Port Royale- a place most evil where all the criminals come to gather and make merry. Music, raucous laughter, noisy arguments, chinking coins, and the hard thumps of ale glasses on the counter were heard day in and day out. And gambling…oh the gambling that went on… It is magnificent. Dice, cards, wheels, and tables all available to the criminal public. Saloons will bountiful babes opened to suck the money out of the masses. It was a glorious sin-ridden city. A place where there is no body governing. No one to keep the peace. No one to ruin the fun.

Well… that's not quite true. There was the Pirate king. Though he didn't bother himself in the small disputes, those were usually taken care of by guns, knives, and pistols. His presence was only around the things that would disrupt this Haven of evil.

Usually the armies of the world would show up near Port Royale in which the Pirate King would dispatch his 4 captains and their crews to take care of the nuisances. For the troublesome individual, the Phantom Assassin would do. All was well and nothing disturbed the immoral and vile fun atmosphere at this wicked city.


On the outskirts of town, there was a mansion and its plantation. A mansion of three floors high, painted white ghosted over a large abandoned sugar cane plantation. The fields were overgrown with tall weeds which only helped conceal the mansion. There were no clearly marked roads save for the one path hidden amongst the weeds. The mansion was not abandoned. No, instead, it housed the notorious Pirate King.

Most say he's retired from pirating while others say that he was recovering from a grievous wound. Others joke that he's married and gone to live an upright life back in the colonies. Some say he's a legend and the real man died a long time ago. Regardless, most keep to their own lives but there are men which still tell of his stories. These are the ones that had encountered the Emperor pirate on the high seas. They tell of the ridiculous stealth and speed of his flagship, Victorious. It's precision in striking down the masts with its superior cannons. And the crew… those who fought against the Emperor's men, died. Those who lived to tell the tales were ones that jumped into the ocean and prayed for miracles. The gold, treasure, and jewels he plundered were said to be enough to buy the world

There was a central staircase which led up to the third floor and other concealed stairs for the servants. The grand parlor room had a large fireplace with a portrait of a beautiful woman hung over. The floors were tiled in exquisite patterns. The kitchens were filled food and the cupboards and counter tops were of the finest craftsmanship. 3 large tables could seat a total of a hundred occupied the large dining room. The guest rooms were neat and clean and aired out weekly. But for the most part, the first floor was unoccupied save for the kitchen.

The second floor was filled with treasures. Down the hallway and into their rooms, you'll find rooms laden with gems and gold. Jewelry piled in heaps upon bars of silver and gold. Precious antiques and famous paintings filled the rooms. There were shelves and chests, but their contents were stuffed hap hazardously. These rooms were not locked but they were guarded. Each hallways was one of Emperor's captains. Each captain had filled their room differently and are not of much worth mention.

The third floor also had its fill of golden treasures, but they were not considered of great importance. Knowledge is mostly guarded here. A plethora of books lined the shelves and manuscripts carefully placed in bins. Papers were stored where the light could not wear them away. It was a magnificent collection. A library that is unchallenged by any other.

It was up here on the third floor which the Emperor resided along with the Phantom Assassin. They did not leave the third floor often save for the outdoor sports that the Pirate King took part in. The Phantom preferred to be in the company of books and among words. The Emperor excelled in all things and he did many activities daily. At times, he played chess with his captains or go horseback riding. Other days, he read of the news that his Informer brought back from town. With so many sailors coming in and out, news traveled relatively quickly and the morning and evening newspapers were constantly up to date.


"Akashi-kun, have you read this evening's newspaper?" A young man with sky-blue hair asked as he looked up from the evening newspaper.

"Yes, Tetsuya, I have read the paper and no, I will not be going." Heterochromia eyes stayed focused on the book he was reading. Answering un-asked questions was a norm. It was easy enough to guess Tetsuya's question. He has been asking the same question for the last two years.

An uncomfortable silent atmosphere descended on the room. For most days, silence is always welcomed, especially on the third floor. However, today, it seemed that the silence brought an unsaid tension to the room.

Tetsuya sighed. The silence broken and the tension dispersed. "Does Akashi-kun wish not to go out again? You have stayed away from the public for 2 years. I hear rumors about you running to the colonies and leading a pious moral lifestyle." Tetsuya chuckled softly in amusement.

Akashi smiled sinisterly. The smile when he was about to strike down his enemy. But this was also the smile when he was about to engage into a challenge. It was often exchanged between Tetsuya and he. "I find stories of you in the newspaper. In fact, there was an article about a ghost haunting around the docks, frightening sailors and townspeople alike."

"I was simply awaiting our shipment." Tetsuya's face turned blank. It was obvious Akashi touched upon a sore spot. Tetsuya was getting tired of being ignored or unnoticed. However, it was because of the qualities that helped him in his occupation.

Akashi chuckled and turned towards the window and looked towards the city of thieves. There was unusual bustling of activity. Preparation for the Festival of Fools has begun. The festivities will begin tomorrow. There will be vendors from all over the world coming to sell their wares. Performing troupes will gather and dance on the stages. There'll be contests of skills and of course, a tournament for gambling. Though that gambling tournament always ends up with the death of somebody, cheating was not tolerated and the penalty is death. But get real, this is Port Royale, home to the most evil, dangerous, cutthroats, of course everyone would cheat. Just don't get caught is the motto here. The fun festivities would last for up to two weeks. Two long weeks of continuous drinking, gambling, and sexing (though most the residents did that all year long at Port Royale).

"I don't see the point of wasting time amongst those fools," Akashi said pointedly as he turned back to face the light blue haired man. "I'm also not interested in their definition of fun."

"I think it would do beneficial for you to leave the plantation from time to time." Tetsuya replied. "You seem restless these past few days…"

"I, restless, Tetsuya?" Akashi raised a curious eyebrow.

"Yes, Akashi-kun seems restless. Is there something on your mind, Akashi-Kun?" Tetsuya asked boldly.

"Are you suspecting me of something?" Akashi turned back to face the light blue haired man. "There's nothing I would keep from you if you asked." Akashi tilted his head and closed his eyes. An eerie peaceful air floated about the room. The last rays of the sun shined on Akashi's red hair, making it golden, but only for a moment. Minutes drifted by as Akashi stayed in his thoughts. Tetsuya stood still.

The sun breathed its last and sunk beneath the earth. The dusk set in and a gloom set across the sky. However, the city of Port Royale was lit with lights and full of life.

Akashi's eyes opened. A knowing look. "Perhaps I may go after all… I do have some unfinished business…