Evolution: A Warlock's Rise To Power

Chapter 269: Under Fire

Lucan pulled out two wands and quickly created as many telekinetic walls as he could.  He wasn't the only player to respond.  Everyone who was capable created as many barriers as possible.

*Smash* *Smash* *Smash*

The barriers managed to deflect a few of the projectiles but most of them still made it through. About half of the cannon balls that penetrated the barrier landed in the water, causing water to spray upwards in spurts, but the other half slammed into the side of the ship as well as the deck.

"Repair! Repair!"  Super yelled out.

Silence Lucan and Silent had done a bit of recon earlier they had known beforehand that the raid started off on a ship.  For this very reason, when they hired willow players, they had requested a mage that specialized in plan magic.

True Willow was that mage.  Taking out his staff he slammed it on the deck.  Vines began to grow across the holes that were blown into the hull while the wood itself slowly grew.  These patches would help keep them afloat, but they would always be weaker than the rest of the ship.  If another canon ball hit the same area or near it, the next hole would be even bigger.

The sailors next to the Super was cranking on the wheel, preparing to turn the ship so they could fire and flee.  A straight fight of three versus one was not a good idea so the players need to quickly get out of this situation.

Lucan took another deep breath an inhaled from his pipe.  Running to the edge of the ship he blew out the smoke creating a dense fog the spread out in front of the ship, cutting off the enemies view of them.

Super stopped barking out commands.  The sailors knew what was expected of them and the players knew even better.  Super wasn't only a ranger; he was also an elementalist.  He closed his eyes and lifted his head as he listened to the wind.

Lucan couldn't hear what he was saying but he could see that Super was mumbling something.  It looked like he was conversing with the wind.  Putting away his wands, the warlock pulled out his scepter and began to prepare a complicated spell.

The winds suddenly howled and picked up with a large gust.

The ship creaked as the sail were filled and the vessel started to glide across the water faster and faster.  The winds were blowing away the fog, but Lucan was ready.

***

When the fog disappeared, the pirates now saw two ships and they were heading in opposite directions.

"Commander!"  A sailor called out.  "Which one is real?"

The fleet commander furrowed his brow.  The last thing he was expecting when the fog cleared was to see two ships moving in different directions.  The tricky part was that both ships appeared identical.  The commander took out his own spyglass and peered at the two vessels.  He didn't want to waste his ammunition on firing at a fake target, and it seemed that the wind was with his enemies.  Both ships were moving at quick speeds.

"Signal the others."  Commander Richard said.  "We will go after the ship heading north.  Since our cannons are better, have the other two stay together and chase the ship going to the south.  We can't make any mistakes.  I don't want to see any survivors."

"Aye aye Commander."  The sailor replied before heading to the edge of the ship and signaling the two captains of the other vessels.

***

"Shit."  Super cursed.  "It looks like two ships are following us.  Lucan how long can you keep up the illusion?"

Lucan frowned.  "I can maintain it for a while, but the first time they fire we will be figure out.  At this distance, I can't make real time holes and noises to correspond with their weapons.  And if they get to close, they will be able to see through it.  To be honest, I rushed the illusion, it is not easy to replicate a ship and everyone on board.  If they were to look at it from the other side, it will be exposed in an instant."

"Hmm, then I think we have only one option."  Super said while taking the wheel from the sailor and spinning it rapidly.  "We need to head straight for the pirates and hope that they won't shoot at each other just to take us down.  We need to act now while the wind is wiling to guide us."  As he spoke the ship began to slowly turn towards the two pirate ships that were pursuing them.

When the ship had turned to be perpendicular to the two pirate vessels, Super didn't miss his chance to retaliate.

"FIRE THE CANNONS!!!!"

*Boom* *Boom* *Boom*

The sailors below deck returned fire.  Unfortunately, the sailors didn't have as good of aim as the pirates and the situation was different from earlier.  It wasn't three ships firing against one.  It was a single ship firing against two.

The pirate's ships took the few cannonballs that hit and shrugged off the damage as if it didn't concern them.

Silent was able to see that pirates on board weren't flustered in the slights.  It appeared that receiving cannon fire was a very normal thing for them.  The two ships that were chasing Lucan and the others were constantly turning to try and put their vessel in the sights of their cannons, but with he help of the wind, the players were barely managing to stay a step ahead.

They began to circle in faster as they close in the distance towards the closest ship, while using that ship to block the cannons of the second.

Within five minutes they would be close enough to trade blows with spells, muskets and bow.  Lucan called out for everyone to prepare.

"We aren't just fighting a single shape.  As soon as we get tangle with the first ship, they will try to hold us still as the second circle to our free side where they will be able to blast us apart."  Lucan explained.  But the players weren't stupid, they knew that if they put all their attention on a single ship, the other one would blow them to driftwood before they could succeed.  "I want ten players to target the second ship.  Anyone interested?"  Lucan suddenly looked over his shoulder.  "Damn it!"  He cursed.  The ship that had been following his illusion had suddenly turned around and started heading their direction.

The players had split up the ships, but they wouldn't be able to take down two before the third arrived.  They would be lucky to even take down one by the time the third ship arrived.

Milocara stpped forward.  "If you need some people to stall for time, I might be able to help out."

"Count me in."  DarkX_XAssassin said.

"I might be able to make some chaos by sneaking onto their ship and blending in."  Bubblegumfairy added.

After a few moment, ten people had formed a team and were making plans to harass the second ship while the other thirty members were getting ready for a head on attack with the first ship.