Labyrinth was now anchored very close by the shore beside the ghost ship. We could run to them and board. Jacob turned back to Jaina.

"Since we are assisting you to find the sacred pearl, tell us how to defeat the ghost pirates. Give us a talisman or a charm that will allow our weapons or parts of our body to make contact with theirs and not just pass through. You owe it to us to equip us," he told her with a face that would not tolerate any negative answer.

"Very well," Jaina responded and chanted. "Pearls in the sands of the orient seas arise and aid us to defeat our enemies," she raised her hands after.

The wind gushed and blew some sand in our direction. My crewmates had to shield their eyes but not me. One advantage of being a ghost is that everything passes through me. The grains of sand swirled around them and imprinted on their skins. From that, markings were tattooed on their bodies.

"Those markings will give thee the ability to fight with spirits. Nonetheless, make haste for the markings will disappear at sundown," she warned.

Jacob stared at his markings. Then, he walked towards me. He held my face and grinned when this time his touch did not pass through. After that, he bridged the gap between us and kissed me. He did not just brush his lips for a quick kiss. HE KISSED ME! I felt one of his hands wrapped around me and HE KISSED ME! In front of everyone HE KISSED ME!

I widened my eyes in shock because of his passionate public display of affection. If ghosts could blush then I would've. All eyes who were watching us turned to look away. Paco and Neville shook their heads while smiling. Jaina's mouth (my mouth) was gaped open in surprise. I gently pushed Jacob away because I was concerned that Jaina felt his kiss, her soul being in my body. And, I do not want anyone else to feel his kisses from now on but me!

Jacob gazed upon me, very pleased of himself. "I was worried you might be cold," he told me with his hand still on the side of my face.

I sneered at him teasingly, "Is that so?" I was not convinced.

He nodded, "That and I have to test if the ability works." He winked to tease me back.

I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes, "So am I your test subject?" I could not help but be irritated a bit. Old habits were definitely difficult to break.

Jacob smiled at me sweetly and kissed my nose, "You're my everything." My irritation vanished in thin air! What old habits? Jacob will breakthrough all of them!

After Jacob said that, he turned around and walked back to the crew ready to battle with the ghost pirates. I ran towards them even though I still felt flushed. I refuse to miss the action! It's payback time. I may not be able to join the fight but I could still watch.

This time, our crew caught the ghost pirates by surprise. The latter thought that we were unprepared for them… that we could not fight back… that we could not touch them… But, our crew proved them wrong and OH HOW THEY PROVED THEM WRONG!

It had been a while since the last time I was just an audience to these fights. In this heated battle against the ghosts, it seemed to me that my crewmates were more agile… more intimidating.. more fierce!

Lowen took over the crow's nest and was in a sniping position, targeting the pirates' legs to render them immobile. Puma, Wabi, and Laurel boxed and wrestled with some of the enemies. Thaddaeus used his brute force to overthrow the pirates overboard but since they would just float back up, Tibet and Fifer tied them up and hung them upside down at the side of the ship, instead.

Zaki, Urdel, and Thom proceeded with their underhanded tactics, surprising the ghost pirates with hidden weapons under their sleeves. On the other hand, Sandlot demonstrated his godlike speed and precision strikes. The enemies either were knocked out or surrendered immediately.

I did not know what made this battle so special for Gondro to muster his strength as a half merfolk. He exposed his gills and scales as intimidation tactic. But the scariest about him was that, anyone he touches was paralyzed right away! Neville took out his knives from his belt and threw them at the ghost pirates like shurikens catching their clothes and pinning them on the walls. Since several of the ghost pirates were down, Elgo and Paco were content in assisting Tibet and Fifer tie up the injured and beaten ghosts. I clapped my hands in bliss!

Ghost pirate bodies were dropping like flies wherever he was. I watched him ever so adoringly. How could a man be this perfect? Jacob is invincible. I was swooning! The ghost pirate captain was of no match for my Jacob. As a matter of fact, the moment he saw my Jacob coming for him, he knelt down to surrender, cowering in fear.

The fight was over in an instant but I could not take my eyes away from Jacob. He was interrogating the ghost pirate captain. He looked very handsome even in his threatening disposition. I sighed.

"Can't take your eyes off him, huh?" Neville asked me.

This time, I did not blush. Why would I when it's the truth? I nodded right away, "I just had a realization that whatever facial expression he makes, he will be forever handsome," I replied without taking my eyes off Jacob.

Neville laughed, "Is that you, Darling?"

I sighed again. "I could not believe it either. I've really fallen for him, huh?" I answered and turned to him. "I love him, Neville. I really do."

Neville sat beside me, "Well, you do not need to convince me about that. It was obvious to me from the very start. You were just too innocent and naive to determine that you already loved him. But for all its worth, Jacob loved you first and was very patient with you the whole time."

"I want my body back, Neville. We have to get it back. It will drive me insane if I could not sail back with him," I blurted out.

"Oh Jacob will do everything in his power to get your body back. He will stake his life on it. I don't think you realize what you have done to him, Darling. You are his weakness," Neville answered.

I looked back at Jacob. He slapped the ghost pirate captain at the back of his head. I could not help but giggle. I am his weakness? He is my strength!How ironic. But one thing I'm certain: Without him, I'll surely perish.