The Telltaler Chapter 6

Part 1 SEVEN DAYS in a row, Yang Zhuyi pirates attacking Admiral Ramirez 40 ships fleet. With the same-and-same strategy. Six hours for battle. Six hours for rest. Thousands of small canoe sent. Thousands of pirates ready to climb the ship's walls. Fearlessly attacking. Then retreat in order. The defense of Admiral Ramirez 40 ships fleet getting weaker after some time as the pirates hoped. Meanwhile, their fighting force keeps flowing attacking like a flood doesn't know where it from, seems like not reduced even a bit. Don't look tired or in pain after injured. On the battle in day seven, The Eagle Eye with his Eye Brush and nine warships go through into the frontline. Admiral Ramirez decides to take initiative to attack. But Yang Zhuyi pirates barricade was smart, retreated in unison as far as they approach. Then, retaliate with sent those canoes again. It was suicide to let ten ships surrounded by thousand canoes on the frontline. Then for the first time on his naval war history, The not-afraid-to-die Eagle Eye withdraw his armies. The situation becomes more grave. The condition changed drastically. A lot of soldiers injured, helpless with many bandages. A thousand soldiers die in the guerrilla battle. War force of the Floating City fleet dwindling. Admiral Ramirez forced to assign more than half of lowly sailors to becomes reserve soldiers, to patch the war force. Including Jim. That day, Jim tremble put on his armor. His hand sweating touches his sword hilt. Quiver entering the battlefield. He never imagined that he'd be lined up on the frontline with a drawn sword. The weak and coward Jim now challenge the legendary ferocious pirates on the continental border. He lucky Pate was beside him. No one knew that the black man actually very good at swordplay. Look at it! Pate seems like dancing with his sword. He not only studied about knowledge from the priest in the old church. Pate swordplay even could be said on a par with the army chief. On the first day entering the battlefield, Jim's leg and hand still trembled hard. He just waiting. Nervous. Scared. Throw up. The second and third day too. But an inevitable situation like that always pushes you to adapt quickly. Moreover, the choice was just surviving or die. And Jim decided to survive. He started to feel that he must join to defend every nock of Sword Sky's deck. Watch Admiral Ramirez that ignited his soldiers' spirit. Jim sighing softly. Jim decided to fight. And then his hand started to slash his sword firmly. Started to toughen his heart thicken the courage. His face hardens. Jim's eyes start to make a cold gaze. His teeth rattling. Pate was the best teacher ever. Jim could study, watch how skillfully Pate movement slaughtering the pirates. How agile Pate's leg jumping here and there. His body swerved avoiding the slash. And the-truth-is-smart Jim, slowly growing become a good fighter equal to him. Jim wasn't always lucky. On his day five on the Sword Sky's deck, or day fourteen of the pirates' guerilla battle, his chest slashed by the enemy's curved sword. Not too deep, but its more than enough to flood his clothes with blood. Jim wasn't quivered look at the blood that flows on his clothes, He just gazed blankly. After that slash, he really changed becomes a ruthless shark. Never imagined before, Jim that a coward in the past, now shout bravely welcomes the jumping pirates on the ship wall. Pate looks like a million dollars beside him, gulping, and then help each other hold the Yang Zhuyi pirates wave of attack. Pate just sighed in his heart: His friend Jim no longer could be called The Crying Sailor. Not anymore. Part 2 UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEFENCE of Admiral Ramirez 40 ships fleet was limited. The food warehouses leaving only a little logistic for two days. The medicines and the other supplies are almost run out. The cannonballs are run out-even its not help much. And everyone on the fleet knows, the nearest land to get some supplies exactly behind Yang Zhuyi pirates. Anxiety crept up on fleet. One-two even started to mutter a hopeless tone and the deadline clink of death. Many eyes' gaze started to dim. Limped walking with bandaged wounds from the battle on nine in the morning or evening, on which battle day. Only Pate still calm. Every six hours of rest, Pate always said with confidence to Jim, encouraging, "No one could subdue this fleet, my friend. No one could defeat Admiral Ramirez. He was the chosen man that will found The Land of Hope! He was the chosen man-" Jim only sneers flatly. His hand reaches his stringed board. Look, his callous palm because of the sword no longer suitable to pluck the string. Sighing. Jim put down the stringed board. Silence. Try to make the best of time to rest. It's been a week Admiral Ramirez take an initiative to attack the barricade, but the pirates were clever, always withdrawing, then swarmed its attacker with a thousand canoes. The Eagle Eyes clenched his jaw hardly watch at that sly tactic, quelling anger. Their frightening cannon was useless. The ironic thing is when the 40 ship fleet started to lose its breath, the pirates barricade in the front of them still have a hundred battle-ready warships. Fit and healthy. The one they sent all this time just that canoes. The ship's crew 40 ship fleet trembling buzz a worry if the pirates rally all of their hundred ships simultaneously now, then the expedition to the Land of Hope will be finished. And that bad news just a matter of time. Part 3 THE ATMOSPHERE on the Floating City Fleet turned tense on the night before the food supplies completely drained. Everyone looks at each other weakly. Talking in silent about their death tomorrow. Sighs restrained. Try to sleep with that pathetic condition. That night Jim on sentry duty alone. Stand guard on the Sky Sword deck, Pate gets his sleep turn, fell asleep in the cabin before nine o'clock tomorrow comes. There's a long sword at Jim's waist. His finger grabs its hilt. His eyes coldly look at the lights on the Yang Zhuyi pirates fleet two miles in front of him. Their ship lights look beautiful from here. More beautiful than light from Sky Sword said Pate on the nights before when they take a rest, that lights were called: lantern. Jim didn't care about what the name of that beautiful light. What he cares now was make sure there's no movement from the pirates fleet. Yang Zhuyi pirates, nine o'clock earlier, don't know why for the first time didn't send their thousand canoes. Suddenly change their strategy, or who know planning another battle tactics. Admiral Ramirez silently standing look at our enemies that didn't start the close battle as usual. His facial expression suddenly changed when waiting for that useless nine o'clock. There's no anxiety on his face, but Admiral's face hardened-tensed. There's something different. Something amiss. Hurried call all Captains. The night is getting ripe. The full moon shining beautifully up there. The stars seem like spilled on the sky, shining brightly. The wind had been stopped to blow on the ocean for a long time, on that nonstop battle take place. Leaving softly breeze which cradles the earlock. It has been one month Yang Zhuyi pirates hold their voyage, and if he heard correctly, tomorrow morning or in a few days, Yang Zhuyi pirates would truly send their last hitter, and then launch a massive attack with their hundred ships. If it happens, the Floating City fleet will be finished. Jim bit his lip. That bad news was really scary. His hand touches the wall on the ship's deck. If that was the end, that means the weird man nonsense tales would end too. He will die. It's not a problem, isn't? Isn't that what was he expect but never happened? Isn't from the beginning he always wants to die? Joining with his Nayla. Jim sighed deeply. His heart's defense started to open again, that sorrow started to infiltrate slowly unavoidable. Jim grips his sword hilt, tries to withstand the rushed memories that pound his heart. But it's useless, his head instead sings another painful memory. Oh my, why the courage to die just coming now? Why not sooner? Why the courage on the battle just coming today? Why not when facing Nayla's parent's home-prison wall? Jim gulped, remembering their farewell in the midst of morning mist, on that beautiful town. His Nayla sulking asked him to send a letter. And he promised to send one letter every day. That memory shows up like a stabbed arrowhead. The old chapel. Watching the people rushed on the road near the town park, holding hands, throwing breadcrumbs to the sparrows. Touch her hand that stuttered learning to swipe the violin. Look at her smiling face. Before Jim limped by that rushed memory, before Jim truly fell down, the corner of his eyes suddenly catches something odd. Very odd even! Jim grab the ship's wall. Trying to stand perfectly, his leg still trembles. Trying to rose from that momentary heart sorrow. His heart suddenly rustled. Dragonfly? There's a dragonfly flapping flying around him. There's one. No, but dozens, hey thousands! With the formation he recognized. Red. Black. Blue. Green, and another color. Jim trembles looking at it. He knows this sign means! The sign he will come! In the town park, in the orange cemetery, in the rented house. Is that old man on the Sword Sky, now? Is that old man want to meet him? Tell him that death will pick him up tomorrow? Explain how futile the tales he promised. Explain that joining this Floating City fleet was just vain? Hasn't he didn't called him yet? Jim gulped. There's no one around him. If the old man really comes, then he must have suddenly stand in front of Jim, or beside him, or behind him. Greeting with that friendly face. Jim timidly look around him. No one! Or perhaps he misinterprets that dragonflies sign. No way! Jim shook his head strongly. Their closest distance to land, according to Pate's calculation, roughly two days away. Not even seagull seen there. Then for who he comes tonight? Is there another person on the Sky Sword that chosen to make tales? Another person? C-h-o-s-e-n? Jim gasped. Immediately. He remembers what Pate says in their cabin that day. Chosen to find the Land of Hope? Jim running into the ship's stairs in a hurry. His hand shaking from curiosity. Jump from the last three stairs with a step, then running again to the Admiral Ramirez room. There are more dragonflies along the hallway. Fly buzzing between the ears. Jim gulped. He can't be wrong. Jim stops his step right in front of Admiral Ramirez's workplace door. Tried to hold his ragged breath. Wipe sweat on his forehead. Calm himself so he can't be heard from inside. Then stick his ear to the door, trying to investigate... "You must sacrifice the Sword Sky and your warships, Ramirez. Use your secret chambers... And for the rest, leave it to the owner of the universe... Let heaven's authority shape your fate tomorrow! Let the time shows the way of your destiny!" "Good luck Ramirez... This is our third meeting, and unfortunately, that means our last meeting too. You have to continue your tales without my help again... But I'm relieved could hang the tales carving on your hand. I know, you'd never give up to pick your story... The tales that really fit with your past, present and your future... Goodnight Ramirez, don't forget to give my regards to him!" That voice subsided. Also the dragonflies above his head, along the hallway. Disappeared. Jim pant trying to hold his breath. He didn't know what he must do than sit on the front of the door. Admiral Ramirez and that old man? Part 4 Jim EAGER TO talk to Admiral Ramirez that night. Asking many things. Demand an explanation of many events. But the extraordinary bustle suddenly struck all fleet after Admiral Ramirez rush out from his room. Not looking at frozen Jim in the front of the door at all. The 40 ships fleet really busy. But despite being busy, all soldier and sailor carry out the order carefully, without sound on the silent night and ocean darkness. It should not be known by Yang Zhuyi pirates barricade even a bit in front of them. They move all of the cannonballs to the secret chambers. Prepare the barrels filled by gunpowder and a wick lighter. Move all of the tools to the logistic ship and official ship. All of the remaining sailors and soldiers with wounds over the body working hard until the morning comes. Even the Eagle Eyes help out to carry the cannonballs. Admiral Ramirez stands on the Sky Sword deck. Watching the activities. Then gazed sharply at the pirates fleet. Jim had never seen a confident shining gaze like that before. All night, Jim didn't have a chance to approach Admiral Ramirez, because, like the other soldier, he busily help to move the combat equipment. Part 5 NINE O'CLOCK in the morning. The judgment day. Like what Admiral Ramirez guessed, the Yang Zhuyi pirates decide to attack with unimaginable force. Their last hitter. The canoes doubled in number. With the pirates doubled in bold. The Sky Sword, the Eye Brush, and the nine other warships move forward welcoming gallantly not like usual. Block the thousands of canoes. Yang Zhuyi that stands on his ship laughing hard, "Dumb, they really hopeless now!". It's really funny. The Floating City fleet actually picks the battle with those thousands of canoes. Yang Zhuyi smirked, his hand from the early morning has been itchy to give an attack command to his thousands of big ships. This battle would be ended faster than he imagined. That stupid 40 ships fleet would be holding out for one-two hours at most. After they occupy some of their warships, then his thousand pirates fleet ready to go through with full power. They not afraid anymore with the cannonballs if almost half of the enemy warships successfully controlled. Yang Zhuyi's guess was right on target. It's not even one hour, all of the soldiers in the Sword Sky and other nine warships have been in a mess, Jim and Pate jumped to the ocean flee. And the other soldiers too. The Admiral and the Eagle Eyes jumped to the small djong[1] moored on the Sky Sword stern, retreated leave their prided, biggest and most beautiful ship. And the other nine warships. The bugle was blown. Admiral Ramirez commanded the remain 40 ship fleet ship to retreated. Watch the event with his binoculars, Yang Zhuyi laughing hard. Pleased with the victory in front of him. Finally, after a month, this bullshit fleet finished. Yang Zhuyi's mouth that chewing betel[2], smirking mock. He waves his hand, passing the code. "Give them Yang Zhuyi's Thousand Storm!" The giant bugle is blown hard. Seven times in one breath. The war drums sound tremble the sky. This is was the ultimate weapon he has prepared to finish the Floating City fleet. That news was really bullshit. The voyage to find the Land of Hope was just gibberish. Their ships will be finished here. Drown on the gate of the southern continent. Yang Zhuyi laughing. Thousand Yang Zhuyi pirates' ship moves forward in unison. It was a terrifying scene. Rippled, crowded by thousand pirates. "YEE YEEE YO!" "AI HAH!" The pirates that attacking from the small canoes and now on the top of the Sword Sky and other nine warships which have been occupied shouted happily. The battle is over. The last raider prepares to finish the remaining thirty ships, the remaining Admiral Ramirez's army that tried to flee. Hundred pirates fleet has been five hundred meters from the Sky Sword, it's more than enough for cannon shooting range. Nothing happens. The hustle on the Yang Zhuyi pirates side becomes more hectic. One-two pirate had taken over the Sword Sky and the other nine ships wheel. They turn the wheel, joining with the formation of pirates fleet. Chasing the remaining of the Floating City fleet that trying to flee. Exactly when the formation formed, exactly when the ships side by side, not expected even a bit by Yang Zhuyi pirates, suddenly fifty cannon on the Sword Sky and other nine warship thundering. The ship's wall shattered. Behind the dust and flying wood chips, appeared fifty terrifying cannon muzzle which ready to fired for the second time. Perfectly directed to the line of Yang Zhuyi pirates which around it. Really an easy target. Yang Zhuyi stunned. The betel drop from his mouth. Is his army has been comb all corners of the surrendered ships? Found nothing? How is it possible there fifty cannon with such close distance? How is it possible they could hide that cannons? How is it possible? Yang Zhuyi and his army did not have time to sigh stunned by the first cannons shot. The second cannonballs spew from the black muzzle straightforwardly. Hit his warships formation. Twenty Yang Zhuyi pirates ships destroyed. Instantly. Fifteen others badly damaged. Torn in the front and back hull. Out of shape. The situation turned really fast. All happened really fast. The panic wasn't over on the pirates' warships when the Sword Sky deck which crowded by the pirates' army from the thousand canoes that shouted happily, exploded too. The gunpowder which prepared all night burned bravely by Admiral Ramirez soldier that hiding on the big barrel, before they running jump to the ocean. The Sky Sword deck burned. In a mess. The other nine warships exploded after a few seconds later. Tossed a thousand pirates that shouted happily on its deck before. The pirates surrounded by flame. Not have a chance to flee. The situation becomes chaotic. The third shot exploding. Admiral Ramirez's army that hiding on the secret chamber skillfully loads the cannon with the remaining cannonballs. Fourteen Yang Zhuyi pirates' ships wrecked mercilessly. The other nineteen tilted, spilled the pirates on it. Screaming sliding to the ocean. And from the front, thirty Admiral Ramirez's warships that pretend to retreat, now full-speed turn their course. Its deck crowded by the soldier that full of bandage but stare fiercely. Their spirit flared up again after watching the Admiral strategy running perfectly. Yang Zhuyi panicked. He shouted commanded his army to ready. The curved sword is drawn, the bow is strained. It's in vain! For the reply, thirty ships that approaching spew out their last ammunition. With such close distance, the damage it caused was severe unspeakably. The other twenty-four Yang Zhuyi's ships immediately sank. Yang Zhuyi forgot that their position is very weak at the close ship battle like that. That pirate's fleet really finished. Fire on the deck of the Sword Sky and other nine warships is getting bigger. Burn all of the pirates from the thousand canoes. The Floating City fleet's army that spews the cannon from the secret chambers jumps when the fire started to burn second-floor hatch. Their job has been more than done. Four-fifths of the Yang Zhuyi fleet destroyed in just minutes. Five thousand of his soldiers died after happily celebrating their victory, burned on the top fo the 40 ship fleet they successfully get, drown into the ocean that ironically they occupy for decades. Dozen of remaining pirates run helter-skelter fleeing as fast as possible with the small canoes. The Eagle Eyes frantically want to pursue. Admiral Ramirez grabs his arm. Enough! Everything has the limit. TL NOTE [1] Djong / jung / jong ship, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djong_(ship) [2] betel, a kind of leaves, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betel

Chapter end