Crossfire: The Age of Quris 

Chapter 2: Setting sail under my very own flag!

“What do you mean?!” Olgra got in her face

 “You really do look like an ape.” Faris said with a blank face “I’LL MURDER YOU!” Her eyes nearly popped out, “Ladies, ladies calm down!” Rayan slid into the conversation, with his casual ease “Oh my god he's doing it again.” Faris groaned, sliding down the railing to go talk to Maren

“QUIET!” Vonwing shouted, the chatter dying down quickly “We shall set sail towards the next island! I don’t want any funny business or I’ll gut you like a fish!”

“Someone's moody today, gramps.” Maren grinned, poking Vonwing's shoulder– and Vonwing threw him into a barrel “OOF!” Maren winced, “Big oaf.” He muttered.

“Man these waves sure are angry.” Maren leaned over the railing,  watching the odd patterns ripple through the water– a massive shadow just barely visible “Woah! It’s Olgra!  Since when could she swim…” He thought long and hard, Olgra walked over looking over the railing. 

“Maren. You have two seconds to run, before I flatten you like a pancake.”

“You’re mean.” He looked up at Olgra, she held a sledgehammer– 

“AH! GRAMPS SAVE ME!” He sprinted towards the galley, sliding behind Vonwing’s leg. “Get off me, you're getting dirt on my suit.” Vonwing shook Maren off his leg– “MAREN!” Olgra kicked the galley door open—

A few minutes later.

Maren was lying on the deck, four huge bumps on his head. “You don’t think sniffle  you went a bit too far?” A tiny girl spoke as she crept around the corner, bags under her eyes– and she clutched a teddy bear to her chest, “Kira, darling go back to sleep.” Olgra’s expression softened. “But it’s bright out.” Kira rubbed her eyes, a tiny yawn escaped her lips

Olgra walked Kira back into her cabin, the inside of Kira’s cabin was covered in maps and charts– and a few stuffed animals that look like they’re on life support, “Olgra, why are you always so hard on Maren? He just wants to have fun.” Kira’s tiny hand wrapped around Olgra’s thumb. “He’s a knucklehead, you should worry about getting sleep.” Olgra’s free hand came up, moving a strand of hair out of Kira’s face. 

“AHHHHH! THERE’S A GIANT FISH ON THE BOAT!” Maren’s voice came from the deck, Olgra peeked out the window to see a tiny minnow flopping around on the deck.

“Big sis… can you read me a story?” Kira tugged Olgra’s thumb gently

“Of course, which one do you want me to read?” Olgra smiled softly, moving towards the tiny bookshelf, which is filled with mostly navigation books. “The great adventures of captain Usopp…” Kira pointed towards a book, the cover had a giant goldfish on it “Kira this is the third time–” Kira looked up at her with big glassy eyes, “Fine.” Olgra sighed, utterly defeated. “Captain Usopp, a man with an army of ten million men, he is revered as the most feared pirate in history. He lived in Syrup Village where his crew, the Usopp pirates, was founded. Everyday Usopp ran through Syrup Village yelling ‘PIRATES, PIRATES ARE COMING!’ of course they weren't." Olgra paused to glance at Kira who’s slowly dozing off, her tiny eyes drooping. “One day he set sail and docked on a foul smelling pact of land, little did he know it was actually the poop of a giant goldfish.” Kira giggled into her teddy bear—

“We’ve arrived at the island!” Vonwing shouted, Olgra looked back at Kira, she fell asleep snuggled up to her teddy bear, Olgra leaned down pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

“It smells like fish sticks!” Maren held his nose, gagging dramatically 

“Well this is when we part ways.” Vonwing stepped off the ship “Gramps, what are you talking about?” Maren hopped off after him, “Maren, I’m getting old.” Vonwing spoke gruffly “But–” “Maren. I’m retiring, if you want to take the ship I don’t mind— and start a crew of your own. I know that's always been your dream.” He placed his hand on Maren's shoulder, Maren’s eyes started to get glassy— tears beginning to form “Don’t cry, Maren. I’m not as strong as I used to be.”

Tears poured down Maren’s face, “I’m not crying!” His voice was shaky, “You're literally crying” Vonwing gave a rare smile “The wind is wet!” Maren managed through tears

“Old Vincent held out through my decades of sailing, I hope he does you good too.” Vonwing ruffled Maren’s hair before turning away, waving as he disappeared into the crowd. 

Maren stood there silent for a few seconds, holding his scarf tightly– the red fabric whipping across his face in the wind. “You okay dude?” Rayan walked up behind him, his voice uncharacteristically serious. “Y-Yeah sniffle I’m fine…” Maren pulled the scarf up, covering his mouth and nose. “Big bro…” Kira tugged at his pants leg, her voice earnest “We won’t leave you!” Kira declared, her teddy bear dangled over the ground, Maren looked down at the warmth surrounding his leg— he can’t help but smile even if it is small. “Thanks Kira… You have no idea how much that means to me.” He crouched down to her level, her hood being pulled down by the strong wind, Maren gently ruffled her hair which made Kira squeak briefly– Olgra finally came out of the cabin, holding a toy Kira wanted her to find– “Maren? Why are you crying? And where's the old timer,”  She sat the toy down on a barrel “He retired.” Rayan turned to her, still trying his best to comfort Maren, “What do you mean he retired… that man’s as strong as a bear, he wouldn’t give up because of old age–” Her tone was laced with denial “Olgra seemed to be coping, I must agree that I am doing this to cope–” Faris spoke from the crows nest, her white hair flowing like silk “Now’s not the time Faris…” Rayan gave Faris an exhausted glance “Faris is sorry.” She said calmly “Faris thinks that Mr. Vonwing was a nice person.” 

“Yeah… he was.” Maren said the scarf muffling it, “Faris thinks we should get cake” “Why?” “Faris just thinks so”

THANK YOUUUU for reading chapter 2 of Crossfire: Age Of The Quris (Also if you didn’t notice I was not stealing the Usopp thing its a reference I know thats kinda obvious but I just know there's people out there who will just say I stole it)