Bab 91: Punishable by Death
Underneath the thick canopies of the jungle, the setting sun began to bathe the clearing in hues of gold. With Aria hitched on his back, her little arms wrapped around his neck, Jack swiftly cut through the verdant labyrinth. Pacura followed suit, her large form a spectral shadow darting between the trees, an imposing guardian trailing the father-daughter duo.
Not far behind, Shakky moved with equal agility, her eyes drifting from Jack and Aria to Pacura. The panther's presence had shifted the balance of the jungle. It had tamed the wild beasts, brought a boar to its knees, and redefined Shakky's understanding of raw, untamed power.
Once she caught up with them, Shakky's curiosity got the better of her. "Where did you find this panther?" she asked, eyeing Pacura with a mix of respect and intrigue.
Jack glanced at the massive feline trailing them, a subtle smile gracing his lips. "I found her when she was just a baby. She grew up with me," he said, his voice barely rising above the rustling of leaves beneath their feet. The close bond between Jack and Pacura was evident in their effortless synchronization, an unspoken trust built over years of companionship.
Shakky took in his words, her gaze drifting from Jack to Pacura. "She is unique," she admitted, her tone carrying a touch of admiration. "Her aura was able to tame the jungle. I've never seen anything like that. I would want one too, but it seems like it's not possible."
Jack's eyes twinkled with quiet amusement at Shakky's candid confession. "Actually," he began, his gaze shifting towards Pacura, who dipped her head in agreement, "Pacura had a cub recently. Her kind are born alone, grow up alone. She wanted to find a place to leave him."
Surprise washed over Shakky's face, her eyes widening slightly. "Really?" she echoed, her interest piqued.
Jack nodded, then, to Shakky's amazement, he seemed to pull a small black panther cub from thin air. He gently cradled the tiny creature in his hands, the cub's curious golden eyes scanning its new surroundings. "Bacura," Jack introduced, his fingers lightly grazing the cub's head, "look around. This will be your new home."
Bacura stared back at Jack with eyes that were a mirror image of Pacura's – a clear pool of wisdom and untamed strength. He then sniffed the air before Jack carefully handed him over to Shakky.
Shakky accepted the cub with a gentleness that contrasted her normally fierce nature. The cub, Bacura, seemed content in her hold, his tiny head tilting curiously up at her. Shakky felt a strange sense of connection, her heart touched by the unexpected, yet meaningful gesture from Jack.
As they continued their journey back to the ship, a comfortable silence fell over them. The jungle echoed with the sounds of creatures preparing for the arrival of the night, but under the watchful eyes of Pacura, they remained undisturbed.
With Aria secured safely on his back, Jack emerged from the dense underbrush to find the rest of his family waiting anxiously at the ship. Their faces, fraught with worry, relaxed into relieved smiles at the sight of him and Aria, their tension lifting palpably.
Amelia was the first to break from the group, rushing towards them. "Aria!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing with relief and anxiety. Her eyes swept over Aria, assessing for any injuries.
Seeing her mother, Aria unwrapped her arms from around Jack's neck and stretched them towards Amelia. As soon as her small feet hit the ground, she dashed into Amelia's waiting arms, burrowing her face into the familiar comfort of her mother's embrace.
"Oh, Aria," Amelia murmured, her voice quaking with emotion as she wrapped her arms around her daughter. "You had us all worried sick."
Aria snuggled closer, her small voice trembling. "I'm sorry, Mommy," she murmured.
Amelia held her daughter tighter, her eyes welling up with tears. "Promise me, Aria. Promise me you will never do this again."
"I promise, Mommy," Aria whispered, the sincerity in her voice evident. Her previous encounter with the boar and the stern reprimand from Jack had taught her a lesson she wouldn't forget in a hurry.
As Amelia comforted Aria, the others gathered around them, their faces reflecting relief and concern. Robin, perched on Olvia's hip, reached out a small hand towards Aria, mimicking Amelia's comforting gesture, her bright eyes wide and curious.
"Pwomise," she echoed, a small, concerned frown creasing her forehead. Her words hung in the air, a solemn reminder of the day's ordeal.
As they were relishing in each other, a woman appeared. The woman who now approached the ship was a figure of refined beauty and strength, her well-proportioned body and arresting curves accentuating her ageless allure. Her posture exuded the grace and authority of a former queen, her every step leaving a trail of silent awe in her wake. The warriors of the Kuja Clan bowed respectfully as she passed, their voices resonating in the solemn air, "Lady Nyon."
Gloriosa, the former Queen of Amazon Lily and Captain of the Kuja Pirates, wore her titles like a badge of honor. Her stance was proud, her gait strong, and her face, though marked with the wisdom of the years, was as regal as ever.
Stepping forward to meet her gaze, Jack kept his posture straight, his expression unreadable. Despite her imposing demeanor, he felt neither intimidated nor impressed. To him, she was just another character in the sprawling saga of his life.
Her piercing eyes rested on him, her voice maintaining its austere tone, "Are you the one who saved, Marly?"
"That would be me," Jack responded, his tone even, devoid of any arrogance or subservience. His calm blue eyes met her gaze without faltering, showing a hint of storm brewing deep within them.
"That act in itself grants you permission to stay aboard this ship. But venture onto Amazon Lily and the punishment is death without exception," Gloriosa declared, her icy words slicing through the tense air. The blunt proclamation caused a visible ripple of alarm to course through the crowd, Jack's family drawing closer to him instinctively.
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