The corridors of Ooka-Hoop's Administration Building stretched endlessly before them, their ancient stone walls slick with moisture and shadow. The air carried the weight of fear and desperation, the distant echo of boots on stone, the muffled cries of a city under siege. Galit Varuna walked at the front of the group, his emerald eyes scanning every corner, every doorway, every shadow that could hide a threat. His long neck was held in that loose, observant S-curve, and his fingers twitched, itching to sketch out the layout of the building.
Eliane Anđel walked beside him, her silver hair hidden beneath the stolen Navy cap. Her blue eyes darted nervously, her small frame swallowed by the oversized uniform. Jelly Squish was tucked into her collar, his translucent blue body barely visible beneath the fabric. His starry eyes blinked with curiosity, but he remained silent, sensing the tension in the air.
Vesta Lavana brought up the rear, her rainbow hair tucked beneath her cap, though stray strands of color escaped around her ears. Her violet eyes sparkled with nervous energy, and she clutched Mikasi in her pocket, the living instrument humming with a faint, anxious vibration.
Marina Kick marched ahead of them, her boots striking the stone with military authority. Her fierce, dark hazel eyes fixed on the path ahead, and her green-trimmed Justice coat billowed behind her like a banner. She walked with the coiled energy of a predator, her legs tensed for action, her mind already running plays.
Zento Radias brought up the rear, his vibrant green eyes scanning the group with unsettling intensity. His flamboyant silk blouse was immaculate, his polished boots gleaming with each step. He held Mayla, his pearl-white rifle, across his chest, his fingers tracing the gold filigree with practiced ease.
Vice Admiral Casimir's voice carried down the hall, sharp and cold, cutting through the thick stone walls like a blade.
"You do not actually think I believe you when you say you have no idea where the God's Knights disappeared to? You either start coming up with answers, or it will be your people who will pay the price."
Felice Pippas's voice rang out in response, sharp and defiant. "You cannot! We do not know anything! We honor our treaty with Mary Geoise—"
Marina Kick knocked on the door, her knuckles rapping against the wood with sharp conviction.
"Enter," Casimir snapped.
Marina swung the door open, her voice flat. "Prisoners, sir."
Vesta, Eliane, and Galit shuffled into the room, their eyes adjusting to the dim light. The conference room was large, its walls lined with ancient tapestries depicting the history of Amiso. A massive wooden table dominated the center, its surface scarred with the marks of countless meetings. The Council sat around it, their faces masks of grim resignation.
Ash Dasan lay hunched in a corner, his body limp, his face bruised and swollen. His buffalo-hide vest was torn, and his ironwood lance lay shattered beside him. He was unconscious, his chest rising and falling with shallow, labored breaths.
Eldon Gretok sat at the table, his weathered face pale beneath the weight of exhaustion. His Winter Count journal lay open before him, its pages filled with the history of his people. His hand rested on the worn leather, his fingers tracing the symbols of a forgotten promise.
Felice Pippas stood opposite Casimir, her hands pressed flat against the table, her dark blue Bio-Loom robe rumpled and stained. Her silver buffalo brooch reflective in the dim light, a small defiance against the oppression that surrounded her.
Nola Lorn sat beside Eldon, her hands folded in her lap, her dark blue robe draped around her like a shroud. Her warm brown eyes held a quiet, unshakeable strength, the strength of a woman who had weathered a hundred storms.
Rudra Soul sat at the end of the table, his ceremonial buffalo robe draped over his thin frame. His eagle feather swayed with each movement, and his dark eyes fixed on Casimir with an intensity that seemed to pierce through the very air.
Casimir's eyes locked onto Galit, and he rounded on him with rapacious speed. His hand shot out, grabbing Galit by the collar and jerking him close. His voice was a low, cold growl.
"Where is she?"
Galit's emerald eyes met Casimir's gaze without flinching. His voice was calm, measured. "Who?"
Casimir's jaw flexed, his grip tightening. "Do not play dumb with me. You know exactly who I am talking about. Where is your captain?"
Eliane and Vesta looked past Galit and Casimir to the Council. Their eyes widened as they took in the scene—the unconscious War Chief, the battered diplomats, the quiet defiance in the eyes of the Clan Mother and Spiritual Advisor.
Galit continued, his voice flat. "I think she said something about shopping."
Casimir's jaw flexed, his eye twitching with barely contained rage. "Why are you here?"
Galit and Casimir's eyes locked in silent challenge. The air between them crackled with tension, a coiled spring ready to snap.
Casimir released Galit with a shove, his voice cold. "Fine. If you do not want to talk, then maybe they will."
Galit stumbled back as Casimir shifted his attention to Eliane. Her eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. Casimir charged toward her, his hand shooting out to grab her collar.
He ripped the cap from her head, her silver hair spilling out in a cascade of light. His voice was a cold sneer. "You actually thought this would fool someone?"
He picked her up by the collar, her feet kicking out as she dangled in the air. Jelly's head poked out from under her collar, his starry eyes wide with alarm.
Galit lunged forward, his hand reaching for his weapon, but Marina and Zento rushed in, grabbing his arms and holding him back. Marina's voice was a sharp command. "Stand down."
The commotion came to an abrupt halt when Felice Pippas called out, her voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. "Red Hair Pirates."
Everyone paused. All eyes turned to Felice. She stood at the table, her back straight, her chin held high. Her gaze swept across the room, meeting the eyes of Eldon, Nola, and Rudra in silent conversation. They nodded in unison, a shared understanding passing between them.
Felice nodded back, her voice carrying a note of quiet authority. "We propose an alliance with the Emperor Red Hair in exchange for—"
Casimir's yell of frustration cut her off. He spun around, his arm sweeping in a wide arc, and threw Eliane across the room.
Eliane screamed, her body tumbling through the air. She twisted, her instincts taking over. Her hands ripped at the Navy uniform, tearing it away from her body. Her white Lunarian wings unfurled with a sound like silk tearing, the halo-like flame on her back bursting into brilliant life. Jelly bounced out from her collar, his gelatinous body wobbling as he landed on the floor.
Eliane drew her bamboo practice sword, her voice a fierce battle cry. "I am a Lunarian!"
She charged toward Casimir, her blade raised high. "DO NOT BE MEAN TO ME!"
Galit and Vesta exchanged a look. Galit's shoulders lifted in a shrug. Vesta's lips curled into a grin. She reached into her pocket and grabbed Mikasi, the living instrument shifting into a harmonica in her grip. She brought it to her lips and blew.
The note was sharp, clear, and impossibly vibrant. Dancing coyotes of light materialized from the sound, their forms shimmering with rainbow colors. They charged toward Casimir, their jaws snapping, their bodies weaving through the air.
Marina and Zento covered their ears, the sound cutting through their concentration. Zento's vibrant green eyes widened in surprise. Marina's jaw tightened, her teeth grinding together.
Casimir began to shift, his body contorting as he entered his hybrid form. His skin darkened to obsidian, his hands growing sickle claws, his teeth sharpening to serrated needles. His yellow eyes blazed with cold fury.
Eliane dodged his sweeping strike, her small frame weaving around his claws. Her bamboo practice sword whacked against his skull with a sharp crack, the sound echoing through the room.
Jelly bounced onto Casimir's arm, his gelatinous body gripping the obsidian scales. He attempted to inject his venom, his body pressing against the Vice Admiral's skin. Casimir tried to shake him off, but Jelly stuck like glue.
"Bloop!" Jelly giggled. "Sticky, sticky!"
Galit and Vesta both ripped off their uniforms, their disguises discarded. Galit gripped his Vipera Whips, his emerald eyes fixed on Marina. Vesta continued to play, the dancing coyotes materializing around her, charging toward Casimir and Zento.
Eldon Gretok, Felice Pippas, Nola Lorn, and Rudra Soul were pressed into the corner, Ash Dasan unconscious at their feet. Nola's voice was a sharp command. "Now is the time!"
Eldon, Felice, and Rudra nodded in agreement. Eldon's hand moved to the floor, his fingers finding a hidden seam. He pulled, and a section of the stone floor lifted, revealing a dark passage with steps leading down. Inside the compartment, a rack of rifles gleamed in the dim light.
Eldon, Felice, Nola, and Rudra each took a rifle, their movements swift and practiced. They raised the weapons, their shoulders set, their aim unwavering.
A gunshot cracked through the room.
The sound was deafening, a thunderclap that silenced all other noise. Everyone froze, their bodies going rigid. The silence that followed was absolute, a void that swallowed all sound.
Vice Admiral Casimir stumbled backward, his hand flying to his chest. Blood seeped through his uniform, staining the white fabric crimson. His yellow eyes widened in shock, his mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air.
"Sea Prism Stone," he gasped, his voice a strangled whisper.
Felice Pippas stepped forward, her rifle still smoking. Her gaze locked onto Galit, her voice calm and commanding. "You are with the Red Hair Emperor."
Galit's emerald eyes met hers. He considered his answer, weighing the consequences. "Yes," he said, his voice steady. "We are associated with the Emperor."
Felice nodded, her voice carrying the weight of a declaration. "We declare an allegiance to the Red Hair Emperor. Do you accept?"
Galit's eyes shifted to Eliane, Vesta, and Jelly. Eliane shrugged, her wings folding against her back. Vesta offered a small grin, her harmonica still in her hand. Jelly blinked, his starry eyes wide with confusion.
Galit sighed, the breath heavy with the weight of the decision. He turned back to Felice. "We accept."
Marina Kick and Zento Radias both yelled out in protest, their voices sharp with outrage. Their cries were cut short by two more cracks of gunfire. They crumpled to the ground, their bodies limp, their eyes wide with shock.
Galit turned to the Council, his voice urgent. "We cannot stay here."
Rudra Soul nodded, his hand gesturing toward the secret passage. "This way. Quickly. It will take us outside the city."
Galit, Vesta, Eliane, and Jelly rushed toward the opening. Rudra struggled to lift Ash Dasan's unconscious body, his thin frame straining against the War Chief's weight.
Galit grabbed Ash, throwing him over his shoulder with a grunt. "We can treat him on the ship."
Footsteps thundered from down the hall, the sound of reinforcements approaching. The group disappeared through the secret passageway, the stone floor sliding shut behind them, concealing their escape.
Topiaris Tidaltuff and Petra Ven burst through the door, their eyes sweeping across the chaos. Topiaris's silver-white pompadour was immaculate, his pristine uniform untouched by the violence. Petra's dark eyes widened as she took in the scene—Casimir bleeding on the floor, Marina and Zento unconscious, the Council gone.
Topiaris's voice was sharp with alarm. "Vice Admiral! Marina! Zento!"
Petra rushed to Casimir's side, her hands pressing against his wound. Her voice was a low, urgent whisper. "Stay with me. Do not move."
The room was a tableau of chaos, the remnants of a battle that had already been lost. The hunt for the Red Hair Pirates had only just begun.
If you enjoyed this chapter, please consider giving Dracule Marya Zaleska a Power Stone! It helps the novel climb the rankings and get more eyes on our story!
Thank you for sailing with us! 🏴☠️ Your support means so much!
Want to see the Dreadnought Thalassa blueprints? Or unlock the true power of Goddess Achlys?
Join the Dracule Marya Zaleska crew on Patreon to get exclusive concept art, deep-dive lore notes, and access to our private Discord community! You make the New World adventure possible.
Become a Crewmate and Unlock the Lore:
https://patreon.com/An1m3N3rd?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
Thanks so much for your support and loving this story as much as I do!