Chapter 5- Welcome to the Order. Ambush!
"She needs Immediate attention," Amanda demanded while tending to Rebecca
I noticed her breathing was very faint
"How? There aren't any privateers on the island, and fisher boy doesn't even have a weapon yet" Kevin was beside Rebecca too practically in tears
His words felt like a stab to the gut. I felt useless, like dead weight. I couldn't help Rebecca no matter how much I tried.
"Madame Vadima might know what ta do, I an I know da extent of her magic more den anyone," Alura said
Just as she finished a Woman who wore the same style clothes and had the same skin tone as Alura entered the room
"Speak of da devil herself, Auntie Vadima I an I guess ye sense me" Alura stood and hugged Vadima
"No child I'm afraid not I sense a more... powerful presence enter skull island" Vadima glared at me
"Please we need your help Rebecca is badly injured" Kevin begged at Vadimas feet
Vadima looked over Rebecca and moved towards her
"Lay her down please, Alura join me" she kneeled down next to Rebecca along with alura and both moved their hands over the wounds but never touching them.
"ah, yes I sense bad mojo in the air, I can even sense papa legba nearby" Vadima spoke with her eyes closed
"The only magic I know that can help is from the monks in Mooshu dear" Vadima stood again
"That's impossible, we'll never make It in time.." Amanda scolded
"Alura.." Vadima gave her her a serious look
"I understand" on cue Alura slapped both palms together and began rubbing them together.
Smoke began emerging from her hands and a metallic figure began to materialize as she separated her hands forming a monk's staff that circled at the top with 3 golden rings attached
"Open! Gate of da blessed cow!"
Alura set the staff alongside Rebecca
"Let us begin the teleportation spell" Vadima joined hands with Alura creating an oval with their joined arms
They hissed incantations from their lips like snakes and their bodies swayed becoming more and more intense as the spell continued
The staff Alura placed beside Rebecca hovered over and began to twirl faster and faster
When the twirl seemed to reach a max speed Vadima and Alura opened their eyes which glowed a deep smoky light green
In unison as if to share one voice they spoke
"Spirits of the spiral and of mooshu we call upon you!" they raised their arms towards the still twirling staff
"Rip the fabric of time and space we seek a more desired place, rip the fabric of time and space we seek a more desired place" they continued the rhyme over and over becoming more and more out of unison and louder with each repetition
"RIPTHEFABRICOFTIMEANDSPACEWESEEKAMOREDESIREDPLACE" they threw both their heads back and a large crack that pierced the ears echoed throughout as a flash of light came from the staff and a swirling portal opened
The two witchdoctors seemed calmer now as they returned to a more normal state
however just as Vadima was brushing herself off Alura fell to the ground
Before she could fall Kevin swooped in a caught her.
"Poor girl, a most powerful spell indeed with just two witchdoctors, do not worry she just needs some rest" as Vadima spoke the portal raged on
"Well, now what? Does that lead to mooshu?" Kevin asked still dumbfounded by the raging portal that glowed a neon black
"Indeed someone will need to take Rebecca to the other side" Vadima looked around the room for volunteers
"I'll do it" Amanda had stepped forward.
"I'm the only one of us who's been to mooshu before I can handle it" she clenched her fist and glared at the ominous portal
"Alone? Are you insane! there are ninja pigs, you'll never make it" Kevin argued
"What other choice do we have, Kevin she doesn't have much time left" Amanda's voice grew louder and more panicked
"Why don't we all go?" I added hoping to calm the two
"Fine! Daniel and Kevin, grab Alura and Rebecca. I'll guard us while we make our way to the monks." Amanda grabbed her Rifle without haste.
"Not without a weapon you don't!" Avery stood with a long sword. I turned around, perceiving the long, slim figure. He walked over to me, took the sword out of the scabbard with a slight budge and held it out for me to grab, holding what seemed to be an object so pure in its form as it gleamed the abundant light in the room, and possessed a figure that stood almost alongside the tall Avery, as if it were calling my name.
I noticed the grip was spiraled with rose stem designs riddled in thorns. The cross guard was butter gold, and the rain guard was a royal blue rose which had the blade protruded out of it.
I reached for the grip but hesitated.
I have never had a weapon before. I never intended on fighting.
"I suppose the time has come, this is a replica of your father's first sword, know that this is an extension of yourself. All that you decide to do will come at your expense, whether your actions do good or evil. Furthermore, you must embrace this object, or better put-comrade, as it will remain loyal to you. It will be your new Rose weapon. Use it wisely." He placed the sword in my hands as well as the scabbard.
"Alright then. Let's get moving." Amanda dashed through the portal, obliging her legs to walk forward as she nearly gave into the uncertainty and fear she was feeling.
...
The dirt path was dry and made our steps immensely noticeable as everything was silent. The wind rustled the trees, and something seemed to move within the Goji berries, but a lack of time kept the lot of them preoccupied, ready to defy death and fight to the last breath.
"Stay close." Amanda hissed as she led the way with her rifle pointed at the trees while she looked through the scope with an eye closed,
I was carrying Alura as she was still passed out from exhaustion and she struggled to breathe.
"A-Auntie don't leave.." Alura muttered while unconscious. It seemed that she was plunged within her dreams, oblivious to their conflict, as she moved her arms to her sides like a baby, settling to a comfort position.
"Kevin, how's Rebecca doing?" Amanda again hissed, never taking a look away from her scope.
"Not so good... her breathing is beginning to slow down" the dread in his voice was more noticeable than ever now.
Amanda let out a sigh.
"Damn it, we'll have to-" My foot tripped over a wire which set off an explosive, and with a loud boom separated the four as lava-red fumes and tremendous force stuck us all, leaving us planted onto the floor.
My ears were ringing from the loud blast resulting from the explosion and thick dust filled my eyes. I no longer was carrying Alura and couldn't even see where the others were. I was overwhelmed.
Finally, the ringing faded.
I heard gunshots and the clashing of swords in the distance. Both from different areas
"Wha-" Alura's voice was to the right of me.
I limped over and found her sitting up, awake and fully conscious.
"Danny boy! What's going on? What happened?" Her eyes were wide and she looked around in the dust-filled air.
"I- I don't know I can't find the others!" The gunshots and swords still raged on.
Alura stood and took hold of my hand, grasping it tightly.
"With this spell, I join our light. End this fog and grant us sight." With her spell, the fog cleared to reveal a group of 5 ninja pigs in full out combat with Kevin and Amanda, while Rebecca lay behind
Kevin was up front battling two of the pigs with his two daggers
his body twist and turned dodging and striking at the pigs while they swung their swords
A pig managed to out its foot behind Kevin's leg tripping him
before Kevin could recover the 3 other pigs went flying towards him
"No, you don't!" Amanda loaded some sort of red crystal into the chamber of her rifle and shot
Out shot a glowing red object that left dust in its tracks
it hit a pig and exploded taking out all 3
"Thanks!" Kevin called out
"Look out you idiot!"
Kevin put his attention back on the pigs before him and dodged the sword aimed for his head as it stabbed abruptly into the ground
He rolled his body backward alongside Amanda
Amanda noticed me and Alura watching and her sky blue eyes met mine
"Daniel! take Rebecca to the tower we'll handle this!" Kevin shot back off into battle as Amanda provided cover fire
without thinking, I dashed towards Rebecca and picked her up
I again sprinted back to alura
"Come on follow me!" my legs were exhausted and with each step they felt heavier as we neared the tower
"Wait!" Alura called out panting
I stopped
"no need to work so hard" she panted and summoned another staff this time the shaft made of a dark wood and the head was that of a cobra with glowing red gems for eyes
She slammed the base of the staff into the ground and with a blink we stood in front of the tower
"You never cease to amaze me" Alura smiled back at me
We entered the tower and noticed it was no different from the outside. The circular room was a sanctuary of nature as it was filled with cherry blossom trees. their pink leaves complimented the green and silver of the mossy stones that were overrun by pure blue waterfalls
"Welcome travelers" a goat monk sat in the middle of the room with his legs crossed in meditation
"What brings you to mooshu?" his voice was slow and soothing
"Please help our friend, she's badly hurt!" I lay Rebecca before the monk
his eyes widened as he looked over the red head before him
"My what a passion this one has, the fire in her soul is an inferno indeed but it seems to be suffocating" he reached into the sleeve of his kimono
"apply this to the wound and give her this" he handed me a small bottle and a cup of tea.
MEANWHILE
"Ugh, there's no use we can't land a hit on these guys!" Kevin grunted as he and Amanda were still fighting the same two ninja pigs
They were both growing tired and running out of energy but they noticed the ninja pigs seemed unphased
"Alright here's the plan" Amanda whispered as to not let the pigs hear them
Amanda whispered into Kevin's ear while they kept an eye on the pigs
"Got it?" she finished
"Yes" Kevin replied and with that Amanda sprinted towards the trees
The ninja pigs quickly sprung into action and tried to stop her but were stopped in their tracks by Kevin
"You'll have to get through me first!" he slashed at the pigs actually landing a hit on the two but not enough to take either of them out
Amanda disappeared into the trees
the ninja pigs then simultaneously went for Kevin. this time Kevin didn't dodge but rather blocked with both his daggers holding their swords back
The struggle for control continued until a gunshot came from directly behind Kevin
the bullet was a foot away before Kevin went into a back flip letting the bullet graze just inches from his face
A direct hit sent one of the two ninja pigs flying back defeated.
"heh great shot" Kevin whispered
while the remaining ninja pig was distracted he slowed his breathing erased his tracks and vanished as any swashbuckler assassin would
...
Amanda was in a steady jog towards the ivory tower now making sure she wasn't being followed.
She disarmed herself from her rifle and had it replaced on her back and was now armed with a dual spark shooting pistols
A rustle in the leaves alerted her
Without hesitation, Amanda opened fire in the direction of sound sending a barrage of powerful bullets into the tree line destroying everything in their tracks.
"Sigh, Kevin come on out" She realized Kevin was following her
"Right here." he tapped Amanda's shoulder from behind appearing as if from thin air
"CRAP! ugh don't do that!" she punched Kevin in the arm
"Sorry" he chuckled
"Did the plan wor-" An explosion set off back where they had previously been battling the ninja pigs
"Yep he fell for it, nice trap" Kevin relaxed and began walking alongside Amanda towards the tower
"It was obvious they were dodging all my shots so the only way was to catch them by surprise. Then when you leave, have the remaining one follow where my shot came from and set off the explosive I left" Amanda smiled a cocky grin obviously proud of her strategy
"Right, thanks, Commodore," Kevin remarked
"Say, if you're so great at strategy what gives?" Kevins question was only met by a blank expression left on Amanda's face
"What do you mean?" She muttered
"Well since your dad was like a Major General being from the Marleybonian Navy and all shouldn't you, ya know?"
"Be a privateer?" Amanda finished his sentence keeping her gaze forward
"Well yeah" Kevin could tell she was in deep thought and returning to her normal emotionless self
"One, Never bring my parents up again, Ever!" her words were harsh
"Two, I wouldn't expect someone as simple minded as you to ever understand." Amanda began walking faster leaving Kevin behind as he was thrown off by her rudeness
Finally, they reached the tower in silence
...
"That's great thank you so much!" I bowed to the monk who returned to his previous state of meditation
Alura had given Rebecca the tea and applied the ointment to her wound and as she did the scars began healing and it was as if she had never even been shot.
Alura said the tea was to calm her nerves and ease her pain so I felt better already knowing Rebecca was going to be fine.
The doors behind us were opened and we saw Amanda and Kevin enter visibly beaten and exhausted
"Yikes, are you guys alright?" I asked but noticed Amanda seemed to have an annoyed look on her face
"Whatever, how is she?" She crossed her arms and looked at Rebecca who was still sleeping
"She's uh.." I didn't know what to say, I was intimidated
"She be doin' just fine Mandy, a bit of rest and she be back to her regular self," Alura said cheerfully
What's going on?
"Well finally some good news" her voice was still annoyed and she didn't seem all that thrilled
"So then I guess we're done here grab Rebecca and let's go" She turned back to the exit and began walking
"One moment." A goose with a satchel entered from another room
"A message, from skull island."
He handed her an envelope
Her eyes widened
"What it be?" Alura noticed the expression and walked over to Amanda a saw the envelope herself
"This can't be good, it's sealed with a gear symbol, Armada." she ripped the envelope open and read aloud.
Bravo, order of the rose, we seem to have fallen for your trickery. Make no mistake it will NOT happen again and we will be coming after you. You are our new target and it will be my pleasure to rid these skyways of your wretched existence. Don't bother returning to skull island, there's nothing for you there anymore.
~Rooke
The room fell silent.
An
Sorry this chapter took so long, Special thanks to my good friend Anthony for helping me write this chapter (Aka Everythingandthereforenothing) hope you enjoyed and keep reading!