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It was early morning when the island came into view. Like the briefing said, it was a small island, the most dominant features being the large forest that gave it its name, as well as the tall lighthouse that dominated the center of the island. The light was out, though whether that was the work of the pirates or simply because the sun had started to rise, Sol wasn’t sure.

“The island was deserted when we claimed it,” Lieutenant Nelson said. She and Sol stood at the bow of the ship and watched the island, silhouetted by the early morning fog, as they approached. “It became a small observation post, manned by a handful of Marines and their families. Their job is to report on the comings and goings of all sorts of vessels, civilian and pirate alike. If need be, the lighthouse is fitted with cannons on each level, all the way around, so they could fire on threats from all sides.”

[color=#A020F0]”According to the report, the pirates made their approach early yesterday morning, when the fog was at its thickest, just like we are,”[/color] Sol said. [color=#A020F0]”It explains how they were able to sneak up on them, given that our men would have a full 360 degree view from that lighthouse. I just hope we aren’t too late.”[/color]

Suddenly, his ear twitched as a low rumbling reached him just before something splashed into the sea to their portside. “Cannon fire!” a crewman yelled.

[color=#A020F0]”Evasive action!”[/color] Sol yelled as he stepped closer to the railing. He glanced at the rising sun behind them, getting his bearings, and added, [color=#A020F0]”It’ll be hard for them to get a bead on us with this fog, but stay sharp,”[/color] he told Nelson. [color=#A020F0]”You’re in charge. I’ll go on ahead and try to draw their fire. Tell the helmsman to keep heading due west and you should find the port pretty easily.”[/color]

Before Nelson could argue, Sol kicked off of the air and, using “moonwalk,” he quickly ascended above the fog. He drew his sword, the very same one that the young man from the day before dueled him for, and felt the weight in his hand. It wasn’t a heavy sword by any means, but it never felt right for him to wield it. The rapport of a cannon rolled along the sea, drawing his attention back to his job. He kicked off of the air and shot forward as a cannonball hurtled toward him. With ease, he swung his weapon and cut cleanly through the cannonball.

Sol passed between the two halves and continued his approach on the island as more cannons roared to life. Each cannonball met the same fate as the one before it, cut cleanly in half while Sol practically waltzed through the cannonfire. On one hand, he was protecting himself, but his own ship and crew were never far from his mind, often going out of his way to cut through a cannonball that may have hit his ship, otherwise. Before long, when Sol had reached the halfway point between his ship and the island, he let out a breath. [color=#A020F0]”Shave,”[/color] he said.

One moment he was there, but the next, he was gone, a soft [i]boom[/i] left behind in his wake. As the defenders in the lighthouse peered through their viewports, trying to see where he went, Sol moved with incredible speed toward the lighthouse, combining his moonwalk with the speed of his “shave” ability. Combining the two techniques made his legs cry out in protest, but Sol ignored it for the few seconds it took him to reach the lighthouse. [color=#A020F0]”Symphonic Blade: Prestissimo!”[/color]

He lashed out with his sword, slicing through the stone wall of the lighthouse as easily as if it were paper just as he crashed through. The pirates on the other side cried out in surprise, suddenly face-to-face with a Marine captain. Sol slowly scanned the pirates gathered around him, noting the shock and fear on their faces. [color=#A020F0]”My name is Captain Maxwell Rackham. Take me to the one who commands you and I promise we’ll be lenient,”[/color] he warned.

Those words seemed to shock some sense back into the pirates, many of whom reached for their weapons, though the look of fear never left their faces. [color=#A020F0][i]Interesting. They’re more afraid of their own captain than they are of me,[/i][/color] he thought as he readied himself. [color=#A020F0][i]I’ll find out why soon enough, I suppose.[/i][/color]