"Curse" by Kaleigh Albright

The lone ship tossed and turned in the sea, the storm throwing it around the waves. Water smashed into the bow of the ship and spewed over onto the deck, hitting the crew and the captain. The captain, appearance covered by a dark brown cloak, shouted to the crew, "Hold your ground! This storm can't destroy our ship!!" Turning to a crew member, the captain told him, "Keep your crew steady. This may be a long night." The man nodded and went off to help the rest of the crew.

The captain turned to a side, as though something was spotted in the dark mist surrounding the boat and storm. Shrugging it off, the captain walked into the midst of the crew. Without warning, a barrage of flaming arrows hit the deck, killing a member of the crew. "Get down!" the captain yelled, but was cut off as another ship slammed into the stern side of their ship. Several crew members were knocked off their feet before several hook-tied ropes attached themselves to the rail, and the ships were pulled closer. The captain threw off the cloak to reveal the female demon, Trinity, clad in black - the same color as her hair.

Trinity was a known assassin throughout the demon kingdom. Her intentions were unknown, but she sent the wicked into death in her wake, and none were said to rival her. Her piercing eyes - a deep violet color - searched the darkness surrounding the other ship, looking for the opponents that fired on them. As the smoke from the flaming arrows cleared, several strangely colored men with animal skulls for helmets stood there, staring at her and her crew. Out of the darkness, a long figure, wearing a deep midnight blue, stepped from behind the disgusting creatures. He walked to the railing of the ship, and Trinity could get a good look at him. With eyes a piercing emerald and his hair black, the man smirked as he watched her and her crew with knowing eyes.

"Kill them," he ordered, and the creatures around him swarmed the ship. Trinity pulled her long hair back into a tie, then drew her double blades.

"Attack!" she shouted, and her crew rushed to meet their foes. Trinity backflipped into the air, two of the dark colored minions chasing after her. She landed nearby, swiping her blade out at the first, slicing it nearly in half. She grabbed the other and swung herself to a side with its head. Upon placing her feet on the ground, she threw the creature into another, knocking both off of the boat.

She moved to a side, the rain and wind whipping into her face and stinging her. Her eyes looked up, and caught a lone figure standing up at the helm of the ship. The black haired man stood there, watching her. "How the hell did he get up there?" she growled. She hurried over towards the top portion of the ship.

The man turned to face her as she came up using the stairs. He pointed his blade at her. "You think you're tough? You've only survived thus far by running. Scared?"

"Scared of a worm like you?" Trinity asked. "Don't make me laugh!" She rushed towards him, blades out. He ran to meet her, and they clashed, their blades singing as they glanced off of the other's weapon. Their soaked bodies moved swiftly around each other, their feet moving as though they were dancing, their eyes locked and their souls feuding. As their blades came together once more, the man tried forcing her backwards. She held firm, pushing against him. For several moments, the two demons stood there, locked, until he moved his arms back, then forward, causing her to lose her balance. He slashed his sword at her, catching her along the arm.

Trinity fell to the ground, gasping in pain. The smirking demon stood over her, sword glinting in the lightning. She quickly got to her feet.

"Give it up, woman. My men have your ship, your crew is dead, and you shall be defeated. Why not surrender now, and spare yourself the pain?" he said, voice cold, with a smirk on his face.

"I'd rather throw myself overboard," Trinity retorted, flipping a piece of hair out of her face.

"I'll be happy to do that for you," he replied, slashing at her. She struck back, knocking him off guard by her speed. She kicked him backwards, sending him to the other side of the platform. He growled, lunging for her, sword out. She met him with her own blades as an answer, as a dark blanket of water surged towards the battered ships. The wave struck the ship, sweeping over it, and turning it. Trinity flew backwards, smacking into the railing and falling over. She hit the water and dropped down into the dark depths below, senseless to the world around her.