Marvel: Playing Iron Man, Falling In and Out of Love with Jinx

Piltover and Zaun, known collectively as the Twin Cities, are situated in a remarkably strategic location. To the north lies Noxus to the south, the jungles of Ixtal. These cities stand at the junction of two major oceans, making them a vital crossroads of land and sea.

Not to mention, the jungles nearby are home to a certain cheerful lion hunter who loves chasing bugs!

Thanks to their geographic location, the Twin Cities boast world-class shipping and transport infrastructure. Virtually any vessel traveling between major regions must pass through their waters.

Further southeast lies Bilgewater, a city blessed with similar geographic advantages. Although not as prominent as the Twin Cities, it's a critical maritime link between Noxus and Ionia en route to Piltover.

Bilgewater also serves as the eastern maritime shield for both the Twin Cities and the jungles of Ixtal. Beyond it lies the infamous Shadow Isles, an accursed land of the dead. Compared to that nightmare, the chaos and lawlessness of Bilgewater seem almost charming.

At that very moment, somewhere east of the Twin Cities, a massive ship sailed briskly across the sea. Its sails were fully unfurled, catching the wind as it rode the ocean currents bound for Bilgewater.

"We'll reach Bilgewater in about a day."

In the captain's quarters, Captain List, pipe in mouth and tricorne hat atop his head, pointed at a sea chart as he addressed Jayce and Duke.

"In fact, we're already within Bilgewater's territorial waters. From here on, the voyage gets trickier."

Jayce glanced at the map, rubbing his chin with mild skepticism.

"We've been at sea for two days, and it's been nothing but smooth sailing. No sign of danger."

Captain List scoffed and blew out two thick puffs of smoke.

"Jayce, when it comes to invention and science, I'll admit you've got me beat. But when it comes to the open sea? You're still a babe who hasn't even grown his first teeth."

Jayce wisely held his tongue. At sea, the captain's word was law.

Duke, arms crossed, nodded thoughtfully.

"Captain List is likely referring to sea monster attacks or the strange, twisted things that lurk in the deep."

List's eyes darkened.

"That's right. I once watched an entire fleet get torn apart like birthday cake by a pack of deep-sea beasts, didn't even leave crumbs behind."

"In Bilgewater, you worry about daggers in your back and pirates who rob you blind. But out here on the sea? The threats are far, far worse."

Duke agreed silently. In any field, the pros should handle their own. He had no intention of meddling with nautical decisions, he had survival tricks up his sleeve, sure, but stirring up trouble on open waters was foolish. Crossing the sea alone wasn't on his agenda.

Just then, the first mate walked in.

"Captain, we're officially in Bilgewater waters. It's about time to pay the toll."

Jayce raised a brow.

"Toll? To whom? Who collects it? And how much?"

"Better let the captain explain," said Duke, his attention drifting toward the ship's helm.

That steering wheel had him deep in thought. His recent system draw had sparked ideas for crafting a Second Original Sin, but materials were limited. Rash experiments could waste precious resources and opportunities.

"Captain List, what's this toll your first mate mentioned?"

Jayce had no pride left when it came to seafaring. He fully deferred to the captain's expertise.

List bit down on his pipe and chuckled grimly.

"It's the tithe to the Abyssal Titan, Nautilus. We offer payment in hopes of safe passage. If we don't, our ship might not live to see another sunrise. No one dares cross these waters without paying him."

Jayce gulped.

"And what happens if we… don't pay?"

List's grin turned eerie.

"There's an old saying: 'Refuse the tithe, and the sea will boil and the mountains quake.'"

"Those who didn't pay now rest at the bottom of the ocean, waiting for the next batch of greedy fools to join them."

Jayce chuckled nervously, unsettled by the captain's tone.

"You're not serious, right?"

"Better safe than sorry," Duke chimed in.

"Nautilus… I know a bit about him. Want me to tell you his story?"

Jayce perked up.

"Sure! Nothing better to do, and I can't exactly swing a hammer here."

Duke gestured for him to step outside.

"Let's go out on deck. Something about this room feels stuffy."

As they left, Captain List nodded politely toward Duke, a rare show of respect. Though technically a ward of Camille, Duke was one of the three decision-makers of the Ferros family and carried real influence. In some cases, more than Dakora, Camille's own flesh and blood.

Especially considering the power Duke held.

Out on deck, the two men leaned against the ship's railing, watching where sea met sky. The salt-kissed wind blew through their hair, and the shrieks of seagulls echoed in the air.

Jayce, after a pause, asked:

"Duke… what exactly are you? Captain List treats you with way more respect than he does anyone else."

Duke rolled his eyes.

"Just a lucky Zaunite who made it big in Piltover. Nothing special."

(Can't exactly tell you I'm the real boss and you're just a decoy, now can I? What if you run off? Am I supposed to drag you back and feed you to the sharks? Hmph… the little fish guy would love that.)

Jayce changed the subject quickly, sensing the chill.

"So about that Titan, Nautilus. What's his deal?"

At that moment, the first mate hurled a Golden Naiad coin into the ocean, shouting:

"Lady Beard, your servant Swordfish pays its tithe!"

Jayce looked confused by the ritual, but Duke stared at the sea, suddenly alert.

Just now, he'd tasted a familiar sourness in his mouth, the telltale sign of nearby magical energy. But they'd already paid the toll. Nautilus should've left.

Then again…

There was another possibility.

Beneath the water, something vast moved.

In the deep, a bronze-armored Titan, a colossus with a ship-sized anchor, watched the sinking gold coin in silence. He made no move toward the Swordfish. His gaze was fixed solely on the offering.

Then, slowly, Nautilus sank back into the abyss, vanishing into the depths.

Back aboard the Swordfish, Duke began to recount the tale.

"Nautilus was once human. An exceptionally gifted diver, he helped salvage sunken treasure from the ocean floor. He always paid the tithe to Lady Beard, also known as Nagakabouros, the ancient serpent god of the Serpent Isles."

"I've heard of her," said Jayce. "But her followers are always going on about spiritual flow and stuff. Are those sea monsters really real?"

Duke shrugged and pointed toward the east.

"Far east of Bilgewater lies a forbidden land. No one returns from it alive."

"And there are people who willingly make sacrifices there, trading their lives for eternal youth and unimaginable power."

Jayce frowned.

"You're making that up."

"Believe what you want," Duke replied. "I'm just telling you the truth. Whether you accept it or not… that's your problem."

"Back to Nautilus."

Duke leaned against the rail, recalling the tale.

"Once his fleet had recovered all the treasure they could, it was sold off and a new owner took over. This new guy wanted Nautilus for himself and forced him into an even heavier diving suit, lying that he'd already paid the tithe."

"But he hadn't."

"Nautilus never returned to the surface."

"He fused with the suit and became something… more. Now, he roams the ocean floor, anchor in hand, ever watchful for the next greedy soul who tries to dodge the toll."

Jayce asked breathlessly:

"And if someone doesn't pay?"

"He smashes their ship with his anchor and drags them into the abyss, where they'll rest forever."

"In short, he's the sea's most faithful taxman."

Jayce blinked.

"That's… kind of touching?"

"What part of that is touching?" Duke scoffed. "You really don't get it."

"Nautilus is one of the lucky ones. Most who sink to the ocean's depths never get that kind of second chance."

The two chuckled lightly, one of the few joys on a dull voyage. But Duke's face soon turned serious. His tongue tasted that sourness again.

A magic source was approaching.

But if Nautilus had already left…

There was only one explanation.

Beneath the calm surface, a swarm was gathering.

Duke's expression darkened.

"Trouble's coming."

A chilling memory surfaced in his mind, a man with a harpoon, who hunted by name and vengeance.

The source of his wrath?

A species of magical sea creature known as the Jorul Fish.

And that harpoon-wielding specter?

The Bloodharbor Ripper, Pyke.

"What's wrong?" Jayce noticed Duke's grim look.

Before he could answer, the ship lurched violently. Everyone aboard turned pale.

A school of Jorul Fish had begun ramming the hull.

End of chapter...

Want to dive deeper into Duke's world of gears, power, and shadow?

Craving early access to game-changing chapters?

Join my Patreon and become part of the machine that powers it all. ⚙️

🔹 Hexcore Initiate – 15 chapters ahead

🔸 Arc Reactor Elite – 35 chapters + 1 bonus

Join now. Power up the engine. Build something legendary.

patreon.com/MrBehringer