Headed by a Snake

Tycondrius sensed it before he saw it. There was a shift in the rotting sea breeze and an increase in the mana suffusing the air. Something stronger had arrived.

The massive form of Lang Hai immediately dove-- hiding in the darkness of the night's waters. Tycon hid behind a rock on the shore... he'd observe before acting.

"Hold, boy..."

A deep, rock-gargling voice whispered in Tycon's mind, the loud echoing causing his head to ache. Stealthily looking out from his hiding spot, Tycon saw an old ghost approaching Lieutenant Shao Ran, walking on the waveless waters. Ran didn't escape, either out of confidence or foolhardiness.

The ancient Marine wore his uniform coat, his breast covered in service medals. The phantom was a hero of the Kingdom. Stepping forward, the waves below his feet thrumming with power, "Your flames burn hot, young Crow... but do you believe you can burn the whole ocean?"

The other creatures moved... all as one. They walked, crawled, and dragged their broken bodies back into the waters, returning to the abyss.

Tycon grit his teeth as he analyzed the enemy.

[Gold-Rank Phantom Dread Pirate]

The phantom had the same Class as Lang Hai did... and wore a thin, but well-kept beard and mustache on his blue, translucent face... The ghost's eyes were slanted, similar to Ran's and Hai's, and a dagger was implanted through an eye socket-- likely the cause of his death.

Did the Sea Wolves know who this storied hero was?

Shao Ran paused his ferocious attacks and for the first time in the battle, took a defensive stance.

Tycon silently cursed Lang Hai for getting him into this mess.

...

High-Captain Liang Qiang took off his coat, tossing it behind him. White spectral hands reached out of the black waters to drag the sea-rotted cloth back into the abyss.

"Honor... in all thy actions."

It didn't matter where he was. He was on the battlefield. Enemies were before him. He had one goal: to kill.

"Courage... to do what is right... regardless of the consequences."

Qiang adopted a wide horse stance. The black waters churned beneath him as mana pulsated outward. The blurry translucent form he took solidified to a haunted bluish-green. The old man's body was clear to see... A dozen wicked blade scars and pockmarks from bullet shrapnel marked his pale flesh. The dagger pierced through his left eye caused it to ache terribly.

"Blood."

The old phantom flexed, his clear-cut and well-defined muscles rippled as if they would burst. Born of the Sea Wolf sect, born of the sea, his body had been trained to peak physical perfection.

"And thunder."

Liang Qiang stomped his leading foot onto the water's surface and directed his hands forward, ready for combat. In another outward pulse of mana, he extinguished the flame on the Golden Crow's sect storied weapon, Ferocity.

The boy stared at his naked blade and involuntarily gulped.

Qiang shot forward, faster than the boy could react. Striking the boy in his abdomen, he wrenched his fist, "Grasping Tide."

"Shite!" Desperately, Ran tried to leap backward, but Qiang pulled the waters at the boy's back to push him forward. He smashed a kick into the side of the Golden Crow cultivator then placed a domineering palm into his chest.

The broken crow spat blood as he fell back... but the waters surged up, supporting him. The old man launched a dozen more punches into the boy.

There was no mercy on the battlefield.

Wordlessly, Qiang grabbed the boy's bloodied face as he channeled his powers of undeath into his flesh.

...

Shao Ran let loose an agonizing, pain-wracked scream as he fell onto his knees, covered in his waist by seawater.

Empty night! The seawater didn't look like it was enough for Ran to regenerate... Tycon bounded over his hiding spot and aimed his crossbow.

A geyser of water erupted behind the old phantom just before Tycon could fire. The 12-fulm Lang Hai surged out of the darkness, "Liang Qiang, you ROTTEN BASTARD!!"

Qiang tossed aside the battered and broken Shao Ran, who splashed into the waters near the rocky beach, 20-fulms away. With a single finger, the old man blocked Lang Hai's kicks and punches, "What the hells do you think you're doing, you little shite? Observe the proper customs and courtesies, you disrespectful whelp. You will address me as High-Captain Liang."

"Sod off, old man!" Hai snarled. He brought down the fury of the tentacles on his back.

Qiang swept a knife-hand above him, severing all four tentacles. The old phantom even whipped out his opposite hand, deflecting Tycon's fired crossbow bolt. Hai growled in pain, but gripped his fists together and swung his muscled arms down, trying to crush the phantom.

Tycon began running towards the fallen Shao Ran, his boots splashing upon the thin film of water on the rocks. He hadn't seen what Qiang did, but Hai's hands flew backward as if repulsed-- and blood rained down from the sky.

Hai held up his palms, bleeding terribly from both. He leapt back and placed his hands beneath the sea waters, his chest thrumming in displeasure, "Looks like death hasn't dulled your edge."

"Li Hai, cease this at once." Qiang reassumed his combat stance, "Your Sea Wolf Body Art is not strong enough to defeat me. Return to the ship and meditate until your comprehension reaches Major Completion."

Hai's toothy face and betrayed no emotion, "Kakaka... Old bastard, it's been years since you've died. I've already made it to Major Completion."

A thin crease appeared between old Qiang's brows, "I see... Who is my replacement?"

"Yours truly, you old nutjob."

Qiang breathed in deep and shook his head, "Is your Sea Wolf Body Art truly so weak? Then you are not enough."

Hai hesitated, unable to speak... He clenched his fists hard, blood continuing to drip into the black waters.

In another instant, the old phantom disappeared from where he stood.

"Lang! Dodge it!!" Tycon yelled.

[Jumping Knee Counter activated]

Lang Hai's eyes widened as mana increased his perception. Qiang's fist found its mark in Hai's abdomen, forcing him to crouch over. The boost wasn't enough to dodge...

Tycon gnashed his teeth, "You idiot! Don't just stand there and take it!!"

Hai grabbed hold of both Qiang's arms and launched a devastating knee into the phantom's chest. The old man groaned in pain-- the first strike he'd taken.

Tycon crouched down and slapped Shao Ran hard across the face, "Get the hells up, Sea Wolf!!"

[Inspirational Surge conditions met. Activate? Y/N?]

« Yes! Quickly, now! »

[Activating.]

Ran shot awake, choking on sand and seawater, "What the hells, Tycon?!"

Tycon grasped at Ran's arm, pulling him up, "Not now! Go assist Lang Hai."

Ran stood, blood covering his back from the sharp rocks on the beach, "Sea god's beard, where the hells is Ferocity?"

"Not important, Marine. Now--"

Half of the Sea Wolf's face was marked with decomposing flesh, and his left eye was still shut. The other half of his face was marked with panic, "Shut the hells up, noble! That's my family's--"

Tycon punched Ran in the chest with the fist holding the guisarme, "We'll find it later. The three of us need to survive, first!"

Ran grit his teeth and took the weapon.