Kagiso appeared on the Miliana’s deck and the crew reacted quickly. They pointed their weapons at the three-metre-tall Candidate and he chuckled. 

Kagiso’s armour sparkled and his eyes shone. He leapt off the ship and sent it crashing into the ocean. The two-horned man’s ghost burst out of his body and expanded until it was four hundred metres tall.

“Cease fire! You are in the presence of The Dragon Council’s Candidates! State your business in these lands or prepare to be boarded!” Kagiso announced, and Raymond scowled.

 “What the hell is he doing?” the three-horned man asked Duke. “He is finally taking our advice. We will need the help after all.” He rumbled stoically and Raymond’s ghost stared at him, before he returned to his body.

“We are free men and women, stranger! Merchants, mercenaries and travellers passing through these skies and seas, when we were attacked by pirates!” Feng replied at the top of her lungs, and Kagiso’s eyes glowed. 

“Oh, and where are these merchants, mercenaries and travellers? I only see pirates before me.” He asked, and Captain Feng’s heart sank into her stomach.

“And that we are as well, but only when the need arises! You are welcome aboard, stranger! I am certain the truth will present itself!” Captain Marauder shouted, and Crane raised a single eyebrow. Greeves turned red and the veins on his head bulged.

“Traitorous dog! Open fire!” the bald Captain roared. “Sir?” the helmsman asked, before the ship trembled and multiple teleporters transported goods to the brig. Greeves grabbed him and snapped his neck. 

“Ram the ship! Fire the weapons! If we are to die, it will be in the open skies as pirates! Not as prisoners of war!” he roared, and the crew swallowed their fear.

“Very well. I accept your welcome.” Kagiso replied and a single ship fired their cannons at his ghost.

“So, one of you has chosen death by fire? I wonder why?” the two-horned man rumbled and the ship’s defences crumbled. The world became brighter and more colourful, before it slowed down to a snail’s pace.

Kagiso’s ghost shrunk, and he boarded every pirate ship. He strolled passed the crew, without touching them and they all turned their heads slowly. They tried to catch a glimpse of the blur, but he was too quick for them. The two-horned man investigated the pirate ships, and it shocked him to find the same crystals the assassins carried.

“Who gave you these?” Kagiso asked Greeves. “I will have my paradise. In this life or the next.” The bald Captain said softly. 

“Fool.” The two-horned man replied and the crates of crystal orbs on the brig shone, before they detonated. Kagiso outran the blast with ease. He contained the explosion inside a Mana field and his eyes glowed blue.

“Appraisal.” The two-horned man whispered and magical circles were written in front of his eyes. The crystal rings spun, flipped and swapped places. Kagiso read the detailed reports and logged his findings in the Universal Library.

“Transportation crystals. So, they have learned to bottle spells. It’s similar to Rune magic. What a brilliant invention. It is such a pity they created it for war.” The two-horned man thought. He stared at the tall skyscrapers and the beams of bright blue binary code streaming between them.

“Where are you, when I need answers?” Kagiso wondered, and the Divine Mana faded away. The two-horned man scanned the translucent energy field. He had contained the explosion and any signal it tried to send. 

Kagiso popped the bubble and the vacuum inside sucked up the surround gases. The pirate ships felt the violent gust of wind. They checked their scanners, but Greeves’ ship was gone.

“That was very clever of you.” Kagiso said to the pale pirate. “I made the only decision that would protect my crew. Nothing more.” Captain Marauder replied honestly. 

“Good. I hate people that throw their lives away meaninglessly. Life and the freedoms that come with are precious.” The two-horned man rumbled sincerely and the pale pirate let out a rare smile.

“So, she is called the Miliana? I am certain we can have her fixed before the raid.” Kagiso said, and the spectacled pirate Captain adjusted his glasses. “We appreciate the help, but I don’t recall accepting your request.” Captain Crane replied, and the crew exchanged confused looks.

“But something tells me that you will.” The two-horned man said to Captain Feng, and she spread her fan. 

Kagiso spotted the magical brackets arranged into Hanzi characters. The tiny nodes shone and the beautiful pirate put on a painted play for her guest. The little girl chased the kitten all the way to the coast, where terrifying shadows grabbed her and whisked her away.

“We have blood on our hands and we aren’t above thievery.” Captain Bokbaard replied, and he stroked his wispy beard. 

Kagiso laughed and raised his arms. A glittery Mana field swelled above their heads and piles of gold spilled onto the deck. “I have hoarded mountains of blood-soaked loot.” The two-horned man declared proudly and the pirates cheered.

“A Dragon true and true. What services could a band of pirates possibly offer one of your status?” Goldjack asked curiously. 

“Sail freely under my flag. Do business as you please and fight my enemies’ mortal comrades. Aid me in my Ascension and I will make you Pirate Lords.” Kagiso offered the Captains and their crew.