Shipwrecked Hearts

Navigare 98

Nagpalitan ang dalawang barko ng mga bala ng kanyon. Ramdam ko ang pagpasok ng kanyon sa loob ng Royal Renaissance, gayon din sa kabilang barko kung nasaan ang aking kapatid.

Yumanig ang sahig at nawalan ako ng balanse. Sinalo naman agad ako ni Maximo, "hang on." He said. "Let's go kick some ass!" Hiyaw ni Maximo. Kasabay nito ay ang pagtalon ng kan'yang tropa papunta sa barko ng kalaban gamit ang mga lubid sa paligid.

Maximo then caressed my cheek, "you defend the ship with your crew, okay?"

"Okay." I said, almost breathless. Narinig ko ang pagsalungat ng dalawang p'wersa ng mga espada at ang putok ng mga kanyon at baril. The noise along with the waves of the ocean didn't do anything though to minimize the cries of men and the fallen.

With one last touch, Maximo kissed me on my lips. Mabagal ang paggalaw na tila ninanamnam ang bawat segundo bago siya tumungo sa kabilang barko at patayin ang kalaban. When our kiss broke, nanlaki ang aking mga mata, may kalaban sa aming likod!

Akmang sasaksakin niya si Maximo nang ilabas ni Maximo ang kan'yang espada at walang sabing sinaksak ito sa lalaki nang hindi nakatingin.

The guy dropped on the floor, dead.

"I love you, Starfish." He kissed me once more and jumped towards the railing of the sundeck. He held on the rope and looked at me, "I'll be back."

I nodded. "I have a favor to ask."

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "Do tell me now."

"Please... if you kill my brother, make it painless."

He nodded. "I will." With that, he swung towards the other ship where my brother lies. Both were docked side by side in just five meters. I watched Maximo cut the rope of the enemies who tried to swing their way towards the ship I was standing at.

Mukhang naghihintay na ang aking crew ng aking iuutos sa kanila. "Archers, maintain your distance and keep firing against the enemies who try to jump here! Swordsmen, you all are the first line of defense, kill whoever escapes from the ruthlessness of the arrows. Charles, stay at the crow's nest and keep watch for any incoming enemy other than what we are currently handling now, and the rest... provide support."

Pumunta sila sa kanilang posis'yon. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga upang palakasin ang determinasyon. This is it. It seems like all the problems that I've faced has led me here... for a reason.

Most of the archers shot the scallywags who tried to invade the ship. From my position, I saw Maximo on the other side, along with the other comrades, piercing their swords against the enemies mercilessly. Of course, there were other fellowmen I saw who fell on their knees and died by the hands of the enemy.

I watched Maximo pile corpses one at a time, how he stabs the enemy to death in a speed of light. Duguan na ang kan'yang suot na damit, but it wasn't his blood. He moved swiftly and in sync with the wind. I put my attention back to where I was standing. Sumugod ako sa mga kalabang nakalagpas sa mga palaso.

I threw my dagger and let its sharp blade slice the man's flesh. Sinuportahan naman ako ng aking mga kasama. Nick was just a few meters away from me. He was also busy with his killing spree.

Tumingin ako sa aking gilid at may tatlong mga paparating na kalaban. Sumusugod sila sa akin. Nadinig ko ang isang nagsambit na ako si Akira Kira, and that they should go easy on me. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa aking punyal. Minamaliit ba ako?

Dala ng aking galit ay kumuha muli ako ng tatlo mula sa lalagyan nitong nakasinturon sa aking hita. I threw the three in unison using just my right hand. The three daggers went on separate yet precise direction and hit the three at the same time, in their forehead. Bullseye. Humandusay agad ang kanilang katawan sa palapag bago pa man ako makaengkwentro.