Chapter 68
Holy Land

At a snail's pace, the Striker was sailing along the Angel Road which was floating high up in the air, overhanging the Upper Yard; the Holy Land of Skypiea. Much larger than Angel Island, it seemed that its ground was composed of earth and not cloud. With gigantic trees covering the soil, it looked like a giant jungle.

Overall, it was an amazing sight, and it should have amazed the two pirates who were sailing in its direction, if only they spared a gaze to the island. But their eyes were already occupied watching each other with a degree of pleasure and excitation which made it impossible to look another way.

"We have to... stop," Eli said, the tone her voice was showing an obvious lack of resolve for her words, almost as much as her actions as, once she had spoken, the girl kissed her partner with even more intensity than before.

"I know..." Ace breathed against her lips, before plunging his tongue inside of her mouth.

Whines, vaguely protesting, could be heard from the girl's throat as she felt the flame user's fingers creeping under her dungarees. Slowly, they slithered on her rump, heat diffusing from where his fingertips touched her swimsuit. Finally, his palm settled and Ace pushed Eli's hips closer to his.

With a whine, she rolled her head away from his.

"The others..." Pants broke the girl's voice. "They are... in danger," she said in an attempt to reason the both of them.

"I know..." Ace murmured, his voice close to a purr, while the hand that was lingering on the side on her chest moved upward. "We can't do this here."

As he cupped her small breast, Eli bit her bottom lip feeling her heartbeats increasing tremendously. Through her half lidded vision, she could see that Ace had absolutely no intention of giving up right now, and neither did she. The delightful thrills of desire running thought her body grew instantly sharper as his thumb brushed against the firm tip sticking from under the flimsy fabric of her swimsuit. With a loud moan, she grabbed his stupid necklace and pulled the flame user's face to hers.

And there they went again; kissing more than breathing while their hands roamed without restraint on the body they so desperately needed to touch.

Eli's hand edged down his bare chest and lower, relishing at how the muscles of Ace's stomach flexed under her touch. Soon, her skin touched the rim of his shorts, his buckle, and lower... As she let her fingers delicately trace along his hardness, the kisses grew slower. The flame user's hot mouth lingered against hers, brushing ever so lightly her wet skin with his own, an exciting gleam flickering in his eyes. As she watched these deep dark eyes, the girl wondered how he felt. Did he love her touch as much as she loved touching him ? Did he want more ? Eli wanted to hear him speak; she yearned to hear the least sound from him to guide her.

Lingering, grazing, and marveling, from where her fingers were, spread energies in all sorts of shape and temperature. They flowed up her arm and poured into her body to finally hoard inside of the burning hollowness of her womanhood. As if the two were calling for each other, Eli felt her desire throbbing dangerously and her hand slowly settled. Her fingers clutched on the fabric of his shorts, feeling a raw burst of energy washing over her as she did, and as last, her wish was fulfilled; the sound of a groan blew against her swollen lips as Eli let her hand massage the young man's heated arousal.

A gasp escaped her mouth as Ace grabbed her wrist and pinned it behind her head.

"Stop touching me !" He ordered.

As he released the girl's hand, the flame user remained immobile for a moment; dark, angry eyes observed wide, green ones. But if there was anger, it was diluted in the midst of a lust so strong it vaporized Ace's ire to nothing. In a blink, the black eyes left, and the young man pressed his lips on her neck. Eli's insides melted once more as she felt his lips and tongue lavishing her neck, precisely where her pulse throbbed with force from underneath her pale skin.

"Really, Freckles..." she whined agonizingly.

"I know," Ace muttered against her neck, his teeth biting slightly into her skin.

Eli arched into his body and pulled his face up to set his eyes on hers and hers on his.

"One..." she said in a breath.

"Two..." The both of them slowly nodded.

"Three !" The two pirates rolled away from each other at the same time, creating enough distance between their wanting bodies.

With mixed and searing sensations swarming inside of her, her jade gaze firmly clung onto the rather dull and white scenery while Eli brought her knees to her chest. She could still feel her desire burning inside of her while her skin gradually began to go cold upon the fresh breeze. She could still feel her heart racing in her ribcage as her mind was harassing her, ordering her to get back in Ace arms and satisfy at last her consuming lust.

It was so hard to think pure whenever the flame user's warm skin touched her own. For such a long time her want of him had been encaged, and now that it was set free, it grew wild in her mind and body. She needed to touch him, feel him, taste him... She wanted to hear his pleasure; she yearned to see his want of her. Eli longed for Ace's hands to remove the flimsy material that was warped around her restless body while his lips would do those wonderful things they did, over and over, upon every portion of her skin.

With a deep sigh, Eli tightened her hold on her legs and bent her head, pressing her forehead on her knees. However, as she held this firm fetal position, all her body deeply wanted was to flex and spread. But the two lovers were pirates above all. They had crewmates to care for, they had a mission, they had a new land to discover, and this exploration should have been more exciting than the prospect of merging their bodies in a heated embrace...

It should.

Stealthily, Eli peeked over her shoulder, Ace's back appearing in her field of vision. His broad and muscular back that she had bared several moans ago, she wanted to touch it again, kiss it... What about him ? Silently, as she observed him from the corner of her eye, Eli wished for the young man to look over his shoulder as well, for she knew, that if their eyes met, she would see his desire stirring inside of the depth of his dark orbs, and she knew, far too well, that he would see the same crave in hers.

But Ace did not turn his head and Eli was growing impatient. The pirate girl fixed her gaze on the clouds again. Restless, she wanted to call for him, but she had yet to open her lips. Pursed, she sucked on her warm flesh to prevent any sound from escaping. Proud she was, beyond her needs she was proud, even to the point of being stubborn.

It was a game; it had always been a game. A game of control, and either of them was to be the ruler while the other was a pawn.

But after all, being a pawn in hands like his didn't seem like such a bad prospect. Eli repeatedly pressed the fingertips of her indexes together, very impatiently waiting a few seconds more; but Ace did nothing.

To hell with pride !

A little smirk on her lips, Eli rolled around and advanced in his direction, impatience shooting up in her hungry mind as Ace didn't even budge. She wrapped an arm around him and pushed her chest on his back, marveling at the sensation of his hot skin against hers.

"Freckles..." she called out with a quiet singing voice, while her fingertips sluggishly traced the tattoo imprinted in his broad arm.

Nothing...?

The muscles of her forehead tensed as a frown appeared and furrowed upon the young man's lack of responsiveness.

"Oi !" A little of anger stirring in her needy mind, Eli got on her hands and knees, straddled and rolled Ace on his back.

The young man made a noise a last; a breath, or rather a grunt, before uttering some light snores. He was asleep.

Speechless and cooled down on the spot, the pirate girl gaped at the sight on her lover so sound asleep. It wasn't the first time, though, but this time she looked as if it was one of the strangest things she had ever seen.

On Angel road, a laugh pervaded, hearted and free, it flew from the girl chest as she relapsed from her idiotic daze. Of course Ace had to be asleep, and again, it was probably for the best that he was.

After a few seconds, the laughter quieted. Her glee, however, did not leave Eli's face as she leaned forward to place a kiss on his parted lips. She remained there a moment, gazing at Ace. Charmed beyond anything she had ever seen, she was amazed at how innocent the flame user looked when he slept.

A gentle breeze was caressing her hair, while she silently considered for a moment; she could join him, lie beside him, wallow on his warmth and her love of having him so close. She could remain there until she would fall asleep as well, and then, maybe, he would join her in her dreams.

The thought was very pleasing, and maybe the thought of it was enough already. Contentedly, knowing that she could from now on, spend all of her time by his side, Eli stood up and went to install herself on the raft's main seat. Quietly, the chronicler picked a book from her bag and resumed her reading while, from time to time; she let her jade eyes travel from the pages to the sleeping figure of the man she adored.

After a while, the chronicler had placed the book she was reading on her lap and picked her logbook to write down her observations of the Upper Yard. Perplexed, she couldn't understand how such a big chunk of earth could be floating among the clouds. If completely amazing, the fact that Sky Islands were made of clouds seemed, somehow, possible. Earth, however, did not form in the atmosphere and the mysterious sight of the giant forest inspired Eli with awe and curiosity; the fact that it was forbidden only rendering the girl impatient to tread this 'holy' land.

The sound of Ace waking-up made its way to the pirate girl's ears, which encouraged her gaze to leave the imposing sight for a much hearty one. The flame user sat up and groggily rubbed his eyes while uttering a loud yawn. Looking around, he blinked a few times before setting his gaze on her.

As he stood up, another yawn left his mouth and Ace stretched his arms high above his head, the muscles of his well defined chest tensing in a particularly attractive manner. Eli brought her pen to her lips and thoughtfully observed the nice display with a barely concealed delectation.

"It's my seat," he said.

"Uh..?" Her jade eyes left the sight of his muscular body to his freckled face. "So mature of you," Eli jested. "And where would mine be, then ?"

Nothing was good about seeing him smirk, she knew that far too well. Ace walked over to her and grabbed the girl's thin waist. With a little surprised sound, Eli quickly clasped her fingers around the book that was falling from her thighs. Easily holding the featherweight girl above the raft's floor, the pirate turned and sat down on the seat she had previously occupied, settling Eli on his lap as he did.

"Here," he said.

"Of course..." Eli rolled her eyes yet did not leave her assigned spot.

Heat radiated from below her as fire burst from his feet. While she quietly made herself comfortable and resumed to her logbook.

"Got your powers back I see, Flame Boy," she said quietly while her eyes read the last words she had written and resumed the unfinished sentence.

"I can't really create flames again," Ace said. "But I can still turn into fire."

Eli made a little understanding sound and shared her observations of the Upper Yard with her partner. The both of them were curious and a few minutes later, they reached the entrance at last.

The Angel Road enlarged tenfold as it penetrated the Island. As soon as they entered, large patches of shadow darkened a rather awe inspiring, if not dreadful, sight; the trees covering the soil were the largest the pirates had ever seen, they bordered the cloud road along with strange half-human, half-animal statues, large torches, and the remains of several ships. Counting them would be quite impossible considering that they were reduced to planks and masts floating on each side of the road.

Her eyes traveling on the ships, a faint, whipping sound caught Eli's attention. Turning around, her nails clawed on Ace's shoulders at the vision of a huge and very sharp pendulum swinging in their direction.

"What-"

"Turnturnturn NOW !" Eli ordered, her green eyes clung on the dangerous blade that was coming at them.

Ace looked over his shoulder and snapped it back around, standing up on the spot; he had apparently forgotten that he had a girl on his lap. Eli was jerked away and while a large quantity of fire burst from his legs, Ace hooked his arm around the twig's body.

The Striker avoided the threat by a hair's breadth and the two pirates began to breathe again until the sound of gears starting to run made their way to their ears. Right in front of them, four, no, six more pendulums appeared. These ones were swinging from a side to another of the road, swiftly cutting the surface of the hazy path on their way.

Ace released Eli, and while she wrapped her arms around the mast, the flame user planted his hat firmly on his head. Was that some kind of strength ritual ? Ace spread his fire feet apart and as he propelled his Striker, he used his hips to maneuver the raft swiftly. If by little, the black-eyed pirate managed to avoid all of the blades. All the while, the girl watched him wordlessly, admiration thudding in her chest.

Once they had passed the pendulums' trial successfully, four gates appeared in the distance. As they got closer, the pirates could read an inscription above each of them: 'Ordeal of Swamp', Ordeal of Iron', Ordeal of String', and 'Ordeal of Balls'. The pendulums were apparently just an appetizer for the real ordeal.

"So..." Ace looked at each of the gate. "If I was Luffy, what 'ordeal' would I choose...?"

Silently, the two pirates read the four inscriptions, Swamp, Iron, String...

"Balls," they both said in unison.

"Obviously," Eli said, a little smile on her face.

Ace moved the Striker toward the gate and the girl walked to the front of the raft to open the door. She placed her hands on the wood and pushed.

"It's closed," she said, looking at Ace over her shoulder.

"Maybe they only allow one group at a time." He shrugged. "Let's take another one," he said. Mischievous, his smile denoted that his hunger for adventure had been awakened.

"What about the Swamp ?" Eli offered, pointing at the gate.

"Your wish is my command, Twig."

This time the door opened, quite easily in fact, leading into a long and dark corridor. Cautiously, Ace propelled his raft forward in an attempt to avoid other hidden traps. It was dark, pitch black, and completely soundless if it wasn't for Ace's flames and the low sound of the Striker's rotor.

After a minute, a little light shone at the end of the corridor and Eli felt expectation rising inside of her along with her heartbeats. Apparently impatient as well, the flame user forgot his prudence and propelled them a little faster toward the end.

Whiteness burnt on her jade eyes as they burst out of the corridor. But it wasn't the slightly scorching sensation on her orbs that made the chronicler shriek frantically. The second they had reached the end, the two pirates found themselves falling off a cliff into the air. And so there she was, plummeting toward a fluffy haze while uttering the longest 'aaaah' of her life.

Unexpectedly smooth, the splash down caused her yelling to fade out, Ace finally unclasping his palms from his ears.

"Are you alright ?" he asked as Eli looked around so rapidly she looked like a mouse on drugs.

"Finefinefine LOOK !" She stood up on the spot pointing forward. "Purple clouds ! Let's gooo~"

Without waiting, she started striding in the direction of the purple haze, her heart still beating so fast in her chest that its thuds apparently covered the voice of her reason warning her that there was no ground where she was about to step.

"ELI !" Ace caught the girl's arm as she started to fall in the river and briskly pulled her back onto the Striker. "Calm down okay ?" he said, holding her shoulders tightly.

"Butbutbut-"

"I know. Calm down." Ace said, gently caressing her pale skin as he spoke.

With a comprehensive steadiness, he stared in her wide eyes, causing Eli's frenzy to gradually disperse. Her heart came back where it was suppose to, beating with regularity while the gears in her head started to turn again.

"I'm sorry," Eli said quietly, looking like a little girl who was being scolded.

But Ace wasn't scolding her, not even judging her, and the warm affection that emanated from him wasn't forced. Silently, he pressed a hearty smile on her forehead before returning to the Striker's main seat to propel the raft toward the purple mass of clouds.

"Blue sea dwellers !" A voice called out loudly, causing the pirates to look around for its owner. "You are on my territory."

Soon they found a man standing above them on the branch of a giant tree. He was probably one of the priests that Pagaya had told them about.

"This is the Ordeal of Swamp !"

The tone of his voice was threatening, but the pirates looked rather stupidly at him. At the same time, they tilted their head to the side questioningly.

"Why is he facing the other way ?" Eli asked, placing her hand on her hips, she shifted her weight on her right leg.

"You have a 50% chance of survival, prepare to suffer !"

"I don't know..." Ace shrugged. "Maybe he's just stupid."

"Show yourselves now !" The priest ordered, looking around but still not in their direction

"I think you're right..."

to be continued

Betaed by Fox MC.

I'm really sorry for the delay, I'm usually more punctual but things got in the way and well... I hope you liked that chapter, though. The first part was pretty hot, eh ? :)

And now you know what I planned for the next chapter. A little ordeal just for our two lovers. I hope you'll enjoy it. It'll be published on Monday. I promise.

See you there~