[Scene: Whisper's Light Guild Hall –Late Morning]
The sun bounced off military-grade manasteel.
A column of government marines stood like statues, rifles strapped, eyes unblinking.
At the center of it all:
Alex Zoteb, still in chains, still defiant, being dragged toward the transport unit.
He didn't look at the soldiers.
He looked back—toward the hall.
Solis, one hand resting on a blade sheathed at his hip, the other lazily looped over the hilt of the one on his back, stood watching.
Solis (quietly, to Arjun beside him):
> "So we go to hunt Ryven's crew now?"
Arjun didn't blink. His eyes were fixed on Alex Zoteb.
Arjun:
> "Of course we do."
Solis raised an eyebrow.
Solis:
> "All five of us?"
Arjun finally turned. Calm. Calculated.
Arjun:
> "Us two can handle their crew on our own."
He glanced behind—toward the hall's stone arches, where Kael, Rhask, and Eron were having a laugh.
Arjun (with a faint smirk):
> "But they'd want in. You know that."
---
[Flashback – Island of Fremlis, few days ago}
Scene: A tiny shack bar near the southern coast. The air stank of seaweed and roasted fish.
Solis and Arjun sat at a table, a dim lantern swinging between them.
Their plates were barely touched.
Solis (eyes sharp, voice low):
> "We attack at midnight." "I'll breach the inner gate. Close quarters. I'll handle it."
Arjun:
> "I will give backup if needed."
Solis:
> "Make sure the leader doesn't flee. Aim for the heart if he does."
But just as Solis reached for his drink—
> BOOM.
A distant explosion cracked the silence.
The two froze.
Solis:
> "…That came from the hill."
Arjun narrowed his eyes.
Arjun:
> "That's where the rogue guild's base is."
---
[Cut to: Chaos at the Rogue Guild's Hideout – Same Time]
Kael flipped mid-air, kicking a screaming rogue into a crate.
His body blurred with speed.
Eron:
> "Wouldn't Solis and Arjun be mad?"
Kael (grinning):
> "Why?"
Eron (dodging a punch):
> "You know we followed them here without telling them. And attacked before they could."
Kael:
> "Tell that to Rhask."
---
[Meanwhile – Guild Master's Chamber]
The rogue leader backed away, trembling.
Rhask towered before him, dragging a four-foot blade.
Rhask (flatly):
> "What made you go rogue?"
He didn't wait for an answer.
Rhask:
> "Money? Power? You wouldn't survive two days in Veilstream."
Then he leapt forward, blade spinning—
But not the sharp end.
The flat of the sword cracked the man across the room like a war hammer.
Thud.
Unconscious.
Rhask (dusting off his shoulders):
> "Looks like it's over."
---
[Back to Present – Whisper's Light Guild Hall}
The marines were almost out of sight now.
Solis sighed, hand dropping from his hilt.
Solis:
> "Yeah… If we go after the Ryven Pirates without them, they'll just follow us again anyway."
Arjun chuckled under his breath.
[Scene: Aboard the Stormfang, Ryven's Ship – Late Morning]
The sails flapped like dragon wings against a moody sky.
The Ryven Pirates gathered on the upper deck, the salty wind slicing through their conversation. Tension hung thicker than the smoke rising from the gunports.
Ryven stood at the helm—tall, scarred, and seething. His heavy coat flared behind him.
Ryven (commanding):
> "We head to Brevia."
A beat of silence.
Then—
Young Pirate (nervous):
> "Captain… they already defeated Vice-Captain Zoteb." "If we fight them head-on, the losses might be… a lot."
Another pirate stepped forward, voice cautious.
Second Pirate:
> "Yes, Captain. And after that—how will we even reach Veilstream if we burn too many men and ships?"
Ryven's eyes flared red for a second—not magic. Just fury.
Ryven (roaring):
> "SILENCE!"
"How strong can a West Sea guild be?"
"Nothing compared to me. We've cut through elites. Whisper's Light is nothing but a noisy little spark."
The young pirate hesitated, swallowed hard.
Young Pirate (softer):
> "But… Captain… they defeated Vice-Captain Zoteb."
The deck dropped into silence.
Even the wind seemed to pull back.
Ryven didn't speak.
Not at first.
He turned—slowly. The crew took an instinctive step back.
Ryven's voice, low but venomous:
> "One more word…"
"And I'll kill you two before Whisper's Light."
The young pirates froze.