"HEEEELP!!!"
Bjorn's screams echoed across the beach. Each member of the council had grabbed onto one of Bjorn's limbs and was pulling as if they were splitting a wishbone. Looking around in pain and confusion, Bjorn noticed a bloody silhouette walking toward them from the darkness.
He couldn't recognize it. "Who... Who the hell is this freak?" he said, squinting his eyes.
Hakan grimaced when he saw the approaching figure. "Ah... Our Father has graced us with his presence."
Aiden stopped in front of the group, covered in a layer of dried purple blood and radiating a deadly aura. His voice was clear and threatening. "What are you doing to my friend?"
Nedim let go of Bjorn's leg and straightened up with a fake grin. "What would we be doing, dear? We were just joking around, right Bjorn?"
Just as Bjorn was about to shout, "I swear to the Gods, if it wasn't for you, I would have..." Morris pressed his massive, filthy belly onto Bjorn's face. Bjorn's curses turned into muffled noises amidst Morris's layers of fat.
Carlos released Bjorn's arm and walked heavily toward Aiden. "I thought you would never come, Eyeless Hunter."
"I was told to be at the beach during the shipment," Aiden said with a cold voice. "Not to idle around and watch ships like you lot."
"Are we waiting for our own amusement? We were checking if there was any attack signal from that huge ship... Anyway." Carlos waved his hand dismissively. "Are you going to bring the subject back to my blindness, Firel's dog?"
The mocking expression on Carlos's face vanished. "Dog? You don't know shit about the bond between the Boss and me."
"Tell us, then, so we can learn."
"Why would I share my memories with a bastard like you? You might have a grudge because he executed your father, but there's nothing you can do. He is the only half-beast on the island who has undergone his '3rd Evolution'."
Aiden paused. "Evolution? Half-beast?" His lips curled slightly. "Are you trying to fool a child? Or has hunger made your small brain mushy?"
Carlos looked at Aiden with pitying eyes. "What a luxury it is to live without knowing a damn thing... I could kill you right here, right now, Eyeless Hunter. How much of a chance could you possibly have against me?"
For a moment, Aiden sensed an energy facing him that was even stronger than his father's spiritual energy. If I recall correctly what Father told me, he said something about S.E.P. ranks. He frowned. "You... What nonsense have you been spouting all this time?"
Just then, the creaking sounds from the shallow waters interrupted their conversation. The keels of the sailboats had grounded on the sand. Aiden turned his ears in that direction. Noticing the blind boy's twitching ears, Carlos smirked and headed for his bag.
He pulled out a torch made from a thick branch and lit it with a green-tipped match. As the green flames pierced the darkness of the night, he waved the torch slowly to the right, then rapidly to the left twice.
The signal was received. A group of pirates with red torches descended from the forest edge to the beach.
Hakan lined up his undisciplined herd with the air of a commander. "Keymasters! FRONT AND CENTER!"
A dozen pirates walked to the pier with rusty keys in their hands. The Holyland transporters, with the comfort of the Resfozgu soldiers standing beside them, were giggling amongst themselves, mocking the primitiveness of this place. They unloaded the slaves and the few barrels of supplies, then loaded the precious minerals mined from the island onto the sailboats. Finishing their work, they quickly set off toward the mother ship. The Keymasters unchained the new prisoners and withdrew.
Carlos paced back and forth in front of the trembling crowd, hands clasped behind his back. "Listen up, you tulip-ass bastards!" His voice was like thunder.
From the crowd, a burly prisoner covered in tattoos lunged forward. "Who are you, you ox?!" he said arrogantly, walking toward Carlos.
Carlos didn't even break his stance. He simply raised his right fist slightly.
The fist, descending with incredible speed, split the man's skull like a watermelon.
Aiden shuddered where he stood. Even though he couldn't see, he could barely feel the change in the air, that sudden pressure.
Carlos shook off his bloody hand. "Any other trash want to try their luck?"
The prisoners were buried in a deathly silence. Carlos laughed inwardly with pleasure. Good. I didn't come here for nothing.
However, Aiden had no strength left to endure. The poison was burning his veins, his senses shutting down. His knees gave way. Just as he was about to collapse face-first onto the ground, Bjorn rushed over and caught him.
Carlos turned around, looked at Aiden's semi-conscious state, and chuckled. "Hey, Father... Let's make a deal. I'll get you a doctor from here, and you give up your right to those 150 slaves. What do you say?"
Aiden was battling with his consciousness. His pride said 'no', but his logic rejected death. Angered by his friend's silence, Bjorn hoisted Aiden onto his back. "We accept! Find us a doctor immediately!"
Carlos smirked and turned back to the crowd. "Does anyone here know first aid?!" His voice vibrated the sands.
Many hands shot up; everyone was desperately claiming to be a doctor.
Carlos narrowed his eyes. "If you can't save the mut behind me, I will bury all of you in the same grave as him. Keep that in mind."
Hands dropped instantly. Not a sound was heard. No one could risk dying at the hands of that monster.
"Well, Father..." Carlos shrugged. "I guess this is the end of the road. Goodb..."
"I... I can save him."
The voice was frail but held a strange determination within. The crowd parted. A petite figure stepped forward.
Carlos scanned the newcomer with disdain, then signaled with a nod of his head to "Pass."
Bjorn looked at the approaching doctor with hope. "Aiden... I don't know if you can hear me, but hang in there, brother."
In one move, Bjorn scooped the delicate doctor up into his arms. His leg muscles overflowed with electricity, and with an extraordinary leap, he vanished into the darkness.