“Fire!” she bellowed, her voice cutting through the chaos, charged with raw anger.
Her crew didn’t hesitate. Her orders reverberated across the deck as sailors sprang into action. From the Sofie, the cannons roared once more, unleashing another deadly barrage. Explosions blended with the sharp crack of splintering wood as the projectiles tore into the Diana.
The ship rocked violently with each hit, but it held firm, as though its very frame carried the same indomitable spirit as its captain. Luna’s gaze locked on Johny, and memories surged. She had known this man since she was a child. His methods had always been a dangerous blend of madness and cunning.
The Sofie sped across the waves, the flags of the Navy and the Maritime Empire snapping in the wind like a taunt. For a moment, the cannon fire ceased, and the Navy ship skillfully maneuvered, pulling away just enough to trace a wide arc. Its sails adjusted, and the Sofie turned sharply, an aggressive sweep that brought it back on a collision course with the Diana.
A thunderous explosion echoed through the air. A fireball streaked across the sky and struck the Diana squarely. Flames engulfed parts of the wooden deck as crew members scrambled to douse the fire licking at the ship. Yet, the vessel persisted, stubborn to the last.
“Put out that fire!” Jack shouted, dragging a bucket of water. He turned his head, his eyes locking onto Luna. “Captain, we need you!”
“I’m not the captain!” Luna snarled, her eyes blazing with fury. “Damn it!”
She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to steady her focus. The wind swirling around the ship was chaotic, unruly. Luna pushed herself again to assert her will over it, but the wind resisted, moving hesitantly around the Diana alone.
Damn you, you stubborn thing, Luna thought, frustration biting at her.
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After tense minutes of struggle, the wind finally began to yield, filling Diana’s sails to their fullest. At maximum speed, the ship surged forward.
Explosions and gunfire filled the air with an ear-splitting cacophony. The relentless din of battle was punctuated by flashes of fire and the choking density of smoke. Luna made her way to the bow, gripping the railing so tightly her hands tingled.
Suddenly, she felt the wind brush her face, gentler now, as if it acknowledged her command. Deep down, though, Luna knew the truth: the wind wasn’t fighting for her—it was merely helping for now.
Her brow furrowed, irritation thrumming beneath her skin. She knew cursing the wind wouldn’t help, so she drew a deep breath, filling her lungs with the salty, bracing air of the sea. When she opened her eyes again, the fiery rage had been replaced by something even stronger: an unyielding determination.
The moment she spotted the Navy ship, Luna noticed a hesitation in the sails’ alignment. She caught something almost unbelievable—a small flaw in Johny’s strategy. It was the kind of mistake the old captain made when his confidence outpaced his caution.
“Let’s hit those bastards! Take everything you can!” Luna shouted, her voice resolute, a command that brooked no argument. “If they want a fight, I’ll give them one myself!”
“You heard the captain! Let’s loot the Navy!” one of the crew hollered. His shout was met with a roaring chorus, the crew ablaze with fervor and battle-lust.
“I’M NOT THE CAPTAIN, YOU IDIOTS!” Luna yelled, but her words were drowned out by laughter and the cries of combat.
She spun on her heel to face Aiko, her expression sharp.
“Aiko! Unfurl all the sails on the Diana!” Luna commanded.
Aiko steadied the helm, guiding the Diana to pick up even more speed. The wind, bent to Luna’s will, drove the ship faster, narrowing the gap between them and the Navy vessel. The plan was straightforward: gain momentum and bring the Diana alongside the Sofie.
“Ready the cannons on the right side!” Luna barked, her tone unwavering.
A fireball, fired by Johny, tore through the air straight toward her. Without hesitation, Luna drew her sword and slashed the projectile mid-flight. The orb shattered, disintegrating into a cloud of ash.
"That’s our captain, you loser!" Aiko shouted, flipping both middle fingers at the enemy captain. Luna only rolled her eyes, ignoring him as more fireballs zipped past.
"Aiko, stay the course! Let’s leave them a farewell gift," Luna ordered, her voice sharp and commanding. Her gaze locked onto the Sofie, which was closing in fast. A predatory grin spread across her lips as she sheathed her sword.