Rorsted Archipelago, Bayam.
As the Golden Dream was cruising south in the Fog Sea, Danitz only took a few days to arrive at the harbor of Bayam.
It was the start of a mission that his Captain had assigned him. It was to investigate a low ranking member of the crew that hadn't communicated for at least a month or so.
He draped himself with a dark-colored cloak and carried a suitcase. He was walking down the harbor's roads and was out while sweating profusely. Even as a Pyromaniac he felt the hit air around.
Once out of the harbor, Danitz glanced to his sides and extended his hand to stop a carriage.
After a moment the carriage driver stopped and Dantiz entered the carriage and told the driver to. "To the Swordfish Bar."
With a single nod the driver drove the carriage to the bar.
Dantiz was familiar with the bar. It was a famous gathering spot for adventurers and even had jobs on the wall posted and anyone that worked with the association could take part.
"Dog sh*t, why do I have to be the one who had to take this job. Someone else could do it."
Dantiz swore as he spoke out loud. He had been grumbling ever since he had left the golden dream and was sincerely wishing that he could have stayed with Captain.
Yet he couldn't refuse her request since she might have seen him as a coward if he rejected the job. Even though he knew that he likely wouldn't have on any other occasion done.
As Danitz grumbled, he looked ahead to look for pedestrians who looked to be be suspicious. According to what he knew, the last place the crew member had heard from was from the Sword fish bar.
"This dogsh*t weather!" He looked up at the azure-blue sky, white clouds, and the sun which wasn't too glaring. Cursing with a warped expression, he raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
The carriage eventually arrived at the bar. Handing the driver a few coins Dantez got off and headed inside the building.
As he entered Dantiz saw many empty tables that didn't have anyone inside and mostly that were inside were already drunk and passed out. It also had three blackboards on the side of the bar that were supported by wooden shelves where many requests by wealthy merchants was posted.
Dantiz made his way to the bar and signaled the bartender, ordering a beer. Leaning in slightly, he asked, "Have you seen John around?"
The bartender glanced up from cleaning a glass, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Hundreds of Johns come through here every day," he remarked casually.
Dantiz sighed, realizing he needed to be more specific. "I'm looking for a man of average height, with a mustache and black hair. He's got a penchant for wearing lipstick and earrings," he described, hoping to jog the bartender's memory.
The bartender said with neutral expression. "Nope I haven't seen him."
Dantiz narrowed his eyes, frustrating mounting. "Come on, mate, there must be something you remember about him. It's important."
The bartender shook his head, his expression unyielding. "Sorry, can't say I recall anyone fitting that description. Lots of colorful characters come through here, but none that stand out like that."
Dantiz clenched his jaw, his mind racing. He needed to find this crew member, and time was of the essence. With a resigned sigh, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small pouch. He extracted a handful of pounds and placed them on the counter, sliding them toward the bartender.
"Perhaps this will jog your memory," Dantiz said, his tone a mixture of desperation and determination.
The bartender eyed the money, his demeanor softening slightly. He picked up a coin, turning it over in his hand thoughtfully. "I'll tell you what, mate," he said finally, meeting Dantiz's gaze. "I can't promise anything, but I'll keep an eye out. If I see anyone matching that description, I'll let you know."
Dantiz nodded, a flicker of hope igniting within him. "Thank you," he said, grateful for even the slightest glimmer of assistance.
With a nod of acknowledgment, Dantiz downed the rest of his beer in one gulp, his mind already racing with his next move. He needed to widen his search, to scour every corner of Bayam if necessary, until he found the elusive crew member and unraveled the mystery that had brought him here.
As Dantiz was about to leave, another man called out to him, "What's Blazing Dantiz, the infamous pirate, doing here?"
Dantiz shot him a glare and retorted sharply, "None of your bloody business."
The man smirked knowingly, "Ah, but I might know which John you're looking for. It'll cost you extra though."
Dantiz rolled his eyes, dripping with sarcasm, "Oh, wow, thanks for the offer. I'll be sure to consider it... not."
With a dismissive wave, Dantiz turned to leave, but he couldn't shake the feeling of being followed. Chuckling to himself, he led the unsuspecting pursuers into a secluded alleyway, ready to turn the tables on them.
As Dantiz entered the alley, he instinctively heightened his senses, his awareness sharpening like a blade. With a keen eye and acute hearing, he detected the faint but distinct sound of three sets of footsteps, each belonging to average-weight males.
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he realized he had led the pursuers right where he wanted them. With silent footsteps of his own, he positioned himself strategically, ready to confront his would-be assailants with the element of surprise on his side.
As the three men entered the alley, their figures illuminated by the faint glow of the setting sun, Dantiz observed them with a mixture of amusem*nt and disdain. Their pirate-like attire and gleaming knives marked them as nothing more than common thugs.
With a scoff, Dantiz eyed the trio, his gaze lingering on each one in turn. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" he taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "A sorry excuse for a pirate crew, I presume?"
He gestured mockingly at their attire, unable to contain his derision. "Did you lot raid the bargain bin for those outfits? Or did you just stumble upon them in a drunken stupor?"
His insults were met with narrowed eyes and clenched fists from the three men, their bravado faltering in the face of Dantiz's brazen mockery. But Dantiz remained unfazed, relishing in the opportunity to put these fools in their place.
As Dantiz continued his barrage of insults, the anger simmering beneath the surface of one of the men finally boiled over. With a primal roar, he charged forward, his knife raised menacingly.
But Dantiz was faster. With lightning reflexes, he sidestepped the oncoming attack, delivering a swift kick to the man's side, sending him crashing into the alley wall with a grunt of pain.
"Pathetic," Dantiz sneered, his voice laced with contempt. "Is that the best you've got, you sorry excuse for a pirate? You're nothing but dogsh*t beneath my boot."
The man groaned, clutching his side in agony, while his companions watched in stunned silence, realizing they had underestimated their adversary. Dantiz stood tall, his confidence unwavering as he awaited their next move, ready to teach them another lesson in humility.
The remaining men, emboldened by their fallen comrade's plight, stepped forward with a false sense of bravado. "You shouldn't have come here," one of them growled, his voice tinged with arrogance. "This is our territory. The Holy Mother has given us a revelation."
Dantiz couldn't help but roll his eyes at the dramatic declaration. "Oh, how divine," he drawled, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "The Holy Mother must have quite the sense of humor to choose the likes of you as her chosen disciples."
He stifled a yawn, unimpressed by their hollow threats. "You lot really are nothing but dogsh*ts, aren't you?" he remarked casually, his words a dismissive jab at their self-proclaimed authority.
The men bristled at the insult, their faces contorted with rage.
With a resigned sigh, Dantiz shook his head in exasperation. It was clear that reasoning with these fools was beyond him at the moment. Without a word he sprang into action as the other two men lunged at him with their knives hoping to find an advantage with numbers.
But these idiots didn't know that he was a Sequence 7 beyonder someone who had taken steps above humanity.
As Dantiz swiftly dispatched his adversaries, his fighting style was more akin to street brawling than formal combat techniques. Each move was raw and unrefined, driven by instinct rather than training.
Despite never receiving formal instruction in the art of combat, Dantiz had honed his skills through countless scuffles and barroom brawls. He was a natural brawler, relying on his quick reflexes, brute strength, and sharp wit to outmaneuver and outfight his opponents.
His punches were heavy and unrelenting, his kicks delivered with bone-crushing force. He used the environment to his advantage, exploiting every opportunity to gain the upper hand. It was a chaotic dance of violence, with Dantiz at its center, a whirlwind of fists and fury.
One by one the assailants fell to the ground like dominoes, their bodies crumpling to the ground in a heaps of moans and groans.
Standing upon the heaps of bodies Dantiz had a self satisfaction smile and said to the unconscious men. "And this is what happens when you mess with the Blazing dantiz."
With a satisfied smirk, Dantiz wasted no time in binding the unconscious men with sturdy rope he found nearby, ensuring they wouldn't pose a threat when they regained consciousness. Once they were securely restrained, he crouched beside the nearest one and delivered a sharp slap to his cheek, jolting him awake.
The man groaned, blinking blearily as he struggled against his bonds. His eyes widened in panic as he realized his predicament, his gaze darting frantically between Dantiz and his fallen comrades.
Dantiz leaned in close, his voice low and dangerous. "Listen up, mate," he said, his tone leaving no room for defiance. "I'm going to ask you some questions, and you're going to answer them truthfully. Understand?"
The man nodded hastily, his fear palpable. "Y-yes, yes, I understand," he stammered, his voice trembling.
Dantiz's gaze bore into him, his expression unyielding. "Good," he said, his voice was like steel. "Now, tell me everything you know about a man named John. He's a member of a ship's crew, and I need to find him. Got it?"
The man nodded eagerly, his words tumbling out in a rush. "Y-yes, I know John! He's been hanging around the docks lately, looking for work. Said he needed to lay low for a while, avoidin' trouble with the authorities."
Dantiz's interest piqued at the mention of the docks. It seemed his instincts had led him to the right place after all. "Where exactly can I find him?" he pressed, his tone urgent.
The man hesitated, fear flickering in his eyes. "I-I don't know for sure," he admitted reluctantly. "But he's been seen around the old warehouse near the pier. That's where he's been stayin', last I heard."
Dantiz nodded, filing away the information for later. "Thanks for the tip," he said, his tone slightly less harsh. "Now, one more thing. Who sent you after me?"
The man hesitated, fear warring with his desire for self-preservation. Finally, he relented, his voice barely a whisper. "It was... Our priest. He's been lookin' for you, Dantiz. Said that he received a revelation from the Holy mother and how we should kill you if we see you."
Dantiz's brow furrowed at the mention of the priest and the supposed revelation. It seemed he had attracted the attention of some religious zealots, which only added another layer of complexity to his already precarious situation.
"Thanks for the heads up," Dantiz said grimly, his mind already racing with possibilities. He needed to find John and unravel the mystery surrounding his disappearance before these zealots or anyone else could interfere further.
With a final nod to the bound man, Dantiz rose to his feet, his resolve hardened. He had a lead to follow and a mission to complete, and nothing would stand in his way.
Leaving the alley behind, Dantiz set off towards the old warehouse near the pier, his senses on high alert. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not when danger lurked around every corner.
As he made his way through the bustling streets of Bayam, Dantiz couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. He cast furtive glances over his shoulder, scanning the crowds for any sign of danger.
But the streets were crowded with bustling merchants, busy townsfolk, and curious tourists, making it impossible to discern friend from foe. With a frustrated sigh, Dantiz pressed on, his determination unwavering.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of searching, Dantiz arrived at the old warehouse near the pier. The building loomed ominously before him, its weathered facade a testament to years of neglect.
Taking a deep breath, Dantiz steeled himself for what lay ahead. He knew that danger awaited him inside, but he couldn't afford to hesitate. John's life may very well depend on him, and he wasn't about to let him down.
With a silent prayer to whatever gods may be listening, Dantiz pushed open the creaking door and stepped into the darkness beyond, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him.
As Dantiz's eyes adjusted to the dim light of the warehouse, he was met with a sight that sent a chill down his spine. The interior was filled with an eerie ambiance, with strange symbols drawn on the walls and an overwhelming presence of plants and vegetation, giving the place a sinister atmosphere.
His heart skipped a beat as he spotted John and several other bound figures in the center of the room, surrounded by a circle of candles and incense. It was a scene straight out of his worst nightmares, confirming his fears about the nature of this place.
His mind raced as he pieced together the implications of what he was witnessing. Ritual magic, human sacrifices... It all added up to a horrifying conclusion. His captain had warned him about such practices, how they were used to curry favor from otherworldly beings, often with devastating consequences.
Cursing under his breath, Dantiz wasted no time in rushing to John's side, his hands fumbling with the ropes binding him. With each frantic tug, his heart pounded in his chest, his sense of urgency growing with each passing second.
As Dantiz frantically worked to free John, he heard the echo of footsteps approaching from behind. Turning swiftly, his hand instinctively reaching for his concealed weapon, he was met with the sight of a woman draped in a dark robe, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.
Behind her trailed a group of hooded figures, their presence ominous and foreboding. Dantiz's senses went on high alert, his muscles tensing as he prepared for whatever danger lay ahead.
The woman's voice was smooth and commanding as she addressed him, her words laced with a subtle power that sent shivers down his spine. "So, the infamous Blazing Dantiz graces us with his presence," she said, her tone dripping with both mockery and reverence. "I must say, I'm impressed. Not many would dare to intrude upon our sanctuary."
Dantiz eyed her warily, his grip tightening on his weapon. He knew better than to underestimate a cultist, especially one who seemed to possess such authority and influence.
"What do you want?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. He had no time for games or pleasantries, not when John's life hung in the balance.
The woman smiled, a cruel twist of her lips that sent a chill down Dantiz's spine. "Oh, nothing much," she replied, her tone deceptively casual. "Just a small sacrifice to appease our benefactors. Surely you understand the importance of honoring one's debts?"
Dantiz's blood ran cold at her words, the implications sinking in with a sickening certainty. These cultists weren't just dabbling in dark magic for power or wealth; they were willing to sacrifice innocent lives to further their twisted agenda.
With a steely resolve, Dantiz squared his shoulders, his gaze unwavering as he faced down the woman and her followers. "I won't let you harm him," he vowed, his voice ringing with determination. "Not on my watch."
The woman's smile widened, a predatory glint in her eyes. "Oh, how noble," she cooed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "But I'm afraid your noble intentions won't save you now, Blazing Dantiz. You're outnumbered and outmatched."
Dantiz clenched his jaw, his mind racing as he weighed his options. He knew he couldn't take on this entire cult alone, not without a plan or backup. But he also couldn't afford to let John and the other captives become victims of their twisted rituals.
With a resigned sigh, Dantiz took a step forward, his hand still gripping his weapon tightly. "Then I guess we'll just have to see about that," he said, his voice a low growl of defiance.
And with that, Dantiz was immediately engulfed in flames. This was his ability, His Captain called it Pyromancy, the ability to Create and Manipulate fire.
With an almost crazy smile Dantiz got ready for a fight.
The flames danced around Dantiz, casting an eerie glow on his features as he faced off against the cultists. The heat radiating from his body was palpable, the air around him shimmering with waves of intense energy.
The cultists hesitated, their confidence wavering in the face of Dantiz's formidable power. But their leader remained undeterred, her gaze locked on Dantiz with a mix of fascination and determination.
"So, you are Beyonder," she mused, her voice tinged with both admiration and malice. "How intriguing. It seems we have underestimated you, Blazing Dantiz."
Dantiz smirked, his eyes blazing with determination as he readied himself for battle. "You have no idea what you're up against," he warned, his voice a low rumble of thunder. "I suggest you surrender now, before things get ugly."
The ball of fire hurtled through the air with deadly accuracy, engulfing the cultists in a blazing inferno. With panicked screams, they scattered in all directions, their robes catching fire as they fled from the searing heat.
But their leader remained rooted to the spot, her eyes burning with a fanatical fervor as she faced down Dantiz. "You will pay for this blasphemy," she spat, her voice a mixture of rage and desperation. "The Holy Mother will not be denied her sacrifice!"
Dantiz's smirk widened as he stepped forward, the flames swirling around him like a protective cloak. "Your Holy Mother can go to hell for all I care," he retorted, his voice dripping with scorn. "I'm not letting you hurt anyone else."
With a flick of his wrist, he conjured another ball of fire, his eyes locked on the cult leader with unwavering determination. "This ends now," he declared, his voice ringing with finality.
As Dantiz surged forward with a primal roar, his fists clenched and muscles tensed for the impending clash, he found himself met with a wall of cultists, their bodies blocking his path to the cult leader who stood aloof, watching with a wicked grin.
With a snarl of frustration, Dantiz launched himself at the nearest cultist, his movements swift and relentless. His punches were like thunder, each blow landing with bone-crushing force as he fought to break through their defenses.
But the cultists were no pushovers. With practiced precision, they countered Dantiz's attacks, their movements fluid and coordinated. They fought as one, a well-oiled machine of destruction, determined to protect their leader at all costs.
The cult leader stood at the center of the ritual circle, her voice steady despite the chaos unfolding around her. With unwavering resolve, she continued her chant, her words resonating with power and purpose."The one and only Crimson Moon, The Symbol of Life and Beauty, Mother of all Spiritual Forces, Your Humble Servant prays to you, An Oath is sworn, I ask thee summon thy keeper, If they hears this summoning, My body is thy Vessal, Come forth."
As the cult leader began her ominous chant, the air thickened with a sense of dread, the words echoing through the warehouse like a dark incantation. But before she could complete the ritual, Dantiz unleashed a torrent of flames, engulfing the room in a blaze of fiery chaos.
As the flames roared around them, the cultists scattered in panic, their robes igniting in the inferno. But the cult leader remained unfazed, her eyes locked on Dantiz with a mixture of defiance and determination.
But just as she was about to utter the final words of the ritual, a blinding light erupted from the circle, engulfing the entire room in its radiant glow. The cult leader's voice faltered, her chant interrupted by the overwhelming brilliance of the light.
And then, from the heart of the circle, a voice echoed through the chamber, resonating with power and authority. "Are you my Master?"
Dantiz's heart skipped a beat as he heard the voice, his senses reeling from the sheer magnitude of its presence. He struggled to maintain consciousness, his mind swimming in a sea of light and sound.
But before he could respond, darkness consumed him, pulling him into the depths of unconsciousness as the flames flickered and died, leaving nothing but smoldering embers in their wake.
A.N : So Dantiz also Summons something. I will leave the guessing to you. But I will say that the servant I chose is based on his Preference.
