Chapter 47
The sea was still, unnaturally so. The Flying Dutchman loomed over the Black Pearl like a nightmare come to life. Its jagged hull glistened with moss, seaweed, and death, the sails flapping despite the still air. The eerie glow of its ghostly lanterns painted the waves in haunted green light.
Elias stood barefoot on the deck rail of the Pearl, his new sword drawn, though it was clear from the stiffness in his shoulders he wasn't eager to use it. He squinted at the towering ship before them and whispered with a wince, "I really liked it better when we were fighting sea monsters."
From the Dutchman's deck, heavy steps echoed. The sound of barnacle-covered boots against soaked wood. Then the figure emerged.
Davy Jones.
Just like in the stories, just like in the nightmares. Tentacled face slithering with every word, a crab-clawed hand twitching by his side. His single cold eye locked on the Pearl's deck before his voice broke through the silence.
"Jack Sparrow," he rasped. "I'm here to collect the debt."
Jake, standing beside Elias, froze mid-sip of rum. "Ah, bugger," he muttered.
Elias turned sharply to him. "What debt?"
Raina joined them, brows furrowed. "Jake?"
Jake took a deep breath and exhaled. "Right. So, bit of a thing, really. Small deal, long time ago. Tiny thing. Minute, even."
"Jake," Elias said, his voice stern.
"I may or may not have—definitely did—strike a deal with Davy Jones to raise the Pearl after it was sunk. It was a beautiful ship, and I wasn't ready to let her go."
Raina blinked. "And the cost?"
Jake scratched the back of his head. "One hundred years of service aboard the Dutchman. Which, mind you, is quite a long time to scrub barnacles and ferry souls."
Elias groaned. "Jake!"
"Well I didn't think he'd come collecting while we were still celebrating not being dead!"
Davy Jones's voice carried again. "Ten years overdue, Jack Sparrow. No more tricks. No more games. It is time."
Elias raised a hand and stepped forward, speaking louder. "Wait!"
Jones shifted his gaze to him.
"There must be another way. Take something else. Anything else. We just saved the damn sea!"
"Your war against the Drowned King does not absolve your captain's debt," Jones growled. "The sea always remembers. The sea always claims its due."
Jake stepped in, trying to lighten the moment. "Come on, Jonesy. Can't we make a new deal? What if I give you... Elias? He's younger. Fewer liver problems."
Elias gave him a look. "Seriously, mate?"
"Kidding! Just checking if he had a sense of humor. Spoiler: he doesn't."
Raina frowned. "There has to be another way. Something we can offer."
Davy Jones's face was unreadable, save for that cruel glint in his eye. "He belongs to the sea. He chose this path. He knew the cost."
Elias took a breath. "Then let me serve instead."
Jake and Raina both turned to him. "No, no, no," Jake said, shaking his head violently. "That's not how this works, lad. This is my debt. I pay it."
"But you're our captain," Elias said. "We need you. You're the one who talks us out of stupid death traps and into treasure vaults. I just cut things."
"Exactly," Jake said. "You're the sword. I'm the charm. Without me, we're just a gang of stab-happy lunatics."
But Elias just smiled softly like he already made his mind
Davy Jones spoke " you instead of jack ... I will give you a few hours to say goodbye child"
With that both Davy Jones and his ghostly ship disappeared under the sea
Leaving Jake looking at Elias with wide eyes
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