"Sir, a large fleet has been spotted off the coast." A servant slammed open the door walking in on a young man at his desk. The small noble looked up at him in horror for a second, before jumping out of his desk.

Ustka was one of the few places that had yet been hit by the Pirate Lords but it was always a fear that they had waited for. Everyone had heard the news of the other coastal towns and cities that were not spared. The brutality and carnage that was inflicted on them.

"Sound the bells, give the people a chance to escape. Mobilize whoever we can." The noble didn’t hesitate and ran into another room, grabbing a small telescope. "How large is the force?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

The servant gulped. "Near twenty warships." The noble froze upon hearing that. His hand shook in fear.

"Dear God. How did we just notice? Sound the alarm now." The noble didn’t hesitate and ran out of his manor, followed by the small guard he had. Running as fast as he could the tolling of the bells soon started as the people hurriedly left, having trained for the day they all wished wouldn’t come.

It was a short run to the small hill and the noble took a deep breath. Looking out he wished to see what ones he was dealing with. "Hmmm." A confused sound came from his mouth as he watched the fleet. It wasn’t coming towards them, nor did it bear the flag of the pirates. "Have a look. That isn’t the flag of the pirates is it."

A second took the telescope and looked out his face scrunching in an equally confused way. "No. That’s the Empire’s isn’t it?" The man handed the telescope back to the noble. "Are we being invaded?"

"Do we know where King Snowid is?" The noble spun and quickly asked getting a small nod. "Send word to him. A fleet from the Empire has been spotted. And find out if war has begun." The noble looked out at the passing fleet and took a deep breath.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Is this the place Commander?" Sasha walked over to Marcus and asked nervously, looking into the foggy distance."

"Yeah. It matches Issac’s report when he dealt with them." His grip tightened around the sword hanging around his waist. "Signal the others. We need to prepare for battle."

"Are you sure?"

"Issac said he could hardly see them coming when he entered the fog. One ship will be seen as a customer. A fleet, that’s an invasion. We need everyone ready." Sasha nodded in understanding and ran to the bell. Ringing it, the sound traveled to the other boats before a choir of bells rang in the open sea. A noticeable change happened. Everyone tensed up and looked around, their breathing getting slower entering the fog.

Sasha leaned against the railing of her boat and looked out into the distance. It was subtle but a looming shadow appeared and disappeared. "ENEMIES AHEAD! SOUND THE ALARM!" She didn’t hesitate to give the order and a second bell rang in the ocean. Marcus breathed in to calm himself and walked down the steps going next to the admiral.

He looked around his boat and the mix of sailors, normal military and Unyeilding soldiers made a threatening sight. Following Sasha’s eyeliner he watched and not soon after tens of ships, smaller than theirs began to take shape in the fog. "PREPARE FOR BATTLE!" MArcus screamed and drew his sword.

"Admiral," Marcus called to Sasha quietly. "The pirate lords aren’t here yet. Issac told me a little about their ships. They were behemoths." Sasha nodded and ran up to the wheel. Spinning it the enemy boats came into view. A rain of arrow fire soon was launched and everyone took cover.

"RETURN FIRE!" Sasha screamed out, spinning the wheel hard. Her boat was massive and quickly approached the first ship, one bearing a red flag with a skull. The exploding sound of a crash echoed as the boat slammed into the side of the enemies. No one hesitated and jumped on, seeing the eerie sight of silent men who all looked alike.

Their bald heads were covered in scars. Marcus gulped looking at it, before his eyes landed on the shields they were using. "Fucking savages." It was all he could say as his men hesitantly approached. Archers held their fire seeing multiple women tied to boards screaming in fear.

"HOLD YOUR FIRE! CHARGE THE ENEMY!" Marcus called out as he led the charge but his order was quickly ignored. A long javelin flew across the deck and impaled one of the women, killing her in an instant. Marcus spun, his face full of rage looking at the Unyeilding soldier who threw the javelin.

"I said hold your fire." He shouted in annoyance.

"No advantages." The Unyielding soldier said coldly before walking forward with his weapon. The pirates looked at one another seeing the shields were useless. They didn’t hesitate to run out and charge the Empire a melee quickly breaking out.

Marcus blocked the attack swinging down on him as he pushed back out, forcing the pirate to stumble. He was quick to act stabbing his sword into the man’s stomach, kicking him away, and blocking second. It was terrifying watching his enemy. They made no sound, even in death, as if their tongues had been cut out.

Sasha also noticed it but looked towards the Unyeilding soldier on her side. They were equally as dreadful. Their black armor and silent efficiency made them feel like a reaper of death. Her distraction was nearly fatal, an attack nearly slicing her head off, only blocked by a Unyeilding soldier from behind. He threw him back and like it was planned a javelin flew threw the air, piercing the pirate’s heart.

"Thank you," Sasha said under her breath but got no response the soldier moving on to its next target. Sahsha collected herself and charged with them. Side steeping to the right a blade narrowly missed her chest. Without delay, she elbowed the man in the face, before spinning her body and plunging her sword into his stomach. Not a single sound left the pirate’s mouth throughout the entire ordeal as he watched her with cold, bloodthirsty eyes until he died.

She couldn’t even take a second to notice the strangeness of them, quickly having to block a powerful slash from above. Her legs buckled and through gritted teeth, she used all her might to defend herself. It was strong, stronger than anything she could take but the attacker’s strength vanished with a mouthful of blood spraying on her face.

"Admiral. We need to secure the hostages." Marcus called out, pulling his sword from the pirate and blocking another attack.

"We have no time. Just focus on killing the enemy first." Sasha scanned the ship. There had been few losses on their side but it felt like the attack wouldn’t end. "We need to ... ahhh." The entire ship shook, everyone losing their balance.

Looking to the right she could see another one had rammed them a second wave of men jumping on. Unlike the previous pirates, they all had wild looks, ready to take part in a slaughter. "FALL IN!" Marcus cried out to his men as everyone moved back towards him. Only one group didn’t, the Unyielding. Each one held their place in teams of two, taking the brunt of five men, holding their own.

"Why aren’t they listening?" Sasha couldn’t understand looking at them. Marcus could only sigh as he blocked another attack coming his way, kicking the man away afterward.

"Just ignore them, they were trained to be like this." Marcus looked around and saw no more jumping on the ship. "SPARE NO-ONE!" His voice screamed out. "WATCH OUR BROTHERS IN BLACK! DON’T LET THEM PUT US TO SHAME!" Marcus smirked after shouting it and ran forward. His sword was swift, cutting into the stomach of one man, using the momentum to block an attack coming his way.

Sasha quickly followed up, killing the man. "They lack skill." it was an easy observation after fighting them.

"They’re crazy, however." Marcus could see it in everyone. Each one didn’t feel human anymore, only a bloodthirsty demon. They threw themselves at the enemy without regard and seemed to not feel pain. "They’re on drugs I think." It was the only way that could make sense and make sense of their enemy.

Sasha silently agreed having come to that conclusion herself. Her sword pierced into another skull, coloring her uniform in another shade of crimson. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Marcus run forward once more, his entire being feeling like it came out of legend. Each time he swung his sword an enemy would fall, as those around him fought harder not wishing to be outdone by their commander.

It was a strange sight and her face broke into a beautiful smile seeing that, happy that she was fighting alongside the man and not against him.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Your Majesty. Everything is ready." William came into the council room giving a slight bow before Alfred. The young Emporer pushed himself up disregarding the people seated in the room with him and left, following William.

"Has Abu prepared the messengers?"

"Yes." William opened the door for the two walking into the printing press room. Taking one of the finished papers he handed it over to Alfred.

’The Empire Strikes Against the Pirate Scourge.’ It was a catching title and Alfred smiled as he read the rest of it. Details on the entire operations, the morale reason for acting on the Commonwealth’s behalf when their King wouldn’t, promises of safety, and an end to the nightmare.

"It’s good." Alfred put the paper down. "But I worry that the people may not be able to read it.

"It has been taken care of. They shall be sent to the merchants, the temples, and nobles alongside the people. Word will eventually spread."

"Good." Alfred felt like he couldn’t keep his smile down. "Rember William. No one can ever find out we started the pirate invasion."

"Marcus has his orders. All traces of our involvement have been erased. Once he has the gold, nothing will remain."

"Good. Have these shipped off within the day?" Alfred gave the order and walked off.