Chapter 24 "The Traitor"

During our days of rest, I didn't just notice the crew making stronger bonds; I also noticed a specific glint from someone's bow. That bow belonged to a Sean Walsh, aka a traitorous bastard. The artifact was called "The Unforgiving Face." It basically cloaked the user's real face, hiding their identity and allowing them to get close to certain people. This artifact was what we called a long-range activation artifact. The user doesn't have to be near it for it to work, which is why his face didn't change while he was in the brig. Artifacts like mine and your auntie's, as well as Zeth's, don't work like that. Anyway, I took some action and stole his artifact while he slept. Since he wasn't backed by any deity, he wasn't alerted to my theft. He woke up the next day thinking his artifact was working as usual. Only when he stepped off the ship did we confront him.

He looked so confused, having the audacity to speak to us as though we were his friends. "Guys, why the long faces? You look like you've all seen a ghost," he laughed. But his reflexes were still good enough that he caught a mirror your aunt threw at him. He looked at himself and smiled, "Looks like the jig is up. Hello, ladies and gents, I am Lord Corey Uzaki," head of the Uzaki clan. "Since I'm busted already, I might as well go out with a bang. Lord Rei Ishikawa, I challenge you to a duel." I was shocked, and so was the crew. Hana exclaimed in anger, "You can't do that, you coward! Fight us all; you're a lord, aren't you!?" I smiled and gave Hana a pat on the head to calm her down. "He actually can, Hana, and I have to fight him, or else I'd bring a dark mark on our family's name." She calmed herself a little as I diverted my gaze back to Lord Uzaki. "I accept your duel request, but that isn't it, correct? There's more to this than you're revealing," he smirked. "You were always the keen one, Captain. Yes, one of the archers I took out of the brig is my daughter, Lady Emi Uzaki. She is to fight your general and acting leader of the Ishikawa Clan, Lilliana Ishikawa." I was shocked; I could've sworn he would've asked Zeth to be her combatant, but I gave Lilliana a questioning look. "Whatever you order, my lord, it shall be done," I smiled. "Loyal to the ends of the earth, you, my dear general. Very well, Lord Uzaki, we accept your duel. What are your conditions?" He grabbed a small paper from his chest pocket. "A battle to the death, anything goes, except blinding mid-battle by using smoke bombs, powder bombs, and dirt. Also, no pulling of hair and no kicking and punching of the family jewels," I looked down and smiled. "Your terms are very childish, and I like it because, quite frankly, I don't want to have my family jewels shattered by an arrow. Very well, a battle to the death, surrender is allowed."

And so, we traveled to the Ishikawa estate, readying ourselves to duel at your Auntie and my old training grounds, still riddled with bamboo we used to cut. We stood there, waiting for each other's first moves, bold as it was, I made that first move, and so did Lilliana. But to our shock, Lady Emi dropped everything, including her clothes, and just hugged Lilliana. With only two words, their battle ended: "I surrender." Not her father's, though. He was angry, and it seemed to fuel his spirit even more, wanting to destroy me and the Ishikawa name forever. "Emi, you traitor! I gave you power, and you turned against me, your own flesh and blood!!" After shouting that, his swings got faster and heavier. I struggled to keep up, but looking at my crew, looking at Lilliana getting cuddled by the daughter of the man I was bound to slay, gave me the determination I needed to win this fight. "You know the saying that goes, 'A man who has nothing to lose is a dangerous man'? I disagree with it, Lord Uzaki. I've got everything to live for, yet I'm seething with determination." A calm reply was probably what he expected last, because his eyes widened and his guard grew weak. I swept his feet off the ground, only to be met by a pebble to the face, stunning me for a moment. When I came to, his sword almost severed the head off my shoulders. I returned the favor, cutting off a finger, causing him to bleed. I used a technique that my own little sister taught me, "A Sibling's Embrace." I swung my sword down, and he instinctively blocked it. I made my way around his body, embracing him with a hug made of sword swings. With every cut, his clothing deteriorated more and more, his body bled, and his joints stiffened. He fell to the ground with one more trick up his sleeve.

He turned around to face me grabbing his bow and arrow he prepared an arrow and he let it go it flung towards me hitting me square on the chest I look at Lilliana and she covered the eyes of Lady Emi since I walked towards her father who had just shot me with an arrow made of Onyx commonly associated with death once I reached the ends of his feet with but a single swing from my sword his head came tumbling down it rolled to my right and his final words were "I'll be the third Uzaki… your family killed…" only then did the air leave his body which was now in two

Your old man stumbled, trying to make his way to you, Auntie, attempting to hug her because it might be the last time I do. But I fell, unable to tell if it was exhaustion or an arrow inches away from my heart that caused me to fall. Your Auntie acted swiftly, catching me before I could sustain more severe injuries than I already had. She spoke to me, and I could vividly hear her voice, "You used it… you crazy bastard. I told you not to use that move. It leaves you exhausted and vulnerable. Look at you now! You have an arrow through your chest, and you're in my arms, bleeding from all the cuts and slices he gave you!" Lilly patted her on the back and asked her to lay me down, which she did. I don't recall what happened afterward, but I was informed that Lady Emi Uzaki had decided to join our crew and reveal everything she knew once I made a full recovery. I lay on a bed that smelled of a familiar fragrance, like Wild Vanilla. I recognized the smell but couldn't pinpoint who used it. Then a face hovered before me—it was my little sister, who never left my side and barely ate. "Oh Rei… you absolute idiot, you better w—" I cut her off mid-declaration and asked, "Hey… is there a glass of water nearby?" She was shocked. "Rei!" she exclaimed, grabbing me a glass of water and helping me drink it. We talked for hours. Honestly, she spent the first hour scolding me for using her technique, which she had warned me not to use for my safety. But what really topped this off was when she presented me with a painting of the whole crew standing behind me while I lay unconscious on her bed. They all wished me a speedy recovery, which I achieved thanks to them.

And that is the end of this chapter, kiddos. Papa's head is starting to hurt from staying up too late. I may have to stop telling you stories for a few days, just to get some rest. I hope you understand.