It had been a long time sing the wolf demon had been to the high mountains. There peaks reached into the skies like they were trying to reach heaven. It was a beautiful site when walking anywhere near the mountains.  The sound of an eagle’s voice echoed through the valley. Her voice ringing to her pray below. A small mouse sniffed the air nearby a young woman and her daughter. They walked along the small winding path along hills. The woman dressed in her usual attire, black high waist pants, black boots, a white long sleeve ruffled top, and a black vest. The child wore a dark green cloak over her ruffled cream colored dress, white tights and brown boots. 

The white grey eagle above didn’t wait another moment before diving downward. Her talons outstretched and snatched the mouse up from their path. Her wings then took her to a nearby naked branch. Soft squeaks could be heard before nothing, just a tail hanging from the eagle's mouth. 

“Scarlet! Really, that is just gross.” The small girl said, her blonde curls bouncing around her face as she walked. A chuckle was heard erupting from the eagle’s chest, after swallowing the mouse. “It is gross every time I see you humans eat.” She said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. “But I put up with it.” The eagle then flew away off into the sky. Her lunch was done and it was time to get back to scouting ahead of her companions. 

A small smile curved on the wolf demon’s lips. She loved the bickering that always went on when Scarlet and Kiyomi was around each other. It was always entertaining. Holding back a sigh, the wolf demon looked up to the partly cloudy blue sky. The morning was already getting hot, but the slight breeze that blew made walking bearable and no sweat trailed down her face like usual. Images of the battle floated into her mind. It had only been a few months, but it felt like yesterday that she saw those half metal men. Flashes of blood and so many people fighting flashed in her mind.

The sound of a caw made Katerina’s  eyes look ahead of her. A small village at the base of the mountain caught her attention. It was only a few yards from the ocean. She could barely see the fishermen on the small boats and some on the shore with nets. It was a nice quiet village with laughing children and women who loved with all their hearts. A smile lit her face as she remembered the few times she had came to this village. Always with open arms and smiles. They were not people who were cruel, they weren’t people who wanted anything more than what they needed. Home, children, food, family.  

“See that village down there, Kiyomi?” Katerina asked her daughter beside her. A nod came from her daughter as jasmin eyes looked down at the village. “I used to stay here over the years. Well more recently than before.” She said with a smile as her crystal blue eyes looked down at her daughter, then back at the village. “Really? Why in a place like that?” Her daughter asked questionably. “They accepted me for who I was. Not a lot of places like a wolf demon that is seven feet tall.” 

It was almost mid day when they finally reached the village. An older lady spotted them as soon as they came into view. Her eyes squinting to see the face of the new travelers. A gasp left her lips as she saw the dark hair and fair skin lady “My dear… Katerina!” She called as she hobbled out of her cottage, a wooden staff helping her walk. “Grandmama!” The wolf demon called as she opened her arms to greet the older lady. Her arms circling a small waist. “It has been far too long.” The old lady voiced as she patted the wolf demon’s back. Pulling away, she peered into the face of her old friend. “You haven’t aged a day.” A soft smile lined her lips. “And you're still as beautiful as the last time I saw you.” Katerina returned her smile and gave her another quick hug. 

Crystal’s eyes quickly moved to the small child beside Katerina. A large smile covering her face as she pulled away. “Well Hello, My dear, and who might this beautiful child be?!” Her excitement showed in her voice and her face as she looked over the child. “This is Kiyomi. My daughter.” Katerina said as she motioned to her daughter. The young girl, didn’t say a word, her eyes slowly looked over to the old woman. “Isn’t this a wonderful thing! I am Crystal but you child shall call me Grandmama! My family and I would take in your Mother from time to time. It is great to meet you.” Crystal didn’t hesitate to hug the child quickly, with her arm still around her, she motioned to her door. “Come! Come! You must come inside for some lunch, and tell me all about your travels. My children are out on the boats, they shall return later.” 

Kiyomi looked over at her mother then back at the older woman. A smile crossed her lips. She sure loved how kind this woman was, and couldn’t wait to get to know her.  Her mother smiled back at her as she followed behind into the small cottage. Her companions were not very far, but they didn’t want to disturb the village people with their presents. 

Hiro looked up into the piercing blue sky as he walked along the long and winding path through the mountains of the Highlands.  He could hear the piercing call of a bird of prey, like an eagle or some such from a distance.  He looked down a map in his hands, showing him that there SHOULD be a little fishing village nearby.  He hoped it was nearby, he didn't want to have to camp outside again when it got dark.  He needed supplies to continue his journey, and maybe he could find some kind of mercenary work in this village too.

Finally, the black and red haired youth came around a curve and saw that the path lead straight into the village.  He looked down at himself, he wore a crimson cloak over his red tinted mythril armor.  He wanted to hide his armor, since people would probably be afraid if someone came into a village openly brandishing a suit of armor and weapons, like the long blade sheathed to his belt.  He heard the people of the highlands were cautious with outsiders.  He wasn't sure what kind of reception he would receive once he entered the village, and it left him somewhat nervous.  He meant no one any harm, but he didn't want to get thrown out of the village for no reason or something.

He mustered up his courage and started walking again, passing the open gates and entering the village.  It was a small village, he saw children playing peacefully, the men working, women doing chores, no one seemed troubled at all.  Though he got a few cautious looks when people started noticing walking through the village.

"Hmm, I wonder where the nearest tavern is in here," he said to himself.  He started to look around, his striking sapphire eyes searching for a tavern sign.  There was an old woman talking to a younger one who had a child by her side.  The younger woman looked vaguely familiar.  Where did he see her before.  She looked adventurous, compared to the other people around.  She had traveling clothes, instead of the simple garb of the people around them.  She was also incredibly tall for a woman, or even for a man by that rate.  She loomed over everyone else around her.  "Huh."

The laughter that filled the cabin was heartwarming to wolf demon. As they sit on the cabin’s ground, the old woman before would laugh at every little them. It made the wolf demon laugh as well. “Let me get us some tea.” Crystal stood from her spot and hobbled over to the counter, she set the mugs and hot tea pot on a tray. Her hands began to shake as she lifted it. In a swift movement, Katerina was in front of the old woman, her hands grabbing onto the tray. “Let me take that for you.” She said with a smile. Crystal’s eyes looked up at her and a smile crossing her face. “I thought I would never see the day..” The old woman whispered, her eyes looking over to the child playing with a gray cat. “You are blessed to have her.” The old woman looked into the blue eyes of the wolf demon. 

Katerina knew they were thinking of the same thing. The baby she lost. She didn’t even get to hear her laugh, but she did name her after the woman before her. Feeling the tears creep into her eyes, she blinked them away. “Thank you.” She whispered, taking the tray from her hands. It had been years since she had thought about the child she had lost. Looking at her daughter, a smile lined her face as she walked toward her. The movement made her daughter’s purple eyes look up at her, a smile taking over her place, the cat was making her happy. Setting down the tray on the small table, she sat across from the old woman.  When the tray hit the table, Crystal automatically started to pour the tear.

The conversation soon started after that. Laughter filled the small cottage. It was Crystal who realized it was well after noon and the evening would soon be upon them. “They should've been back by now.” She frowned as she began to stand up. With a wave of her had, Katerina shook her head. “I’ll go check on them.” Getting to her feet, she looked down at her daughter. “Stay here with Grams.” The daughter nodded with a smile as she ran her hands over the cat’s soft fur. 

 Exiting the house, Katerina looked around at the people around her. The sun wasn’t setting yet, not for another few hours, so they were still active.  Her feet crunched in the dirt and grass that lined the path toward the shore. Her eyes spotting a few people pulling in the boats.  “They must be coming in now.” She thought to herself. She eyed the men walking from the boats, nets in hand. None of them looked familiar. “Where are they..” She frowned at her thought. Turning down the shore, she walked along water. While soft waves hit her boots the wolf demon’s eyes looked along the ocean’s edge. No boats were out there as she would see. 

It wasn’t long before Katerina reached the rocks that lead into the ocean. Looking over the rocks, a gasp left her lips. She saw the son and grandson of her dear friend. The father was struck down by a man in pirate clothing. “Damnit.” She cursed before jumping over the rocks. Four of them stood around the men laughing. The instant they saw her, the stopped. “Look what we have here. We can get so much gold for you, pretty thing.” The men withdrew their swords, heading for her. “We can have a bit of fun with you first.”

“I think not.” Katerina said to them as she knelled down, slamming her firsts in the ground. Ice spikes shut up from below the pirates. The spikes sliced through the skin of the pirates, killing one. His body dropped to the ground with a thud. The others came after her in that instant. “RUN!” She called to the men behind the pirates. They didn’t hesitate. “They won’t get far. Our men are already in the village.” The one from before spoke as his blade came at her. Jumping back to dodge it, she caught herself from tripping. Her heart began to race inside her chest. Her daughter was still in the village. Her eyes began to glow slightly as a puff of smoke came out of her hand. The man stepped back, thinking it was another spike. Instead it was a silver blade. The three men surrounded her. Narrowing her eyes she readied her sword. 

Hiro finally saw a building marked as The Drowning Wench, he assumed it was the tavern.  What else could it be with a name like that? He walked into the tavern, saw a small crowd of the people drinking.  They all gazed at him with questionable stares.

Who was this kid?  He's not a local.  He doesn't look much older than a teenager.  What is he doing here?

He sat down at a barstool and asked for a glass of water.  He got a chuckle from the barkeep, who handed him a glass with water in it.  As he sipped the water, he heard something coming from outside.  A very loud ruckus, followed by an explosion.

"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!!"

"PIRATES!"

"What?  Are you serious?"

"HELP ME!"

Hiro got out of his chair as a pair of angry looking, sea-brigand men barged into the tavern.

"Arr!  Where be your ale!  It all belongs to us now!  Anyone who says otherwise will find their lives forfeit!  Your women are ours, and all your valuables!  Everything is ours!"

Hiro stepped toward the two pirates.  He kept his hands and the rest of his body, his whole body was hidden behind his cloak, though they could see his face.  Everyone in the tavern held their arms up, they were all unarmed, and too drunk for an invasion right now.  The one person who did not instantly surrender or hide was Hiro.

"You lad!  Sit your arse down, or we'll do it for ye!"

"You've barged into the wrong tavern today, scurvy dogs.  I just wanted a simple drink!"  Hiro shook his head and sighed.

"Put your hands up, lad, you don't want to mess with us!  Last warning, before we plug you full of holes!  Hands where we can see them!" 

"All right, all right.  I'll put my hands out, where you can see them."  He reached out of his cloak, pushing it back, revealing his crimson suit of plate mail.  The was a long blade on his side.  He may have been a young kid, but he was armed to the teeth!  The pirates stared in disbelief, but in an flash, Hiro was on them.  A plated fist slammed into the stomach of one of the pirates, sending him flying back.  The second pirate turned and readied his blade, but Hiro was too swift.  He grabbed the pirate's sword arm, pulled on it, and sent the man flying through a table.  "You picked the wrong town to pick on, sea dogs.  Lights out."  He slammed a fist into the pirate's face, fully knocking him out for a good while.  "I want you guys to either get armed, or stay out of my way.  Make sure these arseholes right here don't move a muscle."

Hiro stepped out of the tavern to a scene of absolute chaos, bodies in the streets, women being dragged about.  A lot of pirates where invading the town, and the little town was ill-prepared.  His mind started wondering where that woman he saw earlier, the traveler who was armed, she was at that big battle right?  She was strong, she had to be willing to help free this town and fight off the pirates.  Where was she?  He saw a group of men in by the shoreline.  It looked like they were fighting, and his aura sense detected water or ice magic being used in that direction.  It was either the woman, or a powerful enemy.  That was the direction he had to go in.

He quickly moved toward the rocky shoreline.  There were too many men to take down by himself, right?  He had to gather anyone else who could help.  He saw the woman surrounded by three men, who leered at him with hungry eyes.  How despicable.

He reached his hand out and pointed a finger at one of the men.  A blast of flame shot out like a bullet and pierced one of the men through the stomach, sending him flying to the ground.

"You bastards should really treat women better.  And stop invading peaceful towns.  And take better care of your teeth.  Maybe bathe once in awhile.  Eat oranges maybe?  Don't those prevent scurvy?"  The remaining two pirates gazed at Hiro angrily, causing them to be distracted from the woman they had cornered.  That would probably be a costly mistake for the two of them.  She looked pretty tough.

The young girl sat besides the table, the cat purring in her lap while she sipped her tea. “How long have you known, Mom?” The child asked the old woman before her. “Oh a very long time, dear.” The old woman leaned over the table to sip her tea. “She first came to this village when I was only seven years old.. Then almost about every two years.” A smile crossed the old woman’s lips. Kiyomi looked at her, a smile curling on her lips. The old woman stared off into the distance, memories were flooding into her mind.  “The first time I met your mother, I was playing at the stream only a few miles from her. She was silent as a mouse when I looked up to see her. She stood there staring at me. She seemed so lonely…. I asked her to dinner and my family welcomed her. She has always come back.” A frown suddenly lined her lips. “What is it?” Kiyomi asked sitting up a bit. “Oh nothing dear.” She said, suddenly a smile was on her lips. 

A sudden scream made the daughter stand up from her spot on the floor. Laughter and screams filled the village. Taking out her dagger, she started to walk out of the cottage but the sudden pull made her body fall back onto the floor. The door slammed shut. The old woman quickly helped her up and pulled her to the back of the cottage near the back of the kitchen area. “Shh. Put that thing away.” She ordered, before she could protest, the rug that was on the kitchen floor was pulled up, a small iron handle laid on the ground. The old lady pulled on it and opened the hidden area under the cottage. “Stay quiet!” She shoved the girl into the hole, making her land on her behind. “Bu—” The door shut on her face before she could say a word. 

Looking around, there was only dirt and random bags around. The area reached over the hole cottage. The sound of the door being kicked open made her move. Crawling on all fours she made her way towards the door. “Hello Granny..” A Pirate said with a laugh. “Get out of here, this is no town of yours." The sound of steel hit her ears. “No… Grams…” Kiyomi thought to herself as she tried to look in between the wood cracks. “Put that away before you hurt yourself…ey! Watch it!!  Don’t piss me off granny! HEY I SAID DONT PISS ME OFF.” From what she could see from the cracks, Crystal wasn’t leaving without a fight, a small sword was in her hand and she had cut the pirate twice. 

“Fine, you asked for it. You B****” The pirate said before taking out his own sword. In one swift movement, Crystal’s sword was on the ground and so was her head. A gasp left the young girls mouth as the head rolled in front of her eyes. “YOU JERK!” She cursed before taking her dagger and stabbing it in the pirate’s food. “WHAT THE F*******” Screamed the pirate before pointing to the ground. Moving back, she didn’t know that an ax would come down onto the ground. Before she knew it, the young girl was in the arms of the pirates. “Stupid bi***” The pirate cursed while trying to bandaged his foot. 

“Get everyone gathered in the center of the village!” A pirate’s voice rang over the village. Kiyomi kept struggling against the pirate. Pain shot through the back of her head suddenly, then darkness took her. 

---

Katerina looked at the men that surrounded her. Eyes narrowed and watching her pray. She was ready to strike, but before she could one of the men dropped. His stomach flaming. The sudden voice made her eyes shoot to their location. “Damnit, I could of handled them.” She thought to herself, her body itching to kill them. Seeing them distracted, she used this time to her advantage. 
Holding her sword up, she swung her sword, one man’s head came off his shoulders and the next turned just in time for her to stab him in the gut. “Never mess the Silverstein’s.” She whispered into his ear before letting him drop onto the ground.

Quickly moving her sword to the side the blood shoot off onto the ground. “You.” She said bring the sword up to point at him. “I could of handled them. I didn’t need any help, youngin.” She said then put her sword on her back where a sheath magically appeared. Running up near him, her eyes looked at the young boy. Her ears picking up the screams from the village, they were soon hushed but the soft cries she could still hear. “Pirates.” Running up to the small rock wall, she peered over the rocks. Many pirates covered the shore, she could barely see the center of the village where many of the villages were gathered. Turning around to the man, her eyes looked over him, wondering if he was tough enough. “There all too many pirates in the village. I can’t take them on all on my own. We need to take them out one by one. Or if you have a better plan, share now. “ She looked him over one more time, he looked like a warrior, and he looked familiar.

Then she remembered where she saw him. “You were at the battle..” She paused for a moment and looked back over her shoulder. “Let's do this, they are nothing compared to the machines we were up against before.”

Hiro pierced one of the men with a fiery blast, getting the other pirates' attention, but they had little chance to act upon it, since the woman they had turned their attention from was VERY dangerous, and she took that moment to decapitate and eviscerate the last two pirates.  Hiro approached her, now that the pirates were out of the way, but soon found her pointing her blade in his direction.  She seemed unimpressed, and unhappy with his interference, Hiro showing some surprise on his face that she would point a blade at someone who helped her, despite not NEEDING it.

"I'm not the one trying to take over the village.  I know you're a more experienced fighter than me, I'm not trying to impress you or anything, I was trying to help and declare that I'm not one of the pirates, that I'm willing to help save these people.  Yeesh!"  He followed her as she looked at the situation from behind a wall.  The pirates were taking the innocent villagers to the center of the village.  They were helpless, and unprepared for such an invasion.  She turned toward him, as if eyeing him up, judging him.  He thought about her plan, taking them out one at a time.  That seemed troublesome, because they could take hostages once they realized they were being taken out.  He took a few moments to think before he spoke his plans.

"There's too many of them to weed out like that, I think.  They're all gathered together in one area, and once they realize what we're doing, they'll start taking hostages.  I saw you with a child earlier, is she not with some of the villagers?  We don't know if she is hiding or captured.  I have an idea, though.  What if I go to their ship, and start burning it down.  I raid their ship, causing a commotion, drawing a lot of the pirates away from the villagers, while you go to the villagers, defeat the pirates guarding them, get them to safety, then you come back towards the ship, and help me out before I get overwhelmed by the pirates.  Hell, if any villagers are trained and willing to fight, you can get them armed or something from some of the fallen pirates' weapons."  She had noticed he was at the battle against the machine people.

"Yes, I was there, and these pirates are weaker than those machines, though we can't underestimate them, because they're trained to fight and kill, they can take hostages and try to manipulate us through that.  I want you to be able to save your daughter and your friends.  I don't know anyone here, but I'm willing to put my life on the line for them.  It's what my father would do."

Katerina had to keep from rolling her eyes at the man. She didn’t think he was trying to take over the village. She just didn’t need his help. Choosing not to say a word about it. The wolf demon decided to just listen. At the mention of her child, anger grew within her. She had to control it, if she didn’t then she would turn. If she did the villagers would be killed, maybe even her daughter. She couldn’t risk it. Even in her wolf form, she wouldn’t be able to control herself while having so much anger. She could kill the villagers along with the pirates. 

A sigh left Katerina’s lips. It was a good plan, but one thing. This was a simple fishing village. They couldn’t fight as well as pirates. At his last words, she nodded. When the villagers are free from the pirates then she would be able to transform and take them out. “Alright. Good plan. Let's move.” She said as she jumped over the rocks. Landing softly on the ground, she quietly made her way through the scattered trees around the village. 

Crouching down between the trees, stayed quiet as her eyes watched out for the smoke from the ship. Her eyes glanced towards the center of the village, her eyes widen at the sight of her daughter, she was out cold lying on the ground between the villagers. Her blonde curls sprawled out around her head. “Kiyomi…” She whispered while her anger swelled inside her. While her attention wasn’t on her surroundings, a sword was suddenly put under her chin. 

“Get up.” A male’s voice came from beside her. Slowly turning her head, she stared up at a pirate. His grin showed off his blackened teeth. “How disgusting. Can’t you people take care of your teeth?” She asked before her hand grabbed a hold of his sword, and turned it into ice. The sudden cold of the sword made his hand let go. “Damn. You B***h,” he cursed at her while swinging his hand at her to smack her. The wolf demon smirked back, grabbed his hand at the last moment, and brought him down to her. Her other hand formed a large ice spike. On his way down to her, she stabbed him through the heart. It happened so fast he couldn't even scream.

Setting the pirate down beside her, Katerina waited.

He expected her to reject his plan, or at least argue about it.  He wasn't so stupid to expect many of these villagers to be combat ready.  Maybe some were, but were killed already.  He did not know this village well.  But if they could get some help, even one or two people who could fight, it'd be of assistance.  He knew she was strong, maybe stronger than himself.  He expected her to give resistance, maybe because of pride or whatever.  But she was probably stealthier than him.  His job in this plan was to cause a distraction and burn the pirate ship to the ground.  If anyone was more likely to die from this, it was him.  Not that he had a death wish.  But burning a ship down was more of his skill set, than stealthily sneaking around and taking out enemies quietly.

"I'll see you hopefully when the villagers are safe."  He watched as she leaped away, then got to work.  He ran his way towards the boat, that was docked in the distance.  He got into view of the boat, seeing they had two rather bored-looking pirate sentries guarding the entrance to the boat.  He could hear them chatting to each other about being disappointed about not getting to steal things, or rape any women, or other disgusting things like that.  Hiro approached the two pirates in plain sight, not even hiding himself.

"Hello there, good sir pirate, I suggest you call all your little pirate friends over here, because I'm about to destroy your boat.  I've got you outmatched and outclassed."  The two pirates looked at each other briefly before drawing their weapons, both of them were carrying cutlasses.

"Arr, ye be outnumbered, lad!  There be two of us, and one of ye!  You are daft to think a wee lad like you can outmatch two–"

Hiro lifted a finger from out of his cloak, revealing his impressive armor, and pointed it at the other pirate, a fiery lance or arrow-like spell pierced one of the pirates' chests instantly, sending him falling into the ocean.

"–dead pirates.  F*ck."  The remaining pirate stared in disbelief as his companion was just shot down in front of him like a fly.  Hiro smirked and summoned a ball of flame into his hand.  The heat could be felt from the couple feet of distance between the remaining pirate and the young warrior.

"See, if you come at me, you'll suffer the same fate as your mate there.  You are going to bring your Captain, and all your shipmates here, because I'm BURNING this whole ship down.  I don't even need you to live, but I'll allow you to live for now if you do this."  The pirate weighed his options for a few good moments, before charging at Hiro with his blade, giving a battle cry.  "Bad choice."  Hiro grabbed the man's sword arm as he rushed into range with the hand that held the fireball, he could smell the burning flesh and hair as his fiery grip seared the man's arm.  He cried out in anguish, dropping his cutlass into ocean, until Hiro finally let go of the pirate's arm, sending him recoiling in pain.  "You seem to have dropped your weapon.  You should quit while you're ahead, before I truly disarm you.  You should feel lucky you still HAVE that limb.  Girls dig scars, except when they're gained through stupidity.  Now go get your mates before I burn you some more.  Bring your Captain too.  Bring all your little friends."

The pirate looked at Hiro, then looked at his still smoldering arm.  The burn looked quite painful.  He started crying and ran around Hiro, heading toward the village, his dignity destroyed utterly.  With that accomplished, Hiro turned to the boat, boarding it.  It was made of old wood, treated to avoid molding over.  He touched the wood of the main mast, to feel it.  That hand started on fire, starting it ablaze.  Flames started licking up the masts and set the sails on fire.  He turned toward the ship's wheel, he threw a fireball at it, causing it to explode into fiery splinters.  They couldn't steer this ship anymore without replacing that.  He found some ale that was stored in barrels within the ship.  He shattered those and started the flamable liquid on fire.  Within a couple minutes of sabotage, the whole ship was going up in flames.  The flames could be seen from the village before that pirate even could reach it and tell his shipmates.  He walked down the gangplank and back onto the dock.  He waited for the inevitable flood of pirates to arrive.  He was burning their livelihood, their home, and their booze.

They would be pissed.

Katerina’s eyes watched her child from where she was hidden. Her ears open and eyes open for anyone who came sneaking up on her. She wanted to transform and kill all the pirates, but that could do more harm than good. Her anger would make her lose control and she couldn’t live with herself if she killed any of the villagers. Concentrating on that thought, the wolf demon kept herself calm. Even slightly. 

The smell burning wood made her eyes see the smoke that started. A grin curved on her lips seeing the pirates turn to run towards their ship. Some did stay to watch the people who would become their slaves. “My turn..” She said standing up from her crouching position. She walked in between two of the cottages and into the open area. “Hey! Who the f–!” There was a pirate standing beside the cottage she was passing. His words was cut off by an ice spike cutting into his skull from his chin. “Hey there.” She said with a smirk before he fell to the ground with a thud. Screams erupted from the crowd of villagers seeing the man die. 

“GET HERRR!!!” An older pirate yelled pointing towards her. He commanded the rest of the pirates after her. There was almost seven left. She could handle them. With their weapons drawn, they headed towards her. The leader of the small group of pirates stayed where he was beside’s the crowd, making sure they stayed put. Holding up her hands, she waited for them to get near. Her powers swirled around her hand and up to her elbow in smoke. Flinging out her hand, ice shot from it and hit one of the men. His body fell onto the ground as a block of ace. His heart would soon stop beating. 

The sudden sword slashing as her made the wolf demon jump back. Grabbing the blade with her hand, it soon turned to ice and dropped out of the man’s hand. Flipping the sword that was now a shard of ice, she stabbed the pirate with the pointed end of the ice.  The next pirate soon came up, right after she stabbed his pal in the gut. “You—” Before he could curse, a shard of ice was sticking through his heart. The two bodies fell to the ground. Her eyes locked onto the three left standing. They stood frozen staring at her, unable to move. “Come on. You don’t want to die, do you?” She said calmly, as her eyes continued to glow. “What the hell do you think you are doing? Kill the b***h!!!!!” The pirate yelled from behind them. 

One of the pirate’s in the group, gulped and dropped his sword, and ran off away from the village. “Good choice…And you two?” She asked with a grin. One hit the other in the arm and nodded. They both headed towards her. Walking slowly and ended up on both sides of her. Her eyes went from one to the other, waiting for one to attack. The one of the right went first, raising his sword, but before he could bring it down she shot her hand out. Sparks flew out of her hand and into the man. He seemed to shake for a moment, before falling to the ground.

Seeing the last of his pal’s die, the pirate shook his head. “I am out of here..” His voice was shaking as he dropped his sword, turned and ran away. With a nod, she waved to the man as he ran away. “What the f**k!! Those cowa—” Before the pirate could finished his words, they were cut off by the dagger sticking into his back. Turning around quickly, the wolf demon’s eyes widen seeing the man fall. It wasn’t that he was dead, it was the girl standing next to him. 

The wolf demon’s feet ran before she could think, when she reached Kiyomi, her arms circled her child. The girl’s body shook violently. “Mom… I….I …Killed..” Kiyomi’s voice shook as she tried to get out the words. But her mother shushed her. “It’s alright baby….it’s okay…” She calmed as her hand ran down her head. She wanted to stay with her daughter, but there was still more to be done.  “Now look at me…” The wolf demon said as she pulled away to look her daughter in the eyes. “Stay with these people and make sure they are okay. I have to finish getting the pirates out of her.” Katerina said, she knew this would help her daughter get her mind off what she had done.“But mom.. Please stay..” Kiyomi pleaded with her mother. She couldn’t stop shaking, how was she going to take care of these people. 

A loud growl came from behind Katerina, turning around quickly, she saw Alexander. A sigh of relief left her as she saw him take down another pirate. The pirate’s throat was in the tiger's mouth, with another bite, he was dead. Feeling the pirate’s pulse stop, Alexander removed his mouth. “Go. I got her.” He said with a nod to the wolf demon. Turning around, she quickly hugged her daughter then ran off towards the ship.

Hiro watched and waited, he finally saw a large group of pirates approaching their ship, which was going up in flames.  Finally, they arrived on the dock, approaching the lone young man.  They were angry, seething.  This young kid just showed up and started burning their boat down.

"Arrr, now ye've done it!  You've landed yourself in hot water!  Lad, ye've crossed the Dread Storm Pirates!  Prepare to walk the plank!"

"That should be hard for you to do, when your plank is burning with the rest of your ship, like a pile of dry kindling and so many broken dreams.  They're up in smoke.  I'm not afraid of you, you've killed too many people, destroyed too many lives.  Pick on someone your own size!"  He laughed, and threw back his cloak, revealing his crimson armor, his long blade, and his hands, which were each holding a fireball.  Hiro threw his arms forward, combining the two fireballs into one larger spell, and unleashed it toward the Pirates before they could charge at him.  The explosion of the spell, sent bodies and limbs flying, the intense heat and light illuminated the darkness left by the setting sun.  More pirates came charging in through the flames of the fire he left behind.  Hiro jumped back from one of the pirate's cutlass lunges, drawing his weapon, an expertly crafted bastard sword, then giving a loud battle cry.  Holding the blade in two hands, he swung at the next pirate who came at him, the force of the blow he delivered pushing the pirate back.

From the back of the line of foes, an older pirate screamed at the top of his lungs.

"What the hell are ye salty dogs doing?  It's only one child!  Kill him!  Kill him!  We're the Dread Storm Pirates!  Ya'll letting some runt who took magic lessons from a stage magician beat ya?"

"I am my father's son!  He was once a GOD in another world!  He was no stage magician!  He was the Phoenix Knight!  The likes of you will never touch me as long as I have his lessons and his blood inside me!"  Hiro impaled one of the pirates with his blade through the stomach, blood poured down the blade, while the pirate coughed up more blood.  He took a hand across the flat of his blade, with the sword still in the dying pirate's body, and channeled magic through his hand, and into the sword.  A powerful, golden, sacred flame ignited the blade of the sword.  The body of the pirate started ablaze, Hiro triggered a blast from the blade, sending the dead pirate's body flying across the battlefield, and into another group of pirates, setting them on fire as well.

"Well, come on!  Who else wants to take me on?  Any of you bastards have any spine left in you?  Or are you all yellow?" yelled Hiro triumphantly to the handful of remaining pirates, who were slowly backing away from the youth.  "No one would blame you if you just gave up!  You've outnumbered me, but even then you're still outmatched!  None of you have the power to beat me, who was trained by, and son of a living legend!  The flames of my justice are not quenched by your evil!"

Suddenly, the small group of pirates parted, giving room for one individual pirate to approach Hiro Kouen.  He was veteran, older Pirate, with a graying beard.  With his fancy coat and hat, one could tell he was the pirate Captain.  He carried with him a trident, instead of a cutlass.  It was a older pirate that was screaming earlier.

"Arrr, my wee lad, ye've bested my crew, but Captain Maelstrom of the Dread Storm Pirates does not bow to some child!  You obtain an iota of power, and think you're the strongest one here, but you're not the only one who's strong here."  He pointed the trident in Hiro's direction, a blue aura appeared, surrounding the Captain with magical power.  Hiro's eyes widened as a powerful stream of water erupted from the trident, striking the unprepared Hiro in the stomach, sending him flying back.  "Haha!  Ye talk a big game, child, but where's all that bluster now?  I shall show you the folly of your actions, ye Wannabe Hero, 'Child of a God,' the flames of ye so-called 'justice' cannot stand against my water power!  Who's outmatched now, boy?"

Hiro spat out salt water from his mouth, and tried to ignite a flame from his hand, but the salt water soaking his body interfered with his power.  He climbed back to his feet and growled.  He raised his blade, and charged at the Captain, who struck back with his trident, blocking Hiro's overhead strike, catching the blade with the prongs on his polearm.  This Captain Maelstrom was strong.  The Captain grinned a toothy, confident grin, pulling the blade out of Hiro's hands with his trident, then smacking him in the face with the handle of the weapon, sending him reeling.  The pirate Captain stabbed at Hiro, who was barely able to dodge the attack by stumbling to the side.  The Captain drew back his weapon and struck the ground with the points of his polearm, sending magic through the wooden dock, and into the water below.  A giant wave of water sudddenly appeared from the side of the dock, and approached Hiro.  The giant wave threatened to wash him away, crush him under tons of water, while he struggled to summon his flames to his side to defend him.

Where was that woman, what was her name?  Katerina?  Hopefully she saved the villagers, and could possibly defeat this pirate if he was crushed to death by the approaching tsunami.