-It's Necromancy, black magic and forbidden.- Blackjack commented very excitedly.
- They say that a mage, no matter how powerful, cannot become immortal. Nature has its cycle. The men looked at each other in silence, astonished. Old Sailor looked away from the captain, resigned to the crew's curiosity.
The creature is a lich. Jack Will has violated all laws of nature by entrusting his soul to the ship he commands. He cannot be hurt or killed. He won't get scared or walk away with a handful of tear powder.
Richard looked at everyone there with distaste. Tear powder? It was a mixture of preparations they used to fight sorcerers and inhibit their powers. His thought went to Cassie.
- They are old stories to scare children, men. -She protested.- Let's go! Nobody here believes that. Blackjack laughed heartily as he shrugged.
-You don't kill one of them with a sword or a pistol. They cannot be hurt. Unless you can before destroying Vengeance. Then he becomes mortal.
Richard was skeptical as ever when it came to matters relating to nature and magic. He was once again telling himself that he didn't really believe in these things.
- They are sorcerers who separate your soul from your body. How could I forget? - the captain paid little attention.
The Old Sailor grunted in disgust. The boy must not be so skeptical. His own world was full of magic.
-His brother saw and faced an ICHICHO. They are real. They exist.
Richard swore wearily that he hated ancient legends. He also hated old superstitions and beliefs. Everything in life had a rational and logical explanation. He hated magic even more.
-Come on, we all know that Captain Vengeance controls the dead.
-God! Ichichos are a considerable force in punishing renegades. They are not mystical fairy-tale creatures lost in ancient and popular beliefs. They don't serve any lich.
- Lich doesn't exist.
Everyone grunted.
-The fact is that in the life after his great love was murdered, he swore revenge.
He had the courage to invoke forbidden magic. An endless night magic ritual. He died under a full blood moon and days later he became a Lich. He can still overpower humans with just a touch of his staff.
Richard's face tightened with disbelieving expressions. It was a great end to the day.
-I think his staff was a little broken. What a pity! Come on! They're talking about ancient legends about the appearance of wolves. I can't even believe the power was unique at first. Do you know sorcerers... A superior race? Primal? It won't be long and they will talk about Graves! These are stories to scare children. The Old Mariner swore.
- Don't ignore magic.-It's a bow made of petrified human bones from its victims. It serves to channel the creature's power. - The Old Elder explained as an old pipe and then he puffed. He continued very calmly: In fact, the race was unique at the beginning of time. This is how Hecate created us.
-To God! I don't believe any of this! - Richard spoke vehemently. - Primordials are nothing more than ancient legends. Image... There was never a sorceress who walked among us with a pack. Mastering all these skills is unnatural. I can even understand that lay people believe that mestizos exist. Children born to parents of different species do not master the same skill. There was a heavy silence.
- Except that they are usually children that the Council of the elderly does not consider fit for life. Mostly…Richard grunted thinking of Cassie. The elders decided the lives of children who were born to be killed. They were never allowed to live...
-Oh, and who has never heard of Pieces of Four around here? - BlackJack smiled dreamily. Everyone nodded enthusiastically.-A diamond is the size you can imagine...- Someone praised.
- Fits a king!
- John met a conversation and amended. Richard looked at his crew, stunned. "Pieces of Four? Mercy." Are we really talking about the original power? Do you believe that the creation stone of Hecate that informs our kind exists? Ah, that thing had talked about those pieces.
Even worse. The threat is still ringing in his ears towards the girl in his cabin. The heir conceived in thoroughbreds? What the hell did that mean? Richard refused to recall his history lessons. The stories surrounding the Stone of Creation and its destruction when nature was violated... Stories about the Harvest were never his favorites. The Creation stone was not destroyed as they spoke, nor was it there. any ritual to restore them.
The Pieces of Four were just Creation Stone legends that filled the eyes of adventurers seeking glory and power.
A big and powerful diamond. As old as the magic that created sorcerers and wolves. In the beginning, they said that power was unique. It was Jackwill's provocation before the forces of creation and his refusal to accept the death and murder of an innocent witch that broke the original power and created wolves and sorcerers as enemies. Hecate revolted and punished the Primordials.
Richard's eyes widened, shaking his head. The lively conversation was followed by an exclamation of enthusiasm and applause. Gaia's crew seemed simply lost or crazed.
-Diamond? That diamond would naturally be part of the staff, right? He rolled his eyes. The Old Mariner grunted again.
-They say the oldest that can be restored. A child must be born under the stigma of destruction and the power to unite what has been separated. From time to time nature tries to restore balance. Richard screwed up the expressions on his face with absolute skepticism, telling himself he didn't believe any of this.
-Bah! - Old Sailor once again blew out a breath. - A sorceress who is protected by wolves... These are ancient legends. No sorceress for years has shown an affinity for wolves to be able to control or master shapeshifting. Mixed race! - Have mercy. - Richard declared himself defeated. -Isn't one lich enough? You managed to talk about Ichichos and now you're going to daydream about mestizos? This is simply not possible. It's not natural. -Black magic works with dangerous and negative forces. inherit;You saw one before your eyes. You can see Duke's Revenge emerge again from the depths of Ravlen, which was the air that bathed the city of Muir. You saw nature's fury in protest. Hear my words. Only a pact summons such a creature. A sorcerer. Wartime is approaching, believe it or not. Even in disbelief, Richard thought of Cassie again. The girl… he shook his head, remembering again that he didn't even believe those stories. Of course, there was a good explanation. He reflected this as he left the lively conversation of the crew and returned to his cabin. The cabin was silent, lit by the clear night, and the sky showed a starry vault after the storm had passed. Richard looked wistfully at the ship's damage. > His cabin wasn't in the best shape. A few men were still busy playing in the forecastle and he sighed. The guitar emitted a lively, upbeat song. The repairs would be a small fortune... He was careful to close the door looking at the bed. And the view has changed. As if by charm... Cassie curled up under the covers appeared to be sleeping and her sleep was restless. Richard swore under his breath, leaving his wet clothes on what was once a chair. The night air was cool, though, and perhaps the dawn was low. It was late autumn. At least half of the glass window was broken when he used it clumsily to block out the cold with the boards. The low noise made Cassie startle even more restlessly, and he noticed her mumbling and incoherent words as she slept. "Cassie, my beautiful…" Richard called softly, touching her arm. -No! Get out... get away from me! - She complained and thrashed on the covers, scared. Rick sighed admiring her tense face. She was still so young... He wasn't the right man for her. -My beautiful ...- he became calling stroking her face. Cassie reacted on sheer instinct, opening her gleaming silver eyes, widening and looking around breathlessly. An incomprehensible chill washed over her after Vengeance was gone. That voice... Every time I closed my eyes... -I... - You told me you were fine. -Richard raised an eyebrow containing his anger. I should have known a girl would be scared. He still wasn't allowed to think about it. Her lips were blue. The girl might not master magic, but she reacted like any sorceress when she felt threatened. Was she also a telepath? -It was... it was a nightmare. Cassie spoke slowly and took a deep breath with relief. Richard shook his head, unconvinced. Her eyes then landed on the skin of her hand as the girl brushed her hair back from her face. That odious thing had attacked his wife. They were blue smudges that clearly showed scratched fingerprints. Her gaze radiated a fury that made Cassie cringe. - I don't like lies or being deceived. Her voice was dry and cold. Still, he started to examine her hand irritably. "You want to tell me how the hell you were hurt? I don't want you out there alone." Not with that thing and a damn pest... The sight of her… Cassie had lost a lot of weight. The lovely eyes full of dark circles and the tiredness and haggard look... And the vision vanished... The empty corridor, littered with storm debris, swayed again before his disbelieving eyes. Cassie… The breath failed in her lungs. The feeling... it felt so real... It had been so real... And once again... The ground seemed to sway under his feet. - Cassie! he yelled as he kicked the door open and then lunged forward, forcing the solid wood against his shoulder. Richard stopped dead. Compassion! Was that a man? He stared in disbelief at the terrifying figure in his quarters. It looked like the body of a corpse coming back to life. His black clothes showed residue of fire, and the stench of rot and stench of death hit his nose. That thing stared at him with a deep, dark hiss, its face like a skull with human skin revealing deep red sockets where eyes should have been. -What a hell ... -You're the one I'm looking for. The ghastly voice echoed cavernously as Cassie screamed again in horror. - Where is it? - Get away from her! -Richard ordered, unsheathing his sword reflexively, refusing to notice that maybe, just maybe that wasn't human. He swore with renewed fury, realizing the strength of his renegade heritage surging through his blood indifferent to his every will. His eyes glowed black as night. Was that an ICHICHO? How could he look for his wife? A devilish laugh rippled through his cabin. The creature or whatever it was didn't seem to mind his presence. Faith, lying on the floor, backed away trembling with wide eyes. -You'll get in trouble if you touch my wife! - roared possessed. JackWill smiled again, showing sharp and very white teeth. The skin on his face was pale, whitish, and almost translucent. They were slits where he had eyes, holy God! That thing should at least have been dead for centuries... Only there was one disturbing detail. She moved and smiled at Richard as she stared at him with his interest. Is not real! That does not exist! -Wolves! The haunting figure emitted obvious contempt as he looked around. - Not so much time has passed since the scum of your species still walks the earth. Rick nodded in amazement. What did ancient legends say? God! What killed a freak like that? He was starting to feel foolish wielding a weapon that was sure to be harmless. It's not an ICHICHO. No way. Ichichos serve the Sucessorium, old man. Do you know what this is? -Equally, it's not a pleasure to meet you. Get off my ship. Now. You are not welcome on my vessel. Compassion. That was skinny, not scrawny. Was it a staff he carried in hands that resembled hideous spiders? A destroyed staff. That thing resembled a forgotten corpse, the bones were almost seen with black clothes that they wore under the same dark-coloured cloak. He could now glimpse with apprehension the empty, flame-lit eye sockets without liking. The staff seemed to flicker an intense, blinding light, and Cassie screamed again. - Awaken my servants. Once again the lord of Vengeance was summoned. I who am the beginning and the end, destruction and death until the Pieces of 4 are once more gathered. The blood of a pure lineage... Tribute will soon be exacted Rick! - I hope it's not your admirer, girl. - Richard complained and advanced with his sword and fist. -RICK! The table heads towards a stunned captain who barely had time to protect himself. -It was just a little mishap, girl. - He said worriedly. -It's all under control. Well, almost everything. A hideous scream of pain and agony rippled through the cabin after cannon fire. -Rick! He's a Lich. It won't kill you with a sword. Cassie pressed herself against the cold wall. Richard glared at her. No! No way. Lich does not exist. He's not a lich, honey. I don't accept lichs on my ship. CASSIE! -And how the hell do you expect me to kill that thing, woman? A volley of cannon fire rang out loudly and Gaia's hull shook under her feet. The creature roared with murderous fury, hurling tables and chairs against the wall, stark white. A bone-shaped hand gripped the sword with complete indifference as it averted its face towards a girl. Rick! - Cassie screamed with all her might in terror. She was beginning to feel an agonizing cold. The hideous creature absorbed all the heat around it. Her breath started to become laboured. -I know! - Rick yelled angrily, trying to reach her. - Only it's not a lich! Give any damn name. but not lich. Once again he could hear gunshots. The crew was loading cannons and as unbelievable as it might be, JackWill roared like an animal and squirmed as if he had been shot. His eyes gleamed in his eye sockets, displaying a death glare. They will never reach the goddess's sanctuary for protection. - Very soon we will meet, wolf. His voice was dark. I'll come back for you. Before however, a pact was made and JackWill always kept his word. Richard didn't stop to listen to the threats as he advanced on Cassie and threw himself towards her, protecting the girl with his own body. A new, higher-pitched, frightening roar returned like thunder and the creature disappeared into the mist. The rest of the windows that had bravely resisted the fury of the waves shattered into splinters that were thrown into the air. Cassie took a deep breath, fighting back tears with admirable bravery, feeling Rick protectively over him. Slowly the air around them warmed again. -What the hell was that thing? - Richard fumed, sitting on the floor dazed. Cassie's pale face was too scared. Despite the unexpected storm and the ship's chaos, the cabin valiantly withstood the difficulties. -That... that was... Richard shook his head miserably wet watching the nightfall. -I don't know what the hell it was! Are you okay? Did it hurt you? The girl lumped in her throat now that she could hear the crew scream with joy returning to their normal routine. Through the open door, she can still visualize the effects of the storm with a sigh. He didn't feel well at all. She nodded on a groan, still chilled. His irritation rose to a rising level of frustration. There had to be a logical explanation. Of course, it couldn't be real. A Lich?! He was in no mood to find out what a damn Lich was. -They are... - she managed to find her voice. - You need to check urgent repairs. It's the captain. Her whole body was still shaking as she remembered the voice. It was the Duke's Revenge. Cassie struggled doggedly, trying not to think about what he was carrying. ICHICHOS. Lizandra, her mother, was the victim of a brutal attack by these hideous creatures. ICHICHOS eram entidades malignas e temidas, mortos-vivos e servos leais a um Lich. Um ICHICHO podia facilmente lançar seus tentáculos e fazer um feiticeiro sucumbir ao drenar sua magia. Ela envolveu o próprio corpo com os braços dormentes, demonstrando uma coragem que estava longe de sentir. -You'll be fine? - Richard shook his head very attentive to the emerald eyes. The boy's farce was hell. He eagerly wanted to hold Cassie against him, soaking up her heat, intoxicating himself with her scent. It was an intense reaction caused by fear. For a moment she might... Dead? The vision disappeared again leaving the alpha dizzy and standing against the wall catching his breath.