Danica
4
"Wake up, lass!" the Captain's gruff voice rudely yanks me from my less-than-peaceful slumber.
I jolt upright, immediately regretting every life choice that led me to this moment, as a pounding headache threatens to split my skull in two. Through bleary eyes, I watch as the Captain sheds his soaked coat and disappears behind a changing screen.
The storm seems to have passed. The ship is steady, and I don't hear any howling winds outside.
I gingerly massage my temples, trying to ease the throbbing pain. This migraine is sucking the life out of me faster than a vampire at a blood drive, and my stomach is staging a mutiny, demanding sustenance.
I inhale sharply, my face contorting in pain as I gingerly touch the burning wound on my neck. "Ssss... ahh! Damn it!" I hiss through clenched teeth.
Azrael, you sadistic bastard. I swear, the next time I see you, I will make you suffer in more ways than one.
I take a shaky breath, trying to compose myself."Please tell me you have something to drink on this floating tub," I rasp, my voice as rough as sandpaper.
"There's rum," the Captain replies, his vague gesture toward a table with a decanter and cups doing little to inspire confidence.
I can't stop the eye roll that follows. "Wow, rum. How original—got anything that won't make me go blind? Like, I don't know, water?"
The Captain emerges from behind the screen, looking annoyingly refreshed in dry clothes. He strides over, grabs a flask, and practically shoves it into my hands. "Here. Drink."
I eagerly grab the flask, practically inhaling the cool, crisp water. It's like liquid ambrosia, and I gulp it down like I've just crossed a desert. Water dribbles down my chin as I surface for air, only to dive back in for more.
"Easy there, lass. I'd rather not have you redecorating my quarters with your stomach contents," the Captain barks, his tone heavy with irritation.
Suitably chastised, I cap the flask and hand it back, trying to catch my breath. "Thanks," I mutter, my voice still a bit breathless.
The Captain fixes me with a penetrating stare, his eyes narrowing. "Alright, lass. I'm willin' to listen. But don't be givin' me that vague 'we need your help' nonsense again."
I finally get a look at the Captain. He epitomizes a rugged seafarer with his crisp white shirt open just enough to reveal an impressively hairy chest. His sea-green eyes are sharp enough to cut through any salty mist, and coupled with that burly beard and chiseled features—he’s like the poster boy for "Handsome Middle-Aged Pirates Monthly."
I bet he has a waiting list of mermaids dying to braid that shoulder-length brown hair. He probably thinks he's God's gift to the Seven Seas or something.
I meet the Captain's gaze head-on, mustering my most confident facade. "I've already told you the deal, but if you want me to play the part of a repeating parrot, then sure, I'll squawk it out for you one more time."
I take a deep breath, trying to channel my usual confidence and sass, but it comes out shaky. "Look, we're on a mission to stop the big bad from turning the realms into his playground of destruction," I explain, filling him in on my role, my powers, and the crown's significance. "You know, the usual 'chosen one' gig. If we don't step up and save the day, we're all pretty much screwed. Happy now?"
The Captain stares at me like I've just sprouted a second head, his expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "You've got a real way with words, don't ye, lass?"
I flash him a grin. "What can I say, Captain? I've got a gift. But seriously, I know it sounds like something out of a bad fantasy novel, but I swear to you, it's all true. And whether you like it or not, you and your crew are now smack dab in the middle of it."
"And who's this'we'you keep mentioning?" the Captain asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Dani—it'ssucha pleasure to meet you," I say with a mock curtsy. "My partners in crime are Rhyland and Erik—the two you've captured somewhere on this ship. We are not exactly locals, if you catch my drift."
The Captain scoffs. "No kiddin'. But that still doesn't explain why I should give a rat's ass about yer little heroic quest." He narrows his eyes, studying me intently. "And while we're on the subject, how the hell did you get on my ship in the first place?
"We are from the Mortal Realm," I begin, my voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach. "I accidentally conjured a portal here. Well, sort of. We were planning to come to Aquaria anyway, just… not right this second."
The Captain raises an eyebrow. "The Mortal Realm, you say? And you just happened to conjure a portal that dropped you onto my ship? Forgive me if I find that a bit hard to swallow, lass."
"Believe me, Captain, it wasn't exactly a pleasure cruise for us either. One minute, I'm conjuring a portal to my apartment; the next, we're taking an unexpected dip in the ocean and getting hauled aboard your floating funhouse."
His lips twitch as if he's fighting back a smile. "You've got a sharp tongue on ya, lass. But that still doesn't explain why I should give a damn about your little quest."
"Because, Captain, our quest isn't just about us. It's about the fate of all the realms, including Aquaria. There's a darkness coming, an evil that threatens to consume everything in its path. And if we don't find a way to stop it, to fulfill our mission, then none of us will be safe. Not even the great Captain..."
