Zaun and his pirates surged forward, clashing against the outnumbered Xandrian soldiers. His war scythes sliced through the air, meeting the resistance of Xandrian steel. He locked eyes with Rose as she drove him back with her shield, following up with a precise thrust of her sword.

  He leaned in, his voice a whisper against the chaos. “Tell me your fears.”

  The words slithered into her mind, his skill sinking its fangs deep. Rose faltered. Her vision blurred as the battlefield dissolved into a memory long buried.

  “Brother, where are you going?” A young Rose, no older than four, stood at the entrance of their home, watching her older brother. His light pink hair framed a nervous but determined smile as he mustered his courage. “I have to leave now.”

  Two Xargian guards flanked him. Behind them, their mother and father wept. “Why are they crying?” Rose asked. But the memory shattered, ripped away before she could see more.

  A voice snapped her back to reality.

  “DON’T LISTEN TO HIM!”

  Jackal’s roar cut through the haze. The Xargian guard charged toward Zaun. Rose blinked, catching a glimpse of movement—Zaun’s war scythe arcing down toward her.

  Steel rang as the soldiers beside her raised their shields just in time, blocking the strike. She staggered back, breathless. “What was that?” she demanded.

  Jackal reached her side, eyes locked on Zaun. “His skill.”

  Zaun and his pirates pulled back, reassessing before launching another wave of attacks.

  “DON’T LET THEM REACH THE BOATS!” Bear’s roar shook the battlefield as he threw himself into the fray.

  Nearby, Gingerbeard gasped for breath, blood spilling from deep wounds. A handful of his men formed a weak defensive circle around him.

  But there was no escape. The Xandrian soldiers had them surrounded. Elephant advanced, gripping his massive mace.

  Gingerbeard swung his axe, but his strength was failing—each strike weaker than the last. Elephant stepped in, deflecting the final swing with ease. The war axe flew from Gingerbeard’s grip, landing with a dull thud. His knees buckled, and he collapsed.

  His remaining crew raised their sabers, trembling as Elephant loomed over them.

  The giant warrior lowered his weapon, his deep voice steady. “Do you surrender?”

  Before anyone could answer, Bear shifted back into human form, sword in hand. “There’s no point negotiating with thieves and pirates.”

  A small voice pierced the daylight.

  “DADDY!”

  The little girl ran, her tiny legs carrying her as fast as they could through the crowd.

  Gingerbeard’s weary eyes softened. “My little heart.”

  He gathered her into his arms, his blood staining her clothes. His smile was faint but warm—reassuring. He held her close, as if shielding her from the storm closing in.

  Bear didn’t hesitate. “The seas will be calmer without you.”

  He raised his sword.

  The other pirates stepped back, helpless, knowing there was no way out.

  Gingerbeard whispered one last time, “I love you.”

  Tears streamed down his daughter’s face. “I love you too.”

  Then she saw the sword coming down.

  She screamed—not words, just pure, unfiltered terror.

  The sound cut through the battlefield like lightning.

  And something in that cry struck a chord.

  Elephant moved on instinct.

  His massive hand shot out, seizing Bear’s wrist before the blade could fall.

  A stunned silence followed. Soldiers gasped. The two Xargian guards stood frozen, watching.

  Bear exhaled, slow and measured.

  “Elephant.”

  A single word. A warning. A challenge.

  And in that moment, everything teetered on the edge of something far greater than just a battle.

  ”Not the child.” Elephant’s voice was firm, yet tinged with something close to a plea.

  Bear exhaled, shaking his head. “You’re too soft.”

  Their exchange was cut short by a sudden blur of motion—Zaun.

  In a heartbeat, the pirate lunged, snatching the girl and pressing the cold curve of his war scythe against her throat. She let out a terrified scream.

  “ZAUN, DON’T TOUCH HER!”

  Gingerbeard, summoning the last of his strength, moved to save his child—but another pirate stepped forward. Blocking his way. Zaun, bald, with a dark spider tattoo marking his head, sneered.

  “I’m not dying here.”

  The boot from a pirate slammed into Gingerbeard’s chest, sending him sprawling to the ground.

  The other pirates rallied behind Zaun, forming a tight knot as Xandrian soldiers encircled them, spears glinting in the bright light.

  Elephant’s gaze was steady as he spoke. “If we let you go, will you leave the child?”

  Zaun’s grip on his weapon tightened, pressing the blade closer to the girl’s throat. She whimpered.

  “I don’t trust Xargian dogs.” His slitted eyes gleamed. “We leave with her—or I spill her blood.”

  Bear turned to Elephant, jaw clenched. “We can’t allow them to leave.”

  Jackal, the other Xargian guard, stepped up beside them, lowering his shield but keeping his sword level with Zaun.

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  “Brother Elephant, I don’t disagree with you,” he said, his tone measured, “but we cannot let that one escape. He’s too dangerous.”

  Their eyes flickered over Zaun. The tattoo on his forehead stood out now, its meaning sinking in.

  Bear narrowed his gaze. “That symbol…” His voice rose with realization. “Why is a member of the Spider Fang running with a band of lowlife pirates?”

  Zaun’s lips curled into a smirk.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  But his expression darkened, his eerie yellow eyes flashing as he pressed the blade closer to the girl’s throat.

  “DADDY!” she sobbed.

  Gingerbeard lunged again, but Zaun’s men held him back, restraining him with iron grips.

  “What are you doing?!” he roared.

  Zaun let out a tired sigh. “They’re my men now.” He adjusted his hold on the child. “I had hoped for a different kind of coup, but this will do.” His gaze flicked to Bear, Elephant, and Jackal. “We’re leaving. You can do whatever you want with that orange-bearded drunkard.”

  Gingerbeard’s voice cut through the night, raw and desperate.

  “Zaun—I’ll tell them everything. About you. About your heritage. About why you’re really here.”

  Zaun’s expression flickered. Then he turned his gaze toward Gingerbeard, studying him as if weighing his worth.

  Then, coldly—“Kill him.”

  Swords were drawn.

  Zaun’s loyalists moved to strike.

  “Wait.”

  Elephant’s deep voice cut through the chaos. He stepped forward, his massive mace resting in his grip, his presence alone enough to command attention.

  “I won’t let you terrify the girl.”

  He turned to Bear. “I have an idea. Will you hear me out?”

  Bear held his gaze for a moment, then gave a single nod.

  His final order rang out: “Don’t let them move.”

  The Xandrian soldiers tightened their formation, steel glinting in the light.

  Bear’s voice was cold, final.

  “If they so much as flinch—cut them all down.”

  Bear sighed as they walked a short distance away. “So, what’s your plan?”

  Elephant answered without hesitation. “We’ll send them to Niceland.”

  Bear frowned. “Explain.”

  “Niles barrier can take in two more people. We’ll send the girl and her father inside while the rest…” Elephant paused. “...face the dangers of Monster Island. That should rid us of the one from the Spider Fang.”

  Bear still looked unconvinced. “And you’re sure this will work?”

  A flutter of wings interrupted them as Squeaky landed on Elephant’s shoulder.

  “This bird is Niles’ familiar. It can deliver messages. I’ll inform Niles of the plan.”

  Bear let out another sigh. “That man again… But it’s not a bad idea.” He crossed his arms. “Still, we need to make it convincing.”

  Silence fell between them as they mulled over their approach.

  Elephant finally spoke. “Good soldier, bad soldier?”

  Bear cracked his neck and strolled back toward the pirates. “I’ll be the bad one.”

  From inside Elephant’s helmet, a low chuckle. “As always.”

  The two Xargian guards returned to the group. Bear didn’t waste time.

  “You’re being sent to Niceland.”

  The pirates exchanged confused glances. “Niceland? What’s that?”

  Bear answered, voice steady. “A colony on the north coast of Monster Island.”

  Zaun’s grip on the girl tightened. His slitted eyes narrowed. “You lie.”

  Elephant remained calm. “Sir Niles rules there with his impenetrable barrier.”

  Zaun’s eyes widened ever so slightly. Bear caught the reaction. “You know that name, don’t you?”

  Before Zaun could answer, Gingerbeard scoffed. “We plundered his ship.”

  Bear and Elephant had already known that much. But Elephant’s gaze drifted downward—to Zaun’s feet.

  White sneakers. Shoes that had no place in this world.

  “Where did you get those?” Elephant asked.

  Zaun hesitated, biting his lip before muttering, “From the man whose name you just mentioned.”

  A ripple of laughter spread through the Xandrian soldiers.

  Bear silenced them with a sharp command. “You may leave first. We’ll give you a head start. But the girl and Gingerbeard stay behind. As will any pirate who’d rather face justice in Xandria than risk their lives on the sea.”

  The rest of the pirate crew remained with Zaun.

  The Xandrian soldiers parted, clearing the path to the boats. Zaun stepped forward.

  “We’re keeping the girl.”

  Elephant’s response was immediate. “You leave the girl.”

  Zaun bared his teeth. “I’ll cut her throat.”

  Elephant’s voice was ice. “And then we’ll cut you down.”

  A tense silence.

  Zaun’s mind worked fast, calculating. Then, without another word, he turned toward the boats.

  “We want to take some of the treasure from the cav—”

  “No.” Bear cut him off. “Consider it the price for your lives.”

  Zaun’s crew wasted no time. They piled into a boat and began rowing away. At the last moment, Zaun tossed the girl onto the sand like discarded cargo. She whimpered.

  Gingerbeard rushed forward, scooping her up.

  A woman approached—Rose. She removed her helmet, kneeling beside the child.

  “Don’t be afraid, little one. We mean you no harm, you're safe now.” Rose’s face was open, warm. Honest.

  The girl sniffled, but she didn’t look away.

  Bear scoffed, rolling his shoulders. “All this nonsense has ruined my itch for a fight.” He glanced at Elephant. “You owe me.”

  Elephant nodded.

  Bear turned back to the soldiers, his voice carrying over the beach.

  “Treat Gingerbeard’s wounds. Then put him in chains.”

  Then, the final order.

  “We’re going home. Take their treasure and burn their ship.”

  Elephant stepped into the pirates treasury, his heavy boots echoing against the stone floor. His gaze swept over the gold and garments piled high, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

  "I'm sorry, Sir Niles," he thought, reaching for a pouch at his side. He filled it with gold, cinching it tight. "I won't be able to return your shoes but hopefully, this will suffice instead."

  Turning to Squeaky, he extended the pouch. "Squeaky, deliver this to Niles… along with this message."

  He spoke in a low voice, outlining his plan. The small bird listened, tilting its head before chirping in understanding. Then, without hesitation, Squeaky took the pouch in its talons and soared into the sky, its wings cutting through the air as it bolted back toward Niles and Niceland.

  Gingerbeard walked in silence, his arms wrapped protectively around his daughter. Her tiny face was buried deep in his chest, her grip on him unrelenting. Soldiers flanked them on either side, but their presence hardly registered in his mind.

  Rose walked beside them.

  A small thump.

  The little girl had dropped her stuffed animal.

  Rose bent down, brushing sand from the worn fabric. She turned it over in her hands, inspecting its tattered seams. "Would you like me to patch it up?"

  The girl peeked out from Gingerbeard’s embrace and gave a small nod.

  Rose smiled. "I promise I'll return it to you later—good as new!" Her voice was warm, filled with a kind of easy confidence.

  A quiet giggle escaped the girl’s lips, the first hint of light breaking through the storm of her tears.

  Out at sea, Zaun and his pirates rowed hard, their bodies straining with each pull of the oars. The island was shrinking behind them, but they weren’t safe yet.

  "Zaun, where are we going?" one of the crew finally asked, his voice tight with uncertainty.

  Before Zaun could answer, a shadow passed over them.

  Squeaky.

  The bird soared overhead, flapping steadily in a determined path.

  Zaun watched it for a long moment before muttering to himself, "Perhaps it’s not a bad idea after all."

  He straightened and spoke louder. "That bird is heading toward something."

  One of the pirates hesitated, then nodded. "Monster Island is in that direction."

  Zaun exhaled. Their options were few. A small boat. No supplies. Nowhere else to turn.

  "Then that's where we're going."

  The pirates exchanged looks but said nothing. One by one, they nodded and kept rowing, the sea stretching endlessly before them.

  It would take days to reach Monster Island.

  But for now, it was their only chance.

  Jackal stood at the shore, watching the pirate boats vanish into the horizon. His grip tightened slightly on the hilt of his sword.

  Footsteps approached from behind.

  "Well fought, mister," Chameleon said, stepping up beside him.

  Jackal let out a slow breath. "I'm still not convinced this was the right decision… but I’ll stand by Bear and Elephant."

  Chameleon shrugged. "So, how many did you get?"

  Jackal hesitated before answering. "Seven."

  Silence.

  Then, Jackal's gaze narrowed. "I can hear you smiling."

  Even from inside the helmet, Chameleon’s amusement was obvious. Jackal pressed further. "Just say it."

  "Eleven." Chameleon’s tone was casual—like slain enemies were nothing more than tally marks.

  Jackal shook his head, wiping his blade clean on a cloth. "I’ll pour your drink first, then."

  Chameleon smirked beneath the helmet, shifting form in an instant—morphing into their fallen comrade, Shark. "And one for me as well! A true Xargian Guard pours to the brim!"

  Jackal exhaled sharply before slapping Chameleon—not hard, but enough to force his skill to cancel out.

  Chameleon recoiled, morphing into Hyena instead. "I can't believe you’d hit a woman!"

  A heavy thud followed.

  Bear’s fist crashed into Chameleon's helmet, returning him back to himself and sending him sprawling face-first into the sand.

  "Could you behave yourself for half a damn day?" Bear barked.

  Chameleon groaned but scrambled upright. "Yes, sorry, Captain."

  Bear rolled his shoulders, already turning away. "Oh, and for the record, I got twelve. I win. You’ll pour my drink first."

  Jackal scoffed, falling in step behind him. "Wait for me!" Chameleon called, scrambling after them.

  As the sun dipped lower, the military vessel set sail. The pirate ship burned in the cave, the smoke waving in the sky. Gingerbeard and his daughter sat locked away, their fate uncertain. And the spoils of war, treasures, now belonging to Xandria.

  Their journey home had begun.