Part 1: The Obsidian king, a Prince Named Frost ~The following tale is of the incident at Onyx Island, an average sized island on the edge of West Blue~ The ship was rocking back and forth with the waves as the Ashen Pirates exited the calm belt. They had been on waters without wind or current and weren’t used to the weather, it was only natural for them to stop at the first island they saw. That island was ‘Onyx Island’. A decent sized island with a Marine base to match. The first sight that the Ashen Pirates met was that of multiple warships. It was obvious by the docks that the Marines here were mostly suited to naval combat. There was most likely a reason as to why when they were so close to the calm belt, but it didn’t seem out of the ordinary for Xerridah and his men. The ship slowed, the sound of the dials fading into the quiet lapping of water against the boat as they made port, the men jumping off to tie the boat to the docks. “We’ve arrived at shore!” The words came from Xerridah’s mouth as if they were poetry in his native tongue. To other native tongue speakers, yes his voice was nice and above average even, but nothing too special. Xerridah held a hand to stay his troops, signalling to stay on the boat a little longer, as only he himself stood on the docks, waiting patiently. It wasn’t before long a crowd of people stood in front of him, ogling. Xerridah didn’t know it, but it was unusual to say the least, to see new faces at port. Especially one as handsome as his own, his golden eyes seemed to pierce through the people around him, glittering in the sun. They weren’t too close, but all could see his obsidian crown as it glistened iridescently. Xerridah didn’t know what tongue they spoke, and he knew that the people didn’t understand what his men were saying on the deck of his ship. The sound of gossiping voices filled the crowd until a Marine, and a giant at that, came walking up, his footsteps light but still sending a shudder through the ground. His voice deep and bellowing as he spoke: “It is a rare sight to see visitors such as yourself. Can you state your business here?” Immediately Xerridah, his language being a route dialect, picked up the language and said in his poetic voice, each word seemed to flow like elegant script. He bowed shallowly, implying that he respected the giant but didn’t give him any deference. “I am Xerridah Frhostborn, I have made port in efforts to learn about navigating these waters. I’m a fast learner, it will only take a month before I am perfect in the art I suspect.” The giant thought a moment. “And why are you wanting to navigate these waters?” Xerridah was starting to question the intelligence of the giant. He was obviously blessed by the gods to have attained such size, but was it at the price of intellect? “These waters…are…moving.” The words were picked carefully, and the giant seemed to be shocked. “You can’t be implying you haven’t seen an ocean other than one such as the Calm belt are you?” Xerridah’s expression became quizzical and the giant already knew what he was going to ask. “Never mind that Xeruda Frostborn, you are welcome on land, I don’t see any reason to keep you. You obviously aren’t pirates, dressed nicely, no flag or any signs of battle. You seem like a royal envoy if nothing else.” Xerridah frowned at the pronunciation of his name and made a mental note to correct the giant. Then he mentioned pirates. He said the word with some distaste, and Xerridah started to doubt his own understanding of the word and filed away the question to ask at an opportune moment. Again the giant spoke. “If you would follow me Mr Xeruda, I think I have a better place to talk…away from prying eyes…and ears.” The last few words were said in an intense one that scattered the crowds around him but Xerridah now felt the need to correct him. “It’s Xerridah Frhostborn, not Xeruda Frostborn…One Whom is Blessed. Do you have a name rather than me having to refer to you by title?” The giant was shocked at the small man’s boldness, but those eyes kept him on edge, his stance, everything about the man unnerved him, yet he managed to keep his dignified appearance. The man pronouncing his own name sounded significantly different when he said it how he himself had. “One whom is blessed? You must tell me of why you think that back at the base, for now you can call me Rear-Admiral Skullkriege. Due to your name being difficult for me to pronounce, may I just call you Mr Frost?” “Prince.” The giant, again was astounded, his jaw dropping.” “PRINCE?!” “Yes. I am the 9th in line for the Autumn Throne. But if it is not your custom, Mr is fine, same with the name. I don’t like to hear my people’s language distorted…especially my own name. “ Skullkriege regained his composure and set off to the Marine base on the island as Frost and his crew followed in tow. All of the marching in ordered fashion, a trained guard. Two women clad in robes, one white and one black flanked Frost as they walked, faces hidden by masks. The Rear-Admiral wasn’t sure what to think, the golden-eyed man seemed to have the right composure and attitude to be royalty, but if he were he thought he may not be the best person to deal with such affairs. In the end though, he was the only one who could. Even if the man, far smaller than himself, put him on edge more than any vice-admiral could. It was both an air of superiority, disregard and caution. It was the air of a seasoned warrior, whom in all rights, he was. Though the rear-admiral thought this, he was still confident in his ability to subdue the man if need be. Soon the giant marine and the Ashen Pirates stood at large gates leading into an even larger room where a table was set. It was time to dine. |
JyenhAug 11, 2013 8:53 PM
| "I come for all who grow, crawl, and walk. I am the perfect hunter. In the end, I am the victor." |
| “Dig in!” the giant boomed “You must be hungry after your travels, we can speak afterwards.” Frost and his men didn’t. They sat in place in an odd kneeling position, and at once all of them muttered words. The words sounded delicate but solemn, it took only a few moments till they finished and started eating. They obeyed the giants ‘offer’ to speak afterwards, it wasn’t their country, and thus their customs didn’t apply, though Frost was familiar with this etiquette. First you fill your stomachs, then you think, and then you speak. It was the way wise men conversed over matters of import. The question was, was this some differing custom, or did it mean the same? And if it did, what was of such importance? When the plates were empty and the silverware laid down, the giant noticed how refined these men were, though they had been eating like savages just prior, their cutlery were all positioned in a pattern, similar to tea politics. Only Frost’s sat in a ‘T’ shape. Skullkriege prepared his throat to talk. “I welcome you Mr Frost to Onyx Island. I am in charge of the Marine facilities here.” Frost was slightly confused, marine to him meant under water, Such as marine wildlife. He remembered the boats at port, but none were equipped with fishing equipment, only weaponry. “You…are fishermen? Or does marine have another meaning here?” The giant let out a throaty laugh. “You don’t know about the Marines?! Where did you people come from?!” The giant had gotten too brash in calling Frost and is men ‘you people’. “A place where the Marines obviously hold no power.” The giant’s laugh was cut short and he started bumbling over his words. “ah-er- sorry Mr Frost, I meant no disrespect.” Frost knew the man was being honest; this was a most unusual situation after all. “So what are the Marines? Could you inform me?” The giant pondered for a time until he started reciting a definition as if by wrote. “The Marines are the World Government's military sea force, tasked with law enforcement, international security and military operations when needed. Our duty as Marines is to maintain law and order throughout the world and impose the will and might of the World Government.” Frost had heard the pirates that had accidentally made port at his country complain about the world government and he was curious. Before he could ask though, Skullkriege continued to speak. “The World Government is a political organization comprised of the majority of the world at large, ruled by the Gorosei.” Frost now understood that there was an organisation called the World Government, the Gorosei were its leaders and that the Marines were their military force. He only had one more question. “When we arrived, you talked as though pirates were an unwanted demographic of people. Why?” The rear-admiral was left dumbfounded. “Do you know the definition of pirate boy- I mean Mr Frost?” “I do. It is the name given to those who traverse the seas in search of wealth and glory. To my people this is honourable and deemed brave.” The giant let out a snort of derision. “That’s only half of it, whilst they do traverse seas in search of wealth and glory, the glory they look for is that of notoriety and the wealth they seek is that of stolen money from good, honest, hardworking folk. They ransack and pillage villages and countries, burn crops and kill innocents. The worst ones openly oppose the World Government.” In Frost’s culture he would deem the people who lost their money weak, and not deserving of it. Relying on a power other than their own was dishonourable. If they were his people, they would learn fast to defend themselves and each civilian would also be a hero. Even the band that accompanied him was no army, rather a rag tag group of glorified heroes who had accomplished feats of daring bravery and skill. However although this was the case, he understood how it could be seen as harmful in a world where one organisation held so much power. “And One Piece?” The rear-admiral looked grim and went deep in thought. “One piece…is a myth, created by a man who fancied himself the King of Pirates to encourage piracy. Even if it did exist the treasure is blood money and once found ought to be returned to the World Government. You’re not going to look for it are you?” Frost chose his next words carefully. “I am.” The giant scowled but Frost continued. “But, I only need proof of finding it, even if One Piece is an abstract concept. I do not care for the treasure itself and I would leave it be. I have no need of wealth or glory, I have enough among my people already, and so does my crew.” The giant nodded. “As long as you don’t cause trouble I see no reason why I should stop a man who only seeks to prove a myth false. It will do the World Government a world of good if you did. Just a precaution though, I would like to get an image of you if that is alright?” Frost simply agreed, he had no reason not to. In turn he got the chance to observe how a ‘camera’ was used and how it worked. The following morning, after a night spent on land in various inns, houses and the Marine base, Frost was called to an audience with Rear-admiral Skullkriege, who had gotten instructions from higher authorities. “Mr Frost, the World Government has deemed it in our best interests to map your country’s location and have your monarchy join the Reverie, a council of influential rulers. They believe your people could offer us much and vice versa. You don’t need to join the World Government of course, but in time you may see the value of doing so.” Frost scowled, the idea of even joining a council of rulers to help the World Government seize more control over the people who they had made weak was revolting to him. He kept his calm composure though and simply replied as he was due. “I do not have this authority. I am not a king until I find proof of One Piece. Whether it be physical or abstract.” He didn’t mention the part where he wouldn’t accept even if he had authority. As a king one of his duties was to make sure all of his people were free. In his nation a king was not a ruler of people, rather a paragon of ideas, and a role model that was the embodiment of heroism in their culture. Each man was their own nation, had the same influence and many would not join a larger force. Getting his crew together was difficult enough, but individually each one was strong. “And the location of your country?” Frost thought on this. It would open it to persecution. “I will reveal our home location once you reveal to us the rest of the sea.” The giant thought on this. It didn’t sound fair, but it was. The information was public and any map could easily be bought, to add uncharted territory to this map, an unknown land which was extremely rare in this day and age was invaluable. “We have an agreement.” |
| "I come for all who grow, crawl, and walk. I am the perfect hunter. In the end, I am the victor." |
| A week later Frost had finished attaining the maps and instructions from navigators, and even procured a unique compass called a log pose. It was time for him to uphold his end of the agreement and was called to a large map room, suitable to the giant. The giant was grinning, the ‘discovery’ of a new island and attaining a new ally could possible get him promoted. Frost had other plans though, and indicated to a large section of the map. “Our island is located here.” The rear admiral was baffled. Frost had just indicated a large portion of the calm belt. “Surely your island isn’t the large! We’d have discovered it by now if it were…probably even be able to see it from here.” Frost looked up coolly at the giant. “Is that so? If it were underwater?” The giant scoffed. “If it were underwater it could go undetected, but over the last week your troops have been talking about the climate of your homeland. There is no weather underwater, and you wouldn’t be able to survive even if there were. The only underwater island is Fishman Island.” Frost let a slight smile appear on his face. “Ah. So you broke the agreement?” The giant grimaced. “I never did such a thing! Now hurry up and tell me where your country-“ “You just referred to an under-water continent, none of the maps I have received have an underwater continent, nor has any information on travelling and navigating the sea depths been offered to me. That means you did not show me ‘the rest of the sea’. You broke our agreement.” The giants face filled with rage as he smashed the map table with his fist. “You’re the one trying to break the agreement! You didn’t even indicate the real location of your island prior to obtaining knowledge that there was an underwater island!” The fact of the matter was that Frost did know, just not through the effort of the marine or his people. He knew from the gossip his troops had collected through talking to the locals, much as Skullkriege did about his island’s climate. If it wasn’t for this, he was still planning to use sky-island as a scape goat; a place his people knew about and even had trading agreements with. Now he didn’t even need to allow that valuable information to fall into the hands of this barbarian. “I knew about the island from stories, and you just confirmed its existence.” The giant seemed to calm a fraction. “You- Fine, I’ll get maps indicating Fishman Island and instructions as to how to get there. Will that be sufficient?” “No.” The rear-admiral was aghast at this straight forward statement that had no subtlety or hesitation behind it. “What do you mean NO?!” His voice boomed through the room rattling cupboards and cabinets. “I mean…no. How can I trust the information you give me, and have given me, is correct if you weren’t going to give it to me prior? What little trust we shared is now gone, even if I did give you the location of our island you wouldn’t be able to trust the information. You would keep us here until it was verified.” Frost was right, that was what the giant would have done. Skullkriege knew he made complete sense, and in his eyes, the chance at a promotion has disappeared because he had forgotten about a single island. “I-it just slipped my mind.” Frost leapt on this moment of hesitation. “I have a proposition.” The giant’s eyes lit up. “We settle this as my people would; in combat. If you win, I will reveal the location, if I win, I go on my way.” A wicked grin crept onto rear-admiral Skullkriege’s face. “What are the rules?” Frost explained the various types of combat his people practiced and eventually they decided a 3v3 match; the leader of each party and their 2 advisors. If both the advisors of one side are taken out with the others unharmed, the side with the advantage must choose one person to leave the fight. This could even be the leader. Other than that it was a basic contest of combat ability. The match would occur at dawn at a location of the challenger’s choice, Skullkriege’s choice. The next morning Frost, 2 masked robed figures behind him – one black and gold the other white and silver- and Rear-Admiral Skullkriege, with 2 marines in tow. The match would begin as soon as the whole sun comes over the horizon. The ‘arena’ being a flat open field meant it would be wholly visible sooner. The sun became visible and Frost set off for the 2 marines, only his sword drawn as a whirring field the air. Skullkriege did the same and went for the robed combatants. To the giant’s surprise, when he went to punch them they both moved in unison – they were expecting it, and further more could counter it – and in a smooth twisting motion they seemed to pull the giant’s body forward, making his body glide over the top of them as he came crashing into the ground. Frost’s god-sight flashed, one of the marines had God’s-boon; he was a paper man. The pieces were going to fly through his body and cut him – weak armament haki. Frost shouted the name of the god of fire, ‘Dahrios,’ as his sword caught aflame. The whirring started to alternate, his arm and weapon moving too fast for the eye to see; it simply appeared as though he slashed with his sword. Balls of fire burst through the air in a wave, spreading off into different and unpredictable paths whilst still maintaining an unbreakable line of fire. The attack was called ‘phoenix flame,’ and it was executed before the paper man even began his attack, the paper ended up meeting with the wall of fire and turned to ash. It was too late, the man couldn’t escape, and he burnt up just as quickly as his attack. He was nothing but a pile of ash now. Meanwhile, the giant was fighting the robed women and figured out how they attacked, yet they were still weaving away and dodging his attacks. He had resorted to stomping and indirect attacks. The longer the battle drew on, the more dire it would become. Another flash came to Frost as a claw came from his side – it would rip his flesh wide open, it was the claw of a bear, another fruit user. Frost evaded the attack by bending backwards and was readying to stab. He saw another claw coming his way and produced his shield from his gauntlet, the blow sliding off harmlessly and putting the marine off-balance. In this moment the prince stuck his blade into the man’s back, the fire burning his flesh and catching the fur on fire. The man-beast however didn’t fall and pulled himself off the sword and began a fury of swipes. Frost’s God-sight allowed him to predict a few, his reflexes taking care of the rest. He wasn’t able to rely on his god-sight but it was still handy as it gave him more potential to deliver a deadly counter attack. Such potential came as he battered one arm away with his shield, the other with his sword, making the man’s chest defenceless. The shield went forward into the marine’s chest in a burst of speed, his impact dial flared on contact dealing heavy damage to the marine. Then came the butt of his sword atop his skull, another impact dial flared; he changed his hand position on his sword so he could start thrusting the butt at the man. A flurry of impact-dial assisted blows followed, sword, shield, sword, shield, and so on; leaving the body mutilated. At this exact moment the robed women had gotten the giant on the ground and left the fight battered and bruised, exhausted from the giant’s onslaught. Frost seemed to disappear and reappear in a zig-zag fashion. Reaching the giant a serious of slashes occurred. It was his leviathan strike. Not to his surprise he couldn’t penetrate the giant’s skin, haki or otherwise. He nimbly ran over the giants body as he got to his feet and was about to brush Frost off. “Gotcha!” the giant exclaimed, but in this moment Frost jumped from his hand and into his mouth before he could say anything more. Slicing the giant from the inside with his blade he delivered the final blow. The giant falling onto the ground dead as Frost exited his corpse from the way he came in. The spectating marines saw this and rushed back to the base as the Ashen Pirates left Onyx Island. Part 1: End |
| "I come for all who grow, crawl, and walk. I am the perfect hunter. In the end, I am the victor." |
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