The wind howled against the sails as Lieutenant Adrian Nicolas stood on the deck, staring into the swirling black horizon of the Dark Sea. His hands gripped the railing tightly, knuckles white as he felt the cold, ominous mist creeping closer with every gust. The weight of the quest hung heavy on his shoulders—a journey not taken lightly—especially with the warnings from Commodore Ellington and the mysterious offer from Singed.
Two Weeks Earlier, month of Aetheria 14, 1775 of the Dark Ages of Arithian Calendar
After the intense chase of criminals in Reveret Kingdom, Adrian found himself standing in the fabulous mansion of Singed, Arithea's wealthiest businessman. The rich aroma of expensive perfumes and the glint of treasures from far-flung corners of the world filled the room. Singed, dressed in luxurious silks and adorned with jewelry, sat at his desk with a disarming smile.
"Lieutenant, Lieutenant Adrian Nicolas," Singed greeted smoothly, "I've heard much about you. A man with a reputation for getting things done. The one they called the prodigy of the sword am I right?"
Adrian nodded cautiously. "Y-yeah, that's what they say, I'm a prodigy but can we get straight to the point? I heard you have a job for me."
Singed gestured grandly. "Not just any job. Don't be shock about this one"
Adrian looks at him, annoyed "Don't give me suspense just tell me the job, I'm still on duty guarding the sea from pirates."
"Okay, okay just calm down," Singed gestured his palm downward, pressing the air as though forcing the room itself into silence. "I want you to venture into the Dark Sea and bring me an artifact—the *Eye of Arithea*. It's been lost for centuries, but my sources tell me it lies somewhere beyond those waters."
"The Dark Sea? Eye of Arithea?" Adrian's expression darkened. "You must know the legends don't you? About the expedition of the Lion's Fang"
"Yes," Singed answered, pacing in a tight circle, hands clasped behind his back. "Sounds easy, right? I mean your crew is the most experienced in all of navy."
Adrian waved his hand sharply, as though brushing away Singed's words. "I will not risk my crews life in this expedition, yes we have the experience but we didn't dared to sail the Dark Sea as the legend said, once you enter there, you can never comeback"
Singed waved a dismissive hand. "Legends, Lieutenant. Nothing more. The seas are dangerous, yes, but with the right crew and the right man at the helm, success is inevitable. And you, Adrian, are that man."
Adrian considered Singed's words carefully. "Why me? What makes you so sure I'll come back when others haven't? I'm just a sword prodigy not a sailor prodigy"
Singed smiled, leaning in. "You're not like the others. You care about your crew. You'll do what it takes to keep them alive, even if it means making sacrifices. That's what will set you apart."
Adrian's gaze lingered on the Brig, its silhouette steady against the restless sea. He thought to himself, "Is this guy crazy? Who the hell vouched me for this job so I can cut his head first before anyone else? Does he even know how dangerous the Dark Sea is? I'll only consider this mission if the pay is really, really good. And he's talking nonsense—it's my duty as captain to make sure my crew is safe, so why the hell is this dude praising me for it?"
"The artifact, that Eye of Arithea" Adrian pressed, "What exactly is it? I heard that Lion's Fang was also sea"
Singed's eyes glinted with a secretive light. "The *Eye of Arithea is a relic of unimaginable power as they say. It's said to control the very tides of the world, to shape fate itself. Bringing it back will make us both wealthier than we could ever dream."
Adrian clenched his jaw. His crew needed this, but the price felt steep. "There's always a cost I cannot risk me and my crew's life in this expedition."
Singed leaned back, a smirk curling his lips. "The sea demands much, Lieutenant. But the rewards, I assure you, are worth it. Lets say 500,000 royal aurels"
Adrian's jaw dropped, his mind racing faster than the waves outside. Five hundred thousand Royal Aurels? That's enough to buy a fleet, let alone risk one ship. He clenched his fists, torn between suspicion and temptation, wondering if Singed's promise was bait—or the kind of reward that could change his destiny forever.
Adrian stood up, straightening his naval uniform and placing his Pershing cap firmly on his head. "I need to discuss this first with the Commodore and my crew. I can't decide this on my own."
Singed leaned back into his luxurious chair, lighting a cigar and exhaling a slow puff of smoke. "Very well. I'll be waiting for you, Lieutenant Adrian. Hopefully your discussion will go as I expect."
Adrian turned and left the room, his boots echoing against the polished floor. As he walked down the corridor, his thoughts churned—Five hundred thousand Royal Aurels… enough to change everything. But the Dark Sea is no ordinary voyage. Is this fortune worth the risk, or just another trap? He tightened his grip on his cap, reflecting on the weight of command and the lives depending on him.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Yo Captain, we're here"
Adrian woke up from a deep slumber, the kind that clung to his bones and made the waking world feel distant. As his eyes adjusted, the sight before him stole his breath—the marvelous fort and bustling town of Aegir, gleaming like a jewel upon the Samarian Sea. Towering battlements rose proudly above the harbor, their flags snapping in the wind, while the docks below teemed with sailors, merchants, and soldiers, all moving with purpose under the watchful gaze of the Grand Navy.
He leaned closer to the window, taking in the grandeur of the naval base that was said to be the one of strongest naval bases in the eastern region. The sea shimmered with anchored warships, their hulls lined in perfect formation, a testament to discipline and power. Yet instead of feeling inspired, he only felt weary. Singed… that snake. The Commodore despises him, and if I even entertained his offer, I'd be scolded to no end. Adrian shook his head, knowing that siding with Singed would only bring trouble.
All he wanted now was rest. The sight of Aegir's fort and town reminds him of home, but his mind was heavy with fatigue and irritation. Let Singed wait, he thought bitterly. The Commodore will never trust him, and neither do I. My crew is my only concern, not his schemes. Pulling the curtains shut, Adrian retreated into the quiet of his quarters, reflecting on the weight of command and the battles yet to come.
A week later after his chat with Singed, Lieutenant Adrian sat in Commodore Ellington's quarters, the glow of oil lamps casting long shadows across the room. The Commodore, an older man with a stern face lined by decades at sea, sat behind his desk, studying Adrian with an expression that mixed disappointment and concern.
"You've always been a skilled sailor, Adrian," Commodore Ellington began, his voice steady. "But this… this is madness!"
Adrian squared his shoulders, meeting the Commodore's intense gaze. "Commodore, my men need this. We're barely getting by, and this job is our way out."
Ellington slammed his hand down on the desk. "And for what? To venture into the Dark Sea? Do you even know what lies beyond those cursed waters? You're leading your crew to their deaths!"
Adrian shook his head. "I don't believe in fairy tales, Commodore. There's an artifact out there, and Singed has promised us enough gold to secure our futures. I can't turn this down."
The Commodore leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. "And you trust a man like Singed? He's nothing but a merchant of lies and shadows. You'll find nothing but ruin under his employ."
"Singed told me this artifact could change everything for us. It's not just about the gold," Adrian insisted. "We've been scraping by for too long. My men deserve better than a life of uncertainty. I'm trying to help my crew."
The Commodore stared out the window, the sea reflecting in his tired eyes. "You're a good man, Adrian, but the sea isn't kind to good men. The Dark Sea has claimed far greater sailors than you. Do you think you'll fare any better?"
Adrian paused, the weight of the Commodore's words settling in. But he couldn't back down now. He owed it to his crew.
"I have no choice," Adrian said finally. "They're counting on me."
Commodore Ellington sighed, shaking his head. "The sea does not reward heroes. You may leave with your crew, but I pray to the gods of Arithea that you return. The Dark Sea… it changes men. And sometimes, they don't come back at all."
Adrian turned to leave, but the Commodore's final words echoed in his mind, lingering like a shadow.
Present Day: Aboard the Ship
Now, as the galleon creaked and groaned against the rising storm, Adrian couldn't shake the weight of Singed's cryptic words or the Commodore's dire warnings. The mist that curled around them seemed almost alive, and whispers of the Red Witch spread quickly through the crew. They were all on edge, especially Vice Captain Loden, who had grown visibly more fearful as they approached the Dark Sea.
Captain Darrick, the first mate, approached Adrian with a concerned look. "Loden's been talking about the Witch in Red. Says she's more than a legend."
"Bring him to me," Adrian ordered.
Soon, Loden stood before Adrian in his quarters, his eyes wide and darting as he nervously wrung his hands.
"You know something about this so called witch?" Adrian asked, his voice steady.
"Aye, sir," Loden said, his voice trembling. "My father… he sailed these waters. He told me stories about the Red Witch. She haunts the Dark Sea, takes sailors who venture too far. But… they're not souls, sir. She keeps their bodies, takes their minds. They become lost, never fully dead, never fully alive."
"And you believe this?" Adrian asked, frowning.
Loden swallowed hard. "I didn't. Not until I saw her…"
Adrian's stomach tightened, but he refused to show any fear. "Keep quiet about this. We're going to sail through, understood?"
Loden nodded and backed away.
---
### **The Storm and the Witch's Arrival**
As the ship pressed forward, the mist thickened, swirling ominously around them. Then, without warning, the storm struck. The waves towered over them, crashing down with violent force as the wind howled through the sails. Men scrambled to keep control, but the sea was relentless.
In the midst of the chaos, a faint crimson light flickered on the horizon. Adrian's eyes narrowed as he saw a figure standing atop the water, her form outlined by the red glow that cut through the darkness. The storm seemed to pause as she drew closer.
"The Red Witch," Loden whispered, his face pale with fear.
Adrian had heard the stories, but now, face-to-face with the Witch in Red, he realized the legends were real.
"You have ventured too far," the Witch in Red said, her voice cold and commanding. "The Dark Sea does not forgive."
Adrian tightened his grip on his sword, knowing it would be useless. "Who are you? Why have you come?"
The Witch in Red smiled, her eyes glowing with an unnatural light.
"This is where the sea claims the lost," she replied. "And you, Lieutenant, are standing on borrowed time."