009

— sympathy for the devil —

A POOR MAN PLEADS TO GOD, HE PRAYS AND WEEPS AND HIS WIFE CRIES AND NURTURES. A poor man is a good man, he works, and he loves, he cherishes his wife and his daughter. A poor man is a protector, a lover, he cannot fight the pirates that kill his wife. A poor man pleads to God to save his daughter, but a loving father is never prepared for Death to take his payment.

Kuro had named himself a king. He was as dangerous and feared as any other pirate on the sea, and he could take a poor town as if he were taking candy from a baby. Taking Syrup village was easy. And holding it to please himself and his crew of vicious cats was more than just a fun ride. But seeing his crew drop from 30, to 20, to 10 in moments couldn't be captured in just a word. He had pages and pages of feared rambling but the simplest was always the best.

Death had come for them.

This was not new to Visenya or Sari, Sari was 16 and Visenya was 13. Niles finally let them out into the world at 13; let them out into the world as perfect killing machines. A man greedy for power, who wanted to have it all, controlling a group of weaponized children in a poetic sense that he strangely admired. What was made to carry on the world, will destroy it. They would destroy it.

They stepped off the boat onto the barely standing docks, the damage from the Black Cats was still new and crumbling. Niles gave Sari a nod, it was the one time he was nearly proud, not proud of them of course, proud of his work. Sari's bones began to shift and crack, her muscles and skin shifting to adapt to the way her bones bent and grew. She had eaten a devil fruit when she was only 8 and the effects were horrific.

A small girl screaming and screeching as her body snapped and grew, transforming her bones into sharp ridges. Her shoulders bent out, elbows snapped inward, and bloody broken antlers that grew from her skull. It was grotesque and nightmarish, and Niles had only made it worse. Saris legs would snap out and grow, her spine even stretched at her skin poking out in odd spikes. Sari was more a demonic beast when she was like this, a terrible nightmare that could only be conjured by a scared little kid, or a twisted man.

When the people first saw her, they thought they were going to die, but Niles had planned better than that. He was better than a common pirate, and more honourable than a marine. He would not unjustifiably slaughter a town, he knew better. Better to let them live in fear that any day they could return and slaughter them. A legacy built on fear. Well, maybe a dozen townspeople wouldn't survive, but Niles was truly here for the pirates had done. The children left orphaned.

The demonic deer rampaged through town, tearing through pirates and the poor souls that got in her way. Visenya waited for Niles to bask in the revelry, head held high, breathing deeply through his nose like the air was the sweetest drug. He placed his hand on Visenya's shoulder, sending her on her way.

The poor father held his daughter tight in his arms, eyes wide in fear, frozen and cowering terror. He could see the shadow moving through the window, but it wasn't just a shadow, it was a cloaked figure moving through the streets like a dance. A deadly dance as the red blade sliced through pirates and townspeople without thought. Death rained down on the streets of Syrup Village.

The poor father forced himself to his feet and raced to the wooden closet, quieting his daughter as he sat her inside. She reached out, trying to grab onto her father but her pushed arms away and told her to be quiet, that he loves her. He closed and locked the closet, praying it would be enough to hide her.

But he wasn't fast enough to keep himself hidden.

The cloaked figure had stopped at the window, face obscured by a hood. Slowly the figure walked from the window to the front door, knocking twice on the old wood. The handle of the door creaked, and the metal made a terrible screech as the lock was twisted open. The door slowly swung open, letting in the cold breeze. He didn't move however, staying completely still even as the cloaked figure entered his home.

The red light from the blade lit the room like an omen, drenching the room in its crimson colour. In a flash the cloaked figure raised the sword high, ready to slash through the man— "Daddy!"

The shout made the cloaked figure freeze. The man noticed and shakily pointed over his shoulder, motioning to the closet. The cloaked figure stepped away, attention solely focussed on the locked closet, so focussed neither heard the demonic growls break the silence. With nothing stopping it, the demonic deer burst through the door, tearing apart the man's home.

By the time Visenya had jumped out of the way and shook herself from her daze, Sari had done enough damage. The man's body barely held itself together, flesh and blood torn and tossed through his house, drenching the home in blood. Sari was gone again, continuing her rampage on the streets.

Visenya stood and pushed her hood back, looking at the damage left on their house. Visenya glanced at the closet again, she couldn't leave the kid trapped and alone. If no one found her in time, or worse Niles found the orphan— she didn't know which was worse. Visenya tore the house apart in search of metals and jewellery, bending and twisting the small pieces into a small scarab.

Visenya pulled her hood on and unlocked the closet, sliding the door open just enough for her to peek inside. A small girl no older than 9 had her knees curled to her chest, her curly brown and gold hair falling around her like a cloud. Her head snapped up and she stared at the cloaked figure in front of her, golden eyes wide in terror. Visenya held out the small golden scarab, its legs twisting as the metal inside started to move, and the girl carefully grabbed it, holding it close to inspect it.

Once she was distracted, Visenya snatched her up in her arms. She ignored the little girl's cries, and ran out of the house, rushing through the burnt and destroyed streets of Syrup Village. Visenya ran to the first barricaded house she found and kicked the door open. The mother and small boy cried out in surprise, pleading through tears. Visenya set the little girl down on a stool, ensuring she was still holding the scarab tight. "Do not lose this," Visenya ordered.

"Pirate!"

Visenya stood quickly, looking back at the Cat Pirate standing in the doorway, his bladed gloves digging into the wood of the door. "Well, what do we have here?" He cooed, his voice cold and teasing, like this was all a game. He tried to step further into the room, but Visenya kicked the door closed on his face, making a loud thud.

The mother quickly grabbed onto the little girl and pulled her into her embrace, trying to shield both kids from the violence. Visenya pulled the door open and manipulated the bladed gloves to throw him out into the street. Visenya grabbed her sword, the red light reflecting off the ground as she walked out the small home. She raised her hand, and the door closed, surrounding scrap metal moving to barricade the door shut.

Before the pirate could even stand, Visenya conducted his hands like they were her own and stabbed the blades deep into the dirt ground, effectively holding him in place. Visenya flipped her sword in her hand and slashed down at the pirate, melting off one side of his face. He screamed and cried out in pain, and Visenya ignored him.

She raised her sword to slash down but a sharp whistle made her freeze. Like a dog listening to its owner, Visenya stepped away from the pirate, her sword shutting off as she hooked it on her hip. Niles walked over to Visenya, placing a strong hand on her shoulder, squeezing so hard her skin would bruise. He tutted softly at the girl, "What did I tell you? No killing the captains, it's bad for business."

Visenya nodded softly, but then Niles noticed her gaze stuck on the damage along the side of the pirate's face. He whistled through his teeth in wonder, reaching and gripping the pirates chin, forcing out a cry as Niles dug his gloved fingers into the burnt skin. "That is some fine work," Niles said in awe. Visenya looked up in surprise as Niles turned to her.

He placed a hand on her cheek and grinned at Visenya. "We have to celebrate your creation, clearly," Niles said as it was obvious. "We shall find Sari and celebrate. Leave him to warn the others and carry the fear." Niles kneeled in front of Visenya, and maybe just for once he was actually proud of her. "Death is real. And she is terrifying."

◈

Visenya didn't move. She kept her eyes trained on Kuro, but she knew not to make the first move. At least in a room this big, with 4 people she would like to get out of there safely. Visenya could basically see Kuro thinking, trying to plan and weigh his options all while that familiar sense of terror and fear slowly grew.

He tried to speed away, his figure blurring as he moved. Visenya pivoted, knocking away his blades. He had tried to run around and slash at her at her back, but aside from it being the most obvious thing he could do, the slash of the metal sent her senses off like a spotlight. Kuro stumbled back, and in a single motion she sliced through his jacket, cut along his face and knocked him across the room.

"You. . ." Kuro pushed himself to his feet, revealing the slice along his face had melted away the mask he wore. The scar had healed oddly on his skin, twisting the scar awkwardly and pulling at the side of his lips. Visenya raised her sword, keeping her face flat and eyes targeted on him. "You did this to me!"

Kuro raised his arm high to swipe at her, but a stretched hand gripped Kuro's wrist. Kuro slowly turned, the fear in his eyes growing as he looked at Luffy. Luffy snatched his arm back and Kuro spun, shouting in pain as his shoulder whipped quickly and awkwardly. Luffy glared at the cat pirate, his eyes dark and full of anger. "These are my friends," Luffy hissed, his voice dark. "You don't get to mess with them."

Kuro looked between the two and slowly raised his hand to push his glasses up. "You are annoyingly resilient," Kuro huffed, glaring at Luffy.

"Well," Luffy smiled, "I am made of rubber."

Luffy threw another punch, but Kuro immediately zipped out of the way and when Luffy brought his fist back, he was standing in his face. Luffy tried to take another swing, but Kuro was gone again, racing around the room just to taunt them. "Did you really think you could get the best of me? I'm Kuro of the Thousand Plans," his voice boomed and echoed around them, making it sound like he was everywhere, and no were. Luffy stepped closer and Visenya motioned for him to stay quiet.

"Then come out and fight me," Luffy called back.

"No, you poor, poor sap," Kuro cooed in that same deadly and condescending way. Visenya tried to quiet Luffy again, but he seemed to ignore her. "So you think you want to be a pirate?" Kuro scoffed.

"I am a pirate," Luffy insisted.

Kuro's laugh echoed around them, forcing Visenya and Luffy to stand back-to-back as they searched for him. "And how long have you been on the seas? A week? A month?" Visenya followed the sound of his voice, her eyes landing on him standing in the light of the doorway, his blades reflecting the golden lights. Luffy turned as well, standing beside Visenya as they stared at the pirate. "I was a captain for years, and I never failed in a raid. Not once. And what did I get in return? A life of worry and a target on my back as wide as the East Blue."

Luffy threw another stretched punch at Kuro, but he dodged it easily, watching as it raced by his face. Visenya tried to take a swing at the pirate while he was distracted but he was gone as she brought down her sword, leaving her to slice through an old desk.

"Is that what you want?" Kuro's incessant questions continued, his voice melding into the wand and creeks of the house. "A lifetime of always looking over your shoulder." Kuro showed himself only to dodge another strike from Luffy. Kuro was gone again, and it had started to eat away at Visenya's patience.

"You'll never get a peaceful night's rest because someone's always waiting to slit your throat." Visenya had given up on finding Kuro at this point, instead she was waiting for him to finish his game. If only she could get Luffy to stop playing. "Pirates, Marines. Why, even your own crew."

Luffy glanced at Visenya,a and she tried to motion for him to stay quiet, but the constant footsteps and rushing wind made Luffy's head keep turning. "Not my crew," Luffy hissed, almost offended at the pirate's comment. "We've got each other's backs. Always." Visenya went to get Luffy's attention again when Kuro sped by and Luffy shouted out in pain.

"Luffy!" Visenya rushed to him, pushing her hand against his own that pressed to his chest where four small slashes ran across his skin. They weren't too deep, and it wouldn't scar but they still looked painful. "Do not move your hand," Visenya ordered.

"Until the day they don't," Kuro's voice floated through the room again, but instead of the almost joyful way he was taunting them, his voice was dark, almost angry. "I've killed more crewmates than I care to remember. They're expendable. Every single one of them." Luffy's eyes snapped up to Visenya but she shushed him quickly, and thankfully, after a beat of hesitation, he listened. The sound of rushing footsteps almost made Luffy turn but Visneya brought his attention back and motioned for him to listen.

Kuro continued to talk, his voice moving around the room but Visneya let that fall into background noise, only focussing on the sound of his footsteps. Luffy began to listen as well, closing his eyes to try and focus better. There was silence, Kuro finally taking a moment to rest his voice. Then they heard it, the slight shuffle of Kuro's shoe moving against the ground. Luffy opened his eyes and nodded.

Luffy threw his arm out, stretching the punch out in front of him, around a structural pillar and around the corner to slam into Kuro's face. Kuro was thrown from his hiding spot and the second he was in the light, still falling from the force of Luffy's punch, Visneya kicked him into the pillar he was hiding behind.

Kuro's face was distorted in confusion and shock, but through the haze he looked up at Luffy, who just smiled, "You didn't plan for that, did ya?"

Kuro slammed his fist to the ground in frustration, his blades clanging against the floor. But before he could rise to his feet Visenya aimed her sword at his throat, the laser burning his skin but not enough to do any real damage. He froze in place, shouting out in pain. Visenya switched her sword off and struck Kuro in his face. He hit the ground unconscious with a thud.

Visenya hooked her sword on her belt and faced Luffy. "I wasn't—"

"That was so cool!" Luffy shouted in excitement. He practically jumped to Visenya, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her with joy. "You were like bam! Whoosh! Ha!" Luffy rambled and threw his arms around wildly, his grin growing with each sound effect. While Visenya was distracted by Luffy, Usopp had jumped out from his hiding place and joined Luffy in his joy.

The others carefully pulled themselves from their hiding places and carefully stepped closer, very weary of Kuro in the corner. "I'll secure him before we leave," Visenya spoke, turning Kaya's attention towards her and she mumbled a thank you.

Luffy's hand moved towards his chest and hissed. That seemed to snap Oaklyn out of her daze as she quickly moved to stand in front of Luffy and pulled the scarab from her necklace. "Move your hand," She ordered and Luffy quickly complied. Nami furrowed her eyebrows and watched closely as she placed the gold bug on his chest.

Before Luffy could question her, the golden bug vibrated and sprang to life. Luffy froze as the golden scarab crawled along his chest, stitching his skin together with a golden thread. Once the beetle had finished its work, Luffy carefully grabbed the scarab watching its legs move and listened to it make small mechanical chirps.

"I can't tell if it's creepy or cute," Nami mumbled, cautiously poking one of its legs.

◈

They met Zoro downstairs where he had tied down the other pirates. He lifted the rolling security up enough to let the sunlight into the room, the night long gone. Visenya kept quiet as she trailed behind Nami, but eventually split off to stand behind Luffy and Zoro, her hands clasped behind her back and her gaze kept down. Usopp and Oaklyn stayed close together, Usopp's arm looped through Kaya's to keep her close as well.

"I'm sorry about the mess," Zoro apologised and Visenya let her eyes wander over the broken tables, chairs and stair bannisters. Zoro's gaze drifted to the staff he had tied up and hummed, "You probably need some new staff."

Usopp and Kaya stared at him. "I think I'm done with staff for a bit," Kaya said softly, her eyes also moving to the pirates. The man snarled at her, his voice disturbingly catlike.

Zoro sighed and glanced down at his shoes, "Too bad we can't collect their bounty."

"No. No." Nami said quickly, not even letting a moment pass between them. "The Marines already know where we are."

"We have to leave," Visneya spoke up softly and Nami was quick to agree. "Before we make more of a mess."

Luffy looked between them both, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Where are we gonna go?" He asked, his voice oddly defeated and quiet. "We don't even have a ship."

Visenya's eyes darted away. They couldn't be stuck here, they just couldn't be. But with no money they couldn't buy a ship, and with the Marines already knowing that they were here stealing a ship was entirely out of the question. They were stuck.

"Yes, you do."

What?

The others seemed to share Visenya's confusion as they turned to stare at Kaya but she just smiled. Luffy looked back at Visenya, his own smile growing. As he spun back to Nami, who's face quickly turned to displeasure, Visenya realised Kaya was giving them a ship. And Nami had lost the bet.

They collected their stuff and as soon as Visenya had lifted the doors enough for them to walk through the door, Usopp and Luffy raced off, cheering and laughing about the night. Visenya trailed behind them, keeping her hands behind her back. But she wasn't alone for long. Oaklyn let herself fall behind to walk beside Visenya, staring at her. "Are you—?" Visenya glanced at Oaklyn and she stopped herself. "Did you give me this?"

Visenya didn't say anything, keeping her mouth shut and her eyes forward. "I don't know what really happened, but you saved—"

"You do not know what happened," Visenya snapped, stopping Oaklyn before she would say something she'd regret. Oaklyn's steps faltered and Visenya paused, looking Oaklyn in her eyes. "I didn't save you."

Visenya turned away, continuing to follow the others. Oaklyn took a deep breath and raced to catch up to Visenya. "You nearly killed my father, but you didn't." Visenya stopped and stared at Oaklyn, her eyes wide in terror. Oaklyn didn't have a single ounce of negativity; no anger, no pain or resentment, just. . . gratitude. " I am alive because of you."

— lethal lust —