Heavy clouds of turquoise and sickly green swirled above the foreboding skyways of Valencia. Everything was always so forlorn with the occasional sounds of canon-fire and the constant, deep groanings rumbling from the beastly Machine that sat in the very heart of Valencia. The low moanings of the machine could be heard everywhere, even in the depths of the soul. That may have been what caused Emilee to hand over the navigation wheel of the Golden Siren to Ratbeard and head down into the captain's quarters, where it was absolutely silent.
The young pirate captain closed the door behind her with a click of the knob and stood in the center of the room. She took deep, steady breaths, trying to calm herself as the weight of what they were about to do was laid upon her shoulders with every passing second. We've come so far, she thought. And it's all led up to this. Will we finally see Kane? Will we finally end all this needless violence? Will the war finally be won or will Kane prove to be more than we can handle?
Emilee's stomach twisted in anxious knots. She stepped forward toward her bed and sat down, armor bending at her will. We'll be arriving at the Machine soon enough. As soon as we do, the battle will begin. She glanced over at the side table next to her bed. A broken mirror sat atop it, glass split and shattered. She picked it up by its wooden handle and held it low so the glass wouldn't fall out, but so that she could still get a good look at her masked face. Her green eyes beheld her weary soul.
She lifted her other hand and pulled the pink and gold hood of her mask down and off completely. Then she slid the white cloth of the mouth piece below her mouth and nose, giving her a full view of her battle scarred face.
Her face was covered in cuts, scrapes, and bruises that were all hidden under her mask and hood. Her lip had been split open, chin bruised purple, cheek scrapped raw, and the bridge of her nose scarred. The evidence of her hundreds of battles had torn up her face. Emilee frowned and her gaze traveled to her white hair, falling as far as her plated chest. She gasped at its length. How long has it been since I last cut it? She wondered. How long have I been hiding under this mask?
Raising a hand to feel her flat tangled hair, her throat tightened up and eyes moistened. How long has it been since I first fought back against those tyrants and set my life against the Armada? How long has it been since I made myself their eternal enemy? She gave herself one last look, her tired face growing wearier by the second, and set the mirror back down on the table and held her face in her shaking hands.
"Captain, we've arrived!" El Toro burst through the door, bumbling excitedly. She jolted up in surprise. The bull champion's smile fell as he saw her face. "C-captain?"
"Sh!" She hissed and quickly wrapped her face back inside the mask. She scowled. "Don't tell anyone what you just saw. Act like you didn't see anything at all."
"But, Captain," he objected, lines of concern creasing across his forehead. "You don't look so good. Maybe we should stop at a life fountain."
"No," she shook her head. "We don't have time. Potions will do for now. Kane's mask is within my grasp, I'm not turning back now. I'll be with you all soon."
"Yes, Captain." He obeyed reluctantly, leaving her to her silent space. She took a deep, shaky breath, attempting to steady herself. It's now or never.
A/N: Written for yourrdazzle on Deviantart. Emilee Jordan belongs to yourrdazzle.