Two Cities. Two Kings - 10/31 (Murtock's death)

 If says, "'Ello Captain."
 Maertock Reave says, "Greetings."
 Maertock Reave says, "You've my attention, make a dramatic case of the insight you require."
 Drama? If wasn't sure they were very good at that. Theatrics and the like weren't their typical. Usually. The young alchemist looked down, then up again to meet his gaze.

"Eh..Can.. I'm just gonna explain normally." If stopped the question mid-thought, and instead went ahead with their sounder plan. It wouldn't do very well to confuse the situation by trying to sound poetic or some such.

If leant forward, elbows on the table, fingers laced before their faceplate. "Ya made me understand, before. How m'magic worked. 'Cause it sure as feck weren't m'lineage what put me in this position. It's.. Sorta like ya own, pullin from th'Deep One."

"Ya said before, when I showed ya I can pull forth th'darkness.. T'delve deeper, aye? Embrace th'shadows." The young alchemist referred to the day prior, though that bit of talk had been cut short.

"I wantt'know how.. 'Cause thus far I've only been workin with what I were handed. And I feel like I'm at m'limit fer learnin.. anythin else."
(If)
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Maertock was at ease as ever at his place beside the Reef, the Captain of the Deep Company nothing if not a champion of free time and relaxation when it came down to it. Ninety percent of his reason for becoming a pirate was sunlight, fresh air, and day drinking. It was that kind of freedom that made the life he lived.

That and shiny treasure. The captain's clawed hands would clasp around a massive sapphire that reverbated with mana, a token of victory from the shadow games he was rather fond of in truth. He would no doubt use it in his efforts to restore the cutlass of Saltspite; his would be a dread blade amongst his manifested black sea.

"Aye, I'm not exactly well known for having bad hunches. I wouldn't be captain if I didn't have a certain...perception of things. As a herald of the Deep, his is a voice clear in my mind beyond whispers."

The captain would nod steadily at that, taking a contented drag from his cigar as minty smoke rose in malevolent tendrils from his dry, reddened gills.

"Conquest is for smoothskins, holding meaningless stone above ground. Only when it's profitable is it worth the effort, and even then only in the temporary unless it's a damned good deal. Like a port town in our hands."

The captain would glance off towards the distant sea.

"Yes If, there is a limit to what insight can be offered by common man. Your abilities are getting there, but his gifts do not become your own until you let him in mind and body alike. His shadow is upon you, but it is not...your own."

The captain would gesture to his own inky, flowing cloak of darkness, the broad expanse ever shifting upon his sinewed shoulders as he dredged a bottle of brandy from its depths.

"You need to channel his mantle of retribution, stoke the righteous fury that clings to your bosom. You need to find a cold, dark place; a seaside cave void of light or life, and let the whispers overcome you at last."

The captain would nod slowly, almost hauntingly at that. Like a ghoulish, animated specter; a manequein of the deep one with shadowy strings stretching up towards the divine. In that moment, perhaps, If might feel just a bit less safe.

And then it passed.

"You need to let the dark in."
(Maertock Reave)
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 Focused. Utterly still, but for their breathing. The young alchemist was the very image of statuesque calm, quietly listening to every word the captain spilled. Last time he'd spoken they had made progress. A breakthrough which lead them to where they are now.

Funny that some pirate who drank all day and lounged about ninety percent of the time would know so much. Yet he did. It was truly impressive. If hoped to one day be so powerful.

For now, they leant back a bit as the dark shifted around Maertock. Their head tilted to one side as crimson eyes observed the movement. How it was formed. They still had that sense, the subtle feeling something was simply off.

It was a rather unpleasant experience for the time it lasted. Only worsened by the 'curse' still lingering in their form. The holy residue that still hadn't quite cleared out of their system from a prior fight.

But in the next moment it had passed, and things were back to the normal discomfort of injury.

".. Let th'dark in." The young alchemist repeated. They tilted their head to one side. "Thought that was what I'd done. After th'initiation things were sorta quiet."

"After a dream, th'whispers got louder. With whatever Anne did to th'prosthetic I've got after Jianyu's curse, th'whispers got even louder. I see countless starin back every time I close m'eyes."

"There's.. More than that?" They paused. It was probably a silly question, they realized just a moment later. With what the Deep One was, they shouldn't be surprised if there was more.

The first time they'd seen him the idea had stuck in their mind. He was the concept of infinity. The more they learned and saw the more truth they found to that statement. His reach was immense. The depths immeasurable. If let out a low sigh.

Rather than linger on that, they continued. "What do ya mean by th'mantle o' retribution? I don't understand."
(If)
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 If says, ".. Like- I.. I mostly get angry with -Him- above most other folks. I ain't th'most furious of folks without reason t'be furious."
Maertock would nod steadily as he took a drag from his cigar, the Captain of the Deep Company ever the theatric sort when it came down to it. He was ever the dark philosopher and thinker of the crew; more perhaps even than Anne in his cabin's quiet hours. His was a lust for dark magic, and that required many'a old, dusty tome bound in human leather.

"Let the dark in. I mean entirely. Not some half assed connection to the depths. Not a vague brooding sensation that comes over you in the dark of night. I mean honest to goodness feel the thousand, thousand eyes worming around the very depths of your mind and soul. Accept the tendrils of eldritch, mind shaking madness into the heart of your very being If!"

The shadow shark would begin to audibly cackle as the wind blew with a sudden, deep and dark chill. The shadowy fog that emanated around his form was absolute and vigorous; swallowing all the light that surrounded the locale with a haunting tenor as the widn seemed to form an almost haunting, ghoulish choir.

"Today is his day. The forgotten day, the reaping day. The Hallowed Eve of the Deep. Rejoice, my son, there is no darker depth than can be reached than one's own shadow; the inner depths of beastly nature that lie within."
(Maertock Reave)
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 It wasn't the same. The young alchemist picked up on the little changes. When the world grew darker. Where there was an unnatural feel about things. They winced as the darkness grew, and huddled down when the winds sang that ghostly, haunting tone.

His was a different sort of magic. Anne's had been comfort, after the terror of Jianyu's curse. Those iridescent colors were distraction from the pain. Pleasant and calm.

The darkness he commanded was cold and unrivaled hatred.

If started to catch on, slow as they were. No darker depths than one's own shadow. The young alchemist still held some form of fear for the Deep One. And doubt had worked its way into their thoughts.

They still couldn't fully accept what was offered. And it took witnessing the depths of his madness to realize where they still resisted.

But realization and actually fixing what they saw, that was two separate things. As if fixing was the word to use there. If crossed their arms over their chest. "I think I get it.. Sorta. What ya gettin' at."

"I dunno if I can."

It was a flat statement. They shifted to lean back, hovering a touch lower in the air. Their head tilted down, their gaze no longer meeting his.

"I'm still scared. Despite all th'time I've been usin his power. All th'works I've seen. What ya show me, Maertock? It's terrifyin. I ain't sure if I have that sorta dark in me." Their words grew a touch quieter as they went on, trailing off into silence for a moment.

Madness. The whispers in their ears had already been pulling them toward it. The eyes behind their eyes-In their dreams and waking visions-and every flicker of the shadows. Anne had made that pull stronger.

If resisted.

"I don't want t'lose who I am. And I ain't sure if tryin t'delve th'way ya do will make me forget."
(If)
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 Maertock appeared more at home in the conjured twilight than ever in his own skin; the act of comfort betraying a predator ever watching the shifting tide under the guise of aloof laziness. It was his nature as a shark after all; he merely used his deceptive appearance to his benefit in this regard.

A sweet, saccharine drawl was oft a more dangerous blade than a dagger in the dark.

"Fear of the dark is a natural reaction. It is nature to do so; and therefore a trial for yourself to pursue. The incomprehensible TERROR you feel at even trying to think upon him below, to speak his name and have his dead gaze fall upon your back. The weight of your own shadow increase in density with the sheer pressure of the abyssal depths. It is...haunting, If."

The captain would nod slowly, taking a steady dreg from his bottle of Valmasian Brandy as the reaver flashed a jagged toothed, empty grin to the young fool.

"Surpass your own primordial fear. Swim into the deep end somewhere cold and dark, and give in to the shadows. The cold blanket that grows warm. Only then will you have what you seek, If. Only then....will he be with you."

The captain would gesture to the glossy lenses of opening and closing eyes that he'd once displayed ot the boy; his cloak of inky darkness ever manifesting around his broad shoulders. The implication, of course, was that he truly WAS with Maertock's shadow now. Ever following in his footsteps like a watchful guardian.

As If too would be.

"You are being stalked by an otherworldly presence. Until you conquer your fear, you will be hunted in your dreams."
(Maertock Reave)
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"What if-" They started, the moment he was done speaking. Yet the words halted in their throat. The young alchemist was hesitant to ask the question in the face of what lay before them.

Their gaze lifted from the table for a moment to focus on the dark. And all they could feel was that creeping sense of dread. Fear. Fear. Intense as it had been the first time they saw him. As intense as when they felt themself starting to drown.

The young alchemist dropped their gaze again. They cleared their throat, and continued. "What if I ain't able t'do it?"

"T'conquer that fear. It's- instinctive, aye? I ain't like ya. I can't breathe in th'depths. I can hardly swim. What.. What happens if I can't? What happens if those hunts continue?" The one dream they fully remembered hadn't been so much hunting. At least not in the standard sense they thought of.

Or perhaps it was? Like a deal with a devil they were presented with an offer, and in that moment they took it blindly. Why were the rest of their dreams so fuzzy?

If lifted a hand, fingers pressed to the metal prosthetic embedded in their neck. The little thing which fought Jianyu's curse for them, where they weren't strong enough to fend it off on their own.

It was shining faintly beneath their fingertips. "I can try. But.."

They trailed off. They were quiet, for a time. They started again, then hesitated. Then finally, they spoke with some hint of resolve.

"I'll try."
(If)
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 Maertock would thoughtfully click his rows of serrated teeth together as his icy blue, predator's visage fell over If. The Captain of the Deep Company was with certainty the ruthless sort; his ambient malevolence and shadowy suave nature was why he was captain and not Murtock. While Murtock was more physically imposing with certainty...

The captain's shadow was the cloak of the Mori's abyssal darkness itself.

He would cross his massive left leg over his right as he leaned back in his chair, shadowy tendrils compressing from the sea of black fog he'd manifested to hold up his chair with comfortable poise, the reaver offering another solemn nod to If at that as he hummed with cheer.

"If you are incapable of succeeding, your soul will be consumed by the depths and become one with the parasitic heart of the Mori; yours amongst countless sunken souls devoured for sustenance for failing to impress his dark majesty."

The mention of the name immediately made the wind blow with a sudden, bone chilling gust. Waves crashed on the shore as a bolt of lightning sounded in the distance.

"You will cease to be. Another nameless minnow lost amongst a vast sea of intrigue."

The captain would nod sagely, extending his shadow to pat If on the head at that.

"So don't fail. I believe in you kid."
(Maertock Reave)
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 Maertock Reave says, "Welcome."
 Luna seems to stand and wait on their.. Chat. For now.
(Luna)
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 Murtock was flashy. The one that'd catch anyone's attention. Powerful and imposing and a true face for the Deep Company. Caddock was strong in his own right, though less known they saw him wander much more than Maertock. Despite that, Maertock had been made the captain.

If was starting to understand exactly why.

Listening to him speak, watching the dark shift around him, they knew he spoke the truth. He had a way with words, to make them so compelling. "Oh.. Okay.."

When had they lost their voice? Why did it feel, now, as if they'd been stuck in a desert with no water for decades? The young alchemist swallowed hard. Then they cleared their throat, and tried once more to speak up.

"I.. won't let ya down."

It wasn't much. And the shadows that reached out to pat them upon the head were received with a slightly unhappy air. The holy energy still lingering in their veins flared up a bit with proximity. They winced.

"I refuse t'lose m'self. I.. can't be one of th'lost. It ain't happenin." More confident. Whether they could hold to that word or not was uncertain, but they made the assertion regardless. Of everything, that was motivation enough to push further beyond their current limit.

To fight the fear they felt and delve further into madness. If let out a short breath. ".. Thank ya. Fer explainin' it."
(If)
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 Maertock would take a firm dreg from his bottle of Valmasian Brandy as he clicked his rows of serrated teeth together in cheer, the Captain of the Deep Company nothing if not the jovial sort when it came to these sorts of chats. It was a veneer, of course, concealing a ruthless predator willing to brutalize anything that got in his way.

But his crew? They were family. He'd destroy nations for them.

"I know you won't If. And if you do, you'll suffer a fate far worse than death, so it's really it's own motivation for you not to disappoint! Horrifying abyssal torment, or cool dark magic? You decide."

The captain would nod firmly at that. It spoke for itself as he waved Thanatos over along with Luna's arrival, barking out in cheer as shadowy tendrils rose from his cloak of shifting darkness, pouring four full glasses of the brandy for each of the guests as he nodded lightly.

"Morning Than. If here is just battling with his fear of the dark. Offer him your own comfort since your grasp of the Mori's talents."

A dark wind blew at the mention of that cursed name, the beach tide lapping with bone chilling cold. His icy blue, shark's eyes were now upon Luna.

"Greetings white wolf. You're a bit east of Moxtli, what brings you to our humble coast?"
(Maertock Reave)
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 Maertock would take a firm dreg from his bottle of Valmasian Brandy as he clicked his rows of serrated teeth together in cheer, the Captain of the Deep Company nothing if not the jovial sort when it came to these sorts of chats. It was a veneer, of course, concealing a ruthless predator willing to brutalize anything that got in his way.

But his crew? They were family. He'd destroy nations for them.

"I know you won't If. And if you do, you'll suffer a fate far worse than death, so it's really it's own motivation for you not to disappoint! Horrifying abyssal torment, or cool dark magic? You decide."

The captain would nod firmly at that. It spoke for itself as he waved Thanatos over along with Luna's arrival, barking out in cheer as shadowy tendrils rose from his cloak of shifting darkness, pouring four full glasses of the brandy for each of the guests as he nodded lightly.

"Morning Than. If here is just battling with his fear of the dark. Offer him your own comfort since your grasp of the Mori's talents."

A dark wind blew at the mention of that cursed name, the beach tide lapping with bone chilling cold. His icy blue, shark's eyes were now upon Luna.

"Greetings white wolf. You're a bit east of Moxtli, what brings you to our humble coast?"

(Maertock Reave)
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 She'd been walking and wandering for hours, bored and tired out of her mind.. It seemed the pirates had more interesting things going on, that's all!

That and they did a whole lot of fighting.. More than she saw her own doing.

"Hello." A clawed hand goes to scratch her one of her cheeks, looking around the table.. With an odd focus on Thanatos.. Though she soon turns back to the top pirate. "You fight the cities a lot.. Right?" Her other hand goes to wave away in the direction of Osrona.. Half implying something.

"I'd like to help kill all their humans." Again, she keys in her gaze on Thanatos, nose making some odd twitch.
(Luna)
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 "IF can handle the dark. I believe in them."

Almost immediately upon glancing at Luna, the Task squints. He doesn't say anything, but he can feel the malice coming from them. It irritates him.

A lot.

Their words? They result in him drawing his revolver, and aiming it at the wolf. No hesitation, or fear.

Olive hues narrow on the girl, as dark inky, putrid tendrils began to protrude from the youth's body.

"You're welcome to try, bitch."
(Thanatos Task)
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 Murtock sits at the table.
(Murtock Reave)
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 Murtock Reave says, "Aye."
 If says, "-"
 If says, "Hi.. Dad."
 Murtock Reave asks, "Ahoy, lad. Y'been doin' good?"
If says, "Battlin existential dread."
 Murtock Reave asks, "How's be tha'?"
 Maertock would flow forth with the breeze as his long legs rose from his seat, the towering physique of the fishman ushered forth under his black cloths and inky, flowing darkness as he his eyes trailed over Luna with a sense of amusement. As she scratched her own cheek, he'd do the same with his clawed shark digits out of amusement.

"Greetings and salutations. We do fight the city and or cities a lot, yes. As pirates, we live free; every day is a potential mark to rob or a fight to have for the sake of it! That's what makes it a life worth living, along with the booze and drugs and treasure of course."

The captain would nod sagely at that. God he loved liquor. Rum rum rummy rum rum rum RUM!.

Rum.

"We can always use more hands and claws with the crew white wolf. But I like to know people killin' in my vicinity for marketin' purposes. What's your story?"

The captain would gesture to Than as well.

"Also don't eat our token humans. They're good and well fed."
(Maertock Reave)
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If says, "Oh y'know. Fine.."
 If let out a short sigh, glancing from Than, to Luna, and back and forth a few times. They recalled the day that dog had tried to stop them. The young alchemist smelled too much like herbs to be identified as any one race by smell.

They returned their attention to Murtock after a few moments taking in the general conversation. And the fact a gun had been pointed across the table toward Luna.

How fun. "I ain't recall if ya saw what I learned t'do yet." A pause. They didn't seem intent on pulling those powers forth at the moment. ".. Katja suggested some uh.. shifts to th'way I fight."

"I lost a fight with Aether a bit ago. Man cursed me with a bit o' holy magic."
(If)
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 A sneer is matched back at the gunslinger in the back, the short-ass wolf nearly stepping up to him.. Until the towering figure blocks her view, and path.. "Ugh..-" It's a slow tilt of the head, gazing upward.

"I don't care about their stuff.. You can keep all that.." As a matter of fact, as a point to make and as some worth to show, she pulls around plenty of Achyon gear, dumping it off in the sand for them, pockets filled and full of all kinds of treasures! "I just want human trash to die.. My kind seems to mate with them now." There's an attempt at.. Looking around the captain, giving up for the most part.

"Yours could all be eaten last.. If you think they're worth something. She put her offer on the table, quite the unbothered look about it.. But they had something she wanted, so an attempt was worth it.
(Luna)
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 Whatever situation at hand went beyond the large sharkman's notice for the time being. Instead he waved and a few of the band and the signal was quickly taken- He wanted his food and the swabbies knew better than to make him wait.

In short order a mug of beer and a cut of some indiscernible raw meat was brought out to the first mate, "Cheers mates." He called before reaching down and picking up the meat first.

His sharp teeth tore into it with ease and he chewed slow and thoughtful with crimson liquid running down his face with rivulets flowing along the indentions of the scars near his mouth.

The display on his arcanium scouter blipped and a fluid red light shifted from where Thanatos held a gun then followed the trajectory to see it was aimed at the Ookami nearby. "Shoot 'er for threatenin' t'eat our mates." The order given was calm.

Then his attention settled on If, "Ain't seen y'do anythin' new, but holy sorcery be a bit tricky." The scanner's reticule centered back upon If fully now scanning the damages.

"What'd Katja suggest an' how y'gettin' 'long?" His hand reached out to grab the mug and a long draught was taken washing down the raw meat though the stains remained upon his face.
(Murtock Reave)
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 Even with Maertock in the way, Thanatos' glare would linger, as the whispers of the deep continued to creep into his mind, each of them urging him to fire his gun, to strike down the woman who dared to threaten him. No, not just him but his entire race.

…

No that wasn't true.

He wasn't a hero. What he was about to do was purely selfish. This woman dared to threaten him, and for that, he owed them at least a few rounds from his revolver.

"Thank you, Murtock."

He was going to do this with, or without Murtock's approval, but the fac that the first mate of the Deep Company had opted to grant him their approval brought a smile to the teen's face.

"No, no. The only thin here that you're going to eat are a few rounds to the skull. I do hope you enjoy the taste of condensed mana."

With that, he'd leap to the air, before rounds of condensed occult, and time mana began to pour out from his trusty revolver. Each of them seeking to slam into the rather racist Ookami.

"Even if you don't... Well, Hel. I don't really care."
(Thanatos Task)
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 Maertock would take a drag from his cigar as he mulled over Luna's chatter, the Captain of the Deep Company clicking his rows of serrated teeth together as he mulled over the matters at hand. Another swig was taken from his bottle of rum as he nodded lightly.

"Well, one, all of that is like the best thing. So you should care about all that stuff. It is super cool, and doesn't mate with humans. It is the opposite of that."

The captain would nod sagely.

"But secondly, what makes a crew work is that we all have a say. And that's two to three out of four people desiring to shoot at you right now. Now, I'm a democratic man at heart, I believe in the people!"

The captain would pat Luna's head lightly, before returning with a flow of his inky shadows to the nearby table.

"I'll leave it in the tide's hands. Thantastic."
(Maertock Reave)
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She's bopped on the head and certainly welcomes what's to follow in the captain's wake.. A flying child with a whole lot of bullets!

Razor sharp canines bared with her grin there, sharp claws splaying out on each hand as all manner of time and occult was blasted at her.. Which she returns in the form of powerful winds, almost cannibalistic as she swirls it in his direction, time deteriorating all in its path.. Should it meet the youngster.

From there.. It's pretty clear they could scrap, with the good-go from the captain and such, she'd meet the challenge of..

Fighting a child. "Filthy human.." She'd gone a whole day without saying that, so it was warranted.
(Luna)
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 If finally picked up the cup of rum Maertock had poured a little bit ago. Along with most of the things that Luna had set out on the table. Most- All of them. All of them floated closer to the young alchemist, hovering alongside a few other things of theirs.

A little hoard, which they kept close. No fear in taking them. They were out of the way just in time for Thanatos to leap the table. If kept Murtock's drink from spilling with their magic, and made certain everything else stayed on the table.

Except for the meat. Murtock could handle that part. If lifted the cup of rum, and didn't even open the faceplate to take a sip. A sphere simply lifted from the liquid and seeped through into their helm.

They glanced after the two for a moment, before looking to Murtock again. "Aye.. It's real gratin. Makes it hard t'think."

"I figured out magic a bit like ya own. Not th'fancy healin water but uh.. Th'tinge of darkness." They put forward a hand, and curled their fingers inward. With that motion the air above their hand wavered, and the temperature dropped a few degrees.

Where the air twisted the most, little blips of pitch black spilled into the world. Like ink in water, it drifted.

In reaction to their calling upon such magic, the injury they'd spoken of flared up. A faint flicker of light beneath their skin, only just visible through the sleeves of their shirt. It didn't seem quite so permanent as Jianyu's curse.

They winced, and tucked their hand down at their side again. "Eh.. Kat thought it would be a good idea if I were t'delve further into th'shadows. Says I have too many tools t'push people away from me."

"That I uh.. ought get real close n'personal with folk when I fight. So I've tried t'keep t'that advice." They offered a light shrug of their shoulders. "Did alright in a spar against her while still injured. Didn't win a battle but I knocked her off her feet once. I.. Think."
(If)
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 As Than launched over the table it sent the items into sudden chaos held fast by If's magic, but his hand shot out swiftly to snatch the raw hunk of meat out of the air. "Easy, mate." He said nonchalantly as he kept it from tumbling away.

An appreciative nod toward If for the rescue of his mug. He had raised the boy right for certain. As they spoke he continued to eat with his organic eye affixed upon the young man.

Meanwhile the Arcanium scanner held a horizontal bar that bounced up and down analyzing the battle in progress. Slowly a hand fell to grab the grip of his pistol as he awaited the results.

"Aye, th'Curse o' Gol." It was the taint that had infected himself and his brother- Inherited from their father's dark pacts before they had even truly been inducted into the Deep Company's inner circle.

"It get scattered by tha' sort o' magics, but I think if'n y'dive inta tha' then ye'll earn th'Deep One's eye." It was, after all, an homage to their sleeping god even if they called it a 'Curse'. Most had a choice in learning, but they had been destined.

Managing to knock Katja off their feet was certainly a grand improvement. It brought a considering rise of his chin, "Y'know Katja be knowin' th'art o' combat better'n mos'. Y'ought t'take it an' make th'change."

It was endearing that they had followed in his footsteps, but ultimately they needed to dive along their own path. "Do whatcha need t'get better an' don't e'er stop changin' or ye waters grow stagnant. Jus' plunge inta it an' me an' Maertock'll show ya th'way."
(Murtock Reave)
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 Murtock had his hand on his gun and was ready to give chase.
(Murtock Reave)
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 Maertock would raise his cursed, ancient cutlass, his eyes falling upon the white wolf as his brother and If paced forward. Luna was not out of the woods.
(Maertock Reave)
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Maertock would stalk the edges of the battlefield as Luna's cannibalistic fervor sparked forth with violence. the captain of the Deep Company glancing with predatory eyes at the wolf girl that was giving his young protégé Than a run for his money. Still, the boy was putting in good work; the wolf struggled with him with certainty.

But watching her twist and snap his arm like sinew from behind when the battle was already done? That made the Captain's blood boil. Black fog would begin to spread out in trails from his cloak of darkness; a cold mist spreading out across the nearby surroundings as light appeared to be consumed by its presence.

His ancient cutlass raked with a silent hum from his scabbard, blackness oozing from its edge in a life rending razor. His eyes were upon the woman that had feasted upon Than's flesh with malice.

And amusement.

Mostly malice.

"Now now, he's not a chewtoy. Where did you learn your table manners? You are what you eat, and you've made a mess. Now you will be one. Well, more of one."
(Maertock Reave)
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The power signature's beyond were closely matched- It set the First Mate on edge though he maintained hope for Than. They were incredibly potent for their age just like If had been when he found them as a youngster roaming the wilds.

Inspiring.

Once the gravity was released he lifted the mug and drained the rest of the contents before setting it down, "Aye, tha's th'way it works. It'll take y'o'er, but it be affectin' yer lot different than what it do us." Humans were more susceptible to the whispers whereas for the Sirenians of The Deep..

It was a sacred chant.

Now the hymn rose in his own mind as the pistol was drawn- Gou's energy levels had faded while Luna's remained at peak. As he rose from the table, swifter than someone his size should have been, his mouth opened as if to speak.

Instead of words black ichor flowed out of his mouth and arced backward toward his face where it spread down his body and began to shift taking the form of intricate and elegant armor that encased the giant.

The Sea King's Aegis.

The pistol leveled at Luna, "Y'should've jus' taken a shot 'er two from me lad." He began, his features obscured by that sleek mask, "'Cause now yer gonna see 'ow we treat folk what stir shit on our sands, lass."

That black water that covered him shown with a rainbow iridescent sheen akin to oil on water and his gauntlet-clad had move out where it bubbled and a trident manifested seemingly out of thin at swelling out from his hand.

His pistol leveled at the woman's chest, the hammer cocked back in a smooth motion. The other held the trident at the ready. "I'll send ya t'see our Deep God."
(Murtock Reave)
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 Round, after round soared out from the youth's gun. Condensed rounds of the occult would be used to sap away at the woman's life force in order to fuel his own, not only that, but it practically destroyed the woman's own healing.

All while his condensed rounds of time magic amplified any damage the woman might've taken. Yet, she wouldn't stay down. No matter how many rounds he poured into the woman, she wouldn't falter.

She wouldn't fall.

Thanatos on the other hand? He'd find himself continuously beaten, and bruised, and no matter how much he sustained himself with his occult, or time magic, it wasn't enough. In the end, he's too focused on the afterimage to even realize it's not the real Luna.

Which of course, would be his downfall.

He had gotten too close, and he was going to pay for it. In fact, he doesn't even notice the real Luna until they had snapped his arm. Which meant one thing. Another loss, and yet another injury.

At this point he was used to it.

Though it wouldn't stop him from letting out a small yelp of pain, as shadows moved to cling to his frame, to aid him in his attempt to flee-, To the sidelines. He wouldn't be leaving here yet. No, no.

Not while his fellow crewmates were moving to avenge his loss. By all means, he should have been happy, proud even, to have friends that would move to attack the woman who had snapped his arm, but instead? He's left to stew on yet another loss.

"This ain't over bitch. Not by a long shot."

He'd fall silent after that, as he allowed the whispers of the Deep One to flow through his mind with ease. Taking some form of comfort from the madness, as he watched.

"The deep will consume you."
(Thanatos Task)
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 Well she meets the challenge, clawed hands going out and .. Again, welcoming the challenge.

"Gou said I couldn't hunt you fishy fucks.. This counts as you coming for me.. Right?" A psychotic grin, drooling all the more as those claw-like nails gesture the next attack in toward her.

"Come on then!" A single bark and the stray dog was more than ready.
(Luna)
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 Well it was another struggle, cleansing waters healing away at the man's form on a constant put the wolf at a downer.. But it only meant she could go about doing the same for herself! Where he had those blue seas clean up deep claw wounds and horrible, probably infected bites..

She reversed injuries on her own scale, water being freed from her lungs and such.. Previous injuries going and vanishing as if they never happened..

It's all quite the mind fuck.

Though she proved she could outburst it all, if maybe the second time around.. Having ran around their little arena for so long, she finally made that last bounce out at him, latching onto the fish man's head. "Human loving.. Scum.."

With it, she blasts down a whole, lime green beam thought the top of his head, frying his mind to the point where it paralyzes him temporarily.. Making him drop, with her sat on his back.

Who knows what could come of that wound.. Quite the headache.

"No wonder you pirates want to play ball with Moxtli.. Can't you fend for yourselves?!" Clearly mocking them, she asking for it.. No, begging.
(Luna)
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 Maertock would take a drag from his cigarette as he clicked his rows of serrated teeth together, the Captain of the Deep Company observantly watching the bout as he hummed to himself in consideration. It wasn't often he saw his brother overpowered; even less so in such a manner by heart broken cannibal.

It was an odd Tuesday, of that there was no doubt.

The captain would take a drag from his cigar as minty tendrils rose from his dry, reddened gills, the reaver scanning the demesne of the battlefield with an idle hum. It was obvious that this swarm tactic thing was going to get old really quick.

It gave his back a little bit of an itch.

"You seem to have a real issue with human loving. Personal problem?"

The captain would yawn.

"Don't oversell yourselves; they can't even call you among their numbers."
(Maertock Reave)
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 No matter how the ailing Sea King's Aegis tried to keep up as of late it was no longer sufficient against the upcoming generation. Time and time again he had fallen, no longer one of the greater warriors.

Yet none had the decency to end him as he deserved- It was disrespectful.

He hoped that one day when he threw himself against a worthy opponent that he could finally meet his god- Not continue to be disgraced and have his claim to New Atlantis come into question.

As he healed himself so too did she, but that rewinding of his and disruption of his circuitry caused his spells to falter. Occasionally cracking whips and pressurized bursts found themselves hurled at nothing more than this air.

He whirled to recorrect, Arcanium eye useless, and centered on her lunging form before his vision was overwhelmed with green. Memories flooded his head in a blur.

The battle that had been replayed before his mind.

Possibilities of the fights that could have been.

Within that beam he even saw himself standing victorious with her held aloft by the occult blackened tendrils that siphoned out her lifeblood empowering his aegis.

A mere dream.

It rewound continually as his consciousness remained in the present and indeed a splitting headache was the result.
(Murtock Reave)
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The fight wore on. It always did, when Murtock was one on the battlefield. Waters flooded the jungle, waters clung to his form, waters lashed out against the impressive speed of the ookami.

A few stray shots came their way. If caught them up in their gravitational field, letting the water hover like rain frozen in time. They'd collected a storm cloud by the end of it all. Apt for their feelings over the battle. It seemed like it was going so well at first.

But time decayed all. And even the tide couldn't stop erosion of that manner. If slipped a hand into their bag, taking hold of that healing elixir they'd saved.

When things looked most dire they popped the cap, and downed the contents. They weren't going to charge in without being at the top of their game.

They didn't want to have to charge in at all.

Murtock hit the ground.

The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Bloody. Green spilled from his wounds, the aegis not quite there anymore. They'd seen it too many times now. He'd been so amazing, he'd dazzled them with his skills, the entire reason they were here was because of him. Because of him.

Because of him a shriek tore across the battlefield. The world cried out in a wretched sort of pain as reality bent around their will. A tidal wave of telekinetic force rose and rolled across the field toward Luna, enough to knock her clear of the fallen body of If's father if it struck true.

If was close behind, a torrent of water caught in their gravitational pull. Bloody crimson glowed through the eye-slits of their helm.

No words. No friendly taunts. The atmosphere had grown dim and heavy and damp, and a wretched chill came across the field. For the first time in.. Years. Since they were twelve.

Their father, lying bloody on the floor. If felt a desire solely for vengeance.
(If)
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 She had the man smack her head on, expecting more of a speech as it was the norm for her enemies as of late..

Smacked in the gut with a blast of water and tossed off into a tree from the father.. "ACK..-" Her current injuries still playing her down.. But she soon recovers, stepping out from that powerful, gravitational pull downward.

"Come on then.. I'm not scared of no fish.." Her tongue stuck out, bouncing back in with wild claws at the ready!
(Luna)
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 A dart back in.. Jamming her sharp claws up and into the next pirate's guts dragging them back and away from their supposed father.

With it, she slams them into the grassy floor behind.. Not without a punishment of her own, though. - Gravity messes the surroundings up, dragging the small wolf down.. The weight of her armour being all the more.. Seeming.. Frozen.

Enough time for the young man to blow out a fair few free smacks.. Before she breaks free.

Pushing out from her bounded spot, she grasps onto If, legs wrapping around his body as she makes them both targets for that gravity he loved to abuse.. Both of them targets to be dragged into those black holes.. Even if he seemed to go unaffected, she could still do him dirty.

Clawing, biting.. Pulling at his hat and hair, dragging him all over the place.. Till their far enough away.. Till she can jam his head into a tree.

A bounce off his spine follows, landing on the pirate she'd just frazzled the mind of. "Is that all..? Maybe you haven't got enough reason to.." A metallic, nyeshk boot pressed down on the pirate's back.. She's up to something.
(Luna)
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 Maertock would lean against the nearby tree as he watched the berserking Luna let out their apparent frustrations on poor, chewable If. Such squishable cheeks, poorly munched upon in a matter of moments as the Captain of the Deep Company yawned. It was clear the once lighthearted young woman had been driven into a frenzy by something.

As If was dragged about and swung like a human instrument, the shark captain would observe her bestial nature of close quarters combat with a degree of fascination, the detached master of shadows considering the brutality of her feral motions. There was a lesson to be learned there, probably. If he was sober enough to even recall this evening.

The captain would dredge a bottle of rum from his shifting cloak of shadows, yawning lightly as he rubbed at his eyes.

"You're wearing it on your sleeve a bit too much. This whole mindlessly fighting thing. It's a look, don't get me wrong, but you're a bit too obvious. You wanna find some place to commit suicide? Do it somewhere else."

Ice cold as ever, that Maertock. He appeared to already be turning his back on the battlefield.

"Moxtli will handle you after this if that is your wish."
(Maertock Reave)
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 Every last ounce of emotion. Of power. The young alchemist poured everything into their fight with the white wolf, and the world shrieked in response. Where If bent the natural to an unnatural degree, the veil ripped at the seems.

In that moment, If felt no fear over just what was leaking through.

They used it. They grabbed onto that power and wrenched more of it into the world. They tore open singularities and let the vast black maw draw in everything that dared to be nearby.

The night grew ever darker even as the sun was on the rise. Yet despite their best efforts the young alchemist couldn't quite finish the job. They would pin her down for a moment, then before another wave of magic could roll free she'd be away again. Reversing the wounds they'd left behind.

Flashes of green distorted the world. One moment they were about to disappear, the nextthey had no energy to do so. Had they already done so?

If ducked a swing of vicious claws, and brought a curled fist into her gut. A wash of cold rolled over her form as they drained away her life energy with a fine veil of inky black.

But in close quarters, she had the upper hand. If tried to withdraw, only to have her cling to them. Claws scraped against metal, nearly gouging an eye when one slipped through the eye-slit of their helm. Nearly. They tried to shake her off, to force her away from themself.

In the end they were forced into a nearby tree, helmet stuck between the branches. For a time they were stuck, recuperating their energy. Unable to cast properly after that time energy scrambled their head.

One thing remained no matter how many times they were struck, no matter how many times they had deja vu. No matter how many times Luna disoriented them, or slowed them down, or darted away to heal. No matter how many times they got turned about, orhad deja vu, or got knocked off their feet.

Vengeance. They would take it. Some day.
(If)
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Once again he had hit the ground- Conciousness faded temporarily amidst the whirl of memories that streamed through following that time-shifting magic that the beastkin wielded.

His guts ripped open, hanging out, and consciousness fading- Yet Neoni had spared him.

His eye being burned out by Ryker's blade awaiting a second fell swoop to send him beyond until Varceal rescued him.

His throat bared to the sky awaiting a blow that never fell- Lannis had rescued him.

The failed raid against Osrona which he had led in which all of his men had been beat back in such horrific fashion.

It was not that he strayed away from combat, no, it was far more sinister. Somewhere along the way he had lost the Deep One's favor. His dishonor was not his alone to bear, however.

"Coward." He muttered, voice weak and hoarse. "Yer a feckin' coward. Ain't even got th'stone t'take someone wit' ya, ya cunt." His inflammatory insults whirled out despite his fragile and diminished state. The dreams were falling apart piece by piece.

Was this really the life he would live as some has-been past his prime?

He had failed to uphold Gol's legacy time and time again. Had he died against Neoni then none of them would have been left with the disgrace that he had become.

At last his pride, tattered and held together by his ego, had been broken and whether it could be repaired or not was uncertain.
(Murtock Reave)
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 She stood on his back.. And as the poor pirate's last spec of help just.. Turned his back, she huffed. - It worked the same as the Achyon lot, an almost identical feeling .. Not of pity, but of a further hate for all these other races.. Now spreading to fish-kind, not just humanity.

"None of you are worth my help anyway.." Well.. It freed this moment up for her, there'd be no full arm breaking or the likes..

But a meal.

Whether the son watched or not, Luna dipped down with clawed hands tearing at the pirate's armour, pulling and peeling.. All to grow closer to that wet flesh. "It looks like they don't care about you.." Fishy flesh splits, the wolf chewing right in.

All manner of blood could splatter about the place, lucky the trees covered the majority of the faul act.. It wasn't a pretty sight.

A little time passes.

And she soon found herself full, standing and.. Just about ready to depart. All the more blood soaked, the man similar.. Just missing a whole lot of himself.

"There.." An arm wipes along her sleeve, she was through with it all, time.. To leave?
(Luna)
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 Maertock would cross his sinewed arms over his tattooed chest as he snorted in amusement at Luna's misinterpretation. The captain of the Deep Company would shrug at their interpretation of the matter, seeming to give it as much stake as a fly's buzzing at the end of the day.

"Help? You can barely help yourself. Lone wolf you are, driving away your own pack and ever seeking another; blinded to the fact it was your very nature that drove them off in the first place."

The captain would take another swig from his bottle of brandy at that, yawning as he paused in his departure while doing his best to spare Murtock's pride in not continuing to discuss the matter of their bout.

"You wouldn't know what caring looks like. You don't give a shit. Seen it before, it's boring. Old news."

Maertock would yawn.

"No use for a stray that isn't house trained."
(Maertock Reave)
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 Each of them had been beaten back one by one without a chance of stopping the rampaging Ookami. All save for Murtock- Lying there upon the battlefield, such as it was, he had turned and walked away without any other care in the world.

He could not even blame him- At this point it was deserved and might made right.

As they tugged away his armor he responded, "Nae, seems not." Gol had showed the truth of this world to him. There were no heroes in this world. All of it was a grand lie retold time and time again to bring peaceful dreams.

In the absence of it was the void and within that void a giant yellow eye waited and watched.

As she began to devour all that she found was godmetal which was rent from his frame. Pseudo-organs housed in a ribcage of the same material, but it hurt all the same and he thrashed in agony swiping feebly at the woman's onslaught.

It was not upon a grand battlefield pursuing Lannis' dream that he would perish- Not sailing with his soldiers to reclaim what he had put forth as his own. In the end he had never been the true King of New Atlantis.

He was just a man, a giant one, with a delusion that he could believe in. A story to tell himself to replace those ones of heroes he had lost upon facing the realities of war and plunder.

Murtock's jaw worked up a green froth as consciousness began to fade for the last time. The display in his Arcanium eye flitted wildly before growing dim no longer connected to those Orichilicum leylines she had torn out so haphazardly.

The First Mate drew one last heaving breath then fell silent and still. Whether his soul truly left his body for a land beyond none could say- But it was no longer in this shell.

All the while The Deep One watched.
(Murtock Reave)
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They hadn't quite realized how much energy had left them by that point. How much they spent trying to get Luna away from Murtock. The young alchemist wasn't floating anymore. The low hum of gravity had left them.

The chill that had suffused the field was no longer present, though If could still feel it like ice in their veins. They shivered. They strained to pull themself free of the splintered mess Luna had made of the tree without stabbing themself on the jagged wood. A piece had stuck close to their neck, and a thin trickle of blood ran down their skin.

If couldn't see what was happening. Yet they could hear the sounds of tearing flesh. They heard her voice. Heard Maertock's nonchalance. Smelled blood on the air.

Panic rose within them. Where there had been no fear facing Luna on the battlefield--It didn't matter what happened to them, after all--Now they had no strength to keep fighting. They had nothing to rely on. They couldn't help any further. And it was terrifying.

In another minute or so of struggling, the young alchemist finally managed to pull themself free. Splinters tumbled to the ground, a few still stuck at odd angles in their clothing. In their skin.

Still slightly dazed the young alchemist scanned the forest for the large man they called their father. Everything was a haze of green.

Green leaves. Green grass. Green blood. Green metal. Green metal?

They moved. Not fast. They tried to sprint but could only stagger along, their body stiff from the chill. Strained from so much mana being forced through them. From the beating they'd taken. But the shine of metal was unmistakable.

Bloody metal. If dropped to their knees by the large shark man's side, immediately rummaging through their bags for something. Anything. They had a healing potion right?

They had a healing potion right? Right? Fairy powder? Where'd that go?

They were Esshar's finest scavenger, they had to have fairy powder. They were the best alchemist in all the Deep Company, healing potions were their bread and butter. "It's okay, it's okay.. It's.. Gonna be alright. Ya gonna be alright."

The words were spoken. If didn't even see Luna, at that point. The damage was so severe If's only focus was fixing it. They had that ability. Surely they could mend a little flesh wound like this.

"It's gonna be okay dad."
(If)
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 She paid absolutely no mind at all to it, more just keeping a focus on Maertock there, hearing the older Captain out for all that he had to say.. GREEN blooded front and all that jazz .. She merely shrugged him off, picking at her teeth and such.

"They're weak, anyway.. Breeding with humans.. Working at cafes .. Serving.. Nasty.. Old men.." She pulled a sour look, If being the least of her worries, more-so the fish corpse she left in the back.

"You all bundle together cause you're weak.. I realized I don't need a tribe.. Or a pack.. The big wolf watches over." A horrible, scummy grin pulled on their passing, looking up at the captain a last time. "I think he's pleased.."

With that.. She'd leave them to it, she sure had some recovering to do..
(Luna)
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 Maertock blinked slowly as the air suddenly grew colder. What made the sharkman blink was not the presence of cold; a shadow magi such as himself was determinately familiar with the sensation. But the changing of pressure in the air was all that was necessary to, as if like seeing something out of the corner of one's eye, a flickering shadow, did the captain turn back.

It had been the shadow of death. An unforgettable emanation, and yet why...

The captain's cold, blue eyes widened upon seeing his brother thrashed upon the ground. His arcanium guts ravaged, his various replacement organs butchered by the feral assault. In all his years of life, Maertock had known Murtock to be the toughest sonova bitch in all the seas.

Two cities, two thrones.

Two kings.

It had been them that turned on Gol Reave and stole the Pauper's Bride from his grasp. His big brother who'd always been there for a fight. The man that could have been captain of the crew long ago, but instead had stood with ironclad loyalty by his side.

A pirate knew the scent of death more than anyone. The bile in Murtock's spilled guts was foul. Slinking from the shadows of the tree, the Captain would extend his clawed digits beneath his titanic brother. Cold blue eyes matching his own fading ones.

"I..."

The words had to come at some point. He was the face of the crew; he ALWAYS had something to say. But as his black heart stirred coldly, he felt at a loss.

Maertock would clasp one of Murtock's massive hands in his own, gritting his serrated teeth so tight they began to crack.

An old lullaby about a long journey. One his mother had lulled him to rest with. The closest sentiment of emotional sincerity he had left. And in this moment, as that ember burned away, the words that left were as soft and emotionally charged as the reaver had ever offered.

"Ah, for just one time I would take the Northwest Passage
To find the hand of Marendille reaching for the Kerdan Sea
Tracing one warm line...….. through a land so wild and savage
And make a Northwest Passage.... to the sea...…"

The captain's breathe would hitch.

"We made it, brother. Can't you....hear the tide?"
(Maertock Reave)
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 "It's gonna be okay dad.. It's gonna be okay, it.. I'll.. make it better."

Their words slowly trailed off. Not a single hint of fairy dust. A few bits of soothing reed. Some crystals, some rabbits feet. Didn't people use to say that rabbits feet were lucky things?

Weird, the things one can think of in the midst of shock. Their vision slowly turned from the bag back down to the massive sirenian on the forest floor. One hand reached out toward him, fingers trembling over his form. The last bit of blood that spilled stopped flowing in an instant.

But the breathing had stopped long before that. And the heart had beat its last. There was no point. Useless.

Useless.

Pitiful.

Weak.

The young alchemist lowered their hand. They took his in both of theirs. The difference between them was still so massive. He was so much stronger than them. How could he die here? How could he die to her?

If didn't care about the blood. If didn't care how messy they got. The young alchemist wrapped their arms around the man one more time. They hadn't gotten to hug him much, over the years. But they took the time now. Shaking, they held him tight. And they didn't know for how long. They didn't care if it was strange.

They were glad for the helmet, once more. No one could see the tears that spilled down their cheeks. There was no sound.

Only their heartbeat, and the crash of the waves against the shore filled their ears. Even the whispers had gone silent, though whether that was respect for Murtock, or disgust for If's emotions, they knew not.

He'd gone to the Deep. If broke their word. They'd said they'd make their God prouder than he ever could. That they'd go and meet Mori too, before he could.

There were still so many things they wanted to say. So many things they wanted to do. To ask. Still so many things to learn from him. And there it all spilled out across the grass.

The young alchemist stared for a long time.

Slowly, If got to their feet. One hand reached out, and in a flash the pirate's pistol was in their hand. They tucked it away at their hip. He had gone to the Deep. He had left to join their God.

So someone had to pick up where he left off. If would Reave in his stead.
(If Reave)
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 Once he had been so full of life and always extoled the virtues. Even to the end he had gone out without a glimmer of fear of the death he had known would one day come even openly mocking his assailant.

At last someone had followed through even if unintentional- The Beastkin had not realized what rooting around in his guts would do. No doubt they had planned to have a devastating snack, but it had gone too far.

His eye was grey and lifeless- There was nothing left within the man.

No matter how it seemed that a spark of that vibrant life should remain his body was rapidly growing cold. Before too much longer his body would begin to grow rigid were it not taken to the water nearby as was customary.

Though all was not still and silent.

Something elusive appeared- Few had ever witnessed the shy creature.

A massive seahorse appeared from thin air and swirled around the giant's fallen figure. It was marked with the vibrant hues of royalty among the Sirenians- Vibrant golden and cobalt.

As it made its rounds circling Murtock's corpse a silver cloud was drawn out and trailed alongside it, but it lingered long enough to show that it too was not long for this world with its host gone.

Those eyes turned upon If and Maertock and within them it held an alien purpose. Approval? Pity? Pride? It would not be revealed as it made its way in a streak into the sky and across the horizon with that strange cloud following close behind.

Somewhere else Murtock awoke in darkness. Voices surrounded him. His hands reached out reflexively going for his pistol first only to find it missing then they pressed against a surface. He could see vaguely out of it, but the viewport held a barrier.

It was flat.

..Where was he?
(Murtock Reave)
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Maertock would fall to one knee beside his brother's massive husk, biting his lip raw with his serrated teeth as his cold eyes took in the sight for a long, long time. As if burning the imagery into his mind of what happened when he didn't take things seriously. What happened when the Captain of the Deep Company didn't fulfill his duties.

He should have drawn his sword. Raked his dull cutlass from his scabbard. He should have cut her in two the moment she raised a hand against Than. But like ever, he'd WATCHED and WAITED and now his brother was dead.

The captain of the Deep Company realized, then, as Murtock's last gaze fell upon them going still. Alien and yet, even dead, possessing that flickering joviality.

"Two cities, two kings."

The captain would place a webbed palm upon If's shoulder, nodding firmly. One Reave had left, and another had arrived.

"I loved you, brother. Rest well."
(Maertock Reave)
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