An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Tristan jumped onto the ship’s rail first, using a jumping piranha as a springboard. His figure blurred into a trail of afterimages across the wave crests.

Sensing the threat, the Piranha King’s massive jaws snapped open, revealing two rows of fangs gleaming with toxic blue light. A wave of putrid breath rolled out, nearly suffocating anyone nearby.

“Now!” Tristan hurled the explosive pack toward the Piranha King’s belly while slashing through the fish swarming around his ankles.

As the fuse burned out, he used the explosion’s shockwave to flip back onto the ship. A thunderous blast rocked the sea. The Piranha King’s body convulsed violently as dark green blood splattered like a downpour.

But the massive creature hadn’t died. Instead, it thrashed the sea with its tail fin in fury, raising waves that nearly capsized the Stormrider.

Clinging to the railing, Tristan watched the wound on the Piranha King’s belly heal at a visible rate. His heart sank as he realized the monster had regenerative powers too.

“Aim for its eyes!” he roared.

King’s head until green eye fluid gushed forth. The creature let out a deafening roar. Its trashing caused the ship to groan and creak, widening the

hoarse from

soldiers hauled chains as thick as a man’s wrist, risking being torn apart

fin’s bone spikes, Tristan drew his sword and plunged it into the creature’s wound. He channeled

suddenly went rigid. Its massive jaws opened and closed futilely before it finally rolled belly-up

swarm of piranhas immediately fell into chaos. Some frantically rammed the ship while others fled in

their own kind’s blood. He immediately ordered, “Collect the Piranha King’s blood and dump

from the hull into the ocean, the once-frenzied swarm scattered like they’d encountered their natural enemy.

dawn was breaking in the east. Tristan leaned against the broken railing, catching his breath. His serpent-embroidered battle robe was soaked in blood,

wrapped their wounds with torn cloth while others stared blankly at

the morning light, the Stormrider’s tattered sails flapped