The Thunder Sea was roaring. Rain crashed against the ocean so violently that the sky and water seemed to have become one. Waves rose like mountains before collapsing against the wreckage of a ship that had already lost almost everything. The ship was broken. Its mast had snapped. Its sails were torn apart. Pieces of wood floated around the wreck as the storm dragged everything farther into the endless sea. And on the remains of that ship stood a silver-haired woman. She was beautiful, but there was no elegance left in the way she stood. Her silver hair was soaked by the rain, clinging to her face as she struggled to remain upright. Her clothes were torn and damaged from the attack. Around her were the remains of her people. They had tried their best to survive. They had fought the creatures that came from the sea. They had protected her. One by one, they had fallen. Elara had watched them die. She was the Queen's loyal messenger, sent across the dangerous waters with an important mission. She had never expected her journey to end like this. Now she was alone. The creatures circled the wreck. Their bodies moved through the dark water, climbing over the broken ship and dragging themselves toward her. Elara backed away. Her breathing became heavier. I'm going to die. She tightened her grip on the edge of the wreckage. One of the creatures lunged. Elara prepared herself. Then— A laugh echoed across the storm. It was loud. Deep. Almost cheerful. The creatures stopped. Elara looked toward the sound. Through the rain and darkness came a ship. A black sail appeared first. Then the shape of the vessel emerged through the storm. Standing at its front was a man. He was enormous compared to Elara, standing around 6'4". His long, spiky hair swept backward as the wind tore through it. A large pirate cape with golden stripes moved violently behind him. He wasn't smiling because he was trying to charm anyone. He was laughing because he was enjoying the fight. The black-sailed ship moved toward the wreck. One of the creatures suddenly launched itself at him. The man didn't even flinch. He looked toward the broken ship. Then he looked at the creature. “...You're in my way.” The creature attacked. He moved. THUD! He landed directly on the broken deck. The impact shook the wreckage. Another creature rushed toward him. The pirate caught it by the head. For a moment, the creature struggled. Then— CRACK. He smashed it into the deck. The creature stopped moving. Another came from behind. He turned immediately. He grabbed it. A grin appeared on his face. “Another one?” The creature tried to escape. He didn't let it. He threw it down and finished it with brutal efficiency. Then another. And another. The creatures had been terrifying Elara only moments earlier. Now they were the ones being hunted. The pirate fought like he had done this countless times before. No hesitation. No fear. No wasted movement. When the final creature fell, the Thunder Sea became strangely quiet around the wreck. The man stood among the bodies, breathing calmly. Then he laughed again. Elara stared at him. Her heart sank. What... is he? The creatures had been monsters. But this man had slaughtered them with even greater ease. He slowly turned toward her. Their eyes met. Elara froze. For the first time that night, she felt afraid of something that wasn't a sea creature. She immediately tried to compose herself. She was a royal messenger. She couldn't show fear. She stepped forward carefully and attempted to use her natural charm and diplomacy. “Thank you for saving me. I—” The pirate interrupted her. “I can see it.” Elara blinked. “See what?” He pointed directly at her. “The monster inside you.” Her expression changed. “...Excuse me?” He tilted his head. “You heard me.” Elara's polite expression disappeared. “What did you just call me?” He stared at her calmly. “There it is.” “What?” “That temper.” Her eyebrow twitched. “You save my life and then insult me?” He shrugged. “I didn't say you were ugly.” “That isn't the point!” He laughed. Elara clenched her fists. The pirate turned away from her and started walking toward his ship. “Come.” Elara stared at him. “...What?” He didn't stop. “Come with me.” She looked at the destroyed ship behind her. Then at the bodies of her people. Then back at the black-sailed vessel. She didn't move. “What if I don't?” The pirate finally looked over his shoulder. His expression was completely serious now. “Then you probably die.” Elara stared at him. He turned back toward his ship. “Your choice.” The rain continued to fall. And Elara realized that the strange pirate who had appeared from the storm might be the only reason she was still alive.

a mna beneath beneath black sail