I had planned to continue this series last month, but life had other plans. Thanks so much for your patience and understanding.
I'm truly grateful for your support—and as always, feel free to point out any mistakes I've made. I really hope you enjoy what's coming next.
P.S. I've just posted 15 new chapters on Patreon for early access: https://Patreon.com/rez540
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But how could that bullet possibly hit Wes?
The bullet hovered mid-air, moving unusually slowly, as if it had been stopped by an invisible bulletproof shield. It lost all momentum and, like a deflated ball, dropped harmlessly to the ground.
The nearby pirates stared wide-eyed in horror. One of them shouted, unable to contain his fear, "Wizard! He's a wizard too!"
Panic swept through the group at the mere mention of the word wizard. Instinctively, their bodies recoiled, and they backed away without even realizing it.
Blackbeard was enraged at the sight. In a sudden fit of fury, he grabbed a cutlass and struck down a pirate who tried to flee. He roared at the rest, "Anyone who runs ends up like him! Fight!"
Stunned by Blackbeard's brutality, the pirates hesitated, then lifted their muskets and fired at Wes.
But the bullets had no effect. Like pebbles tossed into a pond, they seemed to vanish into the air. None came close to hitting Wes — they all stopped about three meters from him before falling to the ground, just like the first bullet fired by Blackbeard.
Blackbeard growled and ordered them to reload and fire again. But this time, everything spiraled out of control.
With a flick of his hand, Wes directed the suspended bullets in the air to shoot back toward the pirates at lightning speed.
The front row of pirates collapsed like stalks of wheat under a scythe. Blood stained the ground as agonized cries echoed. The remaining pirates turned pale with terror. Dropping their weapons, they tried to flee — but just a second later, they turned back, running in the opposite direction in sheer panic.
Hector Barbossa had arrived with the British Navy. His bloodshot eyes burned like fire as they locked onto Blackbeard.
"Finally found you, Blackbeard," Barbossa growled. He raised his arm and gave a sharp command: "Everyone attack! Kill Blackbeard!"
The British Navy, weapons at the ready, sprang into action, clashing fiercely with the pirates.
But Blackbeard didn't even glance at Barbossa. He ignored his former subordinate entirely. His gaze remained locked on Wes.
Blackbeard drew his sword and signaled to four of his undead warriors, each armed with deadly blades, to surround Wes. Blackbeard himself maintained a careful distance, watching Wes intently for any signs of movement.
The rest of Blackbeard's crew, already shaken by Wes's display of magic, were demoralized and disorganized. Their resistance crumbled quickly under the British assault.
"We can share the Fountain of Youth," Blackbeard said, attempting to strike a bargain. "Join me, and we can defeat them together."
Wes smirked. "I liked you better a minute ago," he said mockingly — then made his move.
With a spell, a stone pillar transformed into a massive serpent. The python's enormous body twisted and thrashed, slamming one of the undead warriors into the ground with terrifying force.
The impact made the remaining three halt, warily eyeing the enormous creature.
But they didn't retreat. These corpses, refined by Blackbeard's dark magic, knew no fear, no pain. Their thick, almost impenetrable skin kept them upright. Though slowed by the python's defense, they pressed forward relentlessly.
"Try this, then," Wes muttered, casting another attack spell.
Blackbeard raised the Triton Sword just in time to deflect it. Wes's brow lifted slightly in interest. That sword was clearly no ordinary blade.
"Drop it," Wes said, casting another spell. The Triton Sword flew from Blackbeard's grasp and landed with a clatter a short distance away.
"Avada Kedavra!"
The green flash sped toward Blackbeard. Reacting with deadly instinct, he yanked a nearby pirate in front of him as a shield. Both were hurled to the ground. Blackbeard suffered only superficial wounds. The pirate, however, slumped lifelessly — the price of his captain's survival.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Another killing curse flew. Blackbeard's combat intuition saved him again; he rolled aside. But Wes had cast two curses simultaneously.
Only one was dodged.
Yet somehow, Blackbeard survived.
Wes paused, surprised. He had never seen an ordinary human withstand the killing curse. As he hesitated, Blackbeard snatched the Triton Sword and closed the distance rapidly.
At the same time, a pirate who had served Blackbeard for years suddenly dropped dead mid-battle. A British soldier facing him was momentarily confused, believing he'd killed the pirate with a mere swing.
[Some kind of death-substitution witchcraft.]
[But the death-substitution spell has flaws.]
Blackbeard was nearly upon him.
"Impedimenta," Wes cast calmly. As expected, Blackbeard's movements became sluggish, like a man wading through molasses.
"So, your voodoo can only transfer damage — not effects," Wes noted aloud.
Blackbeard tried to swing at Wes, but in slow motion, his attack looked almost comical.
"Immobulus," Wes incanted, casting a full-body petrification spell.
Blackbeard froze mid-strike, transformed into a motionless statue, his sword arm suspended in mid-air.
Wes walked up and lifted Blackbeard's coat with his wand. As suspected, five voodoo dolls hung from his belt. One had already lost its head.
"So that's it — voodoo dolls," Wes said. He tapped one gently with his wand.
It burst into flames.
Moments later, a pirate burst into flames as well. He screamed, thrashed, and rolled, but nothing stopped the fire. Within moments, he was reduced to charred remains.
Barbossa caught on quickly. "He's using those dolls to transfer damage to you! Are you fools still going to follow him?"
"Impossible! He's our captain!" some pirates cried, still unwilling to accept it.
"How is it impossible? He's never treated us like humans!" others snapped, voices full of rage.
"Run!"
"Run!" Panic took hold.
But it was too late to escape. The Spanish Navy had arrived.
Without warning, they opened fire on everyone — pirates, navy, all alike. The pirates, caught in the crossfire, fled back toward the British forces.
The British soldiers raised their guns in confusion, ready to shoot — but Barbossa shouted, "Idiots! The Spanish are the real threat now! Aim for them!"
Only then did the British Navy realize what was happening. They turned their attention to the new enemy.
Casualties had already thinned both British and pirate ranks. The Spanish, arriving at the perfect moment, were there to seize the final prize.
Now, those who had been locked in bitter combat — pirates and navy alike — joined forces to resist the Spanish onslaught.
But the Spanish forces had gathered their strength for too long. Their numbers were overwhelming. The allied pirates and British sailors were quickly pushed back.
Several Spanish soldiers began tying ropes to nearby stone pillars — preparing, it seemed, to destroy the Fountain of Youth.
Wes, still in the middle of extracting memories from Blackbeard, looked up and noticed their plan.
"This won't do," he muttered.