Noah: "UGGHH!", "I'm so bored. I haven't had anything to do all day, who knew being at sea would be so boring."
I roll around on the deck of the ship as the searing sun beats down on me. It's been so hot all day, that I've even given up on hiding in the shade.
Noah: "I better find an Island soon. I wouldn't even mind if it was a winter island with a trashy king."
End of Noah's POV...
As the day would go on Noah would find ways to keep himself occupied, swimming, drying off, and swimming, and drying off, and...he just wanted to keep cool, okay?
Based on the position of the sun it was now late afternoon. Noah was just staring up into the sky whilst snacking on alligator jerky. He would zone out until a boy peered over the edge and looked down at him.
???: "Granny! There's a Deadman in here!"
Noah jolts up and stands up. He looks around to see he's been washed up on a beach, but for how long? Noah would see a small, frail, and very old lady approach his ship.
Noah: "No one's a deadman, alright? I was just...resting my eyes. Who are you too anyway? Where am I?"
The old lady begins to speak up, but is abruptly cut off by the little boy.
???: "I'm Azar, and this is my grandma, Sokai. Are you a Pirate, mister?"
Noah looks down at him as I wipe the grease of the alligator jerky off of my mouth.
Noah: "No, I'm not a Pirate, or well officially a pirate. I'm just an Explorer. My name is Noah, Noah Orion. I'm from Sun's Core."
Noah turns around and points forward.
Noah: "It's just a ways that way."
Sokai: "I know where it is. Anyways, you've arrived at a good time, Noah. How would you like to be branded, then participate in our islands yearly championship for land and authority?"
Noah's eyes widen as his lips pursed up.
Azar: "It's not too bad. See, I'm branded too."
Noah's face would continue to distort as Azar would lift up his shirt and see the tattoo of a Wisp on his chest.
Noah: "ARE YOU CRAZY? NO ONE WANTS TO BE BRANDED! THAT'S A TATTOO ANYWAYS!"
Sokai: "It was worth a shot. You seem to lack the talent anyways, weakling."
Azar would cover his mouth as he laughed at you.
Azar: "she called you a weakling. A weakling."
Noah's face would flush with anger as he jumped off the ship and landed right behind Sokai.
Noah: "I'LL SLAUGHTER EVERYONE AT THIS TOURNAMENT! BRING ON THE TATTOO!"
Sokai would sweeps out Noah's leg causing him to fall on his ass.
Sokai: "Firstly, no yelling. Secondly, if you're really going to do this you're going to need some training.
Noah gets up and rubs his butt.
Noah: "Yeah, training got it. I'm just glad I have something to do. I'd rather get tattooed first, If you don't mind."
Sokai: "Let's save the tattoo for last. It's more important that you understand what you're getting involved in. It'd hurt my spirit to know you might come to regret this."
Sokai would turn around and begin to walk up to her seaside house.
Sokai: "Follow me, I have a story to tell you. Azar, prepare the tea and rice crackers. Then go finish your training, you're still lacking for the tournament."
Azar would run ahead into the house, afraid to disobey his elder.
Noah: "I wonder what kind of story would lead to required tattoo to participate in a championship for land and authority."
Sokai: "Only the silly kind, young one."
...
Noah nervously sips on the cup of hot tea as he waits for Sokai to start telling the story.
Noah: "Um...it's not like I'm in a rush, but...could you tell me the story now."
Sokai jolts at the sudden noise causing Noah to spill some hot tea onto his lap.
Sokai: "Sorry about that, I guess I fell asleep."
Noah: "she had to have been passing into the afterlife."
Noah wipes his lap off as Sokai clears her throat.
Sokai: "Let's see, I suppose it all started...500 years ago."
Noah gets shocked again and spills some more hot tea on his lap leading him to suffer more in silence.
Noah: "500 years? Can a tale even remain true after that long?"
Sokai shakes her head as she points to a few books on a nearby shelf.
Sokai: "Those books only go back 200 years into our history, yet some tales in those books go back 300 more years into the past, so it's the best we've got."
500 years ago...
4 Pirate Crews washed up on an island once known as "Karate Island". They all showed up mark this island as their territory, so they could create Dojos of their Fighting Styles.
The 4 Pirates crews consisted of the: "Quickdraw", "Hardbody", "Steel Trap", and "Unyielding" Pirates. In order to settle their dispute over the territory they all decide to fight it out, so they all gathered in the middle of the island.
Allen: "My 'Quickdraw Pirates' have never came across a crew we can't slice down."
Tomb: "My spirit isn't something you can slice down so easily."
Lee: "I'll kick your blades in half, and squeeze your spirit dry with my bare hands."
Aristotle: "While you insects fight like brutes, I'll wait until you're all done and swoop in and kill the winner."
The 4 crews would spend 6 days and nights fighting on this island, yet none backed down and gave up this potential territory. They called temporarily trices to eat and sleep, but only for a couple hours every day.
However on the morning of night 7 a bomb would go off in the camp residing the "Quickdraw Pirates". The nearest camp was the camp where the "Unyielding Pirates" were holding out, so word spread that the "Unyielding Pirates" broke the truce, so they were ganged up on by the 3 other pirate crews.
Allen, Lee, and Aristotle along with their pirate crews stood over the "Unyielding" Camp.
Tomb: "I don't expect that you can let me explain?"
Allen: "Explain? Let me explain something to you...HALF OF MY CREW IS DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!"
Tomb stand up as his Fist ignited in flames. Allen would dash towards him, with his hand on his blade ready to draw it when the time was right.
Tomb: I suppose there is only one way to settle this then..."
Once the battle came to an end the land distributions were clear. "Quickdraw" at 50% land mass, "Hardbody" at 25%, "Steel Trap" at 20%, and "Unyielding" at 5%.
The 4 Crew would split into "Clans" and teach those who were willing, ready, and able to be taught. Overtime this island became known as "Combat Island".
Only 4 members of the "Unyielding Pirates" survived this fight, and they would go on to to keep the "Spirit Clan" alive on this island until present day.
Returning to the Present...
Noah: "So who killed who? Who wrote that book? Who actually planted the bomb?
Sokai is exhausted from telling the story let alone attempting to answer questions.
Sokai: "Look kid, that's all that there is to tell. It doesn't matter who did what, what matters to me is protecting the land where my ancestors have sjed blood and layed to die, however Azar is all I have left. He left the 'Body Clan', due to mistreatment, so for the last few years he's kept this land safe, but this year he may not suffice. I've heard of how powerful the other fighters have become over the last year. It's a shame that Azar is only 15. If he was an Adult I'm sure he'd be able to place high enough to ensure us one more year."
Noah: "That's why you got me, Granny. I'll participate and get you all the land you want.
Just show me what I need to do to prepare myself."
Sokai shakes her head once again as she stands up and grabs her cane to hold her up.
Sokai: "Training can begin tomorrow. Your spirit must rest after hearing so much new information. There's a tow in the middle of the island called 'Central Village'. Head over there and sight see a little. It'll be good for you."
Noah sets his empty cup of tea down and stand up.
Noah: "I'll take your word for it. I could use a walk anyways."
...
Noah's POV:
Walking into town seeing the nice architecture and seldom lighting, requiring the stars to light up the town, it leaves me in awe.
Noah: "Sokai knows so much about her family and she's willing to do whatever it takes to honor them. Asking for the help of an outsider can't be easy. I don't know what training she's gonna have me do tomorrow, but I'll put in 120% effort."
I'd see a sign for a tavern and walk through the saloon doors. Everyone in here turns their eyes towards my unrecognizable face. I ignore their stares as I walk up to bar and sit down. I wait patiently for the waitress to walk over, ignoring the woman next to me staring.
Waiter: "What would you like, sir?"
Noah: "I'd like some grape juice please."
Waiter: "Certainly, Sir. Coming right up."
The woman sitting next to me finally puts her mug of sake down and finally looks away from me. The tavern gets rowdy again and I feel my shoulders relax.
???: "Grape juice at a tavern, huh? Little kids like you should be in bed at this time of night."
I look over at her, a little intrigued at her attire. It almost reminded me of a Samurai. However, I don't like her disrespecting the best drink in the world.
Noah: "Maybe I just don't need to drown my sorrows by drinking a whole mug of Sake."
A sheathed blade soon met the front of my throat. It was fast, but I saw her arm slowly moving down her blade as I was speaking.
???: "What the hell do you think you know about me, huh?! You outsider...!"
End of Chapter 3...