Ivan The Merciless

The ship loomed just ahead. We were gaining fast, and only moments away from catching up.

“Ship ahoy, everybody! Ready the ropes.”

“Aye, Captain!” they called back.

“Elora, you can slay all the enemy pirates you see.”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Really?!”

I nodded, and her smile grew larger.

“Pippa, no ship-destroying spells, but anything else that can take down the pirates or stop them from casting magic is allowed.”

“They’ll be crushed beneath the might of my almighty dark powers!” Pippa declared, dramatically covering her eyepatch with her hand.

“Túta, the usual.”

She nodded before adding. “And you try not to get hurt this time.”

“I’ll do my best.”

We rode up alongside the ship, still maintaining some distance so they couldn’t board us. The pirates all had their blades drawn, waiting for us to make contact. If only we had cannonballs, this would’ve been the perfect time to use them. I would have to talk to Reinhart later about making us some.

“State your business,” one of the pirates called.

“I’m Captain Lark. Tell Ivan to get his butt out here because I’m here to kick his arse.”

There was a moment of silence before they all cracked up laughing.

“This puny lad thinks he can beat Captain Ivan,” someone laughed.

“How dumb is he?” another replied.

“Shall we handle this, Captain?” Another asked, turning towards the captain's chamber.

“Shuddup!”

The crew fell silent as all eyes turned toward the captain’s chambers. A few seconds later, the door violently swung open. A boot hung midair. A familiar face appeared in the doorway. Ivan the Merciless was none other than Scar Beard, the man who had killed that marine back on Pirate Island.

In his hand were two chains that connected to a metal collar around the necks of Viola and a gaunt-looking child harpy with dark greyish feathers. The younger girl appeared to be around five or six years old. She wore a simple white gown and had a fringe similar to Viola's, although her hair was much longer.

“What’s all this noise?”

Viola looked up, her dark expression flickering with hope, confusion, and concern.

“Mr. Gentleman Pirate? What are you doing here?!”

“Oh, so you two are acquainted?” Ivan snapped.

“We met at the Flintlock Tavern yesterday.”

“You don’t say. What did you say your name was, kid?”

“It’s Captain Lark and I’m here to kick your arse.”

“Captain Lark… Now, where have I heard that name before?”

“He’s the one who…”

Ivan swung his blade and lopped off the head of the pirate who was talking.

“Did someone say you could interrupt me?” He shot the rest of the crew a look.

Some of them snickered with laughter, though none of them said anything. The way they treated their crew made me feel sick. A crew is like family, and the way they treat each other is disgraceful. It just further cemented my resolve to defeat him and rescue Viola.

“Ah, that’s right, I heard you picked a fight with a few of my crew members.”

“Sorry, but I’ve picked fights with many people. You’re going to have to be a bit more specific.”

“I let it slide, but now you come out all this way for no reason but to fight me?” he spat towards me. “Well, I ain’t letting that slide.”

“Sorry, but I did say if you messed with Viola, you’d mess with me too.”

“Rahahara~ So that’s what this is about.” He yanked Viola’s collar, dragging her closer. She was looking away from him, trying not to make eye contact. “I’m gonna make Viola my woman.”

He licked her face as he said this.

Without thinking, I jumped across onto his ship, my cutlass drawn. Elora followed suit and jumped across the gap, though unlike me, she brought her axes down on a pirate, causing blood to splatter everywhere.

I could hear Túta complaining about my recklessness as I locked blades with a pirate. She quickly joined the fray as well. Pippa flew across in her pink fluff-ball form, then transformed midair with a gust that sent pirates crashing into the railings.

“None of ya fight that wannabe pirate, he’s mine,” Ivan barked. The pirates I was fighting backed off, clearing a path for him. He was still holding the chains of Viola and Melody in one hand and had since drawn his blade in the other.

I charged towards him, and he swung the chains, causing Melody to stagger out towards me. I caught her as he lunged towards me with his blade. I barely blocked it, but the force of his strike was unlike any of the others I had fought up until this point. I could barely hold onto my blade as he lifted his leg and kicked me right in the stomach.

I staggered back, resting against the ship's wooden railing. I hadn’t noticed until now, but the sky had darkened, and a thick fog was creeping in. There was an ominous feeling in the air, and the sea became choppier as if a storm was brewing.

“Captain!” one of the pirates called, his face was ghostly pale.

“What!” Ivan snapped back. “Ya want to die?”

“It’s… It’s… the Accursed Ravager.” The man pointed out to the sea. Barely visible in the fog was the outline of a ship.

Ivan, for the first time, looked worried.

“What’s that doing out here?” He screamed.

The ship broke through the fog, and it silently, almost eerily, rode the waves. It was much larger than the ship we were on and was a completely pitch-black vessel broken only by the gold rimming around the railing, and the weeping angel carved into the bowsprit. The mast prominently displayed a simple skull and crossbones.

“Mr Gentleman Pirate! You should leave now!” Viola called, looking concerned.

“Captain, we should listen and leave,” Elora added as she cut down another pirate. Her face was pale.

Although it had a somewhat unsettling appearance, it was just a ship. Why was everybody worried about it?

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End of chapter 22