Malchia Comes to Collect the Guardian
It was a chill night somewhere west of the Horarian Islands. The Guardian of the Tides was sailing the long way around to the north heading to Portet. Wake called out from the crow's next that something was above. The officer on duty, Chase, who typically took the night watch, moved to the stern and quietly ordered crew to stations. Whatever it was, there seemed to be no urgency in its movements.
By the time Malchia reached a height from which he could be heard, having given the crew time to access him and try to take in the gravity of their situation, most of the crew were at stations and readying. He had been advised that the Guardian and its crew were talented and fearless, and rarely challenged. He had also been made aware of all of its capabilities. Which by the time had reached 100 feet, he had negated.
Amare, in full captain attire by this time, stood near Chase. "Ahoy, I am Captain Amare of the Guardian of the Tides." He let that sink in, as it sometimes was enough to deter. "State your business."
"My name is Malchia, I have come to give you good news. Il Collezionista has deemed your ship a magnificent specimen of magic and gives you the honor of knowing what you have made is worth of his attention and will be forever set as part of his collection."
Most of the crew looked puzzled. This deity to most of them was a trader and patron of merchants. A few also knew that his shrines were places where magical items could be safely disposed of or traded. But the officers knew better.
"We thank you for your kinds words, but if its all the same, we'll keep the ship." Amare responded and silently gave orders.
"The great and powerful Il Collezionista offers each of you an item in exchange. Every crew member will be able to take a coin to a shrine and exchange the coin for an item."
Taiji, having made his way on deck, chimed in, "Well, let's just skip ahead to the part where I trade my coin for the ship and we're on our way." Many of the crew chuckled, few knew the level of danger they now faced.
"You have turned down a fair offer, so now a demand. Take the exchange or the ship will be taken from your ungrateful hands."
Chase signaled to Wake, who fired a glowing arrow of warning. "We do not take to threats. Fly off now or our next move will not be a warning." the first mate called in a voice that shook with magic.
"I will do my best not to kill anyone, but the ship is no longer yours." Malchia dove down. The crew was stunned. No one attacked the Guardian, this creature must have a death wish.
Arrows flew towards Malchia, to no avail. Spell rang out, bolts of energy and balls of sound, halting words, and tiring waves. They had no effect. In response, Malchia unleashed explosions of force which knocked a dozen crew from the deck into the sea. The bat screeched, deafening and disorienting more.
Valdis raced up the ropes and slashed away, his attacks blasting the bat and rider more than Malchia had expected. Chase inspired the crew and Amare directed the response. A wave of exhaustion drove many crew to their knees as Malchia moved away from the rigging. Amare tried to activate the ship's defenses, but one by one, they failed. Wake's endless bolts could not strike Malchia. Valdis prepped and readied to launch himself into the sky with an attack that would drive the attacker to the deck.
Taiji worked on getting the ship working, as he soon realized his spells were of no use against the attacker. Some crew tended to those overboard, others tried in vane to send out messages. Coordinating, Valdis and Thermon moved. Leaping into the sky, Valdis flew at Malchia, not scored a serious hit, but driving him down just enough so that Thermon could throw his enchanted net. Able to move, but not able to escape the net, the rider and bat were pulled down.
Still not concerned Malchia continued to even the odds. More crew were knocked off the deck and the doors leading to the deck were sealed. Even in the net, the crew could not seem to hurt Malchia. Amare was frozen in place by a spell. Valdis changed tactics and dropped to the deck, using hand signals, he directed a new line of attack. Slowing the two instead of moving faster himself, he made them easier to hit.
Taiji dispelled them, hoping to get lucky. Chase climbed high enough to stag out at the bat, stunning him with a skilled attack. He signaled the others to follow suit. From every corner of the ship, attacks came in with spear, bolt, arrow and spell. Thermon swung the net around and slammed the two into the mast. Right below Wake, at point blank range, he fired into the bat. Deadly shot after deadly shot, the third through the head of the beast and the two fell.
The crew cheered, but they did not know what they had wrought. "Surrender now and we will spare your life." Chase ordered.
Malchia spent what seemed an eternity staring at his dead friend. He had failed Nefario, underestimated the ship, overestimated his own power. Chase tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. Malchia had not heard the words. In an explosion of magic power he stood. Everyone except Valdis and Thermon were knocked to the ground. Every item on Malchia seemed to come to life. He was not one spellcaster, but a swarm of magic items acting together.
Of all those that saw, Chase understood now what was going to happen. As he had before, he began to bargain, but he could hear no words come from his mouth. He saw Wake thrown from the crow's next into the horizon. Amare obliterated by force. Thermon consumed by fire. Chase rushed to get the crew over board. He lowered the boats as spells lit up the sky. For miles he thought they must be able to see this display.
Taiji sent out spells of aid and transport, trying to save the crew and call for help. He saved others, but was too late for himself, turned to dust. As he had been for decades Valdis stood, the last defender on the ship. He drew all of Malchia's ire as he withstood spell after spell. The crew poured out to the deck, Chase had freed the doors and ran below getting everyone out as Valdis held off Malchia.
Chase thought it would have taken minutes to get everyone off the ship, but he could not tell how much time it actually took. With the last boats away, he counted two thirds of the crew. They rowed away. The crew called out that they were safe, hoping Valdis could flee. They never saw him again, nor their beloved ship, which vanished moments later.