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Post by DodoDestroyer on Jun 21, 2020 0:14:54 GMT
The sea is an untamed force of nature that even the masters of water, the Ikesk, cannot even hope to claim every mile under their rule. As such, the sea has become a safe spot to run and hide from the kingdom's far reaching hand. A perfect spot for outlaws, cutthroats, ne'er do wells and of course, pirates. This uncharted expanse of ocean was named after the alleged first pirate since the First Fall that made it part of their territory and for all free men: Calhoun's Freedom. Captain Calhoun ascended to legend, whether they existed or not. The story changes in details. Man or woman. Human, Ikesk, Roe, even Corpan. Some radicals even claim they are a Sorrow. Whatever the truth, the story sparked the old ways of piracy back to the present and many followed the ways of Calhoun, whether it be to honour the legend's claim or personal freedom from their criminal sins and personal ties.
Which brings us to the tale of some scoundrels, brought together by fate without a say in the matter.
A Corpan Frigate sails on through the waters of Calhoun's Freedom. Her name be the Windbreaker, a slaver ship whose speed is hard to match when her sails are full with wind. Armed to the teeth with 44 guns, 20 each on the port and starboard side while a pair remain on her aft and bow makes her not an easy vessel to flank or ambush. With the speed and power of the vessel and the addition of the ruthless Corpa as her crew, the Windbreaker gives off enough menace to ward away most corsairs from trying their luck at stealing her cargo. Cargo being people. It's not uncommon for the Corpa to raid and kidnap folk to stock meat for their cruel feasts. Some were lucky to become servants or even pets, as they last much longer in enslavement. However, slave transportation has brought about risks these days. Revolutionaries and nations against the Corpan rule target such vessels in efforts to liberate their cargo, so tactics and creativity are employed to avoid these attacks and keep business running smoothly. This brings the Windbreaker through the lawless sea. Out here, there is no shelter or reinforcements to be seen as far as the horizon and pirates just love an opportunity to jump on vulnerable vessels, the Corpa using their own ship's frightful presence from falling into the same fate. Out here, they will be left in peace should things go according to plan.
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Cells usually hold more than one prisoner at once. Grouped into pairs or trios to save space. One cell on the furthermost end holds but one. A Thusian in the attire of an unknown guild of thieves, looking weary and beaten from her capture. What makes her so special from the rest of her kind is a purple tint in her skin instead of a usual red, decorated with ink in the shape of creatures, objects and patterns. The secret to her magical talents but the Corpa don't need to know that... Regardless, these unique features gives her more value over the other slaves. She could capture the interest of Corpan nobility and their vanity in owning the most outstanding 'pets'. A lonely cell is all the privilege this one gets though, and it's only so the other prisoners do not soil her. Same scarce rations and poor treatment as any other here against their will. She would be so sure the crew wouldn't put it above them in breaking her hands if they knew how important they were to her magic.
But they don't, that is an advantage Kalika intends on keeping. Her hands alone respond to the magical tattoos on her skin, which many of them are dimensional spaces for all the tools of the trade and more. Useful magic for making a break out. But she is surrounded by sea in the middle of nowhere, vessel filled with Corpan Raiders. Breaking out now and alone would only get her beaten half to death and thrown back into her cell, more than likely with broken hands. Fate be on her side though, as the cell opposite to her own holds two... bird folk? In all of her life, she has never encountered their kind before. But that doesn't make them important. What makes them important is that they have a plan to form a mutiny. Going over the steps and roles, they have the structure and drive but not a solid way to put everything into place. Freeing the prisoners and gathering them all together without rousing suspicion being what is missing... lucky for them, their Thusian neighbour can do just that if given a window of opportunity. Two keys to the cells are on board the ship, belonging to the Jailor and Captain. Their target being the Jailor of course. Kalika already proved her use to the two bird folk by unlocking both her cell and their's with a little magical trick with the key tattoos on her forearms. Now comes the tricky part of incapacitating the Jailor quietly and swiping the keys, all needing to be done quietly. She has made it this far, there's no turning back now. She just needs to wait on the bird's go ahead...
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Post by Deaths on Jun 22, 2020 2:00:09 GMT
Corbin sat in his cell, he seemed agitated not at the situation but with his cell mate. His loving older brother who sat on his cot with that usually smile on his face. Corbin had still not forgiven him, Kiln was two days later. He should have gotten himself captured much earlier. True it was Corbin who got captured first, and his fault they were attacked by the Corpa in the first place. But! More importantly he was late! Because of Kiln's laziness it threw off Corbin's plan. Now he had to struggle to find a new one.
As luck would have it, a woman sat in the cell across from them. Not just any woman, a Thusian. One that didn't look to out of place in a cell, though she didn't seem to be there for long. Corbin used the two days he had, to gather allies. He convinced nearly everyone that their only shot at freedom was to fight, and he would lead them on their mutiny. The tattooed Thusian was extra receptive to the promises of freedom. None wish to be caged as cattle, but her people had an even stronger lust for freedom.
Patrols happen every fifteen minutes. It takes a guard on average three minutes thirty seconds to reach one end of the cell. They had a tight seven minute window of opportunity before suspicion was raised. Of course there was always variables that would give them more or less time. The guard gets a scream out before death, the ones standing by are more alert than normal, or luck could be on their side and they are more relaxed this evening.
Corbin opens his eyes as he silently listens to the footsteps of the patrol. Right on time as Corbin predicted, Kiln as blood thristy as always made his move. In a moment of grace and malice, Kiln charges the bars of the cell. Corbin creates a glowing dagger made of light into his brother's hand. Before the guard could react it was buried in his throat. Kiln sliced him up and done to make sure no screams could come out. The body fell to the ground with a thud, then a silence fell over the prison ship. Seconds of silence that lasted a lifetime pass before Corbin signals the Thusian to continue with the plan.
The plan continues without a hitch. The Thusian frees herself and then the brothers. A quick search of the dead guard finds a set of keys making opening the cell that much easier. Corbin instructs Kiln to free the others. Once the cells are opened Corbin creates more and more weapons of light. He says a few words in hushed whispers going over the battle that was to come. Kiln would lead the charge, Corbin would be behind him. The captain was their target while the others should focus on the weaker Corpa. His eyes look over at the Thusian. "Except you, you have the most important mission. You'll need to cross the top deck of the ship. There is an additional cell where they store things even the Corpan fear." He pauses making sure to keep his voice low. "Down there you will find a man. He is powerful, powerful enough to turn the tide of this battle. You must free him and make sure he fights for us. I can not grant you any weapons so you will need to get some on your own. The mission I'm trusting you is of the upmost importance. Our lives are in your hands Thusian." With that he turns to Kiln ready to start the charge.
Meanwhile.
Deep below deck lays a man, chain upon chain restrain him. He was hungry, dehydrated, and a little bit delirious. But he had company, good company too! He bent his head up to look at the masterfully crafted puppet stored with him, and smiled. "You're quiet tonight Vincenzo, drink too much seawater? That's not good, I'll need you to keep your wits about you. I can hear a commotion above. A battle perhaps, would be a shame for this ship to sink with us so deep below. This is no way for warriors such as us to meet our end..."
His ears perk up, he begins to sniff the air. All he can smell is salt, but now there is something else. Flesh...unwashed flesh and not that of a Corpan. The foot steps are as light as a mouse. "Hello little mouse...what are you doing in my den?" Vico's voice is raspy, using whatever spit his body can produce to make sounds. His magic was still on, whomever intruded upon his lair would be overcome with a sense of fear. Who knows what his intruder would see when they laid eyes on Vico. A monster? Or perhaps something more personal, an abusive partner or parent. Vico was always curious what others saw, but would never ask. "Do not be afraid little mouse. You are not Corpan, if you were you wouldn't be sneaking so well. I almost didn't hear, but I could smell you." He chuckles weakly a little bit. "Though Vincenzo and I could also use a wash ourselves. Nothing to be ashamed of little mouse...Now than, why are you here? Is it for me? Is it for the battle above? Let me free and I will personally slaughter every Corpan on board. I will make them beg for mercy before I rip their throats out. Save me little mouse and I will bring ruin to them." His magic grew more potent with the thought of battle about to begin, the adrenaline began to swell ready to kill.
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Post by Snoe on Aug 3, 2020 7:06:42 GMT
Kiln was happy to get the nod, little-bird had a better grasp of good timing to start a fight and when to finish it, Kiln didn't much care when but how long the fight might last, maybe break his record. The inked Thusian was a helpful sort the way those designs seem more practical than artistic but Kiln couldn't help but be curious to count them all, hidden or otherwise... A task for later.
Flicking a white hot feather through several chains releasing those not locked in cells and taking a length of chain for himself. Corpa were going to be a bit tougher than the usual fare in terms of combat, but the greatest advantage of the day they had was the Corpa weren't the greatest fighters in 'cramped' corridors, their ferocity while unpredictable is funneled down narrow halls low ceilings and small rooms and deck. Kiln had underestimated their strength in Corbin's capture, a minor set back. 'I wonder if this was the ship Corbin wanted to steal or the second runner up?' A small member of the Corpa leapt from a corner as if proving Kiln's theory, the unpredictable made predictable by the small rooms Kiln managed to step pivot and loop a chain around the beasts neck using its lunge to weight the manuvre Kiln jerking the chain closed and yanking away with a loud crackle of a snapped neck. Kiln smirked while pulling the chain free "Didn't think that would work."
The hall way made it easy to advance forward most of the Corpan crew seemed to be enteraining themselves with drink and food, and someone singing a rather lewd song mocking the Corpa with subtle twists of words. Inching toward the galley door and casting a glance inside there was a red haired man dancing upon a table and playing a lute while dodging Corpan forks aimed carelessly. "So Little brother, sneak to top deck or fuck em up while Red distracts them?"
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Post by DodoDestroyer on Oct 29, 2020 21:14:49 GMT
Kalika nodded on the orders. "I can make do." She informs him after being told he doesn't have a weapon to spare. She reaches behind her shoulder and pulls out a small neth crystal seemingly out of nowhere, no bigger than a pebble. She rolls it between her fingers as she begins to move, taking in it's charge and preparing her mana pools for a workout. The mutiny has caused chaos, Corpa moving through the decks and on top in attempts to seize back control and cull the slaves to set an example. Slaughtering the whole herd is only a loss of profit, so the brothers will take into their advantage. Even then, they are against all Corpa, born fighters and aggressive in nature. Combined with the hardiness of sailing, raw power is in their favour. If this man that the Corpa fear is indeed real, Kalika can't waste time in freeing him and turning the tide. For her freedom, if nobody else's.
She moves through the decks without a sound, her light footsteps creak no boards beneath them and her breathing is steady and gentle. The skills of a exemplary thief. She alerts neither Corpa nor slave to her presence like a ghost on the waters. Only one obstacle was in the way of her task, a lone Corpa guarding the room of the man. Alone he may be, but he's towering even for his kind. His taut muscled arms are as thick as Kalika's head, holding a large spear. A deadly defensive weapon in the right hands. It is like nature created this man to be a wall, any frontal assault will be useless... luckily, that is not Kalika's style. Tracing fingers on the back of her neck, she unsheathes a dagger from it's dimensional scabbard on her skin and moves between cover and shadow. She stalks slowly, remaining in his blind spots as she thinks on how to topple the giant. She decides a simple, but effective method of the tendons, for this one did not wear armour that protected the vital areas. She moves on his flank and the dagger flashes behind and his Achilles is cut, then the next with another motion before he can cry out. He falls hard onto the deck, Kalika touches the spear and transfer a small rune upon it's shaft. As the giant's body hits the deck below him, the spear seems to fall through it. It leaves the imagery of it's form on the wood, unable to be recovered unless the Thusian wills it. Disarmed and prone, he's of little threat now. Best not take any chances though, the thought passes in her mind, and plunges the dagger into the nape of his neck. The guard grows still and all is now clear in her path...
She enters the room, quiet as ever, and begins to investigate. There was no light here and filthy, a large cage in the back shrouded in the darkness of the room. This was more akin to an animal's cell over humanoid. Was the leader of this rebellion wrong?.. As she thinks this, a gravelly voice calls out. To her. She had been found... but how, she wonders?.. then the magical aura he projects awashes Kalika. She hears the rustling of metal links beneath her, making her look down on herself. Chains. Wrapped tightly around her arms are chains. Too tight and thorned, they bite into flesh yet cause no blood. But she can feel it... She backs up two steps and pulls on them, but feel like they are fused into her. It is then the voice speaks again, one familiar to her but one she hoped she wouldn't hear anytime soon... The draconic rumble in his words, the heat of his phantasmal breath fills the air as he speaks. The Pactmaster, the dragon sorrow who has his claws dipped in every criminal goings on in the underworld. It cannot be possible he is here... The dragon talks of how he found her through smell, demanding freedom so he can slaughter the Corpa. This convinces her it is still the man in the cage, for the dragon wouldn't waste time on the affairs of this slave ship. But the menacing illusion he has created amplifies and the sense of dread increases. The chain tightening harder, like it feels as if her bones would creak and break.
"Stop it." Kalika firmly tells him, hiding away her terror of the moment. "Stop it... and you'll get what you want." The promising idea of freedom seems to be a bargain that convinces him, as the dragon's presence is gone. The chains vanish and the Thusian rubs her untarnished wrists, yet it felt so real... But it's over for now, she must find relief in that... "It's a mutiny." She tells him after a moment to collect herself again. "Two lads want the ship for themselves, but all they have behind them are malnourished slaves and me. It'll fail." She jumps onto the top of the cage with ease, examining the three heavy locks and summoning her lockpick. Two locks hold the chains that bind the man, one on the door. "That's why I found you, one lad thinks you're our key to victory.. you could also be our key to being slaughtered along with the Corpa, but I didn't voice that concern..." She breaks one lock. "So I'm taking a chance on you here, because I don't wanna die here to my captors. You feel the same?" Another breaks. There's a commotion of shouting, growing closer to the room. "So... the Corpa are your enemy. Prove my chances are favourable today."
The door bursts open and a handful of Corpa rush through. But they pause when they notice Kalika on top of the cage, breaking the final lock. Nothing restrains him now. "Little mouse saved you, now get to work." She pulls and lifts the cage door up, using it as a makeshift shield as the Corpa attack the both of them.
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Post by Deaths on Oct 31, 2020 3:16:29 GMT
Corbin smiles at the offer his brother gives him. To sneak above deck and take advantage, or to start the battle here and now. Each have their advantages and disadvantages. Corbin's mind dances for a second as he weighs every option possible. Blinking he knows what must be done, at least to those watching him he was one hundred percent sure. "Kill them all, right here. We will thin their ranks before they have a chance to defend themselves." Corbin gives his command and his brother follows.
The motley crew charges forward weapons glowing in their hands. They charge their captors who were drunk and listening to the soft musician sing his songs. The Corpa fight back to the best of their ability, the brothers carry most of the battle, but their are some capable fighters among their ranks. Blood is spilled on each side, many Corpan take the opportunity to retreat, to tell their superiors about the mutiny below.
"Brother, the captain is yours. I will aid you above deck with his personal men, but that glory is yours." Corbin gives his next set of orders with a smile. "This was, but the first battle. The next one will be harder, make peace with your life. Many of us will not survive tonight, but we will all live forever in glory!" He gives one last rallying speech to his men before he turns his attention to the musician. "I recommend you grab a sword, they will cull the whole ship if we fall. Your pretty voice won't save you from that."
In a matter of seconds the chaos spills to above deck. Fighting is all around them, no one could escape it. Corbin fought Corpan after Corpan cutting his way to the captain. Cutting off the head of the snake was important, Corpan fall apart without leadership and Corbin was ready to end this battle before the tide could be turned. Unfortunately for the rebels, the Corpan above deck were armored, trained, and ready for war. "The Thusian better succeed..." Corbin thinks as he blocks a blow with a glowing shield, the enemy was confident now, that was something that needed to be changed.
Deep below deck, back in the cages was a lone girl. She wept quietly to herself, too afraid to stand in fight she cowers in her cell. She was once the model of a princess. She lived the life of luxury, and she wanted nothing more than that. Now she was a slave, the lowest of the low. She was broken hiding in her cage she was given a weapon of light just like the others. She thought to use it to cut her own throat should the Corpa win. She would never be captured again especially if half the stories of Corpan hospitality were true she would be a prize. Something that made her weak stomach sicker, all it took were the black thoughts to make her cry more, hoping to be saved.
"Sorry, little mouse." The aura of fear subsides revealing the man behind it. The mouse opens the locks with expert skill. Vico cracks his knuckles, and his neck the time in the cage had fueled him with a bloodlust he hasn't felt ever before in his life. The door opens and Vico leaps out transforming into a giant cat like monster in front of Kalika revealing the power he hides within. The reason for Corbin's need for this warrior was paramount. The Corpan are torn to shreds with teeth in claw, they leave nothing but lumps of flesh and gore.
The cat bows its head to the Thusian, acknowledging the deal the two have just made. Vico was free and now it was time to kill. He made his way above deck his fur matted with blood. The corpse of a Corpan hangs in his maw as he throws it aside. He lets out a mighty roar, letting the world know he was here. The pounces on the heaviest armored enemy tackling them to the ground his weight is enough to overpower the warrior. The Nikquel's natural strength made the battle a bore. He crushes the skull of his enemy before moving to the next one. The tide of battle was now favoring the rebellion.
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Post by Snoe on Nov 28, 2020 5:01:54 GMT
Kiln smirked at his brother’s instruction, it made for a lovely chance to challenge ones self, like he had found earlier the tight confines of the ship limited the Corpan advantage, mobility was huge in their methods it seemed. Though Kiln sneered to recall that his own skills were limited here, a flick of chain and razored wings had to follow the narrow paths that made up this mess hall. Attempting to avoid killing the hostage Bard; whom by the way was fleet of foot enough to hop and duck. More impressive was the fact the red-head didn’t miss a beat of his song... and If Kiln wasn’t mistaken the moment the fight started small puppets scurried about with sharp silverware and took to the Corpa with them! Fascinating little skill.
Kiln took a few slugs to the ribs avoiding the claws of a feisty beast with a puppet and fork hanging out of his back. Helpful, Kiln thought as he rolled under an arm to the beasts back and slamming the fork deeper and a chained fist following to drive into the back of its skull. The blow staggered his opponent, Kiln gritting his teeth with an eagre smile following up with two-three-four strikes until Kiln was pounding skull into the wooden wall. Kiln dropping the corpse in the amused realization of the eyes on him, a few sailors looking at him as if he were a madman.
Kiln shook off admiration with a wink to the singer and bowed out to the ship deck following ‘little Birds’ speech inspiring the Troops was quaint. The time to get up in the air was on them, Kiln grabbing up a short sword in the other hand, viscous curling Corpan flesh ripper “Should do the job nicely.” Smirking to himself before rushing to the deck and finding a really good fight awaiting him. “Bring me your best monsters I’m Hungry!” Kiln shouted out mockingly.
Back in the mess hall the Bard shivered at the sudden burst of violence, he barely maintained his magic to help his rescuers as Miss Bop, Danny Mire, and Sheepskin; his puppets, lept into the silverware and rushed to cause mayhem with knives and forks. It was admitedly silly but effective even when the angels came in, the darkhaired one was fucking scary. The Bard sighed when they all left, relaxing for a moment and breathing for another as a bad thought dared to knock on the door and call his attention. “Nope! Nope! Not gonna do it! Seriously you are out of your league! You will not wake up that puppet these people will do FINE without it.” Trying to cconvince himself to NOT wake up the death golem that was The Creep down in the hold with the other monster. Problem was... he was losing that argument as the battles above got louder.
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Post by DodoDestroyer on Dec 18, 2020 14:29:34 GMT
Kalika took cover behind the now open cage door and turns her head away from the slaughter the prisoner was about to unleash. What was once a man, now a monstrous feline creature. A Nikquel. Kalika now understood the importance of his freedom. She knows little of them other than they are unmatched warriors. She does not watch the rage of this shapechanger, but she can do nothing to block out the noise that it creates. The beastial snarls and roars, the tearing of meat on claws, blood splattering in pints and the horrific screams of dying Corpa. Kalika doesn't shake, but those sounds she will be carrying for awhile...
Once the canopy dies down, she comes out of her hiding spot. The Nikquel bows his head, Kalika returns a nod. She knows he will fulfill his end now. He moves quickly out of the room, towards the sounds of battle, and the Thusian is alone once more. She gives her best efforts to ignore the sight and smell of gore around her and looting one Corpa that's still mostly intact. She takes the dead's now bloody crossbow to defend herself with and leaves the prison behind her. Her part of the deal with the head of the mutiny is done and Kalika is not a fighter compared to them or the Nikquel, but she is superior is skulking and ambushes. For now, she must hide and wait it out, she can pick off any lone Corpa down here to secure lower decks.
She summons a single bolt from another magical tattoo and loads the crossbow with practised motion. Kalika began to move quietly through the rows of prison cells, weapon held ready for any straddlers. The ship wasn't silent down here, the sounds of the mutiny in full motion and the waves lapping the ship's hull made silence a rarity. Kalika prefers the quiet, but the chaos of noise made it easier to hide her own sounds. Then she catches one sound that sounded much closer... Sobbing. She was in a row of holding cells, perhaps a slave scared out of their mind. Understandable in the current situation they are all in, but if Kalika can hear it then there's a good chance the Corpa can. Not wanting a beacon of attraction so close to her, the Thusian investigates.
All her movement muffled, breathing steady and the cover of the chaos makes Kalika invisible to the sense of hearing. She reaches the cell where the sobbing is closest. Peering carefully, she sees a human woman clutching something in trembling hands. So far into her own terror that she's not paying attention to her only exit point. The girl is good as dead if left alone should Corpa still roam down here... Sighing, Kalika enters the cell. "Hey." She whispers, breaking her stealth to grab the human's attention and keeping distance out of attack range of whatever she holds. The girl jumps in fright and opens her mouth to scream, but Kalika is faster. She closes the distance before her crossbow hits the floor. One hand smothers the scream with a hand over her mouth, the other gripping the wrist holding the object. "You want to die? Scream and you'll attract all straddlers on this deck over to us." Kalika scolds in a hushed voice. She pulls her wrist into view and in turn, the object... One of the brother's weapons of light. The Thusian gives her an inquisitive once over... Then around the cell, before back to the human. "I need you to do exactly as I say if you want to live. Get in the corner and don't make a sound, don't even cry. I'll cover the cell door but I can't have you attracting them here. We just need to wait this out now... If you scream when I let go or try anything, I'll make it quick for you." Kalika hides no hesitation in that commitment.
To the benefit of them both, the human listens to the Thusian. Kalika brings forth a lockpick again and locks the cell door, then positions herself in the shadows with the crossbow aimed towards the door. She's just got to wait it out... The brothers has no excuse to lose now.
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Post by Deaths on Jan 17, 2021 19:46:06 GMT
Alexis is stunned into silence, this Tusian silenced her and began to order her around. She was unsure what to do, she has completely given up, but this woman hasn't, and that was impressive. This lowborn scoundrel held to life no matter how hard it got, meanwhile Alexis had given everything away ready to die, by her own hand if need be. It was pathetic, pathetic enough to motivate Alexis to fight a little longer. She crawls into the corner of the cell and hides herself the best she can. Hopefully this would be over soon.
The top deck was full of chaos, the orderly tactics the Corpan soldiers tried to employ were useless to the intensity of the war going on. Vico stood on all fours covered in blood and hungered for more. What remains of the Corpan soldiers are quickly dispatched by the mutiny. Only the officers and a small retinue of men survive guarding the steps to the wheel. Vico can't easily climb the steps and defend from the Corpan attacks so he sits at the bottom of the steps growling and snarling at the few remaining soldiers. They know they make their last stand hoping to stall for some sort of miracle, Vico continued to pace around waiting for a moment to strike, hungry for more battle.
Corbin smiled as he and his brother cut down wave after wave of Corpan until they had a bit of breathing room. "This was going easier than I thought brother, its a bit disappointing." A small joke at their success, "Lets move on from the rabble, I want the captain's head." His eyes move onto the top deck where the last of the defenders held the line securing the stairs to the wheel in a desperate act of defense. "Lets fly behind them, make them fight on both sides." The brothers take to the air landing behind the captain and his men. "The honor is yours brother. Take the captain and I shall take his men." Corbin summons his shining blades as they dance around him, he dives into his enemies with sword in hand as the ghostly blades protect his flanks. A corpan is through from the top deck and is immediately feasted upon by the Nikquel below, it is good to see the beast was still in the fight. Victory was assured as soon as the final blow was struck.
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