The Final Desperation

Vanderdecken woke up from his sleep to a purple gas seeping into the room. It was a strange gas with a medicinal smell that is foreign to the sea. A feeling of weakness overtook him as he tried to get up. Paul the Kracken hopped onto his shoulders and looked at him worriedly. Vanderdecken noticed that Paul wasn't affected by the fog so he didn't realize Vanderdecken was weakened.

"I'll be fine." 

Vanderdecken limped over to the door and opened it. A darker shade of purple gas flooded through the door and further weakened him. Vanderdecken leaned against the wall and slowly walked down the hallway.

*Huff huff*

Vanderdecken has a hard time catching his breath as he trudged through the purple fog. This gasping for air caused him to inhale more of the suspicious gas, further worsening his situation. As he staggered up the stairs and onto the deck, he noticed something off about the situation. It was too quiet. Not even the sounds of breathing.

*Creak creak.*

Genji came into view with a perfectly recovered arm. Before this had happened, Genji had cut his cast and poured a potent healing potion over the wound. A glass bottle with a few drops of purple rolled to Vanderdecken's feet as Genji strolled towards him with another bottle in his hand. Vanderdecken's sunken eyes popped out as he glared at him.

"Is this your choice?"

"Yes."

"May I ask why?"

"To keep a promise."

"I see."

Vanderdecken drew his trident. This was the first time Genji saw his weapon. It was a long blue trident reminiscent of Poseidon's. Seeing his friend draw his weapon, Paul sat on his shoulder, scratching his head. What's going on? Why did they start fighting? Aren't they on the same side?

Genji tossed aside the bottle in his hand and drew [Jaguar] as well.

Flashstep

Genji appeared behind Vanderdecken's headless body with an octopus head in his hands. Because of the poison, Vanderdecken was weakened to an extreme extent. Enough that he can instantly kill him. Genji was wary of the strongest emperor in the sea. After the trouble he had with Kidd, it would be stupid of him to fight head-on. That's the entire reason he put so much into developing poisons from Panolis's legacy.

Seeing the death of his friend, Paul's eyes widened. 

*Thunk*

Vanderdecken's body fell onto the deck with the impact shaking Paul out of his daze. 

"Kahhhhhhhhhhh"

A loud screech came from the little guy as his eyes turned red. Then his body started expanding at a rapid rate. The ship started tipping on its side, but Paul fell off before the ship could flip over. Genji watched as massive tentacles burst out of the water and an octopus head emerged. Paul was glaring at him with his large red eyes as the tentacles accelerated toward him.

Lightweight, Swift Movement

Genji jumped over the tentacles and started running up the limb. Paul waved his limbs in a rage and tried to toss him off, but Genji was too nimble for the attempt. Seeing this pesky human continue to approach him, Paul's eyes became redder and more tentacles burst out. The rain started to fall as the wind started blowing.

A storm is coming. Too bad Genji didn't give Paul the chance to turn the tables. A large cut formed near Paul's head as Genji steadied himself on the roller coaster that is the Kraken. A bottle with a vicious black liquid appeared in his hand as he Genji jumped on the round head. He popped the cork off, and delivered a cut, before throwing the bottle in.

Then Genji jumped off and opened his cloak to glide down to the ship.

"KAAAAAAHHHHHHH"

The Kracken screamed in pain as the wound closed and sealed the unknown fluid inside the head. This immense pain caused the Kracken to thrash around violently. Massive tidal waves rocked the ship as a dark green energy shield appeared around it and kept all the water from touching the boat.

"Not good!"

Genji took a defensive stance and became vigilant of his surroundings. The reason for this is that there should be no one alive on the ship. Consequently, it means the ship should have lost its power. But that was not the case. Since the energy covering is activated, that means someone is still providing it with the energy. The only question is who.

At that moment, the ship forced out all the souls stored previously. This included the souls of the recently deceased crew. They looked around in confusion but before they can make sense of their surroundings, an intense pain overwhelmed them. From Genji's view, he was able to see the souls stretch and distort as they gathered around one spot. A spot of black fog and green flames. It was like a black hole had opened and pulled everything in.

The souls broke down and condensed the green flames that were starting to merge with the black fog. It was an uncanny sight, but the next scene made Genji cautious. The mixture of green and black smoothed themselves out as an energy construct formed in front of him. Clothes became defined, muscles stretched taut as a layer of skin covered it. Blue skin. 

Genji knew this tone of skin. Vanderdecken. The figure opened those sunken fish eyes and glared at Genji with unprecedented hatred. 

Retribution: Undead Revival

Vanderdecken stretched out his hand and his fallen trident broke free from the wooden flooring before flinging itself into Vanderdecken's hand. A grim expression appeared on Genji's face. This was Vanderdecken in his prime. Before he got poisoned. Before he started wearing down from age. Vanderdecken pointed his trident at Genji as if challenging him to prove his will.

"KKKKAAAAAAA"

Yet the distressed scream of Paul broke his splendor. Vanderdecken's neck snapped to look at his friend. The writhing chunks of flesh pierced his heart. Vanderdecken can tell. Paul is experiencing bone-melting pain right now.

"What did you do?!"

His booming voice came like thunder and pierced his ears like lightning. Genji smirked like a madman as he slowly backed off.

"Titan Feller. My strongest poison. It was designed to have enough toxicity to poison even a behemoth to death. I'm glad it's showing its worth."

"You what?!"

"Don't worry. I have plenty of it for you as well."

A bottle filled with a pinkish-purple liquid appeared in his hand. Genji chucked it at Vanderdecken before turning and running down the ship.

"Hphm. Child's play."

Vanderdecken disappeared from his position and appeared next to Genji. His trident came down to impale him, but Genji twisted his body drastically.

"When you throw it like that, even an idiot can dodge it."

Genji's smile grew wider. 

"That's the point."

Flashstep

Genji appeared on the other end of the ship as the glass bottle broke on the floor. The pinkish liquid vaporized as soon as it touched the air and started mixing with the purple fog surrounding the ship. This new fog swept over Vanderdecken before he can react and covered half the ship. A painful burning appeared on his skin as Venderdecken rushed out.

"Not bad, right? When you mix polymer-18d-16 with the essence of a nightingale flower, you turn a poisonous substance into a strong acid."

Genji took out another bottle and played with it between his fingers. 

"Can't let him!"

Vanderdecken used his greatest speed to rush at Genji, but his next action made him retreat. Instead of throwing the bottle at him, Genji slammed it downwards. Using this cover, Genji appeared next to Vanderdecken and stabbed at him with a backhand grip. Vanderdecken swung his trident to parry, due to the suddenness, his footing was off.

Dagger Arts: Impact Strike

Vanderdecken was sent flying backward as Genji's palms cracked from the extreme force. Blood seeped onto the handle of [Jaguar] but Genji didn't care. This was a small price to pay for sending Vanderdecken back into the corrosive fog.

By the time Vanderdecken emerged, his body was starting to fall apart. His skin had melted and bones were showing. Blood sizzled as he tried his best to continue.

"Y-you f-fight d-dirty, E-Enigma."

"Better dirty than dead."

Genji raised his saber and walked over.

"Goodbye Captain. You were a great man. I'm sorry it had to come to this."

Vanderdecken smiled and spread his trembling arms, leaving himself wide open. Genji sliced down through the chest but left the body intact. Vanderdecken fell backward and landed without letting go of his trident. 

"He died a warrior's death, deserving of respect. Too bad my death will never be as peaceful."

Genji walked to the edge of the ship and looked down at the weak Kracken. The rain had lessened and the clouds were starting to disperse. The storm that Paul had summoned was fading. The storm was over. A ray of sunlight broke through the clouds as the final signs of life faded from the mythical legend.

"Consider my promise fulfilled, River Stream. I've killed the threat to your life."

But with that sentence, the resolve in him faded and the somber sadness replaced it. Genji had personally killed someone akin to a father figure for a promise he made to a stranger. It was a sad choice, but as he said before: he doesn't regret his choices. He lives with them.

[You have slain Vanderdecken.]

[Your maximum energy has increased by 5. This is the maximum energy you can support with your intelligence stat. All further energy will be used to strengthen Shroud of Terror]

[You have obtained 12,345 ever coins]

[You have obtained: Vanderdecken's Treasure Key]

[Vanderdecken's Treasure Key]

Description: A key to Vanderdecken's private collection. What you may find depends on your luck.

 

[You have slain the Kracken]

[You have obtained: 20,173 ever coins and Kraken's Tooth]

[Kraken's Tooth]

Rating: Legendary

Description: A tooth from the legendary Kraken. Because of its unjust death, all its resentment is condensed in this core tooth.

Note: If you can purify this, it will make great material for crafting purposes.

Note 2: Poor Paul. He did nothing wrong yet he turned out like this.

 

Genji kept the items away and took out the key. Genji had an idea of where this treasure was kept. After all, Vanderdecken did once pull a bottle of rum out from his desk. Genji walked back over to the dissipating fog and waited. Half a minute later, all traces of the corrosive fog disappeared. As effective as this was, Genji had many reasons why he didn't use this before. For one, it takes too long to set up. By the time the entire area was covered, he would be dead multiple times over.

The only reason he can use this tonight was because the crew trusted him. After that, there's the duration. It barely lasted a few minutes before it dissipated. And trying to lure anyone into this suspicious fog is an impossibility. Not when Genji's not willing to enter either.

Genji cleared these thoughts and walked downstairs. He found the captain's cabin and kicked open the door. After looking around the desk for a few minutes, Genji found a keyhole on the side of the desk. He inserted the key and twisted it. 

*Click*

A perfect fit. The slide of the desk slid aside and revealed a hidden compartment buried in the floor. Genji reached in and stored everything in the storage.

[You have obtained: Rare rum x19, Epic rum x2, and Cassava's Treasure]

 

[limited Edition Soven Island Aged Rum]

Rating: Epic

Effects:

Extra tasty: Have you ever wondered what a foodgasm tastes like? Wonder no more.

Clearheadedness: It tastes so good it will make you sober instead of drunk.

Description: A prized bottle of rum that Vanderdecken has been saving for years.

Note: Food items are rated solely on taste and are not affected by equipment obsoletion. 

 

[Cassava's Treasure]

Rating: Epic (Quasi-Legendary)

Type: Consumable

Effect: Upon use, get a reading of your fate

Description: A gift left behind by Cassava, the White prophet to her good friend when she visited this world.

Note: Cassava might be blind, but she can see more things than anyone can imagine. Not even fate can hide from her eyes.

 

---

 

"So where are we going?" Hendrickson asked his two seniors as he rowed the boat.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Not really. I'm just trying to make some small talk."

"Good."

This left Hendrickson in an awkward position. These two seniors don't seem welcoming of him. How is he supposed to help out if they don't let him?

"There's something I don't understand, Senior."

Hendrickson decided to change the topic and talk about something else.

"Oh? Which is?"

"Why are we going this way?"

Zepher snorted.

"What do you know?"

"No, I get that this is a secret mission, but why this way? We aren't much faster than the ship and it seems like the ship was going the same way. If the goal was to do something for the sir, wouldn't it be better to send us in another direction?"

"Are you questioning Enigma? How dare you?!"

"Wait, I want to hear more," Cobra stopped Zepher. "Go on."

Hendrickson gulped. He's starting to regret opening his big mouth now, but he can't stop.

"By the time we reach our destination, we wouldn't have much time to do the task. So why send us out? Couldn't he have sent us after we got closer to the destination? That way we can preserve our energy and save more time."

Cobra fell into thought and tried to justify this, but nothing came up. The more he thought about it, the more reasonable Hendrickson's argument sounded.

"Tell me. If you were Enigma, why would you do this?"

"I-I."

Hendrickson was hesitant to say anything about Genji. These are his friends he's gossiping to. If he says something they don't like, wouldn't he end in an "accident?" Who can he cry to then? His master doesn't seem to care that much about it either.

"Say it. I won't take my anger out on you."

Cobra assured him.

"I-I wouldn't be sending you out to do something, but to get away from the ship."

Cobra's expression changed instantly.

"Shit! We need to go back!"

"What's going on, Cobra?"

Zepher was slower on the uptake. Why would Enigma want to send them away from the ship?

"No time to explain. We're heading back!"

"Uhh, I will go on ahead and see what sir wanted."

Hendrickson realized something wasn't right and decided to escape. Without waiting for their responses, Hendrickson jumped into the water and started swimming toward the island in the distance.

"Hendrickson, you dare?!"

Zepher was enraged at his lousy excuse. He doesn't even know about Genji's task so how could he help?

"Ignore him. Our top priority is to go back."

"But why? He deserted."

"That's the least of our worries right now. I'm afraid Enigma might have done something rash."

Zepher finally realized what was going on. No, it can't be. The Enigma he knew won't do something rash. But why would he send his friends away from the ship then? Zepher's mind was a mess, but he started rowing the boat with all his strength. Hopefully, they can make it back before Genji does something stupid.

 

---

 

As Genji walked out from the ship, he was greeted by two familiar faces. Zepher and Cobra.

"So you found out."

"Because of your servant," Cobra responded.

"What's going on Enigma? Why is there a purple fog around the boat? And where is Captain?"

Zepher bombarded him with questions. Genji pointed to his right.

"Over there."

Zepher followed his eyes and saw Vanderdecken's body on the deck with a large diagonal cut coming from his shoulder to his hip.

"Captain? Who did this?"

Zepher had disbelief all over his face. Cobra's face hardened as he put his hand on Zepher's shoulder.

"Enough. You know the truth. Stop denying it."

Zepher froze for a few seconds before his face crumpled into a mixture of grief and anger.

"WHY DID YOU DO IT?"

Grief started to fade as anger fully took over. Zepher's voice became hoarse from trying to convey all his emotions. Genji shook his head.

"I didn't want it to end this way. You weren't supposed to find out until everything was over."

"ENIGMA!!!!"

"Stop yelling and step off. I want to give Captain a proper burial."

"YOU STILL DARE CALL HIM CAPTAIN AFTER EVERYTHING?!?!"

"Cobra. I want to give my final respects."

"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING AB-"

Cobra lowered his palm and caught the fainted Zepher.

"Before that, can you tell me one thing?"

"Yes."

"Why did it have to come to this?"

Genji fell silent. This was a hard question. He didn't know how to answer this. Would it make any sense if he said EverRealm gave him a mission? And his promise as well. No matter how he answered, it would seem like an excuse.

"We lived in different worlds so we had different beliefs. Both of us were adamant on our views so we clashed."

Genji gave a vague answer so he doesn't have to deal with the issue. Cobra nodded and accepted the answer. He took Zepher and got back on the rowboat. Genji lowered another down before walking back to the middle of the ship. He put his palms together in a praying gesture and said his final goodbyes to his dear captain and friend. 

Then a flint and steel appeared in his hands. Genji struck the two multiple times before a large spark flew onto the ship.

The purple miasma surrounding the ship gathered around this spark and fueled the flames. The deck caught on fire as Genji walked back over to the side. Looking down, Genji saw Cobra rowing away. Genji climbed down the ropes and started rowing toward the island that his fox badge was pointing at.

As he was rowing, he looked back to see the ship drown in a sea of flames. The colorful flames painted a breathtaking scene when paired with the rising sun. It signaled the end of an ill-fated relationship and the start of something else. Genji had no idea what this something is, but he looks forward to it.