The boats sliced through the waves, engines coughing, hulls cracked, the group exhausted. Gorm and Rennik had stayed at the cove to guard the spare boats against Yariv's crows, while the rest pressed on to regroup. The rumble echoed Kain's promise: to hunt Yariv and Shimon before the relics led them to something worse. Black smoke from the High Fractures hung in the damp air. Kain gripped the helm tightly, his pale fingers digging into the wood, the image of Selya on Yariv's ship fixed in his mind. The warm bracelet pulsed on his wrist, resonating with the Ruby Gem, a reminder of Shimon with the ring and Yariv with Selya.
Lirien stood beside him, her broken spear slung over her shoulder. "Tashkivor's pissed," she said, voice low, eyes on the horizon.
Kain slammed his fist on the helm. "Yariv's poking him with the relics, and Shimon's grabbing the rest. We'll get them," he growled, recalling Shimon's smirk.
Toren, in the third boat, wiped his greatsword clean. "I'll cut Yariv's sails and sink him," he grunted.
Sira, in the fourth boat, stowed her bow. "We need a plan. He's not alone," she said, glancing at the mist.
Vael, in the last boat, twirled a dagger. "Kain cuts, I get rich," he laughed, easing the tension.
Lirien turned to Kain, a teasing smile on her lips. "Even Vael thinks you'll solve everything with that sword."
Kain tilted his head, sarcastic. "I'm the brains here," he shot back, eyes on Shadow Village.
The boats docked at the village pier, planks creaking as the group disembarked, weary from battle. Yariv's burned symbol on a crooked house was a reminder of the raid that took Selya. Villagers rebuilt, hammering boards into place.
Gavren, Shadow Village's leader and Selya's father, crossed his arms, axe at his belt. "You're back," he said, voice deep, nodding at the battered boats. "And my daughter? Still with Yariv?"
Kain nodded, wiping rain from his face, the cut on his shoulder throbbing. "He hit us at the Fractures. Selya's been on his ship since you lost her. Shimon took another relic," he said, fists clenched.
Gavren gritted his teeth, dark eyes burning with restrained fury. "My Selya's with him. I'm coming with you," he muttered, stepping forward, his hand gripping the axe handle as if he could feel Yariv there.
Lirien exchanged a look with Kain, spear in hand. "Gavren, we just got here. We're not in shape," she said, pointing at the damaged boats.
Kain stepped up, voice firm. "Stay, Gavren. I'll bring her back," he said, locking eyes with him, intense. Gavren hesitated, fists trembling, chest heaving fast. He turned with a low growl, punching a loose plank on the dock until it split in two, splinters flying into the mud. "Reinforce those houses!" he shouted to the villagers, his voice cracking with rage, each order a strike against the helplessness gnawing at him for staying while Selya remained in Yariv's grasp. The villagers moved quickly, the sound of hammers echoing as an answer to his pain.
From the dock's shadows, a burly man emerged, skin sun-scorched, gray hair falling over sunken eyes. Torv, a naval engineer who'd come to help rebuild Shadow Village, held a metal wrench in calloused hands, his thick arms showing the strength of someone who wrestled hulls and engines. "Repairs in a day," he said, his hoarse voice cutting through the damp air. "Yariv trashed my shipyard for his ship's parts. I want him to pay. I'll take you wherever you need."
Toren chuckled low, greatsword resting on his shoulder like a trophy. "I like this one. He's got fire. We need him, Kain?"
Kain eyed Torv, sizing up the engineer with a hard look that weighed every detail—the steady stance, the determination etched in the lines of his face. "Alright, Torv. You're in. Fix the boats and prove you can keep up," he said, then reached into his pocket, fingers finding the Ruby Gem.
Heat surged through his palm, and the glow shaped the Ruby Sword—a sharp blade slicing through the village's shadow. He stepped into a clearing near the high rocks, wet ground underfoot. He had to master it—for Selya, for the relics, for the roar of the High Fractures. He spun the sword, the bracelet and pendant humming, heat rising through his legs. "Who wants to test it?" he taunted, eyeing the group, a crooked smile on his lips.
Lirien stepped forward, spear twirling, laughing low. "You against us? Let's see that sword shine," she said, planting her feet, spear aimed.
Toren snorted, hefting his greatsword. "I'll teach you to respect a blade," he growled, advancing with heavy steps.
Sira drew a short arrow like a dagger. "I won't go easy," she warned, positioning herself beside Lirien.
Vael spun his daggers, grinning faintly. "Don't cry when I cut you," he said, flanking the group.
Torv crossed his arms, wrench in hand. "I'll watch," he grumbled, stepping back.
Kain laughed, the Ruby pulsing. "Five against one? Better than Yariv," he shot back, darting forward with super speed, the sword slashing toward Lirien.
She blocked with her spear, sparks flying. "Predictable!" she teased, shoving him back as she tried to flank him.
Kain leaped, but Toren's greatsword cleaved the air, clashing with the Ruby in a boom. He spun, kicking Toren's leg, making him stumble. "Nice try!" Toren shouted, swinging low; Kain rolled to dodge.
An arrow whizzed, grazing his sleeve. Sira advanced, aiming for his shoulder. Kain blocked with the Ruby, pushing her back. "Too fast!" he said as she retreated.
Vael darted in, daggers targeting arm and flank. Kain parried in a double arc, metal clanging. Vael laughed, throwing a dagger; Kain dodged, but the Ruby flared too bright, a red beam bursting from the blade. The streak sliced the air, heading straight for Torv, who dove aside, the wrench clattering into the mud.
"Stop!" Lirien yelled, spear lowered, eyes wide. Kain froze, the Ruby trembling in his hand, its unstable glow pulsing erratically.
Toren planted his greatsword in the ground, huffing. "That's no sword—it's a trap," he said, voice deep.
Sira frowned. "If those relics betray you against Yariv, we're dead."
Torv stood, rubbing his shoulder. "Careful, kid. You almost cut me," he grumbled, retrieving the wrench.
Kain took a deep breath, the bracelet's heat searing his skin. "I'll control it," he said, but doubt crept into his tone. He spun the Ruby, testing it, and the fight resumed.
Lirien struck from the side, Toren from above. Kain spun between them, blocking the spear, the greatsword sinking into the earth. "Slow10Slow together!" he shouted, laughing.
Sira fired another arrow, aiming for his foot. Kain sliced it in half. Vael rushed in, daggers crossing in an X, but Kain leaped, striking his shoulder with the hilt, knocking him down. "Stay there!" he said, sarcastic.
Toren charged, greatsword swinging sideways. Kain blocked, the impact jarring his teeth, and shoved him back hard. "Strong, but not enough!" he growled.
Lirien spun her spear toward his chest, but Kain dodged, appearing behind her, the Ruby a hair's breadth from her neck. "It's over," he murmured, panting, smiling as she huffed.
"Damn it, Kain," Lirien grumbled, lowering her spear, a faint smile breaking through. Toren laughed, Sira nodded, Vael got up chuckling. "Fast, huh?"
Torv clapped his hands. "Yariv better watch out," he said, voice rough.
Kain sheathed the Ruby, chest heaving. "Let's see who cuts deeper," he said, eyes on the horizon.
A low roar shook the rocks. A quick wave splashed foam into the clearing, soaking Kain's boots as he jumped back.
Torv looked up from the boats, frowning. "This training's waking Tashkivor," he muttered, returning to work, the hammer's echo ringing out.
Vael stopped, daggers in hand, and stared at the horizon, his smile fading. "That thing doesn't quit," he said, pointing at the water.
On the edge of sight, black sails rose against the gray sky, the distant sound of wind-taut ropes cutting the air. A quick flash of lightning lit the outline of Yariv's ship, a living shadow growing in the mist.
Sira narrowed her eyes, grabbing her bow in a fluid motion, the string trembling in her hand. "They followed us. Or Tashkivor brought them. That figure on the ship… it looked like her," she said, voice steady but laced with tension she couldn't hide.
Kain gripped the pocket where the Ruby Gem rested, its red glow reflecting in his eyes like an unquenchable fire. "That's no rumble. It's a call. And Selya's in the middle of it," he said, turning to Torv with a tone that brooked no delay. "Finish those boats fast. We're going after that ship before Yariv collects more pieces." Torv nodded, the hammer striking the cracked planks with urgency, while Sira kept her bow ready, eyes fixed on the distant figure. The group moved as one, exhaustion giving way to sharp determination, ready for whatever the dark horizon held.