MARINES - A ONE PIECE story (ENGLISH) - Part I

CHAPTER XLVII - A last ray of sunshine

As soon as the tunnel had collapsed, Myr had shouted his comrade's name :

- Leroy ! Leroy, can you hear me ?! For God's sake !

Beside the old man, Caprico, in his clay cage, and Pisces, still unconscious, stood by. Recently, Haru, Jun and Jorge had joined him with their defeated prisoners. They were always accompanied by Emmy and Igana, whom Myr was delighted to see safe and sound.

- I feel his presence, Haru said calmly. He is coming !

Behind the thick cloud of dust and rubble, vice-admiral Leroy emerged. His long Marine cloak was battered and soiled, but he did not appear to be injured.

- Everything is fine ! he cried as he caught sight of his comrades, his sentence chopped up by a cough. The tunnel collapsed when I was about to enter it, my clay barely protected me.

He turned slowly towards the long corridor, now blocked by rocks.

- It looks like it will be difficult to reach the Fountain... I hope Helio is not there yet. What was the cause of this landslide ?

- No idea, grumbled Myr, scowling.

It did not bode well. The enemy was trapped in the Fountain room, two steps away from his objective, and no one could stop him.

- Why don't we dig ? asked Jun. You two are strong enough to destroy those rocks, aren't you ?

- I do not think this is a good idea, said Leroy, giving the tunnel a stern look. We would risk to create an even bigger collapse. And this stone... You feel it too, Myr ?

- Yeah... It has particles of sea stone in it. It would be too complicated to dig it out, we don't really know what to expect. We'd have to find another way out.

- Not good ! Jorge exclaimed, looking at Virgo's map. This last room is only accessible through the tunnel that just collapsed !

- Damn it ! Myr muttered as he sat down with his arms crossed.

Suddenly, Peck, in Haru's blouse, began to chirp loudly, as if panicked.

- What's wrong with that bird ? Jun asked casually.

- Maybe it knows where its master is, declared Myr. Arthur and Zell still haven't returned.

- The same goes for Hector, by the way, added Leroy with a gloomy look.

Haru closed her eyes and concentrated.

- Yes, I think... Behind those many stones, at the end of the tunnel... I feel several presences ! Two people are with Helio !

- What ?! exclaimed Myr. You think it's them ?

Suddenly, a cry resounded in the cave, accompanied by a terrible trembling.

- It can only be Arthur and Hector, look ! shouted Jun, pointing to the opposite corridor.

Zell, carrying Taurus on his back, was screaming like hell.

- Zell ! shouted Jorge and Haru.

- Madeira ?! Ah ! This boy is incredible !

- Get out of here ! shouted the shipwright. We have to get out of here, and fast ! The whole cave is going to collapse !

...

As the golden chalice fell to the rocky floor, it made a shrill sound that echoed throughout the cave. Helio slowly swallowed, letting the water from the Fountain flow down his throat, then took a deep breath. He looked at his mutilated body, at the scars of the past.