The sea was rough, as if it could feel the tension between the two men now facing each other on the deck. The setting sun painted the horizon red, a portent of the blood that would soon be spilled. Edmund Oakforest gripped his sword firmly, his eyes fixed on the man before him: Gregor "Black Serpent" Voss.
— So, this is it? — Voss smiled, spinning his blade with skill. — You want to settle our differences with steel?
— The time for words is over, Voss — Edmund replied, taking a step forward. — If you want to test me, do it with your sword.
The pirate tilted his head, sizing up the man before him. Then, with a swift motion, he launched the first strike. Edmund narrowly dodged, feeling the cutting wind from the blade pass close to his face. He countered with a downward strike, forcing Voss to step back a few paces, barely managing to parry the blow.
The men around them formed a circle, their faces lit by the glow of torches and the shine of the ocean. The clash between the two captains was not just a contest of strength, but a fight for control of the archipelago and the respect of their crews.
Voss unleashed a series of quick strikes, testing Edmund's defense. But the exiled noble did not yield, blocking each blow with precision. Their swords clanged, sparks flying with each impact. The metallic sound echoed across the deck as the two men advanced and retreated like seasoned duelists, each searching for an opening in the deadly game.
Voss spun his body and tried a treacherous strike to Edmund's side, but the exiled man parried the blade at the last moment and shoved the pirate back with a powerful kick to the chest. The impact made Voss stagger a few steps, but he quickly regained his footing, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
— You have skill, Oakforest — Voss admitted, retreating a little to catch his breath. — But will it be enough?
Without answering, Edmund advanced with a lateral strike, forcing Voss to jump backward. The pirate smiled, twirling his sword provocatively, but he could not hide the fatigue that was beginning to weigh on his movements.
The battle continued, the two warriors exchanging fierce blows. The deck was slippery with blood, the smell of gunpowder still lingering in the air from the recent naval battle. Edmund seized a moment of hesitation from Voss and attacked with a wide arc from his sword, forcing the pirate to defend with both hands on the hilt of his blade.
The force of the impact made Voss kneel for a moment, and Edmund saw his opportunity. He spun his body and delivered a precise strike to the pirate's shoulder, tearing through flesh and fabric. Voss grunted in pain, retreating while clutching the wound, but still kept a smile on his lips.
— You surprise me, Oakforest... — he murmured, gasping.
The circle of onlookers remained silent, awaiting the outcome of the fight. Edmund raised his sword, ready for the final blow. Voss, however, raised his hand, a defiant glint in his eyes.
— Let's talk, captain — he said, his voice laced with irony. — Maybe we can still find a way out of this alive.
Edmund hesitated for a moment, his mind weighing the options. The battle between the two captains was not yet over — at least, not completely.