The salty air of Ardenwave was thick with tension.
Down at Dock Fourteen, where even the guards dared not linger long, the Ravager's Howl loomed like a hungry beast—its iron hull scarred, its sails blackened by powder and war. Shadows moved across its deck like whispers of violence.
A sharp crack split the air. A crate hit the dock, splintering open.
"Clumsy again, and I'll use your spine as a railing."
The voice boomed like thunder wrapped in gravel.
Captain Raze "Ironjaw" Varric emerged from the mist, his towering frame outlined by lantern glow. His metal jaw gleamed in the firelight, clenching with every breath. Behind him, his crew scrambled, straightening cargo, tightening ropes, pretending they hadn't heard.
Raze turned. "Seline."
From the ship's rigging, she dropped down with a dancer's grace—Seline "Crimson Gale", long crimson hair catching the wind like a flame. Twin pistols holstered at her hips, a confident smirk on her lips.
"They say a merchant caravan just docked from Virelan," she said, walking beside him. "Laced with arcane gems and silk. Maybe we pay them a visit tonight?"
Raze grunted. "We wait. I want that auction tomorrow. The nobles'll be ripe for plundering."
As they spoke, a shape leaned against the mast, nearly blending into it—Grin Jark, picking his teeth with a dagger. He looked like every other lowlife on the docks, but his eyes never stopped scanning.
"Got a name," Grin muttered. "Heard a bounty hunter's sniffing near. Said to be fast. Real fast."
"Good," Raze said, cracking his knuckles. "Let him come. Ardenwave's due for a little fun."
Seline chuckled, spinning a bullet between her fingers. "Let's make this port remember why they whisper our names."
Thunder rumbled in the distance. The Ravager's Howl groaned as if it too hungered for what came next.
The bustling port of Ardenwave came into full view—ships docked under a sky streaked with gulls, masts rising like crooked fingers, and sails flapping like battle standards. The salty breeze carried the shouts of traders, creaking ropes, and clinks of coin.
But just before the stone archway that led into the inner city, six pirates stood with smirks carved into their faces. Patchy clothes, rusted cutlasses, and breath like rotting rum.
One of them, a bulky brute missing two front teeth, stepped forward and slammed his cutlass into the dirt.
"Port toll. Gold, now. Or turn back to the woods, pretty boy."
The old man shifted nervously, whispering, "They're not official guards…"
Rikuya gave a half-smile and stepped forward.
"Gold?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't know we had to pay a stupidity fee to enter Ardenwave."
Another pirate scoffed. "You've got jokes, huh? Let's see if you still laugh with a knife in your gut."
Rikuya didn't flinch, his tone cool as glacier water.
"You're standing six against one and still hiding behind toll scams? That's not piracy—that's insecurity with a sword."
The thinnest pirate spat at the ground. "Big words for someone in rags."
Rikuya glanced at his worn tunic, then smirked. "And yet somehow, I'm still dressed better than your dignity."
That stung. One pirate tried to step forward, but Rikuya's gaze sharpened just slightly—a silent promise that bones would break before they got close.
"You're all bark and bad breath," he continued. "Tell you what—go home, clean yourselves, and maybe ask your moms why you turned out like this. I'll give you five seconds."
Rikuya's eyes narrowed, his movements becoming a blur as he effortlessly analyzed the three pirates in front of him. In the span of a breath, he went from standing still to unleashing a devastating display of speed and precision.
Without warning, he struck.
First Target - Low Sweep (Left Leg):
Rikuya shifted his weight, stepping forward just a fraction, then sweeping low with his left leg. The first pirate didn't even have time to react before his legs were knocked out from under him. The man crashed to the ground with a heavy thud, his arms flailing as he scrambled to regain his balance.
Second Target - Rising Knee (Right Leg):
The second pirate barely had time to look back at his downed comrade before a sharp knee collided with his chest. The force of the blow knocked the air from his lungs, and he stumbled back, his eyes wide in shock, struggling to catch his breath as his body buckled from the impact.
Third Target - Spinning Roundhouse (Left Leg):
Rikuya's body twisted effortlessly, his left leg lifting into the air in one fluid motion. The spinning roundhouse connected with the third pirate's head with bone-crushing precision. The pirate's head snapped sideways as the brutal kick sent him flying through the air, crashing hard into the dirt. He didn't move after the impact.
Rikuya landed lightly, his movements so fast and seamless that the remaining three pirates barely had time to process what had just happened.
The entire sequence had taken less than a second, and the three would-be attackers were left sprawled out on the ground, gasping for air, and completely out of the fight.
Rikuya wiped a bit of dirt off his pants, his tone casual, almost bored.
"Don't worry, I didn't break anything...yet."
He shot a glance at the last three pirates, their expressions frozen in a mix of confusion and fear.
"Now... who's next?" he said with a sharp grin, waiting for their move.
Rikuya moved with inhuman speed, dashing toward the fourth pirate, who had barely any time to react. In an instant, Rikuya was on him, his strikes so fast that they seemed to blur together.
He threw a brutal left jab that landed square on the pirate's face. The blow left the pirate stunned, his head snapping back as he staggered, trying to keep his balance.
Before the pirate could recover, Rikuya was already launching another barrage. His fist connected with the pirate's solar plexus, knocking the wind from his lungs. The pirate gasped for air, only to be met by Rikuya's second strike—an uppercut that sent his head flying back, nearly breaking his neck.
The pirate swayed, struggling to remain upright, but Rikuya wasn't done yet. Rikuya's elbow slammed into the pirate's ribs with bone-crushing force, pushing him back as the pirate's breath became ragged, his body shaking.
Finally, with precise control, Rikuya delivered a devastating jab to the pirate's chest. The force of the blow sent the pirate stumbling backwards, his legs unable to support him anymore. Rikuya had broken him down, one strike at a time.
The pirate collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, unable to even try and stand up.
Rikuya stepped back, his breathing calm, as he surveyed the downed pirates. His eyes flicked to the remaining two, assessing the situation. He was completely unfazed.
"Guess you didn't get the memo," Rikuya said, looking at the last standing pirates with a smirk. "This is my show now."
He didn't need to say more. The message was clear: the fight was over.
Rikuya moved swiftly toward the fifth pirate, his movements precise and deadly. His footwork was flawless as he closed the distance in an instant, feinting a strike to confuse the pirate. As the pirate lunged to defend himself, Rikuya swept low, wrapping his arm tightly around the pirate's waist and trapping him in a near-unbreakable grip.
The pirate struggled to break free, but the Rikuya's hold was solid. With a quick motion, Rikuya lifted the pirate off the ground, his own strength and momentum doing the work. The pirate's legs dangled helplessly in the air as Rikuya controlled him completely, twisting his body to ensure he was totally helpless.
Without warning, Rikuya spun and slammed the pirate to the ground with devastating force. The impact was brutal, sending a shockwave through the pirate's body. The ground cracked under the weight, and the pirate gasped for air, his body stunned by the force of the slam. The MC's grip remained firm, his control unwavering.
The pirate tried to struggle, but it was useless. Rikuya grabbed his neck in a chokehold, the pressure building as the pirate's body grew limp beneath him. The fight was over. The pirate was completely at Rikuya's mercy, unable to escape, unable to fight back.
Rikuya watched coldly as the pirate's resistance faded, his body going limp, the life draining from him. He held the choke for a moment longer, ensuring the pirate had nothing left to give, before releasing him, letting his body collapse to the ground.
The last pirate turned tail, boots slipping in panic across the worn stone. But he didn't get far.
Rikuya's body blurred—vanishing, then reappearing just behind him. He grabbed a fistful of greasy hair mid-sprint and slammed the pirate's face into the earth with bone-jarring force. Dust shot up. The man didn't move.
Rikuya stood over him, breathing slow.
"You ever hear the tale of the Twin Horn Bargain?"
His voice cut through the silence like a blade.
"I did. Changed how I see strength… and what's worth protecting."
He stepped back, eyes cold.
"You shake down travelers for scraps. I walk with legends in my shadow."
"Next time you raise a blade, ask yourself—are you worth the tale?"
The road stretched ahead, the sea breeze finally reaching them in soft, salt-touched gusts. Rikuya walked calmly beside Solamar, the weight of the moment settling into quiet peace.
The old man chuckled softly, staff tapping against the stone.
"You know," he said with a smile, "I never thought I'd hear a lad speak of my old tale like that. Most forget it as soon as the fire dies out."
Rikuya didn't look at him, but there was the smallest lift at the edge of his lips. "Some stories don't fade. They sharpen you… if you listen right."
Solamar nodded slowly, watching the city of Ardenwave rise in the distance. The towers, sails, and smoke spiraled together like a mosaic of ambition.
"You've got the soul of a traveler, boy," he said thoughtfully. "But remember this—"
He paused, then said with quiet clarity:
"Not every path needs to be conquered. Some roads are meant to be walked, not won."
"And those who rush ahead chasing purpose often miss the wisdom planted at their feet."
Rikuya glanced down, as if something unseen stirred beneath his boots. He gave a slight nod, and together, they continued toward the city gates—leaving broken pirates and ancient tales behind.