Devil's Bargain

The woman smiled dangerously as she took a step closer to Alric, the wooden floor of the ship creaking against her boots.

Alric remained in place and did not move, thoughts rushing wildly into his head.

Every fibre of his being told him that she was dangerous, but there was something else... something deeper... hidden behind those predatory eyes.

"Not a threat, hmm? Are you sure boy?" she said softly, tilting her head as though scanning him from every angle.

"You're quiet, calm. That's unusual for someone on a sinking ship... in front of me."

Alric forced himself to breathe evenly.

"Panic doesn't help anyone."

Her smirk widened. "Smart. I like that."

Before he could respond, the ship shook violently again.

A distant explosion corrupted the air, and the faint scent of gunpowder drifted through the corridor. Shouts echoed from the deck above, accompanied by the clash of swords.

The woman's smile vanished.

She turned toward the noise, her movements smooth, then she glanced back at him. "Stay out of the way, little boy. You'll live longer."

Without waiting for an answer, she ran forward, rushing into the chaos.

Alric leaned against the wall.

His knuckles turned white as he gripped the hilt of his dagger hidden in his robes.

His thoughts were hazy, each thought colder than the last thought.

Who is she? A passenger? Nahhh... of course not, that was foolish of him to assume.

And wait... was he successful? Did he make the perfect impression he had wanted to make?

Soon, another scream pierced the air, and Alric flinched. He couldn't stay here. He had to move, to think, to act.

Pushing off the wall, he slipped through the narrow corridors of the ship, his footsteps silent.

He avoided the main paths.

Sticking to the shadows, his lean frame easily blending into the darkness.

The further he walked, the louder the chaos grew. Not knowing where he was going, the ship was like a maze to him without the guidance of the crewmen.

Coincidentally, he stumbled upon a giant door; if he remembered correctly, it would have been the dining hall; it was probably the second exit of the vast hall.

Alric got more and more curious, second by second.

Finally taking a gulp...

Through the narrow gap in the door of the grand dining hall, Alric took a peek and there he saw a glimpse of the carnage that was going on in the ship.

The hall was unrecognizable. Bodies lay lifelessly all around the hall. Across the floor, some slumped against the remains of lavish tables.

The carpets were soaked with the blood of the passengers; blood flowed like patterns beneath the flickering light of the chandeliers.

Pirates walked over the dead... and the dying, their weapons dripping with blood.

Alric felt like vomiting seeing the carnage.

His grip tightened on the dagger, but he did not move. He couldn't.

At the centre of the room, a group of passengers knelt in terrified silence.

A hulking pirate who had a scarred face stood before them, his lips twisted into a cruel grin. "Where is it!?," he barked like an animal, his voice like scratching a blackboard with long nails.

No one answered.

The pirate raged and grabbed an elderly lady by her grey hair, lifting her effortlessly. "Talk, or I'll..."

"Enough." A calm voice interrupted him.

The scarred man froze, turning toward the source of the command.

Alric's face had trouble breathing as the woman stepped into the light.

Her demeanour was completely changed... every step she took was telling him to bow, but he did not give in.

Her presence commanding. The pirates straightened out of fear, And let go of the old lady.

She approached the group of passengers, her sharp gaze turning to each of them.

Finally, she crouched in front of a trembling young woman who was protecting her child using her own body.

Alric respected that, if only he had a mother like that... maybe he wouldn't be here in the first place.

"You're scared," she said, her voice soft. "I understand. But I need you to be brave. Tell me, where is it?."

The young woman sobbed, shaking her head frantically. "I... I don't know!"

The woman sighed and stood, brushing nonexistent dust from her clothes. Her expression hardened. "Pity."

Without another word, she turned to the scarred pirate and nodded.

The man did not hesitate and his blade beheaded the young woman and her innocent child. And her scream was cut short.

Alric pressed his back against the wall, his breath shallow. His every instinct screamed at him to act, to stop this... but logic held him in place. He couldn't fight them, couldn't save anyone. Not yet.

He forced himself to focus, to watch. And he gritted his teeth.

The pirates were not just looting. Their movements were too precise, their leader's actions too calculated. This wasn't a random raid.

They're making a statement, he realized. But why?

As if she knew, the woman turned, her eyes piercing and scanning the room. For a moment, they landed directly on him. Into the narrow gap in the door.

Alric's heart stopped.

She smiled.

"Bring the rest," she commanded, her voice echoing. "We don't have all night."

The remaining passengers were dragged to their feet, their cries muffled by fear. The woman walked toward the doorway, her sharp gaze seemed to stay on the door, in Alric's direction.

Alric exhaled slowly, his fingers trembling. He had been noticed, maybe, probably not...

He didn't have time to dwell on the question. If he stayed here, he'd die like the others.

Sliding deeper into the shadows, Alric moved quickly and silently, his thoughts racing wild.

He didn't know who she was, but he needed to find out, if he could, that is.

Because somehow, deep within his gut, he knew this wasn't over yet.