Isaac and I were in the shipyard, the only thing there was more Jiang Shi, all set to attack me.
"There are so many." I complained while dispatching them, some were close enough to almost rip my neck open. Thankfully, Isaac was behind me and ensuring my safety. He had the face of an innocent man, but his ruthless attacks destroyed the bodies and head of these undead freaks.
"That seems to be the last one." Isaac smiled.
Something bothered me, all of the Jiang Shi seemed to ignore Isaac and come straight towards me.
I eventually pointed this out.
"Well they seem more interested in flesh than nuts and bolts." Isaac chuckled.
Memories of Aria being something robotic came to my mind.
"Your just like Aria?" I asked.
"Well a bit of a difference in programming, but yes I am a robot." He answered honestly. "Aria has a bugged program that was given to her by her creator, that's why she always smiles."
"Samuel didn't make her?"
"No he didn't." Isaac looked towards the dark rolling sea. "Her creator's file had been removed from the G.I. systems, all files pertaining to him are gone. So that's why no one can fix her laughing."
"I get it now."
A ship suddenly appeared in near the docking area. It seemed old and creaked as the waves pushed about it. Once close enough I saw the Jiang Shi poured from it.
"What the hell!" I exclaimed.
They all aimed at me again. With Jerub tightly clutched in my fingers I began slicing through these things, Isaac was along with me in this short skirmish. From the ship I heard a deep laugh, I turned to see a man whose body was cladded in a red attire.
"Is that a pirate?" I was confused.
"Amazing!" Davy exclaimed. "You must be the ones to have killed Mary Ann and that psychopath, tell me how did you both do it. We furies are immortal and stronger than normal people. Wait... your not normal..." he leapt from his ship and landed near me and Isaac with his sword drawn, it's curved blade glistening menacingly in the moon's descending light. "Still it'll be bad if I let you all go."
"Darren!" A voice called me.
On board the eerie vessel was Japheth, his eyes wide with desperation.
"What are you doing up there?" I shouted. "Get down here and help us."
He pushed against what seemed like an invisible force.
"I... I can't leave..." He strained.
"Your apart of my crew." Davy sighed. "Until you beat me your stuck on that thing."
"Then how about I do it!" I growled, my hands poured with inky darkness.
"Interesting power you have there. " A smile crept into Davy's lips.
He vanished.
Shivering steel was closing in on my neck, Isaac came and punched Davy's hand back.
"He's... He's fast!" My weariness increased the distance between us.
Davy was now fighting with Isaac at such an amazing speed, Isaac's body wasn't able to keep up and sustained damage.
"Now for the head."
Davy's sword was coming closer to him once more, but Isaac's uppercut sent him into the air.
"Get him Darren!" Isaac shouted.
I leapt upwards to Davy's spiraling body, I saw his sword coming down at me once more. Thanks to Jerub I was able to stop it and sent a good blow to his stomach, slamming Davy into the docks breaking it apart.
"He felt that one I'm sure." I smiled.
"Darren!" Japheth shouted.
We turned to see him still stuck on the ship.
"He isn't..."
Davy appeared behind him.
"Spectacular." Davy chuckled, wiping blood from his mouth. "My blood is pumping, I just wanna..."
He suddenly stopped and all excitement left his face. His eyes turned towards the rising sun, and a smile came.
"As much fun as I'm having, she'll be mad if I'm late." Davy sighed. "You boys stay alive for me, I'll probably be back."
"Darren I..."
Japheth's voice faded along with the ship itself.
"No... Japheth..." I slumped down in despair. "Where did he go?"
"I have caught the name of that ship, Darren." Isaac informed me. "It seems to have the name Flying Dutchman on the back."
"Flying Dutchman...?" I got up and turned to him. "You know anything about it?"
"It always appear to gather souls of the lost or anyone stuck at sea." He began. "Once aboard your either the captain or crew mate, however you will be bound to the ship."
"Damn... I'll find a way to free him..."
Isaac placed his fingers against his temple.
"We have dealt with the Jiang Shi at the shipyard." Isaac related the story of what happened to someone on the line. "...Yes sir we will..." He turned to me. "Samuel has called all of us to headquarters."
It seems like we were able to rid New Port of the Jiang Shi invasion, no more reports of them were coming for now. All squad members and leaders were in the briefing room.
Samuel gave us a moment of silence and then began to speak.
"Based on the intel we received it seems New Port is in danger." His voice held exhaustion. The Jiang Shi are from the Eastern continent, but because of the people's way of life we have no idea of their situation or whose behind this. So I suggest an expedition of the so called Holy Land, until we can come across the bringer of these pest." Samuel's gaze fixed on me. "It's a given that Darren will be in this plan, now we need a few to stay in New Port to help the citizens alongside our Sentries."
Sentries gave me a feeling of uncanny valley, their hollow helmets gave a whirring noise. My guess was they were scanning for threats.
"Weird designs." Joshua shared my disinterest.
"Now the ones who'll accompany Darren are Andrew, Alex, Samantha and Isaac."
"What?!" Chris's head sparked. "Why aren't we going with him?"
"You both are more important here." Samuel calmly stated. "Not only are your powers effective against the Jiang Shi. Based on Darren's information Japheth is trapped aboard the Flying Dutchman a ship that's able to vanish. You both can assist to help your friend, I know the boat will return along with another undead wave. Plus it'll be better for the people to see their saviors."
"Huh?" Everyone's eyebrow raised.
With the snap of Samuel's finger a monitor appeared before us, we watched dozens of videos each contained Joshua and Chris fighting the beast of New Port.
"This is insane!" The voice behind one of the camera in the video shouted.
"Who are these guys?!" Another spoke.
"Now the folks of New Port knows it's heroes." He chuckled. "The expedition will commence in three days, rest well everyone."
The meeting was dismissed.
Joshua and Chris both looked down the building in awe as fans gathered at the front of the building.
"They went in here!" A voice shouted.
Sentries were gently keeping the crowd at bay.
"This isn't how I thought today would be." Nervous chuckles came from Chris.
Below a familiar face caught his eye, Chris opened the window and leapt out using his flames to hover.
Lora was flabbergasted at seeing this, she looked about him and then just shook her head.
"Playboy one day, and hero the next?" She scoffed. "How long was this going on?"
Their talk was snuffed out by the oncoming crowd. Chris grabbed Lora's waist and winked.
"How about a flight date." He flew upwards back to us as many of his fans clawed the air in desperation to touch him. Once inside, Lora turned to us and gave us a stare of disbelief.
"Hey..." She waved.
"Hi..." Me and Joshua replied.
"This is Lora guys we just started dating yesterday." Chris explained. "Just came to introduce you all, ready for another go?" He stretched his hand out for Lora to grab.
"We're walking!" She laughed and led him to the elevator.
"Well, I better get prepared." I told Joshua. "Don't let the air get to your head."
He gave me a look of disappointment at that bad pun.
"Just go." He sighed.
---
Mother's arms were folded tightly, her lips were holding questions and accusations of me lying about my safety.
"Darren..." Her light brown face furrowed. "I saw Chris and Joshua fighting those things last night, now I know you all are at the Greek Institute. Can you also do what they do."
"Kinda..." I honestly answered. "Mom I..."
"It's dangerous!" She shouted. "I can't stand the sight of you out there fighting those horrid things. Forget this stupid stunt and just go back to school normally."
"Mom I..."
"Darren please...." She grabbed my arm tightly. "I lost your father already, you can't leave me alone..."
This was the second time I saw her cry, first at Dad's funeral and now this. It hurt more than any blow from a creature did.
"Mom I didn't know what to do." I started. "When Dad died I was lost, all of my mind was scrambled and it felt like the end of the world. All I wanted to do was sleep and not wake up for a while, because I always saw him in my dreams. Then I remembered there are people in reality waiting on me, I know it sounds silly but I am the only one who can do this job."
She was silent.
"I'll tell you everything so you can know why I'm the only one who can do it."
Mom didn't say anything, instead her arms grip weakened on my arm. Her head was down giving low sobs, I went outside to get some air.
"Damn..." I sighed.
"Hey, your home." Amber called out.
She was dressed in her yellow sundress.
"What happened?" She noticed my concern.
"I told mom everything." Was my answer. "And I'm going on another mission, this time I don't know how long I'll be gone."
"When?" Amber's voice sternly asked.
"Four days."
"That's enough time for us." She came closer and grabbed my hand. "I want all of your time and I'm sure your mom does too." Her smile was so warm that it was sending a ripple through my chest.
"I will." I promised.
"And promise you'll come back."
"I will."
"Dad isn't going to be home, he's at work overnight." She pulled my arm. "Stay with me tonight?"
A smile came to me.
"Alright."
Four days had passed quickly a few Jiang Shi came, but the sentries were the perfect policing force when it came to those things, leading them was Joshua and Chris.
Me, Samantha, Alex, Andrew and Isaac boarded the helicopter. Cleondra was just the pilot but will be returning to New Port once we're off. She's very handy with the machines.
"Wait!" Amber's voice shouted. She came running to me with tears and something held tightly within her hands.
"Here." She gave me bracelet on the end was a white fish. She pointed at the similar one on her hand that was a pink one. "Good luck charm and..." She grabbed my collar for the deepest farewell kiss ever.
Once done she pushed me back into the helicopter.
"What a woman!" Andrew exclaimed.
"Well Darren you know we got the city safe." Chris smiled.
"Don't be reckless out there, we'll help Japheth just focus on the mission." Joshua gave his reassurance.
"Yeah." I agreed. "I'll be back guys."
Open seas took over the horizon as we sped across it.
"Silence your best friend?" Andrew remarked. "Conversation is nice you know." He eyed me.
"Sorry I don't really know what to say." I chuckled nervously, it was my first time with the twins.
"Kidd Ranger is my favorite comic." Andrew announced. "I enjoy long rides, video games and big busty chic..."
"Enough of that!" Alex knocked his head.
"Breaking the silence is a good thing though." He snickered.
"I think silence is better." Samantha groaned. "How much longer, Cleondra?"
"Thirty more minutes until we reach the mainland." She answered. "That place is strange, we only have so little information of it. So prepare to be blind about everything there."
"We may stumble upon beast unfathomable." Andrew Dramatized his voice.
We neared a mass of land, I watched as mountains rose and about them were even more. Terrain in this place was a true nightmare.
"No clearing..." A dissatisfied Cleondra mumbled. "Ready for an airdrop?"
"I guess so..." Andrew was the first to go.
Alex followed, with Samantha and Isaac.
"Our radio station can reach here." Cleondra handed me an earpiece. "No signal for that thing you call a phone. So be ready to be out here for a while."
I nodded. Once I equipped my earpiece, I leapt into the green vegetation ready to take on the Eastern Continent.
"Davy!" Japheth shouted. "I challenge you!"
"Your daft man." Bhok sighed.
"I'd say asinine." Sharrel added.
"Plain stupid is what that is." Lock joked.
The three went into a fit of laughter.
"Out of all the spirits here, you guys have nothing to do." Japheth shot at them.
Davy came out of his cabin and yawned.
"I can play with you for a while." He checked the time on his silver pocket watch. "In ten minutes we'll be at a place I wanted to visit for a while." Davy unsheathed his sword. "Come on you know the drill."
Japheth dashed forward, he dodged the first and second slash. Davy used the handle of his blade to jab Japheth in the stomach.
It hurt a bit, but the boy was determined this time. He held onto the blade and threw a punch into Davy's face. A crack went through the air.
The three ghost gasped, seeing their captain's nose twisted. Another surprise was Japheth holding onto his blade.
"Without this I can smash your face in." He threw it to the side. A barrage of punches flew into Davy's face and body, Japheth wasn't stopping. He knew he had to keep attacking otherwise he'll be stuck on this ship.
"I'll get out of here." He shouted readying the final blow.
His attack was interrupted from Davy's sudden power swing. It slammed him into the floor with a wind taking force. Japheth felt his chest begged for air, yet it was so hard to gather.
"Wha... What..."
A kick from Davy ripped through his back, Japheth howled in agony and spasmed on the ground for a while.
"You think I can't fight you without my sword." Davy chuckled. "How foolish of you to think I rely on that weapon, it is but a heirloom." He advanced forward. "Give in, or I will break your arms."
Japheth knew he was serious, but he knew he couldn't give up. He threw away the most rational idea and charged.
"Foolish..."
Davy was merciless, his attacks were destroying Japheth from the inside out. Each hit was breaking his bones and soon a numbness came. Moving was difficult and the wooden deck was splattered with his blood.
"You still stand?" Davy chuckled. "Then I should hurry stop your suicidal stunt."
Japheth's right eye was too swollen to see through, Davy used this blind spot and grabbed his right arm.
Pain devoured Japheth, he turned to see his arm twisted in another direction. He screamed sending his agony into the deep blue view. His sights dimmed and he fell unconscious.
"Take him to a cell." Davy sighed. "And make sure Calypso doesn't see him, she'll be pissed about that."
Lock, Bhok and Sharrel took Japheth into their icy hands and took him into the brig.
It was a desolate beach with a hut in the center, this small patch of land that resided within ocean waters far away from any civilization. On it a young boy was running about and started yelling out to the oncoming Flying Dutchman.
"Mom look dad's back."
Davy got on the land and took the young boy's squeezing hug. From inside, a pair of auburn eyes shone in glee, slowly a young woman emerged.
"Ms. Calypso." Lock and Bhok bowed, their eyes were mischievous taking into account the beauty of the Goddess on this island.
"I'll pluck your eyes out." Davy warned.
Immediately the two jumped, apologized then left.
Sharrel realized those two left her alone, and went outside.
"You shouldn't have a young woman dragging a body." She announced loudly.
"Body?" Calypso turned to Davy. "What body?"
The death stare was shot at Sharrel as well, Davy took in a deep breath.
"Well we got a new passenger on the ship." Davy sighed. "Gave him the rules, but the boy won't give in so I uh... Broke his arm..."
Calypso rushed into the ship, within the brig she can hear gasps from pain.
She looked at Japheth's broken body with pitying eyes, her hands touched his face. He felt the pain return quickly and was screaming. Then it suddenly stopped, his scars and swellings slowly faded away. Even his twisted arm reclaimed it's normal direction. His breathing steadied and within moments he was sleeping peacefully.
Davy came in with his son on his shoulders.
"Whose he dad?" The young boy asked.
"He's a man I came upon near a little island called New Port." Davy began. "Charybdis destroyed a ship that was nearing Atlantis and he was the lucky passenger. I told him the rules of the ship and gave him the ultimatum of forfeiting, so don't give me that look." He sighed seeing Calypso still was upset.
"It's a bit barbaric, Davy." She shook her head.
"He can stay on it as a cabin boy for his lifetime and the one after." Davy shook his head. "Any mortal who comes on is bound to it, I'm the captain and I still have to carry this ship of spirits. Well sins are supposed to be burdened with punishments. Had it not been for you I would have still been wandering the seas senselessly attacking others.."
Nothing...
A word Davy knew all to well, he grew with no one as a parent or guardian. Instead the streets of a town, whose name he doesn't care to recall, centuries long gone were his teachers.
They taught him strength is what mattered in the world. He fought many people in that place, until his name was infamous as being a hot blooded punk of violence. Money was the next lesson, without it he couldn't eat. He soon took up stealing, robbery and extortion. Finally his last lesson was never hesitate on any decision.
Once he says he'll do something, he means it.
Eventually his money got him a ship and crew who only knew of destruction. They had the Dragon Archipelago in terror for two decades, until the bounties started. The Rulers at the time knew money was the best way of stopping such a threat, pirate hunters came in droves killing and arresting anyone with a Jolly Rodger. Eventually the Red Devils led by Davy became a main target.
Day in and day out, Davy destroyed ships and slaughtered many and each moment was savored for he only can enjoy violence. He yearned for the feeling of battle, every minute a ship is heading to them at full speed with officers armed to the teeth with guns and steel.
He loved it...
A pirate hunter was also growing his fame alongside Davy's infamy.
Ben Horigold was seen as a man of peace, he would always ask for the pirates to reconsider before they dueled. It started off with them laughing, then ending up dead. This question was always asked for taking a life was a bitter feeling that Ben can only describe as disgusting.
Eyes of the ones he had no choice but to defeat hung about his bed at night, for he felt the hatred in their hearts in that final moment.
It was a stormy night as lanterns came into view.
Davy used his telescope and saw the flag of a pirate hunter, he smiled widely ready to attack. Orders thundered louder than the pelting rain.
"Get ready boys!" Davy cheered.
The ship roared in delight of the battle coming.
Ben's officer gave him a tired look.
"Captain Horigold they are cheering, Sir." He sighed.
"Then I can only guess Davy Jones wants a fight."
It was a war at that point, Davy was charging in taking the lives of many officers, Horigold saw this and called for a duel.
Davy was enthralled.
"Sure we can have one, but I got conditions." He chuckled. "Once you die so will your whole crew."
"I agree." Ben removed his sword. "You and your crew have taught me something. I've heard of your tales across the archipelago and each gives the children nightmares. I can't have people like you to sea, I despise killing, but I think even the Gods would understand me for taking the life of a monster like you."
"Then come!"
Sparks was flying as the duel began, cheers from both sides came in loudly. Swing after swing was causing this moment to feel like a tightrope that was made of glass. One wrong move can be the end for either.
"Your as good as they say." Davy heartily laughed.
"So are you, Jones." Ben took a deep breath. "You wanna know how I win my duels?"
Davy raised an eyebrow.
"I hope it wasn't talking them to death." He groaned.
"I wished it was easy like that." Ben sadly smiled. "I've learned combat from a small group of Natives in New Port. It was thanks to this technique that I was able to dispatch of Christopher Reid."
"So that's why I didn't see the old bastard!" Davy smirked. "To think he was cut down by a weakling like you."
Ben didn't say a word, his eyes had removed any trace of remorse or self doubt.
"Creepy bastard." Chills ran through Davy, he wanted to walk forward. Yet that one step felt like death. "What did you do?" This was the first time something known as fear came.
"You feel it, don't you?" Ben's monotonous voice asked. "Every part of you know that I will kill you. Your not a devil your just a man who had never felt fear before. Now look at you shaken by my presence, all you have to do is give in I will even have you pardoned."
I... I'd rather die than that!" Davy recklessly took the step that brought his demise. He saw his arm falling and then with another swing darkness took his sight
After years of taking lives and giving death, he too was taken into the cold embrace. It was as if he was on air or maybe falling through it, but soon before him came a man in a cage. His green eyes sharp enough to see more than just a man whose life was plundering and stealing.
"It would be a shame to let someone like you go." Donavan chuckled. "What do you think of another life with power and immortality. All you must do is bring me more souls."
"How do I do that?" Asked Davy.
"You've been doing it for years."
Davy was once again alive, along with his Flying Dutchman a ship that can travel anywhere on the seas he collected souls and continued his rampage until finally it happened.
He was bored...
There was no sense in a life threatening battle, he would heal instantly and it was taking the fun away. He wanted a rematch with Horigold, but knew the outcome if he continued to use the regeneration factor.
"You... don't want to be able to heal your wounds?" For the first time in centuries, Donavan was stunned. "Explain to me why."
"I'm a man who loves fighting." Davy began. "There is no fun in it at all, I know I'm supposed to collect souls for you but I don't want that immortality."
"What a bizarre fellow." Daphne added.
After removing his instant healing power, Davy Jones was back on the seas in search of Horigold. He found him eventually as a governor of New Port. News from the surrounding Draconian Isles had reached his ears, even the news of his demise that was a week ago.
Pale faces watched as the Flying Dutchman came ashore, from it's vessel poured countless spirits and amongst them in living flesh was the man who was supposed to have been dead.
"Never thought I'd see the town again." He smiled.
The governor's house resided to the northern side of New Port overlooking the harbor. From his window, Hornigold saw the supposed dead man.
"Impossible." He grabbed his sword and fire arm.
Once outside he saw the man he was sure to have passed on.
"What devilry is this?" Hornigold hissed. "You were dead!"
"I made a deal with a certain devil." Davy cackled. "Do not worry we can have a great rematch now."
"Your mad." Wearily, Hornigold removed his sword from it's sheath. "What would happen after I slay you, you'd only return once more."
"Nay." Davy laughed. "I'll be gone... Hell if anyone beats me I'll give you my ship, imagine you can travel anywhere on the seas in the blink of an eye."
"Fine." Hornigold readied himself.
The fight didn't last long, Davy knew something was strange. He broke through Ben's blade with blinding speed and horrific strength. It was a clean cut down the middle of his body.
Eyes widened in terror after seeing such a grotesque event.
"The governor was killed by a pirate!" They screamed.
While panic ensued the crowd, Davy stared at the body with shock. He examined his arm and realized this wasn't his power alone. Donovan may have taken the immortality away, but the other worldly force within was still there.
To Davy this dual was unfair.
For the first time in Davy's life the rules he carried were crumbling. He didn't care anymore about the money. His lies were replaced by upfront honesty as he saw no reason to be dishonest as long as your strong what reason is there to hide behind a lie. Stealing even lost it's appeal, he only lusted for battle until the day came where he had nothing on his mind than finding a worthy opponent.
He travelled all over and fighter's were either easy, or unwilling to carry on. Soon he came upon an island. It was small, but it was just enough for the one person on it. She eyed the ship with intrigue as it came upon the shores.
Never before had Davy seen such a beautiful woman, her body radiated in the sun as if reflecting the brightness of it. Her extremely long green hair dragged across the sands.
This was the first time he didn't felt like fighting.
After some years he settled down, collecting souls for Donovan and being a good husband and father.