Chapter 1: The Tale of Two

Hexller: Care for a bite?

The guard was staring at Hexller as he reached for his pistol. Hexller bit his apple once more as the crowd chasing him halted and went back to their own buisness. The area around them cleard out as they both silently stared at each other.

Guard: An outsider? And yet you have the nerve to do some crime eh?

Hexller bit his apple as the guard aimed at Hexller's head ready to shoot at any time.

Hexller: Mhmm.. Dhon Mhin Mhe...

Hexller said as he chewed his apple. He then bit again and threw away the core at the guard's face and immediately ran as fast as he can while laughing.

Guard: Seize that kid!

As he ran, he scooped two handfull of rocks and covered each one of them with diamond and threw them up into the air. The crowd of people went crazy while trying to catch the diamonds which made the guards slow down. The guards yelled at him as he ran away further until the guards cannot see him. Hexller circled around from the back and watched as the guards have a hard time passing from the crowd towards the direction he went earlier not knowing he was behind them. Hexller swallowed his apple.

Hexller was grabbed by an unknown man wearing a hood. He was scared that it was one of the guards until the guy said his name, Lazarus. He looked at the guy who seems to be in a hurry as he answered his questions as they ran.

Hexller: Oh, that was because of something I ate while I got stranded in one island. A devil fruit? Is that what you call it?

He saw what he did to the garbage can which had hit the guard and made the other guards stop to evade it. He was amazed at how fast it all happened. He smiled at Lazarus

Hexller: I'm Alexander Hexller, just call me Hexller. You seem pretty strong, what are you up to?

Hexller was happy to hear that the man dragging him does not intend to kill him. He smiled as he ran with his side, away from all of those that wants to catch them.

Lazarus: I came to Lvneel to steal a special caravel called the Royal Heart from the king. I'm a pirate

They have just passed a huge decorative structure as they got chased now by both citezens and guards. What are the chances of seeing a pirate on this place? Maybe none if you are not Hexller. He needed the ways of travel, companions, food, and battles, if this guy has a boat to steal then he may just be the one pirate he was looking for. Hexller laughed as the number of people chasing them increase.

Hexller: I'm a pirate too! What are the chances! But I'm still starting, I don't have a bounty yet. Say, I would help you have the ship but I would need a favor in return, it won't be something too big so don't worry.

Lazarus was an experienced pirate, he could just be the captain he needed, a crew he never thought would be possible, a pirate crew. Maybe this time he would have a nice poster, a wanted poster.


Servant: Yes sir!

The servant rushed towards one of the quarters as soon as he heard the king's orders. The servant caught his breath before entering the door. The back of a large man can be seen as soon as you enter the door.

Servant: Captain! The king sent orders for a search.

The man grunted after hearing the servant. The man turned his chair around.

Captain: Who was it that the king needs me to find it?

Servant: Lazarus Phantom sir! The king also said to send news to him about his sister.

The man grinned as he stood up.

Captain: I need my men

He never felt so free before, he was so happy to finaly find a friend. They jumped from the cliff, Hexller grabs his staff from the pocket inside his vest and extends it as they fall down.

Lazarus: How about you be my first mate!?

Hexller: I was about to ask you if I can be in your crew. But looks like my favor was already granted!

Hexller stuck his staff on the side of the cliff right before his feet touch the ground. He spun around while holding his staff then placed it into his pocket after he retrieved it and retracted it back. In the boardwalk they landed, he looked up to see the crowd shouting and howling at them as the guards still try to shoot, failing miserably. He still can't believe he is an official pirate now, with a captain and all. In a distance at the ocean, he can see three ships which seemed to be brand new all coming closer at the port.

Hexller: Those look like the new ships for me. Come on lets get going!

They raced once more, now heading straight to the port hoping they would reach there without anyone interfering. This is it, this is the start of his life as a pirate.

Lazarus: This is the plan. Right now, there's a minimal guard. What I'll do is rush to get on the ship, taking out a few guards on my way. I'll need you to cut the anchor, then hop aboard and we'll set sail. We'll have to dock the ship on the west side of the island, since we still need supplies.

Hexller: Aye! Got it!

Just as he responded a group of guards with what seemed to be their captain blocked them which made them stop on their tracks. The mood of the surroundings have changed, Hexller was now preparing for battle. He reached for his staff inside his vest and extended it, Lazarus was going for the captain. His face turned serious as he extended his staff.

Hexller: Looks like the plan can wait.

He observed the soldiers which now surrounded him and Lazarus, all of which are smiling at him, underestimating him.

Foot Soldier: Look guys! Isn't this the fruit thief! Hahaha!

The soldiers all laughed at him, he held a tighter grip on his staff. He may be a beginner but he knows how to fight for he trained on all of those times he was alone in the island, he was not just a fruit thief. He remembered what the blacksmith said to him when he handed his staff as he was about to leave the small town. "You may have been defeated, but I assure you that you will rise up once more, stronger than ever!". He felt his blood rush in his body, he is now in the mood to fight.

Hexller: Bōnbureikā......

He slowly begun to spin his staff on his side as three of the foot soldiers started to close onto him.

Hexller: Rapid Spin!

He crouched as he raised his spinning staff on top of his head. One of the foot soldiers was hit on the chest and was sent sent flying which made him slam on one other soldier which was on the far left corner while two got hit on the head and was knocked unconscious. Some of the soldiers fired their guns, which had the bullets reflected and was sent flying to other directions as Hexller spun his staff, one of the bullets hit a soldier on the arm which made it bleed. He made his staff to stop spinning, he stood up and got an even tighter grip on his staff as he started to coat it into diamond. The foot soldiers got astonished on what he was doing with his staff as he coated it in diamond. Four more soldiers are slowly approaching him now, he stood still as he observed them as they come closer, the soldiers which are taking measures of what Hexller is capable of doing.  

Hexller: Dia Dia....

He sighed as the soldiers are getting closer. The diamond cover is now almost reaching the tip of his staff. He was ready to attack once more.

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Nox: General! I'll be more than enough. 


Nox drew his two long-swords that lied sheath on his back. He brushed Lazarus off his shoulder and began to initiate him in combat.


Nox: What are you lot waiting for, get him!? Teamwork, we'll defeat him together.


Guard: Some mighty captain he is...


Nox: What was that!?


Guard: Nothing sir. 


Five guards surrounded Lazarus from all sides, Hexeller was busy fending off his enemies. Three of them carried pistols and formed a firing line and opened fire on Lazarus. 

Spoiler:

Lazarus gently swayed listening to the sound of the incoming projectiles and shifting his body out of the way of the attacks. He rushed towards the men, firing three swift jabs at their face blinding them. He then took one of them and launched them into the other two guards that stood afraid with their swords. Nox attempted to stab both of his blades into Lazarus' back when he was distracted but Lazarus sensed the oncoming blades and simply stepped out of the way. One of the swords stabbed one of Nox's men in their throat and he passed out from the blood loss. Two of the angry marksmen, now with broken noses stood up and open fire once more, this time head shots. Lazarus used his gauntlets to shield from the bullets and rushed towards the men firing two cohesive right hooks to their stomachs. Nox and one of his men remained on the prey for Lazarus.

Nox: Stop jumping around and fight me like a man!

Lazarus: Says the man who brought a whole army to fight two people!

Lazarus dashed towards the foot solider in a zigzag motion. The confused solider trembled and Nox attempted to intercept.

Nox: The great Nox shall deliver you to his majesty! Rippping Slicer!

Nox slashed twice at Lazarus but missed as he evaded and fired two right hooks into the foot soliders stomach. Lazarus watched as he faded out of consciousness.

Lazarus: It's about time I ended this!

Nox: You won't hit me!

Lazarus: Oh! Why not!?

Nox: Because we have news about your sister. If you don't come with us-

Lazarus slammed his foot into Nox's ribcage, shattering it completely.

Lazarus: Richard!!!! That bastard, what is he planning!?

Lazarus pondered in anger, what new's could he have about his sister? He snapped out of it when he realized now was not the time.

Lazarus: Hexeller! Let's finish these guys off and regroup on the ship! The Royal Heart is the last one on the right! Let's set sail to Richard's castle!



Enemies:

Foot Soldiers: 15/25 left
Captain: 1/1

Hexller: Staff Blades!

Hexller's created diamond blades on each end of his staff. He stabbed one of the guards from the front on its stomach and spun the staff around slicing two other guards around him through their armor. Two snipers shot at Hexller, he evaded the shots as he rushed towards them, he jumped and spun his staff on top of his head and hit both of the snipers on their waist as he landed. He looked at Lazarus who had just defeated the captain, Lazarus looked angry as he stared at the captains unconscious body.

Lazarus: Hexeller! Let's finish these guys off and regroup on the ship! The Royal Heart is the last one on the right! Let's set sail to Richard's castle!


Hexller: You can count on me with that! Time to cut the anchor!

Another soldier charged at him with a sword. The soldier tried to strike him as Hexller sliced the soldier's sword in half and proceeded to cut the soldier at the chest. He ran towards the port and went to the third ship Lazarus was telling him, Lazarus was behind him busy with his attackers. He looked at the ships, One of which was white with brown trimmed edges, the other one was red with a big figurehead of a dragon. The Royal Heart on the other hand was the biggest among all, it looked marvelous as the sun shines on it's golden trimmed edges, it's deep dark blue color fits just right. It was the perfect ship, who knows what amazing tricks it can do. He ran right towards it carrying his staff which still sports the blades.

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Lazarus: Four more left, vice captain, what shall we do with them?

He smiled as Lazarus said these words. He felt his blood rush up on his head and felt warmth all around his body. He never felt this happy before.

Hexller: We should let them be, let them spread news, let our names be heard! We are the Savage Heart Pirates, I am Alexander Hexller and this is my captain, Lazarus!

He felt his heart pounding out of joy, he finally had a crew and a captain to call. He smiled as he saw the soldiers scurry back into the city, wanting to keep their lives. He looked behind at the Royal Heart as the diamond cover of his staff powderize. He jumped up top of it and pulled the anchor as he laughed. The smell of the sea breeze was overwhelming as Lazarus follow him up top of the ship. They both looked at the city with the flashing lights of cameras as they all both stand on the boat.

Hexller: Captain! You should now officially claim the boat!



Four soldiers scurried towards the king as they stumbled on his front. The king seemed pleased as he thought that they would send him a good message from the search. The four soldiers hurried and stood up to saluted at the king. The king laughed and talked rapidly.

King Richard: This better be a good news! So, what was the result? Have your captain successfully captured Lazarus? I believe you have! Because in that case you wont be here at my front in the first place. Have you acquired gold? Precious gems? Answer me!

Soldier: We have been defeated sir. Captain Nox was defeated. We were the only ones left.

King Richard: Fools! How many where there? Are the whole crew in?

Soldier: There were only two of them sir. The other one was named Alexander Hexller sir. We were left to say that Lazarus now has his own crew. The Savage Heart Pirates they say sir.

King Richard: Pitiful fools! Left for the mercy of the enemy! You shall then be executed! Two of them and twenty six of you! How pathetic!

The king sent the soldiers out of the room as the king ordered the servants to put the castle on lock down.

King Richard: Lazarus is an unpredictable man.

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Hexller: Stride and True!

The ship is now sailing the words Lazarus just spoke echoed through his head "This is the start of the Savage Heart Pirates!". They laughed as they sailed the boat, he is now an official pirate, he now has a captain and a marvelous ship, everything he always wanted. He drank the wine Lazarus poured him as they laughed and exchanged stories of what just happened then, he climbed up to of the ship's fore mast afterwards. He sat down and felt the breeze blow into his face. He was now happier than ever, the biggest day of his life. If his parents could see him right now then they must be very proud, this is just a step closer on being a strong and respected pirate.

Hexller: A new start.... We are the Savage Heart Pirate!

He smiled down at Lazarus who was currently manning the ship. He looked at the crowd of people with the blinding flashes of cameras they were panicking as they saw what have just happened to the twenty-one guards and their captain. He waved at the people as they steered clear away from them. He whispered,

Hexller: This is just the beginning...