Quick Author's note, This will be a short chapter (only 3000 words long). It's what's left of chapter 9. Also, I have changed the rating for this to T, just to be safe.

Anonymous guest : Hmm... I'll think about it.

Without further a due, I bring you part 2 of chapter 9...~

PREVIOUSLY ON DRIFTED...

"Right, now what?"

"Yea, I guess it's kind of thrilling."

"Go, your sister should be in there."

"Just like old times, eh?"

"Hello. I've been waiting for you."

"Seffiroth, was it? I'm impressed by your work, taking out my men like it was nothing."

"This sword, the black sword, could it be?"

"ENEMY BOARDING THE SHIP!"

"What are you going to do?" "Just cover me. And um... please don't ask."

"You're seeing what I'm seeing, right?" "Yeah."

"Seff, you're a..."

BOOM!

Goes the last explosion of flames Seff inflicted on the pole. He grabbed his black curved sword and began chopping away on the already weaken pole. That's when one of the guard yelled...

"ENEMY CROSSBOWMEN! RIGHT SIDE!"

Elsa, Kristoff, Anna and Olaf instinctively hit the deck. Seff left his sword stick to the pole as he takes cover behind it. All the guards and Blen, who all have a crossbow turned their attention to the right side where a new line of enemy crossbowmen had formed. An exchange of bolt are inevitable.

Seff can't afford to be slowed down. This ship is sinking and he knows he need to get all of them to safety soon. So he shout out...

"BLEN! Get down!"

Blen heard it and without looking back, he immediately hit the deck as well as two of his men who is also in Seff's way. Seff creates another spark using his right hand, and ultimately, the same thing happened. A trail of fire, followed by a large explosion, leaving the newly formed line of crossbowmen stunned. Seff carefully judge the size of his explosion. Small and far enough to be harmless yet sudden and close enough to stunned them. His explosion is the equivalent of a flash bomb blowing up right in front of the face of his foes.

Thanks to his ability, the threat was cleared instantly. He then resume chopping away at the sailing pole with his curved sword. Pretty soon, he stopped. He perform one last explosion and as it explode, the pole fell down in the direction Seff determined earlier. It misses everyone in the group and hit the deck hard. The end of the sailing pole hit the deck of another ship, making it an improvised bridge the group can cross to the neighboring ship.

"Everyone cross the sail!" Seff said, giving his order.

So they did. Olaf went first, followed by Kristoff, Anna, Blen, Elsa, and the guards. Seff insist on going last to cross to another ship. As the ship is leaning more and more towards one side due to it being sinking, the group crossed the sailing pole.

"Careful now." Kristoff said to Anna.

"Hey, don't worry I can do this. It's not that hard as long you-"the princess cuts her sentence as she misplaced her foot and slipped. Fortunately for her, Blen caught her just in time.

"Careful princess." He said.

"Ah, thanks. He he..." she chuckled awkwardly. Blen proceeds with pulling her up and helped her get back on his feet. As Anna regain her balance again, she looked in front and saw Kristoff looking at her with not so amusing expression.

"What?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing." Kristoff replied.

Needless to say that Kristoff felt a bit jealous about what happened earlier.

Anyway, they eventually cross over to another ship. Their problems however, is far from over. The men in cloak gave chase, crossing ship to ship. They started firing fire bolts again, which did not help our group with their problem. The fire eventually reaches other ships, damaging them. Some of their moar and sails cut loose and fell down. It's not long before the whole area turned into ship hopping maze with moars as bridges to cross between them.

Given their failures, these men in cloak sure are persistent. They chase them with no sign of letting them go. Eventually, some of them manage to cut the path of our group. The guards, Seff, and Blen primarily engaged in yet another swordfight with the small squad catching them on one of the ship.

"Push on!" Blen said as he draws his sword, clashing it against the swordsman in front of him.

Seff draws his sword as well. He knows he cannot use his ability in such close range fight, at least without risking harming his friends. He'll just have to deal with the two men in front of him the old fashion way.

Thus, swords clashed once more.

Meanwhile, the town witnessed firsthand the carnage at the bay. Lights that surpass their bonfire out there in the darkness of the bay. The town's guard, different from Prince Blenheim's bodyguard, were dispatched to deal with the situation. These regulars were formed to deal with security involving Hackwald. Although Hackwald is a small town, it was one of the most strategic and secluded port town of the Southern Isles. Thanks to the recent pirate's crackdown, there has been a substantial increase in personnel over the last month. Their numbers now are comparable to a small army.

The town's guard are split into two forces. One force will stay in the town, providing security and ensuring the people there, civilians, that there is nothing to worry about. Another force was sent towards the massive fire on the bay. They are of course, armed, and they sent enough men to overpower the men in cloak.

The men in cloak knew this and they're not planning to stick around. That is why they're throwing everything they have to our protagonists, and really giving them a hard time.

Seff was trying his best to fight off the men in cloak whilst trying to keep Elsa and Anna close. That task soon proven to be more and more difficult.

As Seff was still pre-occupied with handling two men in front of him, another three threaten the queen and her sister. Elsa manage to freeze the legs of one man, but the other two was able to dodge roll her ice. The two thug swordsmen unconsciously agreed to work together to take on the sisters. One will go after the princess, whilst the other keep the snow queen busy. This wasn't a problem for Elsa, she can take care of one man easily. It's Anna that's been put in a worrying situation. Her only defense against the sword armed thug is a piece of plywood.

As the princess was confronted with the swordsman, she'll react with a nervous smile, saying...

"Oh, dear." Before saying to greet the man in cloak, hoping that he would spare her. "Hi there, hehe..."

This useless attempt by Anna hardly did anything. The swordsman in cloak remain vigilant, with a serious face and sword drawn towards her. That is until, Kristoff hit him right on the back of the head. He then posed and proceed to say.

"Is he bothering you, my lady?" In a cool manner.

However, Anna's response was different than what he had in mind. "Kristoff! Look out!"

Kristoff turned, only to see a man charging with a sword towards him. He'd be dead, if not for Blen who bravely grabbed the hands of the swordsman whilst he performed a stabbing maneuver on Kristoff. Blen manage to divert the direction of the thug's sword away from Kristoff, head-butted him, take the sword whilst the thug is dizzy, and proceed with hitting the man's nose with the butt of his own sword. The man in down, holding his nose whilst groaning in pain.

Blen then looked at Kristoff with a smirk on his face.

"If you want to act cool, make sure you're the last man standing." He said before leaving them to fight off some more men in cloak.

Needless to say, Kristoff was not pleased with that. He even feel more discontent as Anna giggled at what just happened.

That giggle did not last long however. In the midst of ships that were on fire, Anna saw her sister going back to back with Seff. She was amazed how coordinated those two can be. Elsa made do with her ice, whilst Seff cover her back with his curved black sword. When the men in cloak deploy a plank for them to cross onto the deck, Seff was able to quickly react. He shouted.

"Elsa, duck!"

He then uses his power, as Anna seems to think. Snapping his fingers, creating a sudden explosion next to the plank. Instantly knocked over the plank into the water along with a few men that were crossing it. It's as if the two were meant to be together. Although, if I myself have to say, I'm more amaze at Anna's ability to see a potential romance story in the midst of battle as such. Nevertheless, there were at least a few seconds of daydreaming as she saw the two fight off the bad guys.

That brief moment however was shattered as someone grabbed Anna's hand, pulling her.

"Hey! Let me go!" she shout whilst struggling.

The struggle however, stops as Anna felt the cold steel on her neck. She looked up, and saw the old man with the distinctive red eyes holding her hand, keeping her in place.

"Drop the sword, or she'll have to find a way to breath from her neck." He said calmly.

All attention turned towards the princess and the old man in cloak.

Elsa's eyes widened as she saw her sister being held hostage and a knife being put against her neck. She stepped forwards and with a worried state yelled.

"Anna!"

The old man smiled and calmly, whilst being intimidating at the same time, said...

"No more than that, queen. You know the rules, or did you no longer fancy seeing her alive?"

Elsa looked towards everyone. "Please, drop your swords." Begging, almost with tears in her eyes.

Everyone, hard-heartedly drop all their weapons and surrender. Seff felt reluctant. However, seeing Elsa like that, he can't help but to do what the man said.

"Good, now we can talk." Said the old man in a calm tone. He started to laugh again, chuckling, although still did not surpass the standard of being insane as before.

"This is funny, you know why?" the man hysterically asked whilst chuckling. He only received silenced as an answer.

The old man continues. "He! You! Seffiroth, the well-known mercenary. A mercenary that never kill, but never fail every single job he took. Strange title, indeed." He paused as he was holding down his laughter. "Who could've thought that you are one of THEM."

At this point, Elsa was confused. "What could he meant by 'them'?" she thought, wondering.

The old man looked at Elsa, "I see you fooled her as well."

Elsa turned to Seff. Seff looked straight at the old man, all with killing intent. Thinking that she wouldn't get any answer from Seff, he turned to the old man. Her lips trembled as she about to ask...

"What did you mean?"

Elsa instantly regret asking him that. She thought that maybe she'd better off not hearing the answer. What if the answer she's asking isn't what she wished it was. These questions wander around her mind.

"Why don't you ask him yourself, queen?" He said before handing Anna to one of his men. "Give me a crossbow."

One of his men throws him a loaded crossbow, on which he immediately pointed in Seff's direction. Seff responded with raising both of his hands, slowly. The old man closes one of his eyes, carefully aim the bolt right between our protagonist's eyes.

"The forgotten ghost, the bearer of the black sword." He smiled before finishing with. "Legionnaire."

Everyone stood in silence.

"Legionnaire?" Elsa wonders with curiosity. Then the old man continues.

"I should've known from when I discover that coin. To think that a member of the Legion was after me, I am truly honored. Tell me, are you alone? Are there more of you? Surely you aren't the only one."

"Let her go." Was Seff's only response.

"Let her go?" he laugh hysterically. "Surely you are familiar with the law of equivalent exchange."

He shift his aim slightly and quickly, then put one into Seff's right hand. Seff screamed in pain, as the bolt went through his hand. Elsa can only watched in horror.

"SEFF!" she yelled out, but unable to step closer for the old man threatens to kill her sister if she does.

As Seff was on his knee, holding his right hand and groaning in pain. The old man walked up to him and knee-capped him on the chin. Seff fell on the wooden floorboard of the deck. It wasn't the end for him. The old man stepped on his left arm, locking it in place. He then proceed with dropping a knife straight through Seff's left hand. Seff yelled out in pain once again. At this point, Elsa couldn't bear watching him suffer like this and turned away. You can't blame her, she wasn't the only one who did so as Anna also close her eyes and turned as well.

"Now that we get rid of your troublesome ability out of the way..." the old man lift his foot from Seff's arm and walked away. He then continue with his little speech.

"About the law of equivalent exchange. The law which states that in order to gain something, you'll have to lose something with an equal value. I can't simply let her go, you have to give me something to gain her back." He smiled with a sinister nature. "Fortunately for you, dear Legion, I am a generous fellow. Provide me with a short entertainment, and I shall let the princess go." He finishes as one of his men threw him a sword.

"Fight me, Legion."

You can still see Seff holding back the pain. Both of his hands were bleeding badly, as they were punctured by the two sharp objects. He grabbed on the knife handle, which pin his left hand into the floor and pulls it out. He let out a small groan and took a deep breath. Seff then stands on his feet and picked up his black curved sword.

With the wound pressing against the sword handle, he can't help to feel the intense pain soaring from both of his hands. But, despite the pain, he did quite well on taking it in. He holds his sword firm and made a stance, pointing the sword towards the old man.

Elsa can only watch in horror, worried about what is about to unfold.

"Seff, no." She pleaded for Seff to rethink his options. But Seff only smiled at her, and giving hand signal to her saying that she shouldn't interfere.

Seff face turned serious again. The old man smiled and said, "Excellent" before charging him, sword drawn.

Sword clash between the two. First, their swords crossed. Then, the old man proceed with an aggressive move, throwing multiple swing of his sword to our protagonist. Seff managed to block or deflect many of them, but he cannot staged an attack and turned the tide as he is preoccupied with the old man's speed. Seff was surprised to see an old man that was able to move with such speed.

Seff was forced to wait, wait for an opportunity to strike back. He found it moments later. As the old man performed a vertical swing of his sword, Seff parried it and began his attack. The old man deflected his attack, but Seff manage to use his elbow and hit him on the side of his cheek. The old man swing right, and Seff responded with dodging left.

The old man attacks become slower, but more powerful. Seff can't no longer parried his attack with an injured hands like that, so he resort to dodging whilst waiting for the opportunity to flank the old man. Lucks favor him again, as the man perform a horizontal swing. He dashed forward and rolled. He ended up crouching right on his blind spot. The old man realizes his mistake, turned around just in time. Seff however was quicker, he did not turn around, and rather he perform a backward stab. The sword went through the old man's gut and straight through the other side.

The old man flinched for a second. Seff calmly pulls his sword back out and walked away, facing the old man. The old man stumbled, with his hands holding the spot where Seff had stabbed him. Seff in the other hand, was still catching his breath. Whilst the hands still on his gut, he smiled and began to laugh in a psychotic manner.

The man eventually stood up, and let go of his hand. Seff was baffled, he was sure that he had stabbed him. What he saw however, was there's no wound, no blood, only a tear up cloak on the spot where he had stabbed him.

"You're not human, aren't you?" he said in horror, although his face doesn't show any sign of being surprised.

The old man put on a wide grin across his face and answered. "Not even slightly." He then continued. "My name is Baron, but of course you knew that already. You have fulfill your end and I shall keep my promise. Losing one sacrifice, isn't a problem for me."

Blen prepared his sword. As soon as he let go of Anna, he and his men will charge him. However the old man, Baron, anticipated this. As his men gave Anna back to him, he slowly backed away to edge of the deck towards the stern. Secretly a rowboat was prepared on his back for quick escape.

"I shall let her go." He said. Then he pushed Anna overboard and she fell into the water.

"Anna!" Elsa screamed.

Baron proceed with jumping on to the rowboat, leaving his men to be captured by Blen. Seff watches as the old man reaches his pocket and waved away the stone he seeks whilst mockingly smirked towards him. He could go after him and he might get the stone back. But given the long skirt and dress Anna wears, she might not last long in the water as she might have trouble swimming with it. So, he let it go, and jumped after her to the water, in the midst of the burning ships.

Seff was right for one thing, she was slowly sinking as she can't properly swim in that dress. With the saltwater touching his wound, causing an unbearable stinging pain on both of his hands, he reaches Anna. Anna was still conscious as Seff dragged her upwards. They were finally out of the water and was able to breathe again. Our young protagonist then proceed with helping Anna to reached the hands of Blen's guards, who will then pull her up to the deck.

Anna was up on the deck, she turned towards Seff who was still in the water and said.

"Thank you... you know, again."

Seff didn't answer anything, he still holding in the stinging pain of the seawater on his wounds. He just simply nods and smiled.

He climbed up with the help up of two of the guards. But then...

"LOOK OUT! IT'S GOING DOWN!" yelled one of the guards, seeing that one of the burning moar gave up and fell down in their direction. Everyone moved out of the way, all except Seff who was still on the ladder of the stern. He can't dodge it, so he let go. But it was too late, the force of the moar was too big that it destroyed the stern, knocking out protagonist unconscious. He fell into the water and slowly sinks.

Elsa immediately yelled out "Seff! NO!" and ran towards the railing of the ship.

Seff can still see, although it's vague. He cannot move his body. All he hears is that someone called him multiple times before all become blur, until DARKNESS is the only thing remained.

So, what do you think of that? Now you know where my name came from...

Dear god... this chapter broke my back. The action sequences are thrilling to write. Nevertheless I enjoy doing it.

The action died down again on the next chapter, also Elsa and Seff is going to have their alone time again. I believe I've past the half point for this story, so... this should end soon, sadly. But then, after this ends, I'll probably start a new project.(If I'm not too busy)

If you like this story, please check that favorite and follow buttons, also for the sake of my back please leave a review. If you can't point out what's wrong with this story or how I write, please tell me so I may be able to improve it on the later chapter.

I will try my best to update this every Saturday.

See you in the next chapter, this is Legion signing out... Taraa~

(p.s, yes it's flame alchemy from Fullmetal Alchemist, for those who had guessed it) wasn't spoiler since his gloves was ruined and chances are I won't use it again because it's too OP. (p.p.s, MAYBE)