Devil's Luck Pirates

-Everything's going to be ok. – I kept saying out loud. I believed it was to reassure the sobbing little girl in my arms. But I knew deep down that those words were also for myself. I can still hear ever so faintly the sound of battle from the entrance hall. The Marines haven't fired their guns, but even so, Prince Jasper won't be able to fight them all.

My armor keeps rattling as I run through the now empty castle. I put Princess Pearl down before slowly opening the door to the throne room. It's empty.

-Mr. Knight… – The girl says between sobs, wiping out the tears. Her hard scales scraping the contours of her eyes – I-is brother going to be ok?

I do not wish to lie to her. But honesty is not what she needs now.

After reassuring her once again, I take the girl's hand and we run across the throne room. There is an exit behind the set of stairs that go up to the throne.

As we approach, I hear voices coming from the other side. A man with a deep voice is shouting orders to his subordinates.

With very little time to think, I lower my visor; hold Pearl in one of my arms; and ready my shield.

-Hold tight! – I say before rushing with all my might. The small wooden door bursts into pieces as I smash through the Marines that clearly weren't expecting this.

I stumble a little after passing through the last man. But I keep going without looking back. Pearl tightens her embrace around my neck as the man with the deep voice –who seems to be their commanding officer, shouts for the ones still standing to take aim at us.

The steel of my armor cushions the impact of the bullets, leaving only bruises on my skin. But this is nothing I can't handle.

Heading towards the port I encounter many other Marines subduing the rebelling population and killing the ones who don't bend the knee right away. Every cell on my body urged me to help them; protect them. But the child crying in my arms kept reminding me of my duty. I cannot save everyone, but I promise to protect the one who has suffered the most.

Tarako's small port is chock full of navy ships. A couple of them are docked and a handful is securing the perimeter around it. I managed to find a ragged cloak on my way here and wrapped Pear with it. Even if the people don't know who she is, they might refuse to help based on her appearance.

One Navy vessel, smaller than their battleships, is boarding civilians who are trying to get out of the island. Some Marines are discussing what they should do with the people. One argues they should be put in prison just to be sure, while the other says they're only trying to save themselves and their loved ones.

I can hear that the man with the deep voice is right behind us. I have to at least give Pearl a chance.

-Princess, listen to me. – I say putting her down. Her panicked pink eyes meet mine as I remove my helmet – Follow the people towards that small ship. – She begins to protest – Don't talk to anyone and keep your head low. – She tries to cling to me. I push her off as gently as I can, considering how surprisingly strong she is – I'll be there in a moment. I promise. – I present the best smile I can muster at the moment.

-There they are! Open fire! – The man with the deep voice shouts upon arrival.

-GO NOW! – I shout and turn around, stopping the bullets with my shield. Pearl running into the crowd is the last thing I see before engaging the Marines swinging their swords at me.

Upon seeing this, the people quickly catch on to what's happening and hurry to board the ship. The fight has come all the way here; they must be thinking.

More Marines show up to back up their comrades. However, the only thing my mind focuses on is Pearl.

Did she manage to get to the ship? A bullet lands right between my shoulder plates.

I can't see her anymore. One of them slashes my right cheek.

Did she get captured? Five Marines gang up on me, breaking open my chest plate.

By the time I catch a glimpse of the evacuation ship leaving port, I'm a bloody mess. Cuts and bruises all over my body. But I keep on fighting. I tighten my grip around my mace and swing it with all the strength I can muster.

However, all men have a breaking point.

More and more Marines arrive. They surround me, forcing me to my knees and beating me down to a pulp.

-Enough! – Orders the man with the deep voice. The Marines let me go and I fall to the ground, barely conscious.

-What should we do with him, Lieutenant Arthur? – One of them asks.

He steps forward. I can barely see him with my swollen eyes. I just see a towering silhouette looking down at me.

-Leave him there. There's no need to dirty our hands any more than this. – He says.

With my consciousness fading, the last thing I see is Lieutenant Arthur looking towards the ocean with the sound of cannons being fired in the distance.