The Cold Heir

The chaos outside continued, but now Nagi felt ready. No, more than ready. He was Ved Flack—at least, for now.

Slipping out of the captain's quarters, Nagi made his way to the deck, his glowing eyes cutting through the darkness. The crew, locked in fierce combat with the pirates, turned to stare in shock.

"Sir?" Ralf called, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Nagi raised his sword, his expression cold and commanding. "Defend the ship. Show no mercy."

The crew roared in response, their morale surging as they rallied behind their leader.

Nagi strode into the fray, his every movement calculated and deliberate. The weight of Ved's memories guided his steps, his sword cutting through the air with ruthless precision. The first pirate to approach him swung a crude axe, but Nagi sidestepped effortlessly, his blade slicing through the man's torso in one clean motion.

Ralf stood at the ship's center, his staff raised as he conjured shimmering shields that deflected incoming arrows and cannon fire. His expertise in shield magic was unmatched, and his calm presence anchored the crew amidst the chaos.

"Keep your focus!" Ralf screamed, his voice cutting through the din. A pirate lunged at him, only to be thrown back by an invisible force as Ralf tapped his staff against the deck, reinforcing the barrier.

"Ralf," Nagi called out as he advanced toward the pirates' leader, a towering man clad in mismatched armor. "Hold the defenses. I'll deal with this one."

"As you command, sir," Ralf replied, though his eyes flickered with concern. He adjusted the barrier, forming a protective dome over the ship's central mast while leaving the deck open for Nagi to maneuver.

The pirate leader laughed as Nagi approached, his deep voice booming over the sound of clashing steel. "So you're the infamous Ved Flack," he sneered, raising a massive, rune-carved warhammer. "Let's see if the stories are true."

Nagi didn't respond. Instead, he raised his sword, its blade glowing faintly as he channeled magic into it. The air around him grew colder, frost creeping along the deck as he unleashed a burst of icy energy.

The pirate leader staggered back, his warhammer coated in a layer of frost. He snarled, swinging the weapon in a wide arc. Nagi ducked under the blow, his sword darting out to slice across the man's arm. Blood sprayed, but the pirate barely flinched, his sheer size and strength keeping him in the fight.

"You'll have to do better than that!" the pirate roared, slamming his warhammer into the deck. The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, knocking several crew members off their feet.

Nagi remained standing, his eyes narrowing. "If you insist," he said coldly.

He raised his free hand, palm outstretched, and muttered an incantation. Ice crystals formed in the air, coalescing into jagged spears that hovered around him. With a flick of his wrist, he sent them hurtling toward the pirate leader.

The man roared in pain as the spears pierced his armor, staggering under the onslaught. But even as he faltered, he swung his warhammer again, aiming for Nagi's head.

Ralf, watching the exchange, moved swiftly. He raised his staff, casting a shimmering shield around Nagi that absorbed the brunt of the attack. "Careful, sir," he called out. 

Nagi glanced at him, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

With the pirate leader momentarily stunned, Nagi closed the distance between them. He thrust his sword into the man's chest, the blade glowing brightly as it unleashed a surge of freezing magic. The pirate's roar turned into a gurgle as frost spread across his body, encasing him in ice.

Nagi withdrew his sword, and the frozen corpse toppled over, shattering as it hit the deck.

The remaining pirates, seeing their leader's defeat, hesitated. Their resolve wavered, and panic set in as the crew pressed their advantage.

"Push them back!" Ralf commanded, his staff glowing as he expanded the barrier to cover the entire ship. The pirates' cannon fire ricocheted harmlessly off the translucent dome, and their ranks crumbled under the renewed assault.

Within minutes, the enemy ships began to retreat, its tattered sails disappearing into the darkness.

The crew erupted into cheers, their victory hard-won but decisive.

Nagi sheathed his sword, his icy demeanor unbroken as he surveyed the aftermath. Blood stained the deck, and the bodies of fallen pirates and crew alike lay scattered. He felt no satisfaction, only a hollow sense of duty.

Ralf approached him, his expression a mix of relief and concern. "The ship is secure, sir. Shall I prepare a report?"

"Yes," Nagi replied curtly. He turned toward the captain's quarters, his shoulders stiff with exhaustion. "And help the wounded. We can't afford to lose more men."

"As you wish," Ralf said, bowing slightly before moving to carry out his orders.

Inside the cabin, Nagi sank into a chair, his hand trembling as he gripped the hilt of his sword. He stared at his reflection in the blade, Ved's cold, unyielding eyes staring back at him.

"Am I still Nagi, or I.. Ved now" he murmured, the weight of the question pressing down on him like the sea itself.