𝗦𝗢𝗠𝕰𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝕽𝗢𝗪𝗦 𝕸𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝕲𝗜𝗖 𝗣𝗢𝗨𝕮𝗛 𝗔𝖂𝗔𝗬

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"𝐓𝐇𝐄 sea is an abyss. The blue surface pulls you towards it until you are surrounded by the sea. Until you are just a speck on its vast surface. Harnessing the sea is not for the weak of heart. To stay afloat while waves crash into the mast. Balancing the ship against the might of the sea, stubborn to capsize the boat. It has no destination. You sail till you see land. Your journey continues as your body ages. Many men dedicate their lives to drifting with the winds. But the sea only remembers a few-"

"Get to the point!" a voice shouts from behind the wheel. The crew cheers in agreement.

I look down at my crew. Not a single frowned face, even with the sun glaring in their faces. My heart fills with pride. They had done the impossible. 

"The Raven and his crew," I announce, "have pulled off the biggest heist in pirate history!" the crowd noisily agrees. "And tonight, we party like kings!" The cries of my crew reach the heavens.

As the crowd disperses to get back to their jobs, I jump down from the shroud and made my way towards the wheel. One passing pirate hands me my hat. I place it on my head. Worthy for a captain.

The salty breeze cools the air while the sun shines with glee. Clouds cover patches of the blue sky like a quilt. It couldn't get any better.

Three days ago, my crew had docked at Magroven, a port town in Scuace. Where we raided their treasury and a few houses with a wealthy air. The amount looted is the biggest till date, of which I, as the captain, take the biggest share.

I couldn't wait to go to Zernova, a pirate island, and boast to the other pirates. Till now, word has been spread about my achievement. It will take us another two weeks to reach Zernova until when the tale of my plunder would have created an unfathomable reach.

"Would it kill you to wear a shirt?" I ask.

"Yes," Changbin replies. He is steering the ship wearing only pants, boots, and the usual dozen bracelets. His smooth chest is exposed for anyone shameless enough to ogle. "Sorry, I cut your speech in the middle," he says. "It was boring me."

"Don't worry, Your Highness, I will take it from your share of the treasure." I take over the wheel. Blue waves played on the surface till the horizon. It indeed is a good day.

Changbin wraps his arm around my shoulder. "Yeonjun, I care little for material possessions, not when I am surrounded by the open sea," He adds dramatically. I roll my eyes. Money and gold are of no use in the ocean. There are no shops around. Their value skyrockets when the boat docks. Changbin, however, doesn't have to worry about material possessions.

"More for me." I shrug.

I'm Choi Yeonjun. I have been a pirate for five years. It has been my childhood dream. When I learnt it was illegal, my parents encouraged me to be a sailor instead. So that's what I did. I turned eighteen, graduated, and became a sailor.

A few months into the sea and pirates attacked us. They killed the captain and took the rest of us hostage. Because the pirate captain grew fond of me after I charmed him, he let me join his crew instead of making me walk the plank in shark-infested waters.

I became a captain three years ago and meet Changbin, who wanted to desperately escape his life, so he agreed to become a pirate. Then he became the person I trust the most.

After which it has been smooth sailing. We looted kings and governors, found isolated islands for our treasures, pleased witches, so they keep the sirens away.

Changbin fills my ears with a myth he overhead in the Magroven market as I steer the ship. It is about a little girl who lost her ball, and it rolled all the way into the dungeons of the council house (do not ask me how it got there); she went after it and got trapped, but no one could open the dungeon door. At night, some people have heard her calling for her mother.

I don't heed much attention to myths, but Changbin loves them. They explain the culture; he says. I don't know if the myth is fact or fiction, but I didn't hear any little girl crying for her mom.

The sun starts to drop lower, and I beckon Yujin, the navigator. She climbs down from the crow's nest, looking like a tomato.

"That hat you stole clearly doesn't work," Changbin comments.

She ignores him. "What do you want?" she asks me.

"How far along are we?"

"We are running behind. All that gold in stores is slowing us down. These winds can only do so much. I predict we will dock a week late if we do not encounter more barriers."

I nod, a slow smile stretching my lips.

Docking in Zernova a week late because of all the gold, I didn't even need to boast about it. If anyone asked, I just have to tell them the truth. A sweet rush tingles through my veins. Slightly pursed lips and a nod to show how impressed they are. But there was something else I wanted to do after we docked.

I turn to my quartermaster, "After we dock, pay the crew their share and tell them to take a vacation."

"Sure," Changbin says. "Maybe I will accompany you to Sora."

Heat rushes to my cheeks. I couldn't lie my way out of this one.

"What's in Sora?" Yujin asks. Her eyes dart between Changbin and I.

"Pleasant climate," I reply. "And it's a good change from the sea."

"And they have good bakeries," Changbin chimes in.

"Get me a souvenir," Yujin says and turns around to leave.

"Why would you mention Sora? I want to keep them out of this."

Truth is, I miss my moms. Terribly so. The last I saw them was over a year ago, but even that wasn't for long. Since then, I have been busy with pirate stuff, bribing people, breaking alliances, killing, the usual. But this time, I can properly visit them, and we can go on bird-watching picnics just as we did until I started sailing.

We would go once a week, early in the morning. My mom and I would prepare food the day before to take with us. We would wake up before dawn and go to the nearby park to watch birds. It has become our little tradition every time I visit.

My mom, Chaerin, is a linguistic history professor at Sora University. My other mom, Soyeon, has her own bakery close to the university.

"Calm down. Who is Yujin going to tell?"

"Are you sure you want to step foot in Zuar? What if someone recognises you?"

Sora is the capital city of the kingdom of Zuar. Back when the Zuar kingdom ruled over all the land, Sora was the most prosperous city in the world.

"I'm be fine." He waves his hand. "Maybe I'll come visit you."

"Sure. They would love to finally meet you. You can come birdwatching with us."

"I would hate that. But I would love to visit your mom's bakery."

I laugh. Then I'm thrown off my feet. My vision darkens, and my head feels heavy. I must have hit the wheel. Is it a bad wave? I try to get up when the ship rocks to its side, sending me slamming into Changbin.

Discombobulated thoughts roam in my brain. Is it a storm or giant waves? The sky is clear till the eye could see.

"Yeonjun!" Yujin yells from the crow's nest, gripping the edges of the small with all her might. "No sign of storm clouds."

A chill goes down my back. Word about the heist had indeed spread. Even those greedy monsters wanted a bite from the plate which didn't belong to them.

The deck was enveloped in chaos. Most of the crew is on the ground, confused as to what has happened.

I grip the wheel and get up as another wave crashes into the ship, leaving me drenched.

My head frantically turns, trying to find another explanation. The sky was clear, and the sea was calm a few minutes ago. It has to be them.

"All hands-on deck!" I yell. The crew staggers to their feet. "Come about!"

The sails drop and I turn the wheel. They would not get a piece of my treasure.

"What?" Changbin mumbles, clutching his head.

"Sirens," I tell him. "They aren't getting my treasure."  

︶꒦꒷. . . ★⺀

how was the first chapter of the prisoner of the sea?

i am so excited to share this story with you guys!
hope you like it <3. i had the idea for years and 
i finally decided to write it. enjoy~~

vote so the siren's can't get yeonjun's treasure.
comment '🏴‍☠️' if you have reached this far.

💙