The Wanderer

eight: a duel

The ship was sailing calm waters and Akire is perched on the railings, feeling the wind on her face and loving the spray of the sea as waves churned underneath the vessel. 

It was true, vampire skin was cold and hard as marble but she could always feel everything despite the notion that vampires don't. She can always taste the molecules in the air; feel cold wind and searing pain of the burning sun. 

Yes, perhaps it does not create any changes in her system and she will never get frostbitten or sick, but she can still feel life against her skin.

Akire always guessed that it was her blindness that made her extra sensitive than most vampires. It also gave her the advantage when it comes to stealth or catching a spy in her midst. Truly, being a blind vampire does have its advantage.

"I wouldn't take another step if I were you." 

The sound of her Katana, sliding out of its sheath seemed to whistle above the roar of the ship's engine. The steel glinted against the moonlight, an ominous sign.

"I was beginning to wonder when you would dare acknowledge me. Really, for someone who is supposed to be formidable, I am sorely left dissatisfied with this boring chase."

Akire flicked her sword while reading her opponent through the different vibrations that were coming from the surroundings and from the other vampire itself. She sniffed once and could tell right away that he was sired directly from the old vampire. 

She could smell the same tinge of Atkins' blood running through his veins. She noticed that he had long hair, tall, lean but with well toned muscles and he was carrying a Katana with him as well.

"Shall we get to it then?" Akire asked, her back still turned to the stranger a few feet behind her.

"As you wish." He replied with a small bow.

Akire could not help but smile as the challenged was issued and is about to be met. It had been a long time since she actually had to use all her strength and ability to win a fight. But, it had been forever since she had met a fellow Samurai warrior.

She knew that he was not Japanese. In fact, he sounded French.

The loud clang of steel against steel cut through her musing. He was strong but Akire had figured out his intent while she was still perched on the railing and thinking about his nationality. 

She had just raised her Katana and bent her arm backward in time to block his attack. With a flick of her wrist, she pushed back and with the short distance that both of their weapons were able to disengage, Akire was already standing face to face with her opponent.

She was glad that they were having the fight under moonlight. There was something eerie and poetic about dueling under the crystal moon. She moved slowly to her right, hyper aware of her opponent's movement. 

She was still full on the human blood that Alex had provided for her and for once, she was happy he was there. If she did not feed, there was no way that she would be able to stand up against this foe.

Another swish and the sound of metals clashing against each other cracked the midnight air. Akire sliced upward and smiled when the warrior blocked her attack. She moved counter clockwise and attempted to make a slashing movement but at the last minute, she decided to let loose her left arm and punched him on the rib. A satisfying c***k made her smile before she gave another mighty push against his Samurai sword and moved away.

She watched the vibrations as he straightened up and fixed his rib cage. He smiled and prepared for another attack. Akire mimicked his stance and soon, the flurry of clashing swords started to create music on the ship's deck as the two samurai warriors danced with each other. 

Akire was quick but the other vampire was just as fast. He was stronger than Akire, she realized when she felt him holding back as he punched her squarely on the gut.

Akire felt the railing bend as his punch landed her a few feet backwards with the railing taking in the brunt of her strength. She heard the metal grunt as it bent against her spine. She took a deep breath, felt her bones re-aligning as she straightened up, ready for his attack.

His soft laugh made Akire smile. She knew he had just discovered that she was able to cut him on the cheek before he landed the punch. Really, both of them were holding back; trying to see just how strong the other was.

"They were right, you are quite the swordsman." He uttered, the laughing lilt in his voice tinkling in the air. "It would be such a shame to kill you, cherie!"

"Don't worry your head, warrior. I don't have plans of dying just yet!" She replied and lunged at him, fangs bared.

Again, their swords clashed and sparked against each other. Both vampires were skilled but as with any battle, one has to be the victor while the other suffers defeat. 

Akire was gritting her teeth, all her senses were tuned to the fight she was having. Vampires do not get tired but in a way, the motions of their duel was starting to get tedious. 

She was able to parry and block his moves because she knew most of them. It even made her think that maybe, this person, whoever this young looking vampire was, he had been able to study with the same master as her father had.

Akire felt another blow landing on her side but she was able to hold herself steady and ducked as his Katana sliced through the air where her neck was used to be just a few seconds ago. 

She was on one knee and quickly kicked him with her other leg. He was able to avoid falling and before Akire knew what was happening, she was on her back, his sword perched just centimeters away from her heart.

"Tsk, tsk... Really, it is such a shame!”

A gunshot echoed and the vampire that was supposed to kill her fell on his knees with a gasp. A couple of fires came in succession and Akire felt searing pain on her leg and she knew that they were shooting platinum and wooden bullets. Crap!

She listened carefully and saw the projection of the next slew of bullets. She rolled towards the left, knowing that she had to get over the rails and somehow disappear unto the lower deck. She moved but the pain in her leg was just too much.

"Move! Darn it!"

She felt somebody pushing her and with fierce determination, she gritted her teeth and moved. What the hell happened?

Soon, the deck was flooded with lights and the sound of shouting men permeated from the upper cabins. She heard multiple clicks of rifles and an order to cease fire. The captain was now holding a bullhorn and he spoke with such a chilling tone that Akire wondered if he was supernatural himself.

"This ship is protected under the law of the land of Legion. Any rough housing done by supernaturals and/or humans is punishable by death. This is your last warning. Depart the ship or we will kill you."

Akire heard a hiss and she knew it came from the male vampire. She contained her growl and groped for the railings to pull herself up and her hand automatically clamped on her injured leg. 

Using her index and thumb, she delved into the skin where the bullet was lodged. Another hiss issued from her as the bullet singed her fingertips. She flicked it away and felt the assassin vampire grip her arm. It was a message, she knew. If she was leaving the ship he was going with her.

"We will go as soon as we reach the nearest island!" She shouted back at the captain.

"I'm afraid you don't have the luxury of choosing, creature!"

Akire sniffed the air but there was too much blood and salt water mixing in the air plus the glare of the lights directed at them was starting to create a white blanket across the deck. She wanted to know who the captain was. Maybe she could negotiate to stay on board.

"Don't!" Her warning came too late and a couple of rounds fired. 

Akire was ready and had moved just in time and deflected the other bullets with her katana. But the stupid guy attempted to lunge at the nearest gunman. She wanted to choke the life out of the other vampire. He was ruining diplomacy!

She watched as his body slumped on the floor by her feet. Really? What a waste of great sword skills. She could hear his very faint breathing and almost smiled. 

Impressive.

"Will you stay down as I try to work out a deal?" She muttered before steadying herself and sheathing her Katana. 

Akire slowly started raising both hands in the air. She raised her face to show that she could not see, maybe they would understand that as an advantage and become a little bit complacent. Humans are more irrational when they are afraid but when you give them leverage, they start to become more calculating and reasonable.

"We mean no harm to you or the passengers of this ship! You can check the decks, have all the people line up and you will not see any bite marks on any of them!"

She wished that she was right and that the moron slumped on the floor did not snack on anyone recently. She waited patiently for a response, the whirring sound of the lights were like drills digging holes in her head.

"You really believe we'll trust you? I know the company you keep on this ship, vampire. It is quite unusual to have a Lycan and Vampire seen together."

"We're just traveling… Looking for safe passage. It is this filthy little assassin on my feet who creates trouble! I have to defend myself, captain otherwise, he would have my hide." She retorted and kicked the weak vampire for good measure. 

He groaned and she thought she heard him say "you're gonna pay for that..."

"I propose that we just lock him up and I'll just disappear quietly into the cabins, never to come out until we dock!"

She heard the sound of rifles being pulled back and she managed to relax just a little bit. Did it work? Will they survive the night?

"Take the boy down to our special holding cell.”

"Please do not harm him captain! I- I mean, I want to ask him a few questions if you do not mind... When he has recuperated."

"You seem to be asking for too many concessions. Are you highly aware that you are not in any position to bargain?”

Akire kept her mouth shut. She watched the scene, unable to move as men came to collect the assassin's body. She waited for them to grab her but nobody did. Soon, the deck was devoid of any human and supernatural presence except for Akire and the Captain.

She waited patiently and imagined how her heart would be thudding wildly if it still beat. She smelled the air around the Captain, although his whole persona reeked of Pirate. He was around his mid-50's with a slight limp on his left leg. He was bulky but she knew he could move quickly. His heart was calm and beating so he was not one of the undead.

He stopped in front of Akire, assessing her and taunting her to attack him. She held her ground and looked at his face. 

"Thank you!"

He chuckled, low and sinister. "I doubt you should be thanking me yet, creature. News rarely reach our naval ears but I have heard of the blind warrior. Rumor has it that you have quite a destiny."

"What are you talking about?"

He just laughed again. "Rest and tend your wounds. I don't know how you will recuperate without blood but you are not allowed to feed on anybody on this ship."

Akire scoffed. "It is my nature to crave blood and feed off humans but I can restrain myself. I'm not the one herding cattle to sell. What's your excuse?"

He laughed again and Akire was really starting to get annoyed. If she was not aware of the trained rifles at her from the shadows, she would have lunged at this old Jack Sparrow wannabe!

"My men will watch you closely tonight. I only spared your life and of your kind because I am curios to know if you really are who they say you are." He said. 

The captain might have noticed her moment of confusion. "You are surprised, I see. Perhaps you have no idea just how much your reputation precedes you around these parts of the world."

She watched in silence as the man turned around and walked into the darkness. Akire finally relaxed but her mind was racing with a hundred thoughts. What the heck was he talking about?