《Shadows in the Mist》 Prologue Haacenel¡¯s grip on the wooden railing was so tight that his nails carved deep grooves into the damp wood. His powerful, shark-like tail thrashed violently behind him, slamming against the dock with a resounding crack. The seawater churned below, reflecting the storm of rage that filled every inch of his body. His gills flared, his chest rising and falling in sharp, seething breaths. ¡°Asbjorn.¡± His voice was a low, warning growl before the winged man even landed beside him. The soft thud of Asbjorn¡¯s boots hitting the dock barely registered over the crashing waves. He folded his wings neatly against his back, cautious, but not retreating. ¡°What¡¯s the problem, Haac? You¡¯ve been standing here for hours, looking like you¡¯re about to tear the whole damn sea apart.¡± ¡°The Gods¡­¡± Haacenel started, but his voice died, his teeth grinding together. Asbjorn waited a beat before prompting, ¡°What about them?¡± A guttural snarl ripped from Haacenel¡¯s throat as he slammed his fist down onto the railing, the wood splintering beneath his strength. ¡°They ought to pay for what they¡¯ve done.¡± His tail lashed so hard that seawater sprayed over the dock. ¡°I get it. We were all close with him¡ª¡± ¡°Close with him!?¡± Haacenel whirled around so fast that Asbjorn instinctively stepped back. His eyes were ablaze with unrestrained fury, his fangs bared in a snarl. ¡°Asbjorn, he was my father! That filthy God killed him! For what?! He did nothing wrong!¡± His chest heaved as he pointed a shaking clawed finger at his friend. ¡°For fifteen years, he fought to get home to his wife. Fifteen years! He¡¯s the reason none of us are rotting in chains or at the bottom of the ocean! He saved us! And that damn God¡ª¡± his voice cracked, but he forced it back into a growl. ¡°That damn thing took him from me.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Asbjorn¡¯s voice was quieter now, but there was steel in it. ¡°Your father is the reason we aren¡¯t slaves anymore. The reason we have a life.¡± He hesitated. ¡°But Haac¡­ going against a God?¡± He shook his head. ¡°That man¡ªthe one who calls himself Arnav in this life? He¡¯s the God of War. War, Haacenel. Do you really think it¡¯s wise to challenge him?¡± Haacenel tore the pendant from his neck, the leather cord snapping as he ripped it away. He clenched it in his fist so tightly that his claws cut into his palm, blood slipping between his fingers. His voice dropped to a deadly whisper. ¡°May the Gods all burn. Especially that damn God of War.¡± Asbjorn inhaled sharply. ¡°Did you see the soldiers he had with him?! He¡¯s not just a God¡ªhe¡¯s a king. He took over an entire kingdom. Don¡¯t you understand? He¡¯s more powerful than ever! There is no way we can kill him!¡± Haacenel let out a dark chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°No way, huh?¡± His grip tightened around his trident. ¡°I know how much you¡¯re hurting,¡± Asbjorn said, his voice laced with urgency. He reached out, gripping Haacenel¡¯s shoulder. ¡°He hurt your father¡ª¡± ¡°Killed him,¡± Haacenel corrected, voice like ice. ¡°Yes.¡± Asbjorn swallowed. ¡°He killed him.¡± His fingers twitched against Haacenel¡¯s shoulder before he slowly let go. ¡°I¡¯ve seen this man before. He looked exactly the same as he did back then. I watched him from the start.¡± Haacenel narrowed his eyes. ¡°How?¡± ¡°We were in the same adventuring group.¡± Asbjorn¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Anything to keep me and my King away from our home kingdom. We traveled the world, and we met him¡ªbut back then, he called himself Dante. He posed as a friend. Gained our trust. Then, just like he did to Oreste¡­¡± Asbjorn¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°He gouged out his eyes and slaughtered my King and his children. I saw it. I was there.¡± His voice wavered for the first time. ¡°Only two members of the royal family survived. Our Queen. And their youngest daughter. But she¡ªTaralin¡ªwent missing. No one¡¯s seen her in centuries.¡± His wings trembled slightly as he exhaled. ¡°Haacenel, this man is not to be messed with. He killed my King¡ªmy best friend¡ªjust like he killed Oreste. And he¡¯ll do the same to you.¡± Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Haacenel rolled the trident in his palm, testing its weight. Slowly, a smirk curled at his lips. ¡°You know what?¡± His grip on the weapon tightened. ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± Asbjorn blinked, momentarily caught off guard. ¡°¡­I am?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Haacenel¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Because that just means we¡¯re about to have our greatest adventure yet.¡± Asbjorn stiffened. ¡°Haac, what are you planning?¡± ¡°You know his weakness.¡± ¡°I¡ª¡± Asbjorn hesitated, shifting on his feet. ¡°I mean, not exactly, I wouldn¡¯t say that¡ª¡± ¡°You know what makes him tick. What could possibly break him.¡± Haacenel turned to him fully now, eyes gleaming like a predator¡¯s. ¡°What could destroy him.¡± His voice dropped into a razor-sharp whisper. ¡°And you¡¯ll help us exploit it.¡± ¡°Haacenel, you are insane.¡± A dark laugh rumbled from Haacenel¡¯s chest. ¡°Insane?¡± He twirled his trident once before slamming the base into the dock, the wood cracking under the force. ¡°No, Asbjorn.¡± His smile vanished. ¡°I¡¯m a son with a vengeance.¡± Asbjorn clenched his fists. ¡°You¡¯ll get yourself killed! My High King¡ªArakkoana¡ªwas one of the strongest Fey in our kingdom! Dante slaughtered him like it was nothing! Used his weakness¡ªour High Queen¡ªagainst him, and he died for it!¡± Haacenel¡¯s voice was as cold as the abyss. ¡°That¡¯s a risk I¡¯m willing to take.¡± He took a step closer, his tail sweeping against the dock. ¡°Now, you are either with me¡ª¡± He lifted the trident, pointing it at Asbjorn¡¯s chest. ¡°Or against me.¡± ¡°Haac¡­¡± The trident slammed down again, cracking the wood beneath their feet. ¡°Answer me, Asbjorn! Are you with me or not?! He did the same thing to your King as he did my father¡ªour friend. The reason we are free.¡± His voice dropped to a snarl. ¡°Now, are you with me?!¡± Asbjorn¡¯s wings flinched as he cast his gaze to the side, tucking them tightly against his back. A long silence stretched between them before he exhaled slowly. ¡°¡­Fine.¡± His voice was quiet, but there was no mistaking the weight behind the next word. ¡°Captain.¡± Haacenel smirked, sliding the trident onto his back. ¡°Good choice.¡± Chapter 1 - Jaffle The sky stretched endlessly above, an ocean of pale blue that felt almost taunting. The sun was bright, spilling golden light over the bustling port, but Jaffle hardly noticed. Her stomach churned¡ªnot from nerves, not from fear, but from the uneasy knowledge that soon, she would be on the water. She hated the water. Beside her, Jade stood with her arms crossed, feet planted firm like the ship¡¯s rolling waves could never knock her off balance. She had always been steady, composed¡ªnothing seemed to shake her. Jaffle envied that. The port around them thrummed with life. Merchants called out their wares, their voices a blend of rough shouts and smooth persuasion. The scent of salt, fish, and foreign spices clung to the air, mixing with the musty dampness of the dock planks. Jewelry glittered in the sun, deep-colored fruits spilled from wooden crates, and somewhere nearby, the harsh clang of metal on metal rang out as a blacksmith shaped his craft. Jaffle swallowed hard, forcing her gaze away from the ocean¡¯s restless waves crashing against the stone barriers below. She could already feel it¡ªthe queasiness creeping up her throat, the way her limbs felt unsteady even on solid ground. She exhaled slowly, trying to focus on anything else. In front of them, a sailor¡ªbroad-shouldered and weathered by the sea¡ªstood with his arms folded, his stance firm. "You do realize we''re a merchant ship, correct?" he asked, his voice edged with skepticism. Jaffle glanced at Jade, watching as her wings twitched slightly¡ªher only sign of impatience. "I know that," Jade replied, her tone calm but unyielding. "But you''re the only ship leaving port for Zirahkti. We just need passage across the water¡ªwe won¡¯t be in your way." The sailor exhaled sharply through his nose. "I can¡¯t¡ª" Jade moved before he could finish, her hand slipping into a small leather pouch at her side. She held it up just enough for him to see inside, the gleam of gold catching the sunlight. "Syl¨²thorian coins," she said smoothly. "Five now, five more when we dock." Jaffle saw the shift immediately¡ªthe way his eyes widened, his fingers twitching just slightly. Even she had to admit, it was a tempting offer. His gaze snapped back to Jade, suspicion flickering in his expression. "How did you get Syl¨²thorian currency? Their newest king has closed the borders¡ªthose coins shouldn''t even be here." Jaffle stiffened. Damn it, Jade. But Jade didn¡¯t hesitate. Her expression remained neutral, unreadable. If anything, a ghost of a smirk curled the edges of her lips. "I have my ways," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "Now, will you take us across or not?" She made a show of lowering the pouch slightly, as if the deal might slip through her fingers at any moment. Jaffle didn¡¯t miss the way the sailor''s gaze followed the movement, the way he swallowed like his throat had gone dry. Greed wins every time. Finally, he let out a resigned sigh. "Fine," he muttered. "We¡¯ll let you aboard. But only to Zirahkti. We''re making port in Retergor¡ªthat''s as far as we take you. You want a specific destination? You find another ship." "That will be perfect." Jade¡¯s smirk widened as she placed five coins into his palm with practiced ease. She turned on her heel and strode up the gangplank, her wings tucked tight against her back. Jaffle exhaled, forcing herself to move. Each step up the gangplank felt heavier than the last. The ship creaked beneath her boots, the boards groaning as she stepped onto the deck. The instant she left solid ground, her stomach twisted, and a cold sweat prickled the back of her neck. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. She swallowed against the nausea rising in her throat. Not yet. Not here. "How did you get those coins?" she hissed, trying to focus on Jade instead of the gentle sway of the ship beneath her feet. "I thought you didn¡¯t have any money!" Jade didn¡¯t turn to face her. She moved to the railing, trailing her fingers along the wood as if lost in thought. ¡°Coins from my past life. Before all of this.¡± Her voice was quieter now, almost distant. Jaffle furrowed her brow. ¡°What does that mean?¡± Jade hesitated for only a moment. ¡°I don¡¯t have much left. I figured I might as well use them if we want to leave.¡± She paused. ¡°Won¡¯t be much use for long.¡± Jaffle barely had time to process her words before the ship lurched. The ropes creaked, the sails caught the wind, and the dock¡ªalong with everything safe and stable¡ªbegan to shrink in the distance. Jaffle gripped the railing with white-knuckled fingers, swallowing hard against the rolling nausea. Great. Just great. They weren¡¯t just leaving the port. They were leaving behind everything that had once been safe. ________________________________________________________ The sky stretched endlessly above, an ocean of pale blue that mocked her with its stillness. The real ocean, the one beneath the creaking deck of the ship, was anything but still. It churned and rolled, sending waves crashing against the wooden hull, each rise and fall of the ship twisting Jaffle¡¯s stomach into knots. She clenched the railing with both hands, her knuckles turning white. The salty wind whipped at her hair, making it cling to her damp skin. She wanted to look strong, to act like the gentle sway of the ship didn¡¯t make her feel like she was about to spill the meager contents of her stomach overboard. But the truth was, she felt miserable. ¡°You¡¯re looking a little green there,¡± Jade¡¯s voice came from behind her, amused but not unkind. Jaffle swallowed hard, refusing to meet her gaze. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she lied, though her grip on the railing said otherwise. Jade leaned beside her, the ocean breeze ruffling the edges of her cloak. ¡°You always were a terrible liar.¡± Jaffle scowled but didn¡¯t argue. She couldn¡¯t. Not when she was holding back the urge to vomit into the sea below. The merchant ship was sturdy, its crew experienced and efficient, but that didn¡¯t make the journey any easier. The first day had been spent adjusting to the constant motion, the second trying to force food down despite her rebelling stomach. Now, on the third day, she still hadn¡¯t found her footing. The moment she let go of the railing, she knew she¡¯d be at the mercy of the ocean¡¯s cruel sense of humor. Jade, of course, was perfectly fine. The way she moved across the deck, steady and sure, made it clear she had done this before. She spoke little about her past¡ªat least, the parts before Jaffle had met her¡ªbut there were moments like these where it bled through. The way she carried herself, the way she knew things. Jaffle inhaled sharply through her nose. "How much longer?" Jade glanced out at the endless waves. ¡°A few more days, if the winds are kind. Maybe less.¡± Jaffle groaned. She didn¡¯t know if she could last that long. She tried to focus on something¡ªanything¡ªother than her seasickness. The crew bustled around them, adjusting ropes, calling orders, ensuring the ship kept its course. The captain, a gruff man with streaks of gray in his beard, had kept his distance since they boarded. As long as they weren¡¯t in the way, he didn¡¯t care much about their presence. That was fine by Jaffle. It wasn¡¯t until the fourth day that the uneasy peace of their journey shattered. ________________________________________________________ It started with a shout from the crow¡¯s nest. ¡°Sails on the horizon!¡± Jaffle, sitting on a crate near the mast, forced herself to her feet. Her legs still felt unsteady, but the fear creeping into the sailors'' voices cut through her nausea. Jade was already moving, striding toward the ship¡¯s railing, her wings twitching slightly. Jaffle followed, gripping the railing beside her and squinting against the glare of the sun. In the distance, dark sails loomed on the horizon, cutting through the waves like a predator on the hunt. Even from here, Jaffle could see the symbol painted across the canvas¡ªa jagged, crude emblem of a shark¡¯s open maw. Her stomach dropped for an entirely different reason. "Pirates," someone muttered, and the word sent a ripple of unease through the crew. Jaffle turned to Jade. ¡°Is that¡ª?¡± Jade¡¯s expression was unreadable, but the slight tension in her shoulders told Jaffle everything she needed to know. Pirates of the ship Phantom Tide. The ones who wanted vengeance. The ones who wouldn¡¯t hesitate to tear this ship apart. The ship¡¯s captain barked orders, his voice sharp and commanding. ¡°Weapons ready! Move, you bastards! We¡¯re not going down easy!¡± The merchant ship wasn¡¯t built for battle, but the crew had weapons¡ªcutlasses, crossbows, whatever they could grab. Jaffle¡¯s fingers twitched toward the dagger at her belt, her heart hammering in her chest. The pirate ship was getting closer. Fast. Jade exhaled and turned to her, her gaze steady. ¡°Stay close to me.¡± Jaffle swallowed hard and nodded. She didn¡¯t need to be told twice. Her stomach had forgotten about rocking of the ship. Chatper 2 - Jaffle The ship lurched forward with a bone-jarring force, sending Jaffle careening into the ship¡¯s railing. She gripped the cold wood, her palms stinging from the rough texture. The sea air burned her lungs, a sharp reminder of the wild ocean beneath them. She glanced out at the horizon, the sun dipping lower and casting an orange hue across the sky. Then, the first arrow struck the side of the ship with a sickening thunk, right beneath her feet. The violent impact vibrated through the wooden planks and through her body. Jaffle froze, her heart skipping a beat. The air was thick with a metallic scent of saltwater and fear. Before she could move, the second arrow zipped by her, so close that she felt the breeze of its passage brush against her cheek. Her pulse hammered in her ears, drowning out everything else as her breath caught in her throat. Shouts rang out across the ship. The merchant crew screamed, running frantically in all directions as a massive pirate vessel crashed into the prow of their ship with a loud crack! The collision sent a shockwave through the entire deck, and Jaffle staggered as the ship rocked dangerously. Chaos erupted. Pirates clambered over the sides of their ship, swinging down on ropes with the practiced ease of experienced raiders. The merchant guards scrambled to take up arms, but there was no hope in their desperation. Pirates with wicked grins and bloodstained swords flood the deck, cutting down anyone who dared to resist. Jaffle¡¯s instincts screamed at her to move, but her feet were rooted to the spot. Her eyes locked on Jade, whose face was a ghostly mask of shock and fear. The pale moonlight seemed to reflect off her wings, which she pressed tightly against her back, trying to make herself as small as possible. ¡°Jaffle!¡± Jade shouted, grabbing her friend¡¯s arm. ¡°We need to go! NOW!¡± Jaffle¡¯s grip tightened in return, and they bolted for the hatch leading to the lower deck. The battle raged around them, and Jaffle¡¯s heart thudded painfully against her chest as they ran. The sharp clang of swords against shields rang out as a guard was struck down mere feet from them. Blood splattered the deck with a sickening spray. Jaffle caught eyes of the guard¡¯s body. His throat slit from ear to ear. His lifeless eyes made contact with hers, sending shivers down her back. The girls kept running, trying to dodge the fighting and flee. The two girls reached the door and rushed below deck, slamming it shut behind them. The sound of the battle continued above them, distant yet deafening. The deck trembled above them as pirates overtook the crew, their cruel laughter carrying through the ship. Jaffle¡¯s breath came in shallow gasps as she collapsed against the wall, pulling Jade down beside her. They huddled in the dim shadows of the hold, the air thick with the scent of salt and sweat. Sea lanterns flickered around them, casting dancing shadows that seemed to mock their fear. All around them, the sounds of the battle above grew muffled, but they could still hear the clashing of blades, the shrill screams of sailors and merchants alike. Each new cry made Jaffle flinch, her pulse quickening. She couldn¡¯t stop her hands from trembling, her mind struggling to hold onto the fragments of calm she had left. Minutes bled into what felt like hours. The weight of the silence after each clash made it seem as though they were trapped in some eternal nightmare. Finally, the noise started to die down. The thundering of boots, the clinking of swords - it all began to fade, leaving behind a heavy, ominous silence. Jaffle¡¯s chest tightened as she listened intently, wondering if it was safe. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s over?¡± Jade whispered softly, trying to rise to her feet. She barely made it up before the door to the hold crashed open, sending a shockwave through Jaffle¡¯s body. She grabbed Jade¡¯s wrist and pulled the avian back down to the floor. She froze back up, her heart leaping into her throat as the sound of heavy boots echoed from the top of the stairs. She tried to make herself as invisible as possible. Every muscle in her body screamed for her to run, but she knew there was nowhere to go, no escape. ¡°Kreance! Hurry and inspect the cargo!¡± A voice boomed from above. It was harsh and commanding. ¡°We haven¡¯t got all night!¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± a gruff voice responded. The footsteps began to move, the sound of them growing closer with every passing second. Jaffle¡¯s breath caught in her chest as another set of heavy footsteps joined the rhythm. Three pirates. She could hear them moving across the deck, their boots clacking loudly against the wood. They muttered under their breaths to each other. SHIT, she thought, her mind racing, please don¡¯t come over here. The pirates didn¡¯t seem in a hurry, though. Jaffle could hear the creak of crates being opened, the grating sound of wood scraping against wood as they rummaged through the cargo. Every inch they moved brought them closer to the hidden. Jaffle¡¯s chest tightened, and her palms grew clammy as her heart thudded painfully in her ears. Then, she felt it ¨C the heat of someone standing behind her. The creak of a crate above them caused both girls to stiffen. Jade could almost feel the pirate¡¯s breath on her neck, and she quickly curled her feet to her chest, praying they couldn¡¯t see her or Jade. The moment carried on until the pirate moved the crate from the stack. ¡°Well well well, look what we have here.¡± The pirate said, his voice was cold and amused, dripping with malice. A rough hand grabbed Jaffle by her hair and yanked her to her feet, pulling her with such force that she yelped, her scalp burning from the tight grip. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Jaffle¡¯s eyes widened in panic as the pirate¡¯s face came into view ¨C hard eyes, a crooked grin stretched across his scarred face. ¡°Another crew member?¡± he sneered, his voice cruel. ¡°Think the Captain will like this one?¡± He chuckled, turning to his fellow men. Terror rippled through Jaffle as the pirate pulled her closer. The ship rocked underfoot, the creaking of the wood echoing in her ears. She tried to jerk away, but his grip was like Iron. Then, Jade was moving. Before anyone could react, Jade surged to her feet, her face flushed with fear yet determined. She reached for her waist, her fingers quick and precise as she drew the dagger she¡¯d stolen weeks prior. The blade gleamed under the faint light from the lanterns, but Jade¡¯s hand was steady, her stance firm. ¡°Release her!¡± Jade shouted, her voice wavering, yet her blade stayed still in her hand. ¡°We don¡¯t want any trouble! Just let us go! We aren¡¯t part of this crew!¡± Another pirate stepped forward, chuckling darkly. ¡°Is that so?¡± he drawled, his voice thick with mocking amusement. ¡°And why should we listen to you?¡± He placed a hand on the hilt of his cutlass. Jaffle¡¯s heart pounded so violently she thought it might burst from her chest. The air in her lungs was sharp and ragged as she stared down at Jade¡¯s dagger ¨C small, barely enough to defend herself, let alone fight off three fully grown pirates. And yet, there Jade stood, feet planted firmly, determination lighting her eyes despite the tremor in her voice. But determination alone wouldn¡¯t save them. Jaffle swallowed hard and did the only thing she could ¨C she struck. With a sharp intake of breath, she reached for her own dagger, fingers curling around the hilt before she drove it upward into the stomach of the pirate gripping her. Warmth flooded over her fingers, and the pirate let out a choked cry, his hold loosening just enough for her to stumble free. He staggered backward, clutching the wound. Their victory was short-lived. Before Jaffle could take another breath, strong hands grabbed her from behind, yanking her off balance. Another set of hands caught Jade, who shrieked as her dagger was torn from her grasp. Their captors wrenched their arms behind their backs, forcing them forward. Jaffle kicked out wildly, her boot catching one pirate in the shin. He cursed and struck her across the face, sending a white-hot explosion of pain through her skull. The deck was a mess of chaos and blood. Merchant bodies littered the planks, their spilled blood painting the wood. The ocean lapped hungrily at the ship¡¯s hull, dark waves carrying the remnants of broken crates, abandoned weapons, and the occasional body. The scent of salt, sweat, and death clung thick to the air. Heavy footfalls pounded toward them. Jaffle¡¯s knees hit the deck hard as she was thrown down beside Jade, who gasped, clutching her side. The pirate who had dragged them dropped their stolen daggers onto the deck with a clatter before straightening. ¡°What is this?¡± A voice spoke deeply, rough with an edge that sent ice racing down Jaffle¡¯s spine. Jaffle forced herself to look up ¨C immediately regretting it. The man who approached was impossible to mistake as anything but their captain. He was tall, broad, and powerful, moving with the confidence of someone who knew they were in control. His bare chest revealer sharp, jagged scars along his light grey skin. Behind him was a tail ¨C a thick, shark-like appendage that lashed the air behind him in agitation. Beside him, another man stood with his wings tucked neatly against his back. A faint shimmer of heat radiated from him. It felt as though simply touching him could make Jaffle ignite in flames. His wings lit on fire, his piercing gaze flickered between them, unreadable. Jaffle quickly glanced back down at the wood. The pirate who had thrown them down stepped forward, jerking his chin toward Jaffle. ¡°Captain, we found these two hiding in the hold, and this one¡± ¨C he gave Jaffle a sharp kick, making her grunt¨C ¡°stabbed Paiqin in the gut.¡± The Captain¡¯s expression darkened. His grip on the trident in his hand tightened, and before Jaffle could react, he brought it down with a violent slam. The prongs of the weapon embedded themselves into the wood just inches from Jade¡¯s face. She flinched, gasping sharply as she curled into herself. ¡°Listen!¡± Jade¡¯s voice was high and desperate as she lifted her hands in surrender. ¡°We aren¡¯t part of this merchant crew! We just wanted passage! You can take whatever you want!¡± The metal prongs of the trident lifted, and the Captain straightened, hi attention shifting. Jaffle glanced back up. The second she locked eyes with the Captain, she felt the heat of his fury. There was something terrifyingly familiar about the way he stared at her, his glare laced with seething hatred. ¡°Well look at this. The prodigal daughter returns.¡± Jaffle felt her stomach drop. The trident swung up, its sharp prongs stopping mere inches from her face. Jaffle went rigid, her breath catching in her throat. ¡°How are you alive?¡± His voice was rough, disbelieving, but it quickly twisted into something venomous. ¡°You should¡¯ve died with him.¡± ¡°Captain, that¡¯s not part of our code,¡± the winged man interjected, his hand catching the Captain¡¯s arm before he could move any further. The Captain growled, his tail flicking violently. ¡°Fuck the code.¡± His voice was razor-sharp as he snapped his head toward the winged man. ¡°She¡¯s his daughter.¡± Murmurs rippled through the surrounding pirates. A few stiffened, their gazes darting toward Jaffle with something resembling recognition. ¡°We all remember what happened,¡± the Captain spat. Before Jaffle could force words past her lips, another voice cut through the tension. ¡°Haacenel, enough!¡± A young man stepped forward from the mass of pirates. His voice held authority, but there was something else beneath it ¨Ca warning. Chapter 3 - Jaffle 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¡ªa 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¡ªsomething 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¡ªbut 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¡ªwait!¡± 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.