Aether : Calraem

Chapter 55: First Mates

The First Mate of the Zaba Pirates, the First Mate of the Black Pirates

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[01:58]

The plan was immediately set in motion, and the first part of it required the nature goddess of Aries Island herself: Nirvana.

"[Winter Leaf]."

Waisting no time, she clasped both hands and casted one of her unique spells [Winter Leaf]. From the ground in front of her, a giant tree appeared with luscious green leaves.

Not a second later a gust of wind appeared, blowing all the leaves away.

These leaves spread throughout the battlefield, attaching one onto every Zaba Pirate present along with Afshang and Samurai Sensei. As soon as it happened, an invisible [pathway] was created, connecting all of them.

[Winter Leaf] was a spell that could transfer mana between anyone possessing an individual [Leaf]. This time, everyone transferred all of their Mana to a single person -

"*Can you hear me, Samurai?*" Nirvana asked from the leaf attached to his neck.

"I can, Nature Goddess," he said. "Did you receive a message from Calico?"

"Yes, I did," she said. "These leaves will provide you with the Mana and location of everyone around you. I believe you know what to do."

"I thank you," he responded, letting his lips curve into a confident smirk.

*

As Damon walked out of the cloud of the dust, a perplexed look spread across his across his face.

His eyebrows creased, his eyes narrowed and his teeth clenched. Thanks to his heightened perception he could tell that his victory had been more than assured. Not only because he had been so relentless with the battle, but it also had to do with the fact that they had been losing morale.

Even as they fought him they were imploding on themselves.

His work was so fucking outstanding that he was certain even his Captain hadn't expected him to reach these heights. This power could only have been attained because of the fact that he learnt independence - to depend on no one but oneself.

"But," he muttered, "something still seems to be amiss here."

In a split second, the despair that had begun to spread around his foes disappeared. Everyone's behaviour, attitude and overall mood had completely shifted.

They looked more prepared than ever.

As he lost himself in his thoughts, mulling over the different possibilities that caused his enemies gain hope - someone stepped forward from the crowd.

Brandishing his katana again, it was none other than Samurai Sensei, the First Mate of the Black Pirates.

"...?"

Damon watched as Samurai Sensei stabbed his sword into the ground, then letting go of it. He was making a clear show that he no longer intended to to fight.

This only seemed to make anxious. What was the enemy hiding from him?

Since no one else indicated that they were going to fight either, it almost seemed like they resigned themselves to losing.

But what about that change in mood that he felt?

To make sure, Damon asked, "Have you all resigned yourselves to your fate?"

"Hmmm... Not quite," Kiiro said. "We're pirates. *Fate* is something we love to mess around with."

"Why?"