The moon was high in the sky as the sun had finally gone down. Stars filled the sky as the ship soared through the air.
It felt strange being on eye level with clouds as the ship sailed high above the ground. Everything from Vorbuk's point of view in the cage was vast sky. He could not see the ground below to see how high they were exactly but he could feel how much closer they were to the stars above.
Entering the Witch's Garden the air had instantly become heavier. A heavy scent of blood and ash filled the air even from above the land. Being on the ship was not enough to mask the scent of death the land carried with it. The air felt sticky and uncomfortable for those who were not use to it.
Something about the air made Vorbuk want to shower, rinse, and repeat if he could. He suddenly missed being able to shower. The wolf sighed heavily as his breathing was slightly ragged. It was not too difficult for him since his mana was from the shadow category. It did not mean he felt comfortable with the place. He had a distaste for the scent of death that carried throughout the Witch's Garden.
"Uh?" The little fox peaked up at the wolf from within the wolf's bushy tail fur.
Leah could sense that the wolf was feeling uncomfortable somewhere. After many years of belonging to Kaiser she had built up an immunity to the heavy and peculiar atmosphere of Drethia including the Witch's Garden.
Da-Dum! Da-Dum! Da-Dum!
There was a heavy sound in the distance. It was a consistent noise that beat against the sky.
Is it thunder? Vorbuk only thought briefly what the sound may have been. He could not continue that thought when he felt it. Ashley is getting closer... and fast.
The wolf felt the little fox flinch at the sound of the noise approaching. Vampires around the ship started looking around in order to find the source. They seemed in a panic as they ran around the ship. He could hear the vampires chattering to each other as they tried to prepare for what was approaching. Vorbuk was the only one who understood what was about to happen.
"Sh-Ship! There is another ship gaining speed on us!" One of the vampires was startled as he shouted out what he saw in the distance behind the ship. They were being pursued by another large ship.
Who else could have a ship from the elves of Yiven? Vorbuk flinched when he heard that but he understood that it must have been Captain Cory. The pirates were talented thieves. Captain Cory had a talent for getting his hands on things in the black market.
Another one followed up with another shout, this time warning everyone, "Fire incoming!"
Wrapping his front right paw around the little fox, Vorbuk pulled her in close. Lowering his body down against the boat. Ensuring that Leah did not get hurt.
Boooommmm! Booom! Boooommm!
The whole ship seemed to vibrate under Vorbuk's feet as several balls of fire struck the tail end of the ship one after another. From all angles of the ship magic barriers were being summoned by the vampires. Various elemental barriers were cast to shield the ship against the incoming fire from the other ship.
Damn... Captain Cory! That idiot! Is he trying to roast me along with the ship?! Vorbuk cursed the pirates inwardly.
A terrifying roar from the flames could be heard as the end of the ship caught fire. The sound of burning ship echoed throughout the skies. Smoke from the fire that burnt a part of the end of the ship wafted in the air. A few vampires were checking the damages to ensure that the ship's condition was not bad by doing their best to put the fire out quickly.
Boommm! Booom!
The ship fired at them again as it slipped up to sail the skies side by side. Breaking through the barriers that the vampires had put up. Vibrations could be felt again as the ship was struck from the side.
Vorbuk could see the pirates on the other ship along with the others. It had taken them time to catch up by ship after Prince Leo convinced the pirates to help him save Vorbuk.
Captain Cory by using his own ship had pulled out one of his hidden cards from spending time in the black market among several kingdoms. With a grin he sailed his ship up on the side of General Vulen's. As a pirate he felt it was only befitting of him to get his hands on his own ship. He usually hid it under guise of sailing the seas of the real ocean when he went south. It was the first time he had sailed it in the skies where it belonged.
"Can't you get any closer?" Prince Leo asked Captain Cory as the captain sailed the ship. He wanted to storm the other ship as soon as possible.
Captain Cory chuckled to himself as he replied, "That I can!"
Bammmm!
Fragments of General Vulen's ship started to rain down from the sky to the land below. Captain Cory's ship was ramming into the side of the his ship. If they were not careful their ship could get destroyed. Vulen did not understand why they would risk destroying both ships in a collision.
"What are you waiting for? Attack them!" General Vulen shouted at the vampires that were startled and confused by the sudden collision of the two ships.
Pirates were climbing down from the other ship onto General Vulen's. At the general's command the vampires attacked the incoming pirates. The captain sailing the ship struggled to move the ship away from the pirate ship. To stop them from being boarded further they had to put some distance between the two ships.
Booom! Boooom! Booommmm!
Shots were fired at them again from the pirate ship. This time they were blocked by a sturdy barrier formed by the vampires. They were more prepared for the attacks after encountering them already. Hissing sounds could be heard from the vampires as they bared their fangs at the enemy ship.
Booom! Clang!
A piece of rubble from an attack struck against the cage. The cage rattled and knocked over onto its side. Part of the cage bars had been damaged and bent. Vorbuk landed on his side with the little fox beside him.
"The beast is loose! Someone grab the chains quickly!" A vampire shouted at the sight of the damaged cage. They were rushing to get the restraints for him again. With the magic collar around his neck he was still no better then an average beast to the vampires.
Vorbuk growled deeply as he stood up. Leah, the small fox, climbed up onto the wolf's back and sat there. Her small paws holding on tightly as the wolf climbed out of the cage. Using an opening in the damage to the cage he was able to climb out quite easily.
Vorbuk's gaze studied the vampires carefully as he climbed from the cage. The sound of a deep growl from him echoing on the ship.