Just before I lose consciousness, I hear the Captain bark out an order, his voice cutting through the haze. "Get the lass some medical attention, now! Move yer lazy hides!"
As the darkness claims me, I can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, I've found an unexpected ally in this mess of a situation. Or perhaps I'm just delirious from exhaustion and the lack of decent food in this floating prison.
Either way, it looks like my fate is in the hands of a pirate crew now. I just hope they're more competent than they look.
Iwake slowly, the chill sinking into my bones as I come to—dizzy and disoriented. My surroundings swim into view—dank, dimly lit, and damp. The harsh smell of salt and mildew permeates the air. I look down and see the ropes binding my wrists rough and tight, chafing my already raw skin.
I'm in some makeshift cell, surrounded by steel bars and one cell door—locked.
Panic surges in my chest. I glance down to find my daggers missing.
What the hell?
Quickly scanning the area, I spot them resting on a barrel outside my cell.
I try to summon them, hoping the rune magic will teleport my trusty pointy pals into my hands. Instead, they unceremoniously clatter to the ground.
Rude.
I heave a frustrated sigh and give it another go. This time, they actually make it to my hands by some miracle.
I waste no time and start sawing away at the rope with the dagger. It's a bitch to do, but with a bit of finesse, some awkward maneuvering, and what feels like a goddamn eternity, the ropes finally decide to cooperate and fray, setting me free at last.
Just doing that alone has my body weak, drained from the witch's magic and the blood loss.
I quickly sheath them back on my hips.
My thoughts go to Rhyland and Erik.
Where are they?
Are they okay? I can’t bear the thought of them being hurt—or worse.
"Rhyland…"I reach through our mental tether. I feel he's close, but he doesn't answer.
Anxiety gnaws at me as time passes, each second stretching into eternity. The occasional creak of the ship's hull, the sway of the ocean, and the distant murmur of voices add to my growing unease.
My thoughts drift toLucianand the fate that awaits him. We left him behind, and now I can't shake the sickening feeling of what Azrael might do to him. The knot in my throat tightens, threatening to choke me with the weight of my fears.
What if he uses Lucian to attempt the sacrifice?
I need to get back to the Mortal Realm—fast. Every second we spend here is another secondLucianis at the mercy of that twistedasshole.
I have to believe, really believe, that we'll find a way to make things right and rescue his snarky ass.
We're obviously in Aquaria, and the weight of responsibility presses down on me, urging me to find the Aquanite Stone and end this nightmare.
But—I can't let Lucian down. I won't. I'll find a way back to him, no matter what it takes.
I can't feel my powers—that wellspring of energy usually bubbling just below the surface is eerily absent. I try to summon my fire, but not even a spark flickers to life.
What the hell did that witch do to me?
I close my eyes, trying to center myself and focus on anything but my predicament. We need to convince these pirates to help us. Moretemis's threat looms larger with each passing second.
The door creaks open just then, and a sliver of light cuts through the darkness. The tall figure from before—the Captain—steps inside, his presence casting an oppressive shadow.
"Awake at last," he remarks, his tone too neutral to be comforting. "Ye have some explainin' to do."
