Headed by a Snake

Mina was well-respected by both the crew of the Neptune's Revenge and the elves under Imperia's command.

Yet for the latter to attack her... to make a shot from more than two-hundred yalms out...

There must have been more behind the attack...

As an investigator... Coraline Heartsong wanted to know what *really* happened.

Unfortunately, she didn't have the freedom to detach herself from the crew to investigate.

The beach needed to be defended... and Lieutenant Tychon was counting on at least her to follow her orders faithfully.

'Stupid boyfriend,' Coraline puffed her cheeks.

If anyone was at fault... if she could be mad at just one person in particular, it would be Lone Shadowdark.

If he never got possessed by an Ancient Elven artifact, they could have gone investigating together!

That man... owed her... a dozen adventures, at least...

Suddenly, Coraline heard a loud snort, bidding her to turn towards its direction.

One of the Coral Boys-- the only one who wore a barrel instead of regular armor, had white steam coming out of his rocky nostrils.

Coraline tilted her head, "Is everything okay, Barrel Boy?"

"Guhhh..." He groaned, "We'll per-tect ya, girlie... We couldn't per-tect Mina propa'ly... so we'z gonna try extra 'ard ta keep you free o' pointy bits..."

Coraline chuckled to herself wryly, "Right. I cast magic best without the threat of being shot or stabbed."

The other sailors nodded gruffly.

"Don't worry yer li'ul 'ead, girlie. Keep cover behind da biggest and strongest boys in da crew-- us, kehehe."

"Yeh. Yer da only knife-ear 'at's werf a shite. We'll per-tect'cha wiv our very lives."

"We'z still fink you should grab an axe or sumfin' 'doh. Dat li'ul knife ain't a knife. Now, DIS IS A KNIFE!!!"

Coraline placed her hand over her heart.

The Coral Boys' encouragement was... loud... rough... and borderline insulting... but she knew each of them to be loyal, honest military men of Alizeau's Royal Marine Fleet.

It was... comforting to hear.

Well-- not that last comment. Though the giant, rocky coral-men tasked to protect her were being... thoughtful? Was that the word for it? --the weapons they offered her were... really not in her size.

Ellie would probably look absolutely badass with one of their unreasonably large axes, though.

...Or what the Coral Boy named Big Dagger referred to as a 'knife.'

Coraline just wished... that it was Lone... telling her that he'd protect her.

But... that was the main reason she led Baron Tychon to the island. She was trying to save Lone... her boyfriend... a man who fell in love with her at first sight.

Elves can be stubborn.

That was... their thing-- to be able to look at life in terms of decades instead of just...

Coraline's eyes widened as she stared at the wet sand.

...Most elves would probably have found a new boyfriend.

Empty night. She was a terrible elf.

She placed her hands on her face and tried not to cry tears of frustration.

If Lone-- if that idiot broke up with her after this... she'd jam a Delayed Third-Circle fireball up his anus, just to watch him die.

Coraline's ears twitched.

A noise-- and not from one of her defenders.

She shot her head up, looking towards the treeline... holding her breath.

A person-- a boy had come out of the woods... slow and silent, like a stalking wildcat.

He looked young... barely an adult-- and all his features were soft and... for want of a better term, beautiful.

His hair was snow-white... with the same ethereal, shining eyes. He only wore a pair of trousers... but glowing runes covered his naked chest.

...And... he had white angel wings on his back.

Eleven heavens and seven hecks.

Bleiggggh, that wasn't right-- it was just the eleven heavens.

They had sent an enforcer to kill them!

"DE-FENSIVE FOR-MAAATION!!!" Barrel Boy shouted.

Coraline reacted immediately, shooting her palm upwards, "Beatrice! I'm sorry to wake you, but I need your power!!"

Her fire elemental hummed lazily in response, but a wimpy firebolt shot up into the sky... exploding with a pop.

"AWWW!!" One of the Coral Boys rolled his head in annoyance, "Wot you gotta do 'at for, ah?! WE'Z can 'ANDLE dis li'ul CUNT wivout a call fer 'elp!!"

"I'm following protocol, Seaman Howler." Coraline narrowed her eyes, "And so should you."

The beach was under attack. Therefore... she used the signal.

That was... literally the plan everyone had agreed upon a few bells prior.

Yes, there was only a single combatant... but it was better to be careful.

It was possible for the winged boy to be a late-stage Iron-Rank... maybe even stronger.

If that was the case, with their backs against the beach... the Coral Boys might be able to get away.

Coraline, however... well-- she didn't have any escape-type Spells.

...Stars and stones, why DIDN'T SHE?!?!

At least-- at least a spell to breathe underwater?! Or to swim faster!!?? She should have foresaw at least THAT!!

The angel slowly lifted a palm... "Do you bleed?"

"F*CK YOU, YA GIT!!" Howler... howled.

"We'z got a real big deficit o' blood," Barrel Boy grinned... "f*ckin' toof-bird."

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Coraline fought off a grin.

The angel boy's face had twisted-- obviously displeased at being compared with... a toothed seagull.

Barrel Boy lowered his head down into his armored barrel, his muscled arms and legs emerging from its sides and bottom... "'Ow 'bout you'z come over 'ere and... give a li'ul bit ta charity?"

In an instant the angel boy closed the distance, wings flared outward, his fist connecting with Barrel Boy's cross-arm block with a terrible crack.

Barrel Boy slid backward in the sand... red blood dripping seeping from the pores on his exposed arms.

His arms... they were broken with a single strike.

The angel barely gave him time to breathe, though. He was on Barrel Boy once again, landing a swirling heel kick against his chest.

...And Barrel Boy's barrel-armor... shattered into pieces.

Coraline grit her teeth... as she channeled mana into her palm.

"Gold-Rank," She whispered...