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*BOOM*
After lunging towards each other, Thulani struck first.
His greatsword carved through the air swiftly, slicing downward with brutal force. Stone cracked beneath the impact, but Reuben had already danced away, his movements fluid and effortless.
CLANG!
Jonathan's cutlass met Thulani's blade, sparks erupting from the collision. The force of the blow shoved Jonathan back, feet skidding across the floor.
Reuben lunged in with his daggers flashing.
He spun low, slicing for Thulani's ribs... but Thulani twisted his sword, the flat of the blade deflecting the strike. With shocking speed, Thulani pivoted on his heel and drove the greatsword's hilt into Reuben's chest.
THUD!
Reuben flew back, coughing as he rolled to his feet.
"Tch... strong bastard..." he muttered, spitting to the side. 'Be thankful I can't control my speed yet.'
Jonathan seized the opening, closing the gap with his own set of speed. His cutlass blurred as it streaked toward Thulani's side, but Thulani shifted his stance and caught the blade with his gauntleted forearm.
"Not bad." Thulani grinned. Then his fist shot forward like a cannonball.
WHAM!
Jonathan barely twisted away in time, Thulani's fist grazing his ribs hard enough to numb his side. Jonathan stumbled back, grimacing.
"Gotta be faster than that!" Thulani roared, charging forward like a bull.
But Reuben was already moving with a blur of speed and precision. He darted low, slicing at Thulani's thigh.
SLASH!
Thulani hissed as blood sprayed from the cut, but his pain barely slowed him. He brought his knee up hard into Reuben's gut.
"Guh!"
Reuben staggered, but before Thulani could press the advantage, Jonathan's hidden blade lashed out. The blade skimmed Thulani's arm, leaving a shallow cut.
"Two against one?" Thulani barked. "You're quite a coward, Reuben!"
His sword came down in a savage arc making Jonathan twist away, but Thulani reversed his grip, striking with the pommel.
CRACK!
Jonathan's vision blurred as he stumbled back. Reuben shot forward again, feinting to the left before spinning to Thulani's right. His dagger streaked upward, but Thulani caught his wrist mid-swing.
"Gotcha!"
Reuben's eyes widened as Thulani pivoted, dragging Reuben's arm and hurling him bodily at Jonathan.
THUD!
Both men sprawled across the stone floor.
"Wrap it up!" Alaric's voice rang out. "You've still got crates to carry. Finish this already."
The three men locked eyes once more.
"You heard him," Thulani growled, hoisting his greatsword to his shoulder. "Let's end this."
Jonathan exhaled, loosening his grip on his cutlass before tightening it again. Reuben's fingers spun his daggers with unsettling speed.
Thulani surged forward.
The floor cracked beneath his feet as he charged, his greatsword blurring in a deadly arc. Reuben slipped past it, too fast to follow, but Thulani was able to react. He shifted his stance, sweeping the blade horizontally to catch Reuben mid-dodge.
SHING!
Reuben ducked just in time. Stone splintered where the blade struck. Jonathan seized the opening, flanking Thulani's exposed side. His hidden blade flashed, but Thulani pivoted, forcing Jonathan back with a powerful roundhouse kick.
"Damn it!" Jonathan growled.
"You're too slow!" Thulani barked.
He raised his greatsword high — the killing blow aimed straight at Jonathan's chest.
"JONATHAN, MOVE!" Reuben shouted.
But there wasn't time. Jonathan's eyes widened as Thulani's blade rushed down... and stopped cold.
Reuben stood behind Thulani, one arm wrapped around his throat, dagger pressed firmly against his skin.
"Checkmate," Reuben panted.
Jonathan stumbled back, breathing hard.
But then…
"...Wait..." Jonathan's voice faltered. His gaze dropped to Thulani's throat.
Blood poured from beneath Reuben's blade — fast and heavy.
"Oh shit..." Reuben whispered, eyes wide in panic. He jerked his dagger away, horrified. "I-I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine." Thulani's voice rumbled, calm and steady.
Before their eyes, the gash in his throat sealed itself... flesh knitting back together in seconds.
"...What the hell...?" Jonathan muttered.
Reuben staggered back, still clutching his bloody dagger.
Alaric, still leaning against the wall, chuckled.
"So?" he asked, eyes gleaming. "What do you think?"
Thulani rubbed his neck, flexing his shoulders.
"I feel... stronger."
"Faster," Reuben added. "Thulani's becoming a monster..."
Jonathan clenched his fist. "My reflexes... it's like I can see things coming before they even happen. But my body can't react to it."
But then Reuben frowned. "I can't seem to control it yet. My attacks hit harder than I mean to... I'm also hesitant to use my full speed, afraid that I'm unable to handle it."
Jonathan nodded. "Same here... feels like I'm always on the edge of slipping up."
Alaric grinned. "That's only natural," he said. "Right now, your bodies are adjusting. Control will come in time."
His eyes gleamed knowingly.
"And once you learn to master it..." He smirked. "You'll be monsters."
"Will we able to catch up to you?"
"Hmm... let me think about that..."
"Tsk."
---
An hour later, Thulani and Jonathan finished stacking crates in the underground warehouse, ensuring all the orders and deliveries were properly organized. The two men, still sweaty from their earlier fight and labor, rejoined Alaric and a newly bathed Reuben outside the mansion's main entrance.
Gathered before them were the entire Kenway family and all the estate staff... a crowd that filled the courtyard with murmurs and quiet farewells. Eleanor stood at the front, her eyes glistening as she struggled to keep her composure.
"Alaric..." Her voice trembled as she stepped forward. "You must remember to eat your meals properly, alright?"
"I know, mother..." Alaric replied, offering a small smile.
"No, I mean it," she pressed, her voice cracking. "You… you always get so caught up in things. Please... just stay safe."
She sniffled, blinking away the tears that threatened to fall.
"I will," Alaric assured her. "I promise."
Despite her best efforts, Eleanor let out a shaky breath, then suddenly threw her arms around him. For a moment, she clung tightly, and Alaric felt her shudder against him. But just as quickly, she stepped back, wiping her eyes with a kerchief and regaining her composure.
"I'm alright," she muttered to no one in particular.
Bernard chimed in, trying to lighten the mood.
"Well," he grinned, "the pirates in the seas are dangerous… but I guess they should be the ones staying away from you."
Laughter erupted from the crowd, shattering the tension in an instant. Even Eleanor chuckled behind her kerchief.
"Damn right," Alaric said, smirking.
Leonard stepped forward next, placing a firm hand on Alaric's shoulder. His gaze was steady, his tone soft.
"I know how strong you are, son..." Leonard said. "But strength alone isn't enough. Just... be responsible with it, alright?"
"I will," Alaric promised.
Leonard gave a firm nod, seemingly satisfied.
The chef, a broad-shouldered man with a thick beard, stepped forward next.
"Don't you worry, master," he said. "I'll keep cooking those recipes you taught me... every last one."
"Good," Alaric grinned. "Don't hold back on the spice."
"Wouldn't dream of it!" the chef laughed heartily.
Then Bernard turned to Reuben, grinning mischievously.
"Reuben," he said, "watch Alaric for us, will ya? And... remind him not to bring kids from all over the world back here."
Reuben chuckled. "Yeah, sure."
"I don't kidnap kids, unc!" Alaric shot back.
"Yeah-yeah…" Bernard waved dismissively.
With their goodbyes said, Alaric and Reuben turned toward the waiting carriage. The gleaming black frame, polished wood panels, and velvet curtains spoke of wealth. The horses that were powerful and well-groomed, shifted restlessly in their harnesses.
The coachman, dressed in a fine waistcoat and hat, gave a small bow.
"Master William Penn has instructed me to be your driver for the day," the coachman said. "I've been directed to take you to the Penn Estate for now."
"Got it," Alaric replied.
He turned to Reuben.
"Have you ever boarded a carriage before?"
Reuben chuckled and shook his head. "Nope. This'll be my first time."
Alaric smirked. "Damn… an expensive carriage for your first time. Lucky you."
Reuben scoffed, shaking his head. "That's rich coming from you... You're damn wealthy. You've hired multiple coachmen just this month."
"Ah yeah…" Alaric scratched his chin. "I kinda forgot. We don't really use them, huh?"
"Must be nice to have your problems," Reuben muttered.
"Hiyah!" The coachman snapped the reins, and the horses neighed, trotting forward with smooth precision.
Alaric grinned at Reuben.
"Bruh, you live with me in the mansion," he reminded him. "You're my disciple... my problems are your problems too."
Reuben gave a long sigh, leaning back in the seat as the carriage rolled down the road.
Sometimes Alaric was a terrifying massacre machine…
And other times…
He was just like this.
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