Ephemeral

3

Sorry this chapter isn't as fun and exciting, I just needed to add a filler so we could catch up on the plot. Make sure to follow my other social media (mentioned in ch.2) if you like my content!

Chapter 3: Swim or Sink

Tommy didn't know how to answer, or at least he didn't know which would be the right answer in a situation like this. Not that he could even think of making a decision at that moment, he was thinking thoughts he'd never dreamed of even thinking before. If I say die she'll make it quick, right? Right? If I say live what will she do, hold me captive? Neither of those soung particularly pleasant to me. Tommy expelled these thoughts from his mind as best as he could and replaced them with thoughts that focused on him staying alive to the next day.

How do I get out of this? How do I live?

Before he could even answer her question, in an instant, the girl's sword swung up in the air over her head, preparing to descend down as the final blow.

Tommy's hand itched for his sword, which was sheathed at his side. Do I have enough time?

Her sword came down, as swift as lightning, sharper than anything Tommy had ever seen, or ever would see if he'd let her slice him in half. Instead, out of nowhere, his sword came up, fending off the hit with the ear-shattering ring of metal against metal.

The woman blinked, her eyes looking shocked and maybe even impressed before they went back to their naturally cold state.

As she regained her composure, the woman swung at Tommy's side instead, trying to confuse him. He was still able to parry, pushing her blade away before scrambling away and stumbling to his feet.

As Tommy stood up, her eyes, now confirmed by him to be an unnatural turquoise in color, stared hardly at him.

Without breaking eye contact, she swung again, Tommy jumped back and dodged.

Shit. He couldn't help but think to himself. She's really fucking good. I couldn't even see that one coming.

Tommy made a bold move and swung back, albeit uneven and pretty weak. She parried the predictable attack with ease.

Just as Tommy thought this would end up being a fight leading straight to his untimely demise, he felt two people grabbing him by the arms.

"Hey!" He screeched, looking back at the people who were restricting his arms, "What are you doing?" Neither of them answered.

The woman he had just fought shrunk down to his now kneeling form.

"I think that's what we should be asking you." She paused. "What are you doing on my ship?" She asked sarcastically, raising an eyebrow.

Startlingly quick, she stood back up to her full height, "Niki, Techno, tie him up in the infirmary. I'll decide what to do with him later."

"Yes, Captain." They said in unison.

"I told you not to call me that. Not even in a situation like this." She barked as Niki and Techno dragged a struggling Tommy inside the cabin.

After the door closed, both captors started talking. First, it was Niki.

"Look, kid. If you want to live you have to live up to the Captai- er- her expectations. Listen to her questions carefully and you might live."

"Might?" Tommy whimpered, his heart starting to beat more rapidly in his chest, if that was even possible. Technoblade hummed as he considered the odds,

"Well, I wouldn't give him that much of a chance, Nik.. he barely made it out of a fight against her and I can tell he's got a mouth on him."

"Fuck you." Tommy stated instinctively, only processing Technoblade's words after he said it.