Prince of Blood

11. Final Encounter

Up on the top of the mountain, the pirates had found themselves on no wind was blowing. They were back to the eerie trap of an untouched and timeless place. Seonghwa suspected that this location might have been fused with magic, and the indication of it left him tense.

They were above the clouds. Thick fog was surrounding the crater like an ocean of greys and whites, and it seemed rather alluring to take a dip that would end in death.

Seonghwa was still standing in front of their little group like a mirror to the seven shadows in front, completely out of place and not feeling fitting to his role. He was not the face of this group; he was not responsible for standing here. Their actual leader was-

Seonghwa's thoughts abruptly ended when a hand found his shoulder, gently pressing. The quartermaster immediately stepped aside to make way for their captain, feeling relief drop from his heart like a hardened rock. Hongjoong seemed to understand, and he gave Seonghwa's shoulder a comforting squeeze before letting his hand slide off again.

He stepped in front of his crew, squaring his shoulders as he faced the enemy head-on. His level stare seemed cold and noble as he met their evil stares.

For once, he actually looked like the king he was. Proud and mighty.

Seonghwa gained his strength back at the sight of him. He stood up straighter and put his hands on the swords around his waist to stabilise them. His breathing had normalised by now, and he could feel the fuel of adrenaline kicking in at the reckoning of the upcoming fight. It travelled through his veins like liquid fire and make him grit his jaw in dark anticipation. He remained quiet as Hongjoong addressed the umbras.

"We 'ave finally found ye. Did ye 'ave fun playin' yer last game?"

San's shadow chuckled amusedly. As usual, he looked deceptively gorgeous with the belt that wrapped around his narrow waist and broad shoulders. He was holding Wooyoung's double, dark-haired and all to easily charmed by the infuriating man.

Yunho and Mingi's doubles had always seemed even taller, even broader, and even more threatening to Seonghwa's eyes than the original ones did. Mingi's looked extra terrifying with his black eye patch and fire-red hair. Yunho's could probably rip a man apart with his bare hands.

Seonghwa swallowed harshly as he continued staring. Jongho's double had also crossed his arms in front of his solid chest and even through his dark clothes, his muscles that were bulging from the movement seemed menacing.

Yeosang's double stood eerily quiet and relaxed. His eyes were not disclosing any emotion as he just watched the exchange without comments.

"Aye, Cap'n, we did. We presume that ye 'ave taken care o' any unfinished business? Facin' us 'ere means the end fer yer crew an' yer little pirate adventure." Yunho's umbra was the one speaking, his voice snide and unrelenting. The real Yunho rose his brow at him, already pulling his weapons from his belt. Seonghwa hoped that his way of fighting would gain them an advantage.

"That be where ye be wrong. We came to get rid o' ye, an' we be very motivated to go through with that. Our little pirate adventures be all the more fun when ye scurvy dogs finally rot in 'ell where ye belong." Hongjoong began shrugging his coat off as he was speaking nearly too casually. The black fabric pooled around his feet like an ink stain that he kicked aside casually. His heavy weapon belt, as well as his cut sleeves, came into sight, exposing his strong forearms.

"We spent such a jolly time together, did nay we?" Seonghwa's umbra was grinning around his words as he dared to venture another step in their direction, both of his swords sliding from their sheaths with a scraping sound. They glinted harshly in the dim light of the evening that was coming down on them, ready to see blood.