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Chapter 335: The Hunt from Afar
Chapter 335: The Hunt from Afar
A New Target on the Horizon
The White Raven cut through the ocean like a blade through flesh, its dark sails billowing against the salty wind. Seraphis stood at the bow, her piercing gaze scanning the horizon. Lysara, standing beside her, suddenly pointed.
"There," Lysara said, narrowing her eyes. "Another pirate ship."
Seraphis smirked. "Perfect. Let’s see how our new weapons perform at long range."
Preparing for the Attack
The ship ahead was mid-sized, a brigantine flying black and red sails. Seraphis didn’t recognize the symbol, but it didn’t matter.
She turned to her crew. "Load the Dawnstrike crossbow!"
The deckhands scrambled to the massive siege crossbow mounted near the front of the White Raven. Its reinforced darkwood frame gleamed under the sun, and its enchanted limbs held immense power.
Taking Aim
Seraphis walked up to the massive crossbow, brushing her hand along its frame. The runes carved into it hummed faintly, responding to her touch.
She made sure it was fully loaded with one of their custom-made bolts—steel-tipped with an explosive core. Then, gripping the lever, she adjusted its aim.
The enemy ship was about 100 feet away—close enough to see movement on its deck but far enough that they would never suspect an attack from this distance.
"Let’s see how well you hold up," she muttered.
The First Shot
With steady hands, she pulled the release trigger.
A deafening twang echoed as the bolt shot forward like a spear of death. It streaked across the open water, cutting through the air at blinding speed.
The impact was instantaneous.
The bolt tore straight through the ship’s hull—punching through its outer planks, passing through the middle deck, and embedding itself deep inside.
The enemy crew barely had time to react before an explosion followed, shaking the ship violently.
Reloading for Another Strike
Seraphis smirked as she saw smoke rising from the punctured hull. "Not bad. But let’s see if we can make it worse."
She pulled the reload lever, the mechanisms inside the crossbow clicking as the next bolt was loaded. This time, she aimed slightly higher.
She fired again.
The Second Impact
The bolt slammed into the ship's upper deck, shattering the wooden railing and tearing through the mast. The force sent debris flying, and several pirates were knocked off their feet.
The enemy crew was scrambling now, shouting in confusion. They still hadn’t seen where the attacks were coming from.
The Final Shot
"One more for good measure," Seraphis said.
She loaded the last bolt and took careful aim. This time, she targeted the main deck where the enemy’s cannons were lined up.
She pulled the trigger.
The massive bolt soared through the air and punched through the deck, rupturing the cannon line. A chain reaction of explosions followed as the gunpowder ignited.
Assessing the Damage
Seraphis let out a satisfied sigh, stepping back as the enemy ship was left smoking, half-destroyed.
Lysara let out a low whistle. "They never even saw it coming."
"That’s the point," Seraphis said. "A silent hunter is deadlier than a roaring beast."
Closing the Distance
With the Scarlet Dagger barely afloat, Seraphis turned to her helmsman.
"Move in. Let’s finish this."
The White Raven advanced, cutting through the waves toward the crippled enemy vessel.
The Enemy's Struggle
The enemy pirates were scrambling, desperately trying to put out fires and repair their broken ship. Some were loading cannons, trying to retaliate.
Seraphis watched them with amusement. "They still think they have a chance."
Lysara grinned. "Let’s prove them wrong."
Boarding the Wreckage
As the White Raven pulled alongside the broken ship, grappling hooks were thrown. The enemy ship groaned under its own weight, barely staying afloat.
Seraphis and her crew leaped onto the wreckage, weapons drawn. The enemy pirates barely had the strength to fight back.
The Final Confrontation
The enemy captain stood his ground, a cutlass in hand. His face was a mixture of fury and desperation.
"Who the hell are you?" he growled.
Seraphis smirked. "Your worst nightmare."
With that, she lunged.
A Quick and Brutal End
The battle was swift. The enemy crew, weakened from the bombardment, was no match for Seraphis and her warriors.
Steel clashed, screams echoed, and within minutes, the deck was littered with bodies.
Plundering the Ruins
With no survivors left to resist, Seraphis ordered her crew to loot everything of value.
Weapons, gold, enchanted artifacts—everything was taken.
Deciding the Fate of the Ship
Seraphis looked around at the ruined vessel. It was barely afloat, riddled with holes and burning from within.
She turned to Lysara. "No point in keeping this one, is there?"
Lysara shook her head. "It’s beyond saving."
Ending It
Seraphis stepped back onto the White Raven and gave the final order.
"Fire."
The cannons roared once more, sending the last of the wreckage beneath the waves.
Marking Another Victory
As the enemy ship disappeared, Seraphis turned to her crew. "This is what happens to those who cross our path."
The crew cheered.
The White Raven had struck fear into the seas once again.