[Arc] The Blue Bolt Massacre

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Panting heavily, the effects from Victor’s drugs began to cause all the muscles in Castor's body to cramp violently. At this stage, Castor’s clothes were all drenched in blood and rain water, as such, the pirate opted to let down his kimono, revealing his battle scarred filled body. As the man’s third eye jotted around independently, assessing the number of soldiers that remain compared to the original army’s numbers.

“This last bunch might be the hardest… Especially the loud mouth.” Castor thought to himself, glaring at Doug. Charging up for another disburse, Castor fired off a lightning bolt that darted off towards Doug in the form of a massive hawk. Cutting the bird in half with ease, even Doug began to notice the difference in speed but power in Castor’s attempt. [Miss – 45 Million Volt – Hino]

“Compared to your last trick that bird just doesn’t pack the same punch!” Doug shouted arrogantly, assuming a fighting stance. Lunging towards Castor, the nimble knight danced around carrying such a heavy longsword, swinging it rapidly as he’d be only lifting a twig. Yet, the blade itself has weighed at least eight pounds, almost twice the weight than standard.

There was machismo to his moments, like an aspiring dancer in French dance, the man’s erratic and artistic touch to fight reminded him everything of Blitz’s style. Abandoning his blade, Castor reached for his spear, and almost instantly, slipping through the gaps in his armor, Castor’s spear impaled the Knight. As the diagonal blow connected, Iris began to spin, skewering the insides of Doug, rendering him motionless.

Doug’s eyes met with Castor’s own momentarily, immense regret filled the Vana Knight’s eyes as his spirit faded, Castor hawked up a lump of phlegm and spat it into the man’s face. The trick was, using the flexibility of his logia to circle around to the back of Doug’s neck, and striking in the gaps around his neck. [LT – Drill – Hit]

Doug had fallen. The man’s figure dropped from it’s mighty upright stance. Which resulted in a mass crowd of beings surrounding the apprentice. Retrieving his spear from the man’s neck, the bloodied polearm brought much perspective that Castor wasn’t to be trifled with.

Releasing a pack of electrical wolves, the beast acted as the scavengers in front of the hospital from which they stood. Patients watched on in horror from their rooms as the pirate continued to slaughter the knights like live stock. [LT – Hit – 10 Million Volt Raiju]

Dashing back into the flock, Castor began to skewer the remaining forces with a single shot through the dome with Iris’ blade.[UT Hit]

Enraged, five more of Gryphon’s disciples sprung into action, surrounding Castor, using a circular formation. With his Haki exhausted, his senses were dulled, and when the first blade became wedged into Castor’s back he’d simply flinch from the pain. However, before he could counter, the other knights began to offload blades into Castor’s body. Five long swords, a few organs nipped, and a massive pool of blood were left for Castor to manage. [MT – HIT]

Extending his arm like a chain, the electrical link with the spear in hand impaled each man’s shoulder, skewering them, rotating his arm in a 360 fashion, drilling through their armors like play dough. However seconds before their death, every man would begin to twist the blades, still wedged in Castor, and in an attempt finish him off. [LT – HIT] Alas, the motion would cease, the knights would die before the internal bleeding could worsen any further.

Transforming into his element, Castor freed his body of the iron cast of the blades’ metals and stared at Gryphon whose aura was oozing at Castor’s insolence towards life. However, Gryphon had promised not to move an inch, and with Castor’s current condition, an end was on the horizon. [LT – Miss]

The violence continued to increase, from the hospital rooms, the patients began to tossing bedpans, chairs and any item that could be used as a projectile to strike Castor, who was now standing below the hospital ward’s windows. [UT Hit]

Basking in their hatred for him, Castor’s inner most hateful thoughts surfaced.

“You people all watched as a woman gave her life for this island… This Kingdom murdered her for nothing more than blood sport of pompous Nobleman.

Yet… You heckle at me. Hate me. Despise me.

Listen for all who have lips to gossip… The reason the Nox Pirates are targeting Lvneel is simple.

My master was once a Knight among you lot. All she wanted to do was to protect this veil. Now she’s gone. My only light is gone because of you!

Until your children’s children hate me as well.

Until the last image you fear before you sleep at night is my own.

I am the North Blue’s new face of fear!” Castor barked, ravenously literally frothing at the mouth, much like Cisco – Mad Dog would.

Gryphon stepped forward, raising hand to command the mob to stop. Walking through his fold of Knights, he’d finally stand at the helm. “Castor O. Nox. For those words you just spew… I must kill you right here. You’ve confirmed my suspicions and my masters own. Karl Nox. The Montblanc’s Advisor…He’s your father.

The woman you’re referring to… Her name is Jules, isn’t it? If that’s the case… and you’re that little three-eye brat that went missing. This is the end of your journey here. Keeping you alive is a political risk.” Gryphon said, removing his blade from its holster.

COMBAT TRACKERS:

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“If I fight you now… That might be a bit problematic.” Castor declared grinning, as his heartbeat beginning to accelerate irregularly. Pressing his hands against the mucky ground, Castor discharged a large scale electrical blast that heat up the mud beneath the soldiers boots. [MT – Sango] Gryphon sensing the impending doom, tapped his foot against the ground, launching himself in a cascading fashion towards the sky.

Quick drawing Summer Rain, Castor released an electrical wind blade, which soared through the battlefield, cutting the soldiers bodies in half upon contact. [LT – Luna Kiss] The final platoon of troops were wiped from Castor heating up the air around the outskirts of the hospital, and with the humidity in the air from the rainfall, the explosion created a thick fog which expanded over the area. [LT – Kari – Army Knocked Out]

The only one that remained standing was Gryphon, the man’s eyes filled with tears as he’d look across the battlefield at the carnage Nox caused. Vana’s Elite Vanguard consisting of five hundred of his finest soldiers was wiped out by a single Pirate Captain. The incident was called the Blue Bolt Massacre, hundreds of patients on looked in horror as the Knights who promised to protect them, had indeed fulfilled their job. At the cost of their own lives, duty had brought them to a stillness, one that would last eternally.

Using the fog as a cover, Castor would hobble into the hospital. His muscles began to tighten in the most painful of ways, and after feeding on his own lifespan to survive, the exhaustion made his knees feel as if they were tied down by bags of sand. “I need to get Victor and that old man out of here but if he’s busy chasing us… It’s pointless.” Castor murmured to himself. Extending his finger towards the ceiling above him, “This is the last of my strength.” Castor declared, releasing a small electrical ball which hovered towards the ceiling.

Transforming into electricity, Castor conducted through the hospital ventilation system, triggering the fire alarms as he’d advance to Victor’s location. Navigating the rubble, Gryphon made it into the hospital, seconds before Castor electrical ball had made impact with the ceiling. In that moment, the whole ceiling collapsed for several yards, the lives of many recovering patients were now placed in the hands of fate.

“NOX!” Gryphon shouted in frustration. Digging into his armor to reveal his Den Den Mushi, Gryphon would direct call Vana’s acting Lord, Sir Bolden Senior. “Yes sir… I’ve failed. Send any reinforcements to Saint Frigg’s General. The causalities for soldiers alone is approximately around five hundred men. All my apprentices have sadly perished.” Gryphon reported.

“Gryphon. Retreat. Prioritize the men’s lives. Save who you can. Once we have regrouped, I’ll send you to handle him personally. I’ll seal off every route in and out of Vana. This disgrace won’t be taken lightly.” Sir Bolden declared, hanging up the Den Den shortly after.Finally making it back to Victor’s condition, Castor crash landed onto the man’s floor, and the severity Castor injuries began to rear it’s ugly head.

“I’ll leave the rest of this to you Victor.” Castor stated, spread out on his stomach on the Mad Doctor’s floor before passing out.

COMBAT TRACKERS:

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Tension filled the air as the hospital staff and Vana Guard were on full alert. At Sir Bolden’s request, the search for Castor O. Nox had been postponed until the veil had been brought back to a level of stability. Unrest amongst the people intensified as rumors of the Blue Bolt Incident spread through the city the only way most rumors did, word of mouth. Piece by piece, the story became more and more distorted, further from the truth.

A report was made to the Royal Capital of Asgar, the Montblanc Family and other shields had been put on high alert for any remnants of the Nox Pirates. Bloody Port – Victor Newport had burned down a private estate in Musspell and Castor O. Nox had wiped out all the senior staff of Vana. Five Hundred Fifty-Five men were killed between Castor fights with Cisco and The Vana Army.

The murder count hadn’t been that high since Lvneel and Flevance entered into a civil war almost a decade and some ago. The real question of most critics, where was Cisco and Castor? Surely, one man who’d just fought Vana’s notorious army of fighters wouldn’t be able to walk away unscathed. One week passed. Victor worked feverishly to administer medical aid to Castor but only time could truly heal the Imp’s wounds.

Week Two. Cisco awakens from his surgery. With Castor still in a deep slumber, the former Vana Knight watched his future student recover. Turning to Victor, “How much longer is he going to sleep?” Cisco inquired, annoyed as he’d sip at his rum. “Mr.Nox’s injuries far exceeded yours. You should be lucky. If he’d brought you even a day later, the Amber Lead disease would have crashed your major organs.” Grace stated smiling, as she’d change the Captain’s bandages.

The best place to hide a wanted man was in broad daylight, says the rumors. Secluded in Vana’s hospital, a simple body swap transpired. With a few bandages around his face, Castor reassumed the role of the Masked Knight, who’d been done in by Castor. Certainly his wounds from fighting the villain – Nox, the Knight was terribly wounded.

Week 3, Castor awakes from his unconscious state. The room filled with conspirators, Victor, Cisco and Grace began to discuss the problem looming for them all. Vana was indeed on high alert for all members of the Nox Pirates… except for Victor.

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Incredibly sore from his collective injuries, the Three Eye Pirate was feeling it a bit groggy from his long slumber. “Welcome back? Gashi Gashi… How long have I been out?” Castor responded, chuckling in response to the almost clinical greeting given to him by the gigantic doctor. To his left was a somber and quiet Cisco, the little man tried his best to not show any emotion but he’d sat by Castor’s bedside the entire month.

“Seems like you pulled through old man.” Castor stated.

“Humph. I could tell you the same. If you’d died to any of those twerps… You wouldn’t have deserved the right to call yourself my protégé.” Cisco declared shining his teeth at the pirate, each row rotten from the constant washing in rum.

The only stranger in this room at this point was Grace. Glaring at the woman, she’d instantly freeze in her tracks from the intense glare produced by Nox.

“Victor. Who is this woman? I saw her in your office earlier but I assumed she was just your entertainment. If it is she’s still here now… I’m assuming you’d bet your life on her loyalty?” Castor declared, changing to a more intense tone than earlier.

Raising her hand before the doctor could speak, Grace would meet the intense gaze with a disarming one.

“I’m the one who nursed you back to health while Victor covered for your recklessness, Mr.Nox. I don’t know if it was an ego play or just pure stupidity but to take on Vana’s Elite Vanguard with no assistance would generally be a suicide mission.” Grace declared.

Castor paused momentarily to ponder on the woman’s scolding. Ignoring her, he’d turn his head towards Victor who’d inform him of their need to escape Vana immediately.

“Mission accomplished then. The plan was to terrorize Vana to further cement myself as a symbol of fear. I'll return to Jotun.” Castor stated. “That’s the duality of it all. The Masked Knight and The Psychotic Pirate. I can be the hero or the villain by a simple choice of attire.” Castor concluded.

His senses fully returning to him, Castor’s eyes conveyed an immense nervousness. Extending his hand using his logia abilities, the pirate would apply a tight choke to the nurses neck. “Victor. Search her now. My electro radio picked up a signal from her body. This room has been compromised.” Castor declared immensely agitated.

The woman began to scream out in ecstasy, as if the man’s aggressiveness brought true pleasure. “Yes… Choke me harder… Mr.Nox. Harder...” Grace declared gasping for air frantically, as drool protuded from her mouth in almost a sensual manner. "After all... Today will be the last day you get to feel the touch of woman's skin for a long long time." Grace continued on, struggling for breath to speak.

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The moment the signal crashed, a platoon of black suit wearing mafia members stormed the room. Each carrying rifles in at their sides, however, at the helm of the pack was a familiar face which spelled danger for all parties present. “Looks like you’ve healed up well, Nox.” Gryphon stated smirking. Shifting from his position from beneath the bed sheets, Castor stood in his patient uniform. Reaching for his kimono and hakama, the pirate would strip nakedly down to his loincloth, putting on his traditional dress, still maintaining his grip on the woman’s neck.

Releasing the choke hold, the woman’s body plopped on to the ground and began to cough violently, gasping for air.

“Let me guess. That whole speech was a charade then.” Castor stated.

“My loyal subjects were present, so of course.” Gryphon stated, shedding his usual calm demeanor for a more whacky manner of speech.

“You’re not the only one who has been acting. I’ve been watching you lot since Blitz’s death. I had my consultants in the mafia investigate you all. The Good Doctor – Victor Abio. Sanpaku – Castor O. Nox aka The Masked Knight. Bloody Port – Victor Newport. You picked the wrong Shield to muck around in. There’s a reason why Vana has remained independent over the years... Blackmail is our specialty!” Gryphon exclaimed manically.

For the first time since Castor began this plot, the man was truly astonished. He’d been hoodwinked from the start it seemed, and Dax’s words from atop the Jotun Mountain came ringing in his ears, he wasn’t as smart as he’d thought.

A million and one ideas flashed through Castor’s immediate memory but only one mattered, and it was one that could get him out of this situation alive.

“Victor. It seems both of us have miscalculated here.” Castor said, turning towards his associate in crime. “Old man. Can you move?” Castor inquired.

“Not as spring as I was in my youth but… I can handle myself.” Cisco declared, smashing the empty rum bottle against the bedside table, and fashioning himself a weapon.

Scanning the room, Castor realized his blade – Summer Rain and spear – Iris was missing. Retrieving them could come later, survival was the main objective. Transforming into his lightning form, the glow from Castor’s body began to illuminate the room, blinding all parties present. Snatching up Cisco and Victor in his element, Castor created an electrical lift which elevated the trio towards the ceiling.

Seconds away from impact, Gryphon would lunge into mid-air, latching onto Victor’s shoulder, slamming the doctor into the concrete floor. It’d be a swift motion but by time Castor had made it to the skies above St. Grigg’s hospital, the realization that Victor was missing from the posse.

Sucking his teeth quickly in frustration, Castor accepted his lost, opting to retreat to Vana’s hillsides momentarily.

“Looks like your Captain has left you all alone to face these crimes, Good Doctor.” Gryphon stated sarcastically, walking towards the flattened medic, and applying handcuffs to his wrists.

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Travelling south for a few miles, Castor landed quietly in the wild berry fields that Vana was famous for. Lamenting in their mistakes, Cisco and Castor laid sprawled out in the mud, facing the blue skies.

“I have to go back for Victor.” Castor stated.

“At your current strength… Fighting him would be suicidal. Among the Knights in Vana, Gryphon is among the strongest. Even in my youth, I struggled against him and he’s bested Jules many a time.” Cisco stated.

Frustrated at himself, Cisco’s words further tore away at the man already damaged pride.

“However. If you can master consecutive movement and combine that with your Devil’s Fruit… You might have a chance.” Cisco exclaimed smirking.

“I don’t have much of a choice do I? Train me, Mad Dog Of Vana – Cisco.” Castor said earnestly.

“Humph. Fine. Under one condition. There’s a man I want you to kill for me. I can feel it. This old body of mine doesn’t have much left in the tank. Thanks to your nakama, I might have a couple more years at most but my death is imminent.

The remaining players such as Lord Bolden and his secret legion of Knights won’t let you escape if you managed to best Gryphon. That’s where I come in. I’ll be your shield and help you lot flee Vana.” Cisco explained.

“Name him. I’ll kill him for you.” Castor responded with no hesitation.

“Don’t be so quick to take a life boy. Every soul you rob from this world is a blood tie. Especially when you don’t understand the weight of what you’re agreeing to.” Cisco retorted.

“You’re wasting my time Cisco. I’ve killed many a man. Most times out of rage alone. Tell me the name.” Castor declared angrily.

“Karl O. Nox. According to what the nurse wench informed me. He’s your father correct?” Cisco inquired.

With the coldest of the smile and tone, “My father died the day he let my mother be taken by those Nobles. I’ll kill him gladly.” Castor answered.

Sighing, “Tragic. A son killing his father… Don’t you even wish to know why I desire his death?!” Cisco barked.

“Stop wasting my time Mad Dog. Let’s commence—” Castor’s sentence was cut short from Cisco mounting atop him and pummeling him with right hooks.

Tears swelling in the man’s eyes, “The man who disrespected Jules burial rights and turned her body over to The Celestial Dragon’s care was your father.” Cisco revealed.

Astonished, Castor’s three eyes opened hauntingly.

“W-what do you mean her burial rights Cisco?! Speak openly!” Castor screamed.

“Her grave is empty in the capital. The Celestial Dragon… the man known as Sinclair. He’s a collector of bodies. Dead or Alive.” Cisco concluded.

FIN