Chapter 123 – Choking Fire-point (2)

The flying airship passed the borders of the Holy Midland without trouble. It was when the flying airship flew thirty miles from the borders that the ship was intercepted by flying ships that have the same appearance of the transport that Joshua was flying on.

They were a rather fervor bunch that blocked the ship. A man sporting a black and white tabard stood on their deck with a hoarse voice. “Stop!” said the man. “You had entered the Holy Domain of Midland. Identity or you shall be brought down!” It wasn’t the nicest way to start a conversation, thought Joshua. They were clearly pointing their cannons at the ship. Joshua edged towards the air balloon and stealthily freed the rope that made the wicker basket cling to the ship. Just in case things go bad.

Mia sported a dress. She swaggered and raised the badge of nobility that she had. The man in the black and white tabard gestured to one of his men, they fetch him a scope and he peered on it. The man raised an eyebrow. “What business do you have on our holy domain?” said the man. Mia narrowed her eyes and spoke with authority. “That is none of your business. We have commandeered and are on a journey to the Maltius La Fende. By right of nobility, I demand passage this instance!”

The man leaned back. He was startled by Mia’s stern voice. She was a warlord so she carried weight in her voice. The man could understand that well. His voice softened up. “By right you will, madam. But this is the Holy Borders of Midland. I am afraid that we have to search your ship,” Mia frowned. “May I ask why?” Her tone was far sterner than ever. The man straightened himself up. “Cagan and Bali spies have started imitating the ships our forces ma’am, and by the order of the Pontiff, we are to search every land and air vehicle. It is our duty and I am sorry that you have to permit us.”

Mia frowned heavily. “We are quite in a hurry. We are expected to be at our destination. Do you intend us to tarry? And are you truly soldiers of Midland?” she made this questioning voice. “You could be imitators and scheming bandits for all I care!” She shouted. The man didn’t appreciate that. He frowned. He thought how troublesome the noble he was facing clearly. “By no means are we bandits, madam. We bear the sigil of the cross proudly. And if it relieves the madam’s suspicion then we shall allow you passage.” The man gave up gracefully trying to argue with Mia. Mia inclined her head. “Very good, now if you excuse us. We shall continue our trip.” Mia nodded her head at them. The men nodded in reply.

Things went well all considering. But then it happened. The jolly Kioko ran outside of the cabin laughing. Leiko followed her and tried to catch her but it was too late. The man who saw them looked surprised at first. But upon seeing their cat-like ears, the man’s face contorted madly.

“Cagan spies!” the man shouted furiously. Reasons seem lost on him. “Bring them down, men!”

If the man was pissed at Mai then clearly he took it as an excuse. Joshua didn’t sit pretty hearing that. By fear of what’s going to happen, he vaulted out of the ship and slip to the air balloon of his. He lifted the air balloon up and threw a Thermite Bomb on the ship’s balloon. The ship immolated and the Thermite fire burned the deck with ease. The balloon still flew, however, but was rather unstable.

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Mia hunkered down to cover. She shouted and the flying ship tilted as Barbados swung it to dodge the first volley of cannons. Archie did what he could and fire rock spikes on the people manning the cannon. Leiko held Kioko down to avoid the incoming fire. While Zola turned blue and leap up to one of the ships. With a quick stomp, she punctured a hole. The men raised their rifles only to for Psion barrier to protect her. The little pup Titus ran towards Joshua. It was able to jump the gap and make use of the wicker basket to jump to where Zola was.

The enemy ships open fired. Barbados tired to maneuver but the ships were able to block the escape path. Luckily, Zola was able to rush through one of ship’s steering wheel and made the enemy ship strafe left. She then leaped back to the ship and protected it from cannon fire. And Barbados was able to pierce through the block and flew straight. The ships gave chase but Joshua threw the bombs he had on the ships, breaking their deck and taking out of some of the ammunition crate they had. This attracted their attention and the riflemen onboard shot the balloon. Joshua cursed as he peeled the runes and jumped back to ship, rolling to break his fall.

Suddenly, the ship that Joshua set on fire speeded to their direction. Barbados tried to dodge but he was too late. The enemy ship rammed the side. The ship that Joshua was riding shook madly as it then caught fire. There was a whining sound as the ship started falling nose first.

The ship rumbled. Joshua held on when suddenly floating words appeared in front of him.

>Survive

>Surrender

It has been a while since he saw those words. It was obvious what was he going to pick. He immediately then felt his body move on its own. He sprinted through the deck and held on the railing as the ship dove down, avoiding the stray cannonball that was going to kill him. A fire started to spread on the ship. Archie took hold of Mia. Barbados threw a parachute on them as he vaults out of the ship. Archie followed while he threw a spare to Joshua. Joshua was able to catch it, but the ship’s hull exploded. He stumbled and tossed the parachute. This made Joshua grit his teeth. He didn’t lose hope as he reaches for his pistol and points it on his head. He squeezed the trigger and felt that time slow down. This gave him enough time to move the pistol away. Preventing himself from blowing his own head.

Joshua didn’t have control over his ability. But he thought of this so that he can achieve a bullet time effect. It worked and Joshua was able to find a route and leap off the ship. The ship shattered. Splinters burst forth as Joshua felt the shockwave threw him like a ragdoll.

He kept on falling. He saw the others falling down as well. Time slowed for him. He could hear his breathing as he then focused his mind on the words that appeared before him. His body moved and before long he took out the runes he peeled from the air balloon and made use of it to cushion his landing. The fall was still enough to kill him. He felt his vision reddened and he felt death closing by.

But then a figure fell down near him. He could recognize Zola and she was able to catch Joshua. On her shoulder was Titus. And seeing that he was caught her. Joshua fainted, as the effect of the blast finally took hold of him.