The golden glow of the Egg of Eternity pulsed ominously in Cluckbeard's feathery grasp, casting long, dramatic shadows across the deck of the Eggstravaganza. The air was thick with tension, the clucking of pirate chickens echoing ominously around the sea. Sir Clucksalot stood proudly at the front of the Golden Feather, ready to lead the charge.
Kazuya, however, was not as ready.
"I'm sorry, but can we take a moment to appreciate how insane this is?" Kazuya asked, gesturing wildly toward Cluckbeard and his egg-shaped relic. "We're fighting pirate chickens to stop the awakening of Cluckthulhu. CLUCKTHULHU."
Sylvara leaned casually against the ship's mast, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "If you're not on board with the absurdity by now, Kazuya, you're in the wrong story."
A Tactical Cluck-off
Cluckbeard, cackling maniacally, raised the Egg of Eternity high above his head. "Surrender now, or witness the power of the egg!"
Kazuya squinted at him. "What is he going to do, scramble us?"
Cluckbeard's beady eyes narrowed. "Your yolks grow tiresome, boy."
Sylvara giggled. "Honestly, I'm just here for the egg puns."
The pirate crew erupted into chaotic clucking as Cluckbeard barked out orders. Chickens loaded egg-shaped cannonballs into the ship's cannons, each projectile glowing faintly with magical energy.
"That can't be good," Ravynne muttered, drawing her daggers. "I have a feeling those aren't just regular eggs."
"Are they ever?" Kazuya sighed, gripping his sword.
The Eggsplosion
The first magical egg was fired, hurtling toward the Golden Feather with alarming speed. Sylvara raised her staff, conjuring a shimmering barrier just in time. The egg exploded on impact, showering the deck with glitter and... confetti?
Kazuya blinked. "Wait, what?"
Sylvara burst into laughter. "Oh, this is amazing! It's a party cannon!"
Cluckbeard looked momentarily embarrassed but quickly recovered. "That was a warning shot! The next one will be much less... festive."
The next egg fired wasn't glitter-filled—it was a swirling vortex of wind magic that knocked several party members off their feet.
"Okay, less funny now!" Kazuya yelled, scrambling to his feet.
The Feathered Charge
Sir Clucksalot, undeterred by the chaos, clucked a rallying cry and leaped from the Golden Feather onto the Eggstravaganza. The tiny but valiant chicken began pecking furiously at the nearest pirate chicken, who squawked in alarm and fled.
Inspired by Sir Clucksalot's bravery, Sylvara turned to Kazuya. "Well? Aren't you going to follow his lead?"
"You mean jump into the middle of an exploding chicken warzone?" Kazuya asked, deadpan. "Yeah, no thanks."
But before he could protest further, Ravynne shoved him off the edge of the ship.
Aboard the Eggstravaganza
Kazuya landed on the deck of the pirate ship with a thud. "Ravynne, I swear—"
Before he could finish, a chicken pirate lunged at him with a tiny cutlass. Kazuya barely deflected the attack, fumbling with his own weapon. "Why is this chicken so good at swordsmanship?!"
Meanwhile, Sylvara and Ravynne joined the fray in their own chaotic ways. Sylvara launched magical projectiles shaped like tiny eggs, each one bursting into colorful sparks upon impact. Ravynne, ever the efficient assassin, disarmed several chickens with a single sweep of her daggers.
The Duel with Cluckbeard
As the battle raged, Cluckbeard remained atop the helm, cradling the Egg of Eternity. "You'll never stop me!" he cackled. "Soon, Cluckthulhu will rise, and all shall bow before the pecking order!"
Kazuya groaned. "Seriously, does he have to monologue?"
He climbed up to confront Cluckbeard directly, dodging cannon fire and flailing chicken pirates along the way. "Alright, Captain Cluck-for-brains, let's end this!"
Cluckbeard drew his golden saber. "You dare challenge me, boy? Prepare to taste defeat!"
The two clashed in a flurry of steel and feathers. Despite the absurdity of the situation, Kazuya found himself genuinely impressed by Cluckbeard's skill. "You're... actually good at this?"
"Years of practice," Cluckbeard replied smugly, parrying Kazuya's strike. "But you're no match for me!"
The Great Egg Escape
As the duel reached its peak, Sylvara noticed the Egg of Eternity glowing brighter with each passing second. "Uh, guys? I think the egg is about to do something really bad."
The egg began to emit a low hum, growing louder and louder. The entire ship vibrated with its energy, sending chickens and humans alike stumbling.
"Is it hatching?!" Kazuya yelled, still mid-duel with Cluckbeard.
"No," Sylvara said, her eyes wide. "Worse—it's summoning something."
To Be Continued...
Just as the Egg of Eternity unleashed a blinding flash of light, a massive shadow loomed over the ships. The party stared in horror as the ocean began to churn violently, heralding the arrival of something truly monstrous.
"Cluckthulhu," Sylvara whispered, equal parts terrified and delighted. "It's real."
"Of course it is," Kazuya muttered. "Why wouldn't it be?"