Chapter Text
Sneaking into the cruise ship was fairly easy. Fitting in with the rest of the demons, however, was not. Putting on a tie and suit sure was easy! He kept his wings hidden so as not to seem like an outcast; however, he was not. Sword tapped his fingers rhythmically on the ship’s railing, drifting off in thought while staring into the endless sea. Truthfully said, he wasn’t there just to sit in a fancy suit looking pretty to fit in with the rest of the rich demons.
While the rich partied, he planned on stealing whatever valuable riches he could find. There was one particular demon on this ride that was rumoured to be one of the richest alive- so of course, he’d have to ‘visit’ that demon.
When he first learned about this cruise made for only the finest demons from the upper class, he couldn’t resist planning a theft. And of course, neither could the pirates he heard this from. Spying on pirates wasn’t an easy task, but if it could lead him to fortune, then what’s there to lose? His life? Please.
The red-horned demon quietly counted the minutes passing by. The pirates had to be on their way. This cruise is practically fish bait, just waiting to get caught. While shielding his eyes from the harsh sunlight, he squinted at a certain silhouette slowly, but surely, dragging among the waves to the cruise. Sword hissed a cheer and balled his fist into the air cartoonishly before walking closer to the door leading inside. He slowly turned the door, waiting for the cruise’s…
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK
… horn to go off. Now, every demon was aware of the incoming pirates. A suffocating panic swallowed the cruise as everyone rushed around the place, wailing and screaming and thinking of ways to escape without even actually doing anything useful! All except for Sword. It was his time to- secretly- shine! He dashed to the main hall while analysing any quick target he could start with. An elder demon with curling grey chipped-off horns hesitantly ran in a nearing direction to the red-horned demon. With this start, Sword speed-walked near the elder and stealthily tripped him, however catching him by the wrists just in time.
“Are you alright, sir?” he played, carefully pulling the old gent back to his feet. “Do you know where the lifeboats are?”
The elder, obliviously pleased to be helped, patted a handkerchief on the side of his head, swiping away ‘sweat’. He noticed that Sword strangely had wings, but decided to not judge for now and share eye contact with the lad. “Why thank you, young buck.” the elder’s brows knit together as worry kicked in once more. “Please, do tell where those nifty boats are.”
Sword nodded gently, not breaking eye contact. “You’ll have to go down that hall then take a left. You should see other folks there too, you can’t miss it,” he explained, now standing next to the elder’s side and pointing to the said hallway. His fingers forced a soft ‘click!’ from the watch that he was certain the old man couldn’t hear from the commotion within the room.
“Oh thank you, thank you kindly!” the gent smiled warmly, Sword returned the gesture, albeit fake, and finally let go of the man’s wrist. The elder rushed his way to the false direction Sword gave with barely any hesitation.
The red-horned demon turned his back to the elder. In his hand, laid the golden watch he had just successfully stolen. The first of many tonight. He hurriedly put the watch in the inside pocket of his blazer.
From pearl bracelets to more golden watches to wallets, he managed to steal all sorts of valuables he could pickpocket on the way to the stateroom. One of which belonged to one very specific, and wealthy (can’t forget about that fact), individual. He believed the room number was ‘007’? He didn’t remember the name of the guest staying in that room exactly, all he knew was that it started with… ‘I’? It wasn’t important, anyway.
The room was at the end of the corridor, on the highest level of the cruise. The hallway itself looked especially wealthily decorated, even if this whole cruise was all fancy.
“Why are rich people always so extra?” Sword muttered under his breath while reaching for a lockpick from his pocket. He was certain that no one would be here by now because of the pirates’ attack. It took a moment but eventually got inside.
Lots of valuables were not expected to be found, but the drawers and paintings in this room did not disappoint at all. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t take it all. He had to catch a lifeboat somehow, too. He took a, seemingly at first, small cloth bag from his blazer’s inside pocket and began practically pouring everything he could find inside. There were a lot of weird trinkets, with also weird patterns carved onto the shiny metal object. They looked ancient as if his dad played with these when he was younger- which only meant one thing: more money!
There was something specific that caught his attention, though. A rolled-up paper tucked neatly between two books on a bookshelf. It was a map. Was this ‘I’ person a pirate or something? He didn’t know and honestly didn’t care. If he could find a pirate to sell this to, however, he could get a fortune!… Or a very real death threat whilst getting robbed- you never know!
Whatever! He didn’t have the time to stall anymore. He was too deep within the cruise, from his point of view, to get out normally. So with that thought in mind, he quickly unsheathed his gear and bashed it into the stateroom’s window, smashing it to pieces. Hopping out, he looked around for any nearby lifeboats.
There was only one in the distance that he could spot. Rushing to it, he could spot a couple running towards the same boat as well. He wasn’t planning on having any company, so he tossed his blade forcefully towards the two. The couple stepped back cautiously as the sword began beeping. Ticking and ticking until… exploding with a BOOM! This formed a, somewhat massive, smoke cloud. It looked similar to those canons the pirates have, even if it was smaller than usual, so Sword could pass it off as one of their attacks if he had to.
The davits already lowered the lifeboat somehow. Sword quickly grabbed his blade again and sprang himself into the boat. He cut the ropes and prepared himself for the fall, holding his bag of trinkets with one hand and the edge of the lifeboat with the other. His wings were spread wide, just in case anything happened. The water echoed with waves as the boat crashed into it, almost knocking the red-horned demon over. He slipped the engine’s power switches on and waited for a few seconds before impatiently slamming his fist onto it once, twice, thrice even before it eventually started.
He looked up to the cruise and cursed his final goodbyes at the rich as the boat slithered away in the water. His eyes spotted someone staring at him, however. He couldn't see too much from the distance he was at, but the silhouette of that demon appeared to have a pirate hat and… two sets of horns? Sword didn’t really care and kept his eyes on the ‘road’ to Crossroads.
.
.
.
The ride back to Crossroad’s dock was awfully quiet. The flaring day was setting. He thoroughly investigated each trinket on the way to the dock. He had to ask his dad about some of these someday. The map, however… it, well, looked like a treasure map. The red, typical ‘X’ was strangely not located on land. It was in the middle of nowhere- in the ocean. He didn’t know if he should be disappointed or not, so he decided to forget about it for now.
The lifeboat bumped into the dock, bouncing the boat back a little. Sword checked his surroundings before steadily standing up, swinging the trinket bag over his shoulder. He stepped on the dock, but jumped back down when a familiar voice spooked him.
“Need any help?”
The voice was gruff. It sounded disappointed.
“What the-?!” Sword slapped his hand onto his head as his eyes focused on the figure in front of him. “Oh, it’s just you.”
…And of course it belonged to Banhammer. He didn’t have his iconic gear with him, though. Instead, he had a black bag slung over his shoulder.
“Oh, so I’m a ‘just you’ now?” The purple-horned demon towered over Sword, who still lay in the boat. He groaned in annoyance, “Stealing again?”
“No, I just took whatever I had with me in this bag. Didn’t think my suitcase would fit in the boat with everyone else.” Sword lied with a shrug, trying his best to avoid suspicion.
Sword couldn’t see it, but Banhammer rolled his eyes beneath the cloth wrapped around them. “Uh-huh. I’m not seeing-“ a pause, “Well, hearing anybody with you.”
“The pirates got to them before they could get in the boat. I couldn’t help them.” The red-horned demon stood up once again, this time actually managing to get onto the dock.
“Innocent people could have used that boat, Sword.” Banhammer’s tone quickly grew monotonous, almost in a scolding way.
Sword began walking away, leaving Banhammer behind. “Am I not?”
There was a silence for a few seconds. It felt like years before the purple-horned demon decided to speak up, “Do I even have to answer that?”
Sword stopped in his tracks and only turned his head to look at Banhammer. “What do you want?” He muttered coldly.
“Y’know ‘Shank wanted me to keep an eye on you.” The purple-horned demon responded, though not answering the question. He walked up to his cousin with his arms crossed.
“Yeah, too bad you’ve got four and none of ‘em are working.” Sword sneered.
“I told you I’m not blind!” Banhammer slapped the back of Sword’s head, arguably in a playful way. The conversation once again hushed, leaving the two to quietly walk off the dock. Only the occasional clanks of the trinkets in Sword’s bag clasping each other interrupted the silence. It really didn’t help his case of theft at all.
“… You wanna go to Sling’s?” Banhammer looked down at his cousin, elbowing him.
“Do I now?” Sword’s lips curled up into a smile.
“Heard he’s brewed somethin’ new for the menu.”
“More alcohol, I’m guessing?”
“Probably,” Banhammer guessed, “All the drunkards are sayin’ it’s good.”
Sword hummed in response, ending the conversation until the end of their journey.
There was a lot of commotion coming from the bar. Its blue and white exterior was overlapped by the yellow light of a nearing streetlamp. The windows were blurry, yet it revealed many figures inside the cat-themed place.
The doors opened with a cheery ring as two stepped inside. The guests’ attentions snapped to the duo before going back to their previous business. The atmosphere was friendly and warm, painted occasionally with a matching teal to the owner’s teal horns. A song swirled in the air amongst the chatter; Boombox, a travelling musician all the way from Playground, passionately played a groovy tune on the bar’s grand piano. Cups were clanked with cheers, groans were heard from losers of 8 pool, poker bets were placed. It was perfectly cosy.
The owner, Slingshot, was rubbing cups clean with a small piece of cloth at the counter. He quietly hummed the musician’s tune while closing his eyes. He peeked through on of his eyes to see Banhammer and Sword approaching and taking a seat at the counter’s stools. The thief held the bag of goods between his legs discreetly.
Slingshot raised an eyebrow at Banhammer before sneaking a smile up his face. “Let me guess, you wanna try the new gin and tonic? Family recipe.”
The purple-horned demon scoffed, “Read me like a book.”
“What about you, Sword?” The bartender asked while jotting down Banhammer’s order, “I’m guessing it’ll be the usual? Raspberry ripple cider, bittersweet?”
“You know it!”
Slingshot nodded and turned back to prepare the drinks. He glanced back at Sword whilst pouring a sparkling liquid in a cup. “What’s with the suit? Y’ fancy now or something?” He asked lightheartedly.
Sword rubbed the back of his neck, quickly dishing out a lie, “Nah, just went to some family gathering ‘n forgot to change,” He elbowed the demon beside him. “Right, Banhammer?”
It took a few moments for a response back. “…Yeah.” it didn’t sound very convincing, but Slingshot truthfully didn’t care enough to press further.
The red-horned demon rested his face on his fist. He turned his head to face his cousin before asking, “What’s in the bag?”
“What, you plannin’ on robbing me too?”
“Haha,” Sword muttered deadpan. “Should’ve became a comedian instead of a bounty hunter.”
Slingshot placed Banhammer’s drink in front of him gently. The purple-horned demon nodded a ‘thank you’.
Banhammer let out a soft laugh, “I’ve got wanted posters of some ‘legendary’ pirate crew. Plenty of plans to catch ‘em tomorrow. I’ll set sail tonight, we’ll reach their ‘hiding place’ by tomorrow.” He paused to take a sip of his gin and tonic, “’Legendary Pirate Captain’ my ass. Should’ve caught him a long time ago when I had the chance.”
Sword hummed in acknowledgement. “Legendary? Really?”
“Does Captain B.Zuka from Blackrock ring any bells?” The bounty hunter huffed, “He and his crew steal lots from other factions. Supports Blackrock with some fortunes he gets his hands on sometimes. Real weirdo of a pirate,” He took another sip of his drink, “People up north don’t see him as a threat and call him a legend cuz of it.”
“Oh.” Sword simply said. He turned to Slingshot as he received his cider.
“What?”
“I remember Darkheart telling me about him once. He let me see Zuka’s ship, it was pretty neat. Well, from the outside. I never went onboard,” The thief picked up his cup and swirled the drink around, “Y’know… now that I think about it, his ship looks really similar to the one that attacked the cruise.”
“It can’t be. He’s not that petty to rob a cruise out of everythin’.”
Sword tried not to feel a tiny bit hurt by that. “You know him?” He asked curiously, then taking a long sip of his drink.
“More or less.” He elaborated no further.
“What? That’s it?” The red-horned barked, “You’re just going to leave me hanging like that?” He drank some more, then clapped his drink onto the counter.
“It’s none of your business.”
“This is so unfair.”
“Go cry about it.”
The conversation died down for a bit. The two drank some more while listening to the music. It would’ve been awkward without it. Few minutes passed, and the musician’s song has come to an end. Boombox was now having a break to talk with Slingshot, who was thanking his friend for the song.
“Is it gonna be just you?” Sword interrupted the silence. He stared down at his drink.
“Huh?”
“On your hunt,” He elaborated. “Or are you going alone?”
“Goin’ with nine others. Even if that means I’ll have to split the rewards. I usually go alone, but it’s a big hunt.” Banhammer quickly downed the rest of the drink.
“Well, good luck with that.” Sword copied the other and downed his drink, too.
“Why’d you ask?” The purple-horned demon whistled with his fingers at Slingshot to get his attention. “Ay Sling, fetch me my bill.” The bartender rolled his eyes and went back to work.
Sword side-eyed the other warily, “Just starting a conversation.”
Slingshot interrupted the two and slammed their bills onto the counter.
“Aggressive much?” Banhammer said as he reached into his pocket for bux.
“Don’t whistle at me like that,” Slingshot warned, crossing his arms. “I’m no dog.”
“Yeah, whatever.” The purple-horned demon slid the bux on the counter. He, along with Slingshot, now faced Sword.
“Oh, just put it on my tab, Sling,” Sword shrugged, “I’ll pay it when I get my next paycheck, I swear.”
“I’m starting to think you’re unemployed.” Slingshot sighed, visibly annoyed.
The two cousins soon left the bar. It was pitch black outside by now, dimly lighted yellow by the street lamps. The sky was splattered with stars; clouds gently fogged over the moon. Sword kept glancing back at his cousin, unsure whether he had forgotten about the theft or not.
“G’night.” Sword quickly waved goodbye and turned his back to Banhammer. He hid the bag of trinkets in front of his chest while walking.
Banhammer placed his hand on Sword’s shoulder and squeezed tightly. “I think you’re forgettin’ something here.”
“I don’t think so,” Sword tried taking Banhammer’s hand off, but it was to no success. “And I already said good night s—“
“Did you really think I’d let you walk away with what you stole?”
Sword hesitantly turned around to face Banhammer but didn’t respond.
Banhammer lent out his free hand, “Give me that bag.” He demanded.
“What? No!” Sword argued, “What’re you going to do with it anyway?”
“Return them to their rightful owners?”
“They have no names written on ‘em so…”
“I have my ways.” Banhammer’s grip tightened.
“Some of them are probably dead!” Sword sputtered out.
“Then I’d give these to their families.”
“…You’re really not going to let me go, are you?”
“No.”
“They’re rich for a reason, this is probably nothing to them.” Sword grumbled a curse under his breath but finally gave in. He couldn’t fight Banhammer or anything, so he had to lend him that bag.
Banhammer lifted the cloth over his eyes to look inside the bag. “That’s it?” He genuinely asked.
“Yeah?” The red-horned demon lied again.
“So let me check your pockets, then.” A smug look dragged onto the bounty hunter’s face. His four eyes stared daggers into Sword’s.
“Really?”
“Hurry up,” Banhammer’s brows scrunched together, “I don’t have all day.”
“Yeah, yeah whatever,” Sword checked his pockets. Golden watches, bracelets, rings and more were pulled out of his pockets all over his body. He carelessly dropped them into the bag he had just given away. “Happy?”
“Not really with you around, but I’ll live.” Banhammer sneered.
“Ain’t you nice,” Sword muttered, “Well, g’night again.”
Banhammer peeked inside the bag once more. He squinted at the writing carved onto one of the trinkets. He couldn’t pin down what it was, but they weirdly felt familiar. As if he had seen these carvings before somewhere.
“Night.” He simply responded.
And so, the two parted ways for now.
.
.
.
Sword lived somewhere near the docks. It wasn’t the prettiest of homes, it was quite run down and cheap, actually, but it’s not like he spent a lot of time there anyway. He patted his trousers’ pockets for his key and let the door creak open. He stepped inside, locked it, and made his way to his room without bothering to flick the lights on. The dim moonlight narrowly peeked from the open window that was left ajar, revealing his messy bed. He plopped himself onto the bed and stuffed his face into his pillow. Today was a complete waste.
…Unless he manages to sneak onto Banhammer’s ship tonight? That would set him something to do tomorrow as well. A ‘legendary pirate’ must be preserving some fortunes inside, right? It was risky, like everything else he does, but what if the reward is, well, rewarding?
His ears had begun to ring before the window welcomed in voices from outside. Annoyed, he groaned and itched his hip lazily as he tried to mute the voices from his mind. Strangely enough, he felt something. Something inside his blazer. It felt paper-like.
Oh.
The map.
He didn’t hand the map over.
Maybe today wasn’t a complete failure. It put a weak, but genuine, smile on his face. He took a quick breath, that would’ve been calming if it weren’t for the mumbled voices from outside. He steadily stood up and stared out the window. There were three silhouettes of demons with sharply pointed horns. Pirates, he assumed, based on their accents. It was strange, he couldn’t quite put his finger on it but one of the demons sounded familiar.
Too familiar. So familiar, in familial way.
“Valk?” Sword muttered to himself in mere disbelief. He hadn’t seen or heard him in months.
The voices were hazy, he couldn’t tell what exactly the trio was talking about. He leaned outside the window, obliviously thinking that it’d make him hear the pirates clearer. It, in fact, barely did anything and just made him look stupid. It’s not like he really cares about Valk— he’s just curious, that’s all…!
Curious, just like when he spied on those pirates talking about today’s cruise.
Oh, but if he wanted to sneak up onto Banhammer’s ship, he couldn’t spy on his nephew.
He needs to make a choice.
“Should Sword follow Banhammer, or spy on Valk and the other pirates?”
OPTION 1: Follow Banhammer.
- Sail to the ‘legendary pirate’ in secret
OPTION 2: Spy on Valk and the other pirates.
- Learn what Valk is up to
(How to vote: Comment an option. You may only vote once!)