𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑 // 𝐓.𝐋𝐀𝐖 𝐅𝐀𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐂

4 : The Battlefield

The sky darkened with the ominous storm clouds gathering above, as if nature itself sensed the oncoming war. The waves became restless, tossing the two ships side to side.

Valeria stood on deck, her eyes narrowed toward the distant silhouette of the Scourge's stronghold—a massive fortress hidden on a rocky island, surrounded by treacherous reefs and dark waters.

Trafalgar Law's Polar Tang sailed silently beside the Marine ship, its crew eerily calm. Law had offered little more after his cryptic warning, but Valeria could sense the tension in the air.

Her own crew was restless, the younger Marines visibly uneasy at the thought of going into battle with the notorious Surgeon of Death as their supposed ally.

Aokiji stood at the helm, his presence calming but firm. "Remember," he said, addressing Valeria and the senior officers, "we don't know what kind of power the Scourge has. But with Law's information, we should be prepared for anything."

Valeria nodded, her skeletal mask gleaming under the fading sunlight. "I'll take the front lines. If anything happens, I'll be the first to strike."

Her voice was cold and measured, her presence casting a shadow of fear over the Marines around her.

Darwish, who had been silent since Law's visit, stepped up beside her, his usual grin replaced with a more serious look. "You're not going without backup. If this Scourge has some new kind of power, we'll need to hit him hard and fast. I'm not letting you face him alone."

Valeria gave him a nod of acknowledgment, appreciating his loyalty. "Just stay out of my way when things get ugly."

As they approached the island, a deep rumble echoed across the sea. From the fortress ahead, cannons fired, their thunderous blasts shaking the air. Balls of fire streaked toward the two ships, but before the Marines could react, Law's voice rang out from his ship.

"Room."

In an instant, a dome of energy enveloped both ships, and the cannonballs slowed midair, as if caught in invisible hands. Law appeared at the center of the dome, his sword lifted slightly as he manipulated the very space around them. With a flick of his wrist, the cannonballs vanished, reappearing far above the fortress before they exploded harmlessly in the sky.

"Neat trick," Darwish muttered, but Valeria didn't respond. Her eyes were locked on the shore, where the Scourge's forces were amassing. Dozens of pirate ships lined the island's edges, their crews readying for the attack. Dark figures moved along the cliffs, their forms barely visible through the thickening mist.

"We land here," Valeria commanded. The Marines responded quickly, lowering boats into the water and preparing for the assault.

Aokiji remained at the helm, observing quietly as the crew mobilized. His role in this battle was as much strategic as it was physical—if things went awry, he'd freeze the entire battlefield if necessary.

Law appeared on deck beside Valeria as they boarded the small boats. His calm demeanor was unsettling, but his focus was sharp.

"We'll hit the fortress from two sides," Law said, his tone matter-of-fact. "You take the front. I'll lead a smaller group through the hidden passage on the eastern side."

Valeria didn't trust him, but she knew Law was a tactical genius. His plan made sense, and they needed to attack swiftly before the Scourge could use whatever power he had in store. She gave a brief nod. "Don't betray us, Law. If you do, I'll drag you down with me."

Law's lips curled into a smirk. "You'd be the first to try."

As their boats hit the shore, the Marines quickly spread out, forming defensive lines. The pirates, led by several towering captains, charged forward, weapons drawn and screaming war cries. The clash was immediate and brutal.

Valeria leapt into the fray, her blade slicing through the air with precise, deadly force. Pirates fell one after another under her sword, their attempts to strike her blocked by the cursed mask she wore.

Her enhanced durability made her a force of nature on the battlefield. She moved with lethal precision, her Observation Haki allowing her to predict her enemies' moves before they even made them.

Beside her, Darwish was a whirlwind of strikes, his twin swords flashing through the air as he cut down pirate after pirate. "Keep pushing forward!" he yelled, encouraging the Marines behind him.

The pirates, though fierce, were unorganized. Valeria could tell they hadn't expected such a swift and brutal assault from the Marines. But as they drew closer to the fortress, something changed.

The ground beneath their feet began to rumble, and a dark energy filled the air."Something's wrong," Valeria muttered, her senses tingling. She could feel the presence of something powerful—something unnatural.

 The Scourge was close.

Suddenly, the doors of the fortress burst open, and a massive figure emerged. The Scourge. He was larger than any man Valeria had ever seen, his body rippling with muscle and covered in scars. But it was his eyes—glowing with a strange, unnatural light—that sent a chill down her spine.

"Fools!" the Scourge bellowed, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "You think you can take my fortress? You're all dead!"

With a roar, the Scourge raised his hand, and a wave of dark energy surged from his body, sweeping across the battlefield. Valeria's eyes widened as she felt the power wash over her—it wasn't Haki. It was something far more sinister.

Marines and pirates alike screamed as the energy hit them, their bodies contorting in pain. Valeria gritted her teeth, pushing through the wave with sheer force of will. Her cursed mask seemed to absorb some of the energy, allowing her to remain standing, but many of her comrades weren't as lucky.

Darwish staggered beside her, his face pale. "What the hell is this?!"Valeria didn't answer. She was too focused on the Scourge, who was laughing maniacally as his power wreaked havoc on the battlefield.

"Law!" Valeria called out, knowing he was somewhere nearby. She could feel the dome of his Room surrounding them, but it wasn't enough to stop the Scourge's attack.

Law appeared beside her, his expression grim. "This isn't good," he muttered, raising his sword. "I've seen this power before—it's a curse, not unlike your mask."

Valeria clenched her fists. "Can you stop him?"

Law shook his head. "Not alone. We need to hit him from two sides—his power weakens when he's overwhelmed."

Valeria nodded. "Darwish, you take the left flank. I'll go right."

The battle raged on as Valeria and Law charged toward the Scourge. Her Observation Haki allowed her to dodge the blasts of dark energy that the Scourge sent her way, while Law used his Ope Ope no Mi to teleport around the battlefield, disorienting their enemy.

Finally, they reached him. Valeria's blade clashed with the Scourge's massive axe, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the ground. Her Armament Haki flared to life, reinforcing her strikes as she pressed the attack.

Law appeared behind the Scourge, his sword raised. "Shambles!" he called out, and the Scourge's arm suddenly vanished, reappearing several feet away. The pirate screamed in rage, his dark energy lashing out in all directions, but Valeria and Law were relentless.

With one final, powerful strike, Valeria drove her sword through the Scourge's chest. His glowing eyes dimmed as he crumpled to the ground, his dark energy dissipating into the night air.

The battlefield fell silent.

Valeria stood over the Scourge's body, her breath heavy, her sword dripping with blood. Law stepped up beside her, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Not bad, Reaper," he said, his voice low.

 "But next time, try not to take all the glory."

Valeria smirked beneath her mask. "You'll get your turn, Surgeon of Death. But today, this victory is mine." 

The war was over, but the scars it left behind would remain for a long time to come.