Kyo 39

“It’s time to go.” Kyo said looking at the two small knee-high sand golems, Claw and Fang. Both golems gave a military salute before getting onboard the Bacon Wing, Kyo’s alchemically crafted airship.

The entire thing was matte grey due to extensive transmutation.

Entering the ship, she took a good look at the interior. Inside the helm of the ship the vessel was a striking blend of ruggedness, a manifestation of the rudimentary materials used and her desire for practical applications.

Stepping inside, Kyo was greeted by the scent of polished wood and aged leather, mingling with a hint of gunpowder. Transmuting was one of the finest tricks of Alchemy. Kyo would swear to any official the blackened stains of patched explosions were Claw and Fang’s fault, not hers. The main gondola, adorned with rich mahogany paneling transmuted from palm wood and brass accents transmuted from sandstone, exuded an air of vintage grandeur. Suspended overhead were vast gas bags pushing against the metal ceiling, their size and quantity evidence of the airship's impressive lifting capacity. The air inside was a mixture of mana-helium superior by far to normal helium. She knew it was a tad explosive but only when exposed to very specific conditions.

It was safe. Probably.

The heart of the pirate airship where Kyo first stopped after boarding, the Captain's Quarters, was a spacious chamber that served as both a command center and a private sanctuary. It was decently decorated, the room boasted a large transmuted oak desk strewn with maps and navigational instruments, a testament to the captain's expertise in plotting daring routes across the skies.

She would be plotting routes as soon as she had a navigator.

Kyo wasn’t sure if the transmuted devices would actually work, being that she had made them from memory. Thankfully, the palm trees said navigation wasn’t that hard. All she had to do was use the compass to steer, and stay out of bad weather. A plush armchair transmuted from palm wood and leaves sat in one corner, providing respite for moments of contemplation, while a grand four-poster bed beckoned for rest during long journeys. The most important part of the space was the meatlocker she had made. It featured triple locks, a multitude of traps, and threatening words written upon its surface. Granted, the meatlocker looked like a very old school safe, but anyone able to read would know the true purpose of the device.

Moving through the Captain's Quarters, Kyo entered the Crew's Quarters, a bustling space filled with the trappings of pirate life. Hammocks were strung from the ceiling, each bearing the trappings of storage for the personal belongings of its occupant - a mix of weathered trinkets, maps, and pilfered treasures could easily fit inside. The walls were adorned with faded nautical charts scribbled by her golems, Fang and Claw, depicting the routes told to the golems by the whispering palm trees. Above, hanging lanterns cast a warm glow, illuminating the currently vacant space that would be shared by the crewmembers.

Kyo sighed, getting a crew might be hard. All the meat I would need to give up, is it worth it?

As she ventured further, the Cargo Hold revealed itself. The cavernous space was crammed with crates, barrels, and chests, each filled to the brim with ill-gotten gains. Kyo had found a wrecked ship underwater when searching for materials. Precious gemstones sparkled alongside stacks of gold coins, sealed crates of spices, and exotic artifacts from far-off lands were carefully stowed away. There was a faint scent of saltwater that lingered, a reminder of the where the items had been acquired.

I’m sure all this stuff can be turned into lots of meat. Kyo thought.

The Bacon Wing’s airship Galley was the next stop. A silent dearth of activity, was tucked away nearby. The aroma of sizzling meats and freshly baked bread were nowhere to be found. As she entered, Kyo found the two sand golems lazing about. Wooden tables lined with mismatched chairs served as gathering spots, where her eventual crew could share tales of their adventures over tankards, their laughter echoing through the vessel's corridors.

Fang and Claw stared at Kyo and she stared back sighing.

“I guess you are technically my first crewmembers.” Kyo said looking at the two small sand golems. “First Mate Fang, and Second Mate Claw!”

Both golems saluted her before shifting back into piles of lazy sand.

Kyo rolled here eyes before departing for a final location. The true essence of the Bacon Wing was captured in its crowning jewel - the Crow's Nest. Perched atop central spire, this lookout point offered an unparalleled vantage for spotting potential targets or evading pursuers. Clambering up the ladder, one would be rewarded with a panoramic view of the endless sky, the wind whipping through their hair. It was here that the Kyo reveled in their freedom, plotting their next move and relishing in the thrill of their untamed existence.

Finally, it was time to get underway as the morning sun rose high in the sky. Moments later Kyo stood at the helm of her airship, the Bacon Wing, as it soared through the vast expanse of the Grand Line. The wind whipped through her short, grey hair as she navigated the treacherous currents of the sky. Her emerald eyes scanned the horizon, always vigilant for any sign of danger. She had taken a Shape-Change Potion under the tutelage of the palm trees. They had told her that if she didn’t blend in, buying meat could be very difficult!

Ever since she had set flight on this fabled sea, Kyo had been prepared to encounter countless pirates who sought to plunder her airship. The Grand Line was notorious for its lawlessness according to the island palm trees, and the skies were no exception. But Kyo was no ordinary individual. She was a pilot-alchemist according to her First and Second mate.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the endless clouds, a group of pirate ships emerged from the shadows. Their black sails billowed with a sinister aura, and their cannons glinted menacingly in the fading light. Kyo's heart quickened as she realized the chance to acquire food was near!

With a burst of energy, Kyo pulled on a nearby lever, activating the Bacon Wing's experimental potion propulsion system. The airship surged forward, leaving a trail of swirling clouds in its wake. The pirates gave chase, their ships struggling to keep up with the nimble airship.

Kyo expertly maneuvered through the turbulent currents, her mind calculating the precise angles and turns required to evade her pursuers. She dipped and weaved, narrowly avoiding the cannonballs that were launched in her direction. The adrenaline coursed through her veins as she danced with danger, the wind howling in her ears.

She might look like she was running, but it was a trick.

The pirates were relentless, their determination fueled by the promise of riches and the thrill of the chase. But Kyo was equally resolute. She wouldn't let a pack of ruthless pirates deter her.

All their bacon, sausages, and fish belonged to her!

As the night sky enveloped the airship, Kyo spotted a towering storm cloud on the horizon exactly what she had been looking for. A devious smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She knew that storms on the Grand Line were unpredictable and deadly. If she could navigate her way through it, the pirates would be forced to follow or retreat.

With her heart racing in her chest, Kyo steered the Bacon Wing toward the heart of the storm. The wind buffeted the airship, rain lashed against its sturdy alchemy-metal frame, and lightning crackled ominously above. The pirates, caught off guard by the sudden change in weather, hesitated for a moment, unsure of their next move.

Taking advantage of their hesitation, Kyo pushed the Bacon Wing to its limits. She skillfully guided it through the turbulent winds and blinding rain, using the storm as her shield. The pirates, unable to match her skill and daring, fell behind, their ships tossed about like leaves in the tempest.

Kyo glanced back at her pursuers and said, “Follow close little fishies!”

As the storm subsided, Kyo emerged from its grasp, her airship untouched. The power of alchemy transmuted material was far superior to the pirate’s ramshackle airships. The enemies immediately, realizing they had been lured close attempted to retreat into the distance. It was too late, the Bacon Wing turned like a shark in a school of fish charging them all.

Ships shattered from explosive potions packed with mana that Kyo threw. She was careful only to reduce the ships to floating wrecks, and never aimed for the galley.

The Grand Line was a merciless place, even for a determined girl and her airship. Broken Pirate ships loomed ominously on all sides; their cannons dark. The night was eerily quiet, the silence before the storm.

“Check them out for me, First and Second Mate.” Kyo ordered letting the sand golems aboard the first ship.

It was time to secure victuals!