The young man stepped forward, weaving through the scattered bodies and blood that stained the deck. His boots echoed softly against the wet wood as he approached the towering captain. Every movement felt deliberate, as though he were walking a tightrope between death and reason.


    “Haacenel,” the man called, his voice steady but firm, cutting through the chaos that lingered in the salty air. “You really think this is a smart thing to do? You don’t even know her.”


    Jaffle’s breath hitched as her eyes darted between the two men. There was a tension between them that crackled like lightning before a storm, raw and dangerous. She could see the restrained fury burning in the captain''s eyes, the way his grip tightened around the trident as if imagining driving it through her chest.


    Haacenel''s tail lashed violently behind him, the muscles in his jaw clenching. “I thought I told you to stay on the ship.”


    The younger man offered a small, defiant smirk. “You know me. When have I ever listened to you?”


    A low, guttural growl rumbled from deep within Haacenel’s chest, vibrating through the deck beneath Jaffle’s trembling hands. “I’m your Captain, Rowan. Stay on the damn ship.”


    Rowan’s smirk lingered, but there was something more behind his eyes—a quiet understanding of what would happen next. Still, he ignored the command and turned toward Jaffle and Jade.


    Jaffle instinctively flinched as he approached, her back pressing against the base of the mast as panic crawled up her spine. Her lungs burned with the effort to stay silent, but her body screamed to run.


    Rowan slowed his steps, raising his hands slightly in a gesture of peace. His gaze softened as it shifted to Jade, who trembled beside Jaffle, clutching her arm in fear.


    “It’s just two girls, Haac,” Rowan said quietly, almost pleading. “Your men probably scared them. They retaliated. Simple as that.”


    Haacenel didn’t move. His chest rose and fell with deep, seething breaths, but his eyes remained locked on Jaffle. There was something in that gaze—something ancient and filled with hatred.


    Jaffle’s stomach twisted.


    She could feel her own heartbeat pounding in her ears, her fear twisting into something sharp and bitter. And maybe it was the adrenaline, or maybe it was the fact that she already felt like a dead girl standing—but something inside her snapped.


    Her eyes narrowed as she glared up at Haacenel.


    “Maybe if you worthless bastards spent less time pretending to be kings of the sea,” she hissed through gritted teeth, “and more time learning how to fight, your friend wouldn’t be bleeding out. Next time, I’ll aim for the throat.”


    The deck fell deathly silent.


    Jaffle felt Jade stiffen beside her, horror flashing in her friend’s eyes. Rowan’s expression darkened as if he knew exactly what was about to happen.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Haacenel''s body went rigid. His tail lashed violently, knocking over a loose crate. A low, animalistic growl escaped him as he muttered a curse in a language Jaffle couldn’t understand.


    The captain turned slowly to one of the pirates standing nearby. “Throw them overboard and let them swim with the sharks.”


    Jaffle’s stomach plummeted.


    “No—wait!” Jade blurted, stumbling forward before Jaffle could stop her. “We’re not part of the merchant crew! We only needed passage! That’s all! We didn’t come here to fight. Please… if you spare us, we’ll work for you.”


    Jaffle’s head snapped toward her. “What the hell are you doing?” she hissed under her breath.


    Jade shot her a desperate look. “It’s better than drowning.”


    The pirates exchanged amused glances, some snickering under their breath.


    Haacenel’s gaze narrowed as he stepped closer to Jade, towering over her like a predator. “You want to work for me?” he repeated, voice dripping with disdain.


    Jade’s voice trembled. “If it means staying alive... yes.”


    Haacenel sneered, eyes flickering between the two girls.


    “And what could two pathetic land-walkers possibly offer me?” he spat.


    Jade hesitated. “We’re quick. We can clean, mend sails, help with repairs. We won’t be in the way. Just... give us a chance.”


    For a moment, Jaffle thought he would strike Jade down right there. The air around them felt heavy, thick with blood and sea salt.


    Then, slowly, Haacenel’s lips curled into a wicked smile.


    “Oh... I’ll give you a chance,” he murmured darkly. “But you’re no longer passengers. You’re part of this crew now. You’ll follow my orders. You’ll earn your keep.” His eyes flicked back to Jaffle, burning with cold hatred. “And if either of you steps out of line… I’ll gut you and toss you to the sea.”


    Jaffle’s throat tightened, but she forced herself to meet his gaze.


    Rowan let out a breath and muttered, “Great. More souls to corrupt.”


    Haacenel snapped his fingers at the pirates. “Get them out of my sight. Put them to work in the lower decks.”


    Rough hands seized the girls, dragging them toward the stairs that led below deck. Jaffle stumbled forward, her mind spinning with panic and rage.


    “What the hell was that, Jade?” she hissed as they were shoved through the heavy door and into the shadows below.


    “I’m keeping us alive,” Jade whispered back, her voice trembling. “At least for now.”


    The door slammed shut behind them, plunging the hold into dim lantern light. The air reeked of salt, rot, and old blood. Crates and barrels lined the walls, some leaking strange fluids. The ship groaned and creaked around them, as if the very wood itself were alive and breathing.


    Jaffle leaned against the damp wooden wall, her hands trembling as she tried to steady her breath.


    “We’re trapped here,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Jade swallowed hard, eyes glistening. “Better than drowning.”


    Jaffle wasn’t so sure. “I shouldn’t have threatened their Captain.”


    “You think? Honestly, Jaffle!”


    Above them, the crew celebrated their bloody victory against the merchant ship, laughter echoing through the wooden beams. Somewhere in the chaos, a captured merchant let out a distant, final scream before being silenced. And somewhere above, Haacenel stalked the deck, waiting for his chance to finish what he started.