Tristan jumped onto the ship’s rail first, using a jumping piranha as a springboard. His figure blurred into a trail of afterimages across the wave crests.
Sensing the threat, the Piranha King’s massive jaws snapped open, revealing two rows of fangs gleaming with toxic blue light. A wave of putrid breath rolled out, nearly suffocating anyone nearby.
“Now!” Tristan hurled the explosive pack toward the Piranha King’s belly while slashing through the fish swarming around his ankles.
As the fuse burned out, he used the explosion’s shockwave to flip back onto the ship. A thunderous blast rocked the sea. The Piranha King’s body convulsed violently as dark green blood splattered like a downpour.
But the massive creature hadn’t died. Instead, it thrashed the sea with its tail fin in fury, raising waves that nearly capsized the Stormrider.
Clinging to the railing, Tristan watched the wound on the Piranha King’s belly heal at a visible rate. His heart sank as he realized the monster had regenerative powers too.
“Aim for its eyes!” he roared.
Artillery poured out in torrents, hammering the Piranha King’s head until green eye fluid gushed forth. The creature let out a deafening roar. Its trashing caused the ship to groan and creak, widening the deck cracks by several more feet.
“Bring the chains!” Tristan’s voice was hoarse from shouting. “Wrap them around its dorsal fin.”
Five soldiers hauled chains as thick as a man’s wrist, risking being torn apart by the swarm as they jumped onto the Piranha King’s back.
The moment the chains threaded through the dorsal fin’s bone spikes, Tristan drew his sword and plunged it into the creature’s wound. He channeled his energy through the blade to tear apart its internal organs.
The Piranha King’s body suddenly went rigid. Its massive jaws opened and closed futilely before it finally rolled belly-up in the waves.
Without their leader, the swarm of piranhas immediately fell into chaos. Some frantically rammed the ship while others fled in panic.
While watching the floating fish corpses, Tristan suddenly recalled an ancient manuscript mentioning that piranhas fear their own kind’s blood. He immediately ordered, “Collect the Piranha King’s blood and dump it in the sea.”
As the dark green blood poured from the hull into the ocean, the once-frenzied swarm scattered like they’d encountered their natural enemy. Even the piranhas stuck in the deck cracks were struggling to retreat back into the water.
When the gunpowder smoke cleared, dawn was breaking in the east. Tristan leaned against the broken railing, catching his breath. His serpent-embroidered battle robe was soaked in blood, but he remained upright.
The surviving soldiers collapsed on deck. Some wrapped their wounds with torn cloth while others stared blankly at the sea.
In the morning light, the Stormrider’s tattered sails flapped like a blood-stained banner.
“Count our losses,” Tristan said wearily.
“Your Highness, 46 dead and 27 severely wounded,” reported his aide, hands trembling as he held the ledger. “Three escort ships sunk, and the main vessel needs at least three days of repairs.”
Tristan gazed at the distant rolling waves where the water had returned to its azure blue, as if last night’s bloody battle had never happened.
“Pass the word. Start repairs immediately without a moment’s delay. I will be the first to set foot on Elysium Isle,” he declared.
By now, nothing could stop him, no matter how great the obstacle. He would reach Elysium Isle and obtain the elixir, no matter the cost.
The loss of a few men meant nothing. Even if the entire fleet were sacrificed, he wouldn’t hesitate.
