Hey everyone, so I've been updating more of my other stories recently and I decided to update this just so it doesn't die out. I've also been working on my Spectrobes story for those of you who were wondering and I feel like I need to work out a few more bugs first. But right now, R&R, PM, and Enjoy! (Oh and a little note, this is where it gets kind of graphic so if you don't like reading about people's heads being chopped off, I suggest you skip down for a while).
Chapter 4
"Mr. Nathaniel William Garreth Deveraux, you and your crew have been guilty of the following charges: owning the title of pirate, with your crew possessing one of each pirate class including Privateer, Musketeer, Witch Doctor, Buccaneer, and finally Swashbuckler; the illegal use of magic known as Hoodoo by two of your crew mates; assault and impersonating an Armada soldier; and finally attempted assault of the Armada Officer, Deacon. As a result of these crimes, you have been sentenced to be executed by beheading. Mr. Deveraux," I looked up at the clockwork judge.
That's what the Armada was, clockwork golems created by the Valencians as an army during the Polarian War that became out of control. Standing next to the judge was Deacon himself, staring at him, and the judge continued, "as leader of this band of pirates, you will be the last one executed, forced to watch your companions die until only you remain. This will hopefully send a message to the rest of your kind that even someone like you will never triumph over the Armada. The execution will begin in one hour."
Armada soldiers took us away and we were directed into our temporary cells. Once we were all thrown in and the clockworks had left I said, "I'm sorry everyone. This is all my fault." I pulled my knees up to my chest and buried my face.
"It's not your fault, brother," Alexis said softly. Our cells were completely made of iron bars, save for the ceiling and floors which were made of stone, and Alexis was in a cell right next to mine. "We just had bad luck, is all. Once our friends find out, they'll come to help us for sure."
I shook my head no, "Have you forgotten? There was one rule I made, that if I should be captured no one is to perform a rescue mission. Everyone is to go into hiding." I slumped against the iron bars that separated me from my sister. "No one will come to help us. This will be the end."
I felt her hand touch my back, but I did not pull away. She rubbed the spot on my back and said, "You'll think of something. I know you will." She leaned against the bars as well so we were back to back, but I finally stood and moved to the center of my cell. After what felt like several hours, the steady sound of the Armada soldiers marching returned. They opened our doors all at once and retrieved us. They forced us to march out of the prison and into the courtyard, where a wooden pedestal was set up, the execution site.
I looked to the left and saw Deacon walk over to me. He removed me from the line and brought me over to a seated area. He motioned for me to sit and I did, and the drums sounded.
*Warning: Beheadings start here. If you do not want to read, skip until you see a * at the stop point.*
"On this day," I heard a booming voice say, "these pirates shall be executed for their crimes and shall be set as an example for all who follow in their footsteps." Jacque was first, and he was forced down onto the chopping block. He stared at me with brave eyes, and I tried to close my eyes but found I couldn't. A device was keeping my eyes open, forcing me to watch my first mate get his head chopped off.
His body was thrown aside and next was Michael MacJaws. He struggled to be free, but was subdued by the clockworks electrical shocking devices, making him barely conscious before his head was chopped off as well.
Rotting Dan was next, and the executioner switched blades. As he beheaded Dan a green spectral energy rose from his bones, signifying his spirit being released.
Next was Sidney, who had a scared look everywhere on her face. I wanted to look away, but couldn't as the fourth member of my crew lost her head as well.
"You see Mr. Deveraux," Deacon said as John was forced onto the platform next, "a crew is only as strong as it's weakest link. And unfortunately, you were the weak link." John's head came off, and Fae was next.
I was crying now, and I was silently pleading for it to end. As Fae was decapitated, my pleas became audible.
Alexis was next, and my pleas grew louder and louder, bargaining for her life. The axe was raised, and I screamed at the top of my lungs. The ax stopped just an inch away from her flesh and I was falling apart with emotion. *
My ability to blink and look away returned and I looked to Deacon. "Please, sir. She's the only family I have left. I will do anything, just spare the life of my sister." Deacon was unresponsive and I looked to my sister. She was crying, and I felt guilty. Why could I not beg for the lives of my crew sooner? The ax was raised from her flesh and she was released from her bonds. She ran over to me and we embraced in a long hug.
"I'm sorry," I whispered to her over and over again. I saw Deacon stand up and I released my sister.
"In exchange for her life, will you serve the Armada?" I looked to my sister apologetically, and she nodded.
"I will, sir."
"Do you hereby denounce your title as pirate and swashbuckler?"
"I do, sir."
"Then your...sister...is free to go." He said the word 'sister' slowly as if he did not understand the word.
"Thank you, sir."
"Say your final goodbyes, then follow me." Deacon walked over to a door and stood by it, waiting for me.
"Alexis, find the others and tell them to go into hiding. Go back to Marleybone and continue the life you once lived."
"What about you? I cannot simply leave you in the hands of the Armada."
"You must. Please, for me." Alexis was ready to burst into tears, and she wrapped her arms around me tightly.
"I love you, brother. Be safe."
I returned the embrace, "And I you, dearest sister. May you return safely." I let go and she ran off.
I went over to Deacon and he told me she would be left alone until she left Valencia. He then told me to follow him, and I did. We boarded a ship and cast off. About a month after sailing, we had visited several ports and the Armada did its job by finding and eliminating pirates, what little portion of a large population existed in each area.
At one point, I was allowed to leave the ship, accompanied by a clockwork soldier. I earned scowls and jeers, a human among robots that seemed to want domination over the Spiral, I was an instant traitor. I passed through a market and saw a merchant being harassed by an Armada soldier. He was begging to the soldier, but the clockwork was unresponsive save for the destruction it caused upon his shop. I just couldn't stand it, and rushed over.
"Hey clockwork!" I shouted. The soldier turned and I drew my sword, impaling it with a single blow. The crowd around me gasped in terror as I removed my sword and the clockwork fell. The clockwork that accompanied me charged as well, and I parried its attack and slashed it's head off. I turned to the shop owner and tried to ask if he was okay, but I immediately felt the barrel of a pistol against my head.
"You disappoint me, Mr. Deveraux." The crowd murmured around me, obviously about my name. "I give you a chance at redemption, and this how you repay me." More clockwork soldiers arrived and detained me.
"Take him to the Erebus. We sail for Valencia." He walked in front of me, "And this time, Mr. Deveraux, I will have your head." He hit me with the butt of his pistol and darkness soon overcame me.
Alright, sorry if this dos feel a little rushed but this now concludes the prologue. Further chapters will follow some game plot, but I will be sure to add in my own little twists here and there. As always, R&R, PM, and I'll see you guys again.
