Thalia's Tale - Chapter Seventeen - Sacrifice

    “Oi! Wasn’t one of you a Minstrel?” One of the crewmembers shouted.

    Kevin winced into his mug, then set it down and turned to face the rest of the room with a fake smile. “That’d be me.” He said.

    “Then play us a tune!” The crewmember said. The rest of the crew gave their agreements in unison.

    “Yeah, Kevin.” Jack smirked. “Play us a tune.”

    Kevin shot a glare at him before taking his mandolin off from where it was strapped to his back. “Alright.” He said. “Any requests?”

    “I’ve got one!” A girl member said. “How about ‘If This Were a Movie?”

    Kevin thought for a moment. “I’ve got to sing for that…” He said.

    “So?” The girl asked. “Is there a problem?”

    “Not at all!” Kevin turned quickly to face his friends. “Okay, we’ve got a problem.”

    Venom and Kevin leaned closer to him. “What is it?” Jack asked.

    “I can’t sing.” He looked at Venom. “V, you gotta do it for me.”

    Venom’s head snapped up. “What?!”

    “Any day now!” A crewmember called.

    “Please, Venom! You know like every Taylor Swift song in existence!” Kevin smiled sheepishly. “Please?”

    Venom groaned. “Fine!” She snapped. “But I haven’t sung in ages!”

    “Doesn’t matter!” Kevin spun around again as Venom climbed over the table and sat beside him on that side. Jack just leaned back in his chair and watched with a smirk.

    Kevin glanced at Venom. “Ready?”

    Venom shook her head. “No.”

    “Too bad. Get ready.” He strummed his mandolin and Venom took a reluctant breath. But before they could begin, a massive tremor shook the ship. Venom breathed a sigh of relief. Not much later, Logan and Thalia ran into the mess hall.

    “Pirates!” Thalia shouted. “Pirates off port!”

    “Arm cannons! To stations!” Thatcher shouted as he stood up.

          The crew started up and out of the mess hall. “You heard him! To stations!” Eve ran up behind the lot, ushering them out faster.

          As the Kevin set down the mandolin and pulled out his axe as he ran after the crew, Thalia fell in step beside Venom. “What were you two just doing?” She asked.

          “We were… I was… He…” Venom scowled at Thalia’s smug expression. “He made me!”

          “Not what it looked like to me.” Jack said as he brushed past the girls. Venom looked like she wanted to strangle him.

.         .         .

          “On your left!” Logan shouted.

          Thalia quickly dodged to the right. From behind, a blade stabbed through where her side had been seconds ago. She kicked the pirate in the chest and he went stumbling over the rail of the ship. Thalia immediately looked up at Logan. “Did you just reference the Winter-”

          “Maybe!” Logan threw his sais over her head. She yelped and turned around to see another pirate fall to the ground. Logan then turned and only had just enough time to block an overhead strike from a pirate near him. He swiped the pirate’s sword to one side, then kicked him in the side and sent him back a few steps.

          Thalia grabbed the sais out of the fallen pirate’s chest and tossed it to Logan. She didn’t have time to see him catch it, however, because she had problems of her own to deal with. She spun around and only just managed to block the next pirate’s attack. She swept it to the side, but the pirate was fast. He recovered quickly and swung at her side. She blocked that attack and punched him in the face.

          Suddenly there was a splash from off ship. “THALIA!” Logan shouted.

          “I’m a little busy at the moment!” Thalia replied without looking at him.

          He stumbled back at stared at her incredulously, wiping blood off his nose as Thalia shook out her hand. “You punched me!” He said, clearly shocked that she had punched him.

          “Yeah, and I’ll do it again!” Thalia lurched forward, throwing a strike at his side. He only just managed to block it. The two clashed again and again, metal ringing on metal.

          “You act like a Skylord!” The pirate said.

          “That’s because I am one!” Thalia replied.

    Their blades locked for a moment and the pirate looked at her quizzically. “How old are you?”

    Thalia slid both their blades down so the banged onto and stepped on his, so it clattered to the wooden deck, leaving the pirate unarmed. “Sixteen.” Thalia punched him hard in the face a second time so he fell unconsciously onto the deck, then she turned to face Logan. “What d’you want, Ginger?!”

    She turned around to see the very same ginger she’d addressed staring at her incredulously. “You just threw my sais overboard, Kal!” He shouted.

    Thalia froze. She looked down at his hands to see only one of the trident-like weapons in his hand. The other was nowhere to be seen. She looked back up at him nervously. “Oh.”

     

    “Venom, watch out!” Kevin shoved his friend to one side as an arrow struck the wood where she’d been only a half-second before.

    Venom nodded to him. “Thanks.” She said. Several more pirates swung aboard the ship on ropes as others charged from the opposite side of the deck. Venom stiffened and barked, “Back to back!” The two face away from each other, Kevin bearing his axe in one hand and his dagger in the other as Venom nocked an arrow to the string of her bow.

    “You think you’re tough?” A pirate asked Kevin. “Just because there’s two of- ACK!” He let out a cry and fell to the ground with a green-shafted arrow in his heart.

    Venom turned around, her expression deadpan as she nocked an arrow to the string and drew it back to the corner of her mouth.

    “This is crazy!” Another pirate said. “We’re being taken down by a crazy little girl with a bow and a crazy little boy with a-” Another pirate went down.

    Venom pulled a third green arrow out of the quiver behind her back, nocked it to the string, and drew it to the corner of her mouth in one fluent motion. “Anybody else wanna make a comment?” She asked.

          No one volunteered, although a few exchanged glances.

          Kevin shot an amused glance at Venom behind him, then held his axe ready. “And I can do that sort of thing too.” He said. “So I’d watch your step.”

          There was another hesitation before there was a shout. “WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! ATTACK!” The pirates all let out a continuous battle cry and roared forward.

          Venom sent a glare in Eve’s direction as she shot down a pirate without looking, knowing Eve had been the one to order them to attack. Eve just grinned at her and saluted before returning to battle. Kevin deflected a blow from a pirate and locked his dagger with his sword above their heads. He kicked the pirate hard in the ribs and as he doubled over, Kevin leapt up and spin-kicked him hard across the face. Meanwhile, a pirate aimed a blow at his back and Venom shot him. At precisely the same time, Kevin shot the pirate that had been about to stab Venom while she’d been protecting Kevin.

          The two switched sides then; Venom on the right, Kevin on the left. Suddenly, a familiar shout could be heard. The two looked up to see Jack standing on top of the mast of the ship. He was totally wiping out the pirates – teleporting behind them and stabbing them from behind, then going again and again.

    “You go help him.” Venom said. “I’ll handle these bastards.”

    Kevin nodded once. “Good luck.” He rolled his eyes as he headed towards the ladder up to the mast. “Like he needs help…” He muttered.

    When he reached the top, he saw Jack cornering one of the crewmen to the edge of the mast. Too much further and the man would be pushed off the side. Something was off.

    “Jack!” Kevin shouted. “He’s not our enemy!”

    Suddenly, Jack disappeared in a flash of purple. Kevin was about to shout for him when he reappeared right in front of him. Jack slammed Kevin up against the mast and held his dagger up to his neck. Kevin’s eyes widened. It was then that he realized what had happened.

    His eyes had gone completely dark purple, his skin flushing the same color. Something had stirred his ender side.

    Kevin, unable to defend himself, just stared at Jack in fear. “Jack, snap out of it!” He shouted.

    Jack let out an animalistic growl and tightened his grip on the hilt of his dagger. Kevin stared into his eyes, ignoring the growing fear inside him. “I know you’re in there, Jackie.” He said, his voice wavering.

    Jack’s eyes narrowed and he prepared the final blow. But then, his expression softened. He grunted in pain and closed his eyes, falling to his knees. But being on a mast complicated that.

    Kevin yelped and grabbed him. “Jack!” He shook him lightly. “Come on, buddy, talk to me!” The enderman didn’t respond. He was out cold. Kevin’s eyes widened. “Medic!” He shouted.

    .         .         .

    Logan grinned as the pirate he’d been attacking turned tail and fled back to his friends with a bad cut on his side. “Yeah, you better run!” Logan shouted. He hadn’t gone far before he was struck down by a green-shafted, poisonous arrow and Venom grinned in satisfaction before whacking another pirate hard with her bow.

    Eve smirked at him sidelong. “You know, Keyes, you’re a pretty good fighter…” She said, out of breath. Thalia glared at her. Logan just glanced at the two nervously.

    Suddenly, a shout rang through the air, from the mast. “Medic!”

    Below, Venom heard Kevin’s cry and looked up in surprise. “Somebody get a medic!” Kevin shouted.

    Venom’s eyes widened. “Medic!” She shouted.

    Thalia and Logan looked up. “Is Jeck hurt?” He asked.

    “No…” Thalia’s eyes widened. “It’s Jack!”

    “Medic!” Eve shouted. She ran down the steps leading to the main deck. “For god’s sakes! Why do you lot always take so damn long?!”

     

    “Be careful! Don’t mess with his chest or anything, his heart’s on the right side, not the left!” Kevin warned.

    “I got it!” The medic said. “Go back to fighting already!”

    Kevin turned to Thalia as she and Logan ran up. “What happened?” Thalia demanded.

    “I don’t know.” Kevin replied. “He just went nuts and was attacking everybody – including the crewmen – and then he attacked me.”

    “Why would he attack you?!” Logan asked.

    “I don’t know.” Kevin replied. “But it was like he was… under control. Someone else’s control. I don’t know how else to explain it.”

    Thalia sighed. “Maybe it has to do with the Enderman thing.”

    Logan glanced up. “Is that Venom?” He asked. Kevin and Thalia followed his gaze to see Venom standing alone with the pirate captain on the bough. They appeared to be talking.

    Thalia started forward, but Kevin stopped her. “Wait.” He said. “She might be making peace. Don’t interrupt her.”

    Thalia nodded and stepped down again. From the helm, a cry could be heard. Thalia sound around to see the captain under attack. “Shit.” She said. “Ginger, come on!”

    She ran off with Logan at her side as Kevin returned to fighting on the main deck.

     

    “You can’t!” Venom cried.

    The Captain smirked. “I can and I will.” He said. “One order and this whole ship goes up. My pirates have infiltrated your TNT hold and I can have it all blown up in seconds.” His beady eyes seemed to pierce into Venom’s soul. “You, your companions, your captain – they’ll all go up in flames. Along with your pathetic ship. If you can call it that.”

    Venom let a low growl escape her throat. “What do you want?” She demanded.

    The Captain hesitated. “You seem like a valuable fighter…” He grinned. “Join my crew.”

    “Never.” Venom hissed. “I would rather die!”

    “That can be arranged!” The captain snapped.

          Venom hesitated, considering her options. Either blow up, or save everyone else’s lives… But her own would be miserable… She sighed. “I’ll do it.”

          The Captian grinned. “Fantastic!” He said. “Oh, but I’ll need proof of your loyalty first… Let’s see um…” The pirate captain looked around for a moment. Then his eyes locked on Kevin and he grinned. “That boy. You were fighting rather well with him. You’ve had practice fighting together… Must’ve known him for a long time.” The pirate looked over at Venom. “I want you to kill him.”

          Venom froze. She… She couldn’t! But… If she didn’t… They would all die anyway. She looked around. All the innocent crew members, with families and lives of their own. Thalia and little Toby… What would he do without her? That medic Venom had heard was going to have a baby soon. And what about the mission…?

          Venom sighed. “I’ll do it…” She spat.

          “Good, good!” The pirate grinned. “Now get on with it, it’s time to go!” Venom started to head down towards her friend, but then the pirate stopped her. “Oh wait! Wait!” He smirked. “I want you to do it with his own knife. I want you to see the complete and utter faith he feels in you when you kill him.”

          Venom glared at him. “You monster.” She growled.

          The pirate laughed. “It’s what I do, sweetheart!” He said. “Now go, you’re wasting time!”

          Venom walked over to Kevin, every step feeling like lead. But as soon as she’s turned away from the pirate captain, a spark flashed through her eyes. Only for a split second and then it was gone, replaced by misery.

          Kevin kicked a pirate in the face – the last in his area – and turned to Venom with a smile on his face. “Oh, hey! What was that about?” He nodded towards the captain watching. “Didja make peace or something?”

          “K-Kevin, I…” Venom stared up at her best friend, her voice wavering. She forced down tears, only barely managing not to cry.

    Kevin noticed her and grew concerned. “Hey, is something wrong?” He asked.

    “N-No!” Venom said. She drew herself up to her full height. She had known Kevin for years. He had been her only friend since she was six – long before Thalia came to the base. They had played together, laughed together, fought together, grown up together… And now Venom would betray him. Her expression hardened, but the sadness and shakiness in her voice remained. “Kevin, let me see your knife.”

    “Yeah, sure…” Kevin said, still uncertain as to whether or not she was okay. He reached towards his dagger’s sheath, but Venom stopped him.

    “Not you dagger.” She snapped. “Your knife.”

    Although confused, Kevin reached instead for his knife. He pulled it out and handed it to Venom by the hilt. She stared at it for a moment, then slowly reached up and grabbed it as well. As soon as he had, a tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m sorry…” She whispered.

    “Sorry?” Kevin asked. He smiled unknowingly, looking at his best friend as cheerfully as always. "There's nothing to be sorry for."

    Venom didn't respond. She couldn't. She squeezed her eyes shut and pushed the knife forward. It pierced Kevin’s chest. He froze and stared at her in shock for a moment, then he collapsed to the wood of the ship unmoving.

    Venom’s expression went deadpan. She tossed then knife back down next to him and walked up towards the captain. “Nicely done.” He said.

    “Shut the f*ck up.” Venom muttered without looking up at him.

    Thalia heard the clatter of a knife on the ground as she pushed her pirate overboard. She looked up and froze. “Oh my god…” She whispered. “KEVIN!” She sprinted down the stairs and fell to her knees before she reached her friend. She skidded the last few feet on her knees and grabbed his hand. She rested two fingers on his wrist and felt for a pulse… but there was none to feel.

    Kevin Jeck was dead.

    Thalia covered her mouth with both hands and sat back on her heels as tears filled her eyes. “No…” She whispered.

    Logan stood by the helm, staring at Venom in shock. “Venom…” He murmured. “How could you…”

    Venom glanced back at him with the same pain in her eyes, then looked away guiltily and swung over to the pirate ship behind its captain.