The pirate ship hit like a shark — fast, brutal, unforgiving.

  Hooks embedded in the hull. Ropes slung across decks. Black-cloaked raiders spilled over the sides, blades gleaming with curses and rust.

  Rell met them in the chaos. A forward spin-kick launched one off the ship. He ducked under a broadsword swing, countered with an elbow that cracked ribs. He didn’t need a weapon — he was one.

  “Rell, more left side!” Thessia called, slicing clean through two charging pirates with her enchanted sabre.

  “Ay! Some of us are recovering from death, remember!” Nexya yelled, flames spiraling off her fingertips. “Not all of us are made of jungle muscle!”

  The pirates kept coming. Bodies hit the deck. Blood sprayed. A child’s scream echoed from below.

  Rell moved like wind and stone — dancing, pivoting, blocking with his forearms. But they weren’t just here to kill.

  They were here for the kids.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The pirate captain appeared — tall, grinning, silver rings hanging from dreadlocked hair. His cloak billowed as he stepped out, dragging a chained elf child in front of him like a shield.

  “One more move and the runt dies,” he said, placing a jagged blade just beneath the girl’s chin.

  Everything froze.

  Rell’s hands clenched. His breath flared.

  Thessia’s sword stayed up, but she didn’t move.

  Nexya cursed under her breath. “Cowards…”

  “Your ship’s ours now,” the captain said. “And all your precious cargo. You resist — they die first.”

  Rell stared, pulse pounding.

  *Always something…*

  *Always another trap…*

  *Always captured again…*

  He sighed and muttered, “I hate here.”

  Thessia looked at him.

  He dropped his arms. Surrendered.

  Chains slapped onto wrists and ankles again.

  The ship turned east — toward the horizon soaked in crimson.

  Toward whatever came next.

  ---

  **End of Volume 6**