Chapter Text
A soft breeze blew in a realm dark as midnight. Stars shone bright against the black. A red mist made the realm look ominous dark and secretive. It was dead quiet apart from the whispers of falling stars.
''Wake up, my beauties,'' a soft voice spoke, and from the smoke came a woman, her black hair gracefully rested on her shoulders, and she slowly walked forward, her feet not even touching the ground below her.
''Rise and shine. It's a brand-new day and the mortal world is at peace.'' She looked around her as creatures began gathering around her. ''But not for long.''
The woman stared down at the Earth with a smile on her face. She wiped a bit of the smoke from the globe and sighed at the sight of the land and seas. ''Just look at them,'' she whispered. ''I pull one tiny thread and their whole world unravels into chaos.'' The woman chuckled. ''Glorious chaos!''
Her eyes widened. ''And what could be more perfect than this?'' She bended over the Earth and smiled when she saw two ships. ''A noble Prince. A priceless treasure. And a black-hearted thief.''
''Oh, this is going to be fun,'' the woman murmured and turned to one of the creatures that were floating around her. She ran her hand lovingly over the kraken and smiled. ''Cetus, you know what to do. Let the games begin!''
The kraken flew high above the Earth before it fell down hard. Crashing through the atmosphere until it finally, with a big splash, it landed in the ocean.
On a ship, a man was addressing his men. He held his chin high and his hands behind his back as he walked past his crew.
''Gentlemen!'' he called, ''this is what we've been waiting for. The world's most valuable object is on its way to Syracuse.'' The man turned and faced his men, a spark in his honey-brown irises. He chuckled. ''It's a shame it'll never get there.''
The crew laughed at his remark.
The captain smiled and rubbed his hands together. ''And after today, we retire to Fiji!''
''Fiji!''
The captain watched how his men took position, ready to hijack the royal ship that they were approaching faster and faster. It would be any time now for his crew to steal the object.
He looked at the helmsman. ''Suna!''
''Aye, captain!'' Suna turned the helm to right until the ship almost touched the other.
The captain climbed up the mast, sword ready in hand. ''Spike!'' he called out and a dog pushed a lever forward.
With delight, the captain saw how the hooks shot out of the side of his ship, ready to grip the wood of the royal ship and giving him an easy passage over the sea between the two ships. ''Let's get rich!'' he yelled and flung forward. He let go of the rope mid-air and landed in the middle of a group of guards.
With years of practice, it was nothing but a small puff of breath before he had them knocked out. He looked on as he saw the rest of his crew step on the deck, weapons in hand.
He looked on proud as he saw that his training had led to an unbeatable team, fearless and too strong for anyone to beat.
He saw Bokuto and Kuroo work together. The two annoying jokers of the crew did almost everything together, fighting, too. Together, they were a fearless enemy.
From high up, Hinata flew through the air. The man who had taken his position in the crow's nest, knew all the ways to knock someone out with a hard kick against the side of your head. It had happened sometimes on their own ship, though now he seemed to have more control over his swings.
A loud bang came from close-by, and the captain turned his head just in time to see Kenma run past him, grenades in his hands. The what smaller crew member should not be underestimated. He knew exactly what weapon when to use and how to use. He was quiet most of the time, but when faced in battle, he always seemed to know what your next move would be and prepare the right weapon for it.
To the captain it was still a mystery how Kenma got so good with the swords and guns and grenades. But now it didn't matter much. He was part of the crew, and he couldn't be happier.
The captain turned when he heard footsteps approaching and quickly blocked a hit from a guard. He held tension for a second before he relaxed and slipped under the wide stand of the enemy. He quickly scrambled to his feet and with the tip of sword he lifted the helmet of the guard's head. Now with a clear view, the captain smacked his forehead against his enemy's, knocking him out instantly.
He looked up as several came closer. With a smirk he stabbed both his swords in the deck and took a firm hold on the grips. He jumped up sideways and kicked the one guard after the other hard in the head. It would almost seem like he was walking sideways on the foreheads of his enemies.
As the final man fell, the captain made a small turn in the air and landed safe on his feet. He looked at Suna who approached him, holding a guard in a firm hold by his throat.
''Did you catch that last move?'' the captain asked and sheathed his swords. ''Pretty cool, huh?''
Suna huffed. ''I thought you overworked it. Just a bit,'' he said and knocked the guard he was holding out with a hard slam against the head.
''What? Overworked it?'' The captain looked up at the sound of an approaching guard, but before he could grab his sword, Suna turned to the guard and caught the sword that was aimed at his throat between his teeth and with a swing of head, he threw the guard overboard.
''Oh... And I was overworking it.'' The captain turned toward a cabin with a lock. But what he didn't expect was seeing someone he thought he would never see again.
''Osamu...''
Suna came up to him and followed his captain's gaze. ''Woah... This just got interesting. How long has it been?''
''About a lifetime ago...'' the captain murmured and slowly made his way up to the cabin. No matter how long it had been since he had last seen him, he hadn't changed a bit. And so had his fighting skills. ''You still fight like an old lady,'' the captain said and leaned against the door of the cabin.
''Atsumu?'' Osamu let his guard down for a second and immediately got jumped on by Bokuto and Kuroo who held him in a tight grip. ''What are you doing here?''
Atsumu grabbed a dagger from his belt and stuck it in the lock of the cabin. With a firm tug he pulled it out and the door opened slightly. He looked over his shoulder. ''I'm working. You?''
''What happened to you? Where have you been?'' Osamu freed himself and indignantly looked at his brother.
''You know, I'd love to stop and catch up, but I've got things to do, places to go, stuff to steal.'' Atsumu put his dagger back and pushed the door further open. He took a step inside the dark cabin and immediately his eye fell on a bright light-blue object that lay open on a table.
Atsumu whistled and smiled. ''Oh, yeah...''
Osamu came from behind and put a hand on his brother's shoulder. ''Atsumu. We need to talk.''
''Heard about it. Read about it. But never actually seen it,'' Atsumu murmured and pushed past his brother. He walked up to the glowing object. ''The Book of Peace.''
''It's my job to bring it safely to Syracuse.''
Atsumu chuckled. ''Really? See, now I feel bad, because... you're going to get fired.''
''You can't be serious!'' Osamu exclaimed and stared at Atsumu with wide eyes. ''You disappear for ten years, show up and rob me?''
''I wish it wasn't you,'' Atsumu said as he inspected the book. He looked up with an honest look in his eyes. ''Really.''
Osamu took a step forward. ''But it is me, Atsumu.''
''Osamu...'' Atsumu began, ''we had a special handshake, some code words, a secret hide-out. It was fun, big fun, but uh... we were kids.''
''We are brothers , Atsumu,'' Osamu said. ''You're not going to steal the Book. Not from me.'' He ran his hand over the glowing pages. ''And what would you do with it anyway? The Book of Peace protects all of us in the Twelve Cities.''
''Exactly! So, imagine how much all of us will pay to get it back.''
Osamu stepped between his brother and the book. ''Let me say it again. We are brothers, if that ever means anything to you, prove it now.''
Atsumu sighed. ''You're right.'' He reached out his left hand for the book, but Osamu grabbed him firm by the wrist and pulled him away. He grabbed his sword and protectively stood before the book, a challenging smile on his face.
''Don't get all heroic now, 'Samu,'' Atsumu said, though he did unsheathe his sword. He casually took a step forward, but Osamu blocked his way. He charged forward and the two fought one on one, their blows matching.
Their swords clashed together in front of their faces. They both were panting slightly as Osamu said: ''if you want the Book, you have to go through me.''
Suddenly, a huge tentacle knocked both of them to the ground. The tentacle moved around in the cabin for a few more seconds before it disappeared outside again.
Atsumu shared the same surprised glance with his brother. ''What the?'' He scrambled to his feet and ran to the deck. He was stunned when he saw a huge kraken slowly making its way up Osamu's ship. The beast's yellow eyes glared evilly as guards attacked it.
Osamu skidded to a halt next to his brother and gasped. ''Dear Gods.''
''Well, I see you're busy.'' Atsumu put his sword away and gave Osamu a prod on the arm. ''So, uh, stay in touch!'' He turned and walked for the side of the ship, ready to jump back on his own.
''Wait! Wait!'' Osamu followed him with a surprised frown. ''You're just going to run away?''
Atsumu looked over his shoulder with a smirk. ''Uh... Yeah!'' He was about to jump, when the kraken ripped the ships far apart from each other, making it impossible for Atsumu to cross. He saw how the masts of his ship fell down on deck.
''You... My ship!'' the captain yelled and looked at the kraken with rage. He stepped back from the side of the ship and saw how Osamu got knocked down where he stayed on the deck, stunned.
Atsumu quickly looked around to find something to get the attention of the kraken. He gasped when the creature threw his tongue out. It would almost look like a frog catching a fly on a flower. The tongue wrapped itself around a guard not too far from Osamu and with a yell, the man got swallowed whole.
Looking around frantically, Atsumu noticed a barrel with gunpowder. He grabbed a torch that hung on the mast and lit it. He ran to the barrel and put the flame close to the fuse. ''Heads up!'' he yelled before he jumped on a plank, launching the barrel into the air.
Just as he had hoped, the kraken shot its tongue toward it and ate the barrel, fuse still running.
Atsumu walked toward his brother and helped him to his feet. ''Now, stand by for sushi!''
A loud but dull explosion came from the kraken. Smoke came from its mouth, and he spat out slime, covering Atsumu and Osamu. As they wiped the greenish mucus from their faces, the guard that got eaten flew from the monster. The man landed with a thud and stayed there stunned for a seconds before he grabbed his sword again and charged forward.
Atsumu watched him go and shared a quick glance with Osamu. ''Give that guy a raise.''
The kraken, enraged now, slammed his tentacles around, tearing down the sails and masts. Osamu's eyes widened and he grabbed his brother's arm to try and pull him away. ''Come on, 'Tsumu, let's go!'' But Atsumu only smiled and held his ground.
''Wait, stand your ground,'' he said and put his fingers to his mouth to let out a sharp whistle.
''What are you doing!?''
Atsumu held his gaze on the kraken as a plan formed in his head. ''Hey! Hey, hey! Lobster boy! Over here!'' He pushed Osamu away as the kraken shot out its tongue again. The captain quickly unsheathed his sword and stuck the tongue to the deck.
Atsumu smiled as the kraken tried to pull its tongue free, but with no success.
''Run!'' Atsumu yelled and pulled Osamu along toward a mast, grabbing a rope on the way. He swung it around the wooden pole. ''Grab hold!''
Osamu caught the rope and seemed to understand the plan. He gave a quick nod and took his brother's outstretched hand. Together, they climbed up the mast until they stood on a different pole that held the sails.
''And the plan?''
Atsumu smiled and grabbed a dagger from his belt. ''How about 'try not to get killed'?'' He cut the rope that was holding the pole horizontal and it bended down. He looked at Osamu who almost fell forward.
''Here, you'll need this!'' Atsumu threw the dagger to his brother who barely caught it by the hilt.
''Where are you going?''
''Fishing!''
Atsumu pulled himself on a rope and with tiny steps, he began making his way to the other sail pole. ''Left, right, left, right, left, right...'' he muttered under his breath as he tried to ignore the stress that was surging through him. From the corner of his eye, he saw the tentacle coming and snap the rope.
The captain jumped and landed on the pole. He grabbed a second dagger and cut the rope. The pole bended down and was aimed for the kraken's head.
Atsumu made eye-contact with Osamu and nodded. ''Now!'' he yelled and cut another rope, Osamu following his action. The poles fell down and its sharp end jabbed straight into the kraken's head, killing it instantly.
Holding on tight to another rope, Atsumu hung above the kraken that slowly descended into the sea. Atsumu let go of the rope and landed on the soft tentacles, he smiled as Osamu landed next to him.
''Are you all right?''
Osamu nodded and put a hand on his brother's shoulder. ''Yeah, thanks for sticking around.''
''Yeah, just like old times,'' Atsumu said. He was about to turn away when he noticed a tentacle coming for Osamu. ''Look out!'' He pushed his brother aside and grunted as the tentacle slammed into his abdomen. He got lifted in the air before with a splash, he got pulled underwater.
He could've sworn he heard Osamu calling for him, but the silence of the water quickly filled his ears.