53 - Fountain of Youth

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[Ill be taking a bit of time off.. Im tired :(.. need some time to sort things out... hopefully wont take much time...max one month ]

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The craftsmanship of the two Chalices was nothing short of exquisite. Wes held them in his hands, running his fingers over the delicate engravings, each pattern intricately woven like a masterful painting. The silver surface gleamed under the dim light, shimmering like stars caught in the midnight sky, yet radiating warmth akin to the first golden rays of dawn.

These sacred artifacts had likely borne witness to countless historical moments, their presence gracing royal banquets, secret rituals, and the hands of those who sought power beyond mortal comprehension. Perhaps they had even accompanied Juan Ponce de León on his perilous journeys, silently enduring trials and tribulations no ordinary relics could withstand.

Jack Sparrow, ever the opportunist, sauntered closer, his sharp eyes fixated on the Chalices with the curiosity of a man who had seen the world but still longed for more.

"Do you want it?" Wes asked, his voice laced with a knowing amusement.

Jack hesitated before shaking his head. Tempting as they were, he understood that such artifacts were beyond his grasp—not merely in possession but in consequence. He had encountered too many cursed treasures to be blinded by greed.

Seeing that Jack harbored no selfish intent, Wes let the moment pass, his mind already calculating the next step. With the mermaid's tear and the Holy Grails secured, the final phase of their journey was set into motion.

Jack Sparrow led the way as the three cautiously entered the cave. The air was thick with moisture, carrying the scent of ancient earth and briny water. Stalactites hung like jagged teeth from the cavern's ceiling, their sharp edges glistening in the flickering torchlight. A shallow pool of water, undisturbed and eerily still, lay at the cave's center, reflecting their wavering silhouettes.

Jack frowned, glancing down at his compass. The needle spun wildly, then stilled, pointing directly at the empty space before them.

"Something wrong?" Angelica asked, arms crossed.

Jack tapped the compass with mild frustration. "No, but if this thing's correct, we should be looking at the Fountain of Youth right now."

Wes examined the inscriptions on the Chalices, his voice calm yet deliberate as he spoke. "There is nothing wrong with the compass. This is the right place."

He read the words engraved in the Chalices and as his last words echoed, the water in the pool defied gravity, rising in slow, ethereal swirls. Droplets lifted into the air, merging into a suspended orb of liquid that hovered above their heads. It pulsed with an otherworldly glow, as though containing the whispers of forgotten deities.

Jack, momentarily awestruck, blinked. "Well, that's new."

Wes, unfazed, turned to him. "Captain Sparrow, you have fulfilled your promise."

With a swift gesture, Wes summoned two spheres of light from Jack and Angelica's bodies. As the luminous orbs returned to his grasp, a palpable shift filled the air. Jack and Angelica exhaled sharply, their shoulders relaxing as the weight of unseen restraints lifted. Freedom was theirs once more.

Angelica wasted no time. She grabbed Jack's wrist, ready to leave. "Let's go. We got what we came for. No more games."

Jack, however, didn't budge. His dark eyes gleamed with determination. "Not yet. I still need my ship."

Angelica's grip tightened, her frustration evident. "Jack, don't be stupid."

"It's the Pearl, love," he countered, his voice unwavering. "You know I can't walk away now."

Wes smirked, tucking the Holy Grail away. "Don't worry, Captain Sparrow. The real fun is about to begin."

Jack arched a brow. "By 'fun,' you mean—"

Wes didn't answer. Instead, he stepped forward and, without hesitation, plunged into the floating mass of water. Jack hesitated for only a beat before following suit, ignoring Angelica's protests. With a resigned sigh, she jumped in after them.

They emerged in a realm shrouded in mist, their breath visible in the cool, dense air. Towering rock pillars surrounded them, their surfaces inscribed with cryptic runes. The fabled Fountain of Youth lay before them, unassuming yet mesmerizing—an unbroken mirror of pristine water, untouched by time.

Wes retrieved the small glass bottle that held the mermaids. With a mere tap, the container expanded until it was large enough to form a pool. The five captured mermaids inside were restored to their full size, their terrified gazes fixed on Wes, their once ethereal beauty now laced with fear.

"Elody?!" Jack's voice broke through the tension, shock evident in his tone.

One of the mermaids, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders, lifted her head. "Jack! Help us!"

Angelica's eyes narrowed. "You 'soaked' a fish? Seriously, Jack? What goes on in that head of yours?"

Jack raised his hands defensively. "Now, love, there's a perfectly reasonable—"

"I am not a fish, you wretched old woman!" Elody snapped, baring her fangs.

"Old woman?!" Angelica's temper flared, hand flying to her sword.

Jack groaned. "Ladies, please—"

The argument escalated until Jack, exasperated, fired his pistol into the air. The shot reverberated through the misty expanse. Angelica instinctively drew her blade, scanning their surroundings, while Elody shrank back into the water.

"Jack?!" Angelica seethed, now pointing the sword at his chest.

Jack calmly pushed the blade aside and turned to Wes with an exaggerated bow. "Wise and powerful Wizard Master, could you—"

"No," Wes deadpanned.

Jack sighed. "Oh, come on. Look at them. They're just poor, helpless—"

Wes cut him off with a cold glare. "Helpless? Captain Sparrow, these creatures lure men to their deaths. Their beauty is a façade, their hearts void of mercy."

The mermaids, realizing their plea had failed, hissed in unison, their siren-like allure vanishing. Their sharp teeth gleamed as they coiled in the water, ready to strike.

Angelica leaned in, whispering, "Don't antagonize him. He needs their tears. At least we're safe."

With a flick of his wrist, Wes unleashed a nightmare spell. The mermaids convulsed, their eyes widening in terror as unseen horrors consumed their minds. One by one, they wept, their shimmering tears falling like diamonds. Wes collected them in a small crystal vial, sealing it with satisfaction.

The moment was shattered by the sound of approaching footsteps. Shadows emerged from the mist, weapons drawn. A band of ruthless pirates, their leader unmistakable—Blackbeard.

The infamous pirate's gaze locked onto the Fountain, his greedy eyes reflecting its promise of immortality. He raised his musket, aiming it squarely at Wes.

"Step aside. The Fountain belongs to me."

Wes met his gaze without fear. "Ever heard of 'first come, first served'?"

Blackbeard's response was a thunderous gunshot. The echo of the blast signaled the start of chaos.