"The Empire is trash! Callum will never be king!"

I glanced over at the sudden exclamation, seeing a drunken man barely able to remain on his feet. He held a mug of alcohol, the liquid spilling over the sides as he swayed back and forth. He was glaring at two Empire soldiers. I exchanged a look with my captain, knowing this wasn't going to end well.

The taller of the two shot up, eyes narrowed. "Mind your tongue!"

The second man did not stand, but he rested his hand on the handle of his sword. "Scum like you has no place speaking Lord Callum's name."

The man snorted, taking a large gulp of the liquid before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "He thinks he's a hic god but he's just a - a little man!"

The second soldier started to unsheathe his sword, standing from the table. I downed the rest of my drink before pulling my daggers out. Ren followed suit, removing the double-headed axe from his back.

"You speak like a rat," spat the taller soldier. "And so you will die like one!" He unsheathed his sword in the blink of an eye, bringing it down toward the man.

I dashed forward, kicking the drunkard's knee so he fell backward, giving me plenty of room to catch the blade between my own. "Come now, is the Empire picking on drunken men now? What, did you run out of old ladies to harass?"

"Who the hell are you?" he snarled, pressing his blade harder against my own.

"Just an innocent passerby," I commented with a shrug before pushing him away, slicing my blades through the air. He cried out in pain before dropping to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.

"You bit -" The second soldier couldn't even finish his sentence before the captain buried his axe in the man's back.

"These guys never learn," I sighed, shaking my head before turning around. "Hey, are you -" My words died when I spied the drunkard on the ground, snoring softly as he lay in a puddle of spilled alcohol. I sighed again, bringing a hand to my face.

━━━━━━༻*༺━━━━━━

Carl nudged me in the ribs and I grunted, sending him an annoyed look. He wasn't looking at me, though, his gaze instead trained on the hooded man that sat near the helm. Ren had met him back in the tavern before our fight with the soldiers. He wanted to hire us to find a hidden treasure in a cave somewhere in the middle of the Pacific. According to him, we could keep everything we find except for some special sword that he wanted. That was fine with us.

He nudged me again and I slapped the back of his head.

"Ouch! What was that for?!"

"Stop nudging me use your damn words."

He huffed, folding his arms over his exposed chest. "Do ya really think we can trust that guy? He don't look like a trustworthy guy to me."

It was rare for me to agree with Carl, but I had to admit that there was something... off about that guy. I mean, it's the middle of summer and the sun is shining brightly, how can he stand to be covered from head to toe in that tan robe of his?

I hummed in thought as I returned my attention to the rigging, tugging at the thick rope before securing it tightly. "Either way, it's up to the captain. If he thought somethin' was screwy, he wouldn't have taken the job, yeah?"

"I guess," he frowned.

"Now," I picked up a bucket from the floor, shoving it against his chest. "Get back to work swabbing the deck before I toss you overboard!"

He clicked his tongue. "Aye, ma'am!"

━━━━━━༻*༺━━━━━━

It took a few days for the ship to finally reach its destination. There it was, a tiny bit of rock poking out of the water like a curious seal.

"That be it?" questioned Nathan, the smallest man on the crew but also one of the fiercest. "That be the cave with our grand treasure?"

"Do not be deceived," said the hooded man as he approached the side of the ship. "For, if it were easy to enter, it would have been plundered long ago."

I glanced between him and the rock curiously. "How do we get inside, then?"

"On the south side of the rock," he began. "There is a small crack in the rock. To the left of that crack is a hidden button. Press it and the way shall be opened to you."

The crew glanced at each other wearily. They were used to working hard to acquire their treasure and now all they had to do was press a button? It seemed too good to be true.

Carl narrowed his eyes at the man. "If it be that easy, why haven't ya done it?"

The man turned to him, dark eyes barely visible from beneath his hood. "Should I have swum here? I do not possess a boat. You do."

"Ship," corrected Nathan. "She be a mighty ship, not a mere boat!"

"My apologies."

"Enough chatting!" declared Ren, his voice demanding attention. "Time to find us a treasure, lads!"

The crew cheered loudly as they began to prepare the row boat.

"Captain!" Carl called out, nervous excitement in his tone. "Who be going with ya?"

Ren stepped over the railing and onto the rowboat. His dark eyes scanned the crew, wavy brown locks swaying in the breeze. "Nathan will join us."

Carl looked crestfallen, clearly having wished to be the one chosen for this mission. Nathan needed a wooden box to step on in order to make it over the railing and into the boat. I didn't hesitate to follow, something Carl made sure to point out.

"Oi, he didn't say ya name! Ya can't go!"

I rolled my eyes at him. "He doesn't have to say my name. It's a given that I'll be going."

He scowled at me but said nothing more, knowing I was right.

Ren turned his gaze to the hooded man, who had not moved an inch from his spot at the side of the ship. "Come on, then. Let's get going."

"I'm afraid I cannot join you."

The captain and I exchanged a look before he inquired, "Why is that?"

"I am afraid that I cannot step foot in that place. You must go without me."

Nathan scoffed, folding his small arms over his chest. "Just admit yer scared, lad!"

There was a round of laughter from the crew, but the man remained unbothered.

I leaned on the side of the rowboat, peering curiously at him. "How will we know if we've found this sword you seek?"

"The sword in question has five jewels inlaid in the handle - a dark blue one representing the water, a green one representing the earth, a red one representing fire, a light blue one representing ice, and a white one representing air. It is a one-of-a-kind sword that cannot be missed."

"It sounds beautiful," commented Carl with a childlike gleam in his eye.

"It sounds expensive, commented Nathan greedily, rubbing his hands together.

Ren sent him a warning look. "We have an agreement with Mr. Batoo. He gets the sword and we get everything else. Now let's go!"

The crew slowly lowered the boat to the water and I started to row us toward the rock. My eyes scanned the horizon, remaining alert for any sign of an enemy, but there was nothing but water as far as the eye could see. When we finally got close, Nathan hopped off the boat and wrapped the rope around a thin piece of rock, keeping the boat in place.

My eyes scanned the rock, easily finding the crack in the stone. It was so thin that you couldn't see through it but it was long, spanning the length of the rock from top to bottom. My hand ran over the stone beside it until I felt something odd. There was a small circle in the rock, the same color to hide it, and I was able to push it easily. The rock trembled beneath our feet.

"What did ya do, lass?!" cried Nathan, arms held out to steady himself.

"I pushed a button," I replied simply. The crack was getting wider, the two sides of the stone slowly sliding away from each other until there was enough space for a person to pass through. Wooden stairs descended into pitch-black darkness. I glanced at Ren, waiting for his approval.

Ren carefully lit a torch with flint and steel before handing it over to me and nodding.

I unsheathed a dagger, took the torch, and started to slowly descend into the darkness. I listened carefully for any signs of movement to indicate that a fight was coming, but the only thing I heard was the screech of bats echoing through the stone cavern.

"Just how long be this staircase?" complained Nathan with a huff, clutching his twin axes tightly. "We've been walkin' for ages."

"I think we're getting close," I replied, squinting in an attempt to see farther. Sure enough, we reached the bottom just a couple of minutes later.

At the bottom of the stairs was a tall, open chamber filled with gold coins, jewelry, and gems in varying sizes. It was the true definition of a treasure trove.

Nathan's eyes lit up and he rushed forward, jumping into a pile of gold coins. "We be rich!" He laughed joyfully as he tossed coins into the air.

Ren shook his head in disbelief, a smirk on his lips. "Find the sword first, then we'll start hauling the lot up."

"Yes, Cap'n!" we chorused.

Nathan figured it was best to start looking in the piles of gold, though I doubt he was actually looking for it. I decided to head to the back of the room and make my way around the edge of the circular room. Ren started in the center, following the same path outward. One of us had to find it. I mean, the room is full of riches, but none of those items are weapons. A sword should stick out like a soldier in Tortuga.

As I looked, I started to hear a soft whispering in the distance. My brow furrowed as I turned toward the two men, wondering if they were talking to me. Neither of them was looking in my direction, preoccupied with the treasure before them. Was I hearing things? Shaking my head, I ignored it and continued looking, pushing aside chests filled with jewels to check behind them.

There it was again, the whispers. They were getting louder.

"Cap'n, do you hear that?" I wondered, glancing around the room.

"Hm?" he lifted his head, running his hand through his hair to get it out of his face. "Hear what?"

"The sound of us bein' rich?" laughed Nathan. "Ye, I hear it, lass!"

I ignored him, listening intently as I slowly walked through the room. If I walk one way, the whispers get softer. If I walk the opposite way, they get louder. It was probably a poor choice on my part, but I followed the sound until it became unbearable. Despite booming so loudly in my ears, I couldn't make out a word they were saying as they talked over each other, nearly screaming now.

My brow furrowed, one hand covering my ear as my eyes scanned the piles of gold.

Ren frowned, slowly approaching me. "What is the matter? Do you feel ill?"

I didn't reply, my feet seeming to move forward on their own. I felt compelled forward as if my mind was no longer my own. As if I already knew exactly where it lie, my hand sunk into a pile of gold in the corner, fingers curling around cold metal. With one strong tug, the sword was freed and the whispers stopped dead.

I held the sword up to inspect it. There was a tiny crack in the ceiling and a small beam of moonlight fell on the blade of the sword. Thunder suddenly roared angrily overhead and, in the blink of an eye, a streak of lightning shot through the crack, connecting with the blade. I expected to be filled with pain, but I felt... power surging through my veins. It was incredible.

The two men screamed my name in surprise, their eyes wide and confusion dancing in their eyes.

The lightning slowly faded and I released the breath I had been holding, looking at the two men.

"By the gods..." Nathan spoke shakily. "How are ya alive, lass?"

"I... I don't know."

Ren quickly closed the distance with his long legs, his eyes scanning me up and down for any sign of injury. "Are you harmed?"

"I don't think so. I feel fine."

"I think ye've been cursed!" cried Nathan, pointing at the sword in my hand. "It's cursed ye!"

I frowned at the sword, my eyes sliding across the colorful gems inlaid against the handle. It was a beautiful sword, to be sure, but there was something else. It felt... magical almost. It felt right in my hands, almost as if it belonged there. I knew the sword did not belong to us, but I didn't want to let it go. I wanted to keep it.

"Come," said Ren softly, resting his hand on my shoulder. "Let's return to the ship."

"Yeah," I breathed out, clutching the sword tightly. "Yeah, okay."

"Nathan, remain here."

"What?" His eyes widened at the prospect of being left alone in the cavern, especially after what had just occurred.

"I will send the others along to help you gather the treasure. We will return the sword to our client."

Though clearly unhappy about this, he didn't dare question the orders. "Yes, Cap'n."

Ren led me back up the stairs toward the boat. The once clear sky was now covered by grey clouds, thunder rumbling loudly overhead. Rain fell from the sky as a gentle mist but it was only a matter of time before the weather worsened. I was about to grab the oars but I didn't want to release the sword. I felt as if something bad would happen if I gave it up, which didn't bode well for me. Would I be able to return it to the hooded man?

Once back at the ship, we climbed aboard and Ren ordered two boats of men to return to the rock and assist Nathan in retrieving the treasure. I stood by the railing, cold rain falling against my skin. I couldn't bring myself to approach the man. The thought of giving up the sword was too great for me to bare.

He slowly approached me, his arms folded and hands hidden within the long sleeves of his robe. Dark eyes scanned me before falling on the sword. I don't know how, but recognition flashed through his dark eyes. He did not demand the sword, nor did he look angry when I failed to hand it over.

"I see," he said softly. "So the prophecy was true after all."

"Prophecy?" I questioned, my brow furrowed.

He turned toward the water, watching as the lightning broke open the sky. "When I was a small boy, my mother told me a story of a young woman. This woman was a pirate, having lived her entire life on the sea. She pilfered and plundered without remorse, stealing from the rich who did not deserve what they had. My mother told me this woman was a hero. I remember being so confused as a child. How could a thief possibly be a hero?"

I shifted my weight, feeling my heart racing within my breast and I had no idea why.

"She told me, 'Anyone can be a hero, my boy. They just need the right tools to do so.' She said that this woman was not yet a hero, but she would be one day. That day... is today."

"What the hell are you talking about?" I scowled, narrowing my eyes at him. Ren slowly came to a stop beside me, glancing between the two of us but saying nothing.

"That woman... it is you," said the hooded man, turning to face me once again. "You are the hero who is able to wield the sword of Bruma. You are the hero who will strike down Callum and end his war to be king of Astaria."

"You're delusional."

"Did you not hear the sword calling to you? Did power not surge through your body when you picked it up? Were you unable to use the elemental powers that sword possesses?"

My lips parted, but no sound escaped.

"You are the one chosen by the sword. I request that you return to Tortuga with me at once. We have much to discuss."

I looked at Ren for guidance, feeling confusion weighing heavily on me.

He seemed to consider this for a moment, his warm brown eyes meeting my own. "This is a choice you must make on your own. However, I will follow wherever you go."

"You can't," I breathed out, clutching the sword tighter. "If I do this, I'll be heading straight for the eye of the storm. You've gone out of your way to keep this crew away from the war and I -"

His large hand rested on my shoulder, providing comfort for my frazzled nerves. "We are family. No matter where your path leads, no matter how dangerous it may be, we will always stand behind you."

"That's right!"

I turned around in surprise to see the rest of the crew gathered around us with determined looks on their faces. I couldn't fight the smile that came across my face as warmth filled my breast. Taking a deep breath, I returned my attention to the man, my resolve like steel. "It's time to topple the Empire."