A Thief's Story
Chapter 3-Renegade
"Ughhh!" Hawk yelled out in pain after taking a blunt to the guts.
The pirate then tried to slash for Hawk's head. Hawk easily dodged the blade, then kicked the pirate in the head, knocking him out.
"Uh-oh, uh-oh, too fast for ya! Yeah!" Hawk gloated, dancing away his small victory.
From above, a pirate swung from a rope and came down with his sword, determined to end Hawk's victory. Hawk just in time saw the pirate and brought his daggers up to block the fatal blow. The pirate bounce off of Hawk and landed on his feet. Both of them square off by strafing around each other. Hawk was first to rush toward the enemy. The pirate jumped with no hesitation. Hawk, seeing an opening, quickly toss Shurikens at the pirate, killing him in the air, making the body land with a thud.
"Ha ha! Still got it!"
Hawk, convinced that the pirate is no more, ran to help others fight off the opponents.
Goddess, this is just like how my old adventure started. Fast pace action with Death having the best seat to watch. Damn, why do these things happen to me?
Seeing a sailor in trouble, Hawk rushed in and with one quick slash, killed the pirate.
"I'm grateful, Sir Hawk." the sailor bowed.
"No problem. Don't get yourself killed."
Which is difficult to do with sailors and pirates equally involved in the combat. Corpses were on the ground everywhere. A scene of discouragement to anybody that has the time to lay their eyes on the dead. Hawk, however, was used to this kind of scene and didn't falter in his agile assault.
After dispatching pirates one by one, a long shadow fell in front of him. Hawk slowly looked up, seeing a pirate, who, in turn, is looking down upon him. This pirate jumped down on to the deck, right in front of Hawk. Unlike the others skirmishing pirates, he was more formal looking than the usual look, and had a scar that ran across his face. All he did was looked at Hawk straight in the eye, smirking.
What's the problem with this guy? Hawk wondered. I hate it when people smirk at me like that.
Faster than in a blink of an eye, the pirate charged at him with incredible speed. Hawk barely had time to block his opponent's blow.
Shit, this guy is as fast as me. Hawk reacted with surprise. This may take a while.
Hawk kicked his opponent away and tried to land a blow on his head. The pirate simply dodged and punched him in the stomach. Hawk staggered a bit, then regained balance. However, this was just a mere distraction, as in the next second the pirate slashes his left arm.
"ARGHHHH!" Hawk screamed as he gritted his teeth through the pain.
Blood was spilling into his sleeve and sliding down his arm. Hawk could barely feel his arm, much less lift it. Deciding that he should leave his arm be, Hawk tightened his grip on his only used dagger by his right arm.
At least it's not my good arm. Crap, I don't have anything to heal myself. He was beginning to tire from the indecisive fight.
Seeing this as an opportunity, the quick pirate went for a blow. Hawk, still getting his senses back together, managed to block the attack with his dagger. The pirate reacted with a kick to the left leg, forcing Hawk to kneel on it. The pirate swung his sword at Hawk's left leg, making him scream in agony, grasp his leg, and fall down.
Blood was streaming onto the floor, making a small puddle. Hawk looked up at the pirate, seeing him making the same smirk as before. It was the last thing he saw before blacking out from the pirate's kick to the head.
Besides falling down a 5 stories cliff, I hate being black out. His last thoughts rang.
Hawk! Hawk! Do you hear me?
Yes, I hear you, Faerie. You don't have to ask me that same question.
I know. But it's just that you were knocked out.
Yeah, well it wasn't the most painful black out I experienced. Bullshit, that pirate actually beat me. He was as fast, as fast as light. Man, and I thought I was quick. Great, I gonna save the world again, and these pirates just come in and captured the ship, probably taken me and some other sailors as their prisoner, no doubt. Past experience sometimes never does help the situation, especially when predicting the future.
Don't look so down, Hawk. If only Carlie and Lise were here, then you'll surely win.
Yeah, yeah. It's ALWAYS nice to have someone behind your back, either providing backup or magic.
Okay… There's the spirits, too. But they all had gone back to their homes or domains, now.
Can we get back to the point? What do we do now, Faerie?
Well, we could try to get out of the ship and find Carlie and Lise.
Yeah, just one question. How?
I don't know. Aren't you the expert of getting out?
Um, not right now. How are we supposed to go when we get out?
Maybe grab a boat?
And what? Start randomly pick direction and stay on that course? I'll die sooner out there than staying here with the pirates.
We'll think of something. Don't lose faith, Hawk.
Well, that's harder to do with the situation at hand.
What are we supposed to do then? Rot?
Better rotting being captive than stranded on a lifeboat.
What? Hawk, comparing death scenes isn't going to help us.
What else to do?
You can try to think positively.
And then what? Wait for a perfect idea to come up? Shit, I did that and look what happen to me. I got beaten the crap out of me by someone, who I just found out the hard way is better than me.
Hawk! Why are you acting this way? You have to save the world.
Well, I don't feel like it, okay? Why did fate chose me to save the world? Why couldn't some other guy save the world, like Duran?
That is unexplainable. You know, you sound like Duran when he was nearly killed by Koren. I can't believe it. What happen to the outgoing, carefree guy who didn't care who was better than him, but only cared for those who were in trouble, those that needed help, and mostly of all, those that need… you?
I'm sorry, but he's currently unavailable now, Faerie.
What? All of this? Because that… that… stupid pirate was better than you? Hawk!
(Sighs) I'm sorry, Faerie. Just… just leave me alone.
Hawk!
Go away.
(Sniffles) Fine! See if I care! (Sobbing)
When Hawk heard the cries fade away and were sure Faerie was not listening, he replayed the fight over and over again.
That guy… THAT guy. Damnit! Ugh! He was… better than me.
Hawk felt guilt when he thought his conversation with Faerie.
I can't believe I just did that to her, all because of that. But that guy was so quick. What am I saying? Faerie is right. But I can't seem to get the image of the fight out of my mind. Damn, I shouldn't drove Faerie away. Right now, I need all the help I can get. I wish I could apologize to Faerie. I mean, after all, she does like me. (Sighs) Where are you, Faerie?
Hawk wish that he didn't feel the way he felt before he took a rest.
"Rise and shine, hero."
"Huh?" Hawk groggily woke up.
"I said get your sorry ass up." the voice spoke again.
Hawk slowly opened his eyes, adjusting them to see where the voice came from.
"Oh, it's you." Hawk gave the person a look of repulse.
The voice came from the scar-faced pirate, who just happens to be right in front of him.
"Hmm, hmm, hmm. Don't look so bad." the pirate put on the same smirk as before. "Who said I was better than you? Certainly not these lowlifes around me."
Hawk looked around him. He was tied against the wall of the inside of an unknown ship, with the sailors from the battle in the same condition also. Most were unconscious, but those that weren't were staring at both him and the pirate.
"Gee, prisoners inside a pirate ship. Could this be anymore original?" Hawk smirked back.
"Keep it up, tough guy, and I make sure your 'pleasant' stay here become unpleasant."
"Well, first things first. Who the hell are you?"
"Jack, the Captain of the Blue Elites, great pirates and crappy ones that sailed the whole world. As for you, you're famous for what you did back then."
"Heh. All right... So, like every stupid question goes, why in the world did you capture us?"
"I'm glad you ask, hero boy. Number one reason is that you're too important to be walking around, needless to say saving people, and the world."
"So what's your point?
"I have a certain 'person' that would like to meet you, kid."
"For what?"
"Always asking questions that doesn't concern, aren't ya, matey?"
"Want to know something? I DON'T DO THAT."
"That's not the point. What is is that you shut the hell up, and maybe I won't torture you… much."
"Look, I don't care if this person needs to see me. I have to save the world from this freaky, rising evil. So, unless you want to be blasted to oblivion, get me the hell out of here."
Jack chuckled and shook his head.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You didn't even stop to hear me tell you what's going on. Here's the thing, mate. I work for this… evil."
"What? You, you work for this evil?"
"Ha ha ha. Of course. Now if only you were smart enough as they say, you'll make my day."
"You plan to kill me?"
"Not exactly, mate. You see, our boss wants to extract from you for a certain 'thing'. I'll let you figure the rest out."
"It would be SO much less work if you could just tell me right now."
"Heh, kid. I like you." Jack chuckled again. "All right. My boss wants a certain 'sword' extracted from you."
"Sword? But I don't… no… you can't mean…"
"That's right, mate. You know what I'm talking about."
"(Scoffs) You'll never get it from me. Even if you do, you'll only have a piece of it."
"I know, I know, kid. But I know where the others are, and you can bet your Lucs that I will stop at nothing to get them."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because it's fun and riches for me to cause mayhem and chaos. Ever since you slay the Dark Prince, the oh so goody two-shoes are starting to take over, mate. I couldn't do a damn thing."
"Figures."
"One day, the 'boss' came to me and wanted me to help him rule the world in exchange for anything I like. Just cause some trouble, enough to help him. I was also to capture the three Mana heroes for the pieces that he needed to take over. Well, it was an easy job for me to capture you."
"Whatever. Just who is your boss?"
"Spiratin. A man name Spiratin from this other world. That's all I'm givin' ya."
"That's a crap-ass name."
"Hey, say that one more time, mate, and I won't consider leaving you mark-free."
"So, where are you taking me?"
"A little somewhere not on the world map. We then do what we're supposed to do. Then, after we're done with you, we'll go after your friends for the rest of the pieces."
"What? You leave my friends alone!" Hawk tried lunged at Jack, but he found it useless.
"They have the other pieces. I don't care what happen to your little friends or not."
"Leave 'em, alone! Understand me?"
Jack once again chuckled, and went for the door.
"Hey! I'm talking to you! Come back here! When I get out of these ropes, you'll be in for a hell of an ass-kicking!" Hawk yelled out, struggling to get out of the rope bindings.
Jack exited the room and shut the door.
"DAMNIT! Shit! SHIT! I have to get out of these bindings!
Hawk struggled with the binds, but quickly stopped because of the pain from the wounds he received his earlier conflict.
"No… not my friends.," Hawk dropped his head, not from the pain, but thinking of what will happen to Lise and Carlie if the pirates managed to capture them. He was beginning to lose hope of escaping.
Don't… lose… hope… A faint voice called out in his head.
Huh? Faerie? Is that you? Wait, wait a minute. That voice sounds… faintly familiar. That voice. It… sounds… like… an old friend. Hawk tries to remember where he had heard such a voice before.
"Sir Hawk…" a voice, outside his head, called out from somewhere in the prison.
"Hmm? Who said that?" Hawk was twisting his head to see where the voice was from.
"I, Sir Hawk."
Hawk turned to see where the source of the voice came from. It was from the sailor that was on his left.
"Ben?" Hawk almost couldn't see in the dim room.
"Yes, Sir Hawk." Ben answered the acknowledgement.
"You're in this, too?"
"Everyone who survived the attack was captured and taken to the pirate ship."
"Pirate ship? You mean, we're on the pirate ship?"
"Yes, sir."
Crap. I can't believe I let everybody down. Hawk felt even more disheartened.
"Sir, I managed to get myself loosen from the rope. I had to wait for the pirate captain to be out of sight."
"Got yourself loosen? Great! Come on, get me untied."
Ben struggled with his rope a bit, then silently walked down toward Hawk. Taking a few moments, Ben managed to untie Hawk. Hawk slumped down to the floor. He looked at his wounds. Apparently, the bleeding slowed down enough for Hawk to survived, but the pirates weren't compassionate enough to bind up his wounds.
When Ben saw this, he went back to where he was bind up at first, then took out a Honey Drink out of nowhere.
"Don't know where or when you got that, or even where you hid it, but I glad you have it." Hawk said relieved after he gulped down the powerful, healing drink.
A few seconds later, his wounds begin to magically heal themselves quickly. When his wounds were sealed up, Hawk let out a relaxing sigh.
"Ohhhh, that's hits the spot."
"You are okay, sir?" Ben asked.
"I am now. I would pass out if you didn't give me that drink."
"You are welcome, sir. But now you must escape."
"Escape? How?"
"Forcefully, if I may, sir."
"Like… opening the door and running out?"
"Yes, sir."
"But, how am I going to get off this ship?"
"Do not worry, sir. Before we were thrown here, sir, I saw a lifeboat off to the starboard side of the ship, sir."
"Even if I manage to get to the boat, where am I supposed to go?"
"I overheard one of the guards outside saying that they are moving past Free City Maia. If I were correct, it would be on the west side of the ship, just 3 leagues away."
"You know, you not making this any easier for me."
"I know, sir. But you are one of the Mana heroes, destined to save the world, once again from what I heard. I know when things are hard, it seems easy to give up. But that never made you who you are, Sir Hawk. You accomplished great things when it seems impossible to do. Don't lose hope, Sir Hawk."
"(Sighs) You're right. After hearing that so many times. I got to keep going when time are tough. I can and will save the world. Now, that is definitely me talking."
Ben walks over to where he was tied up again, and took out some items.
"Sir Hawk. You may need these items."
Hawk received 1000 Lucs, 5 Pakkun Chocolate, 3 Starburst Herb, 4 Darts, and 4 Hand Axes.
"Crap! Is there anything you don't have stashed away?" Hawk was amazed.
"This is all I have, salvaged, and stolen from pirates, sir. I hope it will help you."
"These will do more than help. Thanks. You might want to, uh, tie yourself up again."
"Of course, sir. Goodbye, and may the Goddess watch over you."
"Right."
If only they knew about what happen to her. Hawk just sighs.
Ben returned to his prisoner spot and tied himself up. Hawk went up to the door to unlock it. Most sailors have awaken now and heard of the plan. Most gave blessing or good luck to Hawk as he passed by them. He thanked them. Some sailors didn't wish Hawk safe journey because they themselves gave up hope. To these sailors, Hawk said,
"Don't worry, I'll fix everything."
Knowing that escaping from the pirate ship might result in the endangerment of the sailors, Hawk wish some other way to get out without the crew getting hurt. But nothing came to his mind, and he knows that the crew is willing to suffer the consequences to help him escape to save the world.
The lock on the door was but a simple task for a master Thief such as Hawk. A little bit of this, and a little bit of that, and Voila! the lock is open. Hawk slowly opened the door, waiting for anybody that noticed. One guard did; he slowly walk into the room only to be knock out by a hit in the head by Hawk on the other side.
Hawk, unsure that no one else saw the assault, peered outside to see if anybody was going to get the jump on him. Sure enough, an arrow was shot from the left side. Hawk quickly reared his head back just in time to see the arrow go past the corridor by him. Hawk took a quick glance outside to the left and saw a pirate just aiming for his head. Hawk pulled his head back again to avoid another deadly shot. Quickly, Hawk pulled out a Dart and jumped out of the prison room, throwing them quick enough to take out the archer before the he even got to aim at Hawk.
Hawk, satisfied that danger has passed for now, silently closed the door of the prison room. He quietly lift and drag the guards and took them to places that he thought were out of sight and unused for a long time. With a dusting of his hands, he moved back into the corridor. Even though they were lit, he disappears easily as if though light was no such thing. He silently made his way to the stairs on right junction ahead. Hawk was just there until he saw a shadow crawling down the stairs. He quickly went out of sight, watching the guard come down. He yawned, apparently tired from his watch. He went down to his left, away from where Hawk was hiding, then entered a room on his right. When the guard was gone, Hawk came out of his hiding place (behind a barrel deeply embedded in dark shadows). Hawk traveled up the stairs until he reach the deck. It was almost pitch dark outside.
Whoa, how long was I out cold in prison? He shrugged.
He peeked out of the shadows to see if any guards were outside. One was on the very front of the ship, another was in a crows' nest, and Hawk deducted that at least 2 guards are on the floor above him, just a little behind him, judging from the number of footsteps he heard above. Hawk peered out a little more and saw the boat on the right that Ben was talking about.
Gee, did Ben forget to mention that the boat is in clear view of the two guards that are behind me? Huh, Ben. Same name as my… former friend. Well, hope that he doesn't become former, either. He tried to put that out of his mind.
Hawk retreated back into the shadows and thought of a plan. Sneaking out to the boat is too long and the guards will notice him by then. Killing is out of options, either, because they can yell out for help even when wounded, and instance kill up close is not a good idea. Sound distraction, suspicious of where the sound came from. Object distraction, same result as sound. All the other plans he thought of were no good. The best that Hawk can think of is running out as fast as he can when the guards were not looking and when they are farthest away from him. It's the most effective method he could think of. There was the guarantee that he'll make to the boat. But he has to lower the boat down to the water and row away. By the time he reaches the boat, the guards would be upon him, and even if he did manage to get on the water, the guards will use arrows to take him out, or cannonballs if he gets far enough.
At least the end is the same scenario as the others, just seconds apart, with the current plan being the first of the time I have. Forget lowering the boat. I just need to slash the ropes, pick up the oars, then make a dash for it. I just have to depend on luck, as always. This one's on me... again. Hawk took a deep breath.
Hawk waited what seems like forever before the guards are in his desired position. Seeing his plan in motion, he rushed for the boat. Just like when Hawk was having the near death experience with the cannonball, when Hawk rushed out toward the boat, time slowed down. He kept on running, suddenly aware of everything around him. He was just half way to his destination when he heard shouts of the guards around him. Realizing this, he push his body to the limit and just kept on going straight toward the boat. His heart was pounding mad when he reached the boat and pulled out his daggers. Slashing both of the rope with outstanding quickness, Hawk barely dodged the barrage of arrows that were aimed toward him.
The boat landed with a big splash, with Hawk falling down because he weighs less than the boat, which made him fall short behind the boat, landing with pain. Groaning, it took a moment for Hawk to snap to his senses and looked around for the oars. When he found it, he heard footsteps above him. Knowing that he better stick to his plan, he start to row the 2 oars as hard as he can, as fast as he can, and as much as he can. He heard shouts from the ship, but only cared to get as far as he can away from the ship, managing to dodge all the arrow fire. Some arrows hit the boat, but none reached Hawk. When the pirates decided that arrows weren't shooting far enough, they resorted to cannon fire.
BOOM! EEEWWW! Hawk looked up and saw the cannonball. He stroked to his left as hard as he can. WHISH! The cannonball splashed right next to the boat, causing water to spray up and onto the boat and Hawk. Hawk kept on paddling, hoping that the pirates would give up.
BOOM! EEEWWW! WHISH! Hawk saw that the cannonball shots were now having longer distance between the boat and where the shot landed. Hawk felt a little relieved, but kept on rowing. Regaining complete control over himself, he start to stroke in the direction that Ben pointed out, but abruptly changed his mind when changing directions means going back to the ship. He should go out further, make some changes in the water route that he is going, and he's going to be fine. So, he continued to move away from the ship.
BOOM! EEEWWW! WHISH! This cannonball didn't even come close to the boat. Hawk was relieved and when the sight of the ship is no more, he began his long journey into the night.
Back on the ship
"Captain, I'm, uh, afraid that the 'special' prisoner has escape, sir." A pirate reported to the Jack's cabin immediately after Hawk was gone from the line of sight.
"Thank you, matey. You may return to your post, now." Jack replied.
"But Captain, aren't you angry that the hero escape?"
"No, mate. In fact, I'm glad that he escaped."
"Why, sir?"
"It all falls right into the plan that is slowing unfolding."
"That was part of the plan, sir?"
"Oh, yes. His escaping is an essential part of the plan. It shall make the job easier and more interesting in the end. Is the ship ready to enter Free City Maia?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then continue the plan as… planned? That's not a pun, all right, mate?"
"Uhhh… yes, sir." he rolled his eyes.
The pirate exited the cabin. Jack moved toward the window in his room and looked out.
This is too easy. People are simple to manipulate. He put on his infamous smirk and chuckled.