Chapter 16- To Live

From the corner of the horizon , dark clouds bloomed overhead. The wide voluptuous mist of nature bubbling and broiling, strikes of thunder inching closer as the seconds ticked by.

The silver haired swordsman faced me. With a casual flick of his blade he looked forward.

“Remember who you died to. Remember the name of the fastest swordsman in the sea. Remember, Long , John , Silver! “

Then he struck.

I clasped the sword on my back and swung it free. The bronze blade glinting in the light, the blessed diamond shining victoriously.

As my sword swung up to meet my opponent two things happened at once.

The first was the narrowing of my eyes, green and blue slits perceiving the man’s otherwise imperceptible steps. Rain had began to drop as well to go along with my narrowing eyes. The drops that normally fell faster than the eye slowing to a gentle drip.

It was in this world, of hazy dark and stormy blue , alongside the gentle fall of droplets that I waited for him to strike.

Boooooooom!

The shimmering of a blur outlined the echoing thunder that lit the blue dusk, raindrops bursting away as Silver lurched forward. So quick I could only perceive the slight outline dashing forward, alit with a dark blue tint that showered upon it from the broiling clouds settling upon the moon, as a phantom.

A phantom promising death.

The second happening was the blessed diamond at the center of my blades hilt shinning a dazzling white. With a Wang! Tremors rattled forth from the hilt of the blade, i flexed my arm and held on as the sword rattled the bone in my shoulder. Even as the bone pulled and tugged, threatening to pull away from the socket.

Then I cleaved it unto its target.

Runnngggggg!!!! The sound of steel rang.

The phantom parried. Head first my blade crashed into the deck. The wood vibrating as it shuddered then crumpled apart. The phantom sidestepped next, curving his blade up in a arc that would land his steel upon my chest.

His move was good , very good , I thought , then smiled. Too bad he hadn’t looked behind him.

Blue and white spiraled together at the edge of her blade as she dashed forward. I couldn’t figure how she had done it. It was hard for me to see the dammed guy, but right on center Lysa’s blade fell.

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The phantom had time to turn , he had time to raise his blade, but he didn’t have time to block.

Across the deck Long John was thrown , Surprise staining his features, blood staining his lip.

Hahahah. I smiled. Bet he didn’t expect that one.

“Another artifact.” The man said , spitting on the ground as he looked over my sword. He shook his head.

“You’re not the first you know. I’ve seen many two bit pirate thinking he’d cross the Devils ocean by grabbing a few divine artifacts. I’ve watched them all , scraping and clawing unto life using these tools to survive. If I’m being honest , “ the man spit on the deck. “I think it’s pathetic.”

“Squeak.”

“Yea , this guy really like to talk huh Peeps. “

I scratched my head a little with my left hand.

“Ya know. “ I said looking over the man. “You seem to think these things are wrong or something, but I think you’re missing the point.“

Long John Silver frowned.

“You see , the point isn’t to be fast like you, it’s to live.”

I sat down on the deck.

“Even when I was just a little fish in the beginning , I knew that. “ I tilted my head.

“Don’t tell me you’re less than a fish. “

Silver paused. Face going through a wide range of emotions, when it calmed it had settled upon just one.

Anger.

The Man stood, hand on the hilt of his blade. His teeth gnashing as he looked for words to say. Finally, when he looked like he had them , he tripped.

“Pfttt. Hahahahaha! “

Then Lysa tripped.

“Squeakkk!!!! “

“What do you mean buddy. That’s impossible.”

Lysa caught her feet and turned. Then stumbled again as the ship swayed. “What’s happening Suver?!”

I scratched my head from where I sat. “Well ya see, turns out the moon dagger is a little stronger than I thought. “

Erggggggghhhhhhh….

The boat creaked as the ship tilted forward. The sloshing of the waves going along with it. I blinked a little as the waves rushed toward the back of the ship, the force pulling the front of the deck higher and higher into the air.

The ocean had turned vertical.

“Ahhh!”

I caught Lysa as she fell past, my right hands nails solidly sinking into the hull of the deck while my left hand wrapped around her arm.

To my left , Peeps floated. Anger flashing in thier eyes.

“My bad bud. My bad.”

Lysa eyed the fall, panic swarming in her golden brown eyes.

“What did you do Suver?!”

“Hahahah, remember that curved moon slash I did a minute ago? “

“Yea! What about it?! “

“Welp.” I laughed again lightly. “Turns out I cut out a piece of the earth.”

“What!”

I laughed again. Something about the situation brought extreme humor to me.

My eyes caught on to a flicker of light in my peripherals. I turned to it, and found long John Silver had departed, the flash of a phantom streaking over the edge of the deck.

“Hey , I guess we won.”

“Squeakkk!!!!!!!!!”

“Ahh, your right Peeps. The captain should handle the situation in times of need."

I turned to face my crew of dolphin and navigator.

“Everyone, brace for impact.“