The Abyss Walker sliced through the waves under a cloud-streaked sky, leaving Amazon Lily behind. The island's jagged cliffs faded into the distance, but the memory of Boa Hancock's sharp gaze lingered in Darius's mind.
He stood at the helm, hands gripping the rail as the sea wind tugged at his crimson coat. Beside him, Selene watched the map spread on the table, her silver hair catching the light from a flickering lantern.
"We have what we need," Darius said, eyes tracing the marked locations. "Amazon Lily confirmed what I suspected—the World Government hides more than just lies."
Selene's gaze was steady. "The ancient records, the Kuja bloodlines—they're a thread leading deeper into the Void Century."
"Exactly." He pointed to a cluster of marks near the Red Line, a region infamous for its heavy Marine presence and secret research facilities. "Cipher Pol blacksites, forgotten labs. This is where the world's history is buried—and where I plan to tear it up."
---
The room was quiet except for the faint creak of the ship and the scratching of Selene's quill as she annotated the map.
"You realize the risks?" she asked, her tone pragmatic. "The Marines won't take this lightly. Not after Amazon Lily."
Darius's eyes burned. "I know. But hiding won't change anything. The world needs to see the cracks in the foundation."
Selene looked at him, her expression unreadable. "Sometimes I wonder if you're driven by revenge—or salvation."
He smiled faintly. "Maybe both."
---
As night deepened, the ship's crew gathered on deck. Faces hardened by battle, eyes flickering with the glow of lanterns and anticipation. They were pirates, yes, but also rebels and survivors.
Selene took a moment to address them, voice clear and commanding.
"The World Government believes they can erase the past and control the future. But our captain fights to break those chains. Stay sharp. Our next target is a Marine research facility on the Calm Belt's edge."
A murmur of approval rose from the crew.
Darius raised his hand. "We strike at dawn."
---
Morning came cold and gray.
The Abyss Walker anchored just out of sight, shrouded by a thick fog that clung to the water like a curtain.
Darius stood at the prow, watching the silhouette of the hidden research base—a cluster of steel towers and docks, surrounded by Sea Stone barriers and patrol boats.
Selene approached quietly. "They have multiple layers of security, and rumored Haki-enhanced guards."
"Good," Darius said, a cold smile crossing his lips. "The more they hide, the harder the fall."
---
Under cover of mist, the crew launched their boats. Darius and Selene led the strike team, cloaked in stealth and armed with Haki and Devil Fruit powers.
As they neared the facility, Selene whispered into the comm, "Observation Haki sensors detect three patrols near the main entrance. I'll take two down quietly."
With practiced grace, Selene vanished into the shadows, glaive flashing like a ghost's blade. Two Marines fell without a sound.
Darius stepped forward, folding space to slip past the remaining guard, appearing inside the perimeter with ease.
---
Inside, the lab was a maze of corridors and locked doors. Screens displayed cryptic data, while researchers and guards hurried through hallways unaware of the storm about to descend.
Darius reached the central vault—a heavily fortified chamber rumored to house classified documents on the Void Century and ancient weapons research.
With a nod from Selene, he activated his powers, rifts opening and closing as space folded and unfolded around the locks.
---
Suddenly, alarms blared.
"Breach detected!" a voice shouted.
Marines scrambled, but Darius was already moving through the rifts, stealing data cores and destroying critical equipment with calculated precision.
Selene joined him in the vault, dual blades spinning in deadly arcs as she cut down guards rushing to respond.
"We have what we came for," she said, breathless but steady.
"Let's vanish."
---
Back on the Abyss Walker, data cores secured, Darius studied the stolen files. Secrets spilled across the holomap—ancient codes, forbidden knowledge, and a hint of something darker.
"Project Eclipse," he murmured. "An experiment to rewrite history itself."
Selene's eyes flickered. "If that's true, the Celestial Dragons' grip is even tighter than we imagined."
Darius looked up, determination etched in every line of his face.
"This war is no longer just about survival. It's about reclaiming the truth."
---
That night, as the ship sailed on beneath a sky thick with stars, Selene found Darius alone on the deck.
"Your plan is risky," she said softly. "Many would call it madness."
Darius met her gaze, eyes steady. "Madness is a luxury the world can't afford anymore."
She nodded, a rare softness crossing her features. "Then let's make sure you don't fight it alone."
---
The Abyss Walker plunged deeper into the Grand Line, shadows closing around them.
And the storm of change gathered strength.