Silver Tide: The Cursed Heart (Book 4)

 

CHAPTER 1

 

The Moonlight Wake sailed under clear skies, her silver hull gleaming in the afternoon sun.

Fin stood at the helm, one hand on the wheel, the other shading his eyes as he watched Charlotte attempt to climb the rigging.

She was halfway up the mainmast, her face determined, her hands gripping the ropes with white-knuckled intensity.

"You're doing great!" Kenna called from below, grinning. "Just don't look down!"

Charlotte made the mistake of looking down.

She froze, her eyes wide.

"I said don't look down!" Kenna laughed.

"I'm fine," Charlotte called back, though her voice was a little higher than usual. "Perfectly fine."

Fin bit back a smile.

It had been two weeks since they'd left Driftmoor. Two weeks since Charlotte had joined the crew. Two weeks of watching her find her place aboard the Ship—learning the ropes, literally and figuratively.

She was stubborn, determined, and braver than she gave herself credit for.

And Fin was completely, hopelessly in love with her.

"Captain," Snive said, appearing at his side. "She's going to fall."

"She's not going to fall," Fin said.

"She's definitely going to fall."

Charlotte's foot slipped.

She yelped, catching herself at the last second, her legs swinging wildly.

Fin's heart lurched.

But then she steadied herself, took a breath, and kept climbing.

When she reached the top, she let out a triumphant whoop.

"I did it!"

The Crew cheered.

Fin grinned, pride swelling in his chest. "Told you she wouldn't fall."

Snive shook his head, smiling despite himself. "She's got spirit, I'll give her that."

That evening, the crew gathered on deck for dinner.

Marcus had caught a fish earlier, and Lena had cooked it over the small galley stove. It wasn't fancy, but it was warm and filling, and the crew ate with easy laughter and conversation.

Charlotte sat beside Fin, her shoulder brushing his, her plate balanced on her lap.

"So," Garrett said, leaning back against the mast. "How long until you can do a backflip off the rigging like Kenna?"

Charlotte laughed. "Never. I'm happy just making it to the top without dying."

"Give it time," Kenna said with a wink. "You'll be swinging around like a monkey in no time."

"I don't think that's a compliment," Charlotte said.

"It is from her," Marcus said, grinning.

Charlotte shook her head, smiling, and Fin felt that warmth in his chest again—the feeling of rightness, of Home.

This was what he'd been fighting for. This Crew. This Life. This Freedom.

And now, Charlotte was part of it.

Later, after the Crew had drifted off to their bunks, Fin and Charlotte stood at the bow of the Ship, watching the stars.

The night was calm, the sea dark and endless, the sky scattered with silver light.

Charlotte leaned against the railing, her hair loose around her shoulders, her expression Peaceful.

"I like it here," she said softly.

"Good," Fin said. "Because you're stuck with us now."

She smiled. "I think I can live with that."

Fin turned to face her, his hand finding hers. "You did well today. Climbing the rigging."

"I was terrified," Charlotte admitted.

"I know," Fin said. "But you did it anyway. That's what matters."

Charlotte looked up at him, her eyes warm. "You make it sound so easy."

"It's not," Fin said. "But you're braver than you think."

Charlotte's smile softened. "You keep saying that."

"Because it's true."

She stepped closer, her hand tightening around his. "Thank you. For bringing me here. For giving me this."

Fin raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "I happen to remember you swimming half the way."

Charlotte laughed. "And I happen to remember you diving out of a rowboat to come get me."

"Fair point," Fin said, grinning.

Charlotte's expression softened. "Still. Thank you."

And then she kissed him.

It was soft and sweet, and Fin felt the World narrow to just the two of them—the Ship, the Stars, the Sea, and Charlotte in his arms.

When they pulled apart, Charlotte was smiling, her cheeks flushed.

"I've been wanting to do that all day," she admitted.

Fin grinned. "You should have done it sooner."

Charlotte laughed, and Fin pulled her close, holding her against his chest, her head tucked under his chin.

For a moment, everything was perfect.

For a moment, Fin let himself believe it could stay this way.

The next morning, Charlotte stood on the deck with her staff in hand, her expression focused.

Fin watched from a distance, leaning against the mast, as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

She was trying to summon her Warding Magic.

She'd done it before—instinctively, when the Sea Witch had attacked. The Light had burst from her staff, protecting them all.

But now, trying to call it on purpose, nothing happened.

Charlotte's staff remained dark and still.

She gritted her teeth, her hands trembling with effort.

Still nothing.

Charlotte let out a frustrated breath, lowering the staff. "I can't do it."

Fin pushed off the mast and walked over to her. "You're trying too hard."

"I have to try," Charlotte said. "If I can't protect us—"

"You already have," Fin said gently. "You've protected us before. When it mattered, your Magic worked."

"But I can't control it," Charlotte said. "I can't summon it when I need to. What if the Sea Witch comes back? What if Lamont attacks? What if—"

Fin took her hands, stopping her spiral. "Char. Breathe."

Charlotte looked at him, her eyes wide and worried.

"You're putting too much pressure on yourself," Fin said. "Your magic works when you're protecting someone you love. That's not a weakness. That's your strength."

"But what if it's not enough?" Charlotte whispered.

Fin squeezed her hands. "It will be. I believe in you."

Charlotte's eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them back, nodding. "Okay."

"Okay," Fin said.

He pulled her into a hug, and Charlotte wrapped her arms around him, holding on tight.

Over her shoulder, Fin saw the chest in his cabin—the one that held the Soul Fragments, glowing faintly through the wood.

Five marbles. Five pieces of Lamont's past.

And somewhere out there, Lamont was hunting them.

Fin pushed the thought away and held Charlotte closer.

For now, they had Peace.

And he would hold onto it for as long as he could.

 

CHAPTER 2

 

Three days later, the Moonlight Wake docked at a small coastal town called Harlow's Rest.

It was a quiet place—fishing boats bobbing in the harbor, weathered buildings lining the shore, the smell of salt and smoke in the air.

Fin needed supplies, and the Crew needed a break from the endless stretch of open water.

"Stay close," Snive warned as they disembarked. "We don't know if Lamont has eyes here."

"We'll be careful," Fin said.

Charlotte walked beside him, her staff strapped to her back, her eyes wide as she took in the town.

"It's been a while since I've been anywhere like this," she said. "Driftmoor was so isolated."

"You'll like it," Fin said. "Small towns like this are usually friendly. And the food is better than what we can cook on the Ship."

Charlotte laughed. "That's not saying much."

They wandered through the market, Fin buying dried meat and fresh bread while Charlotte marveled at the stalls—colorful fabrics, handmade trinkets, jars of honey and preserves.

At one stall, she stopped, her attention caught by a small carved wooden bird.

The merchant, an older woman with kind eyes, smiled. "That's a storm petrel. Sailors say they bring good luck."

Charlotte picked it up, turning it over in her hands. "It's beautiful."

Fin stepped up beside her. "Do you want it?"

Charlotte hesitated. "I don't have any money."

Fin pulled out a few coins and handed them to the merchant. "We'll take it."

"Fin—" Charlotte started.

"Consider it a welcome-aboard gift," Fin said with a grin.

Charlotte's cheeks flushed, but she smiled, tucking the little bird into her pocket. "Thank you."

"Anytime," Fin said.

They found a small tavern near the docks and ordered lunch—fish stew and warm bread, simple but delicious.

Charlotte ate with enthusiasm, and Fin watched her with quiet amusement.

"What?" she asked, catching his gaze.

"Nothing," Fin said. "You're just... happy."

Charlotte smiled. "I am. Is that so strange?"

"No," Fin said. "It's good. You deserve to be happy."

Charlotte reached across the table and took his hand. "So do you."

Fin's chest tightened, warmth spreading through him. "I'm getting there."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the noise of the tavern buzzing around them.

And then Charlotte's expression turned playful. "So, Captain. What's the most ridiculous thing that's ever happened on your ship?"

Fin laughed. "You want stories?"

"I want all the stories," Charlotte said.

Fin leaned back, grinning. "Alright. There was this one time Marcus tried to catch a seagull."

"Why?"

"He said it would make a good pet."

Charlotte's eyes widened. "Did he catch it?"

"Oh, he caught it," Fin said. "And it immediately bit him, stole his hat, and flew away."

Charlotte burst out laughing. "No!"

"Yes," Fin said. "He was furious. Kenna didn't stop teasing him for weeks."

Charlotte wiped tears from her eyes, still giggling. "I love that."

"There's more where that came from," Fin said. "Life on the Moonlight Wake is never boring."

Charlotte's smile softened. "I'm starting to see that."

As they walked back toward the Ship, the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in bright vibrant colors.

Charlotte slipped her hand into Fin's, and he squeezed it gently.

"This was nice," she said. "Thank you for today."

"You don't have to thank me," Fin said. "I like spending time with you."

Charlotte looked up at him, her eyes warm. "I like spending time with you too."

They stopped at the edge of the dock, the Moonlight Wake gleaming in the fading light.

"Fin," Charlotte said softly. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything," Fin said.

"Are you scared?" she asked. "Of what's coming? Of Lamont?"

Fin was quiet for a moment, considering. "Yes," he said honestly. "But I'm more scared of losing this. Losing you. Losing the Crew. That's what keeps me up at night."

Charlotte stepped closer, her hand resting on his chest. "You won't lose us. We're not going anywhere."

"I hope you're right," Fin said.

"I am," Charlotte said firmly. "We're in this together. All of us."

Fin looked down at her, his heart full, and he leaned in, kissing her gently.

When they pulled apart, Charlotte was smiling.

"Come on," she said, tugging his hand. "Let's get back before Snive sends a search party."

Fin laughed and followed her toward the Ship.

That night, the crew gathered on deck under the stars.

Garrett had brought out his harmonica, and he played a slow, wistful tune while the others listened.

Charlotte sat beside Fin, her head resting on his shoulder, the little wooden bird tucked safely in her pocket.

For a moment, everything was Peaceful.

For a moment, the World felt Safe.

But in the back of Fin's mind, he knew it wouldn't last.

Somewhere out there, Lamont was hunting them.

And the storm was coming.

CHAPTER 3

 

The morning dawned bright and clear, the kind of day that made everything feel possible.

Fin woke to the sound of laughter on deck—Charlotte's voice, bright and teasing, followed by Kenna's mock-offended reply.

He smiled, pulling on his coat and heading up to see what the commotion was about.

Charlotte stood near the mast, her hands on her hips, grinning at Kenna.

"I'm just saying," Charlotte said, "I bet I could beat you in a race to the top."

Kenna raised an eyebrow. "You? The girl who was terrified of heights a week ago?"

"I've improved," Charlotte said confidently.

"This I have to see," Marcus said, leaning against the railing with a grin.

Fin walked over, crossing his arms. "What's going on?"

"Charlotte thinks she can out-climb Kenna," Garrett said, clearly amused.

Fin looked at Charlotte, who met his gaze with a playful challenge in her eyes. "Do you now?"

"I do," Charlotte said. "Unless you think I can't."

Fin bit back a smile. "I think you're braver than you give yourself credit for. But Kenna's been climbing rigging since she was ten."

"Then it's a fair fight," Charlotte said.

Kenna laughed. "Alright, Healer. You're on."

The Crew gathered to watch as Charlotte and Kenna lined up at the base of the mainmast.

"First one to the top wins," Snive said, acting as referee. "No cheating."

"I don't cheat," Kenna said, grinning.

"Neither do I," Charlotte said, though her hands were already shaking slightly.

"Ready?" Snive asked.

Both women nodded.

"Go!"

They launched upward, hands and feet moving quickly over the ropes.

Kenna was fast—graceful and confident, her movements practiced and sure.

But Charlotte was determined. She climbed with focus, her jaw set, her eyes locked on the top.

The crew cheered them on, shouting encouragement.

"Come on, Char!" Fin called, his heart pounding as he watched her climb higher and higher.

Charlotte glanced down for just a second, caught Fin's eye, and grinned.

And then she pushed herself faster.

Kenna reached the top first—but only by a second.

Charlotte pulled herself up beside her, breathless and laughing, and the Crew erupted in cheers.

"Not bad, Healer!" Kenna said, clapping Charlotte on the shoulder. "You've got guts."

"I had a good teacher," Charlotte said, still catching her breath.

They climbed back down together, and when Charlotte's feet hit the deck, Fin was there, grinning.

"That was impressive," he said.

Charlotte's cheeks flushed. "I lost."

"Barely," Fin said. "And you weren't scared."

Charlotte's smile widened. "No. I wasn't."

Fin pulled her into a quick hug, pride swelling in his chest. "Told you. Braver than you think."

That afternoon, the crew took a break from sailing to swim.

The water was warm and clear, the sun bright overhead, and for a few hours, they forgot about everything else.

Marcus did a cannonball off the side of the Ship, splashing everyone. Garrett floated on his back, eyes closed, completely relaxed. Lena and Kenna raced each other, laughing as they cut through the water.

Charlotte floated beside Fin, her hair fanned out around her, her expression peaceful.

"This is perfect," she said softly.

"It is," Fin agreed.

Charlotte turned her head to look at him. "Do you ever wish it could always be like this?"

"Every day," Fin said honestly.

Charlotte reached out, her fingers brushing his. "Maybe it can be. Someday."

Fin wanted to believe that. He wanted to believe they could have this—Peace, Joy, a Life without running.

But he knew better.

Still, for now, he let himself Hope.

"Maybe," he said.

That evening, as the sun set and the crew dried off on deck, Fin and Charlotte sat together at the bow, watching the sky turn gold and pink.

Charlotte leaned against him, her head on his shoulder, and Fin wrapped his arm around her.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"For what?" Fin asked.

"For this. For today. For making me feel like I belong."

Fin kissed the top of her head. "You do belong. You always have."

Charlotte smiled, her eyes closing. "I love you, Fin."

Fin's breath caught.

It was the first time she'd said it.

He turned to look at her, his heart pounding, and Charlotte opened her eyes, meeting his gaze.

"I love you," she said again, her voice steady and sure.

Fin cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing her cheek. "I love you too."

And then he kissed her, slow and deep, pouring everything he felt into it.

When they pulled apart, Charlotte was smiling, her eyes bright with tears.

"I'm glad I found you," she whispered.

"So am I," Fin said.

They sat there together, wrapped in each other, as the stars began to appear overhead.

For a moment, everything was perfect.

CHAPTER 4

 

The attack came at dawn.

Fin woke to the sound of splintering wood and screaming.

He bolted upright, his heart hammering, and grabbed his sword.

"Char—" he started, but she was already awake, her staff in hand, her eyes wide with fear.

"What's happening?" she gasped.

"Stay close to me," Fin said.

They ran onto the deck.

Chaos.

The Moonlight Wake was under siege.

Massive tentacles—black and slick, writhing with unnatural life—had wrapped around the ship, crushing the railings, tearing at the sails.

But these weren't like the sea monster from before.

These were darker. Twisted. Wrong.

Summoned.

The Crew fought desperately, hacking at the tentacles with swords and axes, but for every one they cut, two more rose from the water.

"Captain!" Snive shouted, his face pale. "We can't hold them off!"

Fin's mind raced. "Where did they come from?"

And then he saw it.

A Ship on the horizon.

The Relentless.

Lamont.

"He's here," Fin said, his blood running cold.

Charlotte gripped her staff, her knuckles white. "Fin—"

One of the tentacles lashed out, slamming into the mast.

The Ship lurched violently, and Charlotte stumbled.

Fin caught her, pulling her close. "We have to fight. Together."

Charlotte nodded, her jaw set.

She raised her staff, and for a moment, light flickered at its tip—

But then it died.

"No," Charlotte whispered, panic flooding her eyes. "No, no, no—"

"Char, it's okay—"

"It's not working!" Charlotte cried. "I can't—"

Another tentacle smashed into the deck, splintering the wood.

Garrett was thrown backward, slamming into the railing with a sickening crack.

"Garrett!" Lena screamed.

Fin's heart pounded. They were losing.

"Snive!" Fin shouted. "Get us out of here! Full sail!"

"We can't outrun him, Captain!" Snive yelled back.

"Then we fight!" Fin roared.

He charged forward, his sword flashing as he hacked at the nearest tentacle.

It recoiled, black ichor spraying across the deck, but two more rose to take its place.

Charlotte stood frozen, her staff trembling in her hands, tears streaming down her face.

"I can't do it," she whispered. "I can't—"

And then, from across the water, a voice rang out.

Cold. Hollow. Familiar.

"Did you really think I'd given up, Bollard?"

Fin's blood turned to ice.

He looked toward the Relentless, and there, standing at the bow, was Lamont.

He looked different.

Thinner. Paler. His eyes sunken and dark, his expression empty.

But his smile was sharp and cruel.

"I was waiting," Lamont called, his voice carrying over the water. "Watching. I wanted you to feel safe. To drop your guard."

Fin's jaw clenched. "You bastard."

Lamont's smile widened. "And you did exactly what I expected."

He raised his hand, and the tentacles surged forward with renewed fury.

The Moonlight Wake groaned under the assault, the hull cracking, the mast splintering.

"We're going to sink!" Marcus shouted.

Fin's mind raced. They couldn't fight this. They couldn't outrun it.

They were trapped.

Charlotte grabbed his arm, her eyes desperate. "Fin, what do we do?"

Fin looked at her, then at his Crew—his Family—fighting for their lives.

And he made a decision.

"We jump," Fin said.

"What?" Charlotte gasped.

"We abandon Ship," Fin said. "Get to the rowboats. Now."

"Captain—" Snive started.

"That's an Order!" Fin shouted.

The Crew hesitated for only a moment, then moved.

Kenna and Marcus lowered the rowboats. Lena helped Garrett to his feet, his face twisted in pain. Snive grabbed the chest—the one holding the Soul Fragments—and handed it to Fin.

"Go!" Fin shouted. "Everyone, go!"

Charlotte grabbed his hand. "Fin—"

"I'm right behind you," Fin said. "I promise."

Charlotte's eyes filled with tears, but she nodded and climbed into the rowboat with the others.

Fin stood on the deck of the Moonlight Wake, his heart breaking as he watched his Ship—his Home—being torn apart.

And then he jumped.

They rowed hard, the Crew silent and grim, as the Moonlight Wake sank behind them.

The tentacles dragged her under, piece by piece, until there was nothing left but wreckage floating on the water.

Fin stared at the spot where his Ship had been, his chest hollow.

Gone.

Charlotte's hand found his, squeezing tightly.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Fin didn't answer.

He couldn't.

Behind them, Lamont's laughter echoed across the water.

"Run, Bollard!" he called. "Run as far as you can! I'll find you again!"

Fin's jaw tightened, rage and grief warring in his chest.

But he said nothing.

He just kept rowing.

CHAPTER 5

 

They made it to shore just after dawn.

The beach was rocky and desolate, the kind of place no one visited. The crew dragged the rowboats onto the sand and collapsed, exhausted and silent.

Fin sat apart from the others, staring out at the water.

The Moonlight Wake was gone.

His Ship. His Home. The symbol of everything he'd fought for.

Gone.

Charlotte approached slowly, her staff clutched in her hands, her face pale and tear-streaked.

"Fin," she said quietly. "I'm so sorry."

Fin didn't look at her. "It's not your fault."

"It is," Charlotte said, her voice breaking. "If I could have used my magic—if I could have protected us—"

"Char—"

"The ship would still be here!" Charlotte cried. "Your crew wouldn't have lost their home! This is my fault!"

Fin finally turned to look at her, and the anguish in her eyes broke his heart.

He stood and took her hands gently. "Charlotte. Listen to me."

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "I failed you. I failed everyone."

"No," Fin said firmly. "You didn't."

"I couldn't summon my Magic when it mattered—"

"I don't have Magic," Fin said.

Charlotte stopped, blinking at him in confusion. "What?"

Fin took a breath. "I don't have Magic. I never have. And I've wanted it for years."

Charlotte stared at him.

"Do you know how many times I've watched people solve problems with a wave of their hand?" Fin said. "How many times I've been helpless when magic could have saved someone? How many situations I couldn't get out of because I didn't have that power?"

He wiped a tear from her cheek.

"But I learned something," Fin said. "Magic doesn't make you brave. It doesn't make you worthy. Your choices do. You do the best you can with what you have. And that's enough."

"But I should have been able to—"

"You're here," Fin said, squeezing her hands. "You're fighting. You didn't give up. That's what matters."

Charlotte's eyes filled with fresh tears. "I just... I wanted to protect you."

"You do," Fin said softly. "Every day. Just by being here."

Charlotte let out a shaky breath and stepped into his arms, burying her face in his chest.

Fin held her tightly, his own heart aching.

They'd lost so much.

But they were still here.

And they would find a way forward.

Aboard the Relentless, Lamont stood at the bow, watching the distant shore through a spyglass.

He could see them—Bollard and his pathetic crew, huddled on the beach like shipwrecked rats.

A cold smile curved his lips.

"They're grieving," he said.

Behind him, the Sea Witch materialized from the shadows, her form shifting like smoke and water.

"Good," she purred. "Let them grieve. Let them suffer."

Lamont lowered the spyglass. "Why not finish them now? They're vulnerable. Broken."

The Sea Witch laughed, a sound like waves crashing against stone. "Where's the fun in that? Killing them quickly is... unsatisfying."

She drifted closer, her cold fingers trailing along Lamont's shoulder.

"No," she said. "We continue to use his heart against him. His love for that girl. His loyalty to his crew. Every bond he cherishes is a weapon we can wield."

Lamont's smile widened. "You want him to suffer."

"I want him to break," the Sea Witch said. "Piece by piece. Until there's nothing left but despair."

She turned her gaze toward the shore, her eyes glowing faintly.

"And then," she whispered, "when he's at his lowest, when he has nothing left to lose... that's when we take everything."

Lamont nodded slowly. "What's the next move?"

The Sea Witch's smile was sharp and cruel. "Patience, my pet. Let them think they have time to recover. Let them think they're safe."

She leaned closer, her voice a whisper. "And then we strike again."

 

A few minutes later, Snive approached, holding the chest with the Soul Fragments.

"Captain," he said quietly. "We still have these."

Fin looked at the chest, then out at the water where the Moonlight Wake had sunk.

His stomach dropped.

"The sixth fragment," Fin said. "It's in my cabin. The compass told me."

Snive's eyes widened. "It went down with the Ship."

Fin's jaw tightened. "We have to get it back."

"Captain, the water's deep—"

"Not too deep," Fin said, already moving toward the shore. "Deep enough for the Ship to sink, but not so deep we can't reach the wreckage."

He pulled the brass compass from his pocket. It was glowing faintly, the needle spinning.

"The compass will guide me," Fin said.

Charlotte grabbed his arm. "Fin, you can't go down there alone—"

"I have to," Fin said. "If Lamont gets that fragment—"

"Then I'm coming with you," Charlotte said firmly.

Fin looked at her, then nodded. "Alright. But we have to be fast."

The water was cold and dark.

Fin dove beneath the surface, the compass clutched in one hand, Charlotte swimming beside him.

The wreckage of the Moonlight Wake lay scattered across the Ocean floor—splintered wood, torn sails, broken masts.

Fin's chest ached at the sight.

But he pushed forward, following the compass's glow.

It led him to what remained of his cabin—the walls collapsed, the furniture destroyed.

And there, half-buried in the sand and debris, was the marble.

It glowed faintly in the darkness, pulsing like a heartbeat.

Fin remembered the vision. The pain. The way the fragment had burned when he'd touched it with his bare hand.

He pulled a piece of cloth from his pocket and wrapped it around his hand before carefully picking up the marble.

The moment he touched it—even through the cloth—he felt a flicker of something.

Cold. Hollow. Rage.

He shoved it into his coat pocket and pointed upward.

Charlotte nodded, and they kicked toward the surface, breaking through and gasping for air.

"Did you get it?" Snive called from the shore.

Fin held up the cloth-wrapped marble. "Got it."

Back on the beach, Fin placed the sixth fragment into the chest with the others.

Six marbles. Six pieces of Lamont's Soul.

"How many more are there?" Kenna asked quietly.

"I don't know," Fin said. "But we'll find them. All of them."

 

CHAPTER 6

 

The Crew spent the rest of the day on the beach, salvaging what they could from the wreckage.

Marcus and Garrett dove repeatedly, bringing up supplies—rope, tools, a few waterlogged crates of food. Kenna retrieved her knives. Lena found her medical kit, miraculously intact in a sealed bag.

But most of it was gone.

Their Home. Their belongings. Everything they'd built Together.

By evening, they'd managed to gather enough to make a small camp. They built a fire, dried their clothes, and sat in exhausted silence as the sun set.

Fin stared into the flames, his mind racing.

They had no Ship. No way to outrun Lamont. No way to fight back.

They were stranded.

"Captain," Snive said quietly, sitting down beside him. "What's the plan?"

Fin didn't answer right away.

What was the plan?

"We need to get inland," Fin said finally. "Find a Town. Get supplies. Figure out our next move."

"And the Ship?" Snive asked.

Fin's jaw tightened. "I don't know yet."

Snive nodded slowly. "The Crew's scared. They're trying not to show it, but they are."

"I know," Fin said.

"They need to know we're not giving up," Snive said.

Fin looked at him. "We're not."

"Then tell them that," Snive said.

Fin stood, and the Crew's eyes turned toward him.

He took a breath.

"I know today was hard," Fin said. "We lost the Moonlight Wake. We lost our home. And I know you're scared."

No one spoke, but he could see it in their faces—the fear, the exhaustion, the grief.

"But we're still here," Fin said. "We're still together. And as long as we have that, we have a chance."

Charlotte stood, moving to his side. "We'll find a way forward. We always do."

Kenna nodded. "We're with you, Captain. Whatever comes next."

"All of us," Marcus added.

Garrett, still nursing his injured ribs, managed a weak smile. "You're stuck with us, Fin."

Lena placed a hand on his shoulder. "We're not giving up."

Fin felt his chest tighten, warmth spreading through him despite everything.

This Crew. His Family.

They'd lost so much.

But they hadn't lost each other.

"Alright," Fin said. "Tomorrow, we move inland. We find a town, get supplies, and figure out how to get our ship back."

"And Lamont?" Snive asked.

Fin's expression hardened. "We end him. Once and for all."

That night, Fin and Charlotte sat together by the fire, the rest of the Crew asleep around them.

Charlotte leaned against him, her head on his shoulder, her hand in his.

"Do you really think we can get the Ship back?" she asked quietly.

"I have to believe we can," Fin said. "The Enchantment that protects it—it's still there. The Ship didn't break apart completely. It's waiting."

"But how do we raise it?" Charlotte asked.

"I don't know yet," Fin admitted. "But we'll find a way."

Charlotte was quiet for a moment. "What if we can't?"

Fin turned to look at her. "Then we build something new. We keep going. We don't stop."

Charlotte's eyes filled with tears. "I'm scared, Fin."

"So am I," Fin said honestly. "But we're going to be okay. I promise."

Charlotte nodded, wiping her eyes, and Fin pulled her closer.

They sat in silence, watching the fire burn low, the stars bright overhead.

Tomorrow, they would move forward.

But tonight, they held onto each other.

Deep beneath the waves, the Moonlight Wake lay in pieces on the ocean floor.

Her silver hull was cracked but not shattered. Her masts were broken but not destroyed.

And deep within her wood, the Enchantment still pulsed—faint, dormant, waiting.

The Ship was not dead.

She was sleeping.

And she would wake again.

 

CHAPTER 7

 

Fin couldn't sleep.

He lay by the fire, staring up at the stars, his mind racing with everything they'd lost and everything still ahead.

But beneath it all, there was something else.

A pull.

A whisper at the edge of his thoughts.

The marbles.

He'd felt it before—the way they called to him, demanding to be seen, to be understood.

And tonight, the call was stronger than ever.

Fin sat up slowly, careful not to wake Charlotte, who was curled up beside him.

He grabbed the chest and moved quietly away from the camp, into the nearby grove of palm trees.

He found a fallen tree and sat down, the chest heavy in his lap.

For a moment, he just stared at it.

Six marbles. Six pieces of Lamont's Soul.

He'd seen five memories already—each one showing him pieces of the man Lamont had been, the boy he'd once been, the moments that had shaped him.

Fin took a breath and opened the chest.

The marbles glowed faintly in the darkness, pulsing like heartbeats.

But one glowed brighter than the rest.

A light blue marble, swirled with silver, calling to him.

Fin reached for it, and the vision pulled him in.

Fin opened his eyes and found himself standing in a grand estate—marble floors, high ceilings, expensive tapestries on the walls.

It was Lamont's childhood home.

And there, in the center of the room, was a boy.

Young Lord Quincy Lamont.

He couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen—thin, dark-haired, his face still soft with youth.

But his eyes were already hard.

A servant girl stood nearby, trembling. She was younger than Lamont, maybe ten, her clothes worn and patched.

And standing over her was an older boy—tall, broad-shouldered, sneering.

"You spilled wine on my coat, you stupid girl," the older boy snarled. "Do you know how much this cost?"

"I'm sorry," the girl whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I didn't mean to—"

The older boy raised his hand to strike her.

And then Quincy stepped between them.

"That's enough," Lamont said, his voice steady.

The older boy blinked in surprise. "What?"

"I said that's enough," Lamont repeated. "She apologized. Leave her alone."

The older boy's face twisted with anger. "You're defending a servant?"

"I'm telling you to stop," Lamont said.

For a moment, the older boy looked like he might argue.

But then he saw something in Lamont's eyes—something cold and unyielding—and he backed down.

"Fine," the older boy muttered. "She's not worth it anyway."

He turned and walked away.

The servant girl looked up at Lamont, her eyes wide with gratitude. "Thank you, young master."

Lamont's expression softened—just for a moment. "Go. Before he changes his mind."

The girl nodded and hurried away.

Lamont stood there alone, his hands clenched into fists.

And then a voice echoed through the hall.

"Quincy."

Lamont's entire body went rigid.

His father stepped into the room—tall, imposing, his face carved from stone.

"Father," Lamont said quietly.

"What did I just witness?" his father asked, his voice dangerously calm.

Lamont hesitated. "He was going to hurt her."

"And?" his father said.

Lamont blinked. "She's just a child—"

"She's a servant," his father said coldly. "And you humiliated a guest in my home to defend her."

"He was being cruel—"

"He was asserting his authority," his father snapped. "As he should. As you should."

Lamont's jaw tightened. "I won't stand by and watch someone be hurt for no reason."

His father's eyes narrowed. "You think compassion makes you strong? You think protecting the weak makes you a leader?"

"I think it makes me decent," Lamont said.

His father's hand shot out, striking Lamont across the face.

Lamont stumbled, his cheek burning, but he didn't cry out.

"Decency is weakness," his father said. "Compassion is a luxury we cannot afford. You are my son. You will be strong. You will be feared. And you will never embarrass me like this again."

Lamont looked up at his father, his eyes filled with something Fin recognized.

Pain.

Defiance.

And beneath it all, a desperate, aching hope that maybe—just maybe—his father was wrong.

But that hope was already beginning to crack.

Fin gasped as the vision released him.

He sat on the fallen tree, his heart pounding, the marble still wrapped in his hand.

He stared at it, his chest tight.

Lamont had protected someone.

He'd stood up for a child who couldn't defend herself.

He'd been good.

And his father had beaten it out of him.

Fin thought of his own childhood—losing his parents, being alone, being powerless.

He thought of Rourke's cruelty, the way she'd tried to break him.

But he'd had something Lamont hadn't.

He'd had the choice to walk away. To find a different path.

Lamont had been trapped. Shaped. Molded into something cruel by a man who saw kindness as weakness.

Fin's hands trembled.

He hated Lamont.

He hated what Lamont had done to him, to his crew, to everyone he'd hurt.

But with each Memory, it became harder to see him as only a monster.

He'd been a boy once. A boy who'd tried to be good.

And that boy had been destroyed, piece by piece.

And Fin didn't know what to do with that.

Charlotte's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Fin?"

He looked up.

She stood at the edge of the grove, her staff in hand, her expression concerned.

"I woke up and you were gone," she said softly. "Are you okay?"

Fin looked down at the marble, then back at her.

"I saw another Memory," he said quietly.

Charlotte sat down beside him. "What did you see?"

Fin told her.

When he finished, Charlotte was quiet for a long moment.

"He was trying to be good," she said finally.

"He was," Fin said. "And his father destroyed him for it."

Charlotte took his hand. "That doesn't excuse what he's done."

"I know," Fin said. "But it makes it harder to hate him."

Charlotte squeezed his hand. "Maybe that's the point."

Fin looked at her.

"Maybe you're not supposed to hate him," Charlotte said. "Maybe you're supposed to understand him. So you can stop him without becoming like him."

Fin's chest tightened.

She was right.

He couldn't let his hatred consume him. He couldn't let Lamont's cruelty turn him into something he wasn't.

He had to be better.

"Come on," Charlotte said gently. "Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be hard."

Fin nodded and stood, tucking the marble back into the chest.

But as they walked back to camp, he couldn't stop thinking about the boy in the vision.

The boy who'd tried to protect someone.

The boy who'd been punished for it.

The boy who'd become a monster.

 

CHAPTER 6

 

The walk inland took most of the morning.

The Crew moved in silence, exhausted and grieving, their clothes still damp with seawater, their belongings reduced to what they could carry.

Fin led the way, the chest of soul fragments strapped to his back, the compass in his pocket.

Charlotte walked beside him, her staff in hand, her expression thoughtful.

She hadn't said much since they'd left the beach, but Fin could see her mind working—processing, adapting, finding her footing again.

 

By midday, they crested a hill and saw it.

A Town.

Small. Weathered. Clinging to the coast like a barnacle on a rock.

"Saltbreak," Snive said, reading a faded sign at the edge of the road. "Never heard of it."

"Good," Fin said. "That means Lamont hasn't either."

They made their way down the hill and into the Town.

Saltbreak was exactly what it looked like from a distance—a struggling Fishing Village. The buildings were old and salt-worn, the docks sagging, the boats small and patched.

People moved through the streets with tired faces and wary eyes.

A few glanced at the crew as they passed, but no one stopped them. No one recognized them.

Fin felt a strange mix of relief and frustration.

No Legend. No reputation. No free help.

They were just strangers here.

"Captain," Marcus said quietly. "What's the plan?"

Fin looked around. "We need food, water, and supplies. But we don't have money."

"So what do we do?" Kenna asked.

Fin's jaw tightened. "We work for it."

They found the Town's Elder near the docks—a weathered woman with silver hair and sharp eyes, mending a fishing net.

"Excuse me," Fin said, approaching carefully. "We're travelers. Our ship was lost in a storm. We need supplies, and we're willing to work for them."

The woman looked up, her gaze sweeping over the Crew. "You look like you've been through hell."

"We have," Fin said honestly.

The woman studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "We don't have much here. But we could use the help."

"What do you need?" Fin asked.

The woman gestured toward the docks. "Our boats are falling apart. Nets are torn. The last storm damaged half the village, and we haven't had the hands to fix it all."

"We can do that," Fin said.

The woman raised an eyebrow. "You know how to repair boats?"

"We've been sailing our whole lives," Snive said. "We know boats."

The woman considered this, then nodded. "Alright. You help us fix what's broken, and we'll give you food and supplies. Fair?"

"Fair," Fin said.

The Crew got to work immediately.

Marcus and Garrett repaired the docks, hammering new planks into place. Kenna and Lena mended fishing nets, their hands quick and practiced. Snive worked on the boats, patching holes and reinforcing hulls.

And Fin worked alongside them, his hands busy, his mind focused.

It felt good to work. To build instead of fight. To help instead of run.

Charlotte moved through the Village, her staff glowing faintly as she healed small injuries—a fisherman's cut hand, a child's scraped knee, an elder's aching joints.

The townsfolk were wary at first, but Charlotte's warmth and kindness broke through their defenses.

She smiled. She listened. She helped.

And slowly, the Village began to soften.

By evening, the Crew had made real progress.

The docks were stable. The nets were mended. The boats were seaworthy again.

The Elder approached Fin as the sun set, her expression approving. "You and your Crew work hard."

"We do what we can," Fin said.

The woman nodded. "We'll have food ready for you tonight. And tomorrow, we'll gather supplies for your Journey."

"Thank you," Fin said.

The woman studied him for a moment. "You're not just travelers, are you?"

Fin hesitated.

"You don't have to tell me," the woman said. "But I've been around long enough to recognize people running from something."

Fin met her gaze. "We're trying to stop something. Someone. Before he hurts more people."

The woman nodded slowly. "Then I hope you succeed."

 

That night, the Village shared a meal with the Crew—simple fish stew and bread, but warm and filling.

The Crew sat together, exhausted but content, their spirits lifting for the first time since the attack.

Charlotte sat beside Fin, her eyes bright, her smile genuine.

"This was a good day," she said softly.

Fin nodded, but his expression was distant.

Charlotte noticed. "What's wrong?"

Fin was quiet for a moment. "Lamont didn't follow us."

Charlotte frowned. "Isn't that a good thing?"

"Maybe," Fin said. "Or maybe he's waiting. Watching. Letting us think we're safe."

Charlotte's smile faded slightly. "You think he knows where we are?"

"I don't know," Fin admitted. "But he's been relentless. And now, suddenly, nothing? It doesn't feel right."

Charlotte took his hand. "Maybe he lost us. Maybe we actually got away."

Fin wanted to believe that. But something in his gut told him otherwise.

"Maybe," he said quietly.

Charlotte squeezed his hand. "We helped people today. We made a difference. Even without the Ship. Even without the Legend. That matters, Fin."

Fin looked at her, and despite his worry, he felt warmth spread through his chest.

"You're right," he said softly.

Charlotte leaned against him. "We're going to be okay. I know it."

Fin wrapped his arm around her, holding her close.

He wanted to believe her.

But the silence from Lamont felt like the calm before a storm.

And Fin knew storms always came.

 

But across the water, far from Saltbreak, Lamont stood on the deck of the Relentless, staring at the horizon.

The Sea Witch appeared beside him, her form shifting like smoke.

"They've gone to ground," Lamont said.

"Let them," the Sea Witch said. "Let them think they're safe. Let them rest."

She smiled, cold and cruel.

"And then we take everything."

 

CHAPTER 9

 

The Crew stayed in Saltbreak for three days.

They worked during the day—repairing, building, helping wherever they were needed. And at night, they rested, their bodies slowly recovering from the trauma of losing the Moonlight Wake.

The village was grateful. The elder made sure they had food, clean water, and a place to sleep in the old community hall.

But Fin couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time.

On the third morning, he sat alone on the dock, staring out at the water.

The compass lay in his palm, its needle spinning slowly, searching.

"Captain."

Fin looked up.

Snive stood behind him, his expression serious.

"We need to talk," Snive said.

Fin nodded and gestured for him to sit.

Snive lowered himself onto the dock with a grunt. "The crew's rested. We have supplies. But we can't stay here forever."

"I know," Fin said.

"So what's the plan?" Snive asked. "We can't hide here forever. And Lamont's still out there."

Fin was quiet for a long moment, staring at the water.

"We get the Moonlight Wake back," he said finally.

Snive raised an eyebrow. "Captain, we can fight Lamont without the Ship. We've done it before."

"I know," Fin said. "But this isn't just about fighting him."

He turned to look at Snive. "The Moonlight Wake is our home. It's where we became who we are. It's the symbol of everything we stand for—Freedom, Hope, Defiance."

Snive nodded slowly. "It's part of us."

"Exactly," Fin said. "And I'm not ready to let it go. Not without trying everything we can to get it back."

Snive was quiet for a moment. "So how do we raise a sunken Ship?"

"The Ship 's Enchantment is still intact," Fin said. "It didn't break apart completely. It's waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Snive asked.

"For us to call it back," Fin said. "We just need to find out how."

Snive nodded. "Corwin."

"Corwin," Fin agreed.

 

Later that morning, Fin gathered the Crew in the Community Hall.

They sat in a circle, their faces tired but attentive.

"We can't stay here," Fin said. "Lamont's out there, and it's only a matter of time before he finds us."

"So what do we do?" Marcus asked.

"We get the Moonlight Wake back," Fin said.

The Crew exchanged glances.

"Captain," Garrett said carefully. "We can fight without the ship—"

"I know," Fin said. "But this isn't just about fighting."

He looked around at his Crew—his family.

"The Moonlight Wake is our home," Fin said. "It's where we became who we are. It's the symbol of everything we stand for. Without it, we're just people running from a fight."

Charlotte nodded. "It's part of us."

"Exactly," Fin said. "And I'm not ready to let it go. Not without trying everything we can to get it back."

Kenna leaned forward. "So how do we raise a sunken Ship?"

"The Ship 's Enchantment protects it," Fin said. "It didn't shatter. It's intact, waiting at the bottom of the ocean. We need to find a way to call it back."

"That's going to take powerful magic," Lena said quietly.

Charlotte spoke up. "Grandfather will know what to do. He always does."

Fin nodded. "We head to Driftmoor. Find Corwin. Get the Ship back."

"And then?" Garrett asked.

Fin's expression hardened. "Then we finish this. On our terms."

The crew was quiet for a moment.

Then Kenna grinned. "Well, I miss my hammock anyway."

Marcus laughed. "I miss having a deck to stand on."

"I miss not walking everywhere," Garrett muttered, rubbing his still-healing ribs.

Charlotte smiled. "We all miss it. So let's get it back."

Fin looked around at his Crew and felt that familiar warmth in his chest.

"Alright," he said. "We leave tomorrow. Get some rest tonight. It's going to be a long road."

That evening, Fin and Charlotte walked along the beach, the sun setting over the water.

Charlotte's hand was warm in his, her staff resting against her shoulder.

"Do you really think we can get the Ship back?" she asked.

"I have to believe we can," Fin said. "The Moonlight Wake is more than just wood and sails. It's... it's us. It's our story."

Charlotte squeezed his hand. "Grandfather will know what to do. He's saved us before. He'll help us again."

Fin nodded. "He cares about all of us. And he wants to stop the Sea Witch as much as we do."

"Then we find him," Charlotte said. "And we get our home back."

They walked in silence for a moment, the waves lapping at the shore.

"Fin," Charlotte said softly. "What happens after we get the Ship back? After we stop Lamont?"

Fin looked out at the horizon. "I don't know. I haven't let myself think that far ahead."

Charlotte stopped walking and turned to face him. "Maybe you should."

Fin met her gaze. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Charlotte said, "maybe it's okay to hope for something beyond just surviving. Maybe it's okay to imagine a future where we're not always fighting."

Fin's chest tightened. "What kind of future?"

Charlotte smiled, her eyes warm. "I don't know. But I'd like to find out. With you."

Fin pulled her close, his forehead resting against hers. "I'd like that too."

Charlotte kissed him softly, and for a moment, the World felt still.

Peaceful.

Full of Possibility.

 

But far across the water, the Sea Witch watched them through her dark mirror.

She smiled, cold and cruel.

"Enjoy your hope while it lasts, Captain," she whispered. "Soon, I'll take everything from you."

She turned to Lamont, who stood beside her, his hollow eyes fixed on the mirror.

"It's time," the Sea Witch said. "No more waiting. No more games."

Lamont's smile was sharp and empty. "What do you want me to do?"

The Sea Witch's eyes glowed. "I want you to break them. Completely."

She waved her hand, and the mirror shifted, showing the Moonlight Wake resting on the ocean floor.

"And I know exactly how to do it," she said.

 

CHAPTER 10

 

They left Saltbreak at dawn.

The Village Elder stood at the edge of Town, watching them go, a small pack of supplies slung over her shoulder.

"For the road," she said, handing it to Fin. "It's not much, but it should get you where you're going."

Fin took it gratefully. "Thank you. For everything."

The Elder nodded. "You helped us. It's only right we help you."

She looked at the Crew—tired, battered, but determined.

"Whatever you're running from," she said quietly, "I hope you stop it."

"We will," Fin said.

The Elder smiled faintly. "Good luck, Captain."

The Journey to Driftmoor would take at least a week on foot—longer if they ran into trouble.

The Crew moved in a steady rhythm, conserving their energy, staying alert.

Fin led the way, the compass in his pocket, the chest of Soul Fragments strapped to his back.

Charlotte walked beside him, her staff in hand, her eyes scanning the horizon.

Behind them, the crew spread out in pairs.

Kenna and Marcus walked together, debating the best way to catch fish without a boat.

"You could use a net," Marcus suggested.

"With what net?" Kenna said. "We don't have one."

"Make one," Marcus said.

Kenna rolled her eyes. "Out of what? My hair?"

Garrett limped along beside Lena, still nursing his injured ribs. "How much longer until we get there?"

"A week," Lena said patiently. "Maybe more."

Garrett groaned. "I hate walking."

"We all hate walking," Emerson said. "But complaining won't make it faster."

Davey walked near the back, his eyes constantly scanning the trees, his hand resting on the hilt of his knife.

And Swing walked beside him, occasionally stopping to pick up a smooth stone or a piece of sea glass, turning it over in his hands before tucking it into his pocket.

"You're still collecting things?" Davey asked, amused.

Swing grinned. "Can't help it. Shiny things make the world better."

Davey shook his head, smiling. "You're ridiculous."

"And you're boring," Swing shot back.

Snive walked near the front, close to Fin, his expression thoughtful.

"Do you think Lamont knows where we're going?" Charlotte asked quietly.

"I don't know," Fin said. "But I'm not taking any chances."

Snive glanced at him. "You're worried."

"I'm always worried," Fin said.

"Fair," Snive said.

By midday, they reached a crossroads.

One path led inland, through dense forest. The other followed the coast, open and exposed.

"Which way?" Snive asked.

Fin pulled out the compass. The needle spun for a moment, then pointed inland.

"Forest," Fin said. "It'll give us cover."

"And slow us down," Snive pointed out.

"Better slow than dead," Kenna called from behind.

Snive grunted. "Fair point."

 

They turned onto the forest path.

The trees closed in around them, thick and ancient, their branches forming a canopy overhead.

The air was cooler here, damp and earthy, the sound of birdsong filling the silence.

Charlotte walked closer to Fin, her hand brushing his.

"It's beautiful," she said softly.

Fin glanced at her. Even now, after everything, she found beauty in the world.

"It is," he agreed.

Swing stopped suddenly, crouching down to pick up something from the ground.

"What is it?" Davey asked.

Swing held up a small, iridescent beetle shell. "Look at this! It's perfect."

Davey sighed. "We're on the run from a madman, and you're collecting bugs."

"Bug shells," Swing corrected. "And yes."

Kenna laughed. "Never change, Swing."

 

They walked for hours, the forest growing denser, the path narrower.

Fin kept his hand on the compass, checking it periodically to make sure they were still heading in the right direction.

Charlotte stayed close, her staff glowing faintly, warding off the shadows.

I can't wait to see Grandfather," she said quietly. "It feels like it's been forever."

"He'll be glad to see you too," Fin said. "All of us."

Charlotte nodded. "He'll know what to do. He always does."

"He's saved us more than once," Fin agreed. "If anyone can help us raise the Ship, it's him."

Charlotte squeezed his hand. "I just hope we get there soon."

"We will," Fin said.

As the sun began to set, they found a clearing and made camp.

Marcus and Garrett gathered firewood. Lena unpacked the supplies from Saltbreak. Kenna and Davey set up a perimeter watch.

Swing sat near the fire, arranging his collection of shiny things in a neat line.

"You know those aren't worth anything, right?" Garrett said.

Swing looked offended. "They're worth everything. They're beautiful."

"They're rocks," Garrett said.

"They're treasures," Swing corrected.

Charlotte smiled, sitting down beside Fin. "He's right, you know. Beauty has value."

Fin looked at her, his chest warm. "It does."

That night, as the Crew settled in to sleep, Fin sat by the fire, staring into the flames.

Snive sat down beside him. "Can't sleep?"

"Not yet," Fin said.

Snive nodded. "You're thinking about Lamont."

"Always," Fin said.

"He's been quiet," Snive said. "Too quiet."

"I know," Fin said. "And that worries me more than anything."

Snive was quiet for a moment. "Whatever he's planning, we'll face it. Together."

Fin looked at him. "I know."

Snive clapped him on the shoulder and stood. "Get some rest, Captain. Tomorrow's another long day."

Fin nodded, but he didn't move.

He sat by the fire, watching the flames, and wondered what Lamont was doing.

Aboard the Relentless, Lamont stood in his cabin, staring at a map spread across his desk.

The Sea Witch appeared beside him, her form shifting like smoke.

"The Naval Council has summoned you," she said, her voice amused. "Again."

Lamont's jaw tightened. "They're fools."

"They think they can control you," the Sea Witch said. "They think you answer to them."

Lamont's eyes darkened. "Not anymore."

The Sea Witch smiled, cold and cruel. "Then it's time to show them the truth."

She waved her hand, and Dark Energy swirled around Lamont, wrapping around him like chains.

"Use my Power," she whispered. "Take what's yours. Destroy anyone who stands in your way."

Lamont's hollow eyes glowed. "What do you want me to do?"

The Sea Witch's smile widened. "I want you to make an example of them. I want the world to know that no one controls you."

She leaned closer, her voice a whisper. "Drown them all."

Lamont's smile was sharp and empty. "With pleasure."

CHAPTER 11

 

The Naval Council convened in Regalia Bay, in the Grand Hall where they had ruled the Seas for generations.

Twelve High Admirals sat around a massive table, their uniforms pristine, their expressions stern.

They had summoned Captain Quincy Lamont to answer for his actions.

Reports had been flooding in for weeks—ships destroyed, towns terrorized, merchants slaughtered. Lamont's behavior had become erratic, violent, uncontrollable.

The Council had tolerated his methods before. His cruelty had been useful.

But now, he had become a liability.

"He should have been here an hour ago," Lord Admiral Greaves said, his voice tight with irritation.

"Perhaps he didn't receive the summons," Lady Admiral Kestrel suggested.

"He received it," Lady Admiral Castellan said coldly. "He's ignoring us."

"Then we strip him of his rank," Greaves said. "Issue a warrant for his arrest. He answers to this Council, whether he likes it or not."

The doors to the hall slammed open.

Lamont stood in the doorway, his uniform disheveled, his eyes hollow and glowing faintly.

The Sea Witch's Power radiated from him like heat from a forge.

"Gentlemen," Lamont said, his voice cold and empty. "You summoned me."

Lord Admiral Greaves stood. "Captain Lamont. You are late."

"I'm here now," Lamont said, stepping into the hall. "What do you want?"

"We want answers," Greaves said. "Your actions have become reckless. Destructive. You've terrorized innocent merchants, destroyed ships without provocation, and ignored direct orders from this Council."

Lamont's smile was sharp and humorless. "Innocent? There's no such thing."

"You've gone too far," Lady Admiral Kestrel said. "We gave you authority, and you've abused it."

Lamont laughed—a cold, hollow sound. "You gave me authority? You think you control me?"

Lady Admiral Castellan's eyes narrowed. "You answer to this Council, Captain. You always have."

"Not anymore," Lamont said.

The room went silent.

"What did you say?" Greaves demanded.

Lamont's eyes glowed brighter, dark energy swirling around him. "I said, not anymore."

Lord Admiral Greaves slammed his hand on the table. "You are relieved of your command, effective immediately. Guards—arrest him."

The Guards moved forward, their hands on their weapons.

Lamont raised his hand.

And the World exploded.

Dark Energy erupted from Lamont's body, slamming into the Guards and sending them flying across the hall.

The Admirals scrambled to their feet, shouting orders, reaching for weapons.

But it was too late.

Lamont's Power surged, wrapping around the room like chains.

"You think you can control me?" Lamont snarled. "You think you have any Power here?"

He clenched his fist, and the Dark Energy tightened.

Lord Admiral Greaves gasped, clutching his chest. "What—what are you—"

"I'm done answering to you," Lamont said. "I'm done pretending you matter."

He raised both hands, and the Sea Witch's voice echoed in his mind.

'Show them what true Power looks like.'

Lamont's eyes blazed, and he unleashed everything.

The hall shook.

The walls cracked.

And then the water came.

A massive wave—dark, unnatural, summoned from the depths—crashed through the windows and doors, flooding the hall in seconds.

The Admirals screamed, scrambling for higher ground, but there was nowhere to go.

The water rose, swirling with dark magic, pulling them under.

Lord Admiral Greaves clawed at the surface, gasping for air. "Lamont—please—"

Lamont stood above the water, untouched, his Power holding him aloft.

"You wanted control?" Lamont said coldly. "This is control."

He raised his hand, and the water surged higher, crashing against the ceiling, drowning everything in its path.

The Admiral's screams were cut short, one by one, as the water consumed them.

And then, with a final gesture, Lamont brought the wave crashing down.

The hall collapsed.

The water receded, leaving nothing but wreckage and bodies.

Lamont stood in the center of the destruction, his chest heaving, Dark Energy still crackling around him.

The Sea Witch appeared beside him, her form shifting like smoke and water.

"Well done," she purred. "You've made your point."

Lamont stared at the bodies, his expression empty. "They're gone."

"They were in your way," the Sea Witch said. "Now, no one can stop you."

Lamont's hands trembled. "I killed them all."

"You freed yourself," the Sea Witch corrected. "You took what was yours."

Dark Energy swirled around Lamont's chest.

A marble formed—dark blue, swirled with black, pulsing with the weight of what he'd done.

It fell to the ground and rolled to a stop at Lamont's feet.

Another piece of his Soul, torn away.

Then two more.

The Sea Witch smiled. "You're becoming exactly what you were meant to be."

Lamont stared at the marble, his hollow eyes reflecting its glow. Then it vanished.

"What have I done?" he whispered.

"You've won," the Sea Witch said.

Fin woke with a gasp, his heart pounding.

The crew was asleep around the campfire, the forest quiet and still.

But Fin felt it.

A pull. A weight. A new presence in the chest beside him.

He opened it carefully.

Seven marbles now.

The newest one glowed brighter than the rest—dark blue, swirled with black, heavy with death and power.

Fin stared at it, his chest tight.

Something terrible had happened.

He could feel it.

Charlotte stirred beside him. "Fin? What's wrong?"

Fin looked at her, his expression grim. "Another marble. The others. They called to it. Summoned it here."

Charlotte's eyes widened. "He used Dark Magic again."

"Something big," Fin said quietly. "Something... final."

Charlotte took his hand. "We'll find out what happened. And we'll stop him."

Fin nodded, but the weight in his chest didn't lift.

Lamont was getting stronger.

And they were running out of time.

CHAPTER 12

 

The next night, the Crew made camp in a small clearing beside a stream.

The sound of running water was soothing, and for the first time in days, the tension in the air seemed to ease.

Marcus caught fish from the stream, and Lena cooked them over the fire. The crew ate in comfortable silence, their spirits lifting slightly.

Swing sat near the fire, arranging his collection of shiny things—smooth stones, bits of sea glass, the iridescent beetle shell, a small piece of polished driftwood.

"You're going to run out of pockets," Kenna said, amused.

Swing grinned. "Then I'll get a bag."

"Or you could stop collecting things," Garrett suggested.

"Never," Swing said firmly.

Charlotte laughed softly, leaning against Fin. "I think it's sweet."

"It's ridiculous," Garrett muttered, but he was smiling.

 

As the fire burned low, Davey sat up, his expression thoughtful.

"I had a Dream last night," he said quietly.

The Crew turned to look at him.

Davey's dream stories were rare, but when he told them, everyone listened.

"Tell us," Charlotte said gently.

Davey nodded, his eyes distant, as if he were seeing the dream again.

"I dreamed of a Ship," he said. "A silver Ship, resting at the bottom of the Sea."

Fin's chest tightened.

"It was dark down there," Davey continued. "Cold. Silent. But the Ship wasn't dead. It was... waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Kenna asked softly.

"For its Crew," Davey said. "For the people who loved it. Who needed it."

He looked at Fin. "And then I heard a voice. It was calling from the surface. A voice full of hope and determination."

"What did it say?" Charlotte asked.

Davey smiled faintly. "It said, 'Come home.'"

The Crew was silent.

"And the ship heard it," Davey said. "It felt the Love in that voice. The need. The Promise that it wasn't forgotten."

He paused, his eyes bright. "And the Ship began to rise."

Fin's breath caught.

"It rose through the water," Davey said, "slow at first, then faster. The Enchantment that protected it glowed brighter and brighter, pulling it toward the surface. Toward the voice that called it."

"And then?" Snive asked quietly.

Davey's smile widened. "It broke through the waves. Silver and shining, whole and strong. And its Crew was waiting on the shore, ready to sail again."

The Crew sat in stunned silence.

Then Charlotte's eyes filled with tears. "That's beautiful, Davey."

"It's more than beautiful," Fin said, his voice thick. "It's hope."

Davey nodded. "Dreams don't lie, Captain. The Moonlight Wake isn't gone. It's waiting for us to call it home."

Kenna wiped her eyes. "I believe that."

"So do I," Marcus said.

"We all do," Snive said firmly.

Fin looked around at his Crew—his Family—and felt warmth spread through his chest.

"Then we'll call it home," Fin said. "And it will come back to us."

Swing held up a smooth, silver stone. "I found this today. It reminded me of the Ship. I'm keeping it until we get her back."

Charlotte smiled. "That's perfect, Swing."

The Crew settled in for the night, their hearts lighter, their hope renewed.

But Fin couldn't sleep.

The marbles called to him, insistent and heavy.

He sat up carefully, grabbed the chest, and moved away from the camp, into the trees.

Charlotte stirred. "Fin?"

"I need to see 'em," Fin said quietly. "The new Memories."

Charlotte sat up. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Fin hesitated, then nodded. "Please."

They sat together beneath the trees, the chest between them.

Fin opened it, and the new marbles glowed brighter than the rest—dark blue, swirled with black, pulsing with power and death.

"The marbles called them here," Fin said quietly. "They're connected. Magic is strange."

Charlotte nodded. "Are you ready?"

Fin took a breath. "No. But I have to see it."

He touched the dark blue marble first.

And the vision pulled him in.

Fin opened his eyes and found himself in the grand hall of the Naval Council.

Twelve High Admirals sat around a massive table, their faces stern and disapproving.

And Lamont stood before them, his eyes hollow and glowing.

Fin watched as the Council tried to assert their authority, as they dismissed Lamont, as they ordered his arrest.

And then Lamont raised his hand.

Fin felt the surge of dark magic—overwhelming, unstoppable, terrifying.

The Guards flew across the room.

The Admirals scrambled.

And then the water came.

A massive, unnatural wave, summoned from the depths, crashing through the hall.

Fin watched in horror as the admirals drowned, as the hall collapsed, as Lamont stood untouched above the destruction.

And then he heard Lamont's voice, hollow and broken.

"What have I done?"

The Sea Witch appeared beside him, her smile cold and cruel. "You've won."

The vision ended.

Fin gasped, his chest heaving.

Charlotte's hand was on his shoulder. "What did you see?"

Fin's voice shook. "He killed them. All of them. The entire Naval Council."

Charlotte's eyes widened. "Oh no."

"He summoned a tidal wave," Fin said. "He drowned them all. And the Sea Witch... she told him he'd won."

Charlotte's face was pale. "He's completely under her control."

"He is," Fin said. "And there's no one left to stop him. No authority. No law. Just us."

Charlotte squeezed his hands. "Then we stop him. We find Grandfather, we get the ship back, and we end this."

Fin nodded, but his hands were still trembling.

He looked at the other two marbles, still glowing.

"There are two more," he said quietly.

Charlotte's expression was worried. "Do you need to rest first?"

"No," Fin said. "I need to see them. I need to understand."

He reached for the second marble—the pale white one, swirled with gray.

Fin opened his eyes and found himself in a grand bedroom—dark wood furniture, heavy curtains, a large bed draped in silk.

A woman lay in the bed, pale and still, her breathing shallow.

She was beautiful, even in her illness—dark hair, delicate features, kind eyes.

Lamont's mother.

A younger Lamont sat beside her, maybe ten years old, his hand clutching hers.

"Mother," he whispered. "Please. Don't leave me."

The woman's eyes fluttered open, and she smiled weakly. "Quincy."

"I'm here," Lamont said, his voice breaking. "I'm right here."

"You're so strong," she whispered. "So brave."

Lamont's jaw tightened. "I don't feel strong."

His mother reached up, her hand trembling as she touched his cheek. "You have kindness in you, Quincy. Compassion. Don't let your father take that from you."

"He says those things are weakness," Lamont said, tears streaming down his face.

"Your father is wrong," his mother said firmly, though her voice was fading. "Kindness is strength. Love is strength. Promise me you'll remember that."

Lamont sobbed. "I promise."

His mother smiled. "You have a choice, Quincy. You always have a choice. Choose to be good."

"I will," Lamont whispered. "I promise."

His mother's eyes filled with tears. "I love you. Always."

And then her hand went limp.

Lamont's scream echoed through the room—raw, broken, agonized.

He collapsed over her body, his shoulders shaking with grief.

And then the door opened.

Lamont's father stood in the doorway, his expression cold and unmoved.

"Enough," he said.

Lamont looked up, his face streaked with tears. "She's gone."

"I know," his father said. "And now you will be strong."

"She just died—"

"And crying won't bring her back," his father snapped. "You are my son. You will not disgrace her memory with weakness."

Lamont stared at him, something breaking in his eyes.

"Get up," his father commanded. "We have arrangements to make."

Lamont stood slowly.

The grief was still there.

But beneath it, something else was growing.

Rage.

Fin gasped as the vision released him.

Charlotte's arms were around him immediately. "Fin."

Fin's chest was tight, his eyes wet. "She told him to choose to be good. She made him promise."

Charlotte's expression was filled with sorrow. "Who?" 

"Lamont's mother. And his father wouldn't even let him grieve. He lost the last person who believed in him," Fin said, his voice breaking. "The last person who told him he could be good."

Fin buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking.

Charlotte held him tightly. 

"I lost my parents too," Fin whispered. He took a shaky breath. "I was eight. Maybe nine. A fever swept through our village. It took them both within days."

Charlotte's hand covered her mouth. "Oh, Fin."

"They were good people," Fin said, tears streaming down his face. "They taught me to be brave. To help people. To choose compassion even when the World was cruel."

He looked at Charlotte, his eyes desperate. "And when they died, I was alone. I had nothing. I survived on the streets until I ended up on Rourke's ship."

"But you stayed good," Charlotte said softly. "Even after everything."

"Because I was free to choose," Fin said. "I didn't have someone standing over me, punishing me for being kind. I didn't have a father telling me that love was weakness."

He looked down at the marble in his hand. "Lamont lost his mother. Just like I did. But I got to grieve. I got to remember her love and let it guide me." His voice cracked. "And Lamont's father wouldn't even let him cry."

Charlotte's tears fell freely now. "You both lost everything. But you had freedom. And he had a prison."

Fin nodded, unable to speak.

Charlotte held him as he cried, her own heart breaking for the boy Fin had been, and the boy Lamont had been.

Two boys who'd lost their mothers.

One who'd been allowed to heal.

One who'd been broken beyond repair.

After a long moment, Fin wiped his eyes and looked at the final marble, pulsing with dark red light.

His hands were shaking.

 "Are you sure about this?" Char asked. "You don't have to see it now."

Fin nodded. "I have to," he said. 

Charlotte squeezed his hand. "I'm here."

Fin took the dark red marble in his hand.

Fin opened his eyes and found himself in Lamont's estate again.

But this time, Lamont was older—maybe seventeen, his face harder, but his eyes still held a flicker of something.

Hope. Defiance.

A servant stood before him—a young man, maybe twenty, his face bruised and bloodied.

Lamont's father stood nearby, his expression cold. "He stole from us. The punishment is death."

"He was starving," Lamont said. "He took bread. That's not worth his life."

His father's eyes narrowed. "Are you questioning me?"

"I'm asking for mercy," Lamont said.

"Mercy is weakness," his father said.

"Mother said—"

"Your mother is dead," his father snapped. "And her softness died with her."

Lamont's jaw tightened. "I won't kill him."

His father's expression darkened. "What did you say?"

"I won't do it," Lamont said, his voice steady. "He doesn't deserve to die."

For a moment, his father said nothing.

And then he smiled—cold and cruel.

"Very well," his father said. "You won't kill him. But you will learn what happens when you defy me."

He gestured to the guards. "Take my son to the basement. Lock him in."

Lamont's eyes widened. "Father—"

"You want to show mercy?" his father said. "Then you'll learn what mercy costs."

The guards grabbed Lamont, dragging him toward the door.

"Let me go!" Lamont shouted, struggling. "I didn't do anything wrong!"

"You defied me," his father said coldly. "That is enough."

His father's voice followed him as he was dragged away. "You'll stay there until you understand. However long that takes."

The vision shifted.

Fin found himself in darkness—cold, damp, suffocating.

A basement. No windows. No light.

Lamont sat in the corner, his knees pulled to his chest, shivering.

Time became meaningless in the dark.

Days blurred together.

Once a day—or maybe it was longer, Lamont couldn't tell—a guard would open the door just long enough to shove in a crust of bread and a cup of water.

Barely enough to survive.

Never enough to feel human.

The guard never spoke. Never looked at him. Just left the meager rations and locked the door again.

Lamont tried to stay strong at first.

He told himself his mother's words. You have a choice. Choose to be good.

But as the days stretched into weeks, the cold seeped into his bones, the darkness pressed against his mind, and the isolation crushed his spirit.

He stopped counting the days.

He stopped hoping someone would come for him.

He stopped believing he deserved to be saved.

When the door finally opened—weeks later—Lamont didn't move.

He sat in the corner, hollow-eyed, his body thin and weak, his spirit broken.

His father stood in the doorway, silhouetted by the light.

"Have you learned your lesson?" his father asked.

Lamont's voice was barely a whisper. "Yes, Father."

"Good," his father said. "Now get up. You will be strong."

Lamont stood slowly, his legs trembling, and followed his father out of the darkness.

He didn't fight.

He didn't argue.

He didn't feel anything at all.

The last spark of goodness in his eyes was gone.

Fin gasped, his entire body shaking.

Charlotte held him tightly. "Fin. Breathe."

Fin couldn't speak.

He'd felt it—the cold, the darkness, the crushing isolation.

Weeks of barely surviving. Weeks of being forgotten. Weeks of hope dying piece by piece.

"He tried," Fin whispered, his voice cracking. "He tried to show mercy. And his father locked him in the dark for weeks. Barely kept him alive. Just enough to break him."

Charlotte's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Fin."

"I know what that's like," Fin said, tears streaming down his face. "Being locked up. Being powerless. Being broken."

He looked at Charlotte, his eyes desperate. "But I had you. I had the Crew. You saved me."

"And Lamont had no one," Charlotte whispered.

Fin nodded, sobbing. "He had no one. And he gave up."

Charlotte held him as he cried, her own tears falling.

"What do I do?" Fin whispered wearily. "How do I stop him when I know what made him this way?"

Charlotte pulled back, looking into his eyes. "You stop him. But maybe... maybe you try to save him too."

Fin stared at her. "Can he be saved?"

"I don't know," Charlotte said honestly. "But maybe he deserves the chance no one ever gave him."

Fin closed his eyes, the weight crushing him.

He'd seen the monster.

But he'd also seen the boy.

And he didn't know which one was real anymore.

 

They returned to camp, and Fin lay down beside Charlotte, holding her close.

He was exhausted, but sleep didn't come.

He stared up at the stars, his mind racing.

Lamont had killed twelve people without hesitation.

But he'd also been a boy who'd tried to protect a servant, who'd begged his mother not to leave, who'd tried to show mercy and been punished for it.

How do you stop a monster?

How do you save someone who's already lost?

Fin didn't have the answers.

But for the first time, he wondered if he should try.

 

The crew fell asleep one by one, their breathing slow and steady.

Fin lay beside Charlotte, staring up at the stars, unable to sleep.

And then he felt it.

A presence.

Cold. Ancient. Watching.

Fin sat up slowly, careful not to wake Charlotte.

The air around him shimmered, and a figure appeared at the edge of the clearing.

The Sea Witch.

She stood in the shadows, her form shifting like smoke and water, her eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.

Fin's heart pounded.

He stood slowly, his hand moving toward his knife.

He ran towards the shadowy figure, knife drawn, prepared to strike. But it was like trying to stab smoke. She disappeared.

"I wouldn't do that," the Sea Witch said, her voice soft and amused. "I'm not here to fight."

Fin spin around, she was behind him now.

"Then why are you here?" Fin asked, his voice low.

The Sea Witch smiled. "I'm here to help you."

Fin's jaw tightened. "I don't want your help."

"Are you sure?" the Sea Witch asked, tilting her head. "You've lost your ship. Your crew is exhausted. And you're still days away from any real solution."

She stepped closer, her eyes gleaming. "But I can give you what you need. Right now."

Fin's hand tightened on his knife. "What do you want?"

The Sea Witch's smile widened. "I want to give you a gift."

She raised her hand, and a conch shell appeared, glowing faintly with magic.

"This shell will call your ship home," the Sea Witch said. "One breath, and the Moonlight Wake will rise from the depths and come to you. No rituals. No waiting. Just your ship, whole and ready to sail."

Fin stared at the shell, his chest tight. "Why would you do that?"

"Because I'm not your enemy, Captain," the Sea Witch said. "I'm simply... interested in balance. In choices. In what people are willing to trade for what they want."

Fin's eyes narrowed. "What's the catch?"

The Sea Witch's smile was cold. "A small price for such a great gift."

"That's not an answer," Fin said.

"It's the only answer you'll get," the Sea Witch said. "But I'll sweeten the deal."

She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I promise you, Finian, that I will not harm a single hair on Charlotte's head. She will be safe. Untouched. Protected."

Fin's breath caught.

Charlotte. Safe.

The Sea Witch held out the conch shell. "Your Ship. Her Safety. All you have to do is take it."

Fin stared at the shell, his mind racing.

He thought of the Moonlight Wake, resting on the ocean floor. He thought of his crew, exhausted and vulnerable. He thought of Charlotte, sleeping peacefully by the fire.

Fin hesitated.

And then he reached out and took the shell.

The moment his fingers closed around it, the Sea Witch's smile widened.

"Excellent choice, Captain."

And then she moved.

Her hand shot forward, plunging into Fin's chest.

Fin gasped, his body seizing.

He wanted to scream—it hurt worse than the cursed blade, worse than anything he'd ever felt—but the sound stuck in his throat.

He looked down and saw her hand inside him—not blood, not flesh, but something deeper.

Magic. Light. Life.

The Sea Witch's fingers closed around something, and she pulled.

Fin's silent scream tore through his mind as his heart—glowing, pulsing, alive—came free.

It hovered in the Sea Witch's palm, glowing and radiant, and then it began to change.

The warmth faded. The light dimmed. The heart turned blue and cold and crystalline, freezing solid in her hand.

"Beautiful," the Sea Witch whispered.

Fin collapsed to his knees, gasping, his hand clutching his chest.

It was still there—his heart was still beating—but something was gone.

Something vital. Something that made him him.

The Sea Witch held up the crystallized heart, admiring it. "You made a deal, Silver Tide. And now you're mine."

Fin's eyes widened in horror. "What did you do?"

The Sea Witch's smile was cruel. "I took what I needed. And now, you'll do what I say."

She leaned closer, her voice a whisper. "Kill Charlotte."

The words slammed into Fin like a physical blow.

His body moved on its own, his hand reaching for his knife.

"No," Fin gasped, fighting it. "No!"

He forced himself to stop, his entire body shaking with the effort.

The Sea Witch laughed. "Oh, you're strong. I like that. But you can't fight me forever, Captain. You're bound to me now."

Fin lunged at her, his knife flashing.

But the moment he moved, pain exploded in his chest—white-hot, agonizing, unbearable.

He collapsed, gasping, his vision blurring.

The Sea Witch crouched beside him, her expression amused. "You can't hurt me while I have your Heart. You can't disobey me. You're mine, Captain. Completely."

"You said..." Fin gasped. "You said you wouldn't hurt her."

She laughed and it was a terrible sound.

" I will not be harming her. Not a single hair. You'll do it for me."

She stood, the crystallized heart glowing faintly in her hand.

"Enjoy your ship," she said. "And when the time comes, you'll do exactly what I tell you."

She vanished, her cold laughter trailing behind her.

Fin lay on the ground, gasping, his chest burning, his head pounding.

The conch shell lay beside him, glowing faintly.

He stared at it, horror and despair crashing over him.

What had he done?

He looked over at Charlotte, still sleeping peacefully by the fire.

And he felt it—the command, pulsing in his mind like a heartbeat.

'Kill her.'

"No," Fin whispered, tears streaming down his face. "No. I won't."

But the command didn't fade.

It grew stronger.

And Fin knew, with terrible certainty, as he felt his heart breaking, that he was running out of time.

 

CHAPTER 14

 

Fin didn't sleep.

He couldn't.

He lay by the fire, his body rigid, his mind screaming.

The command pulsed through him like a second heartbeat.

'Kill her. Kill her. Kill her.'

Charlotte slept beside him, her breathing soft and steady, her hand resting near his.

Fin stared at her, tears streaming silently down his face.

He wanted to reach out. To hold her. To tell her what he'd done.

But he didn't dare touch her.

Because every time he looked at her, his hand twitched toward his knife.

Dawn came slowly.

The Crew began to stir, stretching and yawning, preparing for another day on the road.

Fin sat up carefully, his movements stiff, his chest aching.

Charlotte woke beside him, smiling sleepily. "Good morning."

Fin forced a smile. "Morning."

She reached for his hand, and Fin flinched.

Charlotte's smile faded. "Fin? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Fin said quickly, standing up. "Just... didn't sleep well."

Charlotte studied him, concern in her eyes. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," Fin said, turning away. "We should get moving. Driftmoor isn't far now."

Charlotte hesitated, then nodded. "Okay."

But Fin could feel her watching him.

 

The crew packed up camp and set off down the road.

Fin walked at the front, his jaw clenched, his hands shaking.

The command was getting stronger.

Every step closer to Charlotte felt like walking through fire.

He could feel the Sea Witch's magic wrapping around him, tightening like chains.

'Kill her.'

"No," Fin whispered under his breath. "I won't."

But his hand kept drifting toward his knife.

Charlotte walked up beside him, her staff in hand. "Fin, talk to me. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Fin said, his voice tight.

"You're lying," Charlotte said gently. "I know you. Something happened."

Fin's chest burned. "Char, please. Just... give me space."

Charlotte stopped walking, hurt flashing across her face. "Space?"

Fin kept walking, his heart breaking. "I just need to think."

Charlotte didn't follow.

Snive fell into step beside Fin, his expression concerned. "What's going on, Captain?"

"Nothing," Fin said.

"You're a terrible liar," Snive said. "You've been acting strange since last night. And you just pushed Charlotte away. That's not like you."

Fin's jaw tightened. "I said I'm fine."

Snive grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Fin. Talk to me."

Fin yanked his arm free, his eyes flashing. "Back off, Snive."

Snive's eyes widened. "What—"

"I said back off!" Fin snapped.

The Crew stopped, staring.

Fin's chest heaved, his hands trembling.

Snive held up his hands slowly. "Okay. Okay. I'm backing off."

Fin turned and kept walking, his vision blurring.

Behind him, he heard Kenna whisper, "What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know," Snive said quietly. "But something's very wrong."

They walked in tense silence for hours.

 

Fin stayed at the front, alone, fighting the command with every breath.

His chest burned. His head pounded. His hands shook.

And the voice in his mind grew louder.

'Kill her. Kill her. Kill her.'

Fin clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. "No. I won't. I won't."

But he could feel himself slipping.

By midday, they stopped to rest beside a stream.

The Crew sat together, eating and talking quietly.

Fin sat apart, his back against a tree, his eyes closed.

Charlotte approached slowly, sitting down a few feet away.

"Fin," she said softly. "Please. Tell me what's wrong."

Fin didn't open his eyes. "I can't."

"Why not?" Charlotte asked.

"Because if I do, you'll try to help," Fin said, his voice breaking. "And I can't let you near me right now."

Charlotte's breath caught. "What does that mean?"

Fin opened his eyes, and the pain in them made Charlotte's heart ache.

"It means you need to stay away from me," Fin said. "Please, Charlotte. Just... stay away."

Charlotte's eyes filled with tears. "Fin, you're scaring me."

"Good," Fin said. "You should be scared."

He stood and walked away, leaving Charlotte sitting by the stream, tears streaming down her face.

 

Snive found Fin a few minutes later, standing at the edge of the clearing, staring into the trees.

"Captain," Snive said quietly. "Whatever's happening, we can help. You don't have to do this alone."

Fin's voice was hollow. "You can't help me."

"Try us," Snive said.

Fin turned, and Snive took a step back.

Fin's eyes were haunted, desperate, filled with something dark.

"I made a deal," Fin whispered. "With the Sea Witch."

Snive's face went pale. "What?"

"She offered me the ship," Fin said. "She promised Char would be safe. And I took it."

"Fin—"

"She took my Heart," Fin said, his voice breaking. "She took it, and now I'm bound to her. And she told me to kill Charlotte."

Snive's eyes widened in horror. "No."

"I'm fighting it," Fin said, tears streaming down his face. "But I don't know how much longer I can hold on."

Snive grabbed his shoulders. "We'll get to Corwin. He'll know what to do. He'll break the curse."

"What if he can't?" Fin whispered.

"He will," Snive said firmly. "But until then, you stay away from Charlotte. You hear me? You don't go near her."

Fin nodded, his entire body shaking. "I'm trying."

"Keep trying," Snive said. "Because if you hurt her, you'll never forgive yourself."

Fin closed his eyes. "I know."

 

They made camp that night in a dense forest clearing.

The crew was quiet, sensing the tension, the wrongness in the air.

Fin sat apart from everyone, his back against a tree, as far from Charlotte as he could get.

Snive sat nearby, watching him carefully.

"How much longer?" Fin whispered.

"Five days," Snive said quietly. "Maybe less if we push hard."

Fin's laugh was hollow, broken. "I won't make it five days."

"You will," Snive said firmly. "You have to."

Fin looked at Charlotte across the fire, talking quietly with Lena. His stomach was a hard knot. His heart hurt but it wasn't from the Sea Witch's curse.

She kept glancing at him, worry and hurt in her eyes.

"She doesn't understand," Fin whispered. "She thinks I'm pushing her away because I'm angry or scared."

"Let her think that," Snive said. "It's safer than the truth."

Fin closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face. "I can't do this for five more days."

"You can," Snive said. "And you will. Because the alternative is unthinkable."

Fin nodded, but he didn't believe it.

The command pulsed through him, relentless and growing stronger.

'Kill her. Kill her. Kill her.'

Five more days.

He didn't know if he'd survive them.

 

CHAPTER 15

 

The third day was worse.

Fin barely spoke.

He walked at the back of the group now, as far from Charlotte as possible, his hands clenched into fists, his jaw tight.

The command was constant now, a drumbeat in his mind that never stopped.

'Kill her. Kill her. Kill her.'

And beneath it, the Sea Witch's voice, soft and mocking.

'You can't fight forever, Captain. You're mine.'

They stopped for a rest near midday, beside a steep ravine.

The Crew sat together, eating and talking quietly.

Fin stood at the edge of the ravine, staring down at the rocks far below.

His hand was on his knife.

It had been there all morning, his fingers wrapped around the hilt, his body fighting the urge to draw it.

Char was behind him, laughing at something Kenna said.

Fin's vision blurred.

His hand tightened on the knife.

'Do it,' the Sea Witch whispered. 'End this. It would be so easy.'

"No," Fin whispered.

He yanked the knife from his belt and hurled it over the edge of the ravine.

It tumbled through the air and disappeared into the rocks below.

Fin gasped, his chest heaving.

Maybe that would help.

Maybe without the knife, he couldn't—

The Sea Witch's laughter echoed in his mind.

'Oh, Captain. You think a knife is the only way?'

Fin's blood ran cold.

'Your hands will do just fine, she whispered. Wrap them around her throat. Squeeze. Watch the light fade from her eyes.'

Fin collapsed to his knees, his hands clutching his head. "No. No. No."

Snive was there immediately, pulling him back from the edge. "Fin. What happened?"

Fin's voice was broken. "I threw the knife away. I thought—I thought it would help."

Snive's face was grim. "And?"

"She's still there," Fin whispered. "She's telling me—" His voice broke. "She's telling me other ways."

Snive's expression darkened. "We need to move faster. We need to get you to Corwin."

"I won't make it," Fin said.

"You will," Snive said firmly. "Come on. Get up."

Fin stood slowly, his entire body shaking.

Across the clearing, Charlotte was watching him, her face pale, her eyes filled with tears.

She started toward him.

"No," Fin said, his voice sharp. "Stay back."

Charlotte stopped, hurt flashing across her face. "Fin—"

"I said stay back!" Fin shouted.

The Crew went silent.

Charlotte's eyes filled with tears. "What did I do? Why won't you talk to me?"

Fin's chest ached. "You didn't do anything. Just... please. Stay away from me."

Charlotte's voice broke. "I don't understand."

"You don't need to understand," Fin said, his voice hollow. "You just need to stay away."

He turned and walked into the trees, leaving Charlotte standing there, tears streaming down her face.

That night, Fin didn't sleep.

He sat at the edge of camp, his back against a tree, his hands clenched in his lap.

The Sea Witch's voice was constant now, a whisper in his mind that never stopped.

'You're running out of time, Finian. Soon, you won't be able to fight me. Soon, you'll do exactly what I say.

And when you do, I'll make sure you remember every moment. Every scream. Every breath.'

Fin's hands trembled.

He looked across the fire at Charlotte, curled up in her bedroll, her face streaked with tears even in sleep.

And he felt the command surge through him, stronger than ever.

'Kill her.'

Fin's hands moved on their own, reaching toward her.

He forced them back, his entire body shaking with the effort.

"No," he gasped. "I won't. I won't."

But the Sea Witch's laughter echoed in his mind.

You will, Captain. It's only a matter of time.

CHAPTER 16

 

The fourth day was agony.

Fin could barely think anymore.

The Sea Witch's voice was everywhere, constant, relentless.

'Soon, Captain. Very soon.'

The Crew walked in tense silence, everyone sensing that something was about to break.

Snive stayed close to Fin, but he couldn't be everywhere at once.

And Charlotte had had enough.

They stopped for a rest near midday, beside a small creek.

The Crew scattered—Marcus and Garrett gathering water, Kenna and Lena checking supplies, Davey and Swing exploring upstream.

Snive was talking to Marcus about the route ahead.

And Charlotte walked straight up to Fin.

"Enough," she said.

Fin looked up, his eyes hollow. "Char—"

"No," Charlotte said firmly. "I'm done waiting. I'm done watching you suffer alone."

She grabbed his hand.

Fin flinched, trying to pull away, but Charlotte held on tight.

"You're going to talk to me," Charlotte said. "Right now."

She pulled him toward the trees, away from the camp.

"Charlotte, don't—" Fin gasped, panic rising in his chest.

"I don't care," Charlotte said. "You're going to tell me what's happening."

She dragged him into the Forest, away from the Crew, until they were alone.

And then she stopped, turning to face him.

"Talk," Charlotte said.

Fin's entire body was shaking. "You need to go back to camp."

"No," Charlotte said. "Not until you tell me what's wrong."

"Char, please—"

"Fin!" Charlotte's voice broke. "You're pushing me away. You won't look at me. You won't talk to me. You threw your knife off a cliff. What is happening?"

Fin's chest heaved, tears streaming down his face.

The command pulsed through him, stronger than ever.

'Kill her. She's right here. Alone. No one will stop you.'

Fin's hands trembled.

"I can't," he whispered.

"Yes, you can," Charlotte said, stepping closer. "Whatever it is, we'll face it Together."

"No," Fin said, backing away. "You don't understand. You need to stay away from me."

"Why?" Charlotte demanded.

Fin's voice broke. "Because I'm going to kill you."

Charlotte froze.

The Forest went silent.

"What?" Charlotte whispered.

Fin collapsed to his knees, sobbing. "I made a deal with the Sea Witch. She offered me the Ship. She promised you'd be safe. And I took it."

Charlotte's hand covered her mouth.

"She took my heart," Fin said, his voice shaking. "She took it, and now I'm bound to her. And she told me to kill you."

Charlotte's eyes filled with tears. "Fin—"

"I've been fighting it," Fin said desperately. "Every moment. Every breath. But it's getting stronger. And I don't know how much longer I can hold on."

He looked up at her, his eyes wild with desperation. "That's why I threw the knife away. That's why I've been staying away from you. Because if I get too close, I won't be able to stop myself."

Charlotte knelt in front of him, her hands reaching for his face.

"Don't touch me," Fin whispered, pulling back. "Please. Don't."

"Fin," Charlotte said, tears streaming down her face. "Look at me."

Fin shook his head. "I can't. If I look at you, I'll—"

"Look at me," Charlotte said firmly.

Fin's eyes met hers, and the pain in them broke her heart.

"You're not going to hurt me," Charlotte said.

"You don't know that," Fin whispered.

"Yes, I do," Charlotte said. "Because I know you. I know your heart. And no curse, no magic, no Sea Witch can change who you are."

"She has my heart," Fin said, his voice breaking. "She took it. I watched it turn blue and freeze in her hand. I'm not me anymore."

"Yes, you are," Charlotte said. "You're still you. You're still the man who saved me. Who built a Crew. Who chose to be good even when the World was cruel."

She took his hands, and Fin tried to pull away, but she held on tight.

"You're still fighting," Charlotte said. "That's how I know you're still you."

Fin sobbed. "I can't keep fighting. I'm losing."

"Then let me help you," Charlotte said.

"You can't," Fin whispered. "No one can. Not until we get to Corwin. And that's still two days away."

Charlotte's expression was determined. "Then we'll make it two days. Together."

"Char—"

"I'm not leaving you," Charlotte said firmly. "I'm not running. I'm not afraid of you."

"You should be," Fin said.

"I'm not," Charlotte said. "Because I love you. And love is stronger than any curse."

Fin's breath caught.

Charlotte leaned forward, her forehead resting against his. "We'll break this. I Promise."

Fin closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face.

The Sea Witch's voice hissed in his mind.

'Foolish girl. Love won't save you.'

But for the first time in days, Fin felt something other than the command.

He felt hope.

 

They returned to camp together, hand in hand.

Snive looked up, his expression wary. "Everything okay?"

"I told her," Fin said quietly.

Snive's eyes widened. "Fin—"

"She deserved to know," Fin said.

Charlotte squeezed his hand. "And now we face it Together."

Snive studied them both, then nodded slowly. "Alright. But we move fast. Two more days. We can make it."

Fin nodded, but the weight in his chest didn't lift.

Two more days.

He just had to hold on for two more days.

CHAPTER 17

 

The fifth day, Fin woke up wrong.

He knew it immediately.

The command wasn't just a voice anymore.

It was him.

He sat up slowly, his body moving on its own, his mind screaming.

Across the camp, Charlotte was helping pack supplies.

Fin stood.

His feet carried him towards her.

'No!' his mind screamed. 'No, stop! Please.'

But his body didn't listen.

Snive saw him first.

"Fin?" Snive called. "You okay?"

Fin didn't answer.

He kept walking, his eyes fixed on Charlotte, his hands trembling.

Snive's expression changed. "Fin. Stop."

Fin couldn't stop.

His body moved forward, step by step, his mind trapped inside, screaming.

Snive moved to intercept him, but Fin shoved him aside.

Snive hit the ground hard. "Charlotte!"

Charlotte turned, and her breath caught.

Fin was walking toward her, his face twisted in anguish, his eyes glowing faintly blue, tears streaming down his face.

"Fin?" Charlotte whispered.

He grabbed a sword that had been leaning against something. He drew it out of the shieth and tossed the sheath to the ground.

The crew scrambled to their feet.

Kenna drew her knives. "Captain, stop!"

Marcus stepped forward. "Fin, don't do this!"

He heard them, but he couldn't make himself put the sword down.

He pointed the sword at Char.

His hands were shaking and the blade trembled in his grip.

'No!' Fin's mind roared. 'No! I won't! I won't!'

But he kept moving. One step and then another. Drawing closer.

Charlotte didn't run.

She stood there, watching him, tears streaming down her face.

"Fin," she said softly. "I know you're in there."

He was just a few steps away now. Almost close enough for what his body demanded him to do.

His entire body was shaking, fighting, resisting with everything he had.

"I know you're fighting," Charlotte said. "I can see it."

Fin stopped. The sword still in his hand. Still trembling, still pointed at her.

His face was a mask of agony, tears pouring down his cheeks.

The crew watched in horror, frozen, not knowing what to do.

"I love you," Charlotte said, her voice steady. "And I know you love me."

Deep inside, buried beneath the Sea Witch's command, something stirred.

"You're stronger than this," Charlotte said. "You're stronger than her."

Fin's hands shook violently, the sword lowered but only slightly.

And then Charlotte did something that made them all gasp.

She stepped forward.

She closed the distance between them, sidestepping the point of the sword.

And she wrapped her arms around Fin, pulling him close.

"I trust you," she whispered against his chest. "I love you. And I'm not afraid."

Fin's body went rigid.

Fin's eyes flickered—blue, then brown, then blue again.

"Come back to me," Charlotte whispered. "Please. Come back."

The Sea Witch screamed at him to finish it, to end her.

But Charlotte held him tighter.

And then Fin felt it.

Her heartbeat against his chest.

Steady. Strong. Alive.

The warmth of her body.

The Love in her touch.

And something inside him shattered.

Something within him roared to life.

'No!' Fin thought, and this time, it wasn't just a thought.

It was his voice. His will. His heart.

'She's MINE. My love. My heart. My life. You can't have her. I will protect her with my last breath and after.'

The Sea Witch's voice hissed in his mind. ' No! You're mine! You can't fight me!'

'Watch me,' Fin thought.

And then he felt it—a warmth spreading through his chest, burning away the cold.

Love.

Not just Charlotte's Love for Him.

His Love for Her.

His Love for his Crew.

His Love for the Life they'd built together.

It was stronger than the curse.

Stronger than the Sea Witch.

Stronger than anything.

The warmth exploded outward, and Fin screamed.

 

Far away, in her dark domain, the Sea Witch felt it.

She looked down at the crystallized heart in her hand.

It was glowing.

Cracks appeared across its surface.

"No," the Sea Witch hissed. "No! You're mine!"

But the cracks spread, faster and faster.

And then the heart shattered.

The pieces dissolved into light and vanished.

The Sea Witch screamed in rage.

Fin gasped. He dropped the sword, and wrapped his arms around Charlotte, pulling her close.

The blue glow faded from his eyes.

The command was gone.

The Sea Witch's voice was gone.

He collapsed to his knees, taking Charlotte with him, holding her like she was the only thing keeping him alive.

"I love you- I love you too! So much," he sobbed. "Char, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Charlotte held him tightly, tears streaming down her face. "You came back. You came back to me."

"I couldn't hurt you," Fin gasped. "I couldn't. Even when she had my heart, I couldn't."

"I know," Charlotte said, pulling back to look at him. "I knew you wouldn't. I knew you were stronger than her."

Fin's hands cupped her face. "I almost—"

"But you didn't," Charlotte said firmly. "You fought. And you won. You broke the curse."

"We broke it," Fin said, his voice thick with emotion. "Your love. Your trust. It brought me back."

Fin's chest ached—not with the curse, but with overwhelming love and relief.

"The days without you," he whispered. "Pushing you away. It hurt worse than anything she did to me."

"I know," Charlotte said, her forehead resting against his. "But we're together now. And you're free."

Fin felt it—his heart, whole and warm and his again.

The crew gathered around them, relief and awe on their faces.

"Is it over?" Kenna asked quietly.

Fin nodded, his hand over his chest. "It's over. My heart is mine again."

Snive let out a shaky breath. "Thank the Gods."

Charlotte leaned her forehead against his. "I love you, Fin."

"And I love you. Always."

Fin held her close, his heart whole and warm and beating with Love.

The Sea Witch had tried to break him.

But Love had saved him.

And now, he understood something he hadn't before.

Lamont had never had this.

He'd never had someone to fight for. Someone to Love him back. Someone to break the curse.

And maybe, just maybe, that's what Lamont needed too.

CHAPTER 18

 

The crew stayed in the clearing for the rest of the day.

After everything that had happened—the curse, the fight, the breaking—no one had the energy to keep moving.

Fin sat with Charlotte by the stream, their hands intertwined, neither of them willing to let go.

"I hated it," Fin said quietly. "Every moment. Pushing you away. Not being able to touch you. It was worse than the curse itself."

"I know," Charlotte said. "I could see it in your eyes. The pain. The fear."

"I was so afraid I'd hurt you," Fin said. "That I'd lose control and—"

"But you didn't," Charlotte said, stopping to look at him. "You fought. And you won. That's what matters."

Fin cupped her face. "I won because of you. Because you didn't run. Because you trusted me even when I couldn't trust myself."

Charlotte smiled. "That's what love is, Fin. Trusting each other. Fighting for each other. Even when it's hard."

Fin kissed her softly. "I'll never take that for granted. I promise."

"I thought I'd lost you," Charlotte said quietly.

"You almost did," Fin said, his voice thick. "But it was you who brought me back."

Fin pulled her close, burying his face in her hair. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," Charlotte whispered

They sat in silence for a long moment, just holding each other, grateful to be alive, to be together, to be free.

That evening, the Crew gathered around the fire.

The mood was lighter than it had been in days—relief and hope replacing the tension and fear.

Snive sat beside Fin, his expression thoughtful. "So. The Sea Witch's curse is broken. Your Heart is yours again. What now?"

Fin looked at Charlotte, then at the Crew. "We keep going. We go to Driftmoor. We see Corwin."

"Why?" Kenna asked. "The curse is broken. We have a way to raise the Ship now. You don't need him anymore."

"Maybe not," Fin said. "But Charlotte deserves to see her Grandfather. And... I want to talk to him. About everything."

Charlotte squeezed his hand. "About Lamont?"

Fin nodded. "About Lamont. About the marbles. About what I saw in those memories."

"Hopefully this time he'll give us more than vague answers," Marcus said.

"Corwin knows something," Fin said, "I'm sure of it. He's the wisest person I know."

Snive nodded slowly. "Alright. Two more days to Driftmoor. We can make it."

"And then?" Garrett asked.

Fin's expression was determined. "And then we finally end this. For good."

 

The next two days were different.

The crew walked with lighter steps, their spirits lifted.

Fin and Charlotte walked side by side, their hands clasped, simply enjoying being together again.

They talked about small things—the weather, the landscape, Swing's growing collection of shiny objects.

Neither of them wanted to revisit what had happened with the Sea Witch. That darkness was behind them now.

 

On the second day, they passed through a small village.

The crew stopped to buy supplies—bread, cheese, dried meat, fresh water.

Swing found a vendor selling trinkets and immediately gravitated toward a display of polished stones.

"Swing, you don't need more shiny things," Kenna said, exasperated.

"But look at this one!" Swing said, holding up a smooth, opalescent stone that shimmered in the light. "It's like the Moonlight Wake- So shiny!"

Fin smiled. "Get it. We'll need all the luck we can get."

Swing beamed and paid for the stone, tucking it carefully into his pocket with the rest of his collection.

That evening, they camped on the outskirts of Driftmoor.

 

The Town was visible in the distance, its lights twinkling in the twilight.

"We'll reach Grandpa's house tomorrow," Charlotte said, sitting beside Fin.

Fin nodded, staring at the town. "Are you excited to see him?"

"I am," Charlotte said, smiling. "It's been awhile. And I have so much to tell him."

The next morning, they set off on the final trek of their journey.

It was a short walk from the edge of Town— the cottage had been repaired a bit since they'd last visited.

Charlotte's pace quickened as they approached. 

The crew stopped at the gate, and Charlotte ran ahead, knocking on the door.

A moment later, it opened.

Corwin stood in the doorway—tall and lean, with silver hair and kind, sharp eyes.

"Charlotte!" he said, his face lighting up. "My dear girl!"

Charlotte threw her arms around him. "Grandfather!"

Corwin held her tightly, then pulled back to look at her. "You've grown even more since I last saw you. And you look well. Strong."

"I am," Charlotte said, smiling through tears.

Corwin's eyes moved past her to the crew standing at the gate, and his expression warmed. "Finian. It's good to see you again."

Fin stepped forward. "Likewise."

Corwin's sharp eyes studied him, and his expression shifted—concern, curiosity. "You look... different. Lighter, somehow. But also troubled."

"A lot has happened," Fin said quietly.

Corwin nodded slowly. "I suspected as much. Come inside. All of you. We have much to discuss."

He stepped aside, gesturing for the Crew to enter. "And I want to hear about everything."

CHAPTER 19

 

Corwin's cottage was transformed.

The last time they'd been here, it had been in ruins—walls crumbling, roof caved in, windows shattered from Sea Witch's attack.

Now, it stood whole again.

The walls had been rebuilt with fresh timber and stone, the roof rethatched with golden straw. New windows let in the afternoon light, and the door—once splintered and broken—was solid oak, carved with protective runes.

Inside, the cottage was warm and welcoming.

The hearth had been rebuilt, a fire crackling cheerfully within it. Shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of dried herbs, old books with cracked leather spines, and curious objects—crystals, carved stones, small vials of shimmering liquid.

A large wooden table dominated the center of the room, its surface worn smooth by years of use, scattered with maps, notes, and half-finished cups of tea.

Bundles of lavender and sage hung from the rafters, filling the air with their scent.

It felt like a place of healing. Of knowledge. Of safety.

The crew filed inside, settling into chairs and benches around the large wooden table.

Corwin moved to the hearth, pouring tea into mismatched cups and passing them around.

"Now then," Corwin said, sitting down across from Fin. "Tell me everything."

Fin took a breath, then began.

He told Corwin about the marbles—how they'd found them, how they called to him, how each one held a memory.

He described what he'd seen: Lamont's mother dying, his father's cruelty, the basement, the boy who'd tried to be good and been broken for it.

He told him about the Naval Council—how Lamont had summoned a tidal wave and drowned them all.

And then, quietly, he told Corwin about the Sea Witch.

About the deal. The curse. The crystallized heart.

About how his Love for Char, and her Love for him, had broken it .

The Crew was silent as Fin spoke, their faces somber.

When Fin finished, Corwin sat back in his chair, his expression thoughtful.

"You've been through much," Corwin said quietly. "More than most could endure."

"I survived," Fin said. "But I don't know what to do now."

"What do you mean?" Corwin asked.

Fin's hands clenched on the table. "Lamont is a monster. He's killed people. He's hurt me. He's hurt my Crew. He sank our Ship."

He paused, his voice breaking. "But I saw who he was before. I saw the boy who tried to be kind. Who loved his mother. Who wanted to be good."

"And now you're conflicted," Corwin said gently.

"Yes," Fin whispered. "Part of me wants him to pay for everything he's done. But another part of me wonders... if he ever had a chance. If anyone had Loved him, Protected him, Believed in him... would he have become this?"

Charlotte took his hand. "You're wondering if he can be saved."

Fin nodded. "I don't know if he deserves it. But I keep thinking... what if someone hadn't saved me when I was alone and broken? What if no one had given me a second chance?"

Snive's voice was quiet. "You're not like him, Fin."

"I could have been," Fin said. "If the World had been crueler. If I hadn't found this Crew. If I hadn't found Love."

He looked at Corwin. "That's why I came to you. You sent me to find those marbles. You must have known what they would show me. So tell me—what am I supposed to do?"

Corwin was silent for a long moment, his sharp eyes studying Fin.

Then he stood and walked to a shelf, pulling down an old, leather-bound book.

He opened it carefully, flipping through pages filled with drawings and notes.

"There is an Artifact," Corwin said slowly. "Ancient and powerful. It's called the Diviner's Reliquary."

The crew leaned forward.

"What does it do?" Charlotte asked.

"It reveals truth," Corwin said. "Not just points to it, like your compass. It shows the truth itself."

Corwin's expression was carefully neutral. "I think it could end this conflict. With Lamont. With the Sea Witch. Once and for all."

"How?" Snive asked.

"That," Corwin said, "I cannot say. The Reliquary works in ways that are... unpredictable. It shows truth, but what people do with that truth is their choice."

Fin's jaw tightened. "You're being vague again."

Corwin's eyes softened. "I can tell you where to find the Reliquary. I can tell you what it does. But I cannot tell you what will happen when you use it."

"Is this to do with the Prophecy?" Fin asked.

The old Enchanter was quiet for a moment. "Perhaps."

"Where can we find the Relaquary?" Fin asked.

Corwin turned a page in the book, revealing a map. "Here. In the Shattered Isles. It's hidden in a place called the Sanctum of Echoes."

He looked at Fin. "But it won't be easy to reach. And using it... that will be even harder."

Fin stared at the map, his mind racing.

"We best set out soon then," Fin said.

Corwin nodded slowly. "Then you'll need your Ship."

Fin's hand moved to his pocket, where the conch shell rested. "I have a way to call it home."

Corwin's eyebrows rose. "The Sea Witch Conch?"

"Yes," Fin said. "It's the only thing I think would work."

"Then use it," Corwin said. "Call your Ship. And when it comes, you'll be ready for what's next."

CHAPTER 20

 

They left Corwin's cottage and walked to the cliffs overlooking the Sea.

The afternoon sun cast golden light across the water, and the wind carried the salt-sweet scent of the Ocean.

The crew stood together at the cliff's edge, watching the waves crash against the rocks below.

Fin pulled the conch shell from his pocket, holding it up to the light.

It glowed faintly, pulsing with magic, warm against his palm.

"Are you sure about this?" Snive asked quietly.

"No," Fin said honestly. "But I'm doing it anyway."

Charlotte squeezed his hand. "It will work. I know it will."

Fin nodded, his chest tight with hope and fear.

He raised the shell to his lips and blew.

The sound that came out was deep and resonant, like the voice of the Ocean itself.

It echoed across the water, carrying over the waves, down into the depths.

A call. A summons. A promise.

'Come home.'

For a moment, nothing happened.

The Crew held their breath, watching the Sea.

And then the water began to glow.

A silver light rose from the depths, faint at first, then growing brighter and brighter.

The Crew gasped.

"Look!" Swing shouted, pointing.

The water churned, bubbles rising to the surface, the glow intensifying.

And then—slowly, majestically—the Moonlight Wake began to rise.

The Ship broke through the surface like a dream made real.

Water streamed off its silver hull, cascading in glittering sheets.

The enchantments that protected it glowed like starlight, pulsing with magic, illuminating the ship from bow to stern.

The sails were intact, shimmering faintly in the sunlight.

The deck was whole, the railings gleaming, the masts standing tall and proud.

It was as if the Ship had never sunk at all.

The Moonlight Wake floated on the waves, silver and shining and beautiful, waiting for its Crew.

For a moment, no one spoke.

They just stared, tears streaming down their faces, unable to believe what they were seeing.

Then Davey's voice broke the silence, thick with emotion. "It came home."

"She came home," Kenna whispered, wiping her eyes.

Swing laughed, a sound of pure joy, bouncing on his toes. "The Ship! The Ship! She's back!"

Marcus clapped Fin on the shoulder, his voice rough. "You did it, Captain."

Garrett grinned, his usual stoicism cracking. "I never doubted you for a second."

"Liar," Kenna said, laughing through her tears.

Snive stood beside Fin, his eyes bright. "She's beautiful."

Fin stared at the ship, his chest so full of emotion he could barely breathe.

The Moonlight Wake.

His Ship. His Home. Part of his Heart.

Charlotte took his hand, her voice soft. "She's waiting for you."

Fin looked at her, then at his crew—his Family—and smiled.

"Then let's go home," he said.

They made their way down the cliffs to the shore, where a small rowboat waited.

The Crew piled in, laughing and talking, their spirits soaring.

Fin rowed them out to the Ship, his heart pounding with every stroke.

As they drew closer, the Moonlight Wake seemed to glow brighter, as if welcoming them back.

They climbed aboard, one by one, their hands running over the railings, the deck, the masts.

Everything was perfect. Whole. Untouched by the Sea.

"It's like she was never gone," Lena said, her voice filled with wonder.

"The Enchantments protected her," Charlotte said. "Even at the bottom of the Ocean."

Fin stood at the helm, his hands on the wheel, and felt the Ship respond to his touch.

She was Alive. She was Home.

And so was he.

That evening, the Crew celebrated.

They lit lanterns across the deck, their warm glow dancing in the twilight.

Lena cooked a feast from the supplies they'd bought in the village—fresh bread, roasted fish, cheese, and fruit.

The Crew ate and laughed and told stories, their voices carrying over the water.

Swing showed off his collection of shiny things, arranging them on the deck in elaborate patterns.

Kenna and Garrett arm-wrestled, their competitive banter making everyone laugh.

Marcus played a tune on a battered harmonica he'd found in his pack, and Davey hummed along, his eyes distant and peaceful.

Snive raised a cup. "To the Moonlight Wake. And to the crew that never gave up on her."

"To the Moonlight Wake!" the Crew echoed, their voices ringing out.

Fin stood at the railing, watching them, his heart full.

Charlotte came up beside him, slipping her hand into his. "You did it."

"We did it," Fin said, pulling her close. "All of us."

Charlotte leaned her head against his shoulder. "What happens now?"

Fin looked out at the horizon, where the last light of the sun was fading into darkness.

"Now," he said quietly, "we find the Reliquary. We face Lamont. And we end this."

Charlotte nodded. "Together."

"Together," Fin agreed.

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the ship rocking gently beneath them, the Crew's laughter filling the air.

For the first time in weeks, Fin felt at Peace.

The Moonlight Wake was Home.

And Silver Tide was ready to sail again.

 

ALMOST THE END...

✨❤️

 

EPILOGUE 

 

The celebration lasted long into the night.

The Crew danced on the deck, their laughter echoing across the water, their spirits lighter than they'd been in weeks.

Fin and Charlotte stood at the bow, watching the stars reflect on the calm Sea.

"I can't believe we're here," Charlotte said softly. "After everything. We made it."

Fin pulled her closer, his arms wrapped around her. "And I couldn't have done it without you. Here we are. Standing here on our Ship. Together."

Charlotte turned to look at him, her eyes shining in the starlight. "You did it, Fin," she said, "You broke the curse because you kept fighting and never gave up."

"We did it," Fin said.

"Yes we did," she said smiling.

"You know," Fin said getting lost in her eyes, "I told her that you were mine. My love, my heart, and my life. I choose you, Char. As long as you'll have me. I'll always choose you. No matter what."

Charlotte kissed him softly. "And I'll always choose you. Always."

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the Moonlight Wake rocking gently beneath them.

Behind them, the crew's laughter rang out—Swing showing off a new shiny stone, Kenna teasing Garrett, Marcus playing another tune on his harmonica.

This was Home.

This was Family.

This was Everything.

Far away, in the dark depths of the sea, two figures watched.

The Sea Witch stood in her domain, her form shifting like smoke and water, her eyes glowing with cold light.

Beside her, Lamont stood rigid, his face expressionless, his hands clenched at his sides.

In the water before them, an image shimmered—the Moonlight Wake, glowing silver in the moonlight, its Crew celebrating on the deck.

Fin and Charlotte stood at the bow, wrapped in each other's arms.

The Sea Witch's lip curled. "True Love. How disgusting."

Lamont's voice was flat. "I told you you should've destroyed his heart while you had the chance."

The Sea Witch's eyes narrowed. "I underestimated him. I won't make that mistake again."

"He broke your curse," Lamont said. "No one has ever done that before."

"Love is a Powerful thing," the Sea Witch said, her voice dripping with disdain. "Foolish. Weak. But powerful."

She turned to Lamont, her expression calculating. "But it won't save him from what's coming."

Lamont's eyes remained fixed on the image of Fin. "He's going after the Reliquary."

"Yes," the Sea Witch said, a slow smile spreading across her face. "And we'll let him."

Lamont looked at her. "What do you mean?"

"The Reliquary is hidden," the Sea Witch said. "Protected. Difficult to find. But the Silver Tide is resourceful. Determined. He'll find it."

Her smile widened. "And when he does, we'll take it from him."

Lamont's expression didn't change. "You want him to lead us to it."

"Exactly," the Sea Witch said. "Let him do the work. Let him risk his crew, his ship, his precious love. And when he finally has the Reliquary within his reach..."

She leaned closer, her voice a whisper. "We'll take it. And we'll use it to destroy him."

Lamont was silent for a moment, then nodded. "And if he tries to use it first?"

The Sea Witch's laugh was cold and cruel. "Then we'll make sure he regrets it."

She waved her hand, and the image of the Moonlight Wake vanished.

"Follow them," the Sea Witch said. "Stay in the shadows. Watch. Wait. And when the time comes..."

Her eyes glowed brighter. "Strike."

Lamont turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing in the darkness.

The Sea Witch watched him go, her smile never fading.

"Enjoy your victory, Silver Tide," she whispered. "It won't last long."