The gunshot echoed, deafening the defeated sailors as they were forced to their knees and their hands tied behind their backs. Cuts and bruises covered them as their captors chuckled freely looting their pockets while they were restrained. The deck of their ship was littered with splinters and debris of their battle, it happened so fast they barely had a chance to defend themselves.
The merchant ship saw the flag of Vale, tied in a knot and flown upside down, a sign of distress. Bringing their ship closer they saw the crew collapsed all over the deck, hanging over railings or hunched over barrels all of them dead, or so the merchant crew thought. When they connected the ship to investigate, the pirates sprung up immediately overwhelming them.
The cannons appeared from the side of the ship and fired, blasting holes through the wood and scattering debris. The pirates hiding below deck surged topside as their decoy comrades started the fight, some of them jumping to the merchant ship to make sure they didn't get away. The unsuspecting sailors tried to fight back managing a few lucky shots from their weapons, but they would not last long.
"A job well done mateys" a single approving voice yelled.
A tall, stocky man stood in the middle of the deck, a red tricorne hat with a dark green plume sitting atop his head. He wore a deep purple tailcoat with gold trim and red breeches. His black boots left heavy footsteps as he strode across the deck ordering his crew to round up the defeated sailors.
A woman with dark red hair came to stand next to him. She wore a white tube top under a crimson brocade coat with black pants and short boots. Her eyes matched her hair and the glare she gave the captured crew caused them to shiver, fearing for their lives.
The pirate captain circled their victims taking in a deep breath savoring the victory and the salt in the air. He patted at his violet tailcoat, shaking the splinters, dirt and dust stains from it before he turned his attention to the captain of the merchant vessel and grinned, a single golden tooth reflecting the light of the blazing sun. He introduced himself as Edwin Shamrock before gesturing to the red-haired woman who moved behind the merchant captain, introducing her as his first mate Crimson Rusla.
The captain of the merchant ship, bruised from his fight pleaded, "Do what you want to me, just let my crew live."
"You not need to worry there" the pirate captain told him, "Less you try to fight again none of you will be harmed. We're only here to take what catches our eye and then we'll send you on your way."
The merchant captain tried to stand, but the red-haired woman behind him grabbed his shoulders and forced him back to his knees, "Please" he begged, "we're barely able to make due as it is, we have families to feed."
The pirate nodded, "So do I lad, I've got quite a big family here on this ship and waiting around for a prize like yours works up an appetite" the pirate captain looked to the woman holding the merchant captain, "Crimson take some of the boys and secure the cargo, take what we can use."
The first mate called for four others to follow her onto the captured ship to sort through what they had. Shamrock looked around at the captured crew, fourteen heads in total all of them bruised or cut or some other light injury, except one. His green eyes fell on the platinum-haired woman being held separate from the rest of the captured sailors, not a single scratch on her and five of his own men were standing guard over her, one of them holding a silver whip and pistol.
Meeting the woman's radiant green eyes Shamrock called for his crewman to bring him the weapons he was holding, "These be exquisite toys lass. Now why would a young lady like yourself be carrying around something like this?"
The woman kept eye contact with him as she answered, "I'm a huntress."
The pirate captain smirked, "Well shiver me timbers, we've a monster killer in our midst lads, we'd do well to be on our best behavior" the pirates chuckled at their captain's remark.
Shamrock approached the woman, "What's yer name lass?"
"I am Jaina Eden, a huntress from Vacuo. Release me and these men unarmed and I'll see to it no charges are brought against you."
Again Shamrock grinned, "An awfully kind gesture, but you needn't worry. As I already told the captain there, ye will all be released safely once we take whatever catches our eye. We've no interest in killing any of you."
"I saw the way you fought" the huntress said, "Someone of your skill should be helping people, not robbing them."
Shamrock stood up, "Ah yes, be a hero, a savior. Tell me, what does that pay exactly?"
"If this is about money I could pay you whatever the cargo is worth, you don't have to take it from these people."
The pirate's eyes returned to her, he kneeled down in front of her, "And how would you do that exactly? Unless you're carrying some money with you now I don't see how you could come through on such a deal."
The huntress suggested, "You release us and follow us to port once we get to land I can" Shamrock cut her off.
"No I think not. That would give you time to contact the authorities and have them meet us, or give you a chance to figure out how to fight back. If you want to pay us to leave you alone you'll come up with a way to do it now."
One of the captured sailors muttered, "Pirate scum."
Shamrock stood and approached the sailor, "No need to mumble laddie, speak your mind, say what you want."
The sailor glared at him and began shouting, "You're nothing more than scum. You prey on ships that can't defend themselves and take what we need to survive. Thieves like you don't deserve to live."
Some of the other sailors agreed, their anger overtaking their fear as they began shouting and yelling. The captain of the pirates merely grinned which only served to provoke the sailors even more yelling louder until the pirate captain began laughing. The sailor he spoke to had enough, he quickly leaned forward, head butting the captain before jumping up tackling him. Standing over Shamrock the sailor quickly raised his foot ready to stomp on the pirate's head, but the ship rocked throwing the sailor to the deck.
The ocean swelled, waves pushing the ships away from each other before something hit the hull of the ship pushing it back toward the merchant ship. Shamrock returned to his feet as a pillar of water erupted from the starboard side like a geyser; a trembling roar deafened them as the column of water fell, soaking the deck. Tossing the silver whip and pistol aside, Shamrock drew his scimitar and heavy pistol ordering his men to arms as the yellow eyes of the serpentine Grimm locked on them.
Shamrock stood in the face of the billowing sand, the wind quickly picking up around them, the King Taijitu staring down at its intended prey, behind Shamrock stood the members of Team RUST each of them watching with anticipation to see a professional huntsman in action. Shamrock was demonstrating how the town's perimeter defenses worked while explaining that even with the detection systems and watch stations scattered around there were times when Grimm could still get through. It was then that the conjoined serpent Grimm burst from under the sand roaring at them before lunging forward desiring to swallow them whole. Drawing one of his scimitars Shamrock stood in front of his former students pulling the trigger of the heavy pistol that made up the sword's hilt, the shot halting the Grimm's attack causing it to rear back.
"Stay behind me" Shamrock told the huntsman in training as he stepped forward ready to face the monster that appeared.
The wind changed direction blowing against them throwing sand and dirt as it became stronger verging on becoming a storm. Drawing his other scimitar Shamrock waited for the King Taijitu to strike again, he turned on his heel the wind blowing at the end of his tailcoat causing it to sail outward as he spun and drove one of his blades into the side of its head pulling it out as quickly as he impaled it he raised his other arm shooting the monster in its eye. He turned again as the Grimm recoiled, spinning on his heel he held his sword across his stomach before slashing upward along the underside of the serpent's mouth. The King Taijitu roared, a black mist bleeding from its wounds as it dived for the huntsman.
Stepping to the side Shamrock closed his eyes when the snake's head dove into the sand where he was just standing; raising his arm he turned his hand around driving his curved sword into its neck. Feeling the blade pierce its scales the Grimm roared in pain as it withdrew its head flailing around. His sword still stuck in the monster Shamrock swung himself onto the snake's head and stabbed his other blade into its neck, pushing the swords away from one another he decapitated the Grimm jumping off its severed head and landing on his feet, waiting for the other half to emerge.
The black half of the Grimm emerged sweeping its body across the ground barely missing Shamrock as he jumped back. Slithering along the ground the Grimm turned from side to side trying to disorient the huntsman before it began coiling around him, the snake loomed over him opening its jaws and bearing it fangs preparing to dive down and swallow him. Shamrock raised his weapons looking up as the sand battered against him challenging the Grimm to give him its best shot.
The Grimm glared at the people on the deck, the fear and anger of the captive crew beckoning it to them, opening its mouth the Sea Dragon roared and Shamrock gave the order for his men to open fire. A staccato of gunfire ripped the air apart as the pirates attacked the Grimm that appeared, however their shots only served to provoke it. With another roar the Grimm lunged forward snatching one of the pirates with its jaws before sweeping its head to the side knocking the others down, the nabbed pirate screamed for his comrades to help him, but the Sea Dragon withdrew its head and swallowed him.
"Captain" a woman's voice yelled from behind.
Shamrock glanced over his shoulder, Crimson and the crewman she took with her had returned topside weapons drawn when they heard the monster's roar. Jumping the gap between the ships the pirates stood at their captain's side ready to fight as the monster turned its gaze to them again. The crew of the merchant ship panicked struggling to get free and away from the monster. Seeing the Grimm turn its attention to the panicked crew Shamrock ordered for the sailors to be cut free and armed.
In a calm stride Shamrock made his way to the captive huntress and cut the rope binding her hands, "Let's see what you're made of Ms. Eden" he said returning her weapons to her.
Turning back he saw the merchant crew freed and each of them, "Alright listen up you blundering squids those of you that aren't armed or too yellow-bellied to stand and fight, get below deck and man the cannons, we're going to send this beast back to the depths where it belongs."
Crimson turned to the crew ordering three of the pirates below deck with the unarmed sailors to help prep the cannons. Reaching into her brocade coat she retrieved her weapon a collapsible staff with weighted claws at the end, waiting for the Sea Dragon to attack again Crimson charged in first twirling her staff around to build momentum as she spun and slammed the weighted end against its head. A burst of electricity exploded from the end of the staff when it made contacting shocking the Grimm causing it to reel back in pain, roaring again the monster spread is wings and began flying.
"Its hide is thick" Crimson told her captain, "Any ideas?"
Shamrock growled, "Our cannons can't reach it when it's in the air like that, we need to coax the beast back down."
"Then we aim for the wings" Eden said tying her hair back and running toward the mast of the ship, climbing up to the rigging and then the crow's nest.
Aiming her pistol the huntress fired catching the Sea Dragon's attention, it stopped circling the ship and dived for her. Kneeling for cover Eden reared her arm back and snapped her wrist forward her whip cracking the air as it struck the monster's wing ripping part of its membrane. Once the Grimm was past her Eden stood up again and fired her pistol trying to keep the monster's attention, hearing gunfire from the pirates and sailors below.
The Grimm flew away from the ship before turning back toward them, flying close to the water's surface as it made a rushing attack against the ship. Thankfully the crew below managed to load the cannons and a barrage of fire intercepted the Grimm forcing it to break off its course and fly away, a final cannonball punching a hole through its wing as it turned away. The monster roared again and a ball of yellow electricity began forming inside its mouth.
"Get down" Shamrock ordered to the crew as the Grimm fired its energy blast.
The blast hit followed by an explosion a shower of wood and steel rained down in all directions as the center of the merchant ship was destroyed.
"My plunder" Shamrock yelled seeing the sinking merchant ship.
Firing at the still airborne monster Shamrock walked to the bow of the ship, standing on the rail as he challenged the Grimm.
"You attack me ship, eat a member of me crew and send me booty to the deep dark. You stinkin' bilge rat you know not who you're quarrellin' with. I be the great pirate Shamrock and I'll be mounting your stuffed head on me cabin wall."
The Sea Dragon made another pass at the ship being deterred by another wave of gunfire. Their shots didn't even scratch the Grimm's hide as it flew past them the rush of wind knocking multiple crewmen down. With the limited range and mobility of the ship's cannons they were at a clear disadvantage against such a beast, but the pirates and their captain planned to go down fighting.
Grabbing a grappling hook Shamrock removed his tailcoat and hat setting them on a barrel as he chased the Sea Dragon to the stern of the ship. Jumping onto the railing he waited for the Grimm to come back around for another pass, holstering his weapons he began swinging the rope muttering a taunt at the Grimm as it drew closer. Throwing the hook meant for boarding another ship he watched the hook catch on the arm of the wing and quickly wrapped his arm around the rope, holding on as the flying Grimm carried him off. Climbing the rope as the Sea Dragon flew around he reached its wing and drew his scimitar again, slashing and cutting at the Grimm's wing he felt the great beast falter as it dove toward the water next to the ship.
Jumping off of the diving Grimm the pirate captain rolled across the deck his sword flying from his hand. His first mate rushed to his side, helping him up as the Grimm emerged from the sea again. The ship's cannons fired once more pelting the monster forcing it to dive and surface from the opposite side, the Grimm stared down at Shamrock and Crimson opening its mouth charging its lightning blast again.
From the crow's nest Eden ran across the yard of the mast and jumped rearing her arm back she snapped her wrist forward, her whip wrapping around the Sea Dragon's jaws. Planting her feet against its neck the huntress pulled against the whip forcing the Grimm's jaws shut, the whip became cold, a crackling sound echoed as ice began forming along it freezing the Grimm's mouth closed. Pulling her whip free from the ice trap Eden leapt from the monster landing on the deck and rolling to a stop, the crew watched as the focused energy in the Grimm's mouth, unable to be released exploded blowing the monster's head apart killing it.
The Sea Dragon's body collapsed back into the water, the splash sending water onto the deck. Shamrock sat against a barrel one leg brought up with his arm resting on his knee, he cursed the Grimm that cost him a profit and a man. The pirate looked around at his crew and the sailors they had captured, they fought well and he would rather see his crew safe than have a chest full of expensive things.
Getting to his feet he looked at the huntress and captain of the sunken merchant ship, "We'll give you a ride to wherever it is you were headin'."
The merchant captain straightened his hat, "Thanks for freeing us. Sorry you lost one your men."
Shamrock nodded, "Aye, he was a good man, could drink with the best of 'em. I'd give me personal loot chest to have him back."
The sun had vanished beyond the horizon by the time they reached the port in Vacuo, the captain of the merchant ship had left with his crew to explain what had happened while Shamrock retired into his cabin. Falling into the chair at his desk he looked down at the stained map pinned to the table, he had been sailing for twelve years, over a decade at sea sailing the world and plundering ships and the only man he ever lost was a crewman who had run off to chase some woman around Vale. Reaching for his flask at the end of the table he unscrewed the rusted lid and said a farewell to his fallen man before bringing the flask to his lips.
He sighed when the alcohol inside never reached his mouth, "Of course it's gone. It's always gone."
He set the flask down when someone knocked at his door, "Aye" he answered before hearing the voice of the huntress, "What do you want?" he asked when she entered the cabin, "It not be wise to disturb a man in mourning."
Eden leaned against the wall crossing her arms, "I convinced the captain not to press charges against you or your crew, though it is your fault that Grimm attacked us to begin with and your fault that he lost his ship the seas are a little safer with that thing gone."
"Mighty kind of you" Shamrock said, his voice expressing his lack of interest or concern, "I said from the beginning I had no intention of killing any of you and I wasn't going to leave you stranded since you all helped fight that beastie, I be a thief and a scallywag, but a murderer I ain't."
"You're also a skilled fighter" Eden told him, "As I said before, you'd make a good huntsman. Seeing you handle that Grimm I can tell you know how to use your aura, the pay may not be as good as pillaging ships and selling the cargo, but you'd be helping make the world a better place."
Shamrock chuckled and raised the flask to his lips again pretending to drink, "Sorry lass, being a hero just isn't my style" he set the flask down, "Now getting back at the beasties that took me mate, that be right up me alley."
Shamrock stood over the defeated King Taijitu reloading his heavy pistol as he stared into the dying monster's eye, "You threaten me crew" he aimed, "You die."
The winds stopped with the gunshot, the sand in the air fell back to the ground and the former pirate returned his weapon to its sheath before he turned to face his former students. He knew they could have handled the Grimm themselves, they had handled far more and worse before they made it to Shade, but he wasn't going to risk it. All it took was a single speck of bad luck for one of those monsters to get you and he swore he would never allow any of his crew to ever die again unless he went down first. His sailing days may be over, but every student that ever came through his school was part of his crew and under his protection even after they graduated.