Chapter 55

TW// Violence, death, blood, abuse

They couldn't know if it was already morning. The dark clouds had rolled over the sky when it was still night. The rain had started pouring down.

Elias and Rea had been waiting for the kingdoms reply and they had Pit watching from the stairs, for if someone should try to come down. He was too afraid to look at them. Rea bandaged his leg just enough so that he could walk and wouldn't bleed to death.

He allowed himself to quickly glance at her, but he quickly regretted it. She was looking at him with eyes full of fury. Pit quickly looked back, brushing his swollen cheek. What's wrong with these people? How long till Sabur saves me?

He didn't have to think twice before he heard loud footsteps on the deck above them.

Elias looked up from his knife. »What was that?«

Rea was on her feet. She looked at Pit.

»What did you do?«

Pit just nervously smiled and ran up the stairs. When Elias and Rea ran to the stairs a body that had been shot in the head rolled down to them.

»What the hell is going on?« Asked Elias as the pistols started blazing.

The ship tilted to the right, causing Rea and Elias to fall down. Elias looked at Rea.

»We're under attack!«

Rea looked behind him. »Watch out!«

She grabbed Elias and pushed them to the barrels just as the cannon blasted into the ship. Elias and Rea looked through the hole in the ship. The ship that was attacking them was no other than The Rose Sparrow.

»Weren't they working together?« Asked Rea.

»Well, I thought so too.«

Rea pushed herself on her feet. »I will never understand pirates.«

Elias stood up and drew his swords out. He looked at Rea. »Are you ready?«

»Fighting against pirates and a powerful woman as my first battle?« She placed an arrow on her bow and looked at Elias with a smile. »I could never be ready for that.«

»Stay close to me.« He smiled.

They ran outside where the bloodshed was already taking place. There were The Green Womans men fighting against The Rose Sparrow crew. Bodies were falling down, people were screaming and running on the ship.

Elias glanced over his shoulder to see the black ship right behind them. It was hard for them to see because the rain was heavily pouring down and the wind was blowing heavily.

»Elias!« Screamed Rea as she shot an arrow at the guy running towards Elias. »Don't doze off.«

Elias nodded and then he saw something behind Rea, right on the horizon. Elias had to squeeze his eyes to block the rain from coming it into his eyes. Rea looked to where he was looking. There was something approaching them. Rea recognized the ship sailing towards them.

»It's The Young Marry.« She turned to Elias. »They got my message.«

»Are you sure? Isn't it too early?« Elias blocked a sword swinging to his neck.

»Whoever it is they will help.«

She shot an arrow as Elias threw a knife at someone behind her back.

As they continued to fight both The Rose Sparrow and The Young Marry made their way closer to their ship. When the ship came close enough the crew started jumping down on Luanas ship with ropes. Elias could see both Ivan and Sabur standing in the front of the ship both of their looks dead serious.

Suddenly Ivan locked eyes with Elias. Wait, aren't they here to help us. As soon as Ivan saw him, his eyes flickered with anger. He grabbed the rope and dropped down on the ship. Elias gripped his swords firmly, preparing himself to meet him. When Ivan jumped on the ship he took out his sword and ran towards Elias.

Elias blocked his attack. »I see you didn't get our message.«

»Oh, the message was pretty clear.« He pushed him away. »Your knife with Tivons blood.«

He lunged at him. »You killed him!«

Elias just barely dodged the attack, having to cross his swords in front of him. »What?! I did not kill him!«

Ivan pushed the sword closer. »Says the same person who kidnapped him.«

Elias pushed him away, causing him to fall. »It was not me!«

Ivan looked at him, eyes burning with hatred. »Who would believe a pirate like you!?«

He grabbed his sword, but before he could stand up Rea stepped in front of Elias pointing and arrow at Ivan.

»What are you doing Rea? Step away from the fernty!«

Reas eyes were fixed on him. »Leave Elias alone.«

»Oh, so you've betrayed your kingdom too.« He stood up, but Rea didn't move.

»I haven't betrayed anyone.« She lowered her bow. »He didn't kill Tivon.«

»How can you believe him?« He yelled. »How can you believe a murderer?!«

Elias lunged at him. »I didn't kill him!«

He pushed Ivan away with his elbows, his swords facing away. Rea ran to him and pulled him away from Ivan.

»Wait! Don't hurt him.«

»Rea, he'll kill me.«

Just as he said that someone came behind Rea and Elias had to push her away to stab the person behind her. Rea drew her bow and shot someone by Elias in the leg. They just nodded to each other. They shouldn't argue in the middle of the battle.

Elias looked to where Ivan was lying, but there was nobody there. Where is he? He heard someone yelling and running behind him. He turned and slit the men's neck, letting the blood spill from his neck.

Don't lose focus. You need to protect yourself and her. He quickly glanced at Rea. She just shot an arrow across the ships to one of The Rose Sparrow pirate. She'll manage, smiled Elias and continued swinging his swords at the enemy.

Luana burst out of her cabin, her hair and makeup messy. She looked around her ship, people murdering each other.

»What the hell is happening here?« She yelled.

One of the members of the royal army ran towards her, drawing his sword in front of him. Luana froze on the spot. Just right as he was about to stab her in the stomach, Pit pulled her away. He grabbed her hand and he ran to hide underneath the stairs.

»Pit what is going on?«

It was only then that she saw the shaking of Pits body and his pale face.

»Pit!« She yelled.

»I-I don't k-know.«

Someone noticed them hiding and started going towards them.

»Do something Pit.« But Pit was only looking at the man, unable to move, his hand holding a knife, shaking. »Pit!«

The man was getting closer and Pit didn't move. Luana had enough.

»Oh, give me that.« She took his knife and stabbed the man in the neck. The men dropped his sword and fell down to the ground. Luana turned to Pit. »Useless.«

She walked off, stabbing everyone who got in her way. She needed to know who was responsible for this. And as she saw them she knew they had something to do with this. She saw Elias and Rea across the ship and this time she would make sure she wouldn't let them live.

When Elias pushed Ivan, he hit his head against the railing. I'm going to kill him. He was only thinking about killing Elias. He forced himself on his hands and looked up. I will kill him.

And then he saw him. The one man he promised he'll get revenge on. The person he promised he'll kill. The man who killed his lover. Sabur was standing on the front of the ship watching the fight take place. Ivan grabbed his sword, furious eyes fixed on him. He stood up and walked towards The Rose Sparrow.

Elias was surrounded by three people and for some reason one was from The Rose Sparrow, one from The Young Marry and one was Luanas man. I really make enemies out of everyone.

Elias swung his sword at him, stabbing him in the side. He let the sword go and as he turned around, he grabbed a knife and threw it into the other man's head. Before the third one could comprehend what had just happened, Elias drew out his pistol and shot the third man in the heart. He put his pistol back onto his belt, looking at the man with the bullet in his heart fall down before him.

Suddenly someone jumped on his back, knocking them both down. Elias turned around and just barely dogged a knife into his head. The man pulled the knife out and swung it in his head again.

Elias couldn't push him off. The man was holding him down with his whole weight. This man was about to kill him. The man pulled the knife back out and aimed at it to Elias head. He will kill me. The man swung it towards his head and Elias closed his eyes, prepared to die.

But nothing happened.

Elias opened his eyes. The man was staring at him, his look shocked. He suddenly fell down on him, dropping the knife beside Elias. There was a dagger stuck into his back. Eliass pupils widened. His fathers dagger. The dagger he gave to Tivon. He pushed the man off him, still looking at the dagger. What is this doing here? It sunk with Tivon.

He looked up to see where it came from. His heart stopped. Tivon was standing on the other side of the ship. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Elias was speechless. Tivon awkwardly smiled. Elias stood up, almost tripping on to his legs. He ran towards him.

»Tivon?«

When he came to him, he held his face. He could feel him. He could feel his soft skin underneath his fingers. He was real.

Tivon held his hands. Elias eyes started tearing up. His lips were shaking.

»T-Tivon?«

Tivon smiled. Elias held his face and pulled him close, kissing him fervidly. He was there. He was alive. Tears started falling down his cheeks. Tivon pulled himself closer, deeper into the kiss. The rain was pouring down on them. It was pouring down on the lost hearts once again found.

When they parted Elias hugged him tightly. His body started to shake.

»H-how?« Was the only think he could manage to say.

Tivon held him closer and whispered. »I'll tell you later.« He looked at him. »First, we need to take care of the situation.«

He tried to go, but Elias pulled him back, kissing him again. He looked him in the eyes and ran his palm through Tivons scar. »You really are alive.«

Tivon smiled. »Yeah, I am.«

They heard Ivan screamed so they both turned to where the scream was coming from. Sabur and Ivan were going at each other, Ivan full of anger and Sabur unchanged and unimpressed. Even though Sabur was obviously winning Tivon said.

»Ivan mustn't kill Sabur.«

Elias gripped his sword. »Don't worry, I will.«

Tivon grabbed his hand. »No! You mustn't.«

»Why?«

Elias couldn't understand why he couldn't kill him. A lot of problems would be solved if he did.

»If you kill him, you'll be cursed.« He brushed his finger over Eliass tattoo. »Remember that story you told me? It's true. He was cursed, but not by the witch. Sabur is cursed and if you kill him, you will be cursed too.« He tightened his grip. »So please don't. Don't kill Sabur.«

Elias nodded slowly. He grabbed a rope. He took his pistol and looked at Tivon. He smiled and fired the pistol making him fly to The Rose Sparrow.

Tivon smiled. Drama queen. He leaned over to the body and pulled out his dagger. I killed another one. He wiped the blood off of his dagger. I should not think about it. Tivon looked up. I was given another life, I won't let this one go so easily.

Luana still couldn't figure out what was happening. Her head hurt like hell from drinking last night. He made me drunk on purpose. These had to be Saburs doing. She gripped her knife and slice through a member of the royal army. She was going to kill him.

And then in the corner of her eye, she saw a familiar short posture. She turned and her heart started fuming. Why is he alive? I saw him die. She started slowly walking towards him. I saw him get stabbed to the heart. Why?

She held her knife tightly. They're useless. If you want things to be done, you have to do them on your own.

She started running towards him, but just as she almost stuck the knife into his back someone pushed her away, shoving an arrow to her sleeve, impaling her on the ship's mast. Luana tried to pull out the arrow, but she couldn't. She looked at the one who shot at her.

»You.«

Rea didn't lower her bow. »Stay away from him.«

»Oh, I'm gonna kill you.« She yelled as she tried to rip her sleeve from the arrow.

When Rea convinced herself that Luana wouldn't be able to remove the arrow, she lowered her bow and turned to Tivon.

»You have some explaining to do.« Tivon just awkwardly smiled. »H-how are you alive?«

»Like you said, I'll have a lot of explaining to do.«

Rea just smiled, just glad that he was alive, no matter what the reason. She turned to Luana to see how much time she had. Luana had almost ripped her dress apart to free herself. Rea turned back to Tivon.

»I'll take care of Luana. You stay alive.« Tivon nodded and just as he was about to go, Rea pulled him into a hug. »Seriously. Don't die again.«

»I promise I won't.«

She looked him in the eyes, still holding his shoulder. She smiled gently and grabbed her bow again, just in time before Luana freed herself, ripping her sleeve.

She looked at her with fury. »I should've killed you the second they brought you to The Emerald Palace.«

Rea smiled. »Just as they say, Don't bring a woman on a ship. She'll bring bad luck.« She drew her bow. »You will only wish to get rid of me earlier.«

Luana grabbed a sword from the ground and launched to Rea.

Tivon looked at The Rose Sparrow. Ivan and Sabur were still fighting alone, because Elias got attacked by almost everyone on the ship. I need to help him. Tivon ran up to the quarterdeck where there was a rope that he could swing on to get to it.

As he was running up the stairs, someone grabbed his leg, pulling him back down. Tivon looked down at Pit, his hungry eyes looking at him.

»Hello shary.«

Tivon tried to kick him, but he was holding him down firmly.

»Don't try to resist shary.«

He swung his knife towards his head. Tivon just barely dodged it. As Pit was trying to pull out the knife, Tivon slit his front with the dagger, kicking him away. He ran up the stairs where he grabbed the nearest knives lying around. He then hid behind the helm. Pit was slowly catching up to him, still dragging his wounded leg.

»Come out shary, don't be shy.« He coughed out blood. »I w-won't hurt ya.«

The rain had already stopped. Tivon closed his eyes and breathed in and out. He remembered when Elias was teaching him how to throw knives. When throwing knives you first bring it in front of your eyes. Then when you lock the target you throw the knife a little higher than you want it to go.

»Sha aa ry?«

Tivon breathed again and then stood up, his eyes still closed.

»There ya are.«

And then Tivon threw. The first one had to slice his arm. He heard him flinch so he threw another one this time missing, but it made him take a step back. Tivon didn't wait for Pit to catch up, he threw another one, hitting his leg, causing Pit to fall down. He started screaming. Tivon had only one dagger left. He threw it with all the power he could manage. As soon as he threw it, he opened his eyes. The dagger hit Pit in the shoulder, pinning him to the railing. That should do.

But Pit just started laughing, blood spilling out of his mouth.

»Oh, shary.« He coughed out blood and smiled. »Ya can't kill me.«

He's gone mad. Tivon looked down. »I know.«

Pit was right. He couldn't kill him. Even after all he did to him, he couldn't. He looked up, locking eyes with Pit. »I can't. But she can.«

Cornelis walked up the stairs behind Pit. She raised her hand and Pit could feel his heart twisting. At first it was slow, pain getting more intense with every second. Pit started screaming. Or was it a laughter. Cornelis twisted her hand, making the pain worse. Bloody tears started running out of Pits eyes, but he didn't stop laughing. His angry eyes were fixed on Tivon.

»I c-can still hurt ya.« He slowly stood up, pulling the dagger out of the wood. Cornelis twisted her hand even more, making Pit wail. But he didn't stop. He slowly started walking towards Tivon.

»I can still p-pin ya down, s-shary.«

Tivon froze on the spot. He thought he saw every horrible thing that this world could offer. But seeing Pit, walking towards him, bloodied, his heart twisting, with a big grin on his face. Tivon was terrified.

Pit was just a step away from him. »I can s-still strip off yer clothes.« He laughed and Tivon could now feel his breath on him. Pit leaned to his ear and whispered. »I can still make ya feel better shary.«

And then Cornelis clenched her fists and Pits heart stopped beating. He fell down before Tivon. It was just then when Tivon realized his body was shaking and he'd been holding in his breath.

He looked at Cornelis, her body was also shaking. She still had her hand clenched and raised up. She looked terrified. Tivon knew that look. Pit was the first man killed by her hands. It was the first life she had taken. The rays of sun started coming down on them from behind the clouds.

Rea was looking right at Luanas angry eyes, but she could still see what was happening around her. Bodies were falling down, blood flowed in streams and the heavy rain smothered the screams of the fighters. How did she get here?

Rea was never the one to fight, even more she hated getting into fights. And now she was in the middle of a bloodbath, fighting for herself, her childhood friend and a pirate. Things move on so quickly.

The rain slowly started to subside. She had her bow ready, but would she be able to shoot? She had probably killed some people in the passed hour. Would it even make a difference if she killed another one?

Luana launched at her, knife in front of her. No. She can't kill her. Rea dropped her bow and just as Luana was about to stab her, she dodged it, pushing her against the ship's mast. She managed to slip the knife out of her hand, pinning her hand against the mast. Luana screamed in pain, but Rea wasn't done. She grabbed the rope lying near it, with it she tied Luana firmly against the mast.

Luana laughed. »Pathetic girl. You just can't kill me.«

Rea looked her in the eyes, her look slightly scaring Luana. »I know. It wasn't my intention.« Rea smiled. »But I'll make sure that you suffer till your last living day.«

Ivan knew that Sabur was strong and that just a few people could measure up to him. Ivan thought that he got strong enough for him to be able to defeat him. I need to find justice for him. He clenched his sword and lunged towards Sabur. I need to avenge him. He hated to see the pleasure on Saburs face. Sabur took too much pleasure in it for Ivans liking.

»You are fighting with rage, general. Why the anger?« He asked as he managed to get him on the ground yet again.

Ivan spit out blood and looked at him. »Because you killed him.«

»I've killed countless people in my life, general.« He smiled. »One mare solider won't make a difference to me.«

Ivan lunged at him with everything he had left. »He was everything I had!«

Sabur only grabbed him by the coat and pushed him against the mast.

»You need to get used to losing things in your life.« He said roughly. »Even the ones you love the most.«

»Like y-you know how i-it is to love someone.«

Sabur laughed. »Oh, general, I knew love. It only brings you pain and sorrow.«

»That's too b-bad.«

Ivan slipped out a knife he had hidden in his sleeve and slit Sabur across the face. Sabur dropped him down and stepped away.

»I will avenge him.«

Ivan stood up and ran towards him, but Elias pushed him away just in time. Sabur laughed and he stood up.

»Oh, Elias.« He started walking towards him, hands open, welcoming Elias back. »I'm glad that you realized for whom you're working fo-«

Then he felt something sharp going through his chest. He looked down at the familiar sword. The sword he gave to Elias. He looked up, to meet his eyes.

»I'm sorry Tivon.« Whispered Elias with his eyes closed. He pulled out the sword.

Everything stopped in that moment. The wind, the rain, the sea. Rays of sun peered through the clouds. Everyone saw Elias stab the cursed captain. Everyone watched the curse getting passed on to him.

Sabur was the only one to smile. He was finally saved from the curse. And when Elias pulled out his sword and stepped away he saw her.

She was standing there just like she did the first time he saw her. She was beautiful just as that day. Her golden eyes looking at him. He should've never lost her. He should've never broken that promise. He saw tears in her eyes. My love... I'm sorry.

A single tear fell down his cheek and then his body fell down, his blood covering the black wood, painting it crimson red.