Chapter 1
Only one will rule the oceans
Druca, Phearl and Selira are climbing a seemingly endless staircase. At the top, they arrive on a balcony overlooking a gigantic arena filled with thousands of gods and humans. The crowd is making a lot of noise and can't wait for the tournament to begin. Suddenly, the arena floor opens up and someone jumps out.
"If someone had told me that I, the great Rhymus, was going to be the commentator for such a tournament, I wouldn't have believed it!"
The strange character was screaming into a war horn.
"Who is this guy?" a god wondered.
"No idea, we want the fight!" another shouted.
Many other gods acquired and began throwing fruits in the poor god's direction. Rhymus cleared his throat.
"All right, Heaven's Gate Coliseum will be the location for the tournament you've all been waiting for!"
Rhymus resumed with more vigor, which raised the hype.
"Let me remind you of the rules: at the request of goddess Druca, thirteen humans and thirteen gods will face off in one-on-one duels. A duel can only end with the death of one of the fighters. The latter will see his soul destroyed forever, with no form of eternal rest!"
"Wow, that doesn't sound cool..." a god spoke low.
"Final victory will be awarded to the side that wins seven rounds. But let's not waste any more time!" Rhymus exclaimed before the arena floor began to tremble.
A pile of sand forms before the stunned eyes of several humans and gods. After a while, the arena was nothing more than a gigantic pile of sand surrounded by a circular moat. A door opened and a torrent of water poured out, filling the ditch. In a few moments, the pile of sand had become an island that seemed lost in the immensity of the ocean.
"The ocean?" a god asked.
"Wait, would that be...?" wondered another.
The crowd of gods seemed frightened. They knew what was happening.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the first fighter of the gods. He hates humans more than anything else, to the point of wondering if he feels even an ounce of love!" Rhymus shouted into his horn.
A figure seems to stand out in the darkness.
"It's always the same..."
"But isn't that what a god should be?" Rhymus continued.
"To represent the gods in the first round..."
A door opened and someone stepped out, riding a gigantic wave.
"This person rules the oceans with fervor and fear! Most Roman gods and even those beyond tremble at the sound of his name."
The wave gently flattened on the island and the god took a step forward.
"The most feared god of all, I call NEPTUNE!"
Neptune brandishes a golden trident, each branch spaced rather far apart. His arms are covered in thick metal armor, a blue glow shining from his hands. He has a metal tiara, adorned with a turquoise stone like the color of his eyes. The necklace he wears has three similar stones. His tanned skin is covered with sky-blue tattoos on his face and torso. His long black hair is slicked back and he has a light beard. Finally, he wears a long blue skirt that reaches the ground.
Many were surprised by Neptune's arrival. Unlike his Greek counterpart, the Roman god is far more ferocious.
"Is that Neptune? I thought he'd be taller than that." a god spoke.
"Shut up, you fool! He'll hear you..."
A powerful stream of water interrupts the discussion between the two gods. They manage to dodge it before it pierces the wall behind them, leaving them in shock.
"W-Well… Let's see which fighter will represent humanity!"
The door facing the one Neptune used to enter opens.
"Who better than a pirate to face the God of the Oceans?"
A huge boat bursts through the door, packed with cannons.
"He is said to have come from England, but what is certain is that he caused terror in the West Indies with the help of his boat and crew!"
The boat moves towards the small island. It looks empty, but a silhouette emerges from behind the rudder.
"Respected by his men, his name and appearance were feared by all."
Rhymus said as the boat reached the edge of the sand pile. An anchor came out and landed on the sand right next to Rhymus, startling him. A man climbed down before jumping onto the sand.
"Real name Edward Teach, History's most feared pirate… introducing BLACKBEARD!"
Drawing one of his pistols, Blackbeard faces Neptune. He wears a big black hat topped with red feathers. His long red coat is covered with six holsters, each holding a pistol. He also carries a sword on his hip. His fingers are almost all covered with rings of precious stones. He also wears brown pants and black shoes.
The pirate glances at the god.
"Listen, kiddo. I may not have traveled the seven seas, but one thing's for sure, I've never seen your face in the water."
Neptune didn't bother to reply, simply keeping his gaze on Blackbeard.
"With the fighters in place, the first battle can begin! The most famous pirate versus the God of the Oceans. Two feared figures, but only one will emerge victorious!" Rhymus spoke excitedly.
In the stands, gods and humans alike seemed delighted to see such a fight.
"This guy's got class! I hope he knows how to use those guns." Selira took out her phone to take pictures.
"Don't worry. The reason he has so many flintlocks is so he'll never run out of ammunition." Druca says, keeping an eye on the arena.
"And why did you choose such a- scary man?" Phearl didn't seem as cheerful as Selira.
Druca chuckled before replying to the young blonde.
"I didn't choose him, he decided to come."
Phearl turned her head in surprise. Even Selira took her eyes off her phone for a moment.
"What I mean is that I sent a message to humans as I did to the gods. My voice resounded in the afterlife to the ears of all humans who died on Earth. The first thirteen to respond were selected for the tournament."
"And they knew that their potential death in this tournament would be definitive?" Phearl says, concerned about these humans.
"Of course, but that didn't stop them from answering my call."
Further down the arena, Rhymus grabbed his horn and blew into it with all his might. He then moved away from the two combatants, the signal for the fight to begin being given. Blackbeard wasted no time in drawing a second pistol and firing at Neptune.
"It looks like the human is opening hostilities!" Rhymus shouted.
The shots were aimed at the god, who didn't seem to be worried. As many might have expected, the pellets disintegrated on contact with Neptune's skin, leaving no wounds.
"We should have expected it! Blackbeard's shots may have hit their target, but they didn't even scratch Neptune!"
The pirate glanced back at Druca. 'Let's see if you were right.' he thought.
"I knew it, a human can do nothing against a god. What did you have in mind!" Phearl exclaimed, almost with tears in her eyes.
"Concentrate on the fight, look at how fast you're talking." Druca says calmly.
Blackbeard had turned back towards the Queen Anne's Revenge, his ship.
"But what is he doing? Does Blackbeard flee after realizing he's no match for a god?" Rhymus said as Blackbeard climbed alongside the anchor.
Arriving back on board his ship, Blackbeard faced Neptune, who scorned to look up at the pirate.
"I think it's your turn to show me what you're worth." the pirate says.
With these words, Neptune leapt up and landed on the ship's deck, facing his opponent. He took hold of his trident with both hands to strike hard blows at Blackbeard. The latter manages to dodge them.
"It's amazing! Blackbeard can sense Neptune's attacks and dodge them!"
What some people didn't see was that Neptune wasn't fighting at all. If we could call that fighting, it looked more like he was playing with a child. Suddenly, Blackbeard seized his sword and drove the God of the Oceans back to the other end of the deck with a powerful blow right into his trident.
"What a powerful blow!" Rhymus shouted as he jumped onto the boat's mast to reach the crow's nest.
"But how will he hurt Neptune?" a human asked himself.
Someone laid a hand on this human's shoulder.
"If Edward wants to kill this god, he'll find a way to do it."
BENJAMIN HORNIGOLD: FOUNDER OF THE REPUBLIC OF PIRATES
This man knew Blackbeard, and had been his superior for some time.
In Nassau, Bahamas, a young pirate recruit lands in search of riches. He is Edward Teach, looking to join the crew of the notorious Benjamin Hornigold. Edward enters a tavern in search of the captain. He sees him drinking at a table.
"Captain Hornigold, it's an honor to meet you."
"And you are?" said the captain, finishing off his mug.
"Edward Teach, I'd like to be part of your crew."
Benjamin Hornigold considered the man's request.
"Do you know how to use a gun?"
"Naturally."
"Can you load barrels on board?"
"If that weren't the case, I wouldn't be standing here."
"Well, I think we have a new recruit. Somebody gets him a drink!" Captain Hornigold exclaimed enthusiastically.
And so, Edward Teach joined Benjamin Hornigold's crew, officially entering the world of piracy. He settled on the island of New Providence, a veritable paradise for pirates. Benjamin Hornigold founded the Republic of Pirates, with its own laws and appointed Edward Teach as his second-in-command. Shortly afterwards, the two men were having a good time at the tavern in the company of a couple of merrymakers. Just then, two men entered. One looked very young, a teenager at most. The pirates were surprised when he removed his hat. It was, in fact, a girl, but not just any girl: it was none other than Anne Bonny. A man tried to grope her, but she fired back, tearing off his ear.
"Come on, young lady, this place is meant to be respectable."
Captain Hornigold got up from his stool to look at young Anne.
"I'm here for the Spanish gold."
"Affiliated with Jennings?"
"Who?" Anne seemed surprised. "I prefer to go it alone if the opportunity arises."
"A principle I respect." exclaimed Edward, who had also stood up to approach the girl.
Anne and Edward stared at each other for a moment, there seemed to be something between them.
"I could join you if I feel like it." said Anne.
"I can see we're in praesentia of someone who knows what she wants."
"Was it Latin?" Anne seemed oddly surprised.
"Indeed, I've learned to read and understand it."
Few people could read or write in those days, so knowing Latin was almost impossible. This caught the eye of young Anne Bonny, who soon set her sights on the charming Edward Teach. It was not unusual for her to join him in his bedroom to indulge in carnal pleasures.
"Who are you really, Edward?" Anne moaned softly as she caressed her lover's cheek and beard.
"I'm not much, just a pirate looking for my place on the seas."
Anne kissed Edward, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
"I think you're much more than that. You've got ambition, and I bet you'll go on to do great things."
The young lady kept her gaze plunged into the pirate's eyes above her.
"And I think you overestimate me." Edward murmured before kissing Anne.
Back at Heaven's Gate Coliseum, Blackbeard smirked as he looked at Neptune. He's getting ready to attack.
"Go Edward, you'll get him this time!" a woman exclaimed from the stands.
ANNE BONNY: PIRATE LADY
"It looks like Blackbeard is going to shoot again! Doesn't he remember the result a few moments ago?"
Rhymus seemed very surprised and many of the other gods thought that this attempt was once again futile. But Blackbeard wouldn't budge.
"Goodbye Kiddo."
He fired his six pistols at unimaginable speed, reloading so quickly that he seemed not to need it. Several shots hit Neptune, who this time was wounded by them. It took him a few seconds to react and dodge the rest of the deluge of fire. Once the shooting was over, the spectators could see the damage. Neptune's torso was covered in bullet holes and bleeding profusely.
"It's- it's impossible! Blackbeard's ineffective shots have just perforated the mighty Neptune!"
The gods couldn't believe it. One of their own had just been wounded by a mortal. Benjamin Hornigold smiled.
"You know how to make me happy, my friend."
Phearl was also very surprised by this result.
"Dru-Druca?"
The goddess was smiling.
"I see you haven't understood, Phearl."
"Is it- because of the boat?" asked Selira.
"Mm, it could be."
Druca smiled to tease the two girls.
"Let me explain."
Earlier, before the fight began, Blackbeard had visited Druca in her quarters.
"So, you're the one behind the voice I heard."
"Indeed, I didn't expect you to be one of the respondents." Druca says as she takes a sip from her cup.
"Who'd have thought such a charming woman would be looking for a fight?"
Druca stood up and approached the pirate.
"I appreciate it, but unfortunately that's not the point. As you can imagine, you'll be powerless against a god, not without a little help."
The goddess's hands began to glow with a green light.
"I can grant you a single blessing, bestowed on a weapon or object dear to you. This will enable you to injure and even kill a god."
Blackbeard remained thoughtful for a moment before asking the goddess for a specific request.
"Maybe it's too much to ask, but I'd like it to be for my ship. It's thanks to it that I've become the man I am, and... it's also the gift of a friend."
Druca nodded in agreement.
"Well, I give my blessing to Queen Anne's Revenge. As long as you're on board, every one of your weapons will benefit from the blessing."
This is how Blackbeard managed to injure Neptune when he was aboard his ship, and of course, the God of the Oceans understood this.
Back in action, Neptune leapt from the deck of Queen Anne's Revenge and returned to the island. He grips his trident with both hands.
"Your sleight of hand was quite clever..." Neptune finally spoke.
The god spun his trident, projecting powerful shockwaves towards the ship. He calls this technique Wave Breaker. He uses it to split waves without the slightest harm. Blackbeard could do nothing as the shockwaves tore right through his ship. The pirate reached the edge of his ship and shouted in Neptune's direction.
"So that's it? You're just going to try and throw me off balance by keeping your distance? I see the gods really are cowards!"
These words made Druca smile; it was also one of her goals to show that the gods aren't so perfect. Neptune stopped his assault, leaving the Queen Anne's Revenge in a mess but still afloat.
"It's unthinkable! Neptune finally stopped his attack just as it was giving him the upper hand." Rhymus said in surprise.
The God of the Oceans advanced towards the ship, entering through a gigantic hole in the hull and jumping across to the deck. He was once again facing Blackbeard.
"See, it's more honorable." said Blackbeard, raising his hat with the barrel of his pistol.
Neptune looked at the pirate and slammed his trident into the deck. The water in the arena began to stir.
"What-what did he just do?" Rhymus looked down at the water from the top of the mast.
From the depths of the sea, a gigantic mass headed towards Queen Anne's Revenge.
"This... This is my Seabed Release." Neptune says in a very calm voice.
Blackbeard felt his entire ship tremble before it was violently hurled into the air by a powerful burst of water…