OP: Sovereign of Blood and Seas

The docks buzzed with activity, but Eric's attention was locked on the bounty hunter. Ironfang stood at the bow of his ship, his eyes scanning the crowd like a predator searching for prey. He exuded confidence, his muscular frame wrapped in weathered armor, his massive sword glinting in the fading sunlight.

Eric felt a surge of anticipation. This wasn't just a fight—it was an opportunity to prove himself, to test the limits of his powers against a dangerous opponent.

Nami grabbed his arm, pulling him back into the shadows of a nearby alley. "Don't even think about it," she hissed.

He smirked. "You don't even know what I'm thinking."

"You're thinking about fighting him," she said, her tone sharp. "And it's a terrible idea."

"He's here for us, isn't he?" Eric asked, his voice low.

Nami hesitated, her gaze darting to the bounty hunter before returning to Eric. "Maybe. Maybe not. But if you start something here, the whole town will turn against us. We need to leave. Now."

Eric glanced at Ironfang again, his grin fading. She was right—they couldn't afford to draw more attention. But something about walking away felt wrong. He clenched his fists, his hunger stirring in the back of his mind.

"Fine," he said finally. "But if he comes after us, I'm not holding back."

Nami nodded, relief flickering across her face. "Let's move before he spots us."

They slipped through the crowded streets, keeping to the shadows. The town had grown quieter as the evening wore on, the hustle and bustle of the market giving way to the subdued chatter of taverns and inns.

Nami led the way, her movements quick and purposeful. Eric followed close behind, his senses on high alert. Every sound, every shadow seemed to hold the promise of danger.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"There's a ship docked on the far side of the port," she said. "Small crew, light defenses. We take it, and we're gone before anyone knows we're here."

Eric raised an eyebrow. "Another stolen ship? You've got a real habit."

"Do you have a better idea?"

He shrugged. "Not really."

They rounded a corner, the docks coming into view. The ship Nami had mentioned was moored at the end of a quiet pier, its sails furled and its crew nowhere in sight.

"This is too easy," Eric muttered.

Nami shot him a warning glance. "Don't jinx it."

They approached cautiously, their footsteps muffled by the wooden planks of the dock. Eric's eyes swept the area, his heightened senses searching for any signs of a trap.

And then he heard it—a faint creak of leather, the sound of someone shifting their weight.

"Get down!" he shouted, grabbing Nami and pulling her to the ground.

A split second later, a massive blade slammed into the dock where they had been standing, splintering the wood with a deafening crash.

Eric rolled to his feet, his dagger already in hand. Standing before them, his sword raised and a feral grin on his face, was Ironfang.

"Well, well," the bounty hunter said, his voice a low growl. "Looks like I found my prey after all."

Nami scrambled to her feet, her eyes narrowing. "How the hell did you find us?"

Ironfang chuckled. "You think I don't have eyes in this town? You two stick out like sore thumbs."

Eric stepped forward, his expression calm but his blood pounding in his ears. "You've got some nerve, coming after us alone."

Ironfang's grin widened. "Alone? Who said anything about being alone?"

From the shadows, a dozen men emerged, each armed to the teeth. They spread out across the dock, cutting off any chance of escape.

"Great," Eric muttered. "A welcoming party."

Nami's hand went to the knife at her side, her stance tense. "We can't fight all of them."

Eric smirked, the hunger roaring to life within him. "I can."

The fight began with a blur of motion. Ironfang's men charged, their weapons gleaming in the moonlight. Eric met them head-on, his enhanced reflexes allowing him to dodge and counter with brutal efficiency.

His dagger sliced through the air, finding flesh with every strike. Blood sprayed across the dock, and the system chimed in his mind, feeding his strength with each kill.

"Blood Puppeteer," Eric muttered, focusing on a fallen enemy.

The connection snapped into place, and the lifeless body jerked upright, its movements controlled by Eric's will. He sent it charging into the fray, using it as a shield against the oncoming attackers.

Nami fought beside him, her movements precise and deadly. She ducked beneath a swing, driving her knife into an opponent's side before spinning to block another attack.

"Not bad," Eric said, grinning as he dispatched another foe.

"Focus!" she snapped, her blade flashing in the moonlight.

Despite their skill, the sheer number of enemies began to take its toll. Eric felt the strain of controlling multiple puppets, his energy waning with each passing second.

Ironfang watched from the sidelines, his massive sword resting on his shoulder. "You're tougher than you look," he called out. "But let's see how long you can keep this up."

Eric turned to him, his grin sharp and feral. "Why don't you stop hiding and find out?"

The bounty hunter's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Gladly."

Ironfang moved with surprising speed for someone his size. His sword swung in a wide arc, the force of the blow splitting the dock as Eric dodged.

"You're fast," Eric said, his tone mocking. "But I'm faster."

He lunged, his dagger aimed for Ironfang's side, but the bounty hunter blocked with the flat of his blade. Their weapons clashed, sparks flying as Eric pressed forward.

Ironfang grinned, shoving Eric back with a powerful swing. "You're not bad, kid. But you're out of your league."

Eric staggered, the force of the blow jarring his arm. He narrowed his eyes, the hunger surging within him.

"Let's see about that," he muttered.

He focused on the cuts he had already inflicted on Ironfang's men, extending his will toward their blood. The puppets surged forward, attacking Ironfang from all sides.

The bounty hunter roared, his blade cutting through the puppets like paper, but Eric didn't let up. He darted in and out of range, his dagger striking with precision.

Blood spilled, and Eric felt his strength growing. The hunger sharpened his focus, his movements becoming faster, more fluid.

Ironfang snarled, his swings growing more desperate. "What the hell are you?"

Eric's grin widened, his sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. "Your worst nightmare."

With a final, brutal strike, Eric's dagger found its mark, plunging into Ironfang's chest. The bounty hunter staggered, his sword falling from his grasp as he collapsed to his knees.

Eric stood over him, his breath ragged but his gaze cold. "You should've stayed on your ship."

Ironfang coughed, blood staining his lips. "You… you won't survive this world. Someone stronger will come for you."

Eric's eyes darkened, the hunger receding as he pulled his dagger free. "Let them try."

The dock was silent as the last of Ironfang's men fled, leaving Eric and Nami alone amidst the carnage.

Nami wiped her blade clean, her hands trembling. "That was insane," she said, her voice shaking.

Eric sheathed his dagger, his expression unreadable. "It's over."

"For now," she muttered. "But you just made a hell of a lot of enemies."

Eric shrugged. "What else is new?"

As they made their way back to the stolen ship, Eric couldn't shake the feeling that Ironfang's words were more than just a dying threat.

Someone stronger would come.

And when they did, Eric would be ready.