The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion

Chapter 4: On the Loose

Jerome's POV

I observed the position of each bandit across the room, even the ones guarding outside. I closed my eyes, feeling the aur sear inside me. I can feel my magic overflowing down my hands, hearing it hum in the wind.

My hands stayed behind my back as I continue to pretend to be tied up. I opened my eyes, giving the little girl another wink as I glance at her. She gave me a nervous smile, and I nod back to assure her. I pulled my gaze towards the bandit outside the door, silently whistling in the air.

The whistle was barely heard by the bandits, but the passengers around me can hear it. They turned their heads at me, their distorted faces shifting into a calmed look. The whistle was my quiet command to my magic. My call for the wind to blew in my command.

My eyes landed outside of the lounge, towards one of the bandits standing guard on the door. I gestured my hand behind my back, weaving it close to the ground as I watch my magic play into the air.

I could see the wind forming outside, swirling in the air as they await my command. This is my magic. Wind Magic. Magic that allowed me to control and manipulate the wind. I commanded it to attack the bandit outside, dumping him out on the sea.

The man panicked as his body lifted off the ground, and before he could even scram, he fell into the sea. The other bandit outside saw how his body levitated and fell to the water. He called the bandits guarding us inside the room, alarming them of what happened.

The three bandits moved out of their positions as they inspect the plot that happened, interrogating their comrade who saw it happen. I stopped whistling, letting my magic disappear for a while as I quietly move my way forward and out of the crowd.

The passengers noticed how my hands are not shackled anymore, their mouths gaping at me with questions. I placed a finger on my lips, a small smile curled up my lips. They pursed their lips as they keep silent instead of talking, letting me leave as they make a path for me.

I moved in haste as I hide at the wall next to the door, hiding from the bandits’ sight. I heard them chattering, arguing whether they save their comrade or not. One of the bandits came inside the room, walking in leisurely without noticing me.

My fist landed on his face as he turns to my direction, knocking him out right away. He fell to the floor with a thud, startling the bandits behind him outside the lounge. The three remaining bandits turned, and when they did, I jumped out in front of them, hand raised.

I slashed my hand in the air as I activate my magic, calling to them. Wind blew around me like a brewing storm, slicing through the air as it pushes the bandits back on the ship’s railing. I weaved my hand in the air, mimicking a rising hand as I command the wind to levitate the bandits up their feet.

A grin perked up my lips, and I tossed them out on the sea, letting them sink on the ocean. I got rid of them all at once, leaving the lower deck and the lounge free of the bandits. No more are hiding in this floor level, right?

“Not so powerful for a gang who managed to infiltrate the ship,” I murmured.

It’s suspicious that the bandits are amateurs when it comes to this. If I were their leader, I would have brought the best members with me. I turned around, stepping back inside the room. Gleaming, hopeful eyes gazed and stared at me, almost as if they are slowly approaching me to beg to free them. I flinched, taking one step back after being startled by their gazes.

“U-uhm… if you wouldn’t mind, I’ll free you, but you’ll have to stay here for now, while I investigate what’s going on in the upper deck,” I said, hesitating. “Don’t worry. I won’t leave you all. I’ll just have to make sure that the lounge above is fine.”

Many were slightly displeased and dismayed of my decision, but what can I do? If I let them roam the ship, the situation might worsen, and they may be in a much greater trouble. Who knows what those bandits are capable of and what could happen if the hostages were freed.

I freed the passengers from their shackles, breaking it with my magic. “I promise I’ll come back,” I assured before taking the exit. I left the room, closing the door as I navigate where to go.

“I’ll have to check on the upper lounge first,” I mumbled, walking up the stairs that lead to the upper deck.

I crouched down as I took one step after another on the stairs, without making any noise. I peeked on top of the edge of the stairs, squinting my eyes as I try to count how many bandits are flocked in one are. If my count is correct, I saw three of them.

The right side is where the other lounge is supposed to be. And if I’m correct, the control room should be on the left, next to the lounge of the upper deck. I licked my tongue, taking a step on the final stair step.

I crouched again, sprinting on the back of a pillar before any of the bandits catches a glimpse of me. I hitched; my back leaned against the pillar as I hide myself. If I could enter the door a few meters away from me, I could at least escape their eyes momentarily.

I took a deep breath. Unlike any of the missions I’ve done before, this feels different. Maybe because unlike my missions, this situation is more realistic in my head.

I ran, dashing on the door. I pushed myself inside, locking the door as I lean against the door, panting in relief. Another door stood in front of me, and on my left side, a short hallway leads to the open area of the control room.

Voices chattered in the air while I catch my breath. My instincts kicked in, and I changed my position, moving on the other side of the short corridor where they would barely notice me. I gulped, sneaking a glance at the two people chattering.

There were only two people in the room besides me; the wannabe Vana, and a man I found similar to Storm Farasol. He doesn’t look like him, but he copied his hairstyle and fashion style which is hard to miss. The two were arguing, one of them dialing someone on the communication lacrima of the ship.

“How’s the negotiation with the four kingdoms?” the wannabe Vana asked.

“Shush, I am trying to contact the four kingdoms right now,” the wannabe Storm—which is what I would call the guy—exclaimed.

A choppy voice rang as the person being called answered the lacrima call. “You sure know how to attack a kingdom’s weakness. And you’re hitting two birds with one stone,” the angelic yet cold voice stated, musing.

“You know what we want. Its either the hostages or the money,” the wannabe Storm threatened, giving the woman a choice. “Which would it be?”

“What you’re trying to do is war, Mr. Do you really think I would let that happen?” the voice muttered, her voice dark and heavy in a split second.

“I don’t care. As long as the money from the four kingdoms are provided. And if you ever make a move to stop us, this ship will blow up,” the wannabe Storm warned, sending chills down my spine.

Blow up? You mean there’s a bomb inside the ship? You mean, if they don’t get what they want, the ship will explode along with them. What the heck? Its almost like they’re just pawns who are being used by the mastermind.

 I don’t think someone demanding money would risk their lives like that. Especially not when they plan to blow up the ship along with themselves.

“Keep the hostages unharmed. If one of them is injured or hurt, the deal is off,” the voice warned, hanging up on the wannabe Storm before he could speak.

I leaned back on the wall, taking a step back before they bob their head towards my direction. The wannave Storm scoffed, cursing as he grits his teeth. My hand moved in to hold the door handle of the door behind me, ready to open it in case one of them heads my way.

“Why do we have Angela Akatsuki as the negotiator rather than someone else? Its ridiculous,” the wannabe Vana complained, growling intensely.

“Be glad its not some like Reiki Fernandez or the real Storm Farasol,” the wannabe Storm grunted, admitting that he is not the real Storm.

“Stay put, I’ll go to the lounge next door and ask the captain of the ship to stop the ship in this spot,” the wannabe Storm ordered, footsteps thudding on the wooden floorboards.

I grinded my teeth, latching the door open as I push myself backwards. I flicked my fingers as I let my magic push me inside, winding the door close in silence as the wannabe Storm pass by the door.

The footsteps stopped for a moment, the wannabe Storm’s voice ringing outside the door. “Oh, and I’ll have to keep an eye on someone from the upper lounge. That girl is vaguely similar to you that I’m starting to suspect her identity,” the wannabe Storm stated.

“Okay, leave this room to me,” the wannabe Vana said.

I sighed in relief as I finally found a safe spot to hide for a while. Though, it won’t last long for the whole day. That’s fine, since I wouldn’t be here for long. Only until I can come up with a conclusion and a plan.

There are a few conclusions I had made, while the rest are speculations. Firstly, someone is commanding them from somewhere else. Second, I suspect that money is not the only thing they are after. Lastly, whoever that person the wannabe Storm is suspecting might be someone who can help me.

The only thing left to do now is—”

My words to myself were cut off after the door of the room I’m hiding in suddenly opened. I froze, meeting the wannabe Vana’s eyes. Her gaze had a glare on it, aura emitting out of her body as though she’s ready to hurt me.

I gulped, fist clumping into a ball as I prepare myself for battle. And here I thought she didn’t notice me.

“Looks like someone got away from our sight. But don’t worry, you’ll join them as well.”