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What did I get myself into?
Natalia thought as she willed the air around her, lifting herself into the air.
Glancing from above, Natalia took in the scene below her. The white-haired half-elf was hacking away at a few of the crew members. His lavish pirate outfit, which definitely did not fit the mood of the situation, flowed gracefully around him with each strike. The purple Drow was making her way onto the ship, running up the gangplank after setting the dock in flames. Seemingly out of habit, adjusting the gauntlet on her arm.
Despite the start of their plan going surprisingly well, Natalia felt a chill run down her spine as her feet touched down on the ship. She wasn’t sure if the ringing in her ears was from the thunderwave she had cast a moment ago, or if it was the sound of the crew member's necks snapping over and over again in her mind.
I killed them.
Natalia suddenly surged forward. A painful, yet familiar sensation rose from her chest.
She clenched her eyes closed. Gulping down air, trying to force the pain from her chest. Her hand moved towards the leather cord around her next. Pushing the ring that hung next to the stone aside, she wrapped her hand around the crystal, clutching it in her palm. It was warm to the touch.
Oh gods, please not now.
Natalia stood there, the raging battle around her forgotten as she desperately cried out to whatever godly being cared enough to listen.
She suddenly felt a warm breath on the back of her neck. Her pounding heart settled for a moment.
“You’re mine,” whispered a voice in her ear. Before Natalia could react, heavily armored hands wrapped around her torso lifting her into the air.
A scream rippled through her throat as she struggled against whoever held her in their arms. Grabbing the other party member's attention for a moment, she locked eyes with the swashbuckling half-elf before her captor threw himself, with Natalia still struggling in his arms, over the ship's banister heading straight for the dark waters below.
~~~
The water was cold. Freezing actually, but that was the least of Natalia’s worries.
The minute she broke the surface, she felt a hand grip the back of her head. Tangling itself into her blue hair, the man who had flung her overboard started shoving her back under the water.
Kicking out in a desperate attempt to keep her head above the waves, Natalia reached back with her one free hand and clamped it around an armored wrist. Screaming out the incantation, Natalia felt the familiar sting of lightning burst from her hand.
The man didn’t even flinch.
A snicker came from behind but Natalia could barely hear it over the sound of the crashing waves.
“Is that all you’ve got, sparky?” He shoved her downwards again just as a wave passed over the two of them. The water stung her eyes, the bitter taste of salt hitting the back of her throat as she thrust her head above the water, breathing in what air she could.
You know something that can get you out of this.
The words seemed to mock her.
It’s a simple spell really. Just a few words and you’re gone. Gone from danger. Gone from any threats.
But those words weren’t her own.
”Theo, transportation spells aren’t that easy."
The memory washed over her like one of the waves currently pulling her under.
”Sure they are! You just need to try Nat, show me what you’ve got!”
“Show me what you’ve got!” The man’s gruff voice repeated in her ear.
“Let go!” Natalia screamed. Her throat cracked as she yelled out an incantation once more.
The hand in her hair loosened as the lightning sprung from her. The other arm still wrapped around her torso seemed to go limp. Choking back a sob, Natalia kicked with all her might. Scrambling forward in the water.
It was only a moment before a cold hand gripped the back of her head once more. Yanking her backward by the hair, the man’s other hand grasped tightly around her throat.
“Times up, kid.” The man chuckled before shoving Natalia under the waves.
”Come on Nat, one more try.”
Natalia screamed an incantation. Her voice muffled and bubbling from the water.
”You said that five tries ago Theo.”
The man’s grip remained firm.
”This time will be different.”
”You don’t know that.”
The edges of her vision began to blur.
”Sure I do! Don’t you trust me?”
Natalia chocked. Trying desperately not to breathe in.
”Of course I do.”
”Good, then repeat after me.”
Using the last of her breath, Natalia muttered out a few words before breathing in salt water. The liquid filled her lungs, stinging her throat and nose.
The water around her shimmered. Opening her eyes, she glanced at the edge of the boat before her vision turned to black.
”See! I told you that you could do it!”