Starsea - Part III - Blackheart

Hello everyone and welcome back to the Realm. I apologize for such a lengthy delay, but things have become a bit hectic in my household and my lovely muse decided to vamoose like the slippery devil that he is. Also I have forgotten the initial interaction between Hook and Artz, so there will be a minor time skip to where she has essentially accepted her role as his wench and the maelstrom caused by the sapphires that never changed.

James Hook, Captain of the Jolly Roger, was considered to be The Scourge of the Sea. No other could boast of a greater cruelty and tyranny as he. He was feared, loathed, despised, and none dared to challenge him. He selfishly and ruthlessly captured countless women and broke them all...none could withstand the power of the Sea. The Scourge was a creature of darkness that lived within the depths of his beloved sea, but all of that changed when he crossed paths with a creature unlike anything he had ever known...the Star Child.

The blissfully ignorant captain had supposedly captured her ship and made her his prisoner without ever knowing who she truly was. For months, it was a constant game of cat and mouse. He thought he had won because he had successfully bedded her countless times, worked her to the brink of exhaustion like a deckhand, and constantly abused and beat her body as he pleased, but there was something that never changed...her eyes.

Every time she looked at him, blue orbs filled with such warmth and compassion like he was her favorite person in the world. The more time he spent with her, the more perplexed he became and with it came some rather uncharacteristic mood swings from himself. He became more and more angry, his volatility sky rocketing, and he took it all out on her. He could feel himself slipping away more and more each day...like he was going insane, but then something happened.

At the time, he hadn't known what was causing his instability but over the course of several weeks, his mind began to calm and he could think clearly and rationally again. What he did know was that it had to do with his feisty wench that kept stealing his evening wine, but he had gotten used to it. He had lessened her workload, mainly so he could take her to his bed more often. Why...why was this bloody woman so different from the rest? Why did she call to him so much?

He hated her, really he did. He hated how she smiled at him, his stomach feeling like a swarm of butterflies. He hated how the sound of her laughter melted the stress of the day away. He hated the brilliant blue depths that never held any malice, contempt, or hatred. He hated the woman that was never afraid of him, whose spirit would not yield to him, yet she obeyed every order he gave to her. He didn't understand why...why would she obey him yet not yield to him? 

He needed to know just how far she was willing to go to follow his orders, but he didn't even know her name, let alone anything that he could use to apply pressure to her, but he was given quite the boon of good fortune in the form of a young boy; dark hair, pale blue eyes, and wearing the green cloak often associated to the druids. His first officer, Mister Black had stumbled across the lad during their last raid and had brought him to him.

Hook saw recognition flash through his wench's eyes with a brief flash of trepidation. She knew the boy and obviously cared for him, so he tested her. He beckoned her forward, withdrew his sword, and told her to kill the boy. For the first time...she refused. She had actually said no to him and he asked her why.

'His name is Mordred and he is my godson.'

That explained both the recognition and the trepidation. Should the boy become an orphan, she was to be his guardian...the one entrusted with his safety and happiness. He needed to know...he had to know...where did her loyalties truly lie, with her godson or with her captain? Was she like the traitorous bitch, Milah? Would she betray him like she had? He needed to know!!!

'I'm curious, wench. You have said time and again that you would obey any order I give you...that you would choose me over everything else.'

'You desire proof of my loyalty, that you are my Captain and I am your wench. Then do so...give me your orders, my Captain, and I shall obey...no matter the cost.'

There was a long, pregnant pause...a pressure building up in the air and then the Scourge of the Sea spoke the words that sealed his fate until the end of time.

'Kill him. Take my sword and murder your godson. Kill the boy you were entrusted to protect and don't let anyone stop you.'

A pain unlike anything he had ever experienced shot through his entire being as he watched the woman he thought would never break shatter right before his very eyes. All color faded from her once sparkling sapphire orbs, becoming a dull and lifeless gray. She walked towards him, his eyes widening as she took the sword from his hands. There was no hesitation, no doubt...just a soul shattering agony...as she came to a stop in front of the boy.

'Hello, Godmother.'

'Hello, Mordred. I'll make it quick, I promise.'

The Captain of the Jolly Roger could not believe what he was witnessing. She couldn't...she wouldn't...he was her godson! There was no way she would murder a child, let alone her godchild, simply because he had ordered her to? Would she? He moved closer to gain a better view, only for another crack of pain slice through his being. Her eyes were dead...he never should have ordered this. It was wrong, it was so wrong.

'I love you, Godmother.'

The boy wasn't even bothering to run. He was going to let her kill him...giving up his life as an act of proof of godmother's loyalty to her Captain. Hook watched as his wench positioned the sword so that she would cleave it completely away from the neck...with enough force, it would be a quick death. He still couldn't believe it. She won't do it, she won't do it, she won't do it! 

He watched in horror as she pulled back for the swing...she wasn't going to do it. The sword swung through the air and without a single thought in his mind, every fiber of his being screaming...his right hand shot out and grabbed her wrist, stopping the blade less than a quarter of an inch from the boy's skin.

'What the bloody hell are you doing, wench?!'

'Obeying the orders of my Captain...no matter the cost.'

She released the sword to catch it with her left hand. She swung the blade around so that she could impale the boy from above. She was once again following his orders because he had said to not let anyone get in her way of killing the boy. He barely managed to catch her other wrist in time. Bloody hell, she was strong...and clever...and resourceful...and loyal to a fault. He had his answer and immediately retracted his earlier orders to kill the boy. He almost sighed in relief when the light and color began to return to her eyes. He took his sword from her and ordered her to return to the ship. She didn't make it three feet away before he called out to her.

'Aren't you forgetting something, wench? Contrary to popular belief, there is such a thing as a code of honor amongst pirates. The loyalty you have shown to your captain this day surpasses that of my entire crew combined and as such, I shall grant you a most generous boon...the boy.

Your godson is now a member of my crew, so long as he earns his keep and doesn't cause any unnecessary headaches. Even if his godmother were to be slain by any means, he will always have a home aboard the Jolly Roger. Now off you go, wait in my quarters until I return.'

The look on her face...worth it, completely worth it...her brilliant sapphires shimmering with tears of joy, glowing with a light from within, and the smile...oh that smile...in that moment, the Captain of the Jolly Roger realized that he was not as heartless as he believed himself to be. Blacker than sin and darker than a moonless night but he most definitely had one because the most impossible woman he has ever known had just stolen his black heart and he doubted that he would ever get it back...even then, he didn't want it back. 

Before he could have a chance to explore this new revelation within himself, he needed to deal with his first mate...ex first mate for a second time. Black damn well knew that no member of the Jolly Roger was to slay a child or even hold a child captive to make them watch horrible acts to unfold before them. The destruction of Port Rhianna was still there and this one rule was unbreakable...why would Black go against his orders? Within moments, he had found out...the bastard had known of the connection between the boy and his wench.

Upon further questioning, Mister Black had brought the boy to act as a test, to ensure that his captain was not being conned by another woman and that he had never expected the bitch to be so fucking soulless that she would willing kill her own godchild. He had thought her to be manipulating their captain but he now firmly believed that she was truly evil and that she was going to kill Hook to become the Captain of the Jolly Roger.

The Scourge of the Sea knew that his wench and former first mate had an extreme dislike for one another, but this was just plain absurd. Did he honestly believe that his wench was capable of taking over his ship...yes, absolutely yes. The only power he had over that woman was the power she gave him. Her words, actions, and resolve this day had proven that to him, but she chose him and he honestly didn't know how to feel about that.

She was more than capable of taking over his ship but not through conspiracy or fear or even mutiny but through kindness, compassion, and honesty...a rather blunt honesty at that. She didn't need weapons or supporters...just a few kind words and passing warm smiles. She was already taking over the ship without knowing it because she had already befriended several people simply by listening. Every time she was working on deck, she would simply listen and let the crew rant, rave, ramble before ultimately smiling and saying Feel better? 

There was one person in particular that his wench had latched onto and that was Mister Smee...William Smee to be precise...Liam...perhaps the wench has a sixth sense because Simeon Black has proven to be untrustworthy and she clashed most mightily against him, but when it came to the soft spoken yet always polite and attentive William Smee, she practically claimed the man as family. He decided that he was going to trust her instincts because clearly his were faulty.

'Mister Smee, you are hereby promoted to First Mate...you can thank the wench for that and as for you, Mister Black...*uses his sword to slice the other man's left hand off completely*...be grateful that you're still alive. If that boy dies so do you. *addresses the rest of the crew* 

Let this serve as a warning; treachery, betrayal, and mutiny will result in a very slow, painful, and lingering death. That wench showed more courage, strength, resolve, fortitude, and honor than all of you put together! Even her own godson has stalwart and valiant heart while you lot allow yourselves to be swallowed whole by petty greed and momentary satisfaction.

Today....that changes! Pirates we may be but at least we still have our hearts...battered and broken, ripped to shreds by loss and pain, drowning in grief and regret...but they are still there! It's time for a new course, to become true pirates! To forge through the fiercest storms, to seek out treasures that no one has ever claimed! It's time to stop living in the past and start on a brand new adventure into uncharted waters, to be forever engraved in history, to rewrite the definition of piracy itself!'

His men, with the exception of a few, cheered loudly in response, fierce flames of adventure and excitement burning in their eyes but even more so in their hearts. Little did the Scourge of the Sea realize that it was this moment that ignited a light within the darkness. This light would grow stronger as it was tempered by the darkness until one day a miracle would occur and a mirror once broken would be reformed.

Hook: Enough, wench.

Artz: But, but, but...

Hook: You and I both know that the next section takes on a completely different tone from this one, so don't bother arguing and just post the damn thing. *suddenly has rotten fruit and vegetables thrown at him from two rather irritated fans*

Ren: Hey eyebrows, stop being an ass for two seconds.

Hope: More like five so she can shoot off a pm to me and Ren on Fan Fiction...feeling a bit neglected over here.

Poseidon: someone obviously didn't get the memo. Artz is practically working herself into the ground, both at work and at home.

Hook: She barely gets ready for bed before passing out like a dead weight.

Artz: You two really are assholes. They popped up here for a cameo so that their real life counterparts know that I haven't forgotten them...just burning the candle at both ends. On that note, one final image or two and Part III of Starsea will be posted! Catch ya on the flip side, dearies!

Anna: *pops up briefly once everyone had left* In case she has forgotten to tell you, all images within the blog belong to their respective owners and affiliates. She is not making money from this in any way. She's just trying to find pictures that resemble what's in her head. Trust me, everything thus far pales in comparison to what is actually in her mind. *notices her manager and quickly shoves her phone away while ducking out from the article.*

Intermission #1 - Fire Fox

Hey everyone and welcome back to the insanity that is The Realm. As the title may suggest, this is a break in the mainstream flow of the articles. There are a few reasons for this.

First - There has been a bit of confusion due to some minor continuity errors.

Two - I have actually forgotten Artz's and Hook's initial reaction to her after he captures her ship.

Three - Modifications to certain aspects of specific items, people, and events.

Four - The next chapter of Stardust will be posted soon but I guarantee that your head will be spinning. The issue is adding in some last minute details to smooth out the flow. Not as easy as it sounds.

Five - My muse has given me the slip again...or has been eaten by one of Kurama's death plants.

Kurama: *walks in like he owns the place* I would not wish for my precious plants to die such gruesome deaths.

Artz: *turns in her chair to face him* You're saying that my muse gives your amazing plants of agony… indigestion?

Kurama: *blinks before sighing* Should you not return to your… intermission?

Artz: *shrugs* I supposed.

Yusuke: *hands behind his head* Don't let the laid back demeanor full ya, fox boy. She's been burning the candle at both ends again. She's even taken cat naps at work of all the work she's been doing lately.

Hiei: *appears next to Artz* You didn't strike me as the sentimental type, detective.

Yusuke: Former Detective actually and as for being sentimental, that's what she's got you for, pyro pixie.

This results in a prolonged staring battle between the former spirit detective turned part demon and the fire/ice hybrid that was his comrade. Artz just shook her head and walked away, mumbling about doing some research into elemental abilities and all associated animals and interconnections. If she could just figure out who his teachers were then his character would practically unfold itself.

Kurama: *walks a short distance away and gives a small bow* You may or may not know who I am depending on your ages and preferences, so allow me to introduce myself. 

My name is Suuichi Minamino, more commonly known as Kurama.

I was once a youko, often referred to as a silver kitsune. Most of the current generation knows what a kitsune is, but for the sake of those still blissfully unaware of the anime and manga genres, a kitsune is a fox demon within most oriental countries to the far East. 

My trade during my time as a full fledged demon was the breaking of seals and the art of thievery. In fact, I am the one known as The Legendary Bandit Thief. The bandit portion of that title came from my association with my closest and dearest friend, a bat demon known as Kuronue. Together we were an unstoppable force, not even the the demon lords of the Cardinal lands could stop us, but out of respect for their many accomplishments, we did not steal from them...unless petitioned by another Cardinal Lord.

In the universe of the Blood Guard, much of my history as Youko Kurama has yet to be revealed. Only my association with certain individuals and I believe this may have something to do with an idea Artz has been attempting to ignore. This idea will revolve around my kitsune avatar with the rabid fan club. 

As for the two that are currently having a stare off. One is known to you as Hiei but is more formally known as The Master of the Dragon of the Darkness Flame. The other individual was a boy recruited to be an investigater of sorts, a Spirit Detective. He was essentially the militant arm of the Reikai more commonly known as the Spirit World. He didn't really have much of a choice given that they did grant him second life after he was hit by a car to save a child's life.

After Yusuke died a second time, a dormant demonic gene was activated which essentially made him a demon yet not. In fact, most have taken to calling him a hanyou or half demon, emphasis on his demonic side. He, Hiei, and myself were eventually forced to the Makai, the demon world in the television series, but as to what Artz has planned for us has yet to be seen.

Artz: Kurama, this was meant to be an intermission and not another impromptu article.

Kurama: My apologies, Artz, but you were rather distracted earlier and I thought it prudent to inform the readers of some deviations and histories, albeit a rather brief overview.

Artz: *points to the idiots and the kitsune avatar simply sighed, his plants trapping them and dragging them away*

Right then, the main continuity problems are the normal variety that are generated when one does a jumper time stream like in Doctor Who fan fiction. Much of what is and what was and what possibly could be are entirely subjective, meaning that they can and will shift based on where the story is flowing.

An example of this can be found in my story Phoenix Saga: Origin. Originally Rose and Artz were to have a sibling like friendship but as the story progressed, it is strongly hinted that she and Rose are, in fact, romantically involved on some level.

Most of my continuity issues are derived from lack of research or were created before Anna became a permanent fixture in my life. Where Anna goes, the Blood Guard are sure to follow. My Guard, specifically the Prismata aka the Prism, are the ones most commonly seen in stories/chapters posted after Anna and I got back in touch with one another after a two year silence. These characters are the most defined but are also capable of transitioning between realities due to the strong bonds of love and devotion for Artz and Anna.

Both Phoenix Saga: Origin and Guardian Saga: Seeker are prime examples of my lack of research into Gallifrey and the Timelords yet are the most loved. Once I had done the research; Legacy Saga: Genesis and Warrior Saga: Rebirth came into being but were not as well received as the first two.

Moving along, a new twist is going to be added to the Phoenix Saga, mainly in regards to Artz knowing about events that occurred after she had been taken from her reality. The spoiler is that she to the nullification of a certain event, Artz shares a link with her counterpart still living in that world so she kind of just knows things. Doesn't help that she runs into Anna either.

Okay, I'm gonna keep this brief. Due to my inability to work out the exact beginning of Artz and Hook's meeting, the next part of Starsea will start up after an undetermined amount of time; either weeks or months, hopefully no more than a year. That's it for this intermission. Just add a few more images and it will posted. Until next time, dearies.