Chapter 5: Escape and Reunions

The crew of the TREASURE is ready within minutes to face the 3Winds head on. As they watch it get closer they are ready to fight but notice something.

“Kiyeon” Yeosang says as he sees her held by Jonghyun, a gun to her head. He feels his heart drop into his stomach

“Yunho” Mingi says as his boyfriend also has a gun to his head.

“Songmin! Release them both!” Hongjoong yells as the ships are now next to each other. The crews look at each other, ready to fight.

“Now why would I do that? My best assassin and the master rigger of the Treasure. That’s a great deal don’t ya think?” Songmin says laughing. “Now don’t do anything to rash Hongjoong-ah. Don’t want them to get hurt.” He says, smirking as Hongjoong has taken a hold of the gun on his belt.

“What do we do captain?” Seonghwa asks nervously as he looks between the two ships.

Hongjoong shakes his head, having an idea of what he can do. “I challenge you to a duel! If I win, they both are released. If you win, I’ll go back aboard.” He says causing the crew of the treasure to look shocked.

“But Captain-“ San starts to say but Seonghwa places a hand on his shoulder. “Can you go keep an eye on our injured gunner?” He asks San softly. A few days before Wooyoung had gotten injured once again.

The cook hesitates but nods and walks off to his partner who is in the infirmary.

“Are you sure Hongjoong?” Seonghwa says turning to the captain, a concerned look on his face for his friend.

“I’m sure.” He says as the plank of the 3Winds is laid down so they can cross. Songmin smirks and walks across, his feet landing on the deck of the Treasure.

Hongjoong draws his sword as the crew of the treasure form a large circle as customary to them when duels occur.

“Alright. The fight is over when one of you yields.” Seonghwa says looking at the two men. “You May begin when you are ready.” He says backing up.

Songmin attack’s first but Hongjoong side steps and swings his sword, leaving a cut on the other's thigh. The enemy yells out in pain and glares at the shorter captain who only grins.

“He's so screwed. Hongjoong-hyung is the best swordsman other than Mingi-hyung” Jongho says smirking as the fight continues.

After what feels like forever, Hongjoong knocks Songmins sword out of his hand and knocks the other to the ground. “Yield” he says pointing his sword at him.

Songmin looks up at him and slowly nods. “Fine.. Kiyeon. I order you to kill the officers of the treasure.” he says loudly looking over at the girl.

Her eyes widen before they gain a dull look and her gaze becomes expressionless. “Yes captain.” she says calmly and is handed her sword as Jonghyun lets go of her. Her gaze turns to Yunho whose eyes go wide.

“Captain! You have to kill Songmin! She's under some sort of spell that can't be broken unless he's dead!” Yunho shouts and struggles against the men holding him still.

Hongjoongs eyes widen in shock and during this delay, Songmin is able to grab his sword and aims to attack the opposing captain. Just as he's about to strike a gunshot is heard and a look of surprise and confusion appears on the attackers face. A second gunshot is heard, the bullet hitting Songmin in the center of his forehead. He drops to the ground and everyone looks to where Wooyoung and San are standing.

“No one attacks my captain and lives.” the gunner says, leaning against San so he can stand. He lowers his gun, a slight look of pain on his face.

“Kiyeon!” Yunho shouts as he rushes forwards and catches the now passed out girl. The crew of the 3Winds look shocked and all back up as the rigger carries her over to the TREASURE. Some members of the 3Winds retrieve the dead body of their captain while others bring out Kiyeons clothes and the rest of her weapons and things they stole from her. Then they remove the bridge between them.

Jonghyun looks over and bows his head. “Thank you for killing that monster. We have all been under his control for years. Maybe now we can become respected for the right reasons now.” he says before the ship sails off.

The crew of the TREASURE cheer at their victory all except for the officers. Yunho quickly carries Kiyeon to the infirmary with Seonghwa and Yeosang close behind.

“Set her down carefully Yunho-ah.” the medic instructs. “And Wooyoung get your ass back down here! You're Not fully healed yet!” he shouts and watches San help the gunner back to where he was resting.

Seonghwa grabs his book of spells. “Everyone but Wooyoung get out. That includes you, Yeosang.” He says and San pushes the navigator out and shuts the door. The medic and sorcerer gets to work clearing the girl's mind of the spell completely and removes all traces of any other spells.

Yeosang paces outside the door as he lets his hyung work.

“Yeosang, She will be okay.” Yunho says gently to the navigator, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I haven't seen her in years, and when I do she looks like a different person.” He says looking up at the taller boy.

“I know. And she is different then how you described her. It will take a lot of time for her to adjust.” He says gently. “Come on. You need to rest too. You haven’t slept properly in days.” He says and leads Yeosang back to his room.

“But what if-“ Yeosang protests.

“She will be okay. Seonghwa knows what he’s doing.” Yunho cuts him off and makes him lay down. “Don’t make me knock you out.” He threatens lightly.

The shorter boy nods and lays down sighing. “Wake me when she does.” He says.

“Of course.” Yunho says and waits until the navigator finally falls asleep before exiting the room.

-three days later-

The Treasure has once again set sail after making sure they are restocked. Seonghwa has healed Kiyeon to the best of his abilities and everyone is waiting for her to wake up.

Wooyoung has finally been allowed to leave the infirmary as he and the rest of the officers are having a meeting in Hongjoongs cabin. All except Seonghwa of course who is keeping watch over their patient.

“What’s our next course of action?” San asks looking at the captain.

“We heard rumors of some strange happenings in the western sea. Ships going missing in search of some sort of treasure.” Hongjoong says as Yeosang pulls out a map.

“The western sea is very unexplored. Not a lot of islands or ports are known to be there.” He explains looking at the map. “There is one right before we enter but that’s all that’s known” he says pointing to a small island on the map.

“Hyung, isn't that where Chan said he and the others were going?” Jongho asks looking at his captain.

“Yep. Its also a chance to find them” Hongjoong explains.

While the officers are discussing Seonghwa is going through his stocks when he hears movement. He turns his head to see Kiyeon sitting up.

“Ugh.. where am I?” She mutters, rubbing her eyes a bit before looking around.

“Welcome to the Treasure.” Seonghwa says and walks over to her. He checks her temperature and hands her a glass of fresh water. “Drink this.” He says adding a small tablet into the water which quickly dissolved.

“Who are you?” She asks, accepting the drink and downing it quickly.

“Park Seonghwa. I’m the ship's medic.” He says. “Do you remember what happened?” He asks gently.

She nods. “I’m finally free. Right?” She says looking up at him.

He nods with a kind smile. “Yes. You are free from them.” He says.

She smiles a bit and runs a hand through her hair. “I really need to change my hair..” she says looking at the long, dirty, red strands. She doesn't want to talk about what happened and Seonghwa respects.

“Want me to help?” Seonghwa asks as he and San are the ones who normally dye the others' hair.

“Yeah. I want to erase what I looked like when I was on that damn ship.” She says nodding.

The medic smiles and they choose a new color for her and he washes her hair.

After some time he finishes and dries her now blue hair with a towel. “While you were out I noticed your piercings were infected so I healed those for you. Any other wounds I should be concerned about?” Seonghwa asks looking at her as he hands her a change of clothes.

She frowns a bit. “Just… don't Tell Yeosang about my back.” She says turning away as she changes. Seonghwas eyes narrow as he sees several scars on her back, from a whip most likely.

“Songmin was cruel.” He says to himself and looks away so she can finish.

“They don’t even hurt anymore..” Kiyeon says as she pulls on the clean shirt and pants.

“I healed your whole body, but I can’t make scars fade.” The medic responds and turns back to her.

She nods. “Thank you.” She says bowing her head a bit. She looks better than before but a dull look still in her grey eyes.

“As the ship's medic I’m also the ship's psychologist. If there’s anything you ever need to talk about, just come to me.” Seonghwa says placing a hand on her shoulder.

She nods. “Can I see him..?” She asks looking up at him.

Seonghwa nods with a smile and leads her out of the medic bay and onto the deck. “Wait here.” He says before going up to the captain's cabin.

“Yeosang. She’s awake.” Seonghwa says poking his head through the door.

The navigator looks up and smiles. He quickly gets up and rushes out past the oldest.

“She has dealt with a lot. Just based on what you two told me, her mental condition is very unstable.” Seonghwa says looking at Hongjoong and Yunho.

“What happened?” Jongho asks.

“She was beat constantly and barely fed.” Yunho says softly while Hongjoong only nods.

“Let’s go watch this reunion.” The captain says standing.

Everyone else nods and walks out onto the deck to see Yeosang and Kiyeon hugging, tears staining both of their faces.

“I never thought I’d see you again.” Kiyeon whispers softly as she holds Yeosang close.

“I know it’s been a while since my last letter but we have been down in the south and east seas for a while. I'm so sorry sis” he responds softly as he holds her tighter. “How’s Taehyun?” He asks, pulling away and wiping her tears away.

“He was great when I saw him. We need to send him a letter. I told him I would.” She says smiling at her twin.

“Of course. Let’s go write one.” He says taking her hand in his and they leave to his room.

“Let’s let them bond and catch up. Mingi! Set said to the island Yeosang had mentioned earlier.” Hongjoong says looking over at his first mate. The taller boy nods and steers the ship towards the western seas.