A silence permeated the air. The stillness of the ocean breeze was stifling to Aldweck in the new garments that he had been given by the Caraha tribesmen. Along the large ship was an intricately designed carving of wood that was historical to the tribe. A wooden ode to a better time in the eyes of the clansmen. Aldweck leaned against the railing, the breeze flowing through his long black hair. His eyes were full of conflicted emotions, but what was new?

Naomi was bantering with Chief Zaberdack who was talking to several of the men who had volunteered to come along on a journey with little chance of return. The wind was catching well in the sails, lifting the ship through the water like a gentle bird that was drifting along with the current. Jarquale’s lavish green jungles disappeared into the distance as Aldweck and Erick, along with the others they had met along the way had once again positioned themselves on the ocean which carried them to a new destination.

Alex, the penguin who had been a thorn in the group’s side, had finally taken time away from the group. When the penguin wasn’t allowed on the ship, it had seemingly waddled away.

Erick sat across from Chief Zaberdack who was now planning out their steps toward action.

Zaberdack laid out a map of one of the lesser islands on the deck floor, many of the other warriors were hunched over in intense focus, “This is the island of Zubikai, we know well how the Zukibai tribe has been treated, most of the life on this island has been sucked out of it because of the harsh taxes and mandates. The Zubikai people are by far the most vengeful to the Cariquey government.”

Erick raised his hand, “Chief Zaberdack, how many clans are there in the Cariquey, and how many do we really need to fight a war against the Cariqueyan army?”

Zaberdack nodded, “That’s a good question. There are seven major tribes: Zubikai, Karolshi, Amnutai, Quash, Gilgaborn, Caraha, and Cariquey. Cariquey was not a tribe but a collection of smaller clansmen that overthrew the Caraha clan. With the Caraha clan’s state, it is even hard to say there are seven major clans, but only six.”

He sighed, “As for how much support we’ll need to take over the islands, that is unknown. Even with the combination of all of the clan's support, it may be an impossible task to overcome Lord Warner’s evil regime, but we need all the help we can get. That’s why we’re enacting this plan. We must first help the Zubikai so that they, in turn, may help us.”

“Understood, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“No worries, it’s important that all of us allies are on the same page. Information is a vital part of winning any war. Especially against a government that wants to snuff out the truth and feed propaganda to the other nations.”

Aldweck loomed over Erick as the discussion continued, “We will first need to liberate the Zubikai people from the Cariqueyan soldiers. Destroy the main headquarters and take their weapons. Once we’ve armed the Zubikai we can storm the port and flee toward another lesser island. Our only main issue is that Lord Warner will be quick to catch word of this uprising and will seal off the other ports with his strong navy. Our attack must be swift and efficient. Therefore, if we are unable to take the Zubikai ships to another clan, we must attack the Jarquale capital before Lord Warner can amass his navy at the center of the action.”

Everyone nodded in understanding when Aldweck then spoke up, “What is the plan if we fail at Zubikai?”

Everyone looked at Aldweck, Zaberdack looked at him and then looked off to the side, “If we fail at Zubikai, we will all most likely die as traitors or as warriors. It is the only path that veers off from a successful mission. Let us not think about failure so prematurely.” He nodded, looking at his fellow clansmen and then back to Aldweck.

Naomi scoffed, “Thinking about failure already are we? You must want to lose with all of that anxiety of yours.” She smiled, patting Aldweck on the shoulder, “Don’t worry Aldweck, we will succeed because I am here. Not only am I here, but the Caraha tribe’s strongest members are here to represent how serious we are.”

A whistling sound exploded and reverberated near the ship. Fire and heat expanded out in the air near the ship, causing it to rock away from the propelled force that almost severely damaged the ship. Steilart stumbled on the ship, grabbing onto Velis as they picked up their rifles. Across the sea was another ship with magic casters standing on the deck.

“Shit! It’s one of the Cariquey Special Units!” Steilart shouted.

“Special units? Tell me more!” Chief Zaberdack grabbed onto Steilart’s shoulder and looked out to the ship where another explosive magic ball was being cast.

“There are three special units that dominate the Cariquey fleet. They are warships with some of the top magicians all throughout the islands! The last thing you want to see in an assault against you!” Steilart shouted.

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Chammie ran up the steps and turned the wheel hard, his face contorted in stress.

“What are you doing?!” One of the clansmen said.

“I’m turning the ship around! It’s one thing to be in combat with another ship, but we don’t have any cannons and our side is exposed. We’re only giving them more spots to hit at this angle.” He kept the wheel turned, “Just trust me on this one. I have the experience to say that this is the appropriate thing to do.”

A wave of red fiery balls was dashing across the surface of the ocean at high speeds as Erick clambered on top of the railing and summoned a massive magic wall that caught all of the explosions. Red energy spread across all of the walls, painting it like it was an invisible canvas.

“Is there any way you’re good enough to sink their ship instead of protecting ours?” Chief Zaberdack asked Erick.

“I can’t afford to use all of my strength here. We are only just beginning this revolution and you’re asking me to use what magic I have to destroy a ship?” Erick’s forehead wrinkled in stress.

“Heh, you guys are stressing over nothing.” Naomi stepped out and pulled out two twin daggers, “Just get me across the sea, kid. I’ll show you what the warriors of Caraha are capable of.”

“You asked for this.” Erick sighed, casting wings onto Naomi that started flapping hard off of the deck and propelling her into the air. She was moving forward rapidly, the fireballs coming straight at her. She spun around mid-air, slicing into them with her daggers and splitting them at their sides as she avoided any damage at all. Her moves felt like magic in its own way.

Naomi was more than halfway across when she could hear the orders from the other ship starting to freak out about her approaching.

“Cast again! Again I say! Do not let her onto this ship. Send a messenger to Lord Warner immediately! Why aren’t you casting yet?” A blonde pretty boy was pacing back and forth, barking orders at everyone as the anxiety in his chest rose.

The fireballs exploded out from the casters’ hands and all went toward Naomi who didn’t seem to have control over her wings.

“Well, if the wings won’t stop, I’ll just have to stop everyone and everything else!” She screamed, spinning her daggers to generate a whirlwind which made the fireballs lose momentum and direction as they exploded beneath her. She dropped down onto the deck as the wings disappeared. Her body lifted up as she looked at the pretty boy who was in shock that she had managed to make it over to the ship.

“Who even are you!? Attack her!” Many men scrambled, pulling swords out as they attempted to bring Naomi down. She darted through the attacks, spinning in a trance-like circle as she left cuts through those who missed their swings. She ducked, a fray of her hair was cut from one of the swords but she had a rebuttal with her sword as it went through the man’s neck. With one dagger stuck in his neck, another charged. She kicked the man in his chest and pulled the sword out before finishing off the man she had kicked.

A pool of blood began to form on the ship as everyone dropped but Naomi herself. She was a master hunter and warrior who was seemingly unrivaled in the art of blades. The pretty boy trembled, unsheathing his sword.

“I am Neo Falcon, second son of the Falcon family. I was abandoned here to not inherit anything. I may look incapable, but I have dedicated nearly ten years to manning this ship and serving the Lord of Cariquey. You will fall to my sword.” He pointed his own sword at Naomi.

“I don’t believe that, but you can try.” She laughed.

Naomi darted in and Neo parried both of her blades, making her daggers slide up and bringing her arms up. He retrieved his blade and swung it at her torso only for her to kick him and send him spiraling back into a bunch of boxes.

She threw a dagger at him, but he was quick to roll out. After rolling out, Naomi sliced Neo’s chest as he backed away.

“A little short of anything major.” Naomi scoffed.

“Fuck!” Neo trembled, touching the blood to his fingers, “That’s it. I was nervous, but now I will fight with my full strength!”

“Anyone who has ever said that, has usually lost against me.”

“Keyword is usually!” He charged her, coming down on her with the blade. She caught it with her single dagger, struggling to keep the sword from coming down on her.

Neo struggled, his breathing heavied. He let go of the sword, catching Naomi off guard as he tackled her to the ground and gained control of her dagger. He smiled, “I’ve got your dagger. I’ve wo--”

Naomi’s fist spread out across Neo’s face, breaking his nose and sending him screaming backward on the deck in pain as he held his nose. She got up and picked up her dagger, “You went for a cheap move, so I took the handles off of this fair match.”

He forced his eyes open as the blood gushed out of his nose, “Y-You call throwing your dagger at someone a sign of sportsmanship? Are you mad?”

Naomi smiled, “Maybe so, but you’re the one who tackled me. That doesn’t involve a sword, so I broke your nose.”

“Y-You’ll pay!” Neo grabbed Naomi’s other dagger and scrambled to his feet.

“I don’t think I will,” Naomi said, slicing Neo’s throat open as he fell to the floor in a heap. He struggled to breathe as the life drained out of him. Naomi looked over to the ship that was now approaching them. She gave a quick thumbs up.

Chammie had taken the crow’s nest and looked up with binoculars, “She won! She won! I thought she had lost for a second there, but she took down the whole ship by herself. She’s strong guys!”

Velis sighed, “I would hope so. If she wasn’t capable of at least that, then we would really be in trouble if we got to Zubikai and things were like this.”

Aldweck and Erick smiled at each other before smiling back to Naomi who had shown superior physical prowess.

“Now we have two ships if nothing else!” Naomi pointed her sword to the sky, “This is just the beginning of our revolution. Let us take Zubikai next and show them that we are serious about changing this country and therefore the world!” She screamed.

Everyone cheered, Aldweck included. Mitch felt a sincere amount of hope bubbling up inside of him at this display. Just for a small second, he let himself believe that with Naomi’s physical abilities and Erick’s magic, that they would be able to take down Lord Warner and end his tyranny once and for all.