Sebastian walked Illionia’s streets with the cool breeze blowing across him. This island was an autumn island, following the cycle from its neighbor island of Mediogashima that is a summer island. The surface of this island seemed so tame, yet Sebastian had already begun to see the cracks in its ways.
People were looking to rebel, apparently multiple people have left the island in search of the Pantheon pirates or to create their own pirate crew. Was it just a coincidence that all these pirates were younger? It was only the younger generation that Sebastian spotted wearing the arm bands of the Pantheon Pirates. It made sense in a way, as the ones Sebastian spotted were the lower rung of the economic ladder, those in poverty or low income.
Sisoynia was a wealthier trading port that drew peoples of all walks of life due to the safety of the marines and their own soldiers. Yet wealth seemed to attract poverty, and so the alleyways were dotted with those of lesser fortune. Perhaps it was seeking freedom from the binds of their impoverished living situation that sent many of these young and idealistic children out to seek. Perhaps so many rally behind the Pantheon’s flag due to a belief that he is a representation of an option they had never considered. Most simply lived in the system, hoping for things to get better, but those that take to the sea seek to be the change they desire.
A fight had broken out in the main market square. Several teenagers stood with knives, squared off against many of the Sisonyia guards who carried spears and shields. One of the teenagers waved a flag of the Pantheon pirates proudly as they stood in the stand off.
“You wont silence us!” The flag bearer yelled out.
A guard took a cautious jab at the teenagers, who lashed out with their knife to knock it away. It was a tense moment as pedestrians formed a wall around the action. Sebastian stood just one person behind the ring of the wall, the perfect place to witness the events that were about to transpire.
The tension grew as both teens and guards realized they had no escape option left to them. In their minds, it was a do or die situation. Thus, the fighting was just a hair's breadth away from beginning. Soldiers just trying to protect their homes, teenagers who know no other way but to rebel, both about to lose their lives.
It came as a crash. A figure slammed into the earth between the two sides. The figure stood as the dust cleared, revealing a man wearing the traditional bronze armor of the soldiers of Illonia. He had long curled black hair that draped behind his head, a set jaw, a face with strong features, stood over seven feet tall, and was built larger than most bodybuilders.
The teens shyd back from the man that was approaching them, but they hit the wall of the ring of watchers. Sebastian swore under his breath, pulling free the pipes from his hip. He had planned to step in before, but now he knew there was no choice in the matter. If he didnt these teens would be slaughtered.
The figure was Ares, one of the twelve members of the Pantheon of Illionia. Of the strongest people in Illionia, Ares was near the top, said to sink battleships all on his own. Sebastian had only been on Illionia for a few days but had already come to learn that the Pantheon was not to be messed with.
Ares gave a wicked smile, a wave of anxiety washing over the teens and Sebastian. Suddenly, Ares charged. His steps broke the ground below as he shot towards the teens. One raised a knife and slashed at the man. Ares raised an arm and took the hit, but the knife blade simply snapped in half and shot off into the distance. It was Armament Haki!
With his other hand, Ares reached out and gripped the face of the one who attacked. His large meaty palms covered the boy's face as he was lifted into the air, struggling against the grip of Ares. The screams were muffled by Ares' hand, Ares smiling all the while.
“Piracy is illegal on Illionia.” Ares said, as if a warning to the rest of the watchers. “Any found to harbor pirates or support them is subject to punishment, those found disrupting the peace will not be given mercy.”
Ares' grip tightened on the boy's face, who screamed louder. His friend stood in horror as they watched their friend struggle in the grasp of Ares, flailing legs and arms in a weak attempt to free himself.
Sebastian had the pipes to his lips, ready to release a note, when the crowd broke. A girl came running from the crowd. She had wavy long black hair tied with two bands to both sides of her head. She wore a traditional dress that the women of Illonia wore, yet with a pair of brown trousers below. The girl rushed one of the guards, sending him sprawling to the ground as she took the spear, then turned on Ares.
She dug the spear tip towards the towering man, who stood well over double the height of the girl. The tip of the spear shattered on impact, Ares turning towards the girl as it happened. The girl did not let up, the tip was broken, but she had the shaft. She swung the spear around to bash Ares side, splitting in two again. She grabbed the now split spear shaft in two hands and stabbed at him over and over. Each strike broke the wood more and more, till it was just a nub in her hands.
“What is this?” Ares questioned, his grip on the boy loosening.
“Fuck you!” The girl yelled out, punching at the space in his armor where skin was showing, it was ineffective. “Those that have the courage to wave the skull and cross bones will never fall to you!” she yelled, her voice full of strength, as if she was not staring down her death.
Sebastian felt the resonance from those words. His heart stirred with passion, and he raised a small smile. Ares reached his free hand towards the girl, but she side stepped him then grabbed his arm and twisted. She had attempted to throw him over her shoulder, but he was just too big and resisted her.
Realizing the futility of her attempts she twisted the wrist behind the man, pinning it to his back. Ares flexed his arm, pulling to the front, dragging the girl with him. The girl didn't let go of the man, holding onto his arm like it was a life line. She swung her legs up and pressed them against the meaty arm, standing as if a trapezist. She stayed low, pressing palms to the arm and dug her nails into his flesh, which seemed to break his steel body. With a kick the girl spun, landing a blow directly on Ares chin, his head recoiled, but he returned and smiled at the girl.
“Squirly aren't you” Ares said, death in his face. He released the boy, then brought his now free hand into a fist to swing at the girl. It was at that moment that a sheet of paper feel between the two’s vision, giving both a moment of hesitation. That moment was filled by the sounds of pipes as Sebastian let out the third Verse of the Rhythm of life.
“Third Verse, For One’s Dreams.” Sebastian whispered as he let the sound ring free. The sound was targeted at the girl and Ares, but no one else. He had found there was power in sound, one that he had learned to harness into power.
The sound of the pipes filled the area, and bombarded into Ares, who was sent flying off. He crashed into a building, shattering its wall and causing the roof to collapse on top of him. He could tell Ares had not died, just stalled. The girl looked around for the source of the sound, but found none as Sebastian had moved away at the moment he played. She then gathered the teens and ran.
The crowd began to flee in fear of Ares rebuke. In the chaos Sebastian found the sheet of paper that had blocked the two and looked it over. It was a wanted poster, displaying a bounty for a pirate.
“Enma ‘Sure Strike’ Nash.” Sebastian said, looking over the bounty. “Captain of the Umbra Pirates.” Of course he had heard of the Umbra’s, they were making waves in the new world since they arrived only a few months ago. He smiled then looked up to the sky. “Is this your doing, fate?” There was no response as usual, yet Sebastian was sure it was an agreement. He stuffed the poster in his pocket as he began to walk away, Ares finally breaking free of the house.
Sebastian had found where he needed to go, he was sure he was going to meet these Umbra’s soon, and when he did, he would join them. Yes, he had found his captain.
