Waves crashed gently against the ship as it moved steadily across the open sea. The sky above was calm, painted in soft shades of blue, though dark clouds lingered far on the horizon.
Darius stood on the deck, his coat fluttering slightly in the sea breeze. He rested both hands on his silver cane, his sharp eyes scanning the endless water ahead.
"So, this is where it begins," he murmured.
The ship was busy with movement. Sailors shouted orders, ropes creaked, and the sails stretched wide as the wind carried them forward. Everything seemed normal—too normal.
That was when Darius felt it.
A gaze.
He turned.
At the far end of the deck stood a man dressed in a dark coat, leaning casually against the railing. His face was half-hidden beneath the shadow of his hood, but his gaze was unmistakable—cold, sharp, and fixed directly on Darius.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the world seemed to fall silent.
The man smirked faintly before straightening up and walking past Darius without a word. As he passed, Darius felt a strange chill run down his spine, as if a storm cloud had brushed against his soul.
"Who is that?" Darius asked quietly, turning to Neil.
Neil stiffened. "I was hoping you wouldn't notice him so soon."
"So, you do know him."
Neil hesitated. "His name is Kael. He joined at the last moment. Said he had business on the same route."
Darius watched the man disappear below deck. "He doesn't feel like a simple traveller."
Neil nodded grimly. "He isn't. And if my instincts are right… he didn't come here by coincidence."
A distant rumble echoed across the sea.
Darius looked up at the sky. The clouds were moving closer now.
Somewhere deep within him, the familiar warning stirred once more.
"A storm is coming," he said softly.
And this time, it wasn't only the sky he feared.
The day passed slowly at sea.
The sun climbed high, casting golden light over the waves. Sailors moved about the deck, laughter and chatter filling the air. Meals were served, duties were carried out, and for most aboard, it was an ordinary day.
But Darius could not forget the man in the dark coat.
No matter where he stood, his thoughts returned to those cold eyes and that faint smirk. More than once, Darius scanned the deck, searching for Kael, yet the man was nowhere to be seen.
"Still thinking about him?" Neil asked quietly, joining Darius near the railing.
"Yes," Darius replied honestly. "There was something… wrong."
Neil sighed. "I'll keep an eye on him."
As evening approached, the sea grew restless. The wind picked up, tugging at the sails, though the sky remained clear.
That was when Leonald decided to act.
"Watch this!" Leonald shouted from near the mast, a wide grin on his face.
Before anyone could stop him, he climbed onto the railing, balancing himself as the ship rocked beneath his feet.
"Leonald, get down!" Neil yelled.
"Relax, Uncle," Leonald laughed. "I've got this—"
A sudden wave struck the side of the ship.
Leonald slipped.
A sharp cry rang out as he lost his footing and fell hard onto the deck, skidding dangerously close to the edge. Several sailors rushed forward, grabbing him just in time.
"You idiot!" Neil shouted, gripping his arm tightly. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Leonald groaned, clutching his shoulder. "It was… just a joke."
Darius stepped forward, his expression dark. "The sea is not something to joke with."
Leonald avoided his gaze.
As the crowd slowly dispersed, Darius felt it again—that same unsettling presence.
Across the deck, Kael stood watching.
His expression was unreadable, yet his eyes gleamed with quiet amusement, as if the chaos had entertained him. When Darius met his gaze, Kael inclined his head slightly, almost in mock respect, before turning away.
Darius tightened his grip on his cane.
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky red once more.
And though night fell calmly, Darius knew one thing for certain—
This voyage would not remain peaceful for long.
Night settled over the sea.
Lanterns were lit across the deck, their warm glow reflecting on the dark waters below. The ship creaked softly as it cut through the waves. Most of the crew had retired below deck, leaving only a few guards and sailors on watch.
Darius stood alone near the bow.
The events of the day replayed in his mind—the reckless fall, the laughter that followed, and most of all, the man who had watched it all unfold without a word. No matter how calm the sea appeared, Darius felt uneasy.
"You're still awake, my lord?" Neil asked, approaching quietly.
"I doubt sleep will come easily," Darius replied. "Not tonight."
Neil nodded. "Leonald is resting. He escaped with only a bruise."
"Luck won't always favor him," Darius said calmly.
"I don't know what had gotten into him today. He is reckless, but to do something so dangerous?" Neil sighed in disbelief.
As Neil turned to leave, a sudden shout echoed from the side of the ship.
"What now?" Neil muttered, hurrying toward the sound. Darius followed.
They found Leonald once again at the edge of the deck, arguing loudly with a sailor.
"I told you, I just wanted some air!" Leonald snapped, brushing the man aside.
"The lower deck is off-limits at night," the sailor warned. "Orders from the captain."
Leonald scoffed. "This ship is funded by my family. I'll go wherever I please."
Before anyone could stop him, Leonald pushed past and descended the narrow steps leading toward the cargo hold.
Neil cursed under his breath. "That fool—"
"I'll go," Darius said. "You stay here."
Darius followed Leonald below deck. The air grew colder, heavier, and the lantern light dimmed with every step. The sound of the sea above faded, replaced by an unsettling silence.
"Leonald," Darius called. "This is not the place for games."
There was no reply.
Then, from the shadows, a slow clap echoed.
"Well said."
A figure stepped into the lantern light.
Kael.
His hood was lowered now, revealing sharp features, silver hair and dark blue eyes that gleamed with quiet menace. Leonald stood frozen beside him, pale and trembling.
"My my, I didn't think you'd follow," Kael said, his voice calm. "Well said by someone. Curiosity killed the cat."
"What are you doing here?" Darius asked, placing himself between Kael and Leonald.
Kael smiled faintly. "The same as you."
Darius's eyes narrowed. "I doubt that."
Kael leaned closer, his voice dropping. "You feel it too, don't you? The storms. The pull. This journey was never about treasure."
Leonald swallowed hard. "I—I just wanted to see what was down here…"
Kael glanced at him briefly. "And nearly paid for it."
Footsteps thundered above as sailors rushed below deck. Kael straightened and stepped back into the shadows.
"This isn't over, Lord Darius," he said softly. "The sea remembers its chosen."
And then he was gone.
Neil arrived moments later, breathless. "What in the world happened?"
Darius said nothing. He simply stared into the darkness where Kael had vanished.
Far above them, thunder rumbled faintly across the open sea.
Darius closed his eyes.
The storm had begun.
================================================================================~ To be continued...