Three years later, Antonio was captain of his own pirate ship, the Ojo Del Diablo. He fought his way to the top, never forgetting his promise to avenge his parents. He obsessed over Kirkland. Antonio read every scrap of paper related to the man. He studied his known routes, fighting techniques, preferred victim type - Antonio knew everything there was to know about Arthur Kirkland.
Now, after so many years of feeding his obsession, Antonio created a plan that was sure to spell the end of the English pirate. He had tracked Kirkland's current route to the closest degree and knew exactly where to strike.
Soon Arthur Kirkland would be no more.
"Ship approaching off the port bow!" yelled the look-out from the bird's nest.
Arthur stood at the steering wheel. "Flag?" he shouted back.
"Unrecognizable, sir!"
The Englishman's large eyebrows furrowed. Was it a new flag or could the man simply not make it out? Arthur called for the man to clarify his statement. It was rare to find a ship flying new colors. Most merchant vessels flew the flags of their company, navy ships were easily recognizable by shape and always flew their country's flag. Unknown colors could be a cause for concern or a huge payoff.
"New flag!" the look-out shouted.
Arthur passed the wheel off to his first mate and pulled out his spyglass. He focused it in on the ship in question and was surprised to find it sailing towards them. He ordered his crew to slow the ship down and prepare for the upcoming fight.
This ship's captain was fool and Arthur couldn't wait to show him just how outmatched he really was.
Antonio grinned. As predicted, Kirkland took the bait. The Spanish pirate order his crew to prepare for battle. He handed the wheel over to his first mate and headed down to his own cabin to ready himself.
Antonio took a deep breath and leaned against his cabin door. He needed to be calm for this. It would probably be his only chance to catch Kirkland unaware. This entire plan was essentially banking on the fact that Arthur didn't know or didn't care that he was still alive.
Antonio doubted that Kirkland even remembered him or killing his parents.
That thought caused a familiar weight to settle in the Spaniard's stomach. He felt his racing heart slow and a sense of calm fell over his mind.
Antonio could do this. He needed to do this. After Kirkland was dead, he would finally have closure. Kirkland's end would mean that he could let go of his parents' death.
He had no clue what he'd do after this. Killing Kirkland had been the driving force behind every decision he made over the past three years.
A bell clanged from the deck - signaling the proximity of Kirkland's ship. Antonio snapped back to reality at the sound. He snatched up his cutlass and pistol and slipped on his best coat. A malicious grin formed on his face. Antonio wanted to look good for this.
He was attending a funeral after all.
As soon as Arthur felt his ship bump into the other, he shouted out the attack order. Instantly the air was filled with the noise of battle. Guns and swords clashed together in a cacophony of clangs, cracks, and battle cries.
The smell of gunpowder reached Arthur's nose and he threw himself into the battle without a second thought. He fired his pistol at any enemy who approached. He traversed the length of the ship with a sadistic smirk, watching and waiting for whatever idiot captained this ship to emerge and do something.
Arthur didn't have to wait long. A man in a black captain's coat quickly fought his way towards the Englishman.
"You must be the captain of this pitiful vessel," Arthur sneered as soon as the other man was close enough to hear.
The other pirate sneered back just as fiercely. "That I am. And you'd be wise to fear me, Captain Kirkland."
Arthur laughed mockingly. "I don't even know who you are. You're barely a speck of dust on the sole of my boot. What do I have to fear from a speck of dust?" The Englishman smirked as the Spanish captain grew more enraged.
"You don't know who I am?! You killed my parents! You shot me! How can you not remember that?"
Arthur shrugged again. All he was doing now was pissing the other captain off for his own amusement. His anger would only make him easier to kill. "What can I say? I've killed a lot of parents in my time."
The Spaniard saw red. "My name is Antonio Fernandez-Carriedo. And I am going to kill you."
Antonio raised his sword and thrust it at Kirkland. He put as much force as he could behind the blow. However, Arthur parried it with ease and returned with a forceful strike of his own.
The two captains exchanged blow after blow. The fight grew more and more heated. The clangs and crashes of their swords became increasingly aggressive and violent. Kirkland drew the first blood. He nicked Antonio's arm but was forced back before he could cut too deep. Antonio managed to surprise Arthur by cutting him not once but twice - both times drawing blood.
*At the sight of Kirkland's blood, Antonio began to strike at Arthur with reckless abandon.*
Until Antonio forced himself to take a mental step back. He was letting his emotions drive him and if he kept fighting like this, Kirkland would win. The Spaniard could feel his body grow tired, while Kirkland seemed to still be going strong. Renewed determination and calm settled over Antonio, as he figured out what exactly he had to do next.
Antonio's strength returned with a vengeance. His blows began to force Kirkland backwards. As they traveled down the length of the ship, the pirates' crews slowed and soon ceased their individual fights to watch their captains.
Little by little, Antonio could see Kirkland strength waning. The English pirate's strikes were slowing, but his face still held a mocking smirk.
Kirkland kept a tight grip on that condescending smile until Antonio managed to force him to the edge of the ship. Kirkland lost his cocky demeanor when his back hit the ship railing. His eyes widened in panic when he realized he was trapped.
Kirkland swung his sword as a last ditch attempt to force Antonio back. The blade sliced diagonally through Antonio's coat - thoroughly ruining it. However, that was the last thing on the Spanish pirate's mind as he pulled out his pistol and aimed it at Arthur's head.
Time seemed to slow as Antonio cocked his pistol. Arthur wore a furious grimace and Antonio could feel the mad grin that stretched across his own face.
"Oro para que usted se quema en los pozos más bajas del infierno," Antonio stated coldly. "Adios Arthur Kirkland."
Just as Antonio pulled back the trigger, Kirkland brought up his sword and hit the barrel of the gun with his blade. The shot went wild and disappeared into the air. Antonio quickly fired a second shot, but his aim was off and the bullet hit Kirkland in the stomach instead of the head.
Arthur dropped his sword and clutched at his stomach. He staggered backwards and his back hit the railing once more.
But this time the imminent danger didn't register until Arthur was already over the edge.
The Englishman's body hit the water with a massive splash and Antonio stared down at the water with an bitter glare. Finally, it was over. Arthur Kirkland was gone. His parents were avenged. They could be a peace. He could be at peace. All that was left was to tie up a few loose strings.
"Kill them all!" Antonio commanded. "Burn their ship! I want no survivors!"
Translations:
Ojo Del Diablo - Devil's Eye
Oro para que usted se quema en los pozos más bajas del infierno - I pray you burn in the lowest pits of hell
I frickin' hate this fight scene. I felt (and still feel) the pain in my fingers as my soul ached at the terribleness of this. It'd fit better in LOTR. It's boring and long and I hate it.
Anyway, one more chapter (gonna be super short - but for a good reason) and then MAYBE I'll start the FrUK bit. I'm really going to need an experienced romance writer to help me with that. So if any of you have any advice or would want to beta me, that would be awesome.
And, as always, thanks for reading and reviewing.