The Sanguine and Blackbeard's Cutlass

“I’m sorry, V, but I’ve fought too hard to simply give the cutlass away. Our friends would have died for nothing if we give it away now,” you say.
“Another poor decision from the ‘captain’,” Victoria says firing the spell from her hand.

You instinctively draw the cutlass up to block the attack. The bolt hits the blade and is dispelled upon impact. Victoria gives a surprised look and then fires another. Reactively, you dodge to the left. Though you may possess a magic dispelling blade, you’re certainly not used to using it. The blast hits the wall behind where you stood and explodes in a cluster of flame and stone.

“V, I don’t want to fight. Stop, and we can forget about this whole thing,” you say.
“It’s too late for that. Xolotl expects me to follow through. The Sanguine is in need of a new captain.”

Angered at the mention of your ship you reply, “There’s no way in hell I’d let a mutinous first mate take command of The Sanguine. She deserves better.”

Victoria continues to fire towards you. This time you raise the cutlass defensively. Like someone whispered in your ear, you know exactly what to do. Right when the spell hit the blade, you imagine returning the firebolt back towards Victoria. The bolt, along with the previous, projects from the cutlass in Victoria’s direction. You’ve seen her absorb magical attacks before, but this one catches her unaware. The blast explodes at Victoria’s chest blasting her backward. After the smoke clears, all that remains is a charred body with few strands of purple hair left. You have possession of the blade, but all your closest friends are dead. You exit the temple, blade in hand.

A lightning strike greets you as you exit onto the temple’s steps. Xolotl appears growling with his palm outstretched.

“It seems my faith in you was well placed. Hand me the blade. You do not yet have the power to destroy it,” he says.