The Lost Phantom

[Tiberius Fireskull]

Ehh... not my best chapter, but here it is anyway...

Chapter 8: Ghost Ship

The sails were lowered, and the Shadow King began sailing straight towards the Cove, straight towards the ghost ship. Within a few minutes, their broadsides would be lined up. Davy knew that it was going to be extremely risky, but it was their only chance. Staying to fight the thing would just get them destroyed. Davy only hoped that the hull of his ship was strong enough to survive one or two broadsides from the ghostly monster. Davy bit his lip as Sam and Matt came up beside him.

“Davy, what the hell are we doing?!” Matt cried out. “You’re going to get us killed!”

“We’ll probably be killed anyway,” Davy commented. “But this is our best chance.”

“What’s your genius plan then?” Sam asked.

Davy gulped, “The Shadow King is slightly narrower than this ghost ship. See the entrance to the cove there? I think, if we move fast enough, we can get past that ship and only be hit with one broadside, which we should be able to survive. Once we are past it, she’ll not have time to turn around before we are out of range of her broadsides. By the time she has turned around, I’m hoping that we will almost be in the cove. We can get through the entrance to Raven’s Cove, but I think that our foe is too wide to fit through the narrow opening. We’ll be safe inside Raven’s Cove, and this ghost ship won’t be able to follow us.”

“This had better work Davy,” Matt muttered.

“Or it’ll be the end of the Shadow Sorcerors,” Sam finished.

“Captain!” someone shouted. “Ghost ship closing in fast! We’ll be lined up in about two minutes!”

“Not much time…” Davy said worriedly. “Matt, take your men down below and ready the broadsides!”

“Aye, aye Captian!” Matt said. He jogged off, yelling to some of his men to follow. They disappeared under the deck, to the broadsides.

The ships were getting closer to each other. Davy pulled out his spyglass, and looked towards his enemy. It was as he expected; a massive Ship of the Line. On board, he could see red orbs moving about, acting as if they were regular crew aboard a regular ship, but they weren’t.

Rage Ghosts… Davy thought. A ship full of Rage Ghosts. No wonder this beast is so powerful.

Davy examined the crew for a few more seconds, and turned his attention to a particular orb that was standing near the steering wheel, probably the captain. He examined it for a while, but after a few seconds, the form of a captain like figure materialized out of it. He saw him give an order, waving his ghostly arm, and then he turned to Davy. Davy caught his breath. He could feel the ghost looking directly at him. Into his eyes, into his mind, into his very being. His eyes glowed bright red, and instantly Davy felt the effects.

He cried out, dropping the spyglass, and falling to his knees. Fear flew through his mind, a fear with no particular source, but was worse than any that had one. Horrible pain went through his whole body, that maddening pain. It was just like what happened to him when he had been attacked by Joanna ten years ago on Raven’s Cove. He bit his lip so hard that it bled, trying to overcome the horrific effects of looking the ghost in the eye.

“Davy!” Sam said, kneeling over. “Are you okay?”

Davy groaned and sat up. The effects were gone, but he knew that if he looked at the ghost much longer he could have been hurt badly. He felt a wet object moving across his body, and looked up to see Smelly regarding him with a worried expression. He smiled weakly at the dog.

“I’m fine,” Davy muttered. “Just made the mistake of looking at that ghost in the—”

“CAPTAIN!” Dog Gunmorgan shouted. “BROADSIDES LINING UP IN SEVERAL SECONDS!!!”

Davy stood, and shouted, “FULL COLORS! GET TO THE COVE! WAIT FOR MY ORDERS TO FIRE A BROADSIDE!”

The two ships came closer. And closer.

“Davy!!!” Sam shouted.

“FIRE!!!” Davy roared.

The Shadow King fired her broadsides. Time seemed to slow down, and Davy watched as the cannonballs flew from the King and into the Ghost Ship. The cannonballs hit, but they didn’t penetrate. Not exactly. Once the cannonballs touched the hull of the enemy ship, they were instantly absorbed into the ship, not delivering a scratch.

“Good God,” Davy breathed. “This can’t be happening.”

Davy looked back at the ship, and then heard a horrible, ghostly howl, but this one wasn’t just moaning. It seemed to be giving a command. A command to broadside. Davy watched as cannons emerged from little holes in the side of the ship. The cannons were a horrible sight to see. They had a long, narrow tube, lined with spikes, varying in size. At the head of it was a large skull, its mouth open, where the cannonball would come out.

“TAKE COVER!!!” Davy cried out. The crew barely had time to react before the sound of the cannons firing was heard. The cannons firing sounded not like a boom, but like the screaming of a tortured soul. The sound was so horrible, that the crew of the Shadow King dropped to the deck with their hands on their ears, crying out in pain.

And then came the cannonballs. Even Jolly Roger would have feared the broadside that was fired. The cannonballs were bright red, glowing like miniature suns. They sparked with energy as they flew across the sea, leaving no trail behind them, and Davy could have sworn that he saw faces in them, the faces of the dead. And then they hit.

The damage was catastrophic. When they hit, they seemed to explode, obliterating a large chunk of the hull, and then releasing large bolts of red lightning, which flew in all directions. The ship shook violently, and Davy could feel that they couldn’t take another broadside, but Davy saw that they may not be able to get away before another was fired.

He could see his crew was quite scared, but they remained at their stations. They knew that they would follow orders until death. Davy looked quickly at the ghost ship, and saw his only opportunity. It might just buy them enough time to get away before they were sunk. He grabbed a nearby musket, and aimed directly at the figure at the helm of the ghost ship.

“This had better work,” Davy muttered. He had never been the best shot, which is why he preferred swords to guns. Guns were what Billy had been good at. He aimed as carefully as he could, and fired. He heard a screech of pain from the other ship, and he knew that he had hit the captain of the ghost ship. That would distract them, and buy them just enough time to get out of there alive.

“FULL SPEED AHEAD!” Davy cried. “PROPEL US WITH CURRENTS AND GET US INTO THE COVE!”

The crew lowered any last sails that hadn’t been lowered already, and another group of them used their voodoo powers to control the currents, pushing the Shadow King even faster, leaving the ghost ship behind them. By the time it had turned around and begun sailing towards them, the Shadow King was already entering Raven’s Cove.

~~~~~~~~~~

The damage was significant. As they entered the Cove, Davy peered off the side of the ship and at the side where they were hit. The hull had been ripped open, exposing at least half of the interior of the deck. Davy guessed that the Invincible had stayed and tried to fight this ship, which is why they ended up taking far worse damage. Either way, the Shadow King would need major repairs before they left for the open seas again, or they would be sunk by the first hostile ship they passed.

“At least we lived,” Zolina said to Davy. “We should be grateful for our lives. A ship can be repaired, but a life cannot be.”

Davy nodded. The Shadow King had fully entered the Cove now, and they would soon be dropping anchor. The whole crew was celebrating their escape of the Ghost Ship, and crewmates were coming to slap Davy on the back for his good plan. Davy was starting to feel happy again, when he saw a group of men come up from below deck, carrying a body.

“Oh no,” Zolina said. Davy, Sam, and Zolina rushed towards the group. The rest of the crew slowly gathered around. The Sorcerors were holding the broken body of one of his cannoneers, Basil Blastdavis. With tears in their eyes, they set him down. Davy was speechless. Basil had been one of his best cannoneers, and a very good friend of Davy’s. He had saved them on a number of occasions from sinking by hitting the enemy in just the right spot. The whole crew owed him their lives. Davy kneeled over, examining the body.

He had been badly burnt on the right side of his body from the cannonball’s lightning after they hit, turning his clothes into rags and leaving horrible burns across his body. His face was streaming with blood from a wound in his head, and his left arm was badly mutilated. He was covered with dirt and grime, and a piece of wood about a foot long and four inches wide was penetrating through his stomach.

“Oh my God,” Davy said, a tear streaming down his face.

Basil moaned lightly, and everyone gathered even closer. Everyone was silent now, as Basil moved slightly. Then he spoke in a weak, damaged voice.

“Davy…” he muttered.

“I’m here Basil,” Davy choked.

“Did… did we make it?”

Davy nodded. “Aye, we did.”

“Is… is the crew safe? Is everyone safe?”

He nodded again.

“Good,” he muttered. “Have… have I served well…?”

“One of the best aboard this vessel,” Davy said, choking up.

“Then I die in peace,” Basil said. He winced a bit, but gave a little smile before his head fell back limply, and he gave out his last breath. The crew was quiet for several moments, before one took off her hat. The people around her followed suit, and soon, the whole crew had their hats held to their chests, tears in their eyes. Basil had been well loved by the crew, and it was horrifying to see one of the crew’s most beloved simply go.

Davy put his hand on Basil’s forehead, and muttered some incantations. The body dissolved into mist, which floated towards the figurehead of the ship, absorbing into it, to become one with the ship forever.

“He was a good man,” Matt said with tears in his eyes. The crew mumbled their thoughts, and after a few more minutes, they began to disperse. Tomorrow morning, they would set foot on the dreaded island of Raven’s Cove.

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

Here it is... *poof*

[The Stealthy Pirate]

Good Chapter Davy! Poor Basil...

[Captain Sharktooth]

Omai! The ending was very good! Also, that ghot ship would be very. very frightful to fight! No, not the Shadow King.. I could take that floating piece of junk down in one broadside! :P I can't wait for the next Chapter! But take your time in Hawaii.....

[SEAKING23]

Your in hawaii? Get us some of there rum! Anyways, great chapter!

On a completely random note, that would be funny if you put in a rage ghost with constipation

Anyways Davy, can you specify if you can put me into the story?

[Tiberius Fireskull]

Well mates, sorry I haven't gotten you a chapter. Been extremely busy lately. But, here is the next one, and it may be my best one yet!

Chapter 9: Expedition of the Cove

Davy put together his team. He decided to choose Sam, Meg, Dog, Zolina, Dan, and Kate for the expedition. He had planned that it would be just them, but Sharktooth and Pirate Guy demanded that they tag along.

“Please Captain!” Sharktooth had pleaded. “If what destroyed our ship is hiding somewhere here on Raven’s Cove, then we must find out what it is! Please, Captain, please!”

Davy decided that he would let them come along, after all, the more the merrier! It was midmorning now, and Davy was finishing getting ready. He decided that he would wear dark colors, to blend in with the dark cliffs of Raven’s Cove. He put on a pair of black boots, black breeches, a sleeveless black tank, and a simple belt. To top it all off, he pulled out one of his favorite hats: a large black tricorne with a white skull and crossed swords on the front, and a grey feather sticking out the back. He went to his weapon chest and pulled out his best weapons. He chose a large dagger, forged for war, and his trusty Assassin’s Cutlass, which he had laid spells on so that it would poison any enemy that it slashed. He finished strapping his sword on, and left his cabin when he realized he had forgotten the most important thing.

What do I plan to do? Davy wondered to himself. He just knew that he needed to get to Raven’s Cove, but he didn’t know what to do now that he was there.

Well, Joanna wanted to tell me something, so perhaps I need to find her? he wondered. Aye, I’ll see if I can find her, and then she can probably give us a good lead.

He met up with his team on the beach of Raven’s Cove. The Shadow King had dropped anchor right next to the half sunken dock that was once part of the majestic harbor of Raven’s Cove. He had gotten off the ship and walked to the beach, where he now waited as the last of his team arrived. Right as the last person stepped foot on the beach, Davy heard a barking, and looked to see Smelly running towards them.

“Smelly?” Davy said, confused. “Hello there boy. Listen Smelly, I need you to go back to the ship, okay?”

Smelly barked at Davy, and sat, as if saying I’m not going anywhere except where you’re going.

Davy sighed. “Fine, ye can stay Smelly.”

Smelly barked happily and wagged his tail.

“Alright,” Dan said. “Now that you have been beaten into submission by this dog, what’s our plan?”

“Quite simple actually,” Davy said. “But first I must explain something to all of you. You see, before we left Tortuga for this expedition, I met with… an old friend. A ghost, named Joanna. I met her here ten years ago, when I was stranded here. I didn’t want to tell you all until now. She told me that I must come here. She told me that strange voodoo is at work, and that the dead are rising, and they have some strange patriarch that resides here. She told me to come here so she could answer all my questions… and that we would find something more than that too.”

“So,” Sam said, processing everything. “You want us to come to the most dangerous island in the Caribbean, and hunt for some ghost you met, so that we can find out about some insanely powerful ghost person, and try not to die along the way?”

“That’s the idea,” Davy said.

“Count me in,” Sam said, nodding. The others nodded in agreement, and then they began heading up the beach, and into the small little canyon that would take them to the ruined city of Raven’s Cove.

~~~~~~~~~~

They walked for ages, or so it seemed. Time always worked strangely on Raven’s Cove. You would walk for what seemed like ages, but night seemed to fall extremely fast and last for a longer period of time than what should be normal. The group of Sorcerors walked at a normal pace for most of the day, and stopped once to have lunch. Davy hoped that they would be able to find some shelter before night fell. He remembered when he had encountered Joanna as a Rage Ghost. He had been lucky to escape alive. There were probably even more Rage Ghosts out there now that all the dead were rising.

Night began to fall, earlier than it should, as it always did on the Cove. Davy’s hand was always on his sword now. He did not want to be caught by anything off guard. All of the sudden, Smelly started to growl.

“Easy boy,” Zolina said, patting his head. He didn’t stop. Soon he began to aggressively bark.

“Smelly!” Davy snapped. It was no use. Smelly started barking ferociously, and ran into a group of buildings.

“Damn that dog,” Kate muttered.

“Come on!” Davy said. “Let’s go after him! No pirate or dog left behind!”

The group ran after Smelly, who they saw disappear behind a building. They rounded the corner to see Smelly standing in attack stance, barking at Joanna the ghost. She stood with a small smile on her face, looking at the dog.

“Good thing you had him with you,” Joanna said. “You may have never found me otherwise.”

She examined Smelly, who had calmed down a little bit, but was still in his attack stance, growling and baring his teeth.

“He’s an old dog,” Joanna examined. “I’m surprised he is still so active.”

“I laid some spells on him so that he would age half as fast, so he’ll live longer,” Dan said. “Ha ha, perhaps I used him as a bit of a lab rat, but Davy here can’t live without ‘im!”

“Smelly, heel!” Davy commanded. Smelly gave one last growl to Joanna, before coming back to Davy and sitting at his side. “Joanna, we’re here. Now please explain everything.”

“You have come here, so I shall explain,” Joanna started. “You already know about the ghosts that are rising, but they are not independent. They have a leader. A leader, known as El Patron. El Patron was a Spanish Captain over a century ago, leading a mighty crew of Conquistadors through the Caribbean. He originally served Spain, but through a series of events, he found himself in the cave of a mysterious island far from here, where he discovered his first Cursed Blade.”

“Cursed Blade?” Meg asked.

“There are only a handful in the world,” Joanna said. “They are extremely powerful swords that contain great power, and are said to be the most deadly weapons in the world. Any who, El Patron found one of these blades when he was raiding a cave. It was hidden in the very center of it, guarded heavily. He took the blade, and charged the foes that were closing in on him and his crew. He destroyed everybody in the cave that wasn’t his crew on his way out. Since then, he began hunting for more Cursed Blades, equipping himself and his crew with a wide assortment of them over the next few years.

“Soon, his crew became more than just a crew of Conquistadors. They became a powerful crew that could use these cursed blades and could destroy anyone in their path. But these Cursed Blades had another side effect. They made the possessor hungry for power, more aggressive, and almost took control of the user. He started to sink every ship he came across, be it Navy, Spanish, French, Company, or pirate. Among one of the pirate ship’s he sank was a dear friend to a very powerful pirate of the time, named Tiberius Fireskull.”

“Wait a minute!” Davy said, holding up his hands. “Tiberius Fireskull? Did I hear you right?”

“Aye Davy, you did,” Joanna said. “Tiberius Fireskull was your great-great-grandfather, on your father’s side. He was one of the most well known pirates of his day. When news reached Tiberius of his friend’s death, he was enraged. He vowed vengeance on El Patron, but his crew made him realize that they could not fight him and win. He pondered this for a long while, and realized that the only way he could defeat El Patron was by using something equally as powerful as a Cursed Blade. He searched many islands for someone that could give him something like this, and he finally ran into a gypsy.

“The gypsy said that to overcome the dark powers of a Cursed Blade, he would need the powers of light to help him. The gypsy forged him a Divine Cutlass, one that had the powers to overcome El Patron and get his revenge. Tiberius then sought out El Patron, and after much searching, he found his ship docked here on Raven’s Cove, with the crew searching deep in the mines for more Cursed Blades. Tiberius ported his ship, the Riptide Warrior, in the main dock of Raven’s Cove and took his crew to help in his raid. They headed into the mine, and soon encountered El Patron.

“After a long battle, Tiberius slew El Patron and much of his crew. Tiberius’s crew fled, and sealed the entrance to the mine they came from. They then sailed around the island and came to the area where El Patron’s ship was ported. They sealed off the entrance to the mine there, and then, using the power of Tiberius’s Divine Cutlass, closed off the little port that El Patron’s ship had sailed into, trapping El Patron and his crew’s souls forever.”

“Why would they trap them if they were already dead?” Pirate Guy asked.

“Because using Cursed Blades for extended periods of time will allow your soul to stay on this Earth,” Joanna responded. “By sealing the crew in the mine, they sealed their souls there as well, including El Patron’s. There they were trapped for over a century, until now. The crew has been stirring much lately, and some of the ghosts have escaped. Very soon, they will be able to fully escape from the mine, with El Patron. When he does, he will take revenge upon the world that threw him into his prison. He will be even more powerful than ever, too. In ghost form, he will be almost invincible.”

“And so what do you want us to do about this?” Davy asked.

“You must go into El Patron’s Mine, and see if you can strike him down once again,” Joanna said. “We haven’t much time. He is still weak right now, but very soon he will gain power and be able to fully rise and escape his prison. You must go into the mine and find where he lies, likely in a tomb somewhere deep inside of it, where his bones lie with his soul inside them. When you find him, you must slay him once again, keeping him dormant for a long time to come.”

“Hold up!” Sharktooth said. “So you want us to go into some hellish mine, filled with the ghost crew of El Patron, all of them extremely powerful and wanting to kill us, find what is left of El Patron, and destroy it, and then just walk out?”

“Yes,” Joanna said.

“How come you were unable to do this yourself?” Dog asked.

“I was not a part of El Patron’s crew. I dare not venture into the mines. I doubt that I even can.”

“Very well then,” Davy said. “I suppose that we have no choice. It’s either this or let this phantom rise and destroy us all. Chances are he’ll be after me in particular, considering I am the great-great-grandson of the person who slew him…”

“Good then,” Joanna said. “The entrance to the mine is on the upper level of Raven’s Cove. If you go to the opposite beach from here, there is an elevator that will take you up. Follow that path and you will find the cave entrance.”

In the distance, a howling was heard. Rage Ghosts.

“Go! Find shelter!” Joanna said. “Go for the mine tomorrow morning! I wish you good luck!”

With that, Joanna faded away, leaving the group of Sorcerors alone.

Smelly began to growl.

“Shush, Smelly!” Davy ordered.

Smelly became silent. The group slowly made their way out from behind the building back onto the path through the little town. They continued on their original path for a little while, trying to find a descent building to take refuge in. Eventually, they came to a building that looked like it had been a tavern. Davy thought he remembered seeing it when he was here ten years ago.

“Let’s head in here,” he whispered. The door wasn’t locked, but it was shut tightly, and the door was at an odd angle, so it was tough to open. After a bit of force, it was pushed open, and the group headed inside.

It looked quite like some of the smaller taverns on Tortuga. There was a bar at the far end, with several bottles lining the shelves, most empty and some broken. There was a dead fireplace on one wall, and throughout the interior were tables to sit at. It had probably been the main tavern on Raven’s Cove before it was destroyed.

The Sorcerors walked in, and shut the door tightly behind them, pushing a table against it to block anyone trying to get in from the outside. Just as they were about to get comfortable, Davy heard the sound of shifting boxes coming from a back room.

Everyone froze, and turned to Davy. Davy held his finger to his lips, and quietly took out his dagger from its leather sheath. He slowly moved towards the back room, and entered. There was a pile of boxes, forming a wall between Davy and the back shelves of the room. Davy stealthily moved in a little bit closer, and then sprung. He threw the boxes forward, onto whatever was hiding behind them. He let out a battle cry, and held out his dagger, but what he saw was the last thing he would have ever expected.

Davy turned pale, and his dagger cluttered to the floor, as he fell to his knees, gaping in disbelief at the figure before him.

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

Next few chapters will be pretty action packed, with some real fighting and all that. The story will be getting pretty epic lol.

[Captain Sharktooth]

Yay another Chapter! Gracias!

I have an idea of who is hiding behind the boxes!

[The Stealthy Pirate]

Great Chapter Davy!!

And i think i know who it is... but im not going to say.

[blaster54]

LOL davy jones vs jolly roger

[Tiberius Fireskull]

Here you are guys. Got another chapter out. This chapter is mostly dialogue, with about no action. Next few chapters will be pure action, I promise haha.

Chapter 10: Death’s Borders Broken

“Davy? What’s going on in there?!” Zolina yelled.

“I’m coming mate!” Sam said.

Davy heard the footsteps of his friends approaching the back room, where he lay on his knees, still staring in disbelief. The figure before him stared back, in a mixture of expressions. Davy could see shock, fear, and curiosity.

It can’t be… Davy thought to himself. His friends had gotten here, and gathered at the entrance to the room. Davy didn’t look, but he could hear some of them gasp and mutter.

“B-Billy?” Davy asked.

“Who?” the man before him asked, who Davy had found was his lost brother. His brother who had died saving him and the Sorcerors ten years ago. Davy ignored what he said and tackled him in a massive bear hug, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“I thought I lost you, brother,” Davy said through choked sobs. “You were dead though, I saw you die. How are you here?”

“Wait a minute!” Billy said, pushing Davy away. “What’s going on? Who are you people? How do you know me? I don’t even know myself!”

Billy stood up and walked past Davy. Davy sat on the floor in shock, not knowing what to think. His brother couldn’t have just forgotten him. What was happening?

“Billy,” Sam said, stopping him as he walked out. “You remember me, don’t you? It’s Sam Bladebeard! You lived with me. We were best friends. Remember?”

Billy looked down, as if straining to remember. He bit his lip, and just stood for a moment.

“Ahh!” Billy yelled in frustration. He stormed outside of the room and into the tavern, kicking over a stool on the way. “Just… ahh! I don’t remember anything! Who are you?!”

“Billy,” Zolina said softly. “I’m Zolina, this is Sam, and Kate, Meg, and your older brother Davy. You remember us, right? We’re the Shadow Sorcerors, your friends and crew.”

“Don’t you remember the Shadow King?” Meg asked. “Our ship?”

“I don’t remember anything!” Billy cried out, waving his arms. “I just woke up here one day, a while ago. I… I don’t know what happened. Who I am, who you are, how I got here, anything!”

“Billy,” Davy said, putting an arm on his brother’s shoulder. “You’re name is William Fireskull, but you go by Billy to us. You’re my younger brother. You served aboard the Shadow King, our ship. You saved us all when you sacrificed yourself to destroy Jolly Roger. And —”

Davy was interrupted by a whimpering. He had completely forgotten about Smelly. Everyone’s attention turned to the dog, who was staring in disbelief at his long lost master. His ears went down and his tail began to wag.

“Who’s dog is tha—” Billy never finished his sentence, because just then, Smelly jumped on him and began licking his face. Billy struggled, and pushed the dog off of him. Smelly whimpered, and trotted off into a corner, where he sat down sadly.

“You don’t even remember your dog?” Kate asked.

“I don’t remember anything, I told you. I just woke up here on this island with no memories of anything. The only memory that came back to me was when I walked into this plaza, and saw this horrific battle scene…”

“Complete memory loss, eh?” Witchdoctor Dan stepped forward. Everyone had completely forgotten he was there. He had been watching from the back, seeing what was going on and waiting to come out. Everyone stepped aside as he came to examine Billy.

“Hmm… very strange…” Dan muttered. “You just, woke up! Poof!”

“Aye,” Billy said carefully, eyeing Dan carefully.

“Now what none of you fools have commented on,” Dan said. “Was the fact that Billy here should be dead. Dead. Laying at the bottom of the ocean with the shipwreck of The Harkaway. Now I can’t help but wonder, why are you here now?”

“I told you, I don’t know,” Billy said.

“Mmm, aye, you’ve said that,” Dan muttered. “Let’s make a hypothesis, shall we? Billy here died ten years ago, aye? Well, we all know about all the dead rising and end of the world and such, well, I think that the fact that Billy was a strong user of voodoo in life made it so he would be more probable to be resurrected should something like this ever happen. So here he is today. The fact that you have no memory left is probably due to the fact that you were dead for ten years. Bring a man back to life after that long, he won’t remember anything unless it was particularly scarring, such as that scene you remembered.”

“Alright then,” Billy started. “Since your so well acquainted with the dead, then explain to me why that strange red orb, which I am now guessing is a ghost, didn’t attack me when it approached.”

“Interesting,” Dan said. “Rage Ghosts are normally very aggressive. Hmm… aha! Of course! Rage Ghosts have a grudge on the living! They didn’t attack you because you are dead!”

“I suppose that explains me being unkillable,” Billy muttered. “Wait a minute, I’m dead?”

“Aye, it’s a disturbing thought, isn’t it? One day I thought I was dead, but then it turned out that—”

“Dan!” Davy said. “Is there a way we can cure his memory?”

“It can be done,” Dan said. “But I would need a lot of time, which we don’t have. I understand that it is important for us to get Billy’s memory back, but we have to get to the mines.”

Davy nodded, “Aye, you’re right. Billy, trust us. We’re your friends.”

Billy was silent for a moment, and then nodded.

“Well,” Sam said, clasping his hands. “Now that that’s settled, I say we get some sleep and some food. We have a long day tomorrow.”

The others nodded in agreement. People pulled up stools and grabbed some of the remaining drinks in the bar, and Dog was able to find some food in the back. The group had a good meal, and after a little bit of talking, everyone found a spot on the floor and went to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was late now, but Davy couldn’t sleep. There was too much on his mind. He was still in shock that his dead brother was back. He had mixed feelings. His first was obviously joy. His long lost brother who he had loved so much was back after being taken unfairly. Was there reason not to be happy? There was. Another part of Davy told him that the fact that his brother was back was simply not natural, and it partially scared him that he was back. It wasn’t like Jolly Roger raising the undead, who were mindless and served him without any objections. This was just… different.

Finally, Davy couldn’t take it anymore. He slowly crawled to where Billy was laying down. He could see that Smelly had moved closer to his returned master, but Billy hadn’t noticed. The dog lay sound asleep. Billy turned over to see Davy coming to him. He made no sign of any kind as he approached. Davy sat next him, and offered a small smile.

“Ahoy Davy,” Billy whispered, trying to offer a smile back.

“Ahoy Billy,” Davy responded. “Billy… I… I know this is hard for you. Your memory gone and all. But we’ll fix it. I promise.”

“You know,” Billy said softly. “Sometimes I remember things. Little things, like senses, sounds, those things, aye? But never anything full… like seeing only the colors of a painting, the raw material… but I can’t put it together to make the full picture. When you stumbled upon me, well, I felt something.”

“And what was that?”

“Love. I guess part of me, somewhere, remembers that you’re my brother.”

A small tear streamed down Davy’s face. He couldn’t help but smile. Part of his brother was still there in his mind. Trapped, but still there.

“Where are we going tomorrow?” Billy asked Davy. “That Witchdoctor said something about a mine?”

“I’ll tell you in the morning,” Davy said with a small smile. “Until then, we should rest. Good night brother.”

“Good night…”

Davy moved back to his sleeping area. The borders of death, separating the two Fireskull brothers had been broken.

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

I hope that chapter answered some questions you guys had, haha.

[Captain Sharktooth]

I knew it! Poor Billy boy, lost and dead. You should give him some... erm, meat to cure his memory or something!

[SEAKING23]

Hit him as hard as you can with a sledge hammer.

Works for me...

Great chapters davy!

[Jack Shipsteel]

Well, as much as it bugs me to admit it, Witchdoctor Dan has to be my favorite charcacter in the story! I could 100% imagine him saying those lines!

[The Stealthy Pirate]

Great Chapter Davy!

Is he going to turn into the Monster on us?

[Tiberius Fireskull]

Here's another chapter. Kinda long I think, but its a good one.

Chapter 11: Into the Maw

Billy, even though he had spent the night with the Sorcerors, was still quiet. Davy decided it would be best if he just let him be with his friends, or former friends, and see if eventually he opened up. For the time being, there were other things to worry about. They had left the tavern before dawn, so that they could hopefully reach the mines before the Rage Ghosts came back out. For the first few hours, a dead silence hung over the group. Nobody wanted to speak; out of anticipation for what was to come, out of nervousness, and simply out of nothing to say. Until Davy decided to voice what had been nagging at him for a while.

“Dan,” he said. His friends jumped at the sudden noise that was different from the cawing of crows and crunch of black gravel. “You know a lot about these ghosts and all, correct?”

“Ghosts and the dead are not exactly my specialty, but I know some. Why do you ask?”

“So, from what we know, El Patron is rising here on Raven’s Cove, so there are many ghosts rising here and in the surrounding area, correct?”

Dan nodded, and Davy continued.

“Then why is it that there are strange happenings outside The Cove. Several ships being ‘possessed’, dead rising, and all that.”

Everyone stopped walking and looked at Dan. Davy supposed that Dan was in a serious mood, because he had a real thinking face on. For a moment Davy thought that he had stumped the Witchdoctor, but the little man slowly spoke.

“I’m not completely sure,” Dan said. “But here’s a guess. El Patron is likely so powerful, that since he is stirring, the dead around the Caribbean stir as well. Granted, it isn’t enough to raise an army of the living dead, but just one or two people rise here and there. Its like a disturbance in the natural way of things, get what I’m saying?”

“Somewhat,” Davy said.

“Then why is it that there are those sailors acting weird? I recall a rumor about some crew of sailors acting all strange,” Kate asked as they resumed walking.

“Ahh, that I think I know the answer to,” Dan said thoughtfully. “You see, in my many studies of the dead, they always want to be in the form of someone living if they are on this Earth. This means that they will, if they are not directed by a master otherwise, try to take control of a living body. That explains all the strange people. They were possessed by a ghost.”

“Err, mates,” Billy said. “I think that we’ve come to the place to go up.”

“The elevator,” Davy said. “I used it about ten years ago when I got stranded here and met Joanna.”

“How do you expect us to all fit into that tiny thing?” Dog asked. “It can barely hold two people!”

“We’ll go two at a time,” Davy said. “Billy and I can go first.”

The two of them approached the elevator. Billy stepped in next to him, and Davy turned the key. The elevator began its climb to the top of the cliff.

“See you at the top,” Davy muttered.

Davy and Billy stood in silence as the elevator rose above the ground. They could see Smelly down below barking and jumping in circles as his masters escalated.

“Ready for this, brother?” Davy asked forcing himself to give a small smile.

“No way I can’t be ready,” Billy muttered. “So I suppose I am ready by default then. I am just hoping we can come out alive.”

“I hope so too,” Davy mumbled as the elevator came to a stop. They stepped out of it, and Davy pulled the lever from the outside, sending it back down. The group slowly came up, until they were all standing on the edge of the cliff. From there, they headed into the small canyon that stood atop the cliffs of Raven’s Cove.

The group navigated through them, simply going where they thought was the most sensible way to go. They stopped for lunch at one point, eating some dried rations that they had packed. Billy seemed to have an extra large appetite when it came to meat, but nobody really paid much attention. After they sat and rested for a few minutes, they began their walk again. Unfortunately, night was going to fall in just an hour. The group picked up their pace. After a few minutes, they arrived at the massive bridge that joined the two tips of the cove, and spanned across the water that ships entered through.

As Davy stepped out onto the plank bridge, with ropes for sides, he took a glance into the cove. He could see the dark form of the Shadow King floating far beneath him, and then a bit deeper into the cove. He could make out the forms of some of his crewmates doing the last duties of the day before they sealed themselves up down below.

“Do you remember the Shadow King Billy?” Davy asked.

Billy shut his eyes tight, trying painfully to remember something, anything. After a few moments, his eyes opened.

“Some memories are coming back,” he said. “Nothing full though. I told you, just feelings, maybe brief images, but nothing full.”

“Come on guys,” Sharktooth said, waving to them. He was already moving across the bridge. “The sun’s about to set, and I don’t want to be stuck up here in the dark.”

Davy glanced at the sun on the horizon. It was just a silver now. Night was about to fall, and time slowed down all of the sudden. Davy tried to move, but it felt like he was moving through molasses. Everything was slow. And a voice in his head counted off the last seconds of daylight.

Five…

Four…

Three…

Two…

One…

The sun dropped, and darkness fell. Time returned to normal, but the world had just done the drastic change from day to night. And then the howling started.

Everyone’s eyes grew wide as they realized that they were now in the middle of a rope bridge, on Raven’s Cove, at night. Not the safest place to be. But then Billy noticed something.

“That howling is… different…”

“It sounds more like… taunting?” Zolina observed. “And do I hear…?”

“Swords being drawn,” Meg said, drawing her own. The Sorcerors all went back to back, each with a sword in hand, except for Billy, who was using a dagger he had gotten from the town. And then the ghosts arrived. Figures surrounded by an orange mist with glowing red eyes, and swords drawn.

“Can they hurt us?” Pirate Guy asked. “I mean… they’re ghosts. Aren’t they intangible?”

“I don’t think so,” Witchdoctor said. “Ghosts are actually able to touch the living, and vice versa. Unfortunately for us, its bloody difficult to actually harm something already dead.”

“Let’s test that theory then,” Davy said smiling as the ghosts closed in. “Attack!”

The battle commenced. Davy was a good fighter, but he wasn’t used to fighting in such cramped space. He was used to being able to roll to the sides, jump around and such. Here he barely had space to parry and strike. He was not as good as he could be, but he was still good.

He cleaved down at the ghost, but the ghost, who had the form of a Spanish Conquistador, blocked it and gave Davy a hard kick in the ribs. Davy stumbled back, wincing in pain. Aye, those ghosts could touch the living. Davy decided to change his tactics. He pulled out his large dagger and held it in his left hand, his sword in the right. He attacked the ghost with both of the weapons. The ghost was strong, but he was soon overpowered. Davy slashed the ghost’s arm with the dagger, causing the figure to drop his sword, and then he followed through with a thrust from his sword, straight into the chest of the ghost. The ghost made a horrible sound in pain that sounded like a shriek mixed with a roar.

Davy ripped the sword out of the ghost, and turned around to go help his friends. Before he could get too far though, the hairs on his neck stood up. Davy whirled around to do an X-block with his dagger and cutlass, blocking the strike from the ghost that had assaulted him.

“You just won’t die, will you?” Davy sneered.

The ghost hissed in reply, and delivered another strike at Davy’s legs. Davy parried it with his dagger and made a slash with his sword. The ghost blocked it too, but Davy knew what he was doing. As the ghost had its sword down, Davy lunged in with his dagger, slitting the ghost’s throat. He screeched again and stumbled backward, clutching his neck. Davy for sure thought he had him now, but the ghost merely stood back up, retrieved his sword, and began advancing again.

“Just die you infernal monster!” Davy roared. He sheathed his dagger, and while the ghost was still a bit dazed, he charged it. Davy roared a battle cry as he leaped into the air. The ghost looked up, too late to defend itself against Davy’s jumping slash. The sword cleaved down the ghost’s chest, sending him stumbling backward again. This time; however, the ghost hit the rope railing of the bridge a bit too fast, and with a yelp, it did a flip and plummeted to the sea below. Before Davy could take a breather, he heard the clashing of more swords, and remembered his friends.

“Little help here!” Dog yelled.

Davy looked around. He could see that they were losing the fight. Meg had taken a bad cut to her arm, and was fighting with one arm. Dog was holding off, but he was getting tired, like the rest of the Sorcerors. Davy desperately thought of something. He looked at the rope bridge, and got a desperate idea.

“Smelly! Run to the edge!” Davy yelled. Smelly was involved in helping Billy fight off one of the ghosts. Billy kicked the ghost back, and gave Smelly a quick nod of approval. Smelly ran to the opposite end of the bridge, and waited on the stone, giving a few barks of worry.

“Mates!” Davy cried out. “Grab hold of something!”

It startled everyone, but they all wrapped a leg and an arm around the rope, defending with their other arm.

“If this doesn’t work…” Davy muttered. He wrapped his arm around one of the ropes of the bridge, and lifted his sword. In one fluid slice, he cut the opposite rope, and the floor beneath them shifted. The ghosts, not aware of what was going on, plummeted to the sea below. The Sorcerors were left clinging to the broken bridge, slanted so that the wooden planks that were to be walked on were perpendicular to the sea beneath them.

“Great Davy,” Sam said. “Ye saved us from the ghosts, but now we’re left hanging here, hundreds of meters above the sea.”

“Would you rather have been skewered?!” Davy snapped, annoyed.

“Mates! Shut it!” Zolina said. “No problem, lets just climb to the other side.”

“And what about me?” Meg said through gritted teeth. She was obviously in pain from her arm wound. “I can’t get to the other side! My arm is useless!”

“Alright, alright!” Davy said. “Here, I may be able to repair the bridge.”

Davy closed his eyes, and willed the two ends of rope that he had cut to come back together, reforming the bridge. Slowly, the bridge began to level itself, and the group was able to stand up, and Davy forced the two strands of rope to come back together. Nothing was said, and the group walked quickly but carefully to the other side of the bridge, where Smelly waited. As they reached the other side, Smelly began to bark aggressively again. Davy turned around to see glowing, orange figures at the side of the bridge they had just come from. More ghosts.

They started moving across the bridge. There wasn’t much time. Davy instantly cut the bridge’s ropes again, but both this time. The bridge fell away from them, and swung to the cliff on the other side. The ghosts fell to the sea.

“Let’s hope we can find another way across,” Davy said. “Because I’m not sure I can move the bridge when its that far away.”

The Sorcerors nodded, and they all began walking. They were at the rim of something that looked like a bowl structure. The path spread all around the “rim” of the bowl, and at the far end was the entrance to a cave. Davy looked down below, and in the darkness, he could faintly see the outline of a mast, but he couldn’t be sure.

“Come on mates, let’s get a move on,” Sam said, waving to the group. They all followed the path until they reached the entrance of the cave. Davy, when he stepped near it, instantly felt the urge to simply run away. Cold air seemed to come out of it, and the sense of fear emanated out of the area. Davy could swear that he heard strange whispers coming from the cave. They weren’t understandable, but they were there. He was sure of it.

“Well my friends,” Davy said, gulping. “Here we go, straight into the maw of this hellish mine.”

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

Time for the action to really speed up. Any questions, comments, constructive criticism,and praise are appreciated.

[The Stealthy Pirate]

Nice Chapter Mate!!!