My Crew

Kenji led the way as we wove through the side streets, towards the castle.

“Where are all the guards?” I asked, trying my best to keep up with Kenji.

“Oh, I’ve been avoiding them thanks to my detection ability,” Kenji responded nonchalantly.

“What, another broken skill, lucky bastard. How about sharing some with the rest of us?”

“Lucky? These come with responsibility. Besides, you’re the one who gets to be with all those beautiful women. I'd call that lucky.”

“They are beautiful, I can’t deny that,” I replied with a nod and smile. I covered my mouth to hide my mocking laugh. “I guess I am better than you.”

Kenji looked enraged, his teeth clenched tightly. He spun around suddenly, and I almost ran into him. He glared at me, clearly annoyed.

“I haven't forgotten you're a pirate. As soon as we sort this duke business, I'll beat you senseless.

“Wow, you're doing that just because you're jealous? I expected better of you,” I teased, shaking my head.

Túta's hand shot out and grabbed both our ears.

“Can the two of you please stop bickering and remember what our goal is!” she scolded.

“Sorry Túta,” we both replied, although we both refused to look at each other.

She sighed, letting go, and we ran to the castle in silence.

When we reached the first guard tower, the grounds were littered with soldier corpses. The cobblestone pavement was smeared with blood. Standing just beyond was the masked Holy Knight.

“More people are willing to throw their lives away,” he sighed.

“We know why you are here and that you are a Holy Knight. You can cut the charade now,” I called.

“Oh, so you know my identity.” He removed his mask, and his golden hair and piercing blue eyes became visible. “I guess I really do have to cut you down now.”

“I’ll handle him. You go take down Duke Wiscard!” Kenji yelled, rushing towards the Holy Knight.

The Holy Knight raised his hand, and Kenji momentarily halted.

“If you wish to slay Duke Wiscard, then we are of the same side.”

Kenji looked back at me, and I shook my head.

“Sorry, but we can’t trust you.”

The man’s expression didn’t change. However, he did reposition his blade in a more threatening manner.

“Well that’s too bad. I guess I’ll have to kill you here and then deal with the Duke.”

The Holy Knight’s blade began to glow with a radiant light as he swung it toward us. Kenji blocked it with his flaming Katana, and a brilliant blast of flames and light enveloped the grounds. The clash of the blades sent both Kenji and the Holy Knight staggering backward.

The holy knight lunged forward, not giving Kenji time to regroup. The blade arced toward his face, forcing him to lean back. The slash continued through, slicing into the wall behind him.

Before Kenji could regain his balance, the knight kicked him, sending him flying into the wall and causing it to collapse.

“You are strong, I’ll give you that. But you are inexperienced in combat,” The Holy Knight commented.

Kenji staggered forward, pulling himself out of the rubble. He appeared mostly uninjured, save for a slight trickle of blood from a small cut on his forehead.

“You’re right, I don’t have the combat experience you have. But it doesn’t mean I can give up.”

Fire wrapped around his entire body. Scarlet wings protruded from his back, ripping his shirt and revealing his bare chest. His right eye turned an orange flaming hue, whilst the other remained a piercing golden colour. His hair turned crimson red. Two black horns curled upward from his head. The intensity of the heat increased as if even the air around was being ignited.

What the hell?

“I see you are no longer holding back,” The Holy Knight commented.

“I didn’t want to use this form.” Kenji looked down at his empty hand and opened and shut it several times before glancing back at the Holy Knight. “But you left me no choice.”

“I look forward to seeing your full strength.” The Holy Knight nodded out of respect. “I suppose I won't hold back either.”

Light enveloped the Holy Knight as translucent wings appeared behind his back. A golden, spiked halo hovered above his head. If you didn’t know better, you might mistake him for an angel, especially with his good looks and golden hair.

Kenji and the Holy Knight locked eyes before clashing blades once more. The Holy Knight let go of his blade with one hand, and light instantly enveloped it. He went to punch Kenji, but he too let go of his blade and caught the punch with his hand, which had transformed into a red dragon claw.

The two flew up, clashing blades several times before the Holy Knight spun around and kicked Kenji, which sent him crashing to the ground.

Before Kenji could regain his footing, the Holy knight dove down with his blade aimed directly at him. Kenji swung his blade to block the attack, but the force sent him rolling across the ground.

Tuta ran up to provide healing, but the holy knight lunged towards her. Viola's wires snapped around his wrists, slowing him as Elora simultaneously rushed him with her axes. The Holy Knight ducked, flicked his blade to sever the wires, and kicked Elora back in a single motion.

“Captain, we will help fight this guy. Go on ahead with Pippa, Mel and Raizel.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“How sweet you are to worry about us,” Viola teased.

“Are you underestimating us?” Túta snapped.

“I could defeat him by myself without all of you,” Elora pouted.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to them,” Kenji added, flames dancing around him as he spoke.

I bit my lip, unsure if I should leave.

“Go!” Viola ordered.

“But…”

“Do you not trust us?” Elora added.

“Of course I do! I just want to make sure you are all safe.”

“We won’t die, and even if we did, we are your crew. We’d crawl back from hell to be with you again,” Tuta added with a smirk.

I turned away, pulling my pirate hat low to hide the proud smile that crept onto my face.

They truly were my crew.

▪──── X ────▪

End of chapter 50