Chapter 28
2nd of March 1522
Thriller Bark
Vivi laughed, the sound a bright melody that filled the dining room. She raised her glass to her lips, the rich crimson of the wine reflecting the flickering candlelight. Moria, with his aristocratic features and piercing eyes, leaned forward to refill her glass for the fourth time. A slight flush colored her cheeks - she did not know if it was because of the alcohol or Moria's proximity.
Shadows, indistinct yet tangible, moved with grace, serving the lavish meal. The table before them was a feast for the senses—silver platters laden with succulent meats, fresh fruits glistening like jewels, and desserts that seemed almost too beautiful to eat. Vivi's gaze flitted across the room, admiring the architectural beauty that surrounded her. She turned her attention back to Moria, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and a hint of mischief.
"You know," she began, taking another sip of her wine, "these dinners have been the highlight of my captivity. Not many can say they've dined so splendidly while being held against their will."
Moria's lips curled into a smile, his eyes studying her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. "I aim to please, Princess. It's the least I can do for such a remarkable guest."
Moria's deep, velvety voice contrasted with Vivi's lighter tones, creating a harmonious blend. He regaled her with tales of his adventures, and she, in turn, shared memories of Alabasta, her homeland that she missed dearly. But as the night wore on, a melancholic shadow fell over their conversation. Vivi sighed deeply, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "It's hard to believe this is our last meal together," she said softly.
Moria's expression softened. "Yes, tomorrow I will conduct you back to Alabasta. Your people need you, and it's time for you to return to them."
"I know," Vivi replied, "But I will miss this. I'll miss our conversations, our shared meals. I'll miss you."
Moria reached across the table, his hand resting atop hers. The touch was cool, yet it sent a warmth through her. "And I will miss you, Vivi. You have been a most intriguing companion."
For a moment, they sat in silence, the air between them thick with unspoken emotions. Vivi felt a pang of sadness, a sense of loss for something that had barely begun. She looked into Moria's eyes, seeing not the fearsome warlord, but a man who had shared a piece of his world with her.
"Promise me," she said suddenly, "that you will visit Alabasta one day."
"I promise," he said, his voice a gentle murmur.
They finished their meal in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. When the final course was cleared away by the shadowy servants, Vivi felt a sense of finality. She stood, Moria rising with her, and for a moment, they simply looked at each other.
"Goodnight, Moria," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Goodnight, Princess," he replied, his tone equally soft.
3rd of March 1522
Jaya
The sun hung low over the horizon, casting long shadows that stretched across the streets of Mock Town, Jaya's infamous pirate haven. The air thrummed with the clamor of rowdy pirates, merchants hawking their wares, and the distant, rhythmic crash of the waves against the docks.
Amidst the cacophony, three figures stood in a tense triangle.
Trafalgar D. Water Law, captain of the Heart Pirates, stood with his typical air of composed menace. Beside him, Urouge, the Mad Monk and X Drake, the former Marine turned pirate. Three of this generation's best rookies. The tension was palpable, each captain knowing that a single wrong move could ignite the powder keg of violence.
"Seems fate has a sense of humor," Law drawled. "Didn't expect to see either of you here."
Urouge's grin widened, his teeth flashing white against his dark skin. "Fate, or perhaps the lure of treasure, brings us together," he mused, his deep voice resonant with amusement. He tilted his head towards the horizon, where loomed the enormous silhouette of Thriller Bark, one of the world's biggest boat. "Moria's hoard calls to many, it seems."
Drake's gaze shifted to the distant ship, his expression unreadable. "You're here for the treasure too," he stated, rather than asked.
Law's smirk widened. "Isn't everyone? But this isn't just any treasure. Moria's been gathering wealth for years. Whoever takes it will have more gold then he would ever need".
Drake's eyes narrowed. "We all want the same prize… How do we settle this without tearing each other apart before we even reach Moria?"
A moment of silence fell, heavy with contemplation. Law's fingers drummed against the hilt of his sword. "A temporary truce. We join forces to take down Moria. Once he's out of the picture, the treasure is fair game. No alliances, no shared spoils. The best among us will claim the prize."
Urouge nodded slowly, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Agreed. A battle against Moria will be worthy of song, and it will be interesting to see which of us stands victorious in the end."
Drake's lips curled into a tight smile. "Agreed. We fight together, but only until Moria falls. After that, all bets are off."
"To our temporary truce, then!"
3rd of March 1522
Thriller Bark
Vivi stood, her posture rigid, as she awaited Moria's arrival. Moria entered. Vivi met his gaze, a question already forming on her lips. "How will we travel to Alabasta?" she asked, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest.
Moria's laugh echoed through the room, a deep, resonant sound that sent a shiver down her spine. Without a word, he approached her. Before she could react, he swept her into his arms in a princess carry. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she buried her face in his chest, the proximity of the embrace giving her a convenient excuse to hide her embarrassment - and to bury her face in his chest. She felt the cool, firm texture of his gothic suit against her skin, his scent—a mix of old leather and something darker—filling her senses. He smelled so good…
Shadows began to swirl around them, creeping up from the floor like a living entity. The room seemed to dissolve, the familiar surroundings of Moria's office melting away into an inky void. When the shadows receded, they stood in an underground chamber within the Alabasta Palace. The room was dim, the only light coming from flickering torches mounted on the walls. Before them stood Isabella, with her cold, red eyes, and King Cobra, flanked by Igaram, Pell, and Chaka. Chaka's gaze was a mix of suspicion and hostility, directed squarely at Moria.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, Vivi sprang from Moria's arms, rushing to embrace her father. The warmth and familiarity of his presence brought tears to her eyes. "Father," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. Cobra's arms encircled her, his grip firm and reassuring. For a moment, the world outside ceased to exist, and it was just the two of them, reunited at last. When Vivi pulled back, her eyes inadvertently met Isabella's. A flicker of mistrust crossed her face. Isabella was one of Moria's subordinate? A beautiful woman like her? The thought unsettled her.
After a few minutes of tearful reunion, Cobra turned his attention to Moria. "I cannot express my gratitude enough, Lord Moria," he began, his voice heavy. "You have saved my daughter and, by extension, our kingdom."
Moria inclined his head graciously. "It was my pleasure, Your Majesty."
Cobra continued, "We have prepared a small collation in your honor within the palace. Pell and Chaka will accompany you. We will join you with my daughter in a few minutes…"
Moria smiled, a gesture that was both regal and menacing. "I would be honored."
With a subtle nod from Cobra, Pell and Chaka fell in step behind Moria and Isabella as they left the room, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the underground chamber. As the door closed behind them, an intimate silence enveloped the room.
Cobra turned to Vivi, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "What do you think of Moria, my dear?"
Vivi felt a flush creep up her neck, coloring her cheeks. She stammered, "H-he is chivalrous and noble, Father. He has shown me nothing but kindness and respect."
Cobra's laughter filled the room, a sound rich with both relief and amusement. "I must admit, Vivi, I feared I might be imposing a terrible decision upon you for the good of the kingdom. But it seems," he said with a twinkle in his eye, "it would not be such a terrible decision after all."
Vivi's eyes widened in surprise, her heart skipping a beat. "Father, what are you suggesting?"
Cobra's smile softened, and he took her hands in his, his touch warm and reassuring. "Vivi, our kingdom stands at a precipice. Our enemy is Crocodile…He is a Warlord! Almost invincible! If there were to be a... more personal alliance with another Warlord, it could strengthen our position immensely! We haven't asked him yet, but his subordinates think he may not be opposed to it…Of course, I wanted to ask your opinion first! What do you think about it? "
"I…I…", she stammered, before she gave her answer.
10th of March 1522
Thriller Bark
"East entrance, you say?" Urouge rumbled, his voice a deep baritone that resonated with authority. He glanced at his crewmates, who nodded in silent agreement. "Law and Drake can handle the other sides. We take the east."
After half an hour of navigation, Rouge and his crew disembarked, boots crunching on the gravelly shore. The forest that lay ahead was a twisted labyrinth of gnarled trees and creeping shadows. The Mad Monk led his men through the forest, his massive frame moving with surprising grace. Around them, the trees seemed to shift, their branches weaving together to form a canopy that blocked out the sky. It wasn't long before they emerged into a clearing, their breaths catching at the sight before them.
In the heart of the forest stood a colossal temple, its façade carved with intricate hieroglyphs and symbols of an ancient civilization. What…What was it doing on a boat? Towering statues flanked the entrance, each one three meters tall and hewn from a dark, heavy stone. They depicted fearsome warriors, their expressions fierce, their bodies adorned with regal adornments and intricate armor. In their hands, they wielded massive blades, the edges gleaming menacingly even in the waning light.
"By the heavens," one of Urouge's crew muttered. "Those statues look almost... alive."
Another crew member scoffed. "Bah, it's just your imagination. Stone can't move."
As if in answer to his skepticism, one of the statues shifted. It was a subtle movement, a slight turning of the head, but enough to freeze the blood in their veins. The skeptic, who had not seen the movement, laughed. "See? Nothing to—"
His words were cut short by a swift, deadly arc of the statue's blade. It cleaved through him with terrifying ease, his body crumpling to the ground in a spray of crimson. The sight shocked Urouge's crew into silence, their eyes wide with horror and disbelief. Then, the statues moved in unison, a synchronized menace of stone and fury.
"Defensive positions!" Urouge screamed. He launched himself at one of the statues, his massive fists smashing through stone with a force that shattered one of them into rubble. The fragments scattered across the temple floor, but the threat was far from over. Blades clashed, sparks flew, and the ground trembled under the weight of their battle. One of his crewmates swung his mace with brutal precision, crumbling another statue into dust. Beside him, a lithe woman danced through the fray, her twin daggers flickering like deadly lightning as she slashed at the stony behemoths - but to no avail
From the shadows of the temple emerged a figure. He had the muzzle of a feline, sharp and predatory, with eyes that gleamed with a savage intelligence. His movements were fluid, almost lazy, as he approached Urouge, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"I am Absalom, and you, monk, will be my opponent," he announced, his voice a low growl that promised violence.
Urouge's eyes met his eyes, and a slow, anticipatory smile spread across his face. A Lieutenant of the Warlord? "A worthy challenge," he said, his fists tightening in readiness. "Come then, beast. Let us see whose strength prevails."
