him healed. We both entered the arena, and fought our way towards the grand prize. We were younger back then, more prideful. We were the last match, and neither of us wanted to yield. We both fought hard, but I was the winner. He lost two of his limbs to me, and I carried him away. His wounds were sealed shut by my blade, so there wasn't any danger of him dying."

Jacky nodded as he listened, "What happened to your captain?"

I adjusted the straps on my bracers, "He died just before I managed to make it home to him. It was a devastating blow to both of us, but I am past that now."

Jacky shook his head, "You don't have to tell me more, but you fight like someone used to a shield and sword, versus a two handed sword."

I froze for a moment, before looking down. "Four years ago, I lost the only thing I had left to protect. I hid my shield and sword with the coin I won from the arena. Somewhere... where he could find it. I never checked to see if he did take it or not. Now, I am a wanderer without purpose, seeking the body of my brother. If he is still alive, I want to ask him a few things."

Jacky nodded in understanding, "I hope that day comes for you, anyway, it's almost time for your match. You should head to the cell."

I nodded, doing just that. My armor was polished, my weapon honed. Whoever I might fight today, I would give an honorable death. If they were still young, I would afford them mercy, and spare them so they can grow stronger. I said a few more silent prayers to my goddess, before the door opened. I began walking out into the arena, "In this corner! We have a fighter well versed in the Arena! A fool that still clings to honor in this den of thieves! Bo'sun, the Explosive Knight!"

The crowd cheered my name, as I drew my sword. There was no telling who my opponent might be. I steeled myself, promising to survive and overcome the trial I might have to endure a few days, or even years from now. There was a goal beyond simply gathering coin to collect dust.

I planted the tip of my sword in the dirt of the arena, waiting for my challenger to arrive. Their door was opened, but they seemed to be taking a while, likely afraid of fighting me. The announcer coughed, "Challenger! Do not waste our time! If you are not out here within the next ten seconds, it will be seen as you forfeiting this battle!"

"TEN!" The crowd started to boo. I merely stood with both hands on the pommel of my sword.

"NINE!" Still no sight of my challenger, but at least the count down was going slowly enough, with roughly two seconds between them.

"EIGHT!" The crowd began to jeer, calling my opponent a coward. They could at least have the decency to come out and yield, like a true warrior might.

"SEVEN!" Ah, I can see someone moving from their room. A calm collected stance, as if there was nothing to rush.

"SIX!" They were walking better into my view, but my hands gripped my sword harder. It can't be...

"FIVE!" The crimson red pole, with two emerald rings to add to the grip. The long curved blade etched with runes hidden under the etching, that made a picture of a tide crashing against the edge of the blade itself. The bottom of the thing had that same curved hook he used so many times before. There was no mistaking my brother's weapon, even while two buckets of water were hanging from the hook itself.

"FOUR!" The man stepped into the light, his blue hair brushed up and back like a crest. He flexed his muscles under the open shirt, as if still not used to walking on land. I met deep blue eyes that reflected the seas we used to sail on, with my own sooted eyes. It was impossible, yet here he was.

"THREE!" He stepped out into the arena, where the audience and the announcer could finally see him. He rubbed the side of his head, with a wolfish grin. "Sorry to keep everybody waiting." He didn't take his eyes off me for a second, as I stared at him wide eyes, my face hidden under my helm.

The announcer scowled, "You're late! You shouldn't waste the time of those that came to watch you die!" The crowd laughed, as the announcer was salvaging the mood. "What do you have to say for yourself!?"

Greg, my brother by oath, merely just walked to his spot. He slowly set the buckets of water down, with practiced ease. There wasn't a single ripple as he moved that hook with impressive dexterity. Still, he frowned as if perceiving slight mistakes in his movement. He tilted his head at the announcer he made wait for his answer. "Well? It took longer than expected to fill a bucket of water. You can't expect me to fight someone with fire without water right?"

The announcer laughed off Greg's complete lack of care, "Fine, fine! You better put up a good fight!" The crowd started laughing as well.

"WAIT!" I yelled, loud enough to silence all those watching. I quickly knelt behind my sword, looking down at the ground. "Greg... we need to talk. This is not the place for this, but after the match please..."

Greg let out an exaggerated sigh, "Heh, I guess you know I wouldn't accept you yielding to me. Before you ask, no I didn't touch the coin or your shield. If you want anymore answers, you'll have to beat them out of me. My boss will consider letting you join, if you prove capable enough."

I looked up at him, "You've accepted another besides our captain!?" I felt so many strange emotions, all at once. The man I never thought I'd see again. The fact that he admitted to working under someone, and seeming happy for it. A bit of anger, that he left me searching for him all this time, without a single word.

Greg just smirked, "Yep, and you should meet them. We don't need weaklings in our crew."

I rose to my feet, swinging my sword to discard any dirt on the tip. I wasn't certain how to feel, but finally I realized something. My goddess had heard my prayers through all these years. She arranged for this battle to take place today. This was absolute proof of her power, as I felt a few tears roll down my cheek. "I forgive you!"

Greg tilted his head, as the gong sounded. Then he grinned, "I see. Then fight me with everything you have!" His eyes started to glow blue, as he tapped the blade to the edge of a bucket. The water coated it, swirling while he spun it around his neck. He took a step back, assuming a low stance. Then tapped his hook against the ground in an all too familiar ritual. He was gauging the way a boat might rock before we fought, yet we were on solid land. He was telling me that he wanted to put on a show for his boss. He wasn't angry at me in the slightest.

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I found myself smiling, while taking a half step back and swinging my sword to get into the proper stance. My blade angled towards the ground, while the hilt pointed towards my shoulder. Who was I to deny him? My talent flared, causing small explosions around my blade to heat it up as I controlled the flames. My blade was glowing red from the heat, while his was blue and white from the ice and swirling water. "Come at me then!"

He hopped forward, sweeping towards my legs. His glaive leaving a trail of ice on the ground as I stepped back. I swung my blade to catch his pole, exploding the air behind it to make it move faster. Greg pulled his glaive back, while I evaporated the ice with the heat of my sword. He advanced, taking a jab at me. I twisted, to let it scrape against my armor. He pulled back again, as I advanced to thrust him with my sword.

Greg twisted his body, out of the way of my strike, as I turned the blade to strike at him with explosions to launch it at his side. I did not see Greg had managed to get his hook into the ground behind him. He angled his glaive, so that my sword would follow it up and over him. I was damn proud to see he hadn't lost an ounce of skill from the last time we fought.

He spun the glaive around with the hook throwing dirt towards my eyes. I exploded the air in front of my helm, before moving to take a step back. Then I felt a cold splash of water on my feet, as he attempted to freeze me in place. The moment it took me a second to realize I couldn't back off, was the second his hook caught my wrist. I let go of my sword, to grab at his hair. He tilted his head away, while I freed my wrist.

Greg quickly called the ice off himself, as he slid backwards, while I used the explosions to jump above him. My sword following after me. I fell to the ground hard, covering myself in more explosions so that my armor was now glowing red. It took all of my focus to keep myself from burning inside my own armor. Thankfully my talent made me immune to the effects of my own explosions to a certain degree. It was pretty, and the crowd was in awe at the fireworks before them.

Greg was sweating himself, as he adjusted his grip. Water surrounded his ankles in a large ring, as more moved to his wrists. I allowed him the second to breathe, and prepare for the next step of our battle. The warm up was over, and we both saw each other as the warriors we were. I looked to see one bucket of water was toppled in our exchange, the water likely surrounding his wrists and ankles judging by the murk. I glanced at the other bucket, still full save for the water that clung to the blade of his glaive.

I tilted my head forward, wondering what he was planning. In response to my curiosity he spun his glaive around, letting the hook catch the handle of the bucket. "You know, it was terrible trying to fight with one arm, and one leg."

I adjusted my stance, "Did you want to stop the fight here? I'll still yield if that is what you desire."

He laughed a little, "No, I wanted to thank you for what you did. I never would have developed without what you did. Because you're my brother, and I want you to help our new captain."

I nodded, our voices too low for the others to hear. I was moved by his words, feeling the last five years of regret washing away. "I will meet you with everything I have. Show me, that you are still the Riptide."

Greg's eyes glowed coolly, as he let out a deep breath. A mist escaping between his lips, as mist began to fall off him. He held his glaive in one hand, then I saw the bucket rocking on the hook. I smiled under my helmet, realizing what he was doing now. He did not need two hands to control his glaive any longer. He could use his magic, and the water in the bucket itself to act as the second hand. No longer sacrificing strength, or being forced to use parts of his body as pivots for the glaive.

Greg made the first move, his hand at the center as he slid towards me. The water moving on his ankles to allow him to glide much faster. As if he were fighting on top of the sea itself. I went to strike at him with a thrust, as he twirled his body in a somersault around my blade. I used explosions to strike towards his chest, but his glaive froze where it was and he quickly threw himself upwards, out of my reach. I began to jump after him, since it was impossible to think he would just drop his weapon.

Then the blade smashed into the side of my helm, as I quickly rolled with the blow. I saw an icy hand where he had let go. He came into my range, for this easy shot. The little bit of water that didn't evaporate, came down around my neck. I expected him to attempt drowning me, but instead my armor felt weaker. I jumped backwards, before he landed on the ground. My shoulder guard falling off as I saw the latches corroded to nothing. "Ha! You're using enchanted water to take away my armor!"

Greg landed with a smirk, "Yep, and you fell for my feint." He spun his glaive around, while I took a more defensive stance. "Besides that little bit of water, wouldn't be able to hurt you."

I knew from the bottom of my heart, that without my shield I stood no chance in this fight. Greg could have ended it there, but he didn't. I let out my own deep breath, my body drenched with sweat from the heat of my armor. The longer this went on, the more likely I was to pass out. Greg himself was able to keep his body cool, aiding in conserving his stamina. I had no time to waste.

The air around my back exploded, launching me towards him. He held out his glaive, with a disappointed look. That look disappeared into surprise, as an explosion came out under his blade, shattering his stance. He move away from my strike, by favoring the side that I would have a shield for. Old habits died hard, I suppose. I brought my sword down, as he spun to dodge. Once it reached the end of the swing, I used explosions to drive it back up towards his arm. Just like how I severed it the last time.

He grinned, lunging towards me this time, while grabbing his glaive on both rings. The blade curved downwards in a crescent catching my exposed shoulder. I felt a sharp pain, then less of it as the limb was severed completely. I used my explosions to try and guide my blade to defend against the next strike, but I lost most of my power with my arm severed. He pivoted around my blade, like a current moving past a boulder. He caught the back of my knee, shattering it.

I fell onto my good side, dropping my sword where it fell. The pain feeling divine, as I finally understand how Greg felt when this happened to him. The frustration at not being able to do my best, since I didn't have my sword and shield. The slight humiliation at being disarmed, and unable to protect myself. Most of all, I felt pride in my brother for having bested me. The pain of my severed arm was cooled, as he froze the wound shut.

The announcer and audience was stunned with silence. Then a small handful began to roar since their underdog had won the betting pool against me. This enthusiasm was used to excite the crowd even further, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WE HAVE A WINNER!!!" The crowd began to chant Greg's name as he peeled off my armor.

He grabbed my good arm, helping me onto his back. "Don't worry, our new captain can fix this. You lost, so by those vows you are so proud of, you have no choice but to do what I want now, right?"

I laughed loudly, "Indeed, there was nothing I could do. When are we going to meet them?"

Greg let out a small sigh, "Probably after I lose my next match. You're still an asshole with those explosions. Pretty sure my arms are going to be covered in blisters after I thaw."

"Right, but this is just like old times." He used the glaive to help him walk, as one might a staff.

"Yeah, you overexerting yourself and tearing muscles from going too fast. Me having to carry you to our Captain so he could heal us both. I think we've lived here for too long Micheal."

"Please, I don't deserve that name. Not after hurting you, just call me Bo'sun."

He walked into the opposite cell where the challengers came from. There were no weapons or armor for those without names. Only what one might bring in, and potentially lose to the arena. "If you won't let me call you by your name, then just call me Helmsman."

"Ha! It's got a nice ring to it." Greg stopped, as I looked past him to see why. Jacky was standing there.

The cross breed lightly tapped his staff onto the ground. "Cheshire sent me here to ask if you're officially leaving our group."

Greg adjusted me on his back, as I nodded. "Indeed, please thank him for all he's done for me."

Jacky smiled a little, "He'll be disappointed to lose you, but I am glad to see it is your choice. As a form of severance, please allow us to heal you."

"No thanks, I don't need it. If he wants to properly thank me, then please heal Helmsman here. I'd hate for him not to teach Levi a thing or two in her next match."

Helmsman laughed, "Sorry, but that won't be needed. I want to lose next round." Both Jacky, and myself were shocked by this.

Jacky recovered first, "May I ask why that is?"

Helmsman grinned, before walking past the man. "I want to head home and spend time with my brother. We have a lot of catching up to do."

Jacky let out a small laugh himself, "Very well, I'll let Cheshire know about your decision. I hope the both of you stay on good terms with our group going forward."

Helmsman shrugged, causing me to adjust my own grip to stay on his back. "We'll see, it's not my place to decide. You probably won't hear much from us for a long time after everything is said and done here."

I gently tapped Helmsman on the shoulder, to get him to stop. Then I looked at Jacky, "Please have a good battle, sir Jacky. Keep the others safe in my absence."

Jacky grinned, "Don't worry, I will. Just focus on keep yourself safe and happy."

We went our separate ways, with Greg carrying me outside the arena. People were outside mingling as it was quickly becoming more and more popular. No one noticed us, while we stayed along the edges of the crowd. Finally we stopped to rest inside an alley, while four figures lined up to block the entrance. Judging by their size and build, they were lizardmen wearing incredibly thick coats to hide their nature. I noticed a couple large beetles clinging to the top most parts of the alley's walls.

Then a shadow moved, as the feathery creature from before emerged from the shadows of the alley itself. She had her arms crossed, the mask hiding her face enough to keep us from reading her. She crossed her arms, looking down at us both. "Helmsman, have you told Bo'sun about what we require?"

I was surprised to find out that she already knew about Greg changing his name. Though they might be connected in some way. What shocked me more, was that the creature that was only chirping less than an hour ago, was here before me speaking our language fluently. Helmsman shook his head, "I haven't, since I figured you'd want to. I'm not good at the whole forward thinking, and planning stuff."

Helmsman sat me down, before collapsing beside me. Both of us exhausted from our fight. The creature shook her head slowly with a small sigh. "I am aware, and my master has allowed me to decide if we take him in or not."

I interrupted, "What kind of creature are you?" It was clearly a capable fighter, that was at least able to glide. It was able to use shadow magic, and was intelligent to a point. I was slowly becoming more curious about what Helmsman was getting us into.

"I'm from the Underneath, where I was found by my master. Last of my tribe, and defeated in combat by him. By our laws, he is my master and my mate." Helmsman laughed, before managing to stop. She placed her hands on her hips, with a huff. "Enough, if you wish to join us you will be expected to help us. I can heal your arm as I did Helmsman's, and one of these lizardmen will guide you to our headquarters. If you do not accept, we will let you bleed out here."

I blinked, completely lost as to how fast this was happening. I looked at where her eyes should be, "What do you expect me to do? What do you mean by help?"

Helmsman sighed, "Our boss is going to have you gather what we need, with me. We're going to retrieve our ship, after this is all over, and free our village with the help of our boss in maybe a year or two."

I blinked, before looking at the creature, "Has... has Helmsman told you about what happened?"

She nodded slowly, "Your goddess is sleeping, while your village is under the control of pirates. Your captain led an attack to try and free your village, but was poisoned with serpent venom. He succumbed before you could get the coin for a miracle. Will you join our gang or not?"

I nodded, "Please, let me join. They likely have our village kept as hostages, in case we return. It might have been razed by this point, but it can be rebuilt. We need to save our goddess."

The creature knelt before me, before covering my eyes with one hand. I felt something like a pinch, before my body heated up. My arm grew back, and all my injuries were fixed. I blinked in complete shock, flexing my arm as hunger made itself known. "How?"

"Don't ask questions, and get to work. My master is pretending to use the bathroom so I could do this for you. Follow the lizardmen and listen to what they tell you. They cannot use telepathy, but they have something that allows them to. Goodbye for now." As quickly as she came, she left.

Helmsman got up, "Welp, you heard her. There is food at the base, as well as kids. You'll fit right in."

I got up myself, "I see, thank you for this."

Helmsman grinned, "Don't thank me yet, things will get more crazy. My advice is don't try to find the reasoning behind it. Just trust in our boss, and everything works out."

I said my final thanks, before being escorted away by Lizardmen of all things. They were understanding enough, and allowed me to make a detour to retrieve my sword and shield. After all, if the future held a chance of freeing our village, then I would need to practice before that day came. For the first time in a long time, I felt hope. I said more prayers to my goddess, thanking her for this chance.