The world seemed like it came to a standstill. I looked between the familiar face drawn onto the paper in my hand, and the unfamiliar faces of the strangers in front of me. It was a ridiculous parallel of our lives had come to light. These strange people before me looked up to the same woman I did, but for a completely different reason. She was a brave woman, a legendary fighter. But to them she fought people, to me she fought her illness. She failed in the end, but the idea that she had a legacy I wasn't aware of was somehow comforting.

"If you knew the Sea Dragon, you must know about the Leviathans Hoard" Leitus said.

I shook my head, saying, "I don't even know what that is."

"The treasure," the captain started, "the great treasure that the Sea Dragon had come to close to finding."

"Oh well..." I scratched the back of my head. I couldn't believe I had to sit here and try to remember the stories Gran Shelly used to tell me so many years ago. "She used to tell me a lot of stories. I don't know what was relevant to this treasure. I remember some, but most I'm sure I've forgotten." I said. The group of strangers began whispering to each other again and I sighed. "Whatever the significance of my grandmother's stories is to you is none of my business. We made a deal, now send me home."

"Wait" The captain said. "New information has been brought to the table. We need to restart our bargain".

I shook my head. "No way. What could I possibly have to give you now that I couldn't two minutes ago."

"Information. Tell us all the Sea Dragon ever told you about the treasure and you can be on your way." She said.

"I told you, I don't remember most of what she used to say. She was sick for a long time, so she stopped telling me stories."

Lysandros sighed heartily, then said "why don't we just stick him in the dungeon and torture the memories out of him".

"No," the captain said firmly, "he's the blood of the Sea Dragon, if we can avoid harming him it would be best. Besides, we can't know if he will just make up information so we can let him go." I realised at that moment that it was best for me to avoid mentioning that I wasn't related by blood to Gran Shelly.

"What do you propose then? We can't just let him go. If the Sea Dragon really did tell him valuable information about the Leviathans Hoard, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime." Talaos said, pointing with his hand in my direction. "When is the next time you think we will come in contact not just with one of her ally's but her descendant". While this entire situation was strange and intriguing, and the fresh salty hair was a refreshing break from my suburban life, I was growing impatient to return home. Whatever that was.

"I have a solution," the captain stated at length, "will you, 'Kota', grandson of the Sea Dragon, join us in our quest to find the Leviathans Hoard?" The question earned a chorus of surprised and angry exclamations from the people around her.

"You can't be seriously considering letting this twerp become a crewmember just because of his blood?" Lysandros exclaimed.

"Don't be ridiculous, Lysandros!" the captain hissed, causing him to go silent with clear reluctance as he crossed his arms over his chest and huffed. "He is not going to become a crewmember; I am simply offering him to be a... willing informant." I rubbed the bridge of my nose, a headache brewing. If I said no, they would probably go with Lysandros's previous idea of 'sticking me in a dungeon and torturing the memories out', or another less than favourable option. I could of course say yes to helping them, then sneak away next time we meet land.

"You realise there is nothing in it for me, right?" I sighed, "you're just asking me to become your prisoner willingly."

"Of course, there's something in it for you" the captain started, "I couldn't possibly trust the information you give me otherwise." She smiled; a knowing and confident smile barely moved her lips. "I'm offering you an equal share in the treasure of the Leviathans Hoard if you are successful in helping us find it." This gained another round of grumbles from the four others present, while my response was much more subtle. Eyebrows raised in surprise, assessing her face in an attempt to read whether or not she was being honest. Why was I actually considering her offer right now?

"While that's a great offer," I began, "I have an overwhelming number of reasons why I shouldn't say yes to your offer." I paused and the captain made a gesture with her hand for me to continue. I cleared my throat, "to start..." I wanted to say 'how can you expect me to believe this treasure is a real thing' but then I reminded myself that I had just stepped through some kind of portal and appeared on a flying pirate ship. So instead, I said "you are asking me to leave my whole life behind to help you."

The captain shrugged, "whatever life you had you deemed less important than treasure when you risked it to steal that locket". I was about to protest that it wasn't about the money but the sentiment of the locket, but then really thought about what she said. I did risk not just my freedom but my life to get the locket, because it's all I have left. I have no home, no money, to family, no job. The only thing that awaited me was a life on the streets of running and hiding from the repercussions of my crimes; either with the Ashens or alone. What would this 'quest' really change for me? No one would miss me. Here or there I'll be on thief, surrounded by thieves. The alternative was moving far away, changing countries even, changing my identity, and hoping that I wouldn't be imprisoned in a foreign country with no one I could hope would save me. Maybe, just maybe, if I had the money, running and hiding wouldn't be so hard.

"How much money are we talking about here?" I asked at length.

"The Leviathans Hoard," the captain started, "is said to be the largest treasure hoard to ever exist. If the legends are true, you will have so much gold and jewels you won't even know where to spend them. No amount of food or property could replete your wealth." I knew I was being unreasonable, too trusting, naive even when I next spoke, but something inside me clicked. I wasn't able to be the Kota who works three jobs and struggles to pay rent; I wasn't able to be that innocent hardworking boy who lived only to attempt to survive while pleasing Gran Shelly. I become that person to please her, but now I saw another way, to honor her legacy as the Sea Dragon and find the treasure that she failed to. I had to revert to my old self, before she convinced me to change.

"Fine. I will travel with you for this quest and give you the most information my memory can muster, in exchange for an equal portion of the treasure." I stated. The two blondes frowned in displeasure, Talaos and Leitus's expressions were of a subtle but pleasant surprise, their eyebrows raised slightly and the corners of their lips twitching up. The captain, however, wore a knowing smile. She reached out her hand, and I took it in a firm handshake, her skin was rough like leather.

"Welcome aboard, Kota, blood of the Sea Dragon. I am Talaedra, Captain of the Sea Warden. "

-Interdimensional Pirates
-April Bluebird/@BlueWhiskers1
-30/Sep/2025
-Chapter 9: Bargain
-1319 words
-520 👁‍🗨, 58 🌟, 51 💭.