High above the jagged cliffs, in the central fortress of New TheraFalconEthra
Suddenly, the heavy oak doors banged open. A pirate burst into the hall, breathless and shaken, his cutlass notched.
Pirate:
Falcon's eyes narrowed, his hand resting near his hilt.
Falcon:
The pirate stammered, his face pale as he looked at his commander.
Pirate:
Falcon's voice thundered, rattling the maps on the table.
Falcon:
The pirate swallowed hard.
Pirate:Wasim
The chamber fell into a suffocating silence. Falcon rose to his feet, his chair scraping loudly against the stone. The other commanders were equally shaken, whispers erupting like wildfire.
Falcon:
Memories of the Fall of Old Thera surged through Falcon's mind—the blood, the blue star falling, the fire, and the desperate command of Yamen:
His fist clenched tight until the leather of his glove creaked.
Falcon:
Ethra's voice cut through the emotion—cool, skeptical, and sharp.
Ethra:
Falcon's jaw tightened. He looked at the door.
Falcon:
He turned sharply, his cape billowing.
Falcon:
Ethra sighed, adjusting her coat and rising to follow him.
Falcon:
---
Falcon descended the stone steps toward the docks, Ethra at his flank. The wind picked up, howling through the canyon.
There, at the end of the pier, stood QawsVelins
Falcon stepped onto the wood. He drew his blade—a long, curved saber. His eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed in fury at the sight of Yamen's son bound in ropes.
Velins reacted instantly. He leapt forward, placing himself between Qaws and the Pirate Lord, his stance sharp.
Qaws didn't flinch. He vaulted lightly onto a crate, keeping Wasim secure.
Falcon's face hardened. From his body erupted a surging Blue Aura
His voice was deep, resonant, shaking the air like thunder.
Falcon:
He raised his sword with deliberate calm.
Falcon:
He didn't wait for an answer. He swung his blade at the air.
A gale of pressurized wind roared forth, a focused hurricane sweeping across the dock to knock them back.
Velins braced. He thrust his palm forward.
Velins:"Impact."
The invisible wall of force collided with Falcon’s wind. The air exploded outward, shattering nearby crates and sending water spraying into the sky.
As the mist settled, Qaws remained perched on the crate, untouched. His eyes locked on Falcon, measuring the threat.
Qaws:
Qaws's voice carried a trace of irritation, his eyes narrowing as he felt the sheer density of the aura radiating from the Pirate Lord.
Qaws:"Damn... this old man... his pressure is heavy. He's on a different level."
Falcon studied them, his blade still drawn, his tone deceptively calm.
Falcon:
Qaws replied coldly, his face a mask of indifference.
Qaws:
Velins turned sharply, his jaw dropping in astonishment at Qaws's words. The pirates on the dock exchanged shocked glances, muttering among themselves.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Falcon's gaze hardened, anger flickering in his eyes like lightning. Qaws met it with icy composure.
Falcon's lips curled into a dangerous, mocking smile.
Falcon:
Qaws's voice was flat, unyielding.
Qaws:
Ethra sighed, shaking her head, her hand resting on her forehead. Her suspicion was deepening, but the absurdity of the situation paused the violence. Velins looked again at Qaws, bewildered by his cryptic answers.
Falcon pointed the tip of his blade toward the bound boy.
Falcon:
Qaws cut him off, dropping the riddles.
Qaws:Wasim
Falcon's eyes widened. Gasps rippled through the gathered pirates. Ethra's gaze sharpened, doubt and hope warring on her face.
Falcon's aura surged, the waves rising unnaturally around the docks, responding to his shock.
Falcon:
Qaws spoke firmly, shifting Wasim's weight on his shoulder.
Qaws:
Falcon's smile was grim.
Falcon:
Ethra's voice cut in, incredulous.
Ethra:
Qaws's tone was steady, almost weary.
Qaws:
Falcon's eyes narrowed.
Falcon:
Ethra stepped forward, her sharp gaze falling upon the black veins pulsing near Wasim's neck.
Ethra:
Qaws nodded.
Qaws:
---
Falcon stepped closer, his aura pressing against the air, making it hard to breathe. He looked down at the unconscious face of his best friend's son.
Falcon:
He gestured toward Velins.
Velins's breath caught. He looked at Falcon, then at Qaws. It was as if he were staring at the legends he had only read about in old texts—men with bodies hardened by battle, wielding powers beyond mortal reach, men who lived by storm and steel.
Velins thought, witnessing the collision of forces he had only imagined.
The skies above New Thera shifted.
What had been a calm silver afternoon turned ominous. Black clouds gathered rapidly, swallowing the crescent island in shadow. High above, the Green CometBlue Star
Falcon raised his eyes to the heavens, watching the celestial dance. He turned to Ethra.
Ethra:
Falcon's voice was low, heavy with memory.
Falcon:
Qaws and Velins followed Falcon and Ethra up the winding stone stairs toward the upper chamber, perched high above the docks, overlooking the fleet.
Pirates from the last invasion—veterans with scars and missing limbs—watched them pass. Their eyes were filled with suspicion, but also awe at the strangers walking with their Lord.
Qaws glanced around at the stone buildings.
Qaws:
Velins nodded, his tone grim as he touched a scorch mark on the stone.
Velins:
New Thera — The Council of Pirates
At the Summit Chamber of New Thera, the air was thick with smoke and suspicion. The Pirate Lords sat in silence as FalconEthraVelinsQaws
The pirates exchanged glances, their hands resting near their weapons, eyes lingering on Velins’s scholar robes with distrust.
Qaws raised a single hand, his voice steady, cutting through the murmurs.
Qaws:
Velins looked at him, startled by the blunt introduction, but bowed awkwardly.
They took the empty seats offered to them. The tension was palpable—a single wrong word could ignite a brawl.
Falcon's voice rumbled deep, commanding the chamber.
Falcon:LutherPearlValina
A weathered pirate spoke up, his voice trembling slightly.
Pirate:
Falcon paused. His silence was heavy, but when he exhaled, his expression was firm.
Falcon:
Qaws raised his hand again, interrupting the council.
Qaws:
The pirates turned toward him, their eyes sharp as daggers. Falcon's gaze locked on Qaws.
Falcon:
Qaws's tone was calm, deliberate.
Qaws:Luminous Tree
Falcon's eyes drifted to the window, overlooking the empty, silent homes of New Thera below.
Falcon:
The accusation hung in the air.
Qaws's voice softened, losing its edge for a moment.
Qaws:
Falcon's eyes narrowed.
Falcon:
Qaws's next words struck like steel.
Qaws:
Ethra rose suddenly, her chair scraping against the stone floor. Her face was pale.
Ethra:
The pirates murmured in shock, hope warring with disbelief. Velins turned to Qaws, astonished—he hadn't known Qaws carried such hope.
Qaws continued, ignoring the commotion.
Qaws:Yamen
Falcon's eyes widened. The chamber erupted in whispers.
Ethra:Dungeon Wars
Falcon looked down at his scarred hands, the old wounds burning with memory.
Falcon:
Qaws's voice cut through the grief.
Qaws:Wasim
Ethra's face shifted, disbelief and hope colliding. The pirates gasped, voices rising in chaos.
Falcon's voice trembled, his fist tightening until his knuckles turned white.
Falcon:
Ethra placed her hand gently on Falcon's clenched fist. His voice dropped, heavy with a lifetime of grief.
Falcon:ValinaSidneyMajd
Qaws's voice was cold, resolute.
Qaws:
Falcon's eyes met his, fierce and burning.
Suddenly, an Elder Pirate rose, his voice harsh, tears streaming down his weather-beaten face.
Elder Pirate:
Velins stepped forward to defend his friend, but Qaws silenced him with a glance. He stood up, his presence dominating the room. His voice was sharp, unyielding.
Qaws:
The room went silent.
Qaws:
The Elder Pirate faltered, his rage broken by the assassin's steel resolve. He sat down, silent, wiping his face.
Falcon's gaze swept the chamber, his voice steady once more.
Falcon:
He turned to the assembly, his command echoing off the stone walls.
Falcon:
