Lost to the Seas Fate

A Broken Ship

**chapter 1**

Roxy lounged on the port side rail, her gaze lost in the tranquility of the night. The sea was eerily calm, the sails of the Narrisa hanging limp, while a shadowy moon painted the world in muted tones. Stars glittered overhead, their reflections shimmering on the still water, creating the illusion that the ship sailed through a midnight sky.

Yet, beneath the surface, Roxy felt a pull, a whisper from the depths that called to her Siren spirit. It beckoned her to dive into the cool embrace of the ocean, urging her to reclaim her true home. Nights like this would awaken her Siren nature, demanding that she answer the call. Often, she resisted, but tonight was different—the summons was too strong to ignore.

With a deep breath, she slipped off her boots, leaving her long black nightshirt fluttering like a nightshade around her. Without hesitation, she let herself fall into the deep blue below. As she breached the surface, she made no sound; Sirens were silent in their grace. The water welcomed her as if she were meant to be part of it, embracing her like a long-lost daughter of the sea.

As she descended into the depths, a song long trapped in her throat finally escaped her lips, resonating in a realm where no man could hear—the melody that would spell their doom. Riding the currents, she sped ahead of the Narrisa, her instincts guiding her through the dark waters.

For miles, she swam, until a subtle change in the current pulled her to the right, luring her toward the mysterious unknown. As she ventured deeper, the water beneath her grew shallower, revealing fresh islands emerging from the depths, born of an underwater volcano. Hot rocks broke the surface, a testament to new land being formed.

And then she spotted it: a ship, half-submerged and wedged atop the newly risen rock formations.

Swimming towards the surface, Roxy kept her head low, straining to pick up any signs of life. The sound of cursing and the scuffle of men’s feet on the rocky terrain reached her ears—indicating the ship's crew was still alive.

As she glanced up, she noticed the black flag marking the vessel as pirate. This was a fortunate discovery. Had it been the Odessa or Maltainyan, she would have faced trouble as a pirate captain. But with another pirate crew, the chances of being met with hostility lessened if she offered assistance. While alliances between gangs were rare, there were occasional opportunities for cooperation when the potential for profit was high. In the world of piracy, loyalty often took a backseat to opportunity.

Weighing her options, Roxy swam around to the side of the ship, keeping to the shadows. She watched as the men huddled together, cursing and stumbling over each other, about twenty in total.

As they shifted, she spotted the front starboard side. The ship had taken a hard hit, splintering the hull below the waterline. If they tried to push it back into the sea, it would undoubtedly sink. From her earlier readings with the sextant and her maps, she understood the peril that lay ahead.

To salvage the ship, they would need a replacement board and wood sealant. While they might have the wood, finding a heat source for the sealant in these waters would be a challenge.

“Captain, we’re screwed,” grunted a man with a scar across his cheek.

“Noted,” replied a man wearing a large blue felt captain's hat.

“We searched the galley, and we don’t have enough coal to heat the muck seal,” added a shorter man with a gravelly voice.

The captain sighed. “Muck seal,” Roxy thought. “These men are southerners.” She recognized the term; her father’s family came from the south. The Blazing region, where the Pyris lineage originated, wasn't particularly favorable toward water and ships, but some, especially freighter merchants, embraced the risks for the profit of transporting goods.

“If they hail from there, one of them must be a Pyris,” she pondered as she continued to observe the group.

“Blast and damn! Marcos, is there anything we can use as a substitute? There has to be an alternative,” the captain said, starting to pace.

“Captain, unless one of us sprouts fire wings and magically becomes a Pyris, we’re in deep trouble,” the man said. “The water goddess saw fit to create another blasted lava island, but she didn’t bother to make it hot enough to stay molten when it surfaced.”

“Well, that solves that mystery,” Roxy thought as she glided closer to the shore. "Here's hoping they're not trigger-happy or bloodthirsty." She pulled herself up onto the rocky edge of the island, her legs shifting back to bipedal form. Dripping with seawater, she walked toward the flickering fire.

“Excuse me,” she coughed, and all heads turned in her direction.

“Sea witch!” a man cried out, eyes wide with fear.

“The death god sent a girl to lure us to our doom!” another shouted, clutching his weapon tightly.

“Hold on!” the captain interjected, raising a hand to calm them. “Let’s hear what she has to say.”

Roxy cleared her throat, mustering her confidence. “I’m not here to harm you. I can help with your situation if you let me. You seem to be in a bit of a bind.”

The men exchanged wary glances, and the captain raised an eyebrow, sizing her up. “And what do you know about it, witch?”

“I know your ship is damaged,” Roxy replied, “and that you need heat for your muck seal. I might have a few ideas that could save you, but I need your trust first.”

“Trust?” the scarred man scoffed. “You expect us to trust a sea witch?”

“Better than trusting your luck, don’t you think?” Roxy shot back. “You’ve got a choice: listen to me, or risk sinking with your ship. What will it be?”

Lifting her arm, Roxy cupped her palm and prayed she had dried off enough. To her relief, flames sprouted from her hand, white-hot and crackling with energy. The fire was powerful enough to heat the sealant they needed to move forward.

“Pyris!” the man who’d initially called her a sea witch gasped.

“But how?” another chimed in. “She’s soaked! Pyris don’t ignite when wet!” It was the same man who had delivered the status report earlier.

“Manners, gentlemen!” the captain interjected firmly, tipping his hat in Roxy’s direction. “The lady is offering us a chance at survival. The how and why aren’t important right now. Louis, get the muck seal before you offend her and she leaves us to our doom. Marcus, fetch us something to drink.”

The two men scrambled up the ship's side, racing to retrieve the requested items, while the captain turned back to the remaining crew.

“The rest of you lot, grab your tools and boards. Send the day crew back to their bunks!”

With purpose, the captain approached Roxy, dipping his head slightly in respect. He extended his hand toward her, a silent invitation.

Roxy, feeling the warmth radiating from her palm, snuffed out the flames and placed her hand atop his. “Let’s get to work, then,” she said, a hint of determination in her voice.

“Indeed,” the captain replied, a glimmer of hope lighting up his eyes. “With your fire and our will, maybe we stand a chance after all.”

Bowing slightly, the captain pressed a kiss to the top of her hand. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am the nameless Captain of the Shade of Night gang, captain of the ship Addys Burden, and leader of these miserable sea dogs.” He stood back up straight, his demeanor proud.

"Shade of Night," Roxy mused. She’d heard of this gang but had never encountered them personally. Her father had done some work with them long before she was born, but they usually operated in the south. It was unusual for them to venture this far north, at least in her experience.

“Captain Roxy, of The White Omen gang,” she replied, deliberately leaving out her ship and crew. As she introduced herself, she noticed a flicker of recognition in the captain’s eyes; he seemed to know exactly who she was and what her reputation entailed. She hoped he wasn’t foolish enough to think he could pull a fast one.

Just then, a cast iron tub filled with thick sealant, along with tools and boards, was lowered from the ship. Roxy watched as the men efficiently began the process of repairing the damage. The urgency of their work matched the tension in the air, and she felt a sense of determination rising within her. This was a moment of collaboration, however precarious, and she was ready to make the most of it.

“So,” the captain said, his voice dropping to a quiet murmur, “the Legittus Heir apparent, not someone I had ever expected to meet. I must say, you are more striking than the rumors even attempt to do justice.”

Roxy couldn't help but think, “Oh great, he’s a flirt.”

“There's rumors about me?” she asked, choosing to sidestep his compliment.

“A great many,” he responded, a sly grin creeping onto his face. “Almost as many as there are about your father and brother.”

Roxy chuckled softly. “The men in my family are more myth than men at this point. I’ve heard plenty of tales over the last ten years. Some of them even make me wonder if I’m related to them at all.”

She turned away from Captain Namless, her focus shifting as she extended her hand towards the pot that had been brought closer during their conversation. Lifting one palm flat, she summoned her fire, the familiar warmth igniting between her fingers. With a quick flick, she directed the flames towards the pot, watching as they leaped eagerly, fueled only by her will. The thick sealant began to heat.

Turning back to Namless, she smiled, “Don’t worry, Captain. I’m not here to trade tales of legends. I prefer action.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity piqued. “And what kind of action might that be, Captain Roxy?”

Roxy waved her hand dismissively over the sealant, now bubbling from the heat. “Your ship needs repairs, and I’m here to help get you back on the water. This isn't the time for idle chatter.”

“Fair enough,” he replied, his tone shifting to a more earnest note. “But I have to admit, I’m intrigued by the idea of joining forces. With your fire magic and my crew, we could make quite the impression on these waters.”

“Joining forces?” she echoed, raising an eyebrow. “And what makes you think I’d want to sail along side the Shade of Night?”

“Perhaps you’ve heard we’re quite effective when it comes to piracy,” he said, a playful glint in his eyes. “And I’m in need of skilled hands. Working together could be mutually beneficial, especially with rival gangs and Naval fleets lurking about.”

Roxy considered his proposition, feeling the dance of flames in her hand still simmering away. “You might be right, but I don’t make deals lightly. Gain my trust first, and maybe we can talk about future collaborations.”

A moment of silence passed between them, broken only by the crackle of the fire and the distant chatter of the crew. Finally, Nameless nodded, a glimmer of respect crossing his features. “Fair enough, Captain. I’ll play the long game. Just remember, trust is a two-way street.”

“I'm not giving my trust away freely,” Roxy said, her tone firm. “But actions speak louder than words. Let's see what you’re made of.”

Their eyes locked, and in that moment, the air was thick with unspoken challenges and tentative alliances, forging a bond that neither of them fully understood yet.

The Captain extended his hand opening his closed fist. Roxy's eyes were drawn to the cerulean bead resting in Captain Nameless's palm. It sparkled in the soft light, exuding an alluring aura of ancient magic. Yet, she held back.

“No need for that,” she asserted, her voice steady but tinged with curiosity.

“It absolutely is,” Nameless replied, his tone both firm and inviting. “You risked your life for my ship and crew today. Few would brave the wrath of pirates, and even fewer women would stand up to a gang of angry men.”

A hint of amusement flickered in Roxy's eyes. “I’m not just any woman, Captain. I thrive in danger.”

He raised an eyebrow, a playful grin crossing his face. “If the tales about my charm are true, You can only imagine what stories I've heard about you—the formidable Pyris who wields fire with a mere gesture, yet has a secondary skill more deadly then flame. Those are legends in their own right.”

“Legends?” she laughed lightly. “More like embellished stories meant to keep the curious at bay.”

Nameless rolled the bead between his fingers, his demeanor shifting to earnestness. “Regardless, take this gift. One day, it might prove more valuable than you think. It holds magic tied to the Shade. You may find it an invaluable boon.”

Roxy studied him, weighing the implications of accepting a gift like this. What would it cost her later? Yet she recalled her past—the battles fought, the respect earned through fire and tenacity.

“Fine, Captain. I’ll accept your gift, but only because I sense you're a man who won't take no as an answer,” she finally agreed.

Namless’s eyes brightened as he placed the bead into her hand. A warm energy pulsed from the bead as she took it. “Wise choice, Captain Roxy. I’m eager to see how it serves you.”

She nodded, braiding the bead into her hair.

They exchanged genuine smiles, their connection deepening as they recognized each other's resolve and ingenuity. The distant sounds of metal clanging and crew shouts filled the air, but for that moment, all that existed was the two of them, teetering on the edge of an unexpected comradre.

As the bustle of the ship resumed, Roxy took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of the fire magic within her reestablish itself. “Now, shall we get to those repairs? I’m sure your crew could use some guidance.”

“Absolutely,” Nameless said, his eyes sparkling with renewed determination. “And they might just learn how to control those tempers in the process.”

The men were almost done with the board replacement, which was a relief. Lingering too long could draw her ship back to this area, and even after saving his crew, Roxy knew she had to remain cautious. These men were not her allies. Her father and brother had always taught her that she was more than just a girl; she was a weapon that many would want to possess. Remembering their words, she realized it was time to make her exit.

"The sealant should stay hot enough for the next three hours,” Roxy said, glancing at the bubbling pot of muck. “I’ll leave enough flame to last for another hour based on the repairs. That should be more than ample.”

“Are ye off then?” Namless asked.

"Yes, I have my own to worry about. The tide will be high enough in four hours, so your ship should be easy to dislodge," she replied, glancing at the Captain. "I'd suggest heading straight north to the taller pillar and then turning west-northwest. I didn't see any lava islands that way."

Captain Namless removed his hat and bowed. "Well, Captain, I can't express how much your help means to me. It's not every day one gets to meet a woman with the infamy and bloodline of a fairytale. It's truly more than I ever imagined."

A giggle escaped Roxy's lips. The man was quite handsome and charming, a refreshing change. Most men she encountered were either her father's gang, terrified of her, or mindless idiots who catcalled her like a common streetwalker.

"Thank you, and may the ocean bless your journey."

"And may we meet again so I can buy you a drink," he winked, stepping back to give her space.

Roxy watched him, a smile lingering on her lips, before turning towards where she had surfaced. Slipping into the water, she let her senses out until she felt her ships heart flame and took off into the depth back to her crew and the Narrissa.