Mimi

"I don't get it." The Don was clear about his confusion. My three dark elves were resting at the base from our extended talks.

We were in one of his private rooms, a place where he tended to his VIPs and those he wanted to persuade. "What part are you having trouble with? You are the one explaining this to your men, I'd rather you understand it yourself, before giving these orders to them."

He wore a sour look as he stroked his chin. "We just claimed the pier, why are we pulling our boys back?"

"If someone walks into one of your warehouses and says everything inside now belongs to them, what is your first reaction?" I asked, softly coaxing him to come to the proper conclusion.

"I'd find out what piece of shit had the gall, before sending my boys in to teach them a listen." He looked at me, "No offense."

"None taken, I did do exactly that. Only it was a warehouse you weren't using, one better suited for getting 'rent' money than fighting over. Contested land, as it were. What we invaded was their pier for smuggling. A secure point within their territory. They will respond with force, while getting the church involved to deal with the 'demon.' The question is whether they will be subtle about it or not." I gently poured some of the wine he brought into his glass.

He took a sip, his jewelry glinting in the light from the crystals as he savored what he brought. Don smiled, "Why have any of my boys there at all, when you made it clear we're going to lose the place?" He quirked a brow towards me.

I smiled back, "Simple, they need to think we are trying to defend it. It's a distraction for the next set of targets. I have vampires, pirates, former slaves, and myself poised to attack four locations. You will likely lose anyone you send to defend the pier, so make certain they are expendable."

Don swirled his wine glass, looking at the dark liquid as it moved. "I kinda figured that, I thought you planned on taking over the docks? Why not just take their leaders out, as you did to us?"

"All the leaders here are puppets of the true captains still out at sea." Even I didn't expect the slave ship captain from last night to be so shameless. Instead of leaving to inform the others, he sailed to a different pier an hour away. From there he begged the rest to reclaim their lost territory. The other 'captains' couldn't tolerate such a 'cowardly' attack and decided to strike tomorrow night. They weren't completely stupid, as tonight they were sending people to scout the area out.

"Puppets, huh?" He took another sip, smirking before emptying his glass. The implication was clear, he was my puppet. "It still bothers me that you're able to get all this sensitive information."

"It bothers me that all the 'captains' hang out at a glorified brothel and happily drink while shouting secrets loud enough for anyone to listen in on. If I had known that, I wouldn't have even bothered with the slave ship. I half expected the warehouses to be elaborate traps, but they were just as advertised. A few dozen pirates handle each location, while deckhands and fishermen tend to the manual labor. Those numbers mean nothing when a few coordinated strikes are all that is required to take them out." I topped his glass off.

"That is terrifying. Roughly a hundred pirates and they mean 'nothing' to you. These are people that survived the elf wars, soldiers that left the kingdom of Fire to use their weapons and carve out a profit. Aren't you worried about becoming too much of a threat too quickly?" He looked me in the eyes.

"The Underground was the same. Only active threats were worth acknowledging. There were beasts and monsters on every side, so there was no lack of people fighting and using their magic. It was massive enough that just walking from one side to another would take days or even weeks. You had to use your magic just to get around. If you didn't have that, then you stayed in whatever hole you were born in." The gangs here were nothing compared to the big ones from the Underground. Most people in this city struggled to use their magic for anything greater than a simple party trick. A lot blamed the elven curse, while I felt it was an overreliance on the runic guns.

"I heard rumors about the place, it can't be that hostile. I mean, why would anyone want to live there?" He dismissed the truth and I held no inclination to tell him more. "Anyway, I know what I need to do now. I'll keep my ears open, just in case one of the others start to make their moves."

"Excellent," I left to spend my time on something more enjoyable. Pandora had something to show me with her snakes. It turned out to be a little performance where they pretended to talk. It improved my mood, as we enjoyed our time together. We napped, while the Hive followed the orders I gave it.

Night came, and I spent more time with the three elves. We mainly discussed what their tribes needed for the pilgrimage to be considered complete. More of the usual, supplies and extra rations to ensure they had enough to last a few years. Potential contacts to trade with, they stressed that after I explained that the pirates weren't their husbands. It was hard for them to grasp that they weren't a part of a reverse harem, given that it wasn't uncommon for dark elves to fight until one of them was too exhausted to continue as foreplay.

Many of the sailors went out to drink and celebrate a successful voyage where they returned home with various prizes. Avoiding the pubs was easy, as I stalked the alleys for the more unfortunate souls. The desperate beggars trying to feed their families despite suffering. I paid special attention to those few that did their best to repay those that showed them a little kindness. Even if all they managed to do was shift begging locations, so they could alert the guards if their patrons were hassled by a gang member or pirate.

Stealing fish from the warehouses was easy enough. A few barrels missing as my vampires moved from warehouse to warehouse. Teleporters constantly in use during the late-night hours. Tomorrow was going to be the big hit, where we raided an entire warehouse. It'd be enough food to keep the various gangs and people happy for two weeks. It was a short-term solution, but tonight was going to be the first step towards the end goal.

I held up a hand, stopping my elf companions. Their eyes eagerly observed me, as I pointed at the beggar. One of the first individuals I took note of in this city. "Capture him, alive. Bring him to me." I spoke in our native tongue, the three looking at each other. "Work together," I added after they thought about making it a game.

After a few reluctant sighs, they climbed the walls of our alley and used the roofs to move towards the target. My bugs were nearby listening to them bicker as to how to go about this. I could see which tribes had frequent games of catch and tie, as they suggested stealing some rope. I left to go kidnap some other beggars after realizing it would take them a while.

Three sleeping beggars later and they finally brought the bound and gagged man to my alley. Naturally, his struggles intensified after seeing the three unconscious figures laying still in the dark alley. I grabbed him by the bindings as the elves questioned how I got so many. Ignoring them I looked the poor man in the eyes, "Do you want me to fix your leg and arm?"

One arm was missing, while what was left of his leg was mangled. He looked at me confused, an offer too good to be real. I looked at the three elves watching what I'd do next. They heard the words, yet did not understand the local tongue still. I addressed them, "I'm going to fix his limbs, he will work for me in return." The three moved closer, wanting to see the impossible happen before their eyes.

I tore the gag off the man, pressing a stinger against his neck. "Scream and you will gain nothing," I whispered to him. "It will hurt, but all you need to do is fish for me. I have stolen a boat, but I lack a crew and the knowledge. You will be paid, your family won't go hungry so long as you are loyal. All you have to do is agree."

"What's the other option?" He croaked out, his raspy voice filled with disbelief.

Choosing to acknowledge it as a legitimate question, I set him down. "I make you go to sleep as the others, then you wake up and nothing has changed. It is your life, this is your choice."

He looked at them, noticing they were in the same metaphorical boat as himself. "Why me? Why us?"

"Character is what you do when you believe no one is watching. The strength of yours is what moved me to consider giving you a new chance." I gently told him, then turned to the other three. "It is why I chose them as well. If you work for me, all you will need to do is sail the seas and fish. Those you care for shall be protected. If you betray my trust, or believe yourself chosen and able to abuse my gifts, you will be cast out or suffer a terrible fate. It simply depends on the depths of what you do."

Hope flitted in his eyes, as he nodded at me. "I'll accept, do what you must."

I looked at the three dark elves, excitement clear in their eyes. "Grab the other three, we're going to the warehouse."

Those smiles fell, "Aren't we doing it here?"

"He isn't screaming here, but he will scream when I do it. They will be hungry after I finish, so we need to go somewhere with food. It also helps to have the others witness the miracle, as they are more likely to accept as well." I hoisted the man, speaking his native tongue again, "I'm taking you and the others somewhere so that you may eat. You will be hungry, it will hurt, but the promise shall be fulfilled. Stay quiet, remember the path as you will be bringing others to me. You need a crew to fish, as the first to accept it is your responsibility to pick who works under you. You are their leader."

"I thought you said I was just fishing?" He groaned but didn't struggle.

"That includes being the captain of a fishing vessel," I carried him while the other three hurried about their tasks. He was quiet as we walked, while my three dark elves kept asking what I was going to do. My Screamers would make a noise in the distance for local guards to inspect, ensuring our paths never crossed. Only the common drunk saw us, only to look at their bottle after we were gone.

At the warehouse, Don's men were instructed to bring food. I set the people up, while the dark elves eagerly watched my every movement. They knew the time was slowly approaching. I idly watched the pirates scout the pier we took last night, while letting Conrad eat his fill. Pandora was playing her games, though she was keeping tabs on the church. The other three beggars woke up confused. With an explanation given, I got to work.

Conrad's stump was torn with the mangled leg. A healing stinger was given while he screamed in pain, only for it to subside not even a minute later. It confirmed that my healing was more potent now. The man flexed his new limbs in amazement while my dark elves stared with eyes as wide as saucers.

I turned towards the other three, who watched with equal stupor. A quick gesture to Conrad, as he gorged himself on the banquet before them, "He made his choice, he is now under my employ. You may choose to work under him, or you may be put back to sleep and wake up in the alley I took you from. This offer shall not be made a second time." Just as it happened in Eclipse, the first members of my gang were recruited.

Then the questions started. It took all night to explain what happened to the dark elves. Don's men asked how I fixed the beggers, before likely reporting it back to him. The Fishers needed guidance and were instructed to bring one of their loved ones, or a close friend if they needed treatment. I gave them a limit of one a night, before sending them off. Everything was proceeding as planned.

Most of the day was passed with me sleeping with my cuddle bug. Eci'Peter reported movements made by the Wyverns, before being sent back with a bit more coin. The Church was informed of Don's demon on the pier, as both groups agreed to attack it tonight. I smiled to myself, as the pieces fell into place. Night approached, as I had my groups start to make their moves.

With the darkness, my vampires began prowling the alleys close to their target. The freed slaves moved with some of Don's men. We were in this together, his men attacking with slaves would further rub the salt into the pirates' wounds. I snapped my fingers, getting the three dark elves to follow me towards our target. All while the former pirates, infected with Writhing Worms, moved towards their target. A promising Cyclops was wielded by the one I appointed their leader.

Everyone moved as ordered, while the pirates attacking the pier were completely unaware of what was happening. We waited for the inquisitors to flank the same pier, trapping Don's men as the three groups began their bloody battle. Runic guns made the whole affair a bit messier, as Don's men hid behind cover before firing. Their magic was too weak for the inquisitor armor, but it slowed them down as lucky shots hit the gaps between. The pirates clamored off their ships while carrying wooden life rafts as cover. The Pier would fall in an hour, two at most.

Ghosts moved into the buildings, knocking out anyone that posed a threat to my forces as they advanced. The confusion timed perfectly with each of us crashing through the doors of our respective targets at the perfect moment. A few dazed workers screamed about being under attack, only to be knocked out themselves, or slain by magic or claw.

It was a clean sweep, as my teleporters appeared. The order was given to load everything they could grab into them. Barrels of fish made their way to the gangs. A major issue was temporarily solved as we attacked two fisheries. My elite vampires had claimed a warehouse laden with the artifacts promised to the church in exchange for their help. Fuel for the friction between the pirates and the church. The valuable idols made with gold had long since left this city, leaving only wooden relics and symbols of faith. I made certain all of them went to the Wraiths for future dealings.

The warehouse I attacked ended up being a last-minute change of plans. Instead of sending the freed slaves to free more, I felt it was more important to teach the three dark elves how to limit the damage and rescue hostages. The decision was spurred on by the fact that Winston Jr. the 'leader' of the pirates was here with a few other captains. The idiots decided to teach him how nice it felt to properly break in a slave. All while letting their first mates handle the battle at the pier.

Eighty newly freed people were sent to Don to replace those he sacrificed tonight. It took ten minutes to clear the warehouse, making our excursion take forty in total. Without their captains, the Deck Worms were going to lose all organization. After checking up on the battle for the Pier, I smiled to myself. Winston Jr was secured and taken to Whe'Di for the Phalanx to deal with. A captain was picked and promptly broken mentally for the part.

Momentum was built, it would have been a waste to end things here. I gave the broken captain a Writhing Worm and a relic, before teleporting him close to the battle. My forces were given orders to advance on the next set of warehouses that were scouted out. We would claim the pier the pirates planned on returning to, we would welcome them back with open arms.

First Mate Orn'Dipper

"Let none escape!" My voice echoed over the pier, as my men surged forward. We hadn't expected this much of a fight, the rats holing up in the warehouse they stole from us.

"CHARGE!" Came the cry from the inquisitors. Landlubbers, with armor that would sell well on the islands. The captains were clever to use their fervor against them, letting them take the brunt of the magic bullets coming from the Ichor Eels. A few of them went down for every five of our men, the runic guns making any open space a death trap.

Still, we were winning. That was when the demon finally decided to show its presence. A short creature with barbed teeth and slick dark hair. Its eyes glowed red, as it grinned with excitement. The thing had jumped down with a burst of fire, we didn't give it time to say anything. All of our pistols were shot at it, while those that could use magic attempted to overwhelm the beast. It was the reason the Eels took this pier from us, we weren't going to let them keep the thing.

It started laughing with wide eyes, as it shot black fire darts at us. Anyone unfortunate enough to be caught by the flames found it impossible to extinguish. "DEMON!" One of the lads shouted, opening fire on it again. The beast used the bodies of our fallen as cover to shield itself from the worst of our attacks. It chose to attack here, then deal with the inquisitors.

"Foolish mortals! I will drag you all to the hells with me as I go! We will scream for eternity as we suffer together!" It chuckled, tossing another corpse in front of our assault.

"My faith protects me!" Came a shout from above, as one of the armored fuckers finally came down to help us. He stomped towards the demon, his silver sword glowing with runes as it cleaved through the black flames. We were overwhelming it already, but of course, the dick could have his glory. "Pirates! There are two ways to deal with a demon! You either find the summoner and kill them, or you use silver blessed by the church!" The bastard laughed, as the black flames refused to so much as singe the prick.

"Just kill it already!" One of the lads shouted as we heard more fighting from the floor above. At least the demon was too busy with the silver dick to banter.

The one that kept laughing, "Of all the things! I had heard rumors of an Arch Sin! This is just a basic imp! Like all demons, they have resistance to magic, as the gift of the gods refuses to stain itself with their essence!" He chuckled, driving the beast into a corner. "It was because of these rumors that we felt the need to act! All demons need to be cast back to the Hells, where they belong!"

With a sizzling thwack, the silver prick ran the disgusting thing through. Its skin melted as glowing red blood lost its color and turned to dust. The thing didn't stop smiling, as it spat on the inquisitor's helmet. "The Hells welcome all, I shall be back. My only regret is not seeing the wonder happening in this damned town!" Its laughs were cut short as the inquisitor pulled out a silver dagger to cut the beast's throat.

Cheers could be heard upstairs, as the other crews celebrated their victories. I relaxed a little, relieved that it was finally over. Even my lads started cheering with the others while the silver prick knelt before the bodies of those that didn't make it. It made me feel strange to see him praying for my men, but no one felt compelled to stop it.

After the cheering died down, the inquisitor got up. "We'll be carrying the bodies outside for a proper pyre. Any battle against the tainted forces is one worthy of a proper cremation. Mind helping us?" I couldn't see the man's face behind his helmet, but I was sure the bastard was smiling.

I looked at the lads, tired as they were, then nodded. "You heard'em! Grab the bodies and carry them outside! If I see any of yous lootin' it'll be yer death! I'll have any son of a bitch that steals from these pricks keelhauled!" The captain made it clear that we needed to try and keep a decent relationship with these assholes, even if their armor would have gotten us more than a few kegs of the good stuff.

Groaning filled the warehouse, as the lads got to work. The silver prick walking towards me, "I'm surprised, I was almost certain you'd try something by this point."

"HA! Not this time, even if I tell the boys not to take anything you best keep an eye on them. They're an ornery lot, but you showed us enough respect. I heard the Eels had two summoners though, we might need to work together to fix that." I watched the lads work, as another silver prick came running over.

"Captain! We got the summoner! It was confirmed when he tried to summoner another of that filth! Why did you leave us!?" I smirked, as the underling berated their superior.

Captain prick rubbed the chin of his helmet, "I heard there was a demon here, so I decided to end it personally." He turned towards me, avoiding the ire of his subordinate. "It seems there is now one summoner left. If you can provide us with information leading to them, we'll pay you."

I grinned at that, "Quickest way to our heart, we'll get you a relic or two to you tomorrow. I think this is the start of something beautiful."

The prick shrugged, "We haven't forgotten that you stole what was ours, but we will tolerate working with you so long as you uphold your end."

We walked outside, much to the grumbling subordinate's dismay. The bodies were tossed into a pile, a fire started with some of the silver pricks chanting prayers. Then I saw my captain stumble out of an alley, probably too much ale. The bastard deserved it, after all he's done for the crew.

He wobbled, pulling one of the wooden relics from his coat. "I drew the short lot, so I had to come here an' return this to you sorry lot!" It was made of wood, it couldn't be that important.

Captain prick started walking towards my captain, hand outstretched, "Thank you for the prompt payment, this is... quicker than expected." All of the silver pricks were staring at the wooden thing in silence. So much for it not being that important.

"Aye! I'm here to return it to your gods. No one should keep them waiting!" He flashed a toothy grin, holding the wooden thing out in his palm. Only, it caught fire. The inquisitor captain flinched as everyone stared in silence for a second. Popping sounds could be heard from the relic, then it was cast into the pyre right in front of everyone.

Had he gone mad!? He whipped 'it' out and whistled, "Woops, let me put it out." Something was wrong, as the old sea dog pissed on the bodies of our men, the inquisitors, and the relic. "Hope this makes it clear, what we think of ye."

"EVERYONE TO THE SHIP NOW!" I shouted, half the lads bolting immediately, others just staring slack-jawed as the inquisitors pulled out their weapons to make it clear how they felt about this. "CUT THE ROPE, SET SAIL NOW!" I looked behind me as I ran to see my captain cut down. He wouldn't have done this, he wouldn't go out like that. I knew there was no point in explaining that to the others, especially as they started cutting down those dumb enough to stand still.

The crew was exhausted from the fight already, I knew the inquisitors weren't doing much better, but anger made people find strength they didn't know they had. It was a mad dash as we hurled magic and used the Eels' runic guns on the charging inquisitors. It shouldn't have ended like this!

I saw one of the other crews stay behind to fight, calling the rest of us cowards for letting a captain die. Sucked to be that first mate, as he was cut down, buying us precious minutes as we sailed far enough away that they didn't give chase. This had been the start of something reasonable. My blood ran cold, as I realized that instead of returning the relics for favors, the church was going to probably start sieging our ports.

There was a balance, so long as we didn't defile the relics we had, we could return them safe and sound. Now, once word got out, the church would probably take their chances. I felt knots in my stomach, as I knew I'd be the sorry bastard to tell the other captains what happened. Was it a fit of madness brought on by spoiled grog? I had no idea, even as the lads started to pick up on how shitty things just got.

We sailed towards the main pier, the captains hovering outside the brothel like vultures. I knew one of them had a talent to spy on others, they probably knew. Only, they looked unnaturally pale for some reason.