The Crystal Swordsman: Alfheim's Awakening

Gold and Glory

"K!" I heard my name get called.

I walked along the docks as I gazed upon it, a beautifully crafted pirate vessel. Multiple black sails, a black hull, many cannons and other specifications I asked for too like a Wolf figurehead and Pirate flag at the top of the highest mast. It was a glorious ship to behold.

"Aye!" I yelled as I approached, sun blaring down from above.

"We're ready to set off!" Yelled Kirito as he and the others shuffled around the deck.

"Just waiting on your go, Captain!" Asuna smiled as she called as well.

I just chuckled.

"Very well. Do we have all crew aboard?" I asked as I climbed the ladder.

"Everyone accounted for." Kirito nodded.

"Even Klein?" I confirmed.

"You want Klein aboard?" Sinon questioned.

"Oh yeah. He wouldn't want to miss this." I nodded.

"I'll ring him." Kirito opened his menu.

"Kirito?" He answered right away.

"Yeah, Klein? K wants you aboard the ship. We're stepping off after you." Kirito relayed.

"For real? He wants me a- Yeah! I'll be right there!" Klein hung up.

"He said he'll be right-"

And right as Kirito began to say it, Klein teleported into existence in a naturally suave red pirate outfit. He had a nice long red jacket with a white puffy collared shirt and a red bandana to complete the pirate aesthetic. He fit the theme of our traditional attire.

"...Here." Kirito was thrown for a loop.

"Ahoy, everyone!" Klein came aboard.

"Ahoy!" Everyone else exclaimed back.

I just laughed loudly.

"On your word, Captain!" Kirito reminded me.

"Aye! Angle sails and raise anchor, me hearty crew!" I acknowledged.

"Aye aye, Captain!" They all replied.

I smiled and they all got to it. As they angled the sails, I felt Athena fly out from my fur pelt.

"Daddy, I want to be the lookout!" She hovered in front of me as a pixie.

"Do you now? Well, you must be prepared for a role like that, sweetheart. The lookout is super important." I smiled and looked out to the brightly lit sunny seas.

"I know! I really wanna do it!" Athena called back excitedly.

I just let out a pleasant chuckle as I turned to the others on the deck.

"Once there was a Barge lad, way up atop the mast! Shouting to the Skipper: We've made it home at last! Well I was that Barge lad, way up atop the mast! But now I'm the Skipper and that young nipper had better be holding fast." I began to sing to Athena as I went to load the final cargo.

Athena tilted her head in confusion for a second.

"Oh, we're loaded down with bales so high! You've got to lean backwards if you want to see the sky! Oh, the Thames may forgive us, but the Alde never will! So eyes front and away we sail!" I happily sung and got the interest of the others who started to help me load other crates and barrels.

"More, Daddy! I wanna hear more!" Athena's eyes glistened as she cheered.

I smiled sincerely, almost tearing up seeing the excitement of my daughter who flew up to the lookout and grew to sit on it.