Legacy's Wake

"No worries! We can take them all on!" Temoshí exclaimed, his grin wide as he prepared to charge ahead. But before he could take a step, an invisible force slammed him toward the ground. His eyes widened in confusion as he struggled against the pressure. "Wh-What the hell is this?!" He flexed his muscles, trying to fight back, but the force only grew stronger, pinning him down even harder.

"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves, Tim," Phoebe said coolly, her hands emanating a swirling aura of purple and grey energy. The air around her shimmered with power as she used her ability to halt Temoshí in his tracks.

The gravity around Temoshí intensified, rooting him firmly to the spot. He strained against it, but it was as if the very ground itself was determined to keep him down. "Holy Vast Expanse!" Elliott exclaimed, watching with an amused smirk. "Phoebe, your ability can hold Tim back? That's insane! Usually, nothing can stop this guy!" He chuckled, watching Temoshí squirm, his face nearly pressed into the dirt as he struggled in vain.

"Alright! Alright! I get it!" Temoshí groaned, practically hugging the floor. His voice was tinged with desperation. "Let me go already! Please!"

Phoebe raised a skeptical eyebrow, her expression calm but firm. "I'll let you go—if you promise not to go charging ahead on your own like a reckless fool. We need to stick together if we're going to make it out of here."

"Fine! I promise!" Temoshí pleaded, nodding with a face that screamed surrender. "I'll stay close! Deal?"

Satisfied, Phoebe smirked and released her hold. The gravitational force dissipated, and Temoshí collapsed onto the floor with an audible gasp.

"Good choice, buddy," Phoebe said, her confidence evident in her tone. She motioned for him to follow as she turned toward the path ahead. "Now stick with me. I know a way to get you and the rest of your crew out of this mess without getting caught."

Temoshí clambered to his feet, brushing himself off and giving her a sheepish grin. "Alright, I'll follow your lead this time."

Elliott clapped Temoshí on the shoulder, still grinning. "Let's hope you actually keep your word, Tim. I'd hate to see her glue you to the ground again. That was hilarious."

Phoebe led the way, her composure unshaken and her confidence radiating as they moved forward. Temoshí nodded, finally falling in step with his allies as they set off together, determined to escape the tightening grip of the marines.

"Quick question—are we absolutely sure the others are okay?" Elliott asked, his tone a mix of worry and uncertainty as he ran close to Temoshí, who kept pace to Phoebe's right. Elliott's eyes darted around, searching for any sign of trouble. Meanwhile, Temoshí, exuding his usual confidence, flashed a wide grin and glanced over his shoulder. "Don't be ridiculous! They're fine as a fiddle! Trust me, nothing can bring those guys down!"

But as if the universe itself sought to challenge his assurance, the reality for Nathaniel, Tarot, Kyora, and Joker couldn't have been more different. The four of them stood at the dock where they'd initially arrived, surrounded by a tightly packed circle of armed marine officers. The tension in the air was thick, and every marine's weapon was trained on them, their presence radiating an oppressive authority.

Kyora's frustration boiled over as she tightened her grip on her staff, positioning herself defensively near Joker. Her voice broke through the oppressive silence, sharp and filled with exasperation. "We're not fine at all! Where is Tim when you actually need him? That brainless idiot never shows up at the right time!" Her words hung in the air, the echo of her anger seemingly mocking their current predicament.

Before anyone could respond, a voice cut through the chaos like a knife, calm yet commanding. It carried a tone of familiarity that sent a chill down Nathaniel's spine. "Why is it that, even after two years, we meet again? Why must you always be so noisy, always dragging your chaos to our lands?"

From behind the wall of marines, a figure emerged, walking with deliberate confidence. His pristine white, curly hair gleamed under the sunlight, and his piercing cyan eyes locked onto the group like a predator sizing up its prey. His presence alone seemed to sap the remaining fight from the air around them.

Tarot's ears twitched as his gaze fell on the man. His head tilted slightly, confusion evident on his face. "Who even are you? I don't remember ever seeing your face before," he said, his tone casual yet laced with curiosity.

Nathaniel, however, had a completely different reaction. The moment his eyes landed on the man, his entire body tensed, and recognition struck him like a thunderbolt. His breath caught in his throat, and his astonishment gave way to a simmering anger. "It's you, Elian," he said, his voice low but steady. His eyes burned with intensity as he stared at the man he recognized all too well. "I'll never forget that face."

Elian's expression shifted slightly, his calm demeanor unbothered by Nathaniel's glare. He placed a finger beneath his chin, stroking it thoughtfully as though trying to piece together a puzzle. "Hmm, that's odd," he mused, his voice smooth and calculated. "I pride myself on being familiar with pirates across the Vast Expanse, yet I don't seem to recall ever meeting you, friend."

Nathaniel's hands clenched into fists at his sides as his jaw tightened. The tone in Elian's voice, whether genuine or mocking, only served to irritate him further. He could feel his frustration bubbling to the surface, threatening to break through his composed exterior.

"Perhaps you need a reminder," Nathaniel said coldly, his gaze locked onto Elian's with unflinching resolve. His voice was sharper now, laced with anger and pain. "The hunting camp. Back when you were still in training."

At those words, Elian's casual confidence faltered for just a moment. His cyan eyes narrowed as the faintest flicker of recognition crossed his face. Memories, long buried and forgotten, began to resurface, and for the first time, his calm demeanor seemed to shift.

"Ah, now I remember you," Elian said, a faint smirk creeping across his face. "The kid who fancied himself a gunslinger prodigy. You were always chasing that dream of becoming a solo mission specialist, a 'Death Chanter' or whatever it was you called yourself. Funny how things change, isn't it? Here you are, a pirate now, after idolizing the marines for so long. And not just any pirate—you've gone and found yourself a crew. Tell me, Nathaniel, did you lose your pride in the process? Or maybe you've finally realized that having allies to watch your back is the smarter way to go?" His arms folded casually behind his back, his sharp gaze probing Nathaniel's expression.

Nathaniel's response was measured, his tone serious but deliberate, as if he'd carefully chosen each word. It came later than expected, but the weight of his reply was undeniable. "Neither," he said firmly, locking eyes with Elian. "I joined this crew because I trust them with my life. I doubt you anticipated that answer, Elian."

He took a step forward, his voice gaining strength as he continued. "And let's not overlook the truth here—these people, my crew, have brought hope and happiness to countless islanders. They've changed lives for the better, bringing fortune and peace where chaos once reigned. Meanwhile, your so-called authorities, the marines, have done little more than sow disaster across the Vast Expanse. So don't stand there questioning my pride when it's clear who's truly standing on the right side of history."

Another marine ship approached the dock and anchored beside it with precision. On the ship's front deck stood Codey, his sharp gaze sweeping over the bustling scene below. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he observed the island, his expression one of satisfaction. It didn't take long for the officers below to recognize him.

"Impressive work, Admiral Xiang Ning," Codey said, his voice carrying a note of approval. "You've surrounded the island with remarkable efficiency. It seems my commands reached the Cerulean Tide's chief faster than expected." He leaned against the railing, a confident grin spreading across his face as he looked down at his counterpart and the officers gathered below.

Elian's expression remained composed, though there was a hint of sharpness in his tone as he replied. "Perhaps you've forgotten, Admiral Codey, that I've never given you the right to address me by that name. Honor and reputation are things you've yet to earn fully before such liberties are granted."

The tension hung in the air as the two admirals locked eyes, their mutual respect tempered by an unspoken rivalry. After a moment, Codey exhaled dramatically and rubbed the back of his head, breaking the silence with a light chuckle.

"Alright, alright, no need to be so harsh, Elian," he said with a playful smirk, leaning forward slightly as his hands rested on his hips. "But seriously, let's shift our focus to these pirates. Who would've thought they'd have the audacity to infiltrate marine territory? And you know what? I'll give them credit—they almost pulled it off. Almost." His grin widened as he straightened up, his eyes glinting with both amusement and determination.

To be continued...