Chapter 44
The Black Pearl sailed calmly across the open sea, its dark sails catching the breeze like wings set loose from war. The deck was quiet, except for the creak of wood and the soft splash of waves against the hull. The crew moved slowly, dragging tired feet and nursing wounds, but they kept the ship steady. There was no singing, no shouting—just the hush of relief, the silence of those who had seen death and dared to live.
Below deck, the small captain's cabin had been turned into a makeshift infirmary. Elias lay on the bed, wrapped in bandages from head to toe. His black hair was damp with sweat, and a streak of dried blood still lined his jaw. Yet, his face was peaceful, calm, like a man who had just walked out of hell with his soul intact. His chest rose and fell steadily, if weakly.
In a chair beside the bed, Jake Sparrow sat slouched, his feet kicked up on a barrel. His iconic hat had slid forward, covering most of his face. His fingers twitched now and then, like he was still dancing with a sword in his dreams. A half-empty bottle of rum rested on the table next to him. The old pirate was snoring softly, though he'd deny it if anyone asked.
Across the room, Raina leaned against the wall, her legs stretched out, arms crossed. Her eyes were closed, her breathing slow. She had a cut along her temple and a makeshift sling holding her arm. Yet even in rest, her posture was protective, as if she was standing guard even in her sleep. Her pistol lay at her side.
The cabin smelled like salt, blood, and healing herbs. The air was heavy, but it wasn't just exhaustion. It was the weight of what they'd done—the war they had survived. The Drowned King was gone, truly gone this time, and yet the silence left behind was louder than his roar.
A lantern swung gently from the ceiling, casting golden light over Elias's sleeping face. His brow twitched, as if touched by a dream. He murmured something inaudible, then shifted slightly in the bed. Jake cracked one eye open.
"If you're dreamin' about fish women again, mate, kindly keep it to yourself," he muttered, adjusting his hat.
Elias didn't respond, still half-lost in slumber. Jake sighed and sat up, rubbing his face. "You know," he said to no one in particular, "I always figured I'd go out with a bang. Kraken, maybe. Sea full of sharks. But instead, here I am, babysitting a half-dead hero and a sleepin' gunslinger."
Raina cracked one eye open. "You're not babysitting. You're sleeping. Loudly."
"Ah, you're awake. Excellent. Any chance you've got rum in that sling of yours?"
"Only if you want to disinfect your tongue with it."
Jake smiled, tapping the side of his nose. "Tempting."
Raina sat up slowly, groaning softly. She looked at Elias, her eyes softening. "He really did it, didn't he? Killed that bastard."
Jake nodded. "Aye. With some help from a ghost army, a prophet, and a very fashionable sword."
"You helped too," Raina said. "You both did."
"Oh, don't go getting sentimental now. You'll make me cry." Jake grinned, though his eyes were tired. "Besides, if he wakes up and starts monologuing again, I'll jump overboard."
They all chuckled, the laughter thin but real. Elias stirred slightly, eyes fluttering open. He blinked at the ceiling, then looked around.
"...are we dead?"
Jake leaned over him. "No, but you owe me a new coat. Yours was covered in blood."
Elias groaned. "Not the coat. Damn."
Raina moved closer, kneeling beside the bed. "How do you feel?"
"Like I got punched by a god."
"You kind of did."
He smiled weakly, then looked at Jake. "Did we win?"
Jake stood, placing a hand over his chest dramatically. "Oh, we did more than win, mate. We made history. We broke curses. We got almost killed. And I missed dinner."
Elias chuckled, wincing at the pain. "Sorry about the dinner."
Jake waved it off. "You'll make it up to me with rum. Lots of it."
Elias sat up slowly, with help from Raina. He looked at both of them, then out the small round window where the sea sparkled with light again.
"I don't know what's next," he said quietly.
Jake patted him on the shoulder. "Next? We live. That's what's next."
And outside, the Black Pearl sailed on, the waves calm, the sun high, and the scars of battle fading behind them.
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