Till the world's end|| (pirate!au) -'๑'-Ateez

A star burns brightest in its final moments

The little Choi San was ruthlessly bent over the tablet, his delicate neck tightly clutched by a burly figure. The surrounding pirates erupted in a macabre chorus of cheers, amplifying the sinister atmosphere. The air hung heavy with tension, emphasizing the urgency and malice of the unfolding scene. Yunho and Mingi were bound against nearby poles, the latter knocked unconscious, while Wooyoung struggled against the grasp of three formidable men who compelled him to witness San's impending sacrifice. Soren was secured to another pole alongside Jongho and Seonghwa, while Miray stood helpless beside the vile and lecherous pirate captain, Barbossa. The tableau painted a haunting picture of despair and impending doom on Isla de Muerta.

"Begin by blood, by blood undone!" The pirates jubilantly shouted, brandishing their swords in the direction of San.

"Captain!" San suddenly screeched as Barbossa tightened his grip.

"I am not your captain, little boy," Barbossa sneered.
San angrily collected a wad of spit inside his mouth and forcefully spat it at the detestable pirate.

"Dare to think I would call you my captain, you filthy old pirate. Look in front of you," he declared with a sly smirk.

Barbossa hesitantly looked ahead, his eyes widening as he noticed the short figure of the honored Pirate Captain standing in front of him, a rifle in his hand.

"It's not possible!" Barbossa screeched, to which Hongjoong just shrugged lightly.

"I would say not probable," Hongjoong replied curtly. A figure emerged behind him, drawing a cutlass and walking to stand behind her captain, like a protective guard dog.

"Daphne!" Seonghwa and Yeosang screamed simultaneously, their voices an octave higher, relief washing over both of them.

"SHUT UP! You're next Hongjoong" Barbossa said and gripped San harsher than before

"You're not laying a finger on him," Hypaxia declared, her voice echoing with authority.

Barbossa sneered, sizing her up with disdain. "You barely survived that island lassie don't make me do something worse ?"

Hongjoong's grip tightened on his rifle as he noticed the way that bastard eyed her, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. "Don't worry about that Barbossa, I'm the one who's going to make sure you regret hurting my younger crewmate and my lady over here"

Barbossa scoffed at Hongjoong's threat. "You have nearly died twice at the hands of me young man your threats are nothing to me."

But Hongjoong stood firm, his eyes locked onto Barbossa. "I don't make idle threats, Barbossa. You touch any of my crew, and you'll regret the day you crossed paths with the Interceptor, hell I'll make you remember back to the time you served under me like my barking bitch."

Barbossa growled defiantly, his grip on the knife tightening around San's throat.

"You don't want to be doing that, mate," Jongho spoke from the side, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. His eyes, hazy from the boredom of sitting in a lone cave, fixed on Barbossa with an intensity that made even the hardened pirate hesitate.

For a brief moment, Barbossa seemed to consider Jongho's words as he felt the weight of Hongjoong's crew's collective gaze bearing down on him, their determination palpable in the air.

"No, I think I do," he replied defiantly, dismissing Jongho's warning with a roll of his eyes.

Jongho, unbothered, shrugged nonchalantly. "Your funeral."

Barbossa turned to face the man who dared to defy his authority. "And why don't I want to be doing it?"

"I would rather have the Captain answer that," Jongho replied cryptically. Barbossa turned his attention back to the front, only to notice his strongest man lying on the floor, whining like a dog in heat."Where the hell is that son of a bitch and that lady?" Barbossa roared in frustration.