In the summer of Year 1102 in the United Clans' Calendar, a unity forged out of necessity. The scourge of piracy had forced clans worldwide to unite, ensuring law prevailed against the encroaching chaos.
Amidst this global backdrop, Rizal Island emerged as a serene oasis. Its hills were cloaked in lush greenery, where trees danced to the whims of the wind and birds harmonized their songs beneath a boundless sky bathed in the sun's golden embrace.
Rizal Island belonged to the humble Rizal Clan, nestled amidst the verdant landscape. Here, bamboo houses of various sizes and architectural styles speckled the terrain, each telling a story of its inhabitants. Yet, it was the imposing Rizal House that commanded attention in the island's northern expanse. Like a grand monastic fortress, it presided over the surrounding villages with an air of wisdom and authority, its ancient walls whispering tales of generations past.
In the small courtyard of the Rizal House, shaded by ancient trees whose leaves whispered secrets in the gentle breeze, two teenage brothers engaged in a spirited duel with wooden swords. The sunlight filtered through the canopy above, dappling the ground with shifting patterns of light and shadow.
Filipe, the younger brother, stood determined despite being half a foot shorter than Miguel. His movements were swift and aggressive, each strike aimed with fiery determination. Across from him, Miguel parried effortlessly, his face serene and thoughtful, a testament to years of training under their Sword Instructor's watchful eye.
"ARGGH!" Filipe's voice echoed in the courtyard as he swung his sword with renewed vigor. His chest heaved with exertion, sweat glistening on his brow. "How can you keep defending against me like that? It's not fair!"
Miguel's expression softened even further, his eyes twinkling with brotherly affection. "You're only 12, Filipe, and I'm 14," he replied calmly, deflecting another flurry of attacks. "Don't worry. Keep practicing, and one day, you'll beat me for sure!"
"Really?" Filipe's pout gradually morphed into a wide-eyed smile, his gaze fixed hopefully on his elder brother.
"Really." Miguel nodded affirmatively, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he extended a fist for a bump, a gesture of camaraderie and encouragement.
Filipe's mood lifted instantly, his grin widening mischievously. "Haha, I was just holding back! You'll see tomorrow."
As if on cue, his stomach rumbled loudly, reminding them both of the pressing need for sustenance. Miguel chuckled softly, patting his younger brother reassuringly on the back before guiding him toward the interior of their ancestral home.
"I know, little brother," Miguel murmured affectionately. "Let's go eat." Inside the house, the warmth of family and the aroma of a home-cooked meal awaited, enveloping them in a comforting embrace that transcended mere words.
The serene tranquility of brotherly bonding would soon be shattered abruptly. Far to the south of Rizal Island, amidst the chatter and laughter of villagers, an elder's sharp eyes caught a glimpse of something ominous on the horizon: a massive ship flying a flag adorned with a menacing skull.
His expression twisted in alarm, the elder opened his mouth to shout a warning—"Pirates!"—but before the words could escape, an arrow silenced him with deadly accuracy. Shock rippled through the gathering as others attempted to raise the alarm, only to meet the same swift fate, their lives ended by arrows that cleaved through the air with lethal precision.
In an instant, the peaceful hum of village life gave way to a chorus of horror as five heads rolled to the ground.
On the distant horizon, the elder's grim premonition materialized. The pirate ship loomed larger now, a silhouette against the azure sky. A figure stood poised on its deck, bow in hand, unleashing arrows with deadly efficiency. A cruel grin spread across his face as he lowered the bow, savoring the chaos he had wrought.
"They're dead," he called out triumphantly to his comrades. "Didn't expect such resistance from remote islanders. Might interfere with the captain's plans! Hahaha!" He raised a tankard of beer to his lips, reveling in the thrill of conquest.
Amidst the pirates, a middle-aged captain with a weathered, fearsome visage joined in the laughter, raising his own mug in a toast. "All hands! Execute the plan! Take what's ours—wealth, status, women, and freedom!"
Immediately, small boats were launched from the pirate ship, each filled with marauders eager to plunder. They moved swiftly, encircling the island from all sides while the main vessel set a course for its intended target—the southernmost reaches where the village lay vulnerable and unsuspecting.
As the massive pirate ship reached the southernmost shores of Rizal Island, it seemed to vanish into thin air, its concealed compartments revealing swarms of marauders who descended upon the beach with lethal intent. At their forefront strode Captain Puti, a formidable figure wielding a gleaming sword.
Strewn across the sand were the lifeless bodies of elderly villagers, their peaceful lives brutally cut short by the invaders' arrows. Captain Puti's gaze hardened as he surveyed the carnage, his jaw tightening in grim satisfaction at the effectiveness of their surprise attack.
"Dudong, burn this mess," Captain Puti ordered tersely, pointing toward the fallen villagers. In response, Dudong hurried forward, hands outstretched as he summoned forth flames. The fire initially caressed the corpses gently, casting an eerie glow over the scene, before erupting into a fierce blaze that devoured everything in its path, the air thick with the acrid scent of burning flesh and wood.
"Hey, Dudong! Watch it! You're going to singe us all!" one of the pirates quipped with casual concern.
"Alright, alright!" Dudong retorted, clapping his hands sharply to quell the flames and restore order.
"Enough distractions," Captain Puti interjected sharply, his voice slicing through the chaos. "Stick to the plan. Establish the perimeter and ready the ritual for concealment. We take the Rizal Clan's heirs as hostages! HAHAHAHA!" With a fierce swing of his sword, he signaled his determination, the pirates around him falling into a methodical rhythm as they began the ominous preparations for their next move.
In the hallowed halls of the Rizal House, a man clad in verdant robes hurried with urgent purpose down the polished corridor, his footsteps echoing faintly. Arriving at a specific door, he knocked softly, and a steady, middle-aged voice from within responded, "Enter."
The man in green wasted no time, opening the door to reveal a spacious chamber adorned with ancestral relics and the subdued ambiance befitting a Clan Master's sanctum.
"Reporting to Clan Master Guel," he began, his voice tinged with apprehension as he approached the seated figure at the room's center, "the island is encircled by a fleet of boats."
"Boats?" Clan Master Guel's brows furrowed in concern. "What is their current activity?"
"They have already begun attacking the villagers," the messenger replied, his grip tightening on the parchment in his hands. "The pirates stationed in the central regions are engaging in combat."
"And the outer sentries? The ones tasked with spotting incoming vessels?"
"T-they've been slain, my lord," the messenger stammered. "Struck down by arrows."
Clan Master Guel fell into a contemplative silence, his mind racing with grim realizations. "An encirclement tactic, swiftly neutralizing our defenses with arrows... It smacks of Arrowhead Dugo's handiwork, a notorious pirate known for such stratagems." He turned to his aide, Uno, with a grave expression. "Where is their flagship?"
"S-sir," Uno hesitated, eyes darting nervously, "it was nowhere in sight."
"Arrowhead Dugo... Head Pirates... Encirclement tactics... Concealed flagship..." Clan Master Guel's voice tightened with worry. "This is dire. Quickly, fetch my two sons!," he commanded urgently, rising from his seat. With purposeful strides, he followed Uno out of the chamber, their hurried footsteps echoing down the corridors as they raced against time to locate and safeguard the heirs to the Rizal Clan.
As they raced through the labyrinthine corridors of the monastery, their movements were swift and purposeful, like flashes of lightning streaking through the dimly lit halls. Clan Master Guel's voice echoed urgently as he called out while running, "Servants, locate your young masters immediately! Uno, let us split up and search every corner of this monastery." With a resolute nod, Uno acknowledged the command, and they swiftly parted ways.
Earlier, in a quiet corridor where sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, the two brothers had been engrossed in conversation when a shadowy figure materialized behind them. Before they could react, darkness enveloped their senses, and they collapsed unconscious. In their wake, a solitary piece of parchment fluttered to the ground, its cryptic message hinting at their whereabouts.
While combing through the rooms, Uno entered a chamber and immediately spotted the note lying conspicuously on a table. His eyes scanned the words hastily scrawled upon it: "The two brothers are held captive. Find us at the lower pavilion." Without hesitation, Uno hurried to relay this crucial information to Clan Master Guel.
"The lower pavilion down the hills?" Clan Master Guel repeated, his voice edged with urgency. "Summon the elders, especially the Array Elder. This may well be a trap." Despite his firm tone, a trace of apprehension flickered in his eyes and trembled in his hands—a palpable fear of losing his sons, compounded by the recent loss of his wife.
Uno nodded solemnly and swiftly departed on his assigned task.
At the designated lower pavilion, Captain Puti stood guard beside a metallic cage where the Rizal brothers now found themselves confined. Filipe's eyes blazed with a mixture of anger and fear, tears streaming down his cheeks as he glared defiantly at Captain Puti. Beside him, Miguel's expression hardened with resolve. He gently embraced his younger brother, speaking words of reassurance amidst the turmoil. "Don't be afraid. Father will see through this. I'm certain of it."
Suddenly, seven figures emerged on the horizon, clad in flowing green robes. An elderly man among them stroked his chin thoughtfully. "This appears to be a concealment array. Once we step inside, we'll likely fall into an illusion and face ambush, especially with only Captain Puti visible."
Clan Master Guel regarded the situation intently. "Can you dismantle the array?"
The Array Elder responded confidently, a hint of arrogance coloring his tone. "A formation of this level can be easily dispelled by my expertise. Provide me with your Qi; this will require significant energy." With a decisive gesture, he raised his hands, preparing to unravel the mystical barrier.
As the approaching figures drew nearer, a glimmer of hope flickered in the eyes of the captive brothers. Miguel's heart raced with anticipation, but as one of the elders halted to raise his arms, a chilling realization dawned upon him. Dread washed over his features like a cold tide. "This is a trap," he thought urgently, his mind racing with tactical analysis. "With a concealment array of this caliber, the elder believes it's the primary threat and will attempt to dispel it with assistance. But in doing so, they're exposing themselves to a devastating counter-attack—"
Before Miguel could voice his concern, a sudden eruption of violence shattered the tense standoff. Multiple shadowy figures materialized behind the elders and Clan Master Guel, striking swiftly and mercilessly. Death came in a flurry of brutal efficiency—some fell to decapitation, others to precise arrows piercing their skulls, and still more succumbed to searing flames that engulfed them in agonizing moments.
Miguel's eyes widened in horror, his initial hope extinguished in an instant. His expression hardened into one of grim as he turned to his younger brother, silently staring at him with dead eyes.
Captain Puti's laughter echoed across the blood-stained pavilion, his sword gleaming ominously in the fading light. "You thought you could outwit us, Guel? Such feeble tricks hold no sway here." With a menacing flourish, he demonstrated his dominance, the sheer force of his presence enough to shatter a nearby stone into fragments. The other pirates converged around him, their faces twisted with triumph and bloodlust.
As the other pirates arrived, their faces etched with smug satisfaction, one among them stepped forward and reported crisply, "They've been neutralized, Captain. The remaining elders are preoccupied with our diversionary encirclement. Guel was the only potential escapee, but you handled him."
Captain Puti's laughter boomed across the pavilion, a sound filled with malicious glee. "HAHAHAHAHA! Now, you brats are dead," he taunted, relishing in Filipe's enraged shouts. "I'll kill you! What have you done to my father?"
"Your father?" Captain Puti retorted mockingly. "He's dead," he declared callously. "Dudong, finish them off. I've no patience for children."
Before he could turn away, Miguel's voice cut through the tension like a blade of ice. "You seek my father's treasures, don't you?"
"Huh?" Captain Puti glanced back, caught off guard by Miguel's sudden confidence.
"You may think you've the right information, but I wager you believe it's buried at the foot of this mountain. You're mistaken. My father spread those rumors to mislead pirates like you," Miguel asserted, fixing Captain Puti with an unwavering stare.
A pirate holding a knife advanced menacingly towards the cage. "Kid, spill the details now or suffer the consequences. This isn't a game," he growled.
Miguel's lips curved into a slight grin. "Really? You think you can scare me? Go ahead, try to kill me."
"Huh?"
"I said, go ahead and kill me."
"You insolent brat!" The pirate lunged forward with his blade, aimed directly at Miguel. Filipe cried out in terror.
But before the knife could find its mark, it was deflected with a resounding clang as Captain Puti's greatsword intervened, knocking the weapon aside with effortless precision.
Captain Puti's laughter reverberated through the air like thunder, his sword gleaming menacingly in the dim light. "HAHAHAHAHA! State your terms, kid," he boomed, fixing his gaze on Miguel.
Miguel met the captain's gaze with steely resolve. "First, release us from this cage," he demanded firmly.
"Release them, Dudong. A pair of children pose no threat to us," Captain Puti ordered with a dismissive wave of his hand, and with a sharp clap, the magical barrier dissipated, granting the brothers their freedom.
"Now, what's your next move, boy?" Captain Puti inquired, a smirk playing on his lips.
"I want passage aboard your ship. I refuse to languish in this prison," Miguel declared defiantly.
But Filipe, upon hearing his brother's words, erupted in fury. With a roar of outrage, he lunged forward and landed a fierce punch on Miguel's face. "You traitor! Selling out Father's legacy and joining forces with these scoundrels? I'll kill you!" he seethed.
Before Filipe could strike again, Miguel's hand shot out like lightning, delivering a stinging slap across his brother's face. His eyes, cold and devoid of emotion, bore into Filipe's soul. "Shut your mouth, Filipe. Forget about our father; he's dead to us. I've always despised you," Miguel spat venomously. Stunned into silence, Filipe recoiled in shock, his anger momentarily quelled.
As Filipe struggled to regain his composure, Miguel deftly sidestepped his brother's next attack, delivering a swift blow to Filipe's weak spot, causing him to collapse in a daze. Without hesitation, Miguel hurled Filipe into a nearby pool of murky water, leaving him to stew in his semi-conscious state.
"Now that we're alone," Miguel addressed the smirking pirates and their captain, "let's discuss my terms." The pirates chuckled smugly, and Captain Puti's laughter echoed once more. "Guel, even your own son has turned against you! HAHAHAHAHA! Very well, boy, you can join us. Now spill the details," he commanded eagerly, as they delved into negotiations.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the murky pool, Filipe floated in and out of consciousness, barely registering the conversation above. Rage boiled within him as he listened to Miguel's laughter mingling with the pirates', defiling their father's name. Despite his weakened state, a vow formed in Filipe's mind with unwavering resolve: "Trust me, one day, I'll hunt you all down. Every last one of you pirates!" With that solemn oath, darkness enveloped him, and he slipped into unconsciousness once more.