Once I finished recording all the information Azarael gave me, I went to the bridge to check on Newind. Currently, the only view we had was of the open ocean. I plopped down into my chair and leaned back, crossing my right leg over my left, resting the ankle on my knee.
"What do you think Newind, should we just raid this one or play nice?"
"We did help the last two temples, Captain. Wing it?"
I grimaced, going in without a plan or information on the situation was suicidal. I could only imagine how bad we would fare if we 'wing it'. "We need to be cautious on this one. The inhabitants might be hostile." In my experience, Islanders don't take visitors well. We need to be smart on this one. "When we are near the island, cloak up, My team goes down. No other team or person is allowed off this ship until I say otherwise. Have Azarael brought up here with his angry chicken. I want another word with him."
"Aye Captain." Newind saluted me and relayed the instructions over the intercom. It wasn't long before the girls and Azarael were standing before me. Azarael had to hold the beastie's reins to keep it next to him. "Okay kids, the island is unknown to us. We are just here to check on the temple and make sure P.O.G hasn't paid the monks in steel. Azarael here will be our guide. He has been on the continent longer and knows the people better." I glanced at the guy in question and he nodded to confirm what I said. "We follow his lead. No weapons drawn until we check on the monks, am I clear?"
"Sir, yes Sir." The girls answered me immediately and Azarael nodded understanding dawned on his face taking away the confusion. "What happened to the temples?" I turned to him. "Macalania, and Djose have so far been attacked, I was asked by the head monk of Macalania to check the remaining temples." I didn't add that I basically robbed the place before I left. "Why would Pirates help the monks? It doesn't make sense." Then not two seconds later he glared at me. "I don't do anything for free. If there is loot in there, I'm taking it." I grinned at the girls. "Musaki got the treasure from Macalania and the Albhed were more than willing to send me for a play date on Bikinel. This will be no different. I save the monks, I gain more treasure. Win-win." I turned from him before he could berate me for stealing from temples. I'm no saint, I'm a pirate captain and a damned good one. No profit in helping them for free.
Musaki rolled her eyes at Azarael. "You sound so noble, yet you blame us for the mess of one? Hypocrite." He rounded on her. "I don't take advice from Pirates!"
Esqueezeme chuckled evilly. I could see the red sparks running along her arms. I found out not long ago that the woman could become a frickin taser. She punched a cadet and he was shocked so badly by her, he was out cold in seconds. "Kids, Daddy is talking!" I barked at them. "Stuff your differences where the sun don't shine and start working together! Am I clear?!"
Musaki and Esqueezeme went to attention as fast as they could. Azarael blinked then realized he was also at attention. "Sir, Yes Sir!" The three of them barked quickly. I turned away from them again. "Prepare for landing, be in the hanger in one hour. Dismissed!"
As they left I called back. "Azarael, the bird stays."
I heard a grunt and then he left.
"This is going to be entertaining." I sighed and shook my head. "The pirates life for me." I muttered under my breath as I went back to my quarters to prepare.
I waited for them next to the sleek black shuttle we used in Bevelle. Musaki saluted me then climbed aboard to do a systems check, prepping for takeoff. Esqueezeme came next, she glanced my way then climbed aboard. Azarael was the last to show. His expression told me he didn't want to be here to begin with. Too bad. "Pick a seat and shut up." I pushed him inside and moved to the front and the Co-pilot's seat. "Systems nominal, clear for takeoff." The bay doors hissed open as Musaki took us up off the floor. she turned to face the now open hanger doors. The shuttle left my ship quickly and when I glanced back my ship vanished from sight. "How the hell did you do that?" Azarael spoke out in wonder. "It's a simple cloaking device, on a much larger scale. Believe it or not, we don't like having visitors either." Musaki answered him as we neared the small village on the island. "Land at the docks, there isn't room on the island for a landing." Azarael spoke again and Musaki maneuvered the shuttle the the dinky dock jutting away from the houses that were up on stilts. I noticed the smoke in the distance as we did so. "Shit, the temple." I cursed my bad luck. Azarael shook his head. "The only thing on this island that could make that blaze is Ifrit. The guardian of the temple." I suddenly had the image of Ixion in my head. "He shouldn't be awake."
"We ran into Ixion in Djose and Musaki got to talk to Shiva. At this point I'm not surprised." I spoke up. "If he is up from his nap then someone pissed him off. Girls, be ready for a fight. Azarael, guide us to the temple."
We hit the ground running once the hatch opened. We followed Azarael through the town to the massive gate that led out to the the rest of the island. Once we exited the village, the heat became more intense. I noticed it from the way the other three were sweating. "Musaki, battle that fire, Esqueezeme and Azarael on me." I figured since she has the toys from Macalania then she might as well use them.
Azarael led us up the main path then took the right path, it took us around the majority of the damage and up to the temple as quickly as possible. "How are we going to fight Ifrit if Musaki is dealing with the fire?"
"We won't be, He will." I nodded to Azarael. He skidded to a halt so fast I thought he had road burns. "You're insane, I can't take down Ifrit."
"Don't take him down, calm him down." I corrected him and turned away to start the climb up the series of steps that took us up to the temple. "Esqueezeme, handle buffs. I'll tank it. Azarael you have the hard part." I watched magma fall on either side of the stairs like a raging river. The trees were incinerated to blackened spears pointing up to the sky. I heard the Phoenix cry her song, but this wasn't my fight. I looked at Azarael, his black eyes were locked on the massive demon creature with black rams horns and a flaming mane. Its hands and feet were tipped by black claws. The wolf like head opened and it roared its challenge.