The Twins

Chapter 5: Broken Bonds

Gunshots and screams echoed in the distance as the young man ran through the woods. The determination Margo had was quickly fading as the sounds of death and violence grew around him. The waters of the beach ahead began to come into light, painted crimson with blood. Closer and closer he came to the beaches clearing but more and more of the battle came to view as well. Bodies littered the sandy beach and shallow waters; even the ships that dotted the coast were lit ablaze, many of which scuttled or sinking.

"Where is your Captain!" Echoed the voice of Elizabeth. "Where is William Raines?!" Margo stumbled out of the woods that dotted the beach line to see his adoptive mother, the queen, holding her blade at her side as she walked down a line of men shackled and on their knees. Behind her was the naval foreign squad with guns at the ready with murderous intent burning through their eyes. The Queen turned and faced one man, raising his chin with the tip of her rapier. "Does he hide on his ship?" She did not wait for an answer as she shoved the blade through the man's neck, staring down at him as he drowned in his own blood upon her sword.

Margo stood back in horror, never before seeing this side of Elizabeth. "Kill them." The queen ordered as she stood back and stood straight, watching as her soldiers unloaded their rifles into the heads of her enemy. Blood showered the woman as bodies collapsed until one remained, a young woman with long ginger locks. She sat there upon her knees shaking in fear and saying a prayer to herself. The Queen's men rose their weapons to the remaining pirate but were stopped by their subordinate's hand. "Stand." She demanded.

The young woman trembled as she rose to her feet, keeping her eyes on the sand. The shackles and chains that bound her hands before her chimed as she shook in fear. "If you do not wish to join your crew, I suggest you tell me where your captain is."

"The bottom of the sea." The girl said softly. "The man ye be seeking is dead, William Raines is no more." She added, raising her head slowly to meet the eyes of the Queen. "We have a new captain now, and he comes with a message." The girls demeanor changed as a dark smirk pursed her lips. A single gunshot echoed across the beach as time appeared to slow around the queen. She could feel the warmth of blood upon the back of her head, yet there was no pain.

Slowly the Queen turned toward the source of the gunfire, watching her soldiers fall like dominoes from the bullet that tore through their temples. Out of the woods walked a young man who held a smoking flintlock in one hand, and a sword moist in blood in his other. With each step he took the young man carved a bloodied line into the sand. His eyes burned with hatred yet his grin beamed with pride. "Surrender." The young man said to the queen.

"Ga-Gabriel?" The queen stuttered trying to understand what had just occurred. Quickly Elizabeth went to swing her sword but she would find the sands to be her new home, as he knees buckled out from behind her. The ginger girl took her chained and shackled wrists and used them to hold the Queen's neck high.

"No!" Margo could feel that word escape him in horror. His hands quickly drew themselves over his mouth but it was too late, his attention was already drawn. Gabriel raised his gun and fired the remaining bullet toward Margo. Out of the woods a large shadow emerged, tackling Margo to the sands with a loud grunt. Curled up and slowly opening his eyes the young man saw who was over him. It was Grog, blood dripping out of his collarbone from where the bullet had landed.

"Stay....here." Grog whispered as he slowly got to his feet and turned to face Gabriel. "End this bloodshed now." The massive man said as he crossed the beach slowly toward the three. "You don't need to do this Gabriel."

Gabriel chuckled softly as he looked upon Grog. "Grog? Be that you? Ye haven't even aged a day!" But his demeanor quickly changed back as his blade rose to Elizabeth's chest. "I have come to finish what me father started."