The night was dark, lit only by the small silver fires of the stars hung in the dark moonless night. Underneath the Wind Rider, the water was so still it became a perfect mirror, making the ship look like it was floating through an endless sky. 

And on her prow, sitting directly above the figurehead was her captain, Ren.

He seemed to be resting easily, a look of peace on his youthful face as he gazed out over the waters. This was home, the one place in the entire world where all felt right. When on land, his feet longed for the rolling of the deck beneath them, his nose for the tang of the salt air, and his heart for the far horizon.

In that moment of serenity, with naught but a gentle breeze and the sound of the water lapping at the hull of the ship, the world was rocked by disaster. 

A huge ball wreathed in fire streaked through the blackness of the sky, leaving the stars dim in its wake and seeming to scorch the very air of the world with its presence.

In an instant, Ren was on his feet, searching for where the comet was going to land as it drew closer to the surface, heating the ocean until the water was steaming around them. The cries of the crew on the night watch were enough to rouse those down below, bringing them running to the deck almost as a single mass. 

Ren caught hold of a rope to brace himself against the movement of the ship as he called a command to the bosun, Pearl. In the near distance was a small isle he was fairly sure was uninhabited. Or at least he hoped it had been uninhabited.

Fire leapt through the air once more, this time on the horizon as the comet impacted the ground. A wave of heat hit the crew moments later as the ocean waves tried to push the Wind Rider further from its goal. 

It was not often that something of any size came hurtling down from the heavens, and this was something large enough to be a good haul.

If they were lucky, the heart of the fireball would have metal. Ren had long desired a blade made of star metal. The ancient tales all spoke of the legendary blades, but all of them had been lost to time. 

If he were to appear with one at his side, the tales of his exploits would spread further and even faster than they already did. And if there was enough of it, he could sell what was left to the highest bidder.

In short, he would gain everything if he could reach the site of the impact first. With that thought in mind, Ren whirled to face the crew, not leaving the prow of his ship, nor letting go of the rope that he was using to keep his footing on the now unsettled roll of the deck.

"Put your hearts in it lads!" he roared. "This night will make us rich! Make to the land and our names will go in the annals as those that found the fallen star!"

The crew cheered in response to their captain's spirited words. As one, they hastened to bring the ship about and sped toward their prize. Nothing but the thought of adventure and success was on Ren's mind.