Chapter 14 - Arrival

"We —"

"No need to tell him, Jazmine" a cold, commanding voice interrupted from behind. The weight in those words was unmistakable—it carried authority, responsibility, and an undeniable presence.

The atmosphere shifted in an instant. What had been almost playful moments before now crystallized into something razor-sharp and formal. Jaz turned toward the voice, though she already knew who stood behind her.

The Captain.

The playful bickering between Jack and the vice-captain came to an immediate halt. One moment, Jack was red-faced, throwing out excuses about how "it didn't count," and the next, he snapped to attention like a soldier at inspection. His back straightened, and his face went from flustered to perfectly composed, like he hadn't just been whining seconds earlier.

Jaz blinked, momentarily thrown by the transformation.

Wait... eh?

The vice-captain, who had been smugly teasing Jack, was suddenly all business too, standing beside the Captain with a stern look. It was as if an invisible switch had flipped, turning them from bickering idiots into disciplined professionals in the blink of an eye.

Jaz didn't outwardly react, but inwardly she was mildly surprised. Just moments ago, they were acting like children, and now they looked like they were about to lead a military parade. 

Reverting back to the Captain sight, Jaz fully acknowledge Captain's order, she quickly stand up on her feet and bow slightly.

"Yes, Captain"

Captain?

Just after hearing the word "Captain" coming out of Jaz's mouth. His eyes widened as realization struck him like a physical blow. This was their leader. The one who commanded these monsters.

"You want to know who we are?"

The Captain's voice crawled up Sol's spine like ice water. It wasn't really a question—questions invited answers. This was a statement of intent, delivered with the kind of authority that expected only silence in response.

"No."

The word left Sol's lips before he could stop it—sharp, clear, and immediate. Years of survival on Zenora had taught him to read people, to sense when questions were really threats in disguise. The Captain wasn't seeking an answer; he was testing something else entirely.

A heartbeat of silence followed.

The Captain's penetrating gaze fixed on Sol, something shifting in those cold eyes. The corners of his mouth twitched—not quite a smile, but a ghost of one. Behind him, the other crew members stiffened, their shock almost palpable in the air. They knew better than most how few people dared to be so direct with their Captain.

"Hmm." That single sound carried more weight than a dozen words.

The Captain turned away from Sol, his attention sliding to the vice-captain with deliberate precision. When he spoke again, his voice carried a different tone—still authoritative, but genuinely inquisitive.

"What do you think?"

The vice-captain met his superior's gaze without hesitation, his face composed but his eyes alive with interest. "Initially, I hadn't given it much thought," he said, a slight smile playing at his lips. "But I've grown rather fond of him."

He paused, then added with careful deference, "Though the decision is yours, Captain!"

Silence fell like a heavy curtain.

Jack and Jaz exchanged bewildered glances, their heads swiveling between Captain and vice-captain as if watching some incomprehensible dance. Their crew, notorious for rejecting even the strongest warriors, was considering a child?

Sol could read the confusion in their faces—these people who had fought like demons were now discussing taking in a street rat from Zenora? 

The Captain's cold eyes bore into the vice-captain, searching for something beneath the words. The vice-captain held that gaze steadily, an unspoken conversation passing between them. The air grew thick with tension, though neither man moved a muscle.

Sol watched, barely breathing. On Zenora, this kind of standoff usually ended in blood. He'd seen enough gang leaders size each other up to recognize the weight of the moment—but there was no hostility in the air, just... intensity.

"Alright"

Those two words shattered the tension like glass. Jack and Jaz's eyes widened in perfect synchronization, their shock written plainly across their faces.

The Captain's gaze was sharp, his words slicing through their stunned silence like a blade. "He's one of us now," he declared. "And until further notice, he'll earn his place... starting with the chores."

Just at that moment, Something sparked in Sol's chest—a dangerous feeling he hadn't allowed himself in years. Hope. A chance to leave this cursed island, to see the greater lands beyond Zenora's toxic shores. Freedom from the endless cycle of violence and survival.

Jack and Jaz stood frozen, their faces a perfect mirror of confusion. Their thoughts were practically visible: What just happened?

"Jack, Jaz." The Captain's voice snapped them to attention. "Begin preparation for departure. We are going back."

"Ye-Yes, sir!" They responded in unison, their training overriding their bewilderment.

As the Captain strode towards his quarters, his expression remained stoic. Yet, beneath that unshakable facade, there was an air of quiet amusement, so subtle it was almost imperceptible. 

The vice-captain stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the Captain's retreating form. His lips pressed into a thin line, but his eyes burned with intensity - thoughtful, calculating, and curious. He didn't chuckle this time.