《Blackheart's Curse》


 Chapter 1

    Water lapped at the side of the rotting boardwalk as they passed a faded sign to a town without a name. Behind them, their ship bobbed in the inky black water, soon swallowed up by the thick fog. Captain Alek Corsair, one of the youngest pirates in this age, led his men into the town, lantern held high to show the way.


    ¡°I can¡¯t see anything.¡± His first mate, Ivan, said beside him. He wouldn¡¯t leave his captain¡¯s side even if he did peer anxiously into the fog. ¡°This looks like a ghost town.¡±


    ¡°Not afraid of a couple of ghosts, are ye?¡± A one-eyed pirate teased good-naturedly behind them.


    Ivan glanced back, a sharp retort on his tongue that never came as something large and scaly slithered past their legs. Despite the wild swing of Alek¡¯s lantern, they saw only a glimpse of green scales before the creature dove into the water with a loud splash. No one else said a word as the rotting boards shifted into a stone promenade. In the distance, muted by the thickness of the fog, a series of lights shone.


    ¡°So it is inhabited.¡± Alek murmured, half to himself.


    They hadn¡¯t known for certain when they¡¯d acquired the map at knife-point, the blubbering of the salesman still fresh in his memory as he¡¯d tried to warn them away from this place. A place steeped in legend. The very last place the infamous pirate Blackheart was seen alive. His treasure had to be near this place, hidden either in the bog lands or in a cove somewhere offshore. A lifechanging amount of gold and jewels, enough they could all retire young and put this life of piracy behind them.


    The tavern rose from the fog with a quickness that nearly had them faceplanting the front of it. The lantern burned like a distant star next to the door which moved on silent hinges when Alek pulled it open, leading the way for his first mate and the five pirates trailing past. The rest of their crew, a group of twenty or so now, remained on the ship, content with playing cards and drinking until they returned.


    ¡°The name of the tavern was wiped off the door too.¡± Ivan said, keeping his voice low as they entered. He¡¯d been raised a pampered nobleman, and despite years with them, his voice still bore the high and mighty lilt of a family with far too much wealth. That sort of voice would bring him trouble in these sorts of places. Alek kept a hand on the saber at his side as their eyes adjusted to the dimness inside. A candle-less chandelier swung above them as his crew took up the seats at a polished table by the door.


    ¡°Did you have trouble finding your way?¡± A voice asked from behind the bar.


    Alek immediately set his sights on the gray-faced man who casually finished drying the cracked cup in his hand. ¡°You were expecting us.¡±


    A grin split the man¡¯s scarred face. ¡°We always get new guests when the fog rolls in.¡± He gestured to the stools before the bar with a hand that bore only two fingers. ¡°Sit. Let me guess why you¡¯re here. You¡¯re looking for Blackheart¡¯s treasure.¡±


    Alek and Ivan sat on twin stools as a young woman with fiery red hair appeared from a back room, already carrying a silver tray laden with seven mugs filled to the brim with a sweet-smelling amber liquid. As one was set before each of their crew, the tavernkeeper gave a nod and said, ¡°the good stuff. We keep it in the back for newcomers.¡±


    Ivan took a tentative sip, but Alek leaned forward and asked, ¡°what can you tell me about Blackheart¡¯s treasure?¡±


    A sigh. ¡°Anything you wish to know, but I¡¯m obligated to tell you this now: anyone who goes in search of the treasure dies.¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°They say Blackheart sold his soul to a forgotten god for gold and glory. The amount of gold he received would be enough for every one of my men to live a good, long life. That alone is enough to take this risk.¡±


    A chair creaked from one of his crew while the tavernkeeper continued drying his cup. It must have been well and truly dry by now, but he kept at it, his dark eyes staring into Alek¡¯s. The redheaded woman stood off to the side, in a dark corner, her emerald eyes reflecting the light of the lantern hanging from the bar.


    ¡°Tell me what you know.¡± Alek demanded.


    Finally, the tavernkeeper set down his cup and rag then turned to look behind himself where several plagues, some well-worn and dented, had been nailed. The names of ships, Alek realized, as he recognized a few as some reported missing. In the center, surrounded by those of the missing, was the name of the most infamous ship to ever exist. The Forsaken. Blackheart¡¯s ship. The tavernkeeper placed a hand on the plaque.


    ¡°Blackheart didn¡¯t just sell his soul. He doomed every one of us on board with him.¡±


    A thought struck Alek. ¡°You¡¯re Nikolai Essex. Blackheart¡¯s first mate.¡±


    ¡°Aye.¡± The ghost of a smile. ¡°Blackheart had been called something far different before we were cursed. He¡¯d been my dearest friend for many a year so when we were starving, on the verge of mutiny, he asked if I would stand by him no matter the cost.¡± He turned back to Alek, his eyes suddenly serious. ¡°He sailed us into dark waters and sacrificed a pair of prisoners we¡¯d discovered from a poor merchant ship. We were desperate. He didn¡¯t ask the god for gold nor glory. He asked for immortality.¡±


    Alek snorted as the rest of his men guffawed. They¡¯d been on the edge of their seats, listening to this crazed story, but now they knew it to be complete and utter bullshit. ¡°Blackheart¡¯s been dead for years. Everyone knows half of the rumors about his were exaggerated, including the one about selling his soul.¡± Even though he¡¯d been the one to mention it, Alek didn¡¯t believe a word of it. ¡°Dead men tell the best tales after all.¡±


    Nikolai gave him a look that would have curdled milk then nodded to the woman who slipped again into the backroom without a word. She returned quickly, a sack in her hand which she cradled carefully, close to her chest.


    ¡°No rumors about Blackheart exist.¡± The woman said, her voice clear as a bell as she pulled something from the bag with a flourish. ¡°They are all true.¡±


    A grinning skull sat in her hand, a tiny hole in the center of its temple. The five from around the table stood, their hands on their sabers, but neither Nikolai nor the woman seemed phased. It was Ivan¡¯s quiet voice that broke the sudden tension.


    ¡°You said he asked for immortality, but if that¡¯s his skull¡­¡±


    Alek glanced at his first mate then back at the skull. ¡°It¡¯s a prop skull or some poor man you dug up from the bog. They¡¯re trying to scare us from the treasure. It won¡¯t work. We¡¯ve seen worse on the open seas.¡±


    ¡°So ye after me treasure.¡± The skull spoke, startling Alek and his crew. ¡°A pity ye¡¯ll not see a bit of it.¡±


    ¡°What sorcery is this?¡± Alek asked, his hand firmly around the hilt of his saber. ¡°What tricks are you pulling?¡±


    ¡°No tricks.¡± Nikolai held up his hands to show he was innocent.


    ¡°Nay, no trickery here.¡± The skull said. ¡°Nicky only had one trick up his sleeve, and that was the day he put an icepick through my skull.¡±


    Nikolai shrugged, unrepentant, then went back to drying his glass. He met the eyes of Ivan. ¡°Every one of these ships had a crew just like you, and every one of them died trying to find this treasure. It isn¡¯t worth it. Even if you think it is.¡±


    ¡°Alek¡­¡± Ivan glanced at his captain. ¡°Maybe we should¡ª¡±


    ¡°What if we took your precious captain then?¡± Alek asked, pulling his saber free and pointing it at the woman. ¡°If it¡¯s really Blackheart, then you can lead us to the treasure safely.¡±


    The skull of Blackheart laughed even as Nikolai shrugged and said, ¡°take him. Gods know I could use the break.¡±


    ¡°Aye. I ain¡¯t been on the high seas in some time. It¡¯ll be an adventure. A shame you boys got to die on my behalf though.¡±


    The woman handed the skull to Alek who put away his saber to take it, confusion written across his face. ¡°I would think you¡¯d want to keep him safe here.¡±


    ¡°The captain always comes back.¡± The woman said, her eyes glittering. ¡°We couldn¡¯t be rid of him even if we wished it so.¡±


    ¡°I asked for immortality.¡± Blackheart chattered in Alek¡¯s hand. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for health or not to die. Ye¡¯ve gotta be specific with these tricky gods of ours.¡±

 Chapter 2

    ¡°Well, how¡¯d it go, oh fearless captain?¡± One of his men asked, leaning back in his chair, face flushed with too much ale as Alek Corsair stalked back onto his ship. The heavy fog wiped the town from existence as the ship rocked beneath them on dark waves.


    Alek strode across the deck to the table where cards and gold still laid stacked upon the worn wood and set the pirate¡¯s skull down upon it. For a moment, his crew simply gathered around, staring at it. ¡°You kill someone out there?¡± Jean, one of the ones who¡¯d been with his crew the longest, asked, drawing a long drag from a fancy, imported cigar. The heady smoke wafted around his head, thicker than the fog itself.


    ¡°This is Captain Blackheart.¡± Alek gestured to the skull. ¡°He¡¯s going to lead us to his treasure. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± He nudged the skull who remained infuriatingly silent considering he¡¯d been yapping the entire walk here.


    ¡°You aight, Capn?¡± His men crowded around him, looking at him as if he¡¯d lost his senses. A dangerous look upon this ship.


    The drunken man who called himself Gator leaned against the table and cackled as he popped open a tin of sardines, pilfered from the storeroom below. ¡°Didn¡¯t take this one long to crack.¡± He said, picking up a sardine between his meaty fingers and munching onto the fish¡¯s head.


    ¡°We all heard it speak.¡± Ivan protested, standing close to his captain, one hand on his saber as if he expected a mutiny there and then. The other five nodded their heads in agreement.


    Gator leaned close to the skull, staring into its hollow eyes. ¡°¡¯E¡¯s got the look of a mutinous pig.¡± Blackheart cried out. ¡°Better watch ¡®im, oh captain boy.¡±


    Gator leapt back with a cry, his chair leaning backwards a bit too far and spilling him onto the hard wood of the deck. He laid there, clutching the back of his head and staring up at the skull with a fear never before seen on the man¡¯s face. He made the sign of the cross.


    ¡°Toss the cursed thing overboard!¡± He cried out, glancing wildly around to the rest of the crew. ¡°It¡¯s a bad omen. We¡¯ll all be drowned at sea if you keep it here.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to¡± Alek said tightly, resting his hand atop the skull ¡°lead us to unimaginable treasure. It stays on board. I won¡¯t dally in your superstitions.¡± He scooped the head into his hands and strode across the deck towards the captain¡¯s quarters. No one followed. Not even his loyal first mate. ¡°We leave out first thing in the morning!¡± He called over his shoulder as if they might forget and slammed the door behind him. He didn''t care if they whispered about him or murmured accusations on his mental state. They''d all change their minds when they sailed home with hoards of gold and jewels.


    Alone in his quarters with the pirate''s skull, he sank down into an old wooden chair. An old map had been stuck into the table before him with a silver-hilted dagger. He sat the skull atop it. ¡°Where¡¯s your treasure?¡± He asked it, gesturing to the map. ¡°Is it near here? In the bogs? Where?¡±


    ¡°Oh, me treasure, eh?¡± Blackheart¡¯s voice sang mockingly. ¡°You¡¯d do best turning this ship around and heading home. Might be the last you¡¯ll see of it.¡±


    ¡°Not happening. What do you have to lose? It¡¯s not like you¡¯d get to spend any of it anyway. Not in your state.¡±


    Something sparked in those empty sockets. The lantern hanging from the wall beside his bed flickered then went out. In the sudden darkness, broken only by the pale light from the open window, Blackheart spoke. ¡°Go back out towards the sea, sail North, and keep sailing until the waters turn blacker than night. You¡¯ll find the treasure alright, but you may not like what else lurks in the darkness.¡±


    To his crew¡¯s credit, they did indeed set sail at first light though they still glanced furtively at the skull in Alek¡¯s grasp. The sea churned against the hull, that strange fog following them until the land faded from sight behind them. Salt air clung to his tongue as he stood at the helm, his eyes on the horizon. That was how Ivan found him some hours later, a gold spyglass in his hands.


    ¡°Everything alright?¡± Alek asked. Ivan twisted the spyglass anxiously then presented it to Alek who took it with a bemused expression. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t this be in the crow¡¯s nest with Jean?¡±


    ¡°It broke, Captain.¡± Ivan said. ¡°Nearly took Jean¡¯s eye out while he was looking through it.¡±


    Alek turned it over to find the glass had indeed splintered, the other side splattered with tiny remnants of blood. He handed it back to Ivan. ¡°I¡¯m sure there are others on the ship. Not that we need it. Blackheart said to keep going North until the sea turns as dark as night.¡±


    ¡°With all due respect, Captain,¡± Ivan began, looking about them nervously, ¡°the others believe it to be a bad omen. They don¡¯t think we should go any farther.¡±


    Alek snorted. ¡°Cowards, the lot of them. We keep moving, and tell anyone who doesn¡¯t wish to that they are free to jump overboard.¡±

 Chapter 3

    The next morning, a strange wind whipped around the ship. The sea writhed beneath them, but his crew wisely kept quiet as Alek stepped out onto the deck with that skull still in hand. An island came and went to their right as their ship moved directly north, straight towards the heavy clouds blotting out the bright horizon.


    Only Ivan shuffled towards him, twiddling his scarred fingers uneasily. His eyes stayed on the horizon, on those clouds creeping in, and said, ¡°I think we should reconsider this adventure.¡± The noble lilt hung heavy in the air between them.


    Alek glanced at him, and the words he responded with didn¡¯t feel entirely his own. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t expect someone born of nobility to understand this ¡®adventure¡¯.¡± The last word was practically a snarl.


    In his hand, the skull seemed to grin wider as Alek walked away from his first mate. Predictably, Ivan followed, ever the loyal friend. Friend, a voice in Alek¡¯s head seemed to sneer. With Blackheart¡¯s treasure, he wouldn¡¯t be needing any of those either.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t been a nobleman in some time.¡± Ivan said, his words clipped with something close to anger. He slanted his eyes at Alek. ¡°Heading into that storm would be a bad idea. For all of us. No treasure is worth that.¡±


    ¡°Relax, lad.¡± The skull chattered, a disquieting light sparking in its empty sockets. ¡°I used to sail these seas plenty in my day.¡±


    ¡°And we see where that led. Captain, please.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Alek waved him away. ¡°We keep going. No matter the cost. You¡¯re more than welcome to abandon ship.¡±


    Ivan did not abandon ship, but by lunch that same day, as the sea turned choppy and dangerous, three of their crew jumped into the lifeboat tied to the side. Ivan watched them go, his eyes troubled as the little boat splashed into the sea and the men rowed away.


    ¡°If we were wise men,¡± Jean murmured beside him, a bandage over one eye, ¡°we¡¯d be in that boat along with them.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t abandon our captain.¡± Ivan said softly.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Jean walked away without another word as the wind whipped at their sails, their ship heading full speed towards that storm. Lightning streaked across the sky, the sea turning as dark as night as they entered unfamiliar territory. Their crew rushed to and fro, fighting with the sails to keep them from tearing in the wind.


    Thunder rumbled deep down into their bones as heavy rain began to pelt the deck. Ivan slipped on the deck as he tried to rush towards the helm where he¡¯d last seen their captain. He could see nothing past the icy rain as he laid there, scrabbling to keep from sliding towards the edge of the deck and towards a watery death. From the corner of his eye, he saw a rope snap free from one of the sails. He kept his head pressed down onto the deck, praying to a god he didn¡¯t believe it to keep from being killed upon this ship. The rope wrapped around someone he didn¡¯t recognize and dragged his crew member over the edge. Soon, the mast above cracked, a sound louder than thunder, and Ivan knew he needed to move. He scrambled up from the deck and hurried towards where he''d seen their captain last.


    Alek hadn¡¯t moved from the helm, the rain plastering his dark hair to his head. It ran in rivulets down his face as he stared, head high, at the storm. The skull stayed securely in his hand. ¡°We¡¯re here.¡± Alek said, not turning his head to see who joined him at the helm.


    Ivan, breathing hard, grabbed Alek¡¯s arm and turned the captain towards him. ¡°We need to go back!¡± He shouted over the rain and thunder. ¡°We¡¯ll be killed.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll be fine.¡± Alek shook him off and pointed forward. ¡°Look.¡± As if his words were a prophecy, the rain and wind ceased. Their battered ship, one of its masts broken across the deck, bobbed calmly in the water. He looked at Ivan as if proving his point.


    Ivan stared at the skull then back towards their remaining crew who¡¯d gathered on the deck. Blood stained the wood, pooling from a body crushed by the fallen mast. A body that had nearly been Ivan¡¯s had he not moved away. He didn¡¯t want to walk back to that spot, didn¡¯t want to see who they¡¯d lost.


    Instead, he asked Blackheart¡¯s skull. ¡°So where¡¯s the treasure? We¡¯re in open water, so unless you sank it beneath the sea...¡±


    ¡°A shame you couldn¡¯t be a scholar.¡± The skull mocked. ¡°Look there, on the edge of the storm. Tell me what ye see.¡±


    Ivan squinted and had to rub his eyes at the sight. Rising up out of the sea was the steeple of a chapel, its wooden yet termite-ridden cross still perfectly visible. ¡°A chapel.¡± He breathed the word and could practically hear Jean murmuring about omens and curses somewhere on the deck.


    ¡°This place was once a mighty bustling port town.¡± Blackheart claimed, his voice distant now as if remembering his glory days. ¡°Before the dam burst, I hid me treasure in the backroom of this very chapel.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t really expect us to dive down to get it.¡±


    Blackheart laughed, a terrifying sound that caused Ivan to take a step back. Alek bore no reaction, his eyes still on that chapel¡¯s cross. ¡°Not at all. The chapel rises at dusk.¡±

 Chapter 4

    Alek sat on the deck, dangling his legs over the side of the ship, watching and waiting for the moment that chapel would raise itself from the sea. Ivan sat on the deck as he and Jean scrubbed the blood from the deck. They¡¯d removed the body, dragged it over to the edge of the ship, and let it sink beneath the calm, dark sea.


    ¡°I saw something down there.¡± Jean whispered to Ivan, his hand stained with the blood of a man they¡¯d once dined and shared tales with. Ivan glanced at him but didn¡¯t respond. He dipped his rag into the bucket between them, the blood-tinged water lapping at his fingers as he wringed the rag and went back to scrubbing at the deck.


    Jean reached out and grabbed his arm with freshly bandaged hands, stopping him. His single eye stared intently into Ivan¡¯s. ¡°I saw something.¡± He said again. ¡°Something moved in the water, just beneath us. You must convince him to leave this place.¡±


    ¡°He won¡¯t listen to me.¡± Ivan said, jerking his arm away. He scrubbed at the deck more vigorously than he probably needed to, skirting the edge of the mast that still laid in the middle of the deck, an annoying hazard they now had to traverse. ¡°I¡¯ve tried. He won¡¯t¡­¡± He huffed an annoyed breath.


    ¡°He must.¡± Jean insisted. ¡°You knew him before he was our captain. You must know how to get through to him.¡±


    Ivan recalled the way Alek had been all those years ago, bright-eyed and eager for adventure. His claims to one day become an infamous pirate just as the famed Blackheart had been had once been laughable. Now, he feared it would doom them all. Still, it¡¯d been enough to convince Ivan to leave behind his noble roots, to stow away on a merchant¡¯s ship and set out on what could very well be an ill-fated adventure.


    ¡°It¡¯s something with that skull.¡± Ivan found himself saying. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe it really is cursed, but Alek isn¡¯t acting like himself.¡±


    ¡°You must make him see reason. For all our sakes.¡±


    Ivan sighed. ¡°I can try.¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    By the time he¡¯d worked out what to say, dusk was only an hour away. Ivan carried a bowl of lamb stew as he walked up the steps to their captain who had still not moved from the helm, his legs still dangling over the edge. ¡°I thought you might want something to eat.¡± Ivan began, sitting down beside him. He thought of dangling his legs over as well, but Jean¡¯s insistence of something being in the water kept his legs safely stretched against the wood of the deck.


    ¡°How can I eat¡± Alek asked, still staring at that cross, ¡°when it is right there?¡±


    Ivan stared at the cross, noting how the water had not moved an inch. Nothing indicated the chapel would rise at dusk. Perhaps it wouldn¡¯t, and they could all go home. ¡°This place makes me think of the first town we arrived in.¡± Ivan said conversationally. ¡°Do you remember? My father somehow figured out where we were and sent men after us. We had to hide out in a small chapel just like this one.¡± Alek didn¡¯t reply, but he slid his eyes away from the chapel. ¡°There was only room enough for one of us in that back closet, and you kept your back against that door, willing to risk your life to keep him from me. We¡¯d barely known each other six months at that point.¡±


    ¡°Your father was an asshole.¡± Alek finally said, picking up the stew. ¡°You¡¯d be better off dead than back with him.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean I want to die out here.¡± Ivan dared to say. ¡°Something feels off about this place. Jean says he saw something swimming beneath the ship.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s paranoid and superstitious.¡± Alek said, chewing on a piece of lamb. His eyes glittered in the fading sunlight. ¡°I won¡¯t let you die out here. You trust me, right?¡±


    Ivan grimaced. ¡°To the grave.¡± Famous last words, he thought to himself.


    They said nothing else as they both watched that chapel. Dusk fell, and for a moment, a single, hopeful moment, nothing of interest happened. Their ship began to rock as the sea roiled beneath them, the inky black waters frothing around the chapel as it began to inexplicably rise out of the depths. Ivan and Alek both had to grasp the edge of the railing to keep from tumbling overboard as that chapel dumped buckets upon buckets of water back into the sea. Blackheart cackled beside them as the skull rolled away from them. Alek hastened to his feet to retrieve it, abandoning his half-eaten stew beside Ivan who could only stare in wonder at that great stone chapel covered in thick green moss. A remaining piece of a shattered stained-glass window sparkled with sea water. The whispers of a prayer rose on the air as if the sea had been filled with the ghosts of the past. Ivan hastened a glance down towards the rest of the deck and found Jean with the rest of their crew on their knees before the sight, Jean with his hands folded together, his voice rising with his prayers.

 Chapter 5

    Conveniently placed stepping stones, the remnants of some ancient street, idly bobbed in the dark waters, giving them a clear path from their ship to the newly risen chapel. Ivan reached out to touch the moss-covered stone. It held even when he pressed down with all his might.


    ¡°I still think we should reconsider this.¡± He said even as Alek brushed past him, keeping the skull with him.


    Ever the fearless captain, Alek stepped off the ship and onto the stone. It held his weight. ¡°Come on. Both of you.¡± He motioned for Jean who still clutched his hands together though his prayers had gone silent. ¡°The rest of you guard the ship.¡±


    Their crew looked as if they¡¯d rather do anything else, but Gator, a fresh scratch down his cheek, gave a serious nod. ¡°You go on ahead, Captain. We¡¯ll hold it down for you. Go and get our treasure.¡±


    Something in his tone disquieted Ivan, but if he chose to stay behind, the risk to their captain would be too great. He swallowed and stepped out into the open sea. The stones did not waver as he crossed, and reluctantly, his face pallid with the effort it took to hold it together, Jean followed.


    The chapel steps were slick with algae and sea water once they arrived. Ivan stepped carefully, eyeing the water with some misgiving. Nothing moved below the watery depths. Perhaps Jean had simply imagined whatever he¡¯d seen; it had not been an easy couple of days. Darkness surrounded them as they entered the chapel. Ivan covered his nose with his sleeve, the scent of mildew digging into his nostrils and making his eyes water.


    ¡°Anyone think to bring a lantern?¡± Alek called back to them. At his words, unseen candles nailed into the walls flared to life. Jean murmured the beginnings of a prayer before Ivan slapped his arm in warning. ¡°It¡¯s alright. This chapel isn¡¯t very big." Their captain assured. "We should be in and out.¡±


    Something skittered in the shadows. Ivan did not like to think he frightened easily despite his recent misgivings, but that scratching sound had the hair rising up on the back of his neck. He could handle seeing people run through or decapitated aboard enemy ships, could handle the most gruesome of injuries, had seen in all in the past few years, but this was almost too much. He kept his eyes on the brown trenchcoat of his captain, his friend, mere inches in front of him as they walked the length of the corridor and entered the main area of the chapel. Rotten pews sat nailed to the floor on either side of them. Straight ahead, a golden statue stood staring at them.


    Ivan stopped, causing Jean to run into the back of him with a curse. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Jean hissed, an edge to his voice.


    ¡°I don¡¯t recognize that idol.¡± Ivan said, still staring at the statue, even as their captain kept walking, clearly aiming for an empty doorway in the corner. Jean came around him and followed his gaze.


    It was a woman, taller than the both of them, standing there with silver plated eyes, her full lips smiling wide in a show of benevolence and peace. She held her shiny golden hands together, but whatever she¡¯d once held was gone. Likely stolen years ago.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°I found it! Come look.¡± Alek¡¯s jubilant voice called out, startling the both of them.


    Ivan and Jean glanced at one another before stepping around the altar to the room their captain had vanished into. They nearly stumbled down the sudden drop as it led immediately down a set of steep stone steps. Ivan started as he rounded the corner and came face to face with the grinning skull of Blackheart sitting atop a stone pedestal.


    ¡°Behold me treasure.¡± He said to Ivan who shuddered and kept walking into the room. Eerie candlelight glittered on piles upon piles of gold coins, many having spilled from upturned bags. Alek had already opened one of the many treasure chests. The gleaming of rubies and sapphires reflected in his eyes.


    ¡°We found it.¡± He turned towards Ivan and Jean, holding a pile of jewels in his hands. ¡°This will easily be enough for every one of us to live wealthy lives.¡±


    The uneasy look in Jean¡¯s eyes faded just a hair as he strode to a pile of yellowed scrolls stacked against a far corner and began to pick through them. ¡°I collected each and every bit of this treasure.¡± Blackheart told them proudly, the candlelight flickering around them. ¡°Me and me crew. We knew trouble was gaining fast on us so we knew this place would be the best to hide it. No one could possibly know it existed, the people here had all been slaughtered months earlier. There were still bloodstains in the streets as they prepared to destroy that dam.¡±


    ¡°They killed people so they could destroy the dam?¡± Ivan asked, picking his way through the treasure. He stepped on silver and gold coins as he counted more than twenty chests, each full of its own treasure.


    ¡°Oh, no, this was once a bustling town full of pirates and their families, most of whom had set aside that sort of life to settle down. Once it got out there were kids being slaughtered here, they broke the dam to cover their own crimes.¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s they?¡± Alek asked, only half listening.


    Blackheart made a sound suspiciously like a snort and said. ¡°A man and his family who commanded a fleet of ships solely to eradicate pirates and take their treasures for themselves. They wanted to become rich off our spoils. What was that name¡­¡±


    Ivan bent to touch a silver-handled cutlass lying against the wall next to the chest Alek was still sorting through. ¡°Ah, yes,¡± Blackheart continued, ¡°I remember now. Fairweather. Pretty sure they stole that name too.¡±


    Ivan froze, his family name hanging in the suddenly chilly air. He glanced at Alek and held his gaze. Alek pressed his lips together and gave a single shake of his head. For some reason, it felt wrong to admit to who he was in this place, as if the ghosts of the past might suddenly claw their way through these walls and drag him off to make him pay for what his ancestors had done so long ago.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back to the ship.¡± Alek said, wiping his hands on his pants. ¡°We¡¯ll need help carrying all this out of here. Ready, Jean?¡±


    Jean gave a serious nod and hurried after them as Alek grabbed Blackheart¡¯s skull on his way out and thumped up those stairs. Ivan followed last, his thoughts heavy with what he¡¯d just learned. He¡¯d no idea where his family had gained its fortune or fame; it was something his father had never thought to disclose to his second son. How many people had they murdered here? How many children?


    Jean swore, jolting Ivan from his thoughts. Jean stood in the center of the chapel, a shaft of moonlight shining through the stained-glassed window, sending streaks of red across Jean¡¯s pale face. He pointed a shaking finger at the golden statue. Ivan turned, his heart pounding inside his chest, as he followed that finger to see the statue no longer smiling demurely. Her lips had twisted into an angry sneer, her hands clenched into fists at her side, and one wielded a wicked scythe.

 Chapter 6

    Ivan swore as he pulled his cutlass free. Jean, facing paling, did the same. ¡°Captain!¡± Ivan called, keeping himself between the statue and Alek¡¯s back. ¡°We have a situation here.¡±


    The statue took a step towards them, shaking the room. ¡°We won¡¯t be able to fight this thing.¡± Jean said, his shoulder brushing Ivan¡¯s as they backed up together. ¡°We¡¯ll be killed.¡±


    Ivan risked a glance back towards their captain who was too far down the corridor to notice what was happening. The statue lifted her arm as she continued moving, each large step bringing her closer and closer, the wicked edge of the scythe glinting in the moonlight. Ivan shoved Jean behind him, pushing the other man down the corridor as he faced the statue alone.


    ¡°Let Alek know what¡¯s happening.¡± Ivan said, his grip around his cutlass slick with sweat. He took a step forward and used his cutlass to block the next swing of the scythe. His hands stung, his feet pushed back at the sheer strength the statue wielded. She advanced. He kept his cutlass up, readying for another strike. Jean¡¯s footsteps faded behind him, but when quick footsteps came running back, his focus slipped. The scythe slipped underneath his cutlass, slicing open his shirt and into the skin beneath.


    Ivan put a hand to his chest, shocked at the blood. The statue raised her scythe again, and he tensed, preparing himself for the killing blow she would no doubt deliver. A familiar silver cutlass, the twin to his own, cut across his vision and blocked the scythe mere inches from his face. Alek hissed, his hands tightened around the hilt of his weapon and pushed back with all his might. The statue stumbled, clearly taken off guard by his sudden appearance. Alek glanced at Ivan, a quick flash of dark eyes, a grimace at the sight of blood before stepping firmly between his first mate and the statue.


    ¡°Get back to the ship.¡± Alek ordered.


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you.¡± Ivan said with a shake of his head.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be right behind you. Ivan, go!¡±


    Everything in him rebelled at the order, but he sheathed his cutlass and ran back into the corridor. He stopped halfway, the candlelight flickering around him, and glanced back to his captain. A brief clang sounded as two weapons met then the sound of running feet. True to his word, Alek joined him in the corridor and hastily pushed Ivan ahead of him. The corridor shuddered as the statue hit the low ceiling. Something scraped against the stone. Ivan didn¡¯t dare look back, afraid he¡¯d see it crawling after them.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    They broke out into open air, the moonlight reflecting on dark water as Ivan bent over, hands on knees, gulping down shaky gasps. The blood on his chest had already begun to clot. ¡°You think you¡¯ll live?¡± Alek asked, worry tightening around his eyes.


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll recover.¡± Ivan replied dryly.


    ¡°I guess we¡¯ll have to find a back door to get to the treasure.¡± Alek said.


    Ivan noticed Jean standing at the edge of the chapel, his feet dangerously close to the edge. ¡°Jean?¡±


    He pointed a shaking finger out towards their ship. Ivan swore. The ship, their ship, their crew, was not where they¡¯d left it. Instead, it was at least a mile away and still moving.


    ¡°What do they think they¡¯re doing?¡± Alek asked, his fingers tightening on the cutlass he still gripped in his hand. ¡°They¡¯re just going to abandon their captain?¡±


    Their captain who hadn¡¯t taken their misgivings to heart, had stared out at the darkening sea, at the growing storm, with a strange fervor that had even Ivan concerned for their safety. Ivan hated the lack of surprise at their betrayal, yet it did nothing to quell the sickening sinking of his gut. They were stranded here without even a lifeboat to row to a different shore. Abandoned in the middle of the dark sea.


    ¡°What are we going to do?¡± Ivan found himself asking.


    ¡°Not panic.¡± Alek told him firmly. ¡°Jean, come away from the sea. We¡¯ll figure this out.¡±


    Jean didn¡¯t move, his eyes staring at their retreating ship. ¡°There¡¯s something in the water.¡± He said distantly, his eyes glazed with a growing horror.


    Ivan squinted at their ship, at the water it threw against its hull. There. Barely noticeable at first. A shadowy shape moved in the water. He caught the barest hint of a large tentacle before it slipped beneath their ship. As they watched, eight huge tentacles rose from the sea, rising higher than their ship¡¯s highest mast. Ivan took a step forward even though there was nothing he could do. On the deck, he could see the remainder of their crew running about.


    The skull of Blackheart, abandoned at the entrance to the chapel, cackled, that strange light in the empty sockets brighter than ever now. ¡°That be Ellie. A bit late than usual. Most people don¡¯t even get the pleasure of seeing me treasure.¡±


    ¡°You knew.¡± Alek spun to the skull, a mix of shock and horror on his face. ¡°You knew this would happen. You led us here¡ª¡±


    ¡°I led ye to me treasure. Just as ye wanted.¡±


    ¡°How do we get out of here?¡±


    ¡°Ye don¡¯t. A watery death awaits the lot of ye.¡±


    A splintering crack split the air. Alek spun just in time to watch those tentacles wrap around the entirety of the ship. The hull caved into itself, letting a deluge of water rush in as the masts snap and fell to the deck. The lucky ones of their crew were killed instantly; others jumped ship into the dark waters. Screams filled the air as the creature used one tentacle to snatch men from the water. They struggled all the way to the sharp teeth as the creature dined on their men. Alek looked sick, his face pale and fists clenched at his side, but there was nothing they could do except watch.

 Chapter 7

    ¡°We need to get out of here.¡± Ivan had said it twice already, but his captain hadn¡¯t moved. Nor had Jean. Both of them stared at the monstrous squid-like creature transfixed in horror while the skull of Blackheart cackled nearby.


    Ivan picked up the skull and slammed it face first into the wall of the chapel. The hole in its forehead splintered farther, bits of bone breaking off onto the ground. The laughter ceased. ¡°Your first mate killed you. Was it because you led them here to die?¡±


    ¡°Nay.¡± Blackheart said solemnly. ¡°I¡¯d no intention of letting me crew die. I promised the goddess our souls in exchange for immortality. We could have sailed the seven seas together for all eternity, but as the spell wove around me ship and crew, he killed me. We all died that day, swallowed up by the sea.¡±


    Ivan¡¯s fingers trembled around the skull as the pieces fell into place. ¡°That town we went in¡­¡±


    ¡°A literal ghost town. Ye¡¯ve gone nowhere but around this here town. Everyone you met before died long ago.¡±


    ¡°Ivan, let it go.¡± Alek said, having broken out of his stunned trance. He placed a hand on Ivan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here. Now. Leave the skull here. He can waste away with his treasure.¡±


    Behind the captain, their ship began to sink beneath the sea. Bits of debris had already floated towards the chapel¡¯s steps, close to where Jean stood, still staring. No more screams came from the wreckage, but if Ivan squinted, he could still see people moving about in the water.


    ¡°We can¡¯t save them.¡± Alek murmured as Ivan dropped the skull. Blackheart rolled away with an annoyed hiss.


    ¡°None of ye can escape this.¡± He warned as he came to a stop, inches from dropping into the sea himself.


    Alek walked away, motioning for Ivan to follow. ¡°Jean, come on.¡± He called over his shoulder, startling the other man who finally ripped his eyes away from the wreckage. His eyes, misty from the spray of the sea, shone in the moonlight. He¡¯d had friends upon that ship. They all had. Distantly, Ivan wondered if Gator had escaped or if that monstrous creature had devoured him as well. If only, they¡¯d heeded his supposed superstitious warnings sooner.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Alek led them to the side of the chapel, revealing a thin path wrapping around the building. It led farther into the darkness, past where their eyes could see. He led the way, moving slowly across moss-slick stone, pressing his body against the outer wall of the chapel. Ivan looked up as they moved slowly in the darkness, the flickering moonlight shining through the stained-glass window above his head.


    Jean nearly slipped behind him, saved only by Ivan¡¯s hand around his arm. Jean swallowed, his nerves getting the best of him, but he gave Ivan a steady nod as they continued forward. The dark waves lapped at their boots as the path sank beneath the water, still there but no longer visible. Alek stubbornly pushed forward, splashing in the water, and Ivan finally saw where they were heading, a small building floating on the waves.


    ¡°I saw it when we sailed in.¡± Alek explained as they reached the building. It smelled of old water, the rotting wood coming away in their hands as Alek wrenched open the door and motioned for them to go inside. ¡°We¡¯ll hide out here until morning.¡±


    Morning. It must have been a long way off. Ivan glanced outside into the darkness. Shapes rose around them, familiar yet not. He squinted, trying to pick out what they were.


    ¡°Ships.¡± He breathed, his heart racing. Dozens, at least. They sat crammed against one another, rocking along in the water, unable to move too far. How many of them had had crews just like them, seeking out a treasure they¡¯d never touch?


    Jean came up beside him and followed his look. ¡°There are so many of them.¡±


    Alek sat against the back wall, eyes half closed. He wouldn¡¯t come to see the other ships just as he wouldn¡¯t acknowledge that they might not make it out of here. For awhile, nothing of importance happened. They stayed away from the window, stayed as quiet as they possibly could. Their breathing sounded too loud to Ivan¡¯s ears as he tried to listen to any sounds outside. Had any of their men survived? Had that monster dived back underneath the sea? He had no way of knowing.


    Ivan¡¯s eyes snapped open. He¡¯d dozed just briefly, but something had woken him, had him on edge. Alek knelt close to the window. He put a finger to his lips. Ivan moved closer to his captain, his boots causing the old wood to creak beneath him. Jean stood beside the door. His eyes met Ivan¡¯s.


    A tentacle crashed through the building, wrapping around Jean and dragging him under without so much as a scream leaving his companion''s lips. Ivan moved forward, cutlass drawn to slash at the tentacle when icy water rose around him. It dragged him under even as he kicked his feet to be free of it, to get himself to the surface. A hand clawed at his arm, tightened around him with bruising strength until his head broke the surface. He sucked in a breath then another, coughing up the vile water that had rushed into his mouth.


    Water streaming into his eyes, he looked towards the building and saw only tattered remains. Alek treaded water beside him, but Jean was nowhere to be found.

 Chapter 8

    Alek didn¡¯t say a word about Jean, only shook his head when Ivan asked. They stayed in the water despite every instinct telling Ivan to get out, to find some piece of driftwood and cling to it to keep that monster at bay, but Alek kept a hand on him, the other wielded his own wicked cutlass, splattered with dark blood.


    ¡°Something else is moving in the water.¡± Alek said after awhile.


    Ivan could see nothing, but he trusted his captain and followed when Alek moved back towards that broken building. Ivan felt sick as they crawled onto the splintered wood, his clothes sticking to him like a second skin. Alek brushed his wet hair from his eyes and made a show of wringing out his clothes.


    ¡°I need you to do something for me, Ivan.¡± Alek said quietly. ¡°It¡¯s my very last order to you as your captain. When the time comes, I need you to run me through with this.¡± He handed his cutlass to Ivan who shook his head.


    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°You will. I need you to trust me. I have a plan.¡±


    Ivan swallowed and wrapped his fingers around the hilt of the weapon, the perfect twin to his own. His voice abandoned him, so he simply nodded and stood there beside his captain, his friend, as they looked over the sea. Golden streaks began to peak over the horizon. Dawn was not too far off.


    A smile curled against Alek¡¯s face as the dark water split open before them. A woman, far taller than the both of them, emerged from that dark opening. At least Ivan thought it was a woman. She stood, covered in a tattered fur cloak, dripping black hair hanging down her back. Her face was pale blue, her eyes a glassy silver that focused on him before sliding to Alek.


    ¡°You injured my pet.¡± Her silvery voice sent shivers down his spine.


    ¡°Your pet killed my men.¡± Alek retorted pleasantly. ¡°Are you the goddess that resides here?¡±


    She smiled, revealing wickedly sharp teeth. ¡°Perhaps I am.¡±


    ¡°I have a deal I¡¯d like to make with you. My soul for my first mate¡¯s safe return back to land.¡±


    The goddess stared at him for a long moment then cackled, the sound grating against their eyes. ¡°Your soul? You must be speaking in jest. The soul of a wannabe pirate is of no use to me.¡±


    Ivan tightened his hand around the hilt of the cutlass. ¡°What about an offering?¡± He called out. Alek cut his eyes to him, clearly wanting him to be quiet, but he continued. ¡°Your pet clearly needs a better food supply than waiting for people to accidentally end up here. What if we made a trade? Our lives for an offering larger than you¡¯ve ever seen, better than gold. A never-ending supply of food and recognition for you and your pet.¡±


    The ancient goddess stared at him, her eyes unblinking. She moved closer, the smell of the sea all encompassing. ¡°You have the air of an important man.¡± She whispered, a wet hand reaching out to touch his cheek.


    He fought not to flinch even when he heard his captain call his name. ¡°Tell me,¡± the goddess asked quietly, lovingly, ¡°what family name do you bear? You look so very familiar.¡±


    The air felt heavy, thick. Ivan opened his mouth, his family name on his tongue. His family had killed this place, he remembered distantly. They¡¯d murdered the inhabitants and shattered that dam to hide their crimes. Ivan¡¯s name rang in the air, familiar and terrified.


    ¡°Fairweather.¡± His family name but spoken on someone else¡¯s lips. The spell shattered. A cool wind dried the sweat dripping down Ivan¡¯s face. ¡°That¡¯s my family name.¡± Alek said, staring at the goddess defiantly. ¡°The people who killed this place.¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    She whipped around to face him, anger morphing her already terrifying features into something far worse. Tentacles wrapped around Alek¡¯s waist, lifting him up into the air. Ivan shouted his name, swung the cutlass, but missed his captain altogether.


    ¡°They worshipped me.¡± She hissed into his face as she brought him closer. ¡°My pet never went hungry as long as they were here.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± Alek gasped, the tentacles squeezing around him. ¡°Let us go, and I¡¯ll make it right. I¡¯ll spend the rest of my life making this town come alive again.¡±


    ¡°Humans lie. I¡¯d rather devour the both of you right now.¡±


    Ivan clutched the sword tighter and sliced at the tentacle holding his captain. He sliced clean through it. The goddess howled in rage and pain as Alek hit the ground hard. Ivan helped him to his feet, and they scrambled back even as more tentacles reached for them.


    They ducked inside that small cabin, pressed themselves against the back of the wall as the goddess approached them, her tentacles curling around the building, readying to crush them. A sudden rush of water surged into the building as dawn broke the horizon. Alek and Ivan held their breaths as a violent wave washed them and the remains of the building away. Ivan struggled to keep his head above water, watching between breaths as the chapel slowly sank back beneath the waves. The goddess moved in the sea, her furious cries following him until the water dragged him below.


    Ivan vomited sea water against an unfamiliar beach, splintered pieces of wood all around him. Nothing moved on the beach as he climbed to his feet, the sound of someone singing an old sea shanty the only sound. He followed that sound, stumbling, every muscle aching as he moved. The sun had climbed high into the sky, the only sign that he¡¯d lost any amount of time though he didn¡¯t know if he¡¯d lost days or simply hours. A body laid on the beach next to a skull he hated to recognize. The skull was doing the singing as he approached.


    ¡°Good morning.¡± Blackheart chirped.


    Ivan ignored him and knelt beside Alek who seemed to be breathing. He patted his friend¡¯s face then moved to shaking his shoulder until Alek finally opened his eyes. ¡°We¡¯re alive.¡± Alek whispered hoarsely.


    ¡°An unlikely development.¡± Blackheart announced.


    ¡°Come on.¡± Alek climbed to his feet. ¡°Let¡¯s find our way back to civilization.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡± Blackheart called from the sand. ¡°Take me back to the tavern, back to me crew.¡±


    ¡°Find your own way back.¡± Alek said, leaving the skull alone in the sand. In the distance, a church bell chimed the hour.


    ¡°Dead men tell the best tales. You know why they say that?¡± Blackheart called after them. Ivan slowed to hear the rest. ¡°Because no one ever knows which ones are true. After all, the dead can¡¯t speak or so they say. Our deeds live on in infamy.¡±


    ¡°Come on, Ivan.¡± Alek said again, stomping away.


    Blackheart¡¯s crazed laughter followed after them as they stepped onto the boardwalk spanning the edge of the beach. Beyond laid a town they didn¡¯t recognize, but people in strange clothing milled about in the streets, talking to one another. Ivan stopped in the center of the street, several people turning to look at him, as Alek continued walking. In the distance sat a dam that rose high above the town, and a stone chapel on the hill just beneath it. Its stained-glass window shone with red and gold.


    Ivan felt the world swim around him. He stared down at his hands, noticing how nothing hurt anymore. The sunlight seemed to shine through him. He opened his mouth to call out to his captain but stopped as something moved on the beach. The tavern keeper, Nikolai, walked along at an easy pace until he reached the spot where they¡¯d left the skull. Ivan watched him grab Blackheart¡¯s skull and casually walk back. Ivan glanced at Alek who¡¯d stopped to ask the name of the town from a passerby and hurried after Nikolai.


    The path felt eerily familiar though the boardwalk was not rotted beneath his feet. Nothing slithered against his boots or dove into the tiny pond he walked across. The tavern rose before him, easily seen with no sign of the strange fog they¡¯d walked through before. Nikolai gave no sign that he knew he was being followed, and he entered the tavern, carrying the whistling skull with him. Ivan walked to the window, feeling as if he were walking to a hangman¡¯s noose. Distantly, he heard Alek call for him, just now noticing he wasn''t behind him, but Ivan ignored it as he pressed his hands against the glass. He could scarcely see inside with the glare of the sun, but there in the dimness, he watched Nikolai set Blackheart¡¯s skull onto the counter. He started, his eyes widening, but no longer focusing on Nikolai or the skull, no longer caring what the two did. All he could see was the new plaque nailed to the wall behind the counter. The name of a ship, the name of his ship, spelled out against the wood. He stumbled back, spun back towards the boardwalk, back to where he¡¯d come from, and opened his mouth to call for Alek, for his friend. The shout died on his lips, strangled as fear choked him. The ghostly visages of men dragged themselves out of the sea, dripping water onto the beach, and leading them, his face a ghostly white, was Jean.