Chapter 21. OCTAVIET

The captain walked in. His eyes darted at me. A crooked smile grew on his face. He smirked, "Aren't you a cunning fox? Should have told your friend to not use the oldest trick in the book." I remarked, "I guess I shouldn't have underestimated the wits of a captain." He gave off a brief laugh. His attention diverted to the fragment. He offered, "Why don't you give me that book and I might consider letting you go?" I rejected, "We all know that is a lie only amateurs fall for." He commented, "So the fox is also wise. Okay then, let's do this the hard way."

He unstrapped his cutlass displaying its steel blade designed with sapphires on its face and a bronze hilt. He swung the curved blade at me. I activated my cube and deflected it with my sword. He vaunted, "My strength surpasses yours by a thousand times. Save yourself the trouble and give up." I retorted, "Didn't David defeat Goliath?" He mocked me, "There is a difference between a prophet and you." His next strike was more lethal. He was right. My arms were throbbing from receiving each strike. The strike after that stumbled me back. Not now legs. Another sent me even further back. He was pushing me to the balcony.

I tried to divert direction but a swing made me rethink that. Within seconds, I was leaning against the balcony rails. He gave me a smug look. He said, "I guess this is the end of the line. It was nice knowing you." I hissed, "So now you're playing Captain Hook." He replied, "A jester to the end." He made a swirl with his blade sending me off the balcony rails. He jested, "Don't let the fish bite."

I plummeted to my watery grave. The air brushed off me in rapid waves. I was going to end up in the middle of nowhere without a boat. No, I can't let that happen. I can't be shark food waiting to be a festivity appetizer. I ran my blade along the ship's body. A smelting sound was heard. Come on. I pushed the sword to go deeper in the ship but it just ran along it. I struggled more but it was futile. Panic colonized my mind. I prayed, "Please God. I ask for your help as a servant. I am doing this for the sake of helping my father. Help me to help him. I beg you."

I spotted an open window right under me. I oriented myself and placed my free hand on its sill at the right moment. I groaned with pain. I turned my sword back into a cube and placed it into my pocket. I placed my other hand on the window sill too. I pulled myself into the window. I landed on a carpet. Thank you, God. I took heavy breaths of air. That was too close for comfort.

The captain announced on the speakers, "All staff is required to handle the raccoon problem in the quests' chambers." Something told me that the raccoon problem was referring to me. He continued, "I prefer you leave no burn marks around." I heard marching in the stairway. They were approximately 20. I didn't stand a chance. I don't know if it was my lack of strength or the drop of chicha that I had taken that caused me to hallucinate.

I was 10 in Paricius. I was hiding behind a bush with my arms wrapped around my legs. I was crying. Mrs. Claire came to me. She shot me a worried look. She knelt and asked, "What is wrong?" I responded in a barely audible tone, "This isn't fair." She asked, "What do you mean?" I replied, "Ella has telekinesis. Darius is super strong. Ephiria can blast stuff and all I got was making illusions. They definitely stand a bigger chance of survival compared to me." She sighed, "Your power is also strong." I retorted, "Yeah if I want to give them a makeover before they kill me." She laughed, "It can do more than that. You're telepathy meaning you are naturally smart. Your power depends on your creativity and concentration. Your power is not fixed. It requires you to think and adapt to your situation. With the right trick, you can defeat any enemy." I said, "Really." She reassured, "Really. Just look where I am now."

I returned with an epiphany. If I can't defeat them myself, I might as well get some help. I remembered that the dining hall had been cleared out of furniture since they wanted to prepare for a dance party. I saw it on a flyer that was pasted on the walls of the guestrooms. That space might just be big enough. I dashed to the dining hall. I could hear the matching get closer but I had a strong belief in my plan. A 5% success rate isn't bad. It will work. I will repeat those words and hopefully, I will believe them.

I pushed through the ornate double doors into the dining hall. Its ceilings, adorned with intricate moldings, held majestic crystal chandeliers that bathed the room in a warm, golden glow. Walls of polished wood showcased carefully curated artwork and photographs that celebrated the allure of the sea. There were large tables covered in fine linen set along the walls to leave room in the middle of the room.

I got to work. I found a good hiding spot behind the tables. I used some chaos to create a thick fog in the room. I finally got to use a gift my enigma uncle Sam had left for me. Yes, he visited me multiple times when I was around 10. He taught me how to make a chaos origami and how to use them. He is among the only…in fact the only enigma family member who cared to visit. Today, I will turn our family bonding to a survival etiquette.

I made some firefly origami out of my chaos. I released them out in the halls. Now transform into the most handsome pudeky on the ship. The tantali took the bait. They echoed "He's there." They all followed the origami. They were railed into the dining hall through the 2 entrances like fish on a rod. One said, "So the boy is a pudeky. This just got easier. Kill every clone of him. His kind likes to confuse their enemy like that." If only they knew, …

Back to fireflies. I commanded the swarm of fireflies like a wave. I attached a fly per person. I almost felt like a kindergarten teacher saying, "One sweet per person. Don't be greedy, children." Turn to Octaviets. I shifted the fog into a mist. Hopefully… Cutlasses were unsheathed. Battle cries were heard though they were more of "ahoy". Steel battered bones. Tantali attacked each other thinking they were attacking my clones. Ashes were painted on the floor. It was a full-blown massacre. In minutes, they had all made sure to give each other a cutlass RIP.

The captain barged in to find his army nothing but a pile of ashes. He wanted to yell at someone but there was no one around. He mumbled, "Fools. They say you can't send a crew to do a captain's job." His ears literally steaming. He looked like he was about to blow up. He scanned the room with bloodlust in his eyes, "I know you're here. Reveal yourself little fox." He didn't look like he was joking. My breaths were stiff and wavery. I wanted to say, "Shush" to my drumming heart.

I felt an alarming heat approach where I was. I dove to the side just in time to dodge a train of flames. The table area was smoking hot. I ran out with my sword in hand. The mist disappeared. Keeping it up was taking a big toll on me. Defense didn't work out last time so offense was the way to go. I charged like every hero in a movie who dies at the end. Maybe I was different. I sure hope so.

He smirked at my foolish advance. He got into posture. I went for a hit in the knee. He countered. I pulled back. I swung multiple times at him but my attempts were futile. I needed to change strategies quick. I conjured back the mist. He swung at me. He missed by an inch. The floor was a witness of how deadly those blows were. I had follow Mrs. Claire's advice. I had to use more brains than brawn.

He is greedy and strong. If I'm to defeat him, I have to pull off a perfectly timed strike. He swung at me. I blocked. My muscles felt like rioting for being exploited. My energy was running low. Maybe that strike is the only one I can manage. Okay now to position the plan. I summoned my origami. I hope this works. He attacked like a raging bull. Each strike was merciless. Dodging each one became harder. He went for a downslash. I jumped back. The floor cracked. This is my chance. I went for the strike before he could…something felt off. In seconds, I was coated with hot flames. Before shock ran out, the cutlass blade rose and decapitated me.

A smirk of satisfaction spread on his cheeks. My blade went through his heart. My decapitated head and burnt body dissipated into blue fireflies. He was shocked as he coughed ashes. He turned to the recently visible me. I whispered in his ear, "That should teach you to mess with a fox." Before he could even answer, he disintegrated. I fell feeling tired. A silver plate next to me changed its reflection.

A silver woman come into view. I could not see her well but I could guess it was Devastia. She said, "My little fox has grown claws." I said, "What do you want from me?" she roasted, "Who said we want you. We need the girl. Bring her to me and maybe we can help your father out." How did she know? She said, "Images talk especially those who held dark secrets." Sam. I shouted, "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?" she replied, "Nothing but a simple upgrade and something tells me you just may meet. I would who will win, don't you?" My blood boiled, "You wouldn't dare." She said, "I guess we'll have to find out. Remember it is never to late to join." I barked, "NEVER" she said, "Funny, Leila said the same thing." I rushed for the plate and threw it.

We need to reach that safe house quickly before…he. Doesn't matter. He is a mostri now. He chose his fate and so must I. I ran up to the upper deck. I ran to Olivia who was celebrating with a medal on her neck. I tapped on her. She smiled, "You made it." I said with a grump look, "We have to leave. This place is no longer safe." She sighed, "I guess the fun can't last forever. Where's Phil?" I said, "Right here." Phil swirled out like a genie, "Come on. I barely enjoyed my nap." The veil of course did an amazing job of concealing him. everyone never gave him a blink of attention. We got on his back and raced through the skies. I had never had so much motive to cower away from a fight.