“There you go. I even added a few references for you and your brothers.” Mei said condescendingly and Jane laughed. “Ha! Then they should have joined the hunt.” She said and the golden eyed woman glared at her.

“Hmm. I see what you meant.” Kagiso said, and he gripped the crystal egg tightly. The two-horned man’s ghost shrunk and entered the cluster of cells in the centre. The wispy apparition infiltrated the glittery domes attached to the cell nucleus. He passed through the glittery energy and emerged in the darkness of space. The ghostly figure flew the silent abyss and approached the ecumenopolis orbiting the small star.

Kagiso studied the highly sophisticated technologies in the tall buildings. He drew up blueprints and stored them in a library, with photo albums on the shelves. The two-horned man opened his eyes, and the egg vanished.

“Why are Dragons so selfish?” Mei asked under her breath. “No, I apologise. You are free to do as you please.” She added with a sigh, and Kagiso laughed. The trio landed on the deck just as the whale ship dove underwater.

*

“M’Lord, there is a blimp on the radar.” An analyst reported. “Check again.” Raymond replied and the red triangle disappeared. “It’s gone.” She reported with surprise.

“We weren’t diving to avoid the storm. Your foresight is as reassuring as it is unsettling, my Lord.” the bridge commander said and the three-horned man let out a booming laugh.

“I want to discuss our approach. Our ships should be out in the open skies by now, and I want to take a bath.” Jane said and Jabu chuckled. “Let’s hope that’s the only thing you will take to your quarters.” Hugo added.

“A fine idea. My ship is starting to feel crowded.” Raymond replied, before he vanished and the Candidates followed shortly. They wafted through the walls and reappeared inside of the war room.

*

Hours passed by and the storm died down. The whale ship resurfaced and ascended high above the waves. The cargo lift opened and a large group of Candidates stepped out onto the upper deck.

“About time.” Jane muttered and Gloria giggled. “You reek of sea monster.” She mocked and the two-horned woman scowled at her. “Oh? You stayed? I thought you would have joined Priya on Laurence’s ship.” Raymond said playfully and Kagiso tilted his head to the side.

“Why? There’s no point in us both being on the same ship.” The two-horned man replied, and Raymond sighed. “Have you ever given settling down some thought? You aren’t going to be a Candidate forever. It is about time you obtained a ship and a people of your own.” He rumbled proudly, but Kagiso ignored him.

“Perhaps I’ll join Duke instead.” The two-horned man said, before he vanished and Raymond sighed. “My Lord, the sun is rising.” The bridge commander reported. “Aye. Activate the reserve reactors and divert power to the shields.” The three-horned man instructed, before he vanished as well.

Raymond appeared on the deck with a bejewelled staff in his right hand and a black crystal ball in his left hand. Sparkly vapour swirled around him and it pluck the orb out of his grasp. The black ball soared high above their heads and the three-horned man waved his staff.

The sun rose, and the light hit the black sphere. It sparkled like the night sky and a giant magical circle expanded instantly. The black ring split into seven Warp Gates and the thirty-six nodes lit up simultaneously. Glittery orbs of water bubbled and swelled in the centre. The Warp Gates hummed and the Mana spheres shone, before they ballooned. Seven whale ships passed through the light and the temporary Warp Gates shattered behind them.

“From here on, we depart in the formation we have discussed. Our destination is only one light speed jump away, so make your final preparations. We sail to battle in an hour.” Raymond instructed, and the Candidates roared. Clyde looked around and noticed that his brothers had chosen to sail on Duke’s ship.

“I would have thought that they would cling to her side. What is so special about her anyway? What do you they see in her?” the one-horned man wondered, and he stared at Jane. She met his gaze, and they locked eyes for a moment. “Mdu and Kenny’s younger brother. Join me in my quarters. I wouldn’t mind working up a sweat before my bath.” The two horned woman whispered and Clyde nodded.

*

The door closed, and Clyde sat up. The room reeked of sweat, blood and perfume. The gangly man sat on the edge of the bed and it creaked as he grew heavier. The scratches on his crimson skinned back healed quickly and his one horned mask materialised in his hands.

“My, my. You’re a quick learner. Imagine if you could do that a few minutes ago. We’d still be at it.” Jane said and she dried her hair with the wave of her hand. The muscular woman had long blonde dreadlocks and her skin was a lighter shade of crimson than Clyde’s. She wore a skintight wetsuit with electrodes and flashing blue lights in it.

“Something along those lines.” The gangly man replied confidently. “Hmm. Listen to you. Don’t abuse that power. Mana is more than magic. It is a belief system and a way of life. It goes by many names, but it’s all the same thing. The power of the soul.” Jane rumbled reverently and Clyde smiled at the images, sounds and experiences that came with her words.

“How would one discover Mana without a teacher? Thank you.” The gangly man rumbled and the muscular woman chuckled. “Oh, don’t thank me. We made a pact and consummated it. I will hold you to it.” Jane replied and her armour materialised onto her body. She tied her blonde dreadlocks into a braided ponytail, and her mask appeared in her left gauntlet.

“I thought you were joking. You never stated your terms.” Clyde replied, and the two-horned woman donned her mask. The iridescent bone mask shimmered like a seashell, before it fused to her skin. “I like holding things over people. I’ll let you know, when I have decided.” Jane said with a sinister chuckle.

*

The Candidates gathered on the decks of their respective ships. Duke, Hugo and Jane sailed into formation. They formed the tip of the spear and the remaining ships fell in line. Raymond positioned himself in the centre and Laurence held up the rear. The seven whale ships glittered and sparkle, before they shone.

“Lightspeed in three…two…one. Initiate!” the bridge officers ordered, and the whale shapes vanished. The ghostly ships became a beam of light. They darted across the sky in a single file and reached their destination in seconds.

Kagiso stepped forward, and his eyes glowed. He stared at the wall of monitors and the thirty-two tiny ships battling furiously in the sky. Their cannons fired bright white shells that struck and illuminated the translucent bubbles around the ships.

*

The men and women sitting at the table raised their flintlock pistols. They stared at one another, lowered their weapons and laughed.

“I see we all had the same idea.” An old man, with a few wispy hairs on his chin, said jovially. “This alliance won’t last.” A man wearing round rimmed spectacles added. The pirate captains’ laughter died down and the tension grew thicker again.

“It will, if I am the Admiral and you my commodores.” A bald pirate, with a scar across his scalp, said ominously. “You must be joking. Your father may have been able to make that claim, but you are not him.” Captain Bokbaard said condescendingly and he stroked the wispy hairs on his chin.

“I agree. If this is why you asked to parley, then I have grossly overestimated you, Greeves.” Captain Crane added, and he adjusted his glasses. “Have you now? Tell me, how much longer can you feed the woman and children you’ve taken in? How much longer can you scurry from island to island in secret, only to plunder the scraps left behind by the magical kingdoms?” Captain Greeves asked, and the room fell silent.

“What I offer is an alliance, trade routes and riches beyond belief. What I propose is the beginning of a pirate nation.” The bald man said with a wide grin and a few captains laughed. “And who will rule this nation? You? Tell me Dr Craven, those women and children you hide: will their husbands and wives take kindly to a new master?” a Chinese woman asked. She lowered her fan and glanced at the spectacled captain.

“No, they would not.” Captain Crane replied. “And tell me Craven, what became of the slavers you encountered six months-““-what is the meaning of this Feng?” Greeves asked and a short and burly man boomed with laughter.

“Trade routes, alliances and riches beyond belief, he says. Some of us already have those things, and then some, Greeves. What we seek is power and immortality. Can you offer me those?” Captain Goldjack asked, and he stood up slowly.

The air around the Dwarf grew thicker and his jewellery sparkled splendidly. Sixteen Captains stood up quickly and stared at the ceiling. They received hails from their ships, and holographic monitors popped up in front of them.

“Powerful energy signatures detected!” “They can’t be more than a light speed jump away.” The first mates reported, and the Captains whispered and murmured to one another. “Excellent timing.” Greeves said with a wicked grin. “You knew about this?” Captain Feng asked angrily, and she scowled at the bald man.

“This is my answer to your question, Mfundi. Think of the treasures on board. Think of the secrets, the power. A single haul would be enough to live like kings and queens for centuries.” Captain Greeves said confidently and Craven adjusted his glasses.

“Jean, send me back to the ship. Prepare for battle.” The spectacled Captain said with a wry smile. He disappeared with a flash of light, and the other pirates exchanged looks. Feng laughed hysterically behind her fan and she burst into a cloud of leaves. The defiant captains returned to their ships, and Greeves smiled from ear to ear.

“Why are you smiling? Do you really think you stand a chance against us? Do you think whatever’s coming will let you do as you please?” Goldjack asked and the bald Captain laughed. “Yes, and no. But you will be the opening we need to board in secret. This was always a win-win situation for me, Mfundi. You of all people should know how much I hate to lose.” Greeves said menacingly. The remaining captains nodded before they teleported to their ships.