Devil's Luck Pirates

-When I woke up, the port was in ruins. – Duros continues – Pirates took advantage of the chaos and raided the Kingdom.

Duros lifts his gaze from the empty bowl in front of him and looks at the crew. All of them with rather surprised faces with a little bit of sadness mixed in.

-I suppose they mistook me for a corpse, hence why I was spared from the fate many others met that day. – His mind once again seems to trail back to that day, but he quickly comes back from it – After that, I left the island and wandered through the South Blue, living with my failure, and the betrayal of those who I once considered allies of justice. – His serious and somber expression then lights up with a modest smile – Until I met our Captain.

It's not like William wasn't paying attention to Duros' story, but he wasn't expecting to be mentioned at the end of such a sad backstory, taking him aback and uttering an audible "huh?".

-He reignited the spark that is the desire to protect others. – Duros says now with his usual positive tone – He told me that a pirate has the absolute freedom to do whatever he wants! And so, if my desire is to protect others, I should join his crew!

-Not so much for protecting others, huh… – Verona scoffs after seeing William clearly uncomfortable.

-Hey, I was half drunk that day! – William tries to defend himself with Ragnar letting out a hearty laugh while patting him on the back.

Duros looks at them with a smile. After losing his purpose in life so many years ago, he's glad to have a place to belong once again. Not because of duty or servitude, but because of friendship.

-You're an idiot…

These words spoken softly between tears take Duros and most of the crew out of this joyful moment. He looks to the side to see something familiar.

Tears run down Pearl's face and drop to her lap. Her face is colored with a mixture of sadness, gratitude, and anger. However, none of those feelings are as strong as she once felt them.

-Why didn't you say anything when we met on that island?! – She exclaims looking at Duros.

-…I'm sorry. I-I just thought you wouldn't want to see the man who abandoned you after promising to keep you safe. – He says – I also wasn't ready to face my failure back then…

You also weren't in a very approachable mood back then, William remembers.

Pearl lets out an annoyed grunt whilst whipping off the tears. Her scaly claws still leave marks around her eyes as she does this.

-How could I hate the person that saved my life? – She then lunges at him, wrapping her arms around his waist with such force that Duros can feel the metal of his armor slowly being squished.

-Day after day I thought about the gentle knight that rescued me. Wondering when he would come back like he said he would!

Talk about sending him on a guilt trip, Verona thinks. However, Duros just smiles in return.

-I'm here now. – He says hugging her back – I promise to never leave you alone ever again.

A few seconds pass as Pearl cries out all these bottled-up feelings and memories. A beautiful moment between two people who, against all odds, managed to find each other again.

And of course, William has to open his big mouth.

-AHEM. So… I take it we'll also have to break your brother out of prison. – He says feeling a bit awkward for ruining the moment.

William can feel the animosity coming from Pearl.

-Yes. Once we free him, most of the knights will rally behind him for sure. – Duros responds.

-If yall gonna break him out of prison, I can certainly help. – Atom chimes in as he plays with his lighter. The crew completely forgot about him as Duros told his story. Apparently, he ate all the remaining food Gravy prepared.

William really doesn't want to spend more time with this guy. A sentiment shared with most of the crew; except Gravy of course. But then he remembers Atom's sister– if that's even true, and he also does have a point. Explosions can surely make busting someone out of prison easy.

-Sigh… Alright, Atom – He says exasperated – How much do you want?

-Enough to help my sister with her illness.

-Fine. But this doesn't change anything. I still have to punch you in the face. – William affirms before extending his hand. Atom shakes it, sealing their deal.

-Men! Pearl. – William declares after standing up, a mug full of ale on hand – Tomorrow, we sail towards the Tarako Kingdom! To kill Valve and find Ragnar's family, liberate Pearl's brother, and clean out the coffers of their bastard king!

They all raise their cups with a sonorous AYE!

With their new course set, and a couple more drinks later, the crew settles down for a good night's sleep.