by Eden Redd
The Dark Heart began to drift as Syndra stared out from the cannon portal. She watched as her friends and lovers fought tooth and nail, her body close to the firing mechanism.
On the enemy’s gangplank, Jon’s body was a typhoon, striking elves like they weighed nothing and sending them over the side. He pushed on, not a single hit touching his body. Making it onto the deck, he watched as Zelda moved like an unleashed monster. Blood painted her body as she grabbed an elf by the arm, snapped it and pulled. The limb came off with a sickening crunch, blood spraying across the deck. Screams punched at the air as Zelda roared.
An elf took hold of the rope still connected to Zelda’s body and pulled. A few others saw what he was doing and rushed to the rope and took hold. Zelda was about to grab another elf when the spear slid back in her shoulder and the barb stabbed again into her flesh. She lost her balance, stumbling to the side as a group of elves rushed her, fists raised.
Jon charged the elves with the rope. He leapt at them, his shoulder knocking into an elf cheek and sent him flying. Jon’s attack became a whirlwind, fighting elves as they tried to fight back. Their attacks almost seemed to slide off of him as he landed perfect strikes every time.
Lilly let go of the rope and landed on the deck. An elf turned to her just as she shoved her pistol into his stomach and pulled the trigger. The fiery explosion sent the elf’s lifeless body up and over the edge, falling into the water with a hissing sizzle.
The Captain of the Dark Heart charged into battle as she reloaded. The moment the shell slid into place, she flicked her wrist, closing the pistol chamber. An elf rushed her and was greeted with the butt of the pistol to his nose. Blood spurted before Lilly drove her heel into his knee and sent him crashing to the floor.
Jon fought through the tangled mess of bodies and blood, trying to reach Zelda’s side. The sea elf roared as she threw an elf thirty feet into the air and over the side. Time slowed down as Jon and Zelda reached each other. The two turned around and put their backs to each other, fighting off the gang of elves as they rushed them. Lilly appeared at their side, turning her back and the three fought like wild wolves.
Sawblade stepped onto his ship. He watched as the carnage bubbled, the man and two women fighting off his entire crew like they were new sailors who never stepped on a ship.
“Pistol,” Sawblade said and held out his right hand.
A pistol was placed in the waiting palm. The Captain aimed the barrel at Zelda’s head as she rose high above anyone else on deck. When she roared again, he pulled the trigger.
Jon turned his head, his fist ramming into an elf’s face when he saw an energy bolt cross the deck and slam into the side of Zelda’s head. Shock blasted his nerves as Zelda’s eyes rolled into her head and she fell like a sack of rocks to the deck floor.
“Reload,” Sawblade said with a wild grin as he handed the pistol back to one of his crew.
Jon turned to the grinning elf, fury causing his body to twitch before he charged.
On the Dark Heart, Syndra watched with unblinking eyes as she saw Zelda fall.
“No!” the witch cried out as she took hold of a cannon, tilted it toward the cannon ports of the enemy ship and slammed her hand down on the cannon’s trigger.
Light flashed and stabbed out as a cannonball burst into a flaming fireball and slammed into the enemy ship. The explosion rocked the vessel, everyone trying to grab hold of something as it shuddered.
Jon crossed the distance and rammed his knee into Sawblade’s stomach. The elf grunted as he fell back and sliced with his spinning saw. Jon’s body bent back, the saw missing his nose by an inch before he snapped forward and rammed his fist into the elf’s side. Sawblade grunted as he swung his saw wildly with Jon dodging each strike before delivering punches after each swing.
Syndra moved to the second cannon, aimed it and slammed the trigger. Another fireball shot out, striking an enemy cannon portal and explosions rippling. The witch moved to the third and last one, tilting it and her hand raised.
“Return fire!” Sawblade shouted as he tried to keep Jon at bay.
Jon grunted as he fought, nailing the enemy captain with blow after blow, his body working like a perfect machine. The image of Zelda falling haunted him, driving power into his punches and knocking the elf off balance.
Lilly was over Zelda, kicking, punching and blasting any elf stupid enough to fight her. She watched through the chaos as Jon was unhinged, fighting like a cornered animal.
Syndra’s hand slammed down on the trigger just as the remaining cannons on the other ship went off. The dock between them became no elf’s land as cannons roared at point blank range. One of the cannons on the enemy ship misfired as flames from Syndra’s blast engulfed the elves around it.
Syndra dove for the floor as the side of the Dark Heart blasted in from explosions. Fire licked at the witch as she tried to get back up. The ship rocked as she fought to stay standing. Smoke billowed, filling the deck. The witch coughed and hacked as she rushed to the steps. Blinded by smoke, she felt her way through the familiar ship. Taking the stairs, she clumsily took two steps at a time until she burst onto the main deck.
The witch stared as flames consumed one side of the Dark Heart. Fire leapt up to the sails and they caught. Flames ran along the fabric, turning it into ash right before her eyes. Syndra touched the side of her face, her cheek badly burned. She struggled to stand, making her way toward the burning side of the Dark Heart to see her friends.
Lilly blasted an elf, his body crumpling to the flames before a fist struck her head from behind. Lilly turned with a roundhouse kick, slamming her boot into a midsection before bringing the butt of her pistol down on the back of the elf’s head. The Captain fought with skill until shoulders rammed into her side. Lilly was knocked to the floor before several elves were on her, punching with brutal intent.
Sawblade swung his saw, cutting across Jon’s chest, slicing through clothes and barely nicking his chest. Jon backed off as Sawblade huffed.
“You’re beaten!” Sawblade growled.
Jon took a step forward, ready to finish what he began when Sawblade let out a manic chuckle.
“Fire again!” the elf Captain shouted.
Jon lifted his gaze to see Syndra standing behind the flames across the side of the Dark Heart. Jon watched the fear and sadness painting her expression. She mouthed something he couldn’t hear.
Cannons blasted out, thick fireballs striking the burning side of the Dark Heart and exploding. Shockwaves rippled across the dock, burning wood blasting into the air. An explosion rocked the mast and the entire ship shifted. Syndra’s body was knocked back before flames and smoke rose up, the witch gone from sight.
“Keep firing!” Sawblade laughed.
Something inside Jon cracked. The brightness of his spirit shifted to something darker. Pain needled at the back of his neck as the world around him took sharp lines. Pushing his luck to the breaking point, it shattered as he burst forward.
Sawblade aimed his saw at the charging Jon. The crystal along his wrist blinked out and the saw stopped spinning. Sawblade lifted his brow just before Jon’s fist landed. Sawblade’s back hit the railing as the cannons roared underneath him. Explosions pummeled the Dark Heart as it was set adrift, flames consuming it.
A large gang of elves rushed to their Captain’s side, watching as blood spurted from his nose and mouth as Jon struck him over and over again.
The world went silent, Jon only able to hear his own heartbeat in his ears. Sawblade’s face puffed up from repeated punches, but Jon couldn’t stop himself. Jon saw red as he punched Sawblade in the ribs and saw the elf twist in anguish. There was no reasoning as the people he loved were hurt or dying. He knew they wouldn't make it unless he shifted fate to his side. When several more explosions ripped through what was left of the Dark Heart, Jon’s soul cried out for blood. The needling pain grew as he pushed his body beyond its limits.
Several more explosions flared up in the small
distance, the Dark Heart sinking.
Syndra.
Her name sent power to every cell of Jon’s body. The gang of elves were on him and were quickly greeted with Jon’s elbows and kicks. The lone man turned, fighting like a mad man. Jon glimpsed elves kicking and punching Lilly as she was down, her body covering Zelda’s unconscious form.
Golden light flashed along Jon’s eyes as he barreled into the gang of elves.
A tight rope to a sail snapped, as chaos stormed on deck. It shot like a whip as Jon punched in an elf’s throat. Rearing back his fist to take down another elf, the rope snapped against the back of his head. The strike was so hard and fast, Jon was sent stumbling forward, his world in muted pain. Heat and blood spilled from the back of his head as he stumbled into elves. Their fists rained down, punching with power. Overwhelming force pummeled Jon. Arms and legs shaking, he tried to stay standing. The daze and confusion drowned out his light. A punch to the temple, and Jon was spiraling down to the deck. When he landed, the attacks continued and bodies piled on him. The last thing he saw was a boot rearing back and smashing into his face.
***
Syndra floated in dark waters. Eyes slowly opened before she realized she wasn’t breathing. The last of her air was used to whisper a simple spell. An aura engulfed her before she opened her mouth and allowed seawater into her lungs. Pain surged as she breathed. It hurt every time she cast that spell, but she quickly grew used to it, taking oxygen from saltwater.
What remained of the Dark Heart floated down not far from her. Stalks of sea kelp waved to the currents as the destroyed ship sank lower and touched the bottom. Silt bloomed as most of the ship settled down.
Syndra touched her cheek, skin raw and burning in the saltwater. The witch ignored it. Weakness filled her tired muscles, the witch feeling her lifeforce weakening. Looking down on her body, she saw that a thick piece of sharp wood had penetrated her side. Even in the darkness, she could see clearly with her crimson eyes her blood leaking out into the ocean.
My time in this world has come to an end.
Syndra smiled, knowing that fate had come for her at last. There was no fear or anguish. Just a simple understanding that her thread had reached its end.
Red eyes turned to the destroyed Dark Heart.
My Captain needs her ship.
The witch spoke arcane words. Power drained from the very sea and her life force, pulling together to Syndra’s command. The shadow elf pointed her open palms, fingers twisting to the incantation. A glow bloomed, surrounding the edges of the sunken ship. Syndra smiled as wood began to reform and connect. The ship’s broken parts moved through the murky water, connecting and fusing together.
Syndra’s hands moved like a conductor to a symphony, pulling the very ship together, piece by piece. Mirth touched her soul as she watched the ship reform and become whole. Lifting her hands, the ship began to rise. She watched as the ship blasted up from the water and floated, the remaining water snaking out to her commands.
When the ship was free of water, Syndra’s inner light grew dim. The witch felt the last of her lifeforce slipping away. She drifted underwater, closing her eyes and accepting her death, the ocean her tomb for eternity.
A splash above caused the sea witch’s eyes to barely open. A figure swam down, their pale skin glowing in the dark waters.
Syndra closed her eyes again, knowing it was far too late. The last bit of her life drained into the sea as the figure took hold of the shadow elf and pulled her close. The figure swam upwards, taking Syndra’s limp body with her.
Eryn surfaced, holding Syndra with her. The cleric swam to the shore and pulled Syndra onto land by her arm. The elf struggled, grunting and heaving, pulling the shadow elf onto the sandy beach.
The cleric fell to Syndra’s side, turned the shadow elf onto her stomach. Placing her hands on Syndra’s back, a pale white light engulfed Eryn’s hands. She stared down with blank eyes as healing energy soaked into the witch. Power forced the thick shard from Syndra’s side, the wound closing up. The cleric was on her knees, feeling the burns to Syndra’s cheeks melt away and be replaced with smooth, dark skin.
The cleric gave a wry smile as Syndra’s eyes opened and she coughed up a thick stream of sea water. The pale light around Eryn’s hands died and she fell back on her rump, breathing heavy.
Syndra coughed and gagged, clearing out the sea water from her lungs and taking a deep inhale of breath.
Eryn stood up and walked into the water up to her ankles. Her hands on her hips and her thin cleric robe clinging to her form, she stared at a large cluster of souls in a sea of darkness.
Syndra turned her head and stared out across the moonlit waters to a damaged ship sailing off into the night.
“We… have to… save them,” Syndra coughed as she struggled to sit up.
Eryn nodded. “We do. Thank the goddess I know where they are going.”
Twelve
The rocking of the ship soothed bruised muscles. Jon’s eyes slowly opened, taking in the worn, metal bars around him. Confusion colored his thoughts as he remained still, his eyes moving from side to side. A throbbing ache filled every part of his body. A lantern hanging off a peg, swayed to the gentle rocking motion.
Several cages stood, built into the ship walls. Most of them were empty, except for one where Zelda lay. Jon stared, seeing that her chest was moving but she didn’t stir. Her face was turned away as she lay on her stomach.
Jon’s eyes moved to the side, seeing Lilly almost naked and her wrists above her, clamped in chains. She hung forward, her long red hair obscuring her face. Dark purple bruises covered her body. Small clothes covered her womanhood and a wrap covered her breasts. Aside from that, she wore nothing else. The swaying of the ship caused the sun elf to sway with it.
Jon struggled to get up. Pain flared, but he forced himself to sit up. A metal cup of brown water sat in his cell. Thirst grabbed him like a scorpion’s stinger. A shaky hand reached out, picked up the cup and drank it down. The brown water was bitter, but it slaked his thirst for the moment.
The young man sat back, feeling the iron bars. He tried to call out, but his voice wouldn’t work properly. When he tried again, strange swirls filled his mind and gaze. It was slight at first, barely noticeable. Soon, it consumed him. The pain went away, but the lack of coherent thoughts caused him to slump in his cell and simply blink.
I have to wake Lilly. We have to get out of here!
The thoughts slid along his mind, but his body refused to act. The swirls deepened. The wood of the ship crawled and breathed like a living creature. Iron bars slithered like vertical snakes. The air tasted of salt and fish. The hay that lined his cage, moved like worms around him. Focus came and went like the tides, Jon lost for long moments.
On the other side of the chamber, a heavy door opened. Sawblade stepped in, several elves following him. The enemy Captain moved with regal confidence as he approached the cells. He looked down on Jon, a sneer forming.
“Had the tea I see. Good. It should keep you docile until we reach our destination. Don’t want you gathering your wits to try and escape,” the elf said with cruel eyes.
Jon tried to talk, but no words came out.
Sawblade turned his attention to Lilly as she hung against a thick, wooden pillar. “Wake her up.”
An elf picked up a bucket of water from nearby, lifted it and splashed water on the sun elf. Lilly didn’t move as drops of water dripped from her now wet hair.
“Smack her awake,” Sawblade growled.
An elf moved a step closer before he hesitated.
“I’m trying to sleep,” Lilly said as she slowly raised her head and looked to Sawblade and his crew with tired eyes.
Sawblade smiled. “Glad you're awake. It makes things a little easier.”
Lilly simply stared.
Sawblade stepped closer, his crewmember moving to the side to make way. The elf with the green mohawk stood three feet from Lilly, his crazy eyes scanning her up and
down like she was hanging meat.
“I have contacted the Empire and they are very interested in you. They will be picking you up in three days. By then, you should be nice and broken so that you don’t give them any trouble. Once they have you, they will send the bounty payment my way. As we all know, the Empire always pays its debts. I wish I could be there when they put you on an Empire ship, but alas, I have an operation to run.”
Lilly kept her tired gaze, “Moving sea elves to the richer isles so they can be cut up and eaten? You’re a disgrace to the pirate code.”
Sawblade sneered. “They pay the gold and we supply the bodies. I’m not killing anyone. I’m just the middle elf.”
“You’re a bottom feeder and you will always be a bottom feeder,” Lilly spit on the wooden chamber floor.
“A living and well-fed bottom feeder. You could have been the greatest captain to sail the thirteen seas and yet, you decided to play hero. What a waste of talent.”
Lilly gave a sardonic smile. “I am still the greatest captain of the thirteen seas. And when the Empire is crushed, you will beg for a quick death.”
Sawblade crossed his arms and tut-tutted. “No, no, we don’t have to behave this way. We have some time before we reach the Worm Pit. Tell me exactly where the princess is on Urth. Tell me and I’m sure I can find a rock to leave you and your crew on. I’ll even leave enough food and water so if a ship wanders by, you may be saved. How about it?”
Lilly took in an inhale of breath before she spit in his face.
Sawblade smiled as he wiped away the spit from his cheek. “Principals and honor will only get you and your crew killed. By our code, I cannot take your life or every pirate captain will come looking for me. Blood for blood, bone for bone. The code keeps us alive, but your refusal will spell your death. Negotiate with me and I can tell the Empire you escaped.”
“You killed my witch,” Lilly said darkly.
“You killed several of my men,” Sawblade countered.
“I’ll burn your ship to light my way if you don’t free us,” Lilly said with shadows over her eyes.