You know, I'm curious as to how the red bluster took Captain Crow's eye--

Like, he seems otherwise fine

How did only his eye get damaged? You'd think he'd maybe have scars on his face or something o3o

Imma just call the captain Crow in this story-- I believe his name is Augustus, but I feel like he's more known as Crow by the audience. I hope that isn't too confusing ;-;

...

..

.

Third Person P.O.V

Waves crash powerfully against the side of a ship as it sails through them with ease, the masts above a crimson red and flared outward.

"All hands on deck!" Merino shouts to the crew as she patrols, her expression stern and her red hair tied back neatly in a braid. "All together now!"

The bell rings to signal the crew, the crew getting to work on their usual tasks.

"Heave away!"

Jacob walks with confidence on the deck, wrapping his hand with a cloth. He adjusts the belt around his hips, the pistol strapped to his side swaying a bit with the action as he approaches the pillar leading up to the crow's nest.

"Hold your tongues!"

He grabs the roping, scaling up the pillar and climbing up into the crow's nest with ease.

"Where'd you see it?" Jacob speaks softly with an excited smile, taking his spyglass out from his pocket.

"Dead ahead, Jacob," Lea proudly responds, looking out towards the sea with a grin.

He looks around as well, humming under his breath before side eyeing her. "Are you sure?"

"Aye! A red tail, biggest I ever saw, just under the surface," she confirms firmly, nodding rapidly.

Jacob snaps his spyglass shut. "Then today is the day."

...

(Y/N) walks along the side of the ship as she watches the crew bustle around, her hand resting on the cutlass sword sheathed on her hip. A long dagger was attached on the other side of her hip, a small pistol alongside it.

She pauses to look around the ocean, the sound of something landing behind her bringing her from her thoughts. Glancing over her shoulder, she smiles a bit at the sight of Jacob standing a few paces away, dusting off his hands as he offers a charming grin to her.

"Lea confirmed she saw it," Jacob speaks as he approaches her, stopping beside her with his hand coming up to rest between her shoulder blades.

"Then it'll be settled today," (Y/N) responds readily, nodding as she turns and walks towards the captain with haste, Jacob following.

Captain Crow stood at the bow of the ship, his eye set on the waters ahead. He wore a dark leather trench coat, a proud pirate hat on his head and an eyepatch on his right eye.

"It's the Red Bluster," Crow gruffly says when he notices they've joined him. "I know it in me bones. See there!"

Crow points towards the sky, seagulls crying out as they fly ahead.

"Birds follow it."

(Y/N) grabs onto some roping, leaning off the ship a bit as she looks forward. Jacob glances towards her with some concern, but he forces himself to relax as he focuses on the seagulls flying in the distance.

"We've traveled far to find it," (Y/N) points out as she leans back onto the ship, releasing the roping as she stands with her arms folded over her chest.

"All this way for a proper fight," Jacob agrees as he watches the seagulls.

"And we'll get it, me boy!" Crow responds confidently as he scowls a bit. "It's been 30 years since that thing took me deadlight. Now, I'll have me revenge."

"Aye," Jacob breathes out, looking to Crow for a moment as he grins.

"Well!" a woman speaks behind the three, her footsteps light on the deck as she approaches. "We've passed Rum Pepper Island."

Sarah Sharpe stood behind the three, standing tall with a peg leg and wearing a blue trench coat, a pirate hat with yellow feathers along it on her head.

"It's heading for the Dregmorr Sea," she finishes as she reaches into her coat, taking out a small bottle of alcohol.

Jacob crosses his arms over his chest as he leans back against the side of the ship, giving her a pointed look as he smiles musingly. (Y/N) looks to the bottle as Sarah drinks from it, her hand resting on her hip as she arches a brow her way.

Sarah looks between them, lowering the drink as she shrugs lightly. "If we're gonna do battle with the greatest and most terrible thing in the sea, it's best not to wait till after."

She offers the drink to the two, smirking.

"There might not be an after," Jacob says as he takes the bottle, raising it to Crow in respect before taking a drink.

"Aye, there will be," (Y/N) assuredly replies, taking the drink when Jacob offers it to her. "We won't lose, I can promise you that."

She raises the drink to her lips, steadying her feet as she drinks.

Crow laughs heartily as he pats her back. "That's the spirit, me girl!"

(Y/N) nearly chokes from the unexpected action as Jacob chuckles quietly, (Y/N) huffing as she gives him a playful glare.

Up above, Lea watches the sea with narrowed eyes, a content smile on her face.

"Haul away, all! Haul, you dogs!" Merino continues to bark orders below.

Lea watches a sea gull as it flies past her, scowling a bit with confusion as she angles herself to look behind the ship. She raises her spyglass, her eyes widening as she gasps softly and lowers it.

"Captain!"

Crow looks up at her with the others, nodding for her to continue.

"It's another hunting ship under attack!"

(Y/N)'s brows furrow at this as she grabs onto a nearby pilot ladder, climbing up to the crow's nest and landing with a light grunt. Lea offers her spyglass, (Y/N) taking it and looking towards the layer of fog in the distance.

Crow does the same below, the faint glow of explosions visible through the fog as canons go off.

"It's Jim Nicklebones' ship," Crow mumbles with realization, Jacob taking out his spyglass and looking to the fog with Sarah.

"It's a brickleback, Captain!" (Y/N) calls from the crow's nest, handing Lea back her spyglass and looking over the side down to Crow. "The beast has their ship in its grasp! They need our help!"

"We have to help him," Jacob agrees as he turns to Crow, lowering his spyglass.

Crow doesn't reply as he turns to look ahead, the sea glistening in the sunlight.

"What course, Captain?" Merino calls, waiting for confirmation.

The Red Bluster's tail emerges from the ocean briefly, disappearing as quickly as it was revealed.

Crow's eye narrows, his jaw tensing. "We press on."

"What?" Jacob demands with wide eyes, shaking his head as Sarah listens with a hardened expression.

"If Jim Nicklebones were half the sea dog he says he is, he wouldn't be in this mess," was all Crow replied, seeming indifferent.

Jacob looks up towards the crow's nest, (Y/N) peering back down at him with a concerned expression.

He turns back to Crow, quickly joining his side.

"Captain, you know the code." he firmly speaks, his expression serious. "It binds us to all who come before... and all who come after."

Crow breathes out deeply, his shoulders slumping a bit. "And even that rum gagger Jim Nicklebones."

He turns to the crew, "Miss Merino, set a new course!"

"Aye, Captain!" Merino nods with a determined expression, turning to the others as they swiftly get to work. "Strike the spanker! Crew up for an' main!"

The sails of the ship shift directions as the crew tug on the roping, another member spinning the wheel to turn around.

Crow sighs as he looks towards the direction of the Red Bluster, grumbling in anger. "Thirty years I've waited..."

The Sea Bluster lets out a mighty roar in the distance, the Inevitable slowly turning around as the sails flap in the wind, the ocean's waves crashing along the sides of the ship.

"Thirty years!" he yells out, slamming his fist on the wooden railing beside him. "Blast!"

"Rudder to midship, come around!" Merino's voice could be heard giving orders, the ocean splashing against the sides of the ship.

(Y/N) climbs down from the crow's nest, landing on the deck and smiling towards Jacob with a thankful nod as she gets to work helping the others.

Jacob mirrors the smile as he watches her, noticing Crow's disappointment.

"Don't worry," he reassures as he pats Crow's shoulder. "We'll be to the Bluster in no time, Captain."

"Drive her down, Mr. Crisp!"

They sail into the wall of smoke and fog, prepared for a fight.

...

Terrified crew members of Jim Nicklebones' ship load canons with haste, looking around with uncertainty and fear as they fire them blindly. Indistinct shouting could be heard as they struggle against the beast, a woman gasping when she was suddenly whisked away by the beast.

A man screams when he was grabbed as well, the lantern in his hand swaying violently as he was swung into the air before being dragged under the water.

"It's too much, Captain! We're going down!" a crew member shouts, their ship tipping dangerously at an angle as the beast grabs hold of it.

"This is it, mates!" Nicklebones shouts as he unsheathes his sword, raising it up. "It's been me honor to serve with ya!"

A bell rings out, getting their attention as the Inevitable sails into view.

"Haul away!" Merino shouts, her voice strong and clear.

"By God!" Nicklebones breathes out in relief, walking to the side of his ship and stepping up onto the side as he holds a rope. "It's the Inevitable! Have at it, Black Bird!!"

He laughs as they sail beside him, the beast roaring as it lashes out against the waves.

"Let it know we're here!" Sarah shouts to the crew, leaning over the side of the ship with a smirk.

A crew member loads the canon, lighting the fuse. The blast was fired, the canon ball whistling as it soars through the air before exploding a burst of red.

The Inevitable's signature red sails block out the light, casting a red glow onto the sea as the beast looks up with a soft snarl. It slowly releases its hold on Jim Nicklebones' ship, squealing furiously as it focuses on its new target.

The beast follows the ship as it sails out of the fog, leading it away from the other hunting ship.

"We've joined!" Crow confirms as he walks along the ship, watching the beast as it follows after them.

"If we draw it upwind, we'll have the advantage of it," (Y/N) says as she joins Crow and Jacob, Sarah alongside her.

"Aye," Crow agrees with a nod, watching the moving waters with challenging smirk. "And cross the T."

He pats Jacob's shoulder, turning to a crew member. "Hard to port, Mr. Crisp!"

Crisp nods with a grin as he spins the wheel of the ship, the ship creaking softly as it begins to turn.

"I'll have her into the wind as high as she'll bear, Ms. Merino!"

Merino nods firmly, turning to the crew. "Furl the main and fore, and ease your headsails, swabbies! Mainsail haul!"

Seagulls follow after the brickleback beast as it swims after the ship, the crew members moving quickly to perform their tasks.

"Here we go!" Jacob calls to the crew as he walks with haste down the steps to the main deck, "heads up."

"Be sure to aim low," (Y/N) tells a member as he loads the canon, making him nod.

Another crew member tosses Jacob his spear, (Y/N) unsheathing her cutlass sword and holding it readily at her side. He grabs onto the roping along the ship, leaning over the side for a moment before hopping onto the platform below.

"Jacob," (Y/N) stops him, making him pause and look up at her as she peers down at him from the side of the ship. "Promise you'll be careful?"

Jacob chuckles quietly, and two finger salutes with a wink. "I only promise if you do the same."

(Y/N) smiles at this as she nods. "Promise."

She disappears from his view, Jacob turning to the group of crew members awaiting his command. Sea water splashes onto them, making Jacob laugh a bit as he sweeps his hair back.

"All right, ya fish killers!" he speaks confidently to ease their nerves, hitting his spear against the platform as he kneels with them. "We come all this way for a proper fight. And now, we'll get it!"

They cheer as they rise, leaping into action and running along the side of the ship. They clip the roping to their belts, leaning forward and trusting it to hold their weight as they ready their spears.

The brickleback slowly emerges from the sea as it swims, hissing softly as it follows the Inevitable.

"Nearly there, Captain," Sarah speaks quietly as she watches the beast, (Y/N) joining her side and watching it as well.

"Aye, Sarah," he gruffly responds, nodding.

...

Jacob watches the beast with narrowed eyes, nodding to a crew member encouragingly. The seagulls screech as they struggle to keep up with the brickleback, the brickleback closing in on the slowing ship.

...

"Now, to port, Ms. Merino! And cross the T!" Crow shouts urgently, walking to the railing overlooking the deck and nodding down to her.

"You heard him, ya lubbers!" Merino yells to the crew, walking along the deck as the crew get to work. "Haul your mizzen! Main and fore!"

Crow turns to the piper, "make it scream, piper!"

The piper takes a deep breath with a serious expression, blowing into his bagpipes and blasting an upbeat, battle shanty.

The Inevitable begins to turn as the beast draws near, the canons now aimed directly at the brickleback.

"Here we go!" a man laughs, readying the lighter.

"Fire!" Crow bellows, raising his fist into the air.

The crew release a string of canon balls, the canons bursting with smoke as they fire. Jacob winces a bit as they fire above him, otherwise focused on the brickleback.

They quickly reload the canons as the brickleback snarls, multiple canon balls missing the beast at first but others striking it after a few blasts. The beast growls in pain as the canon balls slowly chip away at its scales, shaking its head before shrieking a mighty roar.

"Uh," (Y/N) laughs a bit uneasily, leaning over the railing as she speaks loudly to Jacob. "I don't believe the canons are really effective."

"Uh, yeah, yup," Jacob concurred, clicking his tongue. "We seem to not be discouraging our prey. Quite the opposite, I'm afraid!"

"Not to worry, you two," Crow calls as he leans over the side of the ship from above, watching the beast with a scowl. "Crew up aloft, Ms. Merino!"

Merino nods, facing the crew. "Haul away your main and mizzen! Topsail, crew lines! Haul away!"

Some of the crew stand above the main deck, arrows notched on their bows as they draw the bowstring back.

Crow raises his arm, swiftly lowering it. "Loose!"

The crew fire their arrows, the arrows raining down on the brickleback. The beast screeches as the arrows pierce through its scales, some lodging into its exposed flesh from the canon balls colliding with it. The beast snarls as it begins to disappear into the ocean, Jacob's eyes widening.

"It's diving!" his voice booms in warning as he raises himself upright, the others following his action. "(Y/N), grab the--"

"Got it!" (Y/N) interrupts, tossing him the ball fishing float with a nod.

Jacob swiftly wraps the roping around his spear, grunting lightly with effort as he climbs up the boarding net Crow was holding onto. He leaps onto a long wooden stake that was around half of the length of the ship, the stake slowly falling forward from his weight as he readies his spear.

He yells out as he hurls the spear, the spear piercing into the beast as it roars and continues to dive under the safety of the waters. The crew members swiftly bring the stake back upright, catching Jacob off guard as he goes flinging through the air with a surprised shout. He lands on his feet, nearly face planting but catching himself with his hands in front of him as he runs along the deck.

(Y/N) rushes to climb up the crow's nest, softly exhaling through her mouth as she keeps her eyes on the ball fishing float being pulled by the brickleback. She lightly gasps as she ship starts to tip due to the beast tugging on the line, the crew members crying out in alarm as they scramble to grab hold of anything to hold them down.

Jacob staggers a bit as he tries to keep his balance, (Y/N) yelping as she tries to grab at the nearby netting. Her hand misses the rope just barely, making her exclaim as she falls over the side.

A man trips from above as the ship tips over, a scream of warning leaving him as the arrows he was carrying go flying down towards the deck.

Jacob looks up in alarm, his arms ready as (Y/N) falls into them bridal style. The two stare at each other with bafflement.

(Y/N) opens her mouth to thank him, her eyes widening when she notices the arrows. "Jacob!"

Jacob looks up, (Y/N) bracing herself with shut eyes and Jacob standing stiffly straight and holding her close as the arrows rain down around them. The basket falls not long after, softly thudding as it bounces.

(Y/N) peeks an eye open, removing her face from Jacob's chest as she looks around at the arrows with owlish eyes. Jacob breathes out with relief, glancing to the side and watching the ball fishing float with a hardened expression as he subconsciously tightens his arms around her. (Y/N) climbs out of his arms, bringing his focus to her as he lower her a bit to release her.

She notices a younger sailor cowering a bit behind a few barrels, his eyes wide with fear as he nervously looks around.

"Hey," (Y/N) speaks gently as she walks over, squatting at his side as he looks to her. "Don't take cover here, it's much too dangerous. Go on under the companionway until we've settled this, okay?"

Jacob watches her with a smitten smile, nodding to the boy as he rushes under the steps. (Y/N) rises and joins Jacob, the two joining Crow as he stands on the side of the ship with the others, watching the ball fishing float.

"Clever fish," Crow murmurs to the two, his jaw tense. "It's gone upwind."

(Y/N) and Jacob exchange a slightly worried glance, the two focusing on the ocean once more as Crow addresses the other sailors.

"Stand to! Wait for the word!" he shouts to the others, walking along the deck.

Jacob takes out his spyglass, Sarah standing besides (Y/N) with her hand on her shoulder for a brief moment.

"You heard the captain!" Merino shouts to the crew, "Hands to braces! Stand by, all!"

The ball fishing float bobs around the ocean's waters, eerily still. Jacob's brows furrow a bit before he gasps quietly, lowering his spyglass.

"No birds," he breathes out in realization, shaking his head and turning to Crow. "It's smarter than we think! The line's been severed!"

Crow's eye narrows at this in disbelief, a seagull's screech gaining their attention. (Y/N)'s gaze darts up to the sky, her face falling as a seagull flies down, landing on the railing beside her with a soft chirp.

"That's probably not good," she points out the obvious, a nervous laughter lacing her words.

They look up as more seagulls land along the masting above, all holding their breaths as they listen. The brickleback screeches a roar as it bursts from the waters, the crew all yelling as the ship jerks violently, tilting to the side at a dangerous angle.

The crew goes flying back, (Y/N) managing to snatch the netting and hang on with one hand as she holds out her other. She catches Jacob's hand in hers, her hand tight around his as she holds onto him. Jacob's legs sway a bit as he holds onto her, straining to reach the rope and grabbing it successfully.

The sailors scramble to grab onto anything to keep them upright and out of the waters, Lea gasping as she wraps her arms around the crow's nest pillar to hold on. The crew cry out as the brickeback's upper half lands on the ship, snapping its mouth towards them as they fall backwards. A man screams as he topples over the railing, falling into the waters.

He looks around in a panic, the brickleback's serpent-like tail swaying a bit. The brickleback bites onto the ship, curling its tail around the Inevitable as it growls. It's tentacles rise from the ocean, the tips opening claw-like and grabbing some of the crew as they scream.

Crow groans a bit as he looks up, shaking his head to rid of the dizziness. He gasps as one of the tentacles launch towards him, him quickly dodging to the side with a shout.

Unsheathing his sword, he cuts through the tentacle, another tentacle grabbing him as he yells.

...

Sarah ducks under a tentacle that swings her way, slicing through it with her rapier sword and firing her pistol at another tentacle nearby. Sheathing her blade, she pulls out her other pistol, firing both at the same time at the beast.

...

(Y/N) climbs up the pillar, looking around with wide eyes at the sight of the beast boarding their ship and the crew members shouting in fear. Jacob climbs up beside her, looking around at the situation as well.

"(Y/N)!"

"Jacob!"

"Help us!"

(Y/N) looks from the sailors being overwhelmed to the man struggling to stay afloat in the sea, Lea above holding the pillar tightly as the brickleback tries to pull her off.

"Jacob, help our man overboard and Lea and I'll help them over there!" she instructs, drawing her sword and gesturing up to Lea.

Jacob firmly nods as he draws his own sword, racing up the slanted pillar.

(Y/N) holds her cutlass' handle between her teeth as she grabs onto a rope, drawing her dagger and slicing through it. She swings down onto the deck using the rope she had cut, releasing it and catching her sword as she yells a battle cry.

...

Jacob slices through a rope with his sword, three ball fishing floats falling into the ocean. The man overboard uses them to stay afloat, sighing with relief as exhaustion settles in.

He carefully runs along the roping leading up to the crow's nest, bouncing off it and raising his sword up with both hands and swinging them down onto the tentacle holding Lea.

...

(Y/N)'s cutlass pierces through the tentacles of the brickleback, making it shriek a bit as it recoils from the pain. It releases some of the crew, allowing them to fight back alongside her.

She looks up as the piper screams, the piper flying through the air with a tentacle wrapped around him and his bagpipes.

(Y/N) exhales sharply through her mouth as she readies her sword, grunting as she throws it through the air. Her cutlass spirals a bit, the blade meeting its mark and striking the tentacle holding the piper.

She gasps as the piper starts to fall from high up, her eyes noticing Jacob.

"Jacob! Catch him!" (Y/N) shouts urgently, making him quickly look down at her before following her gaze to the piper.

Jacob readies his arms, jumping forward onto one of the sail's supports and catching the piper as (Y/N) watches anxiously. He strains a bit to hold the piper steady, him and the piper looking to one another before looking down at the brickleback.

The piper faintly pipes as the beast stares back with a quiet hiss, its eyes focused on the two. Jacob leaps into action as the beast snaps its mouth towards them, jumping to the side and landing on the upper deck. He rushes forward, stepping onto the railing and leaping down onto the main deck as the beast roars.

Crow continues to fight against the tentacles, slicing through any that draw near and fighting against the one wrapped around him as he looks up and around at the crew. He spots Jacob running from the brickleback, the piper still in his arms as he leaps around the tipped over ship.

The piper plays a long, panicked note as Jacob jumps off the deck, landing in one of the support sails.

He leaves the piper in this safe location, pulling himself out of the sail using some netting above and sliding along the side of the ship. He grabs a spear as he slide down past it, landing with his boots against the railing as he looks around.

(Y/N) ducks under a tentacle, rolling out of the way of another as she continues to fight the beast off using her dagger with others around her. Jacob sees this, looking to the beast and jumping into the air with a shout as he throws his spear.

The spear spirals through the air, going through the narrow gap of the netting and sails of the ship. The spear strikes through the previously weakened spot on the brickleback's forehead, the beast roaring in agony as it jerks back.

It falls backwards into the sea, its tentacles slowly recoiling and sliding away from the Inevitable as its tail falls off as well.

Jacob grunts and rolls as he lands roughly, the ship swinging back into an upright position as the crew members steady themselves with shouts. Jacob lands with his back against a ladder, the boy from before peering out and watching him with concern.

He pants a bit before chuckling, adjusting himself to seem casual. "Don't worry, lad! We got it right where we want it."

"Jacob!" (Y/N)'s voice pierces the air in warning, making Jacob look over in alarm.

"Jacob, look out!" the boy shouts urgently, pointing to the tentacle swinging their way.

The boy ducks back behind cover, Jacob's face falling as he holds out a hand in a pathetic attempt to stop the tentacle.

The tentacles collides with Jacob, sending him flying through the air as (Y/N) watches with a gasp. He lands in the water with a loud splash, not surfacing.

"Jacob!" she yells as she starts to run towards the side of the ship, fear in her eyes.

Crow sets his hands on the railing, mortified. "Jacob!!" He quickly turns to the crew. "Man overboard! Hard to port! Haul them lines, ya swabs!"

"You heard him! Hard to port!" (Y/N) yells before Merino could, her eyes focused on the area Jacob landed in.

The ship starts to rapidly turn, all of the crew rushing to save Jacob.

...

Jacob surfaces with a gasp for air, the front of his shirt torn and bloodied a bit as he hisses in pain. He coughs up some water as he looks around the waves, spotting the Inevitable sailing towards him.

He looks around wildly, pausing and looking down below him with the waters shift.

The brickleback swims up rapidly as Jacob attempts to swim away, gathering him and water in its mouth. Jacob frantically swims to the side of its mouth, leaping off just as the beast's mouth snaps shut.

Jacob dives into the ocean, resurfacing with a gasp as he watches the beast.

It dives down beneath him, the force sending Jacob down under as he spirals a bit in the water. He corrects his form, dodging a flailing tentacle as he swims forward. He dodges another before turning so he was facing the surface, grabbing onto a tentacle and holding on tightly.

The tentacle swings out of the water as Jacob yells, releasing it and landing on the backside of the brickleback.

He holds onto the scales of the beast as it swims forward, the ocean's mist stinging his face a bit. The Inevitable sails closer to the beast, the beast roaring as it tries to buck Jacob off of its back.

...

(Y/N) grabs a discarded spear, holding it readily as she runs towards the side of the ship as they draw near.

Crow removes his coat and his hat, grabbing his mounted spear with a hardened scowl.

...

Jacob continues to shout as he holds onto the brickleback, gasping when he slides underneath the scale. His eyes widen a bit before he draws his dagger, piercing it down through the beast's flesh. The brickleback roars as it raises its head, Jacob holding on tightly as he grits his teeth with effort.

A spear strikes through the beasts forehead, Jacob looking up in surprise at the sight of (Y/N) at the front of the Inevitable with her arm outstretched, the woman having thrown the spear. The beast screams as it flails a bit, Jacob yelping as his dagger slips out of the beast's flesh.

He falls backwards, going stiff and landing in the water feet first.

...

"Time has come, ya devil!" Crow growls under his breath as he runs along the bowsprit of the ship, wielding his spear with determination.

Crow yells out as he leaps off the bowsprit, his spear raised above his head as he launches himself towards the beast's exposed chest.

The beast's pupil narrowed as the spear pierces through its chest, the beast roaring as it slowly falls backwards with Crow standing on its chest. It was motionless as it floated in the ocean, Crow panting a bit as he kneels.

The beast groans as its eye slowly falls shut, its body starting to sink into the ocean's waves. Crow takes a deep breath, and was submerged with the beast's body.

The crew above watch with contentment, Sarah smirking proudly and (Y/N) watching the waters for any sign of Jacob.

She smiles with joy when she sees him swimming towards them, pausing to raise his arm in a wave as he smiles up at her.

...

Crow remains planted firmly on the beast's chest for a moment before swimming up, swimming to the front of its face. He swims around the beast's muzzle, grabbing onto its snout's horn and drawing his saw-like blade.

He begins to saw away at the horn, unaware the beast still had some fight left in it.

Crow cuts through the horn, the horn floating upward as he nods and starts to swim after it. The beast's tentacle latches onto Crow's foot, making him look down in shock and panic as he was dragged downwards.

He kicks at the tentacle wrapped around his foot, his arms flailing around before he tries to pry away the beast's tentacle with his hands. Unsuccessful, he looks up, reaching for the surface in desperation as he sinks further into the ocean, his vision darkening.

...

"Captain."

Crow could hear a faint voice call to him, making him stir a bit.

"Captain!"

Crow's eye flutters a bit as he groans, shifting.

"He's waking up!" (Y/N) says with relief, Crow's eye opening fully.

"Captain!" Jacob exclaims, coming into Crow's view with (Y/N) beside him.

Crow gasps for air as he coughs violently, sputtering as he coughs up some sea water. He pants heavily as he looks around at the crew, swallowing thickly when his gaze lands on Sarah. She was watching him with concern, her brows furrowed a bit.

(Y/N) rises from her squat as Crow starts to rise, Jacob hovering near Crow with worry as he readies his arms in case he had to help him. Crow breathes heavily as he slowly walks over to the side of the ship, looking out to the ocean. Its waves glisten in the sunlight, gentle and calm now.

The crew watch him, Sarah glancing to the damages around the ship as the wood softly creaks.

"Captain, the mizzen's in splinters, and I don't like the main," she speaks up, breaking the silence as she takes a few steps towards him.

"She can't fight," Merino agrees, nodding.

"We wouldn't have a chance against the Bluster if we go after it with the ship in this condition," (Y/N) concurs quietly, frowning a bit.

"Then... we'll come back for the Bluster when she's repaired and ready to fight," Jacob speaks with confidence, nodding at this. "Repairs shouldn't take--"

"Set a course for Three Bridges."

Crow interrupts Jacob, catching the crew off guard.

"We're going home," Crow finishes as he shakes his head, the crew watching as he turns and heads to his quarters without another word.

(Y/N) watches him with raised brows, surprised he didn't put up a fight to go after the Bluster. The door shuts behind Crow, Jacob frowning with concern as he softly sighs through his nose.

...

..

.