The defeated sailors exchanged looks of anguish and frustration. There was no hope in any of their faces, and, like a ripple effect, they began to lower their weapons, one by one. The metallic clatter of swords and muskets hitting the deck marked the inevitable end of the fight.
After a brief pause, a man emerged from the group, his uniform smeared with soot and blood. He was a lieutenant. Though he tried to maintain a firm posture, the weight of defeat was evident in every step he took toward Luna. Resigned, he stopped a few paces away, hesitating for a moment before raising his sword and extending it toward her in a gesture of surrender.
Luna took the sword from the lieutenant, her piercing gaze fixed on the man before her.
“Your captain is dead,” she said, her voice low but commanding, leaving no room for debate. “Are you going to surrender or not?”
The lieutenant hesitated. His eyes scanned the faces of his comrades, all disarmed and beaten, with no escape in sight. Swallowing hard, he gave a slight nod.
“Yes, ma’am...” the lieutenant murmured, his voice barely audible. “We only ask that you spare our lives.”
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Luna stared at him for a few seconds, studying his expression. Finally, she stepped back and let go of his sword.
“Take your men to the hold,” Luna ordered, her tone firm but devoid of cruelty. She lifted her chin, her authority unmistakable. “We’ll take everything of value to make up for the damages to the Diana. No one will be harmed, so long as you stay quiet and don’t try anything. When we leave, I don’t want any surprises. Do you still have oars?”
The lieutenant drew a deep breath before nodding. His voice carried a bit more steadiness as he replied:
“Yes... Captain.”
Luna arched an eyebrow, a smirk of pure disdain curling at the corner of her lips.
“I’m not the captain of these fools,” she retorted, her tone sharp, as she gestured toward the Midnight Pirates. “Or of those fools, for that matter!”
Without waiting for a response, she turned to the crew of the Diana.
“Men, strip this ship bare! I want anything of value,” she commanded, her voice laden with authority. “We set sail at dawn. Anyone not aboard the Diana when we depart will be left behind.”
The crew responded with a raucous cheer, scattering across the deck like a wave of organized chaos. Luna remained where she stood, her gaze fixed as she monitored the sailors’ movements. The hurried footsteps and low murmurs quickly drowned out any lingering signs of resistance.
For a moment, she stood motionless, her eyes drifting toward the horizon, where darkness blanketed not only the deck but also her thoughts.