Jasper stood over Lucius, towering like a shadow of death itself. His smirk never left his face, that twisted grin only growing as he watched Lucius struggle to regain his footing.
"Before I kill you, boy," Jasper's gravelly voice cut through the eerie silence of the destroyed village. "I'm feeling generous. I'll give you a chance."
Lucius spat blood onto the dirt, barely able to lift his head to meet Jasper's gaze. The pain in his chest throbbed from the earlier blow, but his hatred burned hotter than the agony coursing through his body.
Jasper's boots crunched forward, his massive frame blocking out the faint light of the flames still burning in the distance. "All of my crew—those idiots—they couldn't handle one kid." He tilted his head, looking Lucius over with something like admiration in his cruel eyes. "But you? You killed them all."
Lucius could feel his heart pounding in his chest, each beat sending waves of agony through his battered body. He couldn't move—his limbs felt heavy, his muscles weak from the punch Jasper had already given him. But his mind was still sharp, fueled by rage and the memory of his mother's lifeless body.
Jasper crouched low, coming eye level with Lucius, that ugly smirk never faltering. "I like that," he hissed, his breath rancid. "You've got spirit. So, here's my offer: join me."
The words hit Lucius like a slap to the face.
"Join me," Jasper continued, his voice taking on a sickeningly casual tone. "A kid like you—quick, clever, deadly—I could use someone like that. Hell, you might even enjoy it. Plundering villages, taking whatever you want, killing anyone who gets in your way. It's better than rotting in a grave next to these fools." He gestured around at the bodies with a sweep of his arm.
Lucius clenched his fists, struggling to push himself off the ground. His vision swam, but the fire in his heart never wavered. He thought of the villagers, the laughter, the warmth of their smiles, all destroyed by this man's greed. He thought of his mother, her gentle touch, her love, and her final breath slipping away in his arms.
His voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper, but it carried with it all the hatred he could muster.
"I wouldn't join you," Lucius growled, spitting another mouthful of blood at Jasper's feet, "you filthy, crooked bastard."
The smirk on Jasper's face vanished, replaced with a dark scowl. His eyes narrowed, and his hand twitched toward the massive sword strapped to his back.
"Then... DIE!"
Jasper's voice thundered as he lunged at Lucius with terrifying speed, his massive fist slamming into Lucius's face. The force of the punch sent Lucius flying backward, his body crashing through the remains of a wooden cart before skidding across the blood-soaked ground. He tasted blood—his own—filling his mouth, spilling out in thick, metallic drops as he gasped for breath.
Pain exploded in his ribs, and for a moment, Lucius thought he might black out. But the image of his mother—her body lying still in the cave—flashed before his eyes. No. He couldn't let go. Not now. Not like this.
Jasper didn't give him a moment to recover. The pirate leader was on him in an instant, his boot connecting with Lucius's gut in a vicious kick that sent a sickening crunch through the air. Lucius doubled over, choking as blood splattered from his mouth, mixing with the dirt beneath him. The pain was unbearable, his body screaming in protest, but the rage inside him was stronger.
Jasper laughed, a cruel, mocking sound that echoed through the ruined village.
"Pathetic," he sneered, looming over Lucius. "You really thought you could take on the world, didn't you, boy? I'll give you credit for the fight you put up, but this is where it ends."
Lucius's vision blurred, his limbs trembling as he tried to push himself up again. Every movement sent waves of agony through his battered body, but he forced himself to rise. He couldn't die here. He wouldn't die here. Not without making Jasper pay for everything he had done.
Jasper sneered, drawing his sword with a slow, deliberate motion. The blade gleamed menacingly in the fading light, its edge sharp enough to slice through bone. He raised it high above his head, ready to deliver the final blow.
Jasper's cruel grin widened as he towered over Lucius, his massive sword gleaming wickedly in the dying light. Blood dripped from Lucius's mouth, his body broken and bruised, but the fire in his remaining eye burned hotter than ever.
"Any last words, boy?" Jasper sneered, grabbing Lucius by his hair and hoisting him up with one hand like he weighed nothing.
The pain was blinding, white-hot, as Jasper's fingers dug into Lucius's scalp, but the boy's mind remained razor-sharp, focused. Unknown to the pirate captain, Lucius had been quietly working behind his back—literally. His hands, weak and trembling, had managed to untie the two arrows he had prepared earlier. The deadly venom-tipped thorns, still attached to the arrows, were now gripped in his bloodied fists.
Jasper's face was close now, too close. His breath reeked of alcohol and decay as he stared down at Lucius with disdain. The world around Lucius seemed to slow, his heart pounding in his ears, the ringing of the battlefield drowned out by the sound of his own determination.
With raw, desperate strength, Lucius swung his body upward. The motion was so sudden, so unexpected, that Jasper didn't have time to react. Lucius drove the two thorns into Jasper's eyes with all the force he could muster, burying them deep into the pirate's eyes.
Jasper let out a horrific scream, a sound so primal and guttural that it echoed through the ruined village like a demon's howl. His grip on Lucius faltered as he staggered back, clawing at his face, blood pouring from his ruined eyes. His screams grew louder, more desperate, as the venom began to work its way into his veins, darkening his flesh as it spread.
Lucius collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. His body was on the verge of giving out, but his mind was sharp, unyielding. He had one last move to make.
His eye darted to the small fire still burning nearby. He crawled, each movement sending waves of pain through his injured leg, but he didn't stop. He couldn't stop. Jasper, blinded and thrashing, was still dangerous—still alive. Lucius wasn't going to let him live another second longer than necessary.
As Jasper screamed and thrashed, clawing at his bleeding eyes, Lucius reached the fire. His trembling hands found the makeshift bomb—one of the last of the lethal creations he had crafted earlier. Without hesitation, he lit the fuse against the flickering flame. The hissing of the fuse was like a countdown to the end.
Lucius stood up on shaky legs, his body screaming in protest, blood dripping from his wounded eye, but he forced himself forward. Every step was agony, but he limped toward Jasper with grim determination.
Jasper, half-blind and maddened with pain, turned toward the sound of Lucius's uneven steps, his mouth gaping open in a scream of fury.
Lucius locked eyes—or what was left of his vision—on the pirate. The moment was a blur, his injured leg barely supporting him, his vision fading, but his mind was clear. With a final, savage motion, Lucius hurled the bomb directly into Jasper's open mouth.
The fuse burned bright.
Lucius staggered away, limping with an uneven gait, his one good eye barely able to focus. Blood dripped from his wounds, and his body ached with every step. The pain was excruciating, but he didn't look back. He didn't need to.
*Chris Grey - LET THE WORLD BURN*
BOOM!
Jasper's body exploded behind him in a deafening blast of fire and blood. The force of the explosion rocked the ground beneath Lucius's feet, sending bits of debris and flesh raining down around him. The blast wave hit him hard, nearly knocking him over, but he kept walking, each step heavy with the weight of survival.
The smoke curled into the darkening sky, the gruesome remains of Jasper scattered across the village in a twisted mess of blood and fire.
Lucius didn't stop. He limped forward, his injured leg dragging behind him, one eye swollen shut and leaking blood, but he kept going. His mother's voice echoed in his mind—telling him to stay strong, to keep going.
Behind him, there was nothing left of Jasper but ash.
(To be continued…)
Author's Note:
Hey there,
I hope you're enjoying the story so far! If you're wondering where Lucius path is headed, hang tight—it will be revealed soon.
For this chapter, I drew inspiration from the song "LET THE WORLD BURN" by Chris Grey. it sparked an idea that helped shape parts of the chapter. I felt that including the song added to the overall mood. If you don't feel the same or would prefer I not include music references, please let me know—I value your feedback!
I'd also love to hear your thoughts on the chapters. Every time I see a comment, it reminds me that someone is truly engaging with my work, and that keeps me motivated to continue.
That's all for now. Wishing you a fantastic day or night, and may all your hopes and dreams come true. Peace!