The group climbed the creaking basement stairs, hearts pounding. Silver diamond icons hovered above their heads—glowing brightly in the darkness.
Jack suddenly froze.
His eyes widened. His breath caught.
The others stumbled to a stop behind him, their gazes following his.
Pirates.
Lining the room.
Weapons drawn.
And seated in the center, legs crossed in a dusty old chair, sat the boy with the golden "KING" floating above his head, sipping from a teacup like it was just another evening.
"Well, well, well…" he grinned. "I've been waiting for you to crawl out of that basement."
"How did you find us?" Rose asked, her voice shaky.
The King shrugged. "It was difficult… I was very bored. Then I figured—why not check some houses? Knock on a few doors. Kick a few in. Then I heard a bark." He glanced at Coco.
The boy with glasses pointed a furious finger. "I told you to shut that dog up!" he spat at Jack.
"To be fair," the King said, chuckling, "I didn't know if it was a chest-dog or just a random mutt. Lucky for me—it was you."
He stood, gold shimmering from his icon, eyes locked on Jack. "You're my favorite group, you know. You almost got me before. Almost."
A golden pop-up appeared next to him:
10:00 Minutes Until Event Ends.
The King's smile turned cold. "Let's kill you before the clock runs out."
Then, with twisted delight, he tossed a pirate sword to the floor at Jack's feet.
He held another blade in his own hand.
"The rest of you? Stand back. We'll duel. It'll be more fun that way."
Pirates quickly swarmed the group, snatching weapons. One cackled, holding up the redhead's new pistol.
"Ooooh, what a treasure!"
They were herded outside, onto the cobbled, rain-slicked street.
Pirates filled the area— on rooftops, in alleys, peeking from ship decks. They formed a wide circle, chanting and shouting, hungry for blood.
The King stepped into the center and gave Jack a dramatic wave.
Jack stepped forward, sword in hand, Coco trembling in his arms.
"Oh, put the dog down," the King said, amused. "We're not really going to kill it. That was just a joke."
Jack glared at him, gently setting Coco beside Rose. Coco scampered to her, barking anxiously.
"You're sick," Rose said through gritted teeth. "This is a twisted game."
The King scoffed. "Get used to it. This is your new world. Your new order."
Then he raised his blade toward Jack.
"What's your name?" he asked mockingly.
Jack lifted his sword, eyes burning.
"Jack Sanctuary."
The King blinked. Then grinned, eerie and wild. "What a coincidence. My name's Jack too. Jack Stone. I knew I liked you."
Jack narrowed his eyes. "Then remember the name—because this new order ends now."
He charged, letting out a furious battle cry as steel met steel in the storm-lit circle of roaring screams and eyes.