Seafarers

Chapter 23

Chapter 23- Suna Reef

The Lousy High leading the Blackguard Crew sailed to the horizon of Suna Reef. Something seemed amiss as Zaccheus' fleet could not be seen. Peleg sensed something rather unceremonious. Peleg felt almost a tingle. He warned Eutha and Jeroboam, who were both coming up with their own theories, that Zaccheus fled the Reef fearful of the power of the Wolnechite. Something more sinister was happening here. The fleet finally docked at the shores of Suna Reef. No one was there. This was definitely a trap. Nevertheless, Peleg stepped out of his vessel and touched the soil and spoke out, "It's safe", he said as he called out to Eutha and the rest of the Blackguard Crew arrived accompanying Peleg. Beyond the lush trees and greenlife was a wooden fort. The crew was at the threshold of possessing the entire fort. He watched hundreds of slaves as they helped forge metal javelins and other weapons used by the Demons. And they say that all of their forts and worked by magic Orson mocked in his mind as he sauntered with the other helmsman. The Operator, Operator Julius was positioning the laborers. The ambassador would be here soon. As soon as he came, the Revolutionaries would strike from the shadows. From the other side of the island a small vessel came in. It was clearly one of the Demons. The metal ship almost resembled that of the ones Peleg had seen at the Shrine. They attacked and knocked out several Shadows and as they fell to the ground with either arrows or javelins in their body. Peleg lunged forward and slit the throats of many more Shadows, swinging his father's green sword. Suddenly, the black suited Demon, Raiknos exited from the metal vessel, making his grand entrance. That's when Peleg realized what the trap was, Raiknos was the ambassador and they lured me here. While the Shadows commanded by Julius attacked the Blackguard, Peleg confronted Raiknos. Things got worse by the moment, as Zaccheus' fleet could be seen approaching on the horizon. Peleg clumsily swung his sword at Raiknos in anger. Raiknos immediately fired back and tried to stab Peleg. Peleg's robe that he wore since his childhood ripped and blood dripped from his injured stomach. "Why do you emit such rash anger?", Raiknos said as he examined Peleg. Peleg asked back, "Why do you kill innocents with the Demons?".

"Perhaps I will answer your question if you answer mine"

"Because of you"

"You murdered my father, caused the death of my mother, and killed my mentor, Tepan"

"Do you want to know what Tepan did to me? I assume Tepan never told me about the part where he knew my mother was to die, and let her die. Or when he murdered my wife and unborn children. Or when they manipulated innocent children to their behest to gain a political position. Or when he left his own apprentice to burn in the eternal flames of Mount Warfolk. The Mages are the only villains here. They only cause suffering and pain in their ways. You can join us. Use your talent to protect the world".

"Do you think killing innocents will bring order and peace and protection to this world?"

"We've done bad things, I won't deny, yet aren't you also killing innocent men. The Shadows are poor men who have no other work to do in life. No salary, no food. We stopped them from going into poverty. Don't you see how we've helped them? You're fighting for a lost cause, boy. You can become as powerful as me. You can protect those you couldn't with the power of the Demons. Dark Magic. I was much like you during my childhood".

"I am and will never be like you, or cowardly turn to some simple solution like you. Instead I will be like my father, whom you killed".

"Alas, I have killed far too many fathers" Raiknos devilishly chuckled.

Peleg angrily attempted to slam his blade into Raiknos' chest which resulted in nothing, thanks to Raiknos' swift movement. The Shadows and Blackguard Crew clashed against each other, and for now it seemed the Revolutionaries were winning. Zaccheus' fleet loomed ever closer to Suna Reef. As Peleg and Raiknos exchanged blows, Peleg wondered He needed to find the Wolnechite and leave the island. The weapon could change the tide of this war. Raiknos observed Peleg and then spoke, "Are you thinking of the Wolnechite, boy?". "How did you know?" Peleg asked, dumbfounded. "Just a guess, because it doesn't exist. I sent a spy of mine, Captain Falk, to deliver false information to lure you here". Suddenly, a triumphant sail raised from the west. The Dandy Bow, and it was none other than their favorite rascal, Randell Shiraishi, and was followed by none other than the last of the werewolves, Bishan who had morphed into his wolf on a rampage killing all the Shadows in sight. Eutha had reached the slaves, and called out, "We are the Revolutionaries, and we have come to free you of your burden. Join us and topple the foul Demons who enslaved you! And fight until freedom!". Eutha's words had motivated the slaves enough to rebel and aid the Revolutionaries against the few remaining Shadows. While the Revolutionaries were almost celebrating, Peleg was barely avoiding Raiknos' attacks, and was quite literally, on the verge of death. Suddenly, Randell tossed him a dirtbike, which Peleg naturally hopped onto and drove away the Revolutionaries. Raiknos did not pursue them as it was futile, he was one man, and they were more than two-hundred. The Revolutionaries and slaves gathered in different boats of the Blackguard Crew's fleet, which also included the Lousy High and Dandy Bow. Soon enough they were fleeing into the horizon. Raiknos watched the sun set. Now I know the boy is from Hizuka. That's a start, Raiknos thought to himself. Zaccheus arrived, unfortunately too late. "My apologies from the unpunctual arrival. We had some problems with the Kothian Miners'' Zaccheus explained himself. "Well, explain that to the King''. "Yes, my Lord", Zaccheus spoke as he departed with his fleet heading towards Aomi to report to the King. A small vessel floated and arrived at the shores. It was Klement. The masked assassin walked towards Raiknos. "I believe you have something of utter importance to share with me?" Raiknos asked. "I talked to a couple of Goblins at Hellbounty. And by talked, I mean I killed, and they knew the boy's full name", Klement expressed. "So what is it?" Raiknos hoarsely asked. "It's Wilde. Peleg Wilde''. Raiknos dropped his sword, "It can't be. Are you sure it was Wilde?", he demanded in shock from the revelation. Klement nodded his head while he walked away to his vessel. "Klement, find that boy immediately, and make sure he's alive!" Raiknos exclaimed. I have a son. And he's alive. Raiknos thought to himself, still gripping with the revelation. Raiknos still remained at Suna Reef. He was lost, The Demon Empire was weakening, and he just now realized that he has a son. How much more is the Demon King exactly hiding from him and the rest of the world? Raiknos thought to himself. Ahh, the report of the second pirate. Terrance had appeared with his own vessel and had appeared in his wolf form. "I have accomplished my mission. The man you are looking for is Stan, the Royal Prophet of the Demon King himself. Or so he claims, and has fled to Aomi. I expect cash", Terrance demanded respectfully. Raiknos said, "Yes, indeed", he said as tossed Terrance a bag of gold coins, and then asked, "I no longer can trust the Shadows or the Demon King's generals as they will only be loyal to him. With the devils gone, I need my own force. Do you know if anyone could help with that?". Terrance uttered one word as left off into the horizon, "Doctor Inka".