Unchosen Champion

Coop waited, balancing on top of the ship’s side railings while watching the fort slowly draw closer. Charlie was carefully steering the ship within the narrow channel that guided them through the treacherous reefs that earned Ghost Reef its name. They had passed more than one wreck. The ribs of old ships still reached toward the surface where they were sunk centuries previously.

Charlie had a significant advantage over the captains of past eras. With mana she was able to control the wind itself. Their speed was always predictable and their sail never emptied. Charlie had become an expert with manipulating and sustaining her wind abilities. She brought them close to the dock with ease.

Coop leaped from the boat’s railing with ropes in hand. He landed onto Ghost Reef’s sturdy dock. He was happy to be back, even if the circumstances weren’t great just yet.

He secured the ship and headed directly to the fort. His ethereal set had been returned to its more subtle coloration and no longer flickered with golden reflected light, though small ghostly wisps still drifted off of its surface. The dim light of the morning was all that illuminated the island, but it was more than enough. Coop quickly traveled the familiar trails, across the wooden bridge above the moat, and toward the main iron gate.

The group had agreed to let Coop do what he needed to do by himself. Camila and Charlie joined Mikey B and Amanda in staying on the ship until the job was done. They wanted to help, but Coop was sure that he would be fine and would feel better knowing they were as well. He wasn’t ready to trust Amanda and Mikey B completely either, so his two trusted companions would also be keeping an eye on them to make sure they didn’t try anything funny.

Coop expected to fight the rest of Kevin’s party at the minimum. The Puppeteer was one of the main members of the five man party, so that left four more to deal with.

Then there was the rest of Mikey B and Amanda’s party who they predicted would be loyal to Kevin and the Empire. They were completely onboard during training and had never hinted at any inclination for rebellion. Therefore, Coop added three more threats.

Finally, there was the full party of five that had guarded the ship and had only made it onshore after Coop had taken the vessel to the oil rig. None of them had interacted with them very much, as the group of five tended to stick together like a small clique.

All in all Coop would be confronting at least four, but maybe as many as twelve of the Empire’s lackeys. He hoped it wouldn’t end up with twelve people hurling spells around the fort.

He wasn’t worried about himself, he just wanted to minimize the collateral damage done to his settlement.

Coop entered straight through the main gate. He didn’t feel any need for a stealthy approach. He was at full health and full mana, and his experience with the Empire’s Chosen hadn’t made them seem very threatening. He really just wanted to get this whole thing over with. They had pushed and now they would be pushed back. He would provide the consequences of their actions, today.

As Coop moved through the tunnel to the courtyard, taking the direct route to the civilization shard, he was surprised by movement. He jumped backwards and aimed his spear toward the ambusher. Instead of a fight he was greeted politely by the upper half of a humanoid figure.