The Adventures of Captain Marris

Chapter 1

 

“Slow ‘er down!” Marris ascended the rope net and his shouts reverberated across the ship, reaching the crew below. “I need to take a look at the map.”

His rotund first mate, Knell, exerted all his strength on a few ropes, causing the mast to rotate slowly. “Aye, aye, Captain!”

Making his way as fast as possible to the crow’s nest, Marris leaned over the edge of the wooden barrier, listening to the creaking of the ship beneath him. The salty wind billowed around his black jacket, making the silver buttons lining his chest rattle. He desperately clung to the black bicorn hat on his head, determined not to lose it in the wind. The pirate ship slowed its path, and he tightly clasped a tattered piece of paper in his other hand, its edges fluttering in the breeze. With his heart racing, sweat clung to his palms as he grasped the worn piece of paper. His adrenaline buzzed with electricity as the feeling of adventure pulsed through him. 

This is the life.

“Knell, get up here!” Marris yelled down to his best friend. Without delay, he caught sight of a person with a brown bowl cut, their strong fingers tightly gripping the rope ladder as they climbed the crow’s nest. “C’mon, hurry up!”

Eventually, two arms heaved onto the wooden landing, accompanied by heavy, labored breathing. “C-Captain, y-you k-know I’m s-scared of h-heights.” Knell hoisted himself onto the landing, his brown eyes nervously looking over the side while his knees shook.

“I won’t let anything happen to ya, buddy.” Marris slapped him on the back and held out the paper. “Here, hold this, and don’t let it go.” With a swift motion, he reached into his breast pocket and produced a telescope, extending it to its full length.  

“Y-you’ve been q-quiet about where w-we’re going, Captain,” Knell managed to say over his trembling breath.

“I couldn’t let word get out.” Marris narrowed his eyes. “Call it a bout of paranoia, but I’ll tell you.”

Knell’s cheeks turned red as he smugly smiled at the man he idolized. 

“In your hands is a map that will lead us to the Staff of Melides.” His face lit up with a confident smile as he ran his fingers through his vibrant crimson hair. “Don’t worry about where I found it; all I can say is that it was a truly heroic discovery.” 

“I bet it was.” Knell nodded, his eyebrows raised. “I was surprised when we found you casually walking along Seashell Shore.”

Marris nodded and looked through the telescope, seeing the vast sea before him. “Aye, I know if I’m near water, The Morgana will always find me.”

“What is the Staff of Melides, Captain?” Knell’s cheeks formed a broad smile, causing his eyes to crinkle.  

Marris brought his face inches away from the map, his sharp nose almost making contact, before diverting his attention back to the telescope. “There have always been stories of an ancient group whose leader, King Melides, had a staff with the power to turn anything he wanted into solid gold.”

His heart skipped a beat at the mere thought of obtaining the fabled staff—all the gold he could possibly want could be his. Dismissing the thought, he focused his attention once more on the map’s obscure instructions with frustration building up in his mind. 

Why can’t I figure this out? We’re in the center of the three land masses and the map is pointing me toward the middle. There’s nothing here. What am I doing wrong?

He squinted his eye through his telescope once again and sighed. It wasn’t uncommon for pirates to make maps that led to a fake treasure. They did it hoping the hunters would get discouraged if they were met with too many dead ends. 

I can’t be wrong. I’m the greatest treasure hunter the Forever Sea has ever seen.

He pointed to the water. “Knell, do you see anything suspicious?” With a twist of the ring on his finger, he activated its enchantment, granting him the ability to duplicate any item he gripped. 

The man took the bronze spyglass in his chubby fingers and put it to his eye. “I-I don’t, cap’n.”

A voice interrupted their conversation as a pirate from Marris’s crew yelled to everyone nearby. “A ship’s approaching from the port side!” 

“Captain, I-I think…”

“Quiet, Knell.” As Marris hurried to the other side of the crow’s nest, a sizable, murky shape could be seen lurking in the distance. With the telescope pressed against his eye, he beheld the awe-inspiring image of a magnificent ship effortlessly navigating through the waves, its helm occupied by a determined woman with narrow, intense eyes. “They’re following us.”

“Captain, I think I found a clue on the map.”

“Not now, Knell.” With a daring leap, Captain Marris hurled himself out of the ship’s highest point, his fingers instinctively gripping a nearby rope. Sliding down toward the deck, he effortlessly swung through the air, and his body came to a halt inches above the gleaming wooden surface of his ship. Marris’s voice echoed as he yelled, ensuring his whole crew could hear. “Full speed ahead! We need to lose these girls!”

The men around the deck diligently turned and unraveled the masts, their hands moving purposefully. A moment of silence hung in the air as they waited for the wind to fill the sails. 

Gradually, the ship started to sway, moving with the current. Running to the back of the vessel, Marris’s heart plummeted as he realized how close the other boat was. The sun illuminated the golden letters printed on its side, causing them to glimmer and catch his attention: The Pirate Booty.

“Let’s get outta here!” Taking charge, he firmly planted himself at the helm, his hands gripping the wheel with unwavering strength, prepared to guide the ship away from their stalkers

“Sir,” Knell ran to him, out of breath and gasping for air, “I-think-I-found-a-clue.”

“A clue?” Marris’s eyebrows rose. “Why didn’t you say so? Where?”

“Look here.” Knell held the tattered map to the captain’s eyes. “We’re exactly where the map tells us to be, but look in the sky.”

“A sun?”

“And?”

Marris scanned the document and only saw the drawing of a sun in the sky, nestled toward the right of the paper. He shrugged his shoulders and glanced toward the oncoming ship. “I don’t have time for this nonsense.”

Knell pointed to the crescent-shaped island on the left side of the map. “The sun and the moon need to be in the sky at the same time.”

Suddenly, a loud boom from a recently deployed cannon reverberated through the air. A tremendous splash saturated the ship, startling everyone on board. “They’re gaining on us,” he said aloud, confident in his abilities as he took his place at the helm. “Losing them shouldn’t be a problem for me.” With an expert swing of the wheel, the ship abruptly turned to the right. 

“Look, cap’n.” Knell’s finger trembled as it stretched to the sky.

“I don’t have time to look right now.” He tightly gripped the hull, desperately wishing the ship could veer sharply to the right, leaving no time for The Pirate Booty to change course and allowing them to pass by undetected. “We aren’t getting plundered by a group of girls.”

Startled, a bunch of men let out piercing screams as they glanced over the boat. “What the hell is that?”

What now? 

Without warning, they were suddenly knocked down by a powerful force as a frothy blue ocean wave surged onto the espresso trim of the deck. Jumping up, Marris’s eyes widened as he beheld the aftermath of the collision, the twisted remains of the other ship intertwined with their own. He yelled at the top of his lungs, “What the hell are you doing?”

His words fell on deaf ears as his entire crew and the girls on the other ship had their eyes planted in the same direction. He ran to starboard, and his mouth dropped at the sight before him. Just a few feet ahead, a grand whirlpool swirled and churned with immense power. 

The once calm ocean now roared with turbulence, swirling violently to form the menacing spiral of water. A thin foam bubbled in its core as a warning—if your ship entered, it would surely be crushed.

Marris turned to his crew. “Let’s get out of this current! Drop all the masts!”

The pull was so strong that the two ships were immediately caught in a whirlpool, spinning helplessly. He saw the women on the other ship scurry around, trying to use every technique they could to extract themselves from the vacuum-like current. They began at the outer edge, then continued their slow, spiraling journey toward the center. 

I’ve led my crew to their death. This isn’t what a captain’s purpose is. 

As they spiraled, he sensed a presence behind him and instantly felt a firm squeeze around his waist. The Morgana was sucked into the whirlpool. The front of the ship vanished first, gradually sinking beneath the water’s surface as if it had collided with an iceberg. 

Marris closed his eyes and held his breath, feeling the anticipation build as he prepared to sink into the watery depths. With the heart of a true pirate, he embraced the notion of going down with his ship, fully prepared to meet his fate with honor. 

With each passing minute, the ship rocked back and forth with such intensity that they were forcefully thrown to the floor and skidded across the polished surface. 

But then, all ceased. 

Silence. 

Marris’s eyelids opened, and the world around him was dark. 

Is this Davy Jones’ Locker? 

He knew he wasn’t going to heaven, so this was the only logical option. Knell was latched around his body, his eyes shut tight. A cavern of wet rocks surrounded him, their surfaces covered in slippery algae and moss that thrived in their cracks. “Wh-where are we?”

The gloom parted, revealing a mesmerizing sight—a lopsided temple nestled in the cavern, its tiers resembling a delicately carved cake. The boat glided through the water without a sound, steadily approaching its final destination. 

Knell’s grip around Marris loosened, and his voice was quiet. “It’s the Temple of Melides. We did it, Captain!”

Chapter 2

 

Marris rubbed his eyes, then rubbed them again when he saw the fabled temple before him. The closer he got, the more it felt like he had entered a mythical realm where dreams and reality intertwined. His heart quickened with every inch progressed toward the temple, and the thrill of adventure sunk into his bones. His face was adorned with a wide smile that stretched from ear to ear, causing his cheeks to ache. He was so nervous that he dared not even blink, afraid that it would vanish if he closed his eyes, even for a moment. 

A solid crunch from beneath The Morgana reached their ears, indicating they had washed upon the land. Jumping out of the boat, Marris eagerly embraced the statue of the woman at the front, using it as a vantage point to take in the surroundings. Below him, a small beach of rocky sand stretched out, its jagged surface contrasting with the smooth, dull gray stone that paved the way to the courtyard entrance.

With a leap, Marris landed on the sandy shore, feeling the grains shift beneath his feet. He frantically waved his arms, desperately trying to catch his falling body, but eventually, his legs gave way beneath him. The shells and rocks bruised his body when he tumbled to the ground. 

“Captain! Captain! Are you okay?” Knell yelled with a furrowed brow, jumping up and down on the ship. 

Shit, I can’t let my crew see me like this. 

Marris felt a surge of heat in his cheeks but quickly regained control, using his muscular arms to propel himself back up. He tousled his long red hair and glanced upward toward his first mate. “It was all part of the plan!” 

From the other boat, a laugh with a high-pitched tone echoed, immediately followed by a voice dripping with sarcasm. “Of course it was. Every blunder is part of Marris’s plan.”

With a nervous flutter, his eyes lingered on Knell who was cautiously straddling the rope ladder, preparing to join him on land. Redirecting his gaze to the other ship in the water, a deep feeling of dread settled in his stomach. An involuntary twitch pinged in his face, and a sneer involuntarily formed on his lips. These were the last pirates on the Island of Forever he wanted to find treasure with.

A dark silhouette leaped from The Pirate Booty, twisting and turning through the air before landing gracefully on the soft sand just a few feet away. Her muscles tensed as she knelt on one knee, and she rose with deliberate strength and determination. She shrugged and flipped her ponytail over her shoulder. 

What a showoff.

“Didja think you could run from me forever, Marris?” Like melted chocolate, her voice seamlessly combined deep and lighter tones, creating a soothing and rich melody. In the darkness surrounding the temple, her jet-black hair seemed to emit an otherworldly glow while her caramel-colored eyes remained fixated on the man before her. She placed her hand on her hip and shot him a skeptical look, raising an eyebrow.

Marris quickly folded his arms across his chest and turned his nose into the air as Knell positioned himself at his side. “Why were you following me, Ruby? I’ll have you know whatever treasure we find is mine.”

Laughter erupted from The Pirate Booty that echoed off the cavern’s walls. The loudest howl being from the tan woman that stood before him. “I didn’t take you for a comedian, but you’re hilarious.” She rolled her eyes. “Didja think I didn’t commit that map to memory before you stole it from me?”

“Stole?” Knell twisted his thick neck, his eyebrows a downward slope. “Captain, what’s she talking about?” 

All eyes, including Knell’s, fixated on him. Their penetrating stares drilled into his back, filled with curiosity and unspoken judgment. Sweat formed a ring at his hairline, and his ears flushed with heat. “I-I found the map while I was escaping the goblin compound.”

“You mean you stole the map from Harper’s quarters and destroyed one of their tunnels to not be caught in a manhunt, correct?”

“Technicalities,” he muttered, annoyance dripping from his words as he waved his hand. The sound of metal unsheathing filled the air as he pulled out his sword, returning it to a defensive stance. A smile that didn’t reach his eyes appeared on his face as he cocked his head, feigning concern. “Why don’t you be a good girl and leave before it gets too dangerous?”

In a blur of movement, Ruby’s arms extended to her side, and her body quickly closed the distance between them. With a sudden, ear-splitting clang, the sound reverberated as Marris’s sword was forcefully knocked out of his hand, spinning dangerously in the air before planting itself in the rocky sand. A triumphant smile perched on the girl’s face. “You were never a good swordsman, so if you’re the danger, I think I’ll be fine.”

Don’t let your crew see you sweat. Keep calm. 

Ruby’s overwhelming cockiness shook him to his core as if a venomous snake had coiled around his heart and ignited his fury. They spent years locked in an ongoing battle, their roles as pirates and treasure hunters constantly pitting them against each other. Whenever they came into contact, he always felt the need to outdo her in every way. He tried so hard to be good at everything he did, yet it always seemed to come so easy for her.  

Marris yelled to his crew on The Morgana. “While I raid this temple, I’m ordering you swine to fix my ship!” 

We’ll need to make an immediate escape after I steal the treasure, and if Ruby gets in my way…well, I have no problem trapping her inside.

“It must come as no shock, but I’m coming with you.” Looking at him from underneath her thick eyelashes, Ruby crossed her arms defiantly. “You’ll need my help, let’s be honest.”

Oh, she’s definitely getting locked inside. 

Marris let out an exasperated breath before turning his gaze towards the temple. Excitement coursed through his veins, fueling his heart with hope and electrifying his gaze with a blazing fire. “Knell, I’ll need your help. Get over here!”

The short pirate stretched his shirt over his belly and nervously took his place next to Marris. “Aye, aye, cap’n!”

Pushing aside the strands of red hair that fell across his face, Marris met Ruby’s gaze with a lack of excitement on his face. “If you’re coming, let’s go.”

Together, they walked toward the entrance to the temple, each of them one step closer to the fabled Staff of Melides.

Chapter 3

 

The size of the stone fortress paled in comparison to some he had raided, but its grandeur was undeniable. He often ventured into the depths of caves or meticulously dug through layers of sand to find most of his bounty. It was a new experience for him, standing at the entrance of a temple, contemplating the riches that lay hidden inside. The stone walls were adorned with intricate carvings, showcasing the skill and artistry of the craftsmen. Vibrant painted shapes, now faded but still discernible, added a touch of color to the exterior. The creators of this temple envisioned it as a place of utmost significance, perhaps even sacred. 

Glancing upward, Marris couldn’t help but feel small contrasted to the imposing four-tiered building. The entrance to the location was obstructed by a massive stone wheel, standing tall and blocking the way. As he rapped his knuckles on the stone door, he furrowed his brow and hooked his thumb under his chin, lost in deep thought. “Hmm, it’s solid. D’ya think we need to say a password?”

Knell shrugged. “Uh… Open Sesame?”

Ruby was on her hands and knees, inspecting the edges of the entrance. Green algae covered much of the building’s exterior, and brown weeds wrapped themselves around anything they could latch onto. “This looks like a track of some sort. Maybe we can push it upward to get inside.”

Marris’s eyes glanced along the perimeter, outlining the track Ruby had mentioned. “Let’s give it a try.” With their bodies pressed against the ancient, white stone, they locked eyes and slowly extended their fingertips to the fragile, cracking doorway. Grunting in unison, they held their breaths, mustering every ounce of effort as they pushed with all their might.  

“Uh, captain?” Knell nervously called. 

“Shut…up…and…come…help…us.” The six words were a struggle for Marris to mutter through his clenched teeth. 

What the hell is he doing?

“Captain, come look at this.”

A deep rumble echoed from inside the temple, causing the stone doorway to tremble. “Push! Harder!” With their last bit of strength, Ruby and Marris exerted their last bit of strength, feeling a glimmer of hope as the wheel slowly turned. Working together, they exerted their strength to rotate the stone, gradually revealing the temple’s entrance.

“We did it!” Ruby yelled, jumping into the air. “You know, Marris, you really need to work on your biceps for times like this.”

“You may not have noticed, but I was doing all the work.” Marris pivoted his body in the opposite direction with his sleeves rolled up and dirt smudged on his arms. “Now, Knell, what were you saying?” He noticed the sweat dripping down his face as he stood beside a spoked wooden wheel.

“I found out how to open it.”

Bewildered glances were exchanged between them, their faces mirroring their sudden realization.

“You know…” Ruby raised her tone with a shade of pink crossing her tanned cheeks. “You really shouldn’t touch things that could be dangerous.”

Marris straightened his back. “I agree with her, Knell. That could have been a booby trap.”

“I-I’m sorry, cap’n.”

He put his hands through his long hair. “I’m sure the door still needed someone to push it out of the way. Without me and Ruby, we still wouldn’t be in.”

“You are all brawn, sir,” Knell agreed, his cheeks red. 

“Aye, right you are!” Marris laughed and winked at his friend. As they approached, a blazing fire erupted, casting dancing shadows on the walls of the dark entrance. “Into the belly of the beast.”

Timidly, they walked through the entrance to the temple, their footsteps echoing softly in the silence, ready for whatever may come their way. With its uneven surface, the stone floor made each step feel uncertain, while the walls transformed from a dull gray to a striking, almost metallic blue, adding an intriguing change to the surroundings. The temple was eerily quiet, save for the subtle click of their heels. The air was thick with water and salt yet smelled like a dank sewer. 

Marris stumbled on an uneven rock underfoot, knocking into Ruby. “Watch where you’re walking!”

“It was an accident,” he spat back at her.

“Being aware of where you’re walking could be the difference between life and death.”

Marris rolled his eyes and wished for anyone else in the world to be in this temple with him. By dedicating his entire life to pursuing buried treasure, he has amassed a vast collection of loot once hidden by other pirates. In contrast to the straightforward process of using a map and following an X to uncover treasure, finding this temple was a new adventure. The Staff of Melides was here, the treasure was fabled among pirates, and his body tingled with excitement at the mere thought of discovering it.  

Below his feet, the uneven stone continued, and he stumbled once again. A whoosh sliced through the air, and his ears caught the sound of a metallic clang opposite him. Turning around, he was startled by Ruby, her silver saber held out in front of her. “Wh-what’re you doing?”

She swirled her head toward him, her eyes narrow. “Watch your step.”

“A booby trap?” Knell yelled. “Cap’n, we could die in here!”

Marris saw an arrow sticking out of the wall. 

When I activated the trap, did she save me?

He found it difficult to believe that despite their hatred for each other, she chose to protect him. 

“Be careful, I’m sure there are more tra—” Ruby’s thought lingered as she felt her foot activate another lever. The flickering light revealed an arrow glinting as it shot from the wall. With no time to dodge the weapon, she contorted her body. The sharp point of the arrow soared past, narrowly avoiding her clothing. 

“Run!” Knell yelled and began sprinting down the hallway.

As Marris and Ruby exchanged glances, their widened eyes mirrored their shared sense of fear. The circular-shaped man was about to set off every trap in the hallway.  

“Knell, you idiot!” Marris yelled as he and Ruby chased after him. “You’re activating all of them!”

Ruby tightly held his hand, their fingers interlocking as they skillfully dodged the swinging weapons. Narrowly avoiding a barrage of arrows, they neared the exit to the passageway. The both of them slid, jumped, and dodged their way through the obstacles, the adrenaline pumping through their veins, until finally, Knell came into view. 

“Why’d you stop?” Marris yelled, his voice carrying over their footsteps as they ran toward him. 

Ruby tugged his arm, pulling him backward. With a whoosh, an arrow shot past his head, leaving a faint breeze in its wake and narrowly avoiding his eyebrows.  

Their hearts pounding, they sprinted onward until they reached the round man. At that moment, they understood the reason behind his unexpected pause. The passageway led them to a pit of darkness, its vast depths seeming to go on forever, sending shivers down their spines. They strained their eyes, but the pit seemed to stretch endlessly through the temple, its depths hidden by the limited glow of their torch.

With his hands on his knees, Knell hunched over and stared into the black void ahead. Marris felt a sense of dread creeping into her stomach, realizing that falling in would mean the end of their quest for the Staff of Melides.  

Chapter 4

 

Marris’s toes dangled precariously over the cliff’s edge, arms flailing in wide circles. As his body wobbled back and forth, his eyes widened in fear, knowing that one wrong move could send him plummeting into the depths of darkness. “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” With a sudden jolt, his collar was forcefully grabbed, yanking him backward and causing him to collapse onto the ground.  

“How many times do I have to tell you, Marris?” Ruby stood over him, her arms crossed. “Watch your damn step!”

“Lemme help you, captain.” 

Marris rapidly stood, his hands instinctively brushing off the loose dust from his jacket as he cleared his throat. “Let’s move on and make sure we stick together. We can’t afford to potentially be Swiss cheese again.” He glanced toward Knell, who responded by bowing his head, quietly accepting the reprimand.  

Marris reached for a torch in the pitch-black cavern, and its warm glow filled the space. A thin outline of a landing materialized before them, prompting a quick jump. “I can see—” Just as he was about to finish his sentence, a blur zoomed past him, leaving him bewildered. 

He watched as Ruby sprinted toward the landing, the wind whipping through her hair as she launched herself into the air. Reaching the apex of her jump, her body curled and effortlessly executed a flip, landing on the nearby platform with the quick reflexes of a cat. 

“C’mon, you two, we don’t have all day.” Ruby tapped her food and looked at her wrist as if she had a watch strapped to it. 

A sneer reached Marris’s lip, and he cocked his head to the platform. “C’mon, Knell, it’s not that far, let’s do it.”

“T-together?” Knell asked, tapping his fingers together nervously. “I-I’m scared I won’t make it.”

“Get a running start, you can do it.” Marris straightened his back while holding the torch to his side. “Trust me.”

Hesitantly, Knell nodded and slipped his hand into the captain’s. “L-let’s do it together.”

Marris’s eyes anxiously flickered from side to side before firmly clasping his friend’s hand in return. When he locked eyes with Knell’s piercing green gaze, he responded with a confident nod, a reassuring smile forming on his lips. 

It feels good to be needed by someone. Someone I know counts on me. Someone I can’t let down.  

They sprinted towards the cliff, their footsteps pounding against the ground. The force of inertia drove them forward, allowing them to glide over the open space. Marris’s feet abruptly halted as the ground beneath him caused him to skid, while Knell lost his balance and landed on his backside with a thud.  

“About time the two of you got here.” Ruby rolled her eyes and pointed straight ahead. “There’s more ahead, we have to keep leaping without falling.”

“Do we have to?” Knell whined. “I’m not cut out for this!”

Ruby shrugged and readied herself to jump. “You can always turn back.”

“Pirates of The Morgana don’t give up!” Marris yelled as he watched her pounce.

“I won’t leave you, cap’n.”

Marris put one hand on his friend’s shoulder and smiled. “I know you won’t.” He gave one slight nod forward. “Whaddaya say we get to the end of these?”

Knell put his hand to his forehead and saluted. “Aye, aye!”

With each passing minute, the platforms seemed to grow more distant, and their energy levels dwindled, making it increasingly difficult for them to reach each one. Despite their fear, they pressed on, knowing that falling was not an option. With each forceful jump, their breaths became short and labored, and their footsteps echoed heavily until they finally landed on the last platform.  

“F-finally done,” Knell managed to say through labored breaths. “What’s next?”

The three pirates followed the winding passageway until they entered a rounded hall. The tunnel came alive with the sudden illumination of torches, their flames dancing and casting long shadows along the walls.

Stepping into the hallway, Marris was overwhelmed by a musty smell, and dampness clung to his skin. He squinted, searching for a way out, but the tunnel seemed to stretch forever into the pitch-black void. “I think the next level of the temple is…” His words were cut short when a rumbling vibrated the hall. With a quick turn, he found himself face to face with a colossal boulder, crashing down and barreling towards him.

“Captain, get outta there!” Knell yelled. “You’ll get crushed!”

As she held her arm to him, the bracelets that loosely circled Ruby’s wrist jangled softly. “Marris, jump!”

The ground shook as the boulder charged towards him, prompting the pirate to spring into action, extending his arm in a daring leap. As he closed his fingers around her wrist, he could feel the softness of her skin, a stark contrast to the tension in the moment. The boulder narrowly missed him by inches, its thunderous crash echoing through the never-ending tunnel.

“Do I have to say it again?” Ruby smirked as she shook his hand away. “Lemme try something.” She ran to the passageway, where Marris had stood moments before, and exited as quickly as she came. Within seconds, they were startled by the thunderous crash of another boulder hurtling past them.

“It’s motion-activated,” Knell surmised. “But how do we stop it?”

Together, they scanned their surroundings, searching for valuable clues or objects that may assist them. While Ruby struggled to lift the heavy stones, Marris meticulously inspected the walls, looking for hidden mechanisms or secret switches that could halt the boulder. In an attempt to determine the sensitivity of the motion detectors, Knell experimented by hurling some loose rocks into the passageway, studying their frequency and size.  

Marris’s fingertips brushed against an unexpected texture on the wall facing the dead end. He raised his eyebrows in surprise and carefully traced his fingertips along the faint crease, revealing a hidden piece of stone. “I think I found something!”

Ruby ran over to him with hope in her eyes. “What is it?”

“I think it’s a lever.” He turned to Knell and yelled. “Run into the middle, then back out to see if this stops the boulder.”

Their eyes watched as the rotund man shuffled toward the circular passage and twisted his body around to return to them. 

Only he didn’t. 

The tunnel was instantly filled with the echoes of an agonizing scream. The sudden twist of his ankle sent the man tumbling down, his stomach making impact with the ground before the rest of his body.  

“Knell! Get outta there!” Marris yelled, carefully watching the ceiling where all the boulders had descended. Returning his focus to the lever, he put all his effort into pulling it with all his might.

“He won’t make it out!” Ruby yelled. She quickly jumped into the tunnel and wrapped one of Knell’s arms around her shoulder, helping him limp to safety. 

“It…it worked.” Marris’s eyes were wide. 

Thank God it all panned out, but what if it didn’t? Would Knell have been trampled? 

Letting go of the handle, he dashed over to his friend, who was hobbling towards safety. “Are you okay?”

Ruby knelt on the ground, her fingers tightly gripping Knell’s ankle as she inspected it. “He’ll be fine; it’s just a little sprain.”

“Th-thanks for saving him.” Marris’s freely given gratitude felt strange to him, as he always made an effort to hide any sign of appreciation. “Let’s move on.”

“He won’t be able to run down the tunnel.”

Dammit, she’s right. With Knell’s ankle hurt, he wouldn’t be able to get out. 

He felt his lip curl at the thought of allowing Ruby to continue without him.

“D-don’t worry, Captain.” Knell winced as he stood upright. “I’ll hold the lever while you two go on ahead. I want to make sure you safely make it further into the temple.”

“But what about you?” The idea of being confined to a temple with only Ruby for company was unimaginable to him. Knell was not only his best friend but also his trusted partner in plundering and uncovering hidden treasures.  

“I’ll meet you back at the ship when you both get out with the treasure.”

Marris knew Knell was putting on a strong front, but nevertheless, he nodded. “Get out safely.”

He nodded.

“Promise me.”

“I promise, cap’n.”

Their eyes met, and Marris and Knells shared a brief moment of locked gaze before he tilted his head and made a sweeping motion with his arm. “Come on, Ruby, let’s get in place to make a quick escape.”

“On the count of three, Captain!” Knell propped himself up on the wall, his fingers pulling at the lever. “One…two…THREE!”

As soon as he uttered the last number, the room erupted as if a starting gun had been fired and a race had commenced. Ruby and Marris burst into the tunnel, their footsteps echoing loudly as they sprinted down the dimly lit hallway, desperate for the exit to appear sooner than anticipated.  

“Uh… Captain?” Knell’s voice echoed. “It’s getting harder to hold it down.”

With the sound of his blood rushing in his ears, Marris turned and yelled back, “You better hold on as long as you can!” He and Ruby gazed at one another, fear in both their eyes.

Silence filled the air before Knell screamed., “I-I can’t hold on any longer.”

And with that, a rumble shook the tunnel.

Chapter 5

 

Marris lay on his back, his chest rising and falling as he struggled to catch his breath. Never in his life had he run as hard as he did down that tunnel. The sprint remained a blur in his mind, the deafening sound of the boulder crashing towards them echoing in his ears as if he were reliving the moment. He didn’t expect to still be living, but here he was. Every muscle in his body throbbed with pain, but the sensation served as a reminder of his existence.  

Sitting up, he looked to his right and saw Ruby’s body beside him.

Is she breathing? 

His eyes gazed upon her still chest, willing it to move. 

Breathe. Breathe. Come on, just breathe! 

He caught a flutter below her breast, and his heart quickened. “Ruby, are you okay?”

Her lips curled into a smug smirk while her eyes fluttered with a hint of amusement. “Why wouldn’t I be? I saved you, remember?”

It was as if a floodgate had opened, and all the memories came rushing back to him at once. They had been running down the tunnel, and the boulder was chasing them. Nearing the end, the giant stone was relentlessly closing in on them, and he tripped. Ruby grabbed his arm, her grip firm as she swung him into the cozy alcove they were currently nestled in. He would have faced a devastating blow if she hadn’t taken that action. Despite his appreciation, he stubbornly kept his emotions hidden from her.

Ruby sidled to her feet and clasped Marris’s hand, pulling him upright. “Let’s carry on.”

The pirate captain turned his head, feeling a chill run down his spine as he remembered the dangers they had faced in the tunnel. Overwhelmed by a mounting sense of guilt and anxiety, he pressed a hand against his pounding heart. 

“Knell will be fine.” With a gentle tug at his sleeve, Ruby directed his attention towards the staircase looming ahead of them.

He nodded, and together, they ascended to the next floor of the temple. 

Why does she always have to say a snarky comment? She’s too confident in her abilities; saving me was pure luck, it had to be. If she weren’t so frustrating, I’d try to work with her, but that’s definitely not going to happen. Trust isn’t something I give out freely, and something about her puts me on edge.

Stepping into the large open room at the top of the stairs, they were greeted by four pillars that reached to the ceiling. They moved with utmost care, their senses on high alert, searching for any potential booby traps. With every step they took, the clacking of their boots reverberated off the walls. With a sudden burst of light, torches lining the perimeter illuminated the area, pushing back the darkness.  

“Over there!” Ruby pointed to their right. 

As Marris turned, a massive stone door with three intricately carved indentions at eye level caught his attention. Upon closer inspection, one of them had a triangular indentation, while the other an oval and the last was diamond-shaped. “Whatever goes in here must open the door.” 

Ruby’s head bobbed from side to side, “Let’s look around.”

As soon as they entered the room, their eyes were drawn to the magnificent mural made of colored stone, showcasing four distinct quadrants. The left side displayed a vivid image of a blazing sun, its rays illuminating treacherous waves crashing against jagged rocks. Meanwhile, the right side depicted a mystical moon casting a soft, ethereal light on a sea filled with sinuous snakes. They brought the torch closer to the mural to see if there was any indication of how to complete the task before a glint of light flashed on the far end of the room.

If there are snakes in this temple, I’m out. The staff can stay hidden.

Locking eyes, Marris and Ruby silently communicated their agreement before sprinting towards the flickering light, their hearts ablaze with curiosity and excitement. Torchlight flickered as they neared, casting an ethereal glow on the gleaming green jewel perched on the pedestal, teasingly out of reach. The sight of the treasure caused Marris’s mouth to water and his eyes to shine with anticipation.

Ruby stuck her arm out, stopping him in his tracks. “Watch out!”

Balancing on the precipice of the enormous chasm, Marris could feel the rush of wind whipping against his toes. The torches cast a warm glow, their flickering light revealing a pit of sharp spikes, ominously pointing upwards as if they hungered for him. Had he taken another step, he would have met a grim fate of being impaled. “You saved me again.”

“Let’s not make a habit of it, okay?” Ruby’s lip was turned upward as she looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “We gotta climb on the rocks to get to the other side.” She walked to the edge of the challenge before her and securely grabbed a protruding stone. “You coming?”

His cheeks flushed with heat as he hurried over to her, carefully balancing on a stone with one foot and tightly gripping another in his palm. He followed her every move as she skillfully moved like a spider—calculated like a string held her aloft. Her incredible mastery astonished Marris as he struggled to keep up with her speed.

Marris moved carefully, focusing solely on finding solid stones to step on, determined to avoid mishaps or slips. His pupils darted towards the pit below, where the gleaming spikes awaited, ready to inflict a deadly blow. With an audible gulp, he swallowed the ball in his throat and focused all his attention on the task.  

At least it’s not a pit of snakes.

Ruby shimmied from stone to stone, almost toward the end. 

She’s a really skilled pirate. Just look at her, she’s fearless. 

A piercing scream abruptly halted his thoughts. With wide eyes, he witnessed the stone Ruby had grabbed come loose from the wall, propelling her into a perilous descent toward the menacing spikes below.  

He held his breath and fixated on her fingers. Just before she reached the tip of the spikes, her hand skillfully latched around a stone. “Ruby!” The adrenaline running through his veins carried him across the wall. 

I don’t care if I’m safe, I need to be sure she’s okay.  

Making his way to the dangling woman, he held out his free hand. “Grab on!”

Ruby clasped her fingers around his, and he pulled her upward. She brushed her hair out of her face and begrudgingly muttered, “Thanks.”

“I’m only returning the favor. You know, someone once told me that being aware of where you step could be the difference of life or death.” A smirk crossed his lips, and he winked. “Any thoughts on that?”

She rolled her eyes and tapped each of the rocks before shifting her weight onto them. “Come on.”

Together, they made their way across the chasm, and the glowing green jewel sat before them. The item had a palpable aura of power as if it held a core of enchantment. Marris held out one hand, feeling the weight of the three points as he gripped them tightly between his fingers.  

“We did it!” Ruby yelled as her eyes glowed with green light. “If the treasure in this temple is anything like this, we’ll be happening upon quite a bounty.”

She was right. The jewel was a fantastic artifact, one that people far and wide would seek. Men would sell their souls for treasure like this. An amused look crossed Marris’ face. 

We? She must trust me more than I trust her. Let’s keep it that way.

Chapter 6

 

With the chasm behind them, Ruby and Marris inserted the triangular jewel, marveling at how it perfectly fit into the indentation. As soon as it clicked inside, a deep rumble reverberated through the room.  

“What was that?” Ruby craned her neck and grabbed Marris’s hand. “C’mon, let’s take a look.”

As dust particles floated through the area, a palpable aura of change permeated the environment. Broken rocks scattered across the floor, creating a pile that seemed to have fallen from above. From a hole in the ceiling, a rope ladder had descended, swaying gently before them. Marris lifted one arm and grasped the ladder’s wrung.

Ruby lifted her palm in front of her face. “You go first because I don’t know what’s up there. I’d rather you get eaten than me.”

He looked at her, his eyes rolling in exasperation. Her snarky comments were becoming familiar to him, and he started to perceive them as playful rather than malicious. 

Is she flirting with me? 

His cheeks burned, and he turned his head so she couldn’t see his red face. Lifting his foot and feeling the rough texture of the rope beneath his fingertips, he began his ascent.  

“I’m right behind you!” Ruby yelled.

Marris made his way up the ladder and hoisted himself into the newly revealed room. His body was cast into darkness, and he squinted in an attempt to peer through the black. 

This’ll get her. 

With his hands firmly gripping the top of the ladder, he violently shook it and unleashed a resounding scream. “Get off me, you scoundrel!”

Ruby scurried up as quickly as possible, rolling into the room and unsheathing her saber. Her narrowed eyes conveyed a sense of intensity as if she were prepared to strike immediately. Seeing Marris atop the hole with a sheepish smile, she crossed her arms. “What was attacking you? Where is it?”

He shrugged casually, a mischievous wink dancing in his eyes. “Just wanted to keep you on your toes.”

She sheathed her knife once more and grimaced. “Asshole.”

Torches sprung to life, illuminating the small room. They found themselves in the center of four connected corridors, the dim lighting casting eerie shadows along the walls. Equidistantly spaced at the end of each were two wooden stakes, creating a symmetrical boundary. Suddenly, a dazzling white jewel set inside the wall came alive, pulsing with an enchanting glow right before their eyes.

“The second key! Let’s get it!” Ruby’s tiny fingers tightly gripped the diamond-shaped crystal, but it stubbornly refused to budge.  

Marris drew his sword with precision, and delicately inserted the pointed tip behind the jewel. “Let me handle this.” He shimmied the sword around its perimeter until it pushed itself free from the wall, falling directly into his fingers. Holding it out, he asked, “Can I trust you to put this in the door?”

She nodded. “You look around for the last key, maybe this will unlock the next piece of the puzzle.” With that, she scurried back down the ladder.

Do I really trust her? I suppose it’s not like she’s going anywhere, so why not? We will have to work together in order to get the treasure in this temple, so why not build that relationship? 

Not another thought crossed his mind before the stakes trembled. He deduced that she had likely inserted the crystal into the door.  

Marris sprinted to the end of one corridor, and was surprised to see that the wooden stakes now had handles. He grabbed one and gave it a complete turn, feeling the weight in his hands and questioning if he was doing it right.

“Marris! What’re you doing?”

He abruptly halted, sprinting towards the ladder, flinging himself onto the ground, and landing on his chest. With his red ponytail pulled up near his eyebrows, he looked through the hole, feeling weightless. “What happened down here?”

Ruby eagerly ran over to him, her chin lifted to meet his gaze. “The pillars were moving. I think we have to match the pictures with the mural. Let’s give it a try.”

“How will I know when to stop or go backward?”

“Are you really that daft?” She threw her arms up. “We’ll work together. I know this may be a foreign concept to you, but sometimes you have to collaborate to accomplish goals.” Seeing his bewildered look, she shook her head to dismiss him. “Just keep turning and listen when I tell you to stop.”

“Got it.” Pushing himself off the floor, Marris took his position at the lever he had just left. “Ready?”

“Turn it three full turns!”

He remembered the weight of the pillar as he struggled to turn it, putting all his strength into each push. He spun the pillar once, gaining bursts of energy for each spin to continue going. After what felt like an eternity, he finally reached three spins, and his feet slid to a sudden stop. “Is that good?”

“Give it a quarter turn!”

Marris clenched his teeth, pushing forward before quickly retracting. A flash of green light came from below, illuminating the hallway. “What happened down there?”

“The pillar lined up with the mural, and there was a bright light. I think that means it’s where it needs to be.” Ruby’s voice echoed through the hall. “Go to the next one and see if the same thing happens!”

With a turn, Marris faced the next lever and pressed against it, feeling the resistance against his body with each forceful push. He continued to spin the pillar until he heard Ruby yell, “Stop,” shortly followed by another brilliant flash. Racing to the other side, he could feel the perspiration collecting on his upper lip as he summoned every ounce of energy once again. An additional flash came from below.

The ground underneath him started to tremble, followed closely by an agonizing scream that reverberated in his ears. A gaping hole in the middle of the hallway disrupted the smooth surface while a cloud of dust lingered in the air.

Marris sprinted towards the hole in the ground, sliding to a stop as his head dangled below the edge. “Ruby, are you okay?” He scanned the room, landing on a pile of rocks that had crashed down from the ceiling right where she had been standing just minutes ago. His heart leaped into his throat as he took in the unexpected sight. 

Is Ruby…dead?

Chapter 7

 

Thump. Thump. Thump. 

Marris’s heartbeat echoed in his ears as he raced down the ladder. Relinquishing hold as he reached the midpoint, he descended rapidly before crashing onto the floor. Catching himself with his knees, he quickly dashed across the temple, heading straight for the mound of rocks. Exhausted from exerting himself to turn the pillars, he paid little mind to his fatigue. The source of this unexpected surge of energy remained a mystery to him, yet he recognized the importance of tapping into his inner reserves to access it. 

She can’t be dead. 

His hands instinctively gravitated towards the cool, smooth surface of one of the large rocks. With a quick pivot, he forcefully flung it aside with a grunt. The weight of the small boulders seemed to intensify with each lift, and he could feel the sweat trickling down his face. 

Where is she? Why haven’t I found her yet?

From the opposite end of the rock pile, a disoriented moan reached his ears, causing Marris’s heart to race. “Ruby?” The pounding of his feet sent vibrations coursing through his body, propelling him forward. “Ruby, is that you? Are you okay?”

He came to a sudden halt when he rounded the other side of the pile. Amongst the scattered rubble, Ruby lay motionless, her body coated in debris, while a heavy stone stained with blood lay nearby. Marris’s eyes widened with horror as she watched the fresh blood slowly dripping onto the ground. He ran to her and fell to his knees, shaking her shoulder. “Ruby! Are you alright?” 

A moan escaped from her throat once again. “M-Marris?”

She’s alive. Thank God. 

With a determined effort, he cleared her body of the heavy rocks, relieving her of their burden. A deep breath of air came from her mouth, and her eyes fluttered. Marris sat next to her, cradling her head in his arms. This was the closest he had ever been to her, and it was only now that he could fully grasp the extent of her breathtaking beauty. As he moved her black hair away from her face, he couldn’t help but notice the delicate flutter of her eyelashes against his skin. Every pore almost seemed to sparkle, and her pink lips, which once spouted vulgarities, now looked plump and innocent. 

Kissable? 

He licked his lips, feeling the urge to taste hers. 

What’s wrong with me? I’ve only ever felt excited like this when searching for treasure. 

“M-Marris?” 

He watched as her eyelids lazily opened, trying to focus on him. “I’m here.”

“The-the ceiling caved in, and I hit m-my head.”

He nodded. “You’ll be okay. Just take your time. I’m here with you.”

Her breaths came out in short bursts, heavy and strained as if the air itself was resisting her lungs. “I’ll be okay. We need to get outta this temple.”

He nodded. “Let’s get out of here.”

Her eyes gazed into his; the pools of golden honey seemed endless. “No, we came for the treasure. We aren’t leaving without it. I need to see that staff.” With a grimace, Ruby lifted her arm and pressed her palm against her temple, trying to soothe the throbbing pain. “Finish the last puzzle, let’s do this together.”

“Are you sure?” 

A smile crossed her pained face, and she nodded. “We came this far, let’s split the bounty.”

Marris removed her head from his arms and delicately placed her on the ground. “I won’t be long.” With newfound excitement running through his veins, he stood and dashed towards the rope ladder, scaling it with agility and determination. 

We’re doing this. Together. Have I found a new friend? 

Visions of future adventures with Ruby ran through his mind as he ran down the hallway to the final lever. With a firm grip on the spoke, he used all his might to twist it, feeling the strain in his fingers and the tension in his arm. A flash of light came from below, and he knew the job was complete.

Rushing back to the ladder, Marris was shocked when he saw that the bottom half was missing. It had been cut. He squinted in concentration as he popped his head into the hole, taking in the view of the level below. The other half of the ladder was strewn on the ground, and his eyes were drawn to the pile of rocks nearby. Ruby was gone. The door was open. His heart dropped, and a ball formed in his throat. 

She manipulated me.

Rage consumed him as his mind relentlessly replayed the events that took place within the temple. His senses transitioned from heightened and fearful to a blazing fury. 

How could I be so stupid? This was her plan all along. 

He shook his head at his stupidity and clenched his fists. Without a second thought, he sprinted toward the open door, his feet pounding against the floor. 

I’ll be damned if she gets this treasure.

Marris bounded up the winding staircase, taking two at a time until he reached the top. An open door stood before him, accompanied by a peculiar contraption consisting of a rope and lever. 

How did she figure out the following test so quickly? 

The moment the glowing room came into better view, his thoughts evaporated like mist. The temple’s highest point was a treasure trove of gold and jewels, with piles scattered across the floor in a mesmerizing spectacle.  

The room sparkled with a thousand glimmering lights, his eyes widening with wonder at the enchanting scene. The sight of so much treasure in one place left him in awe; he’d never witnessed anything like it before. Walking through the mounds of coins felt like wading through a sea of wealth. He rounded one pile to see Ruby’s back, her head drooped below her shoulders. Marris unsheathed the sword at his waist and held it straight before him. “You tricked me.”

Her body spun around gracefully, her chin precariously balanced on the sharp tip of the sword. “I found something you may be interested in.” She held a square piece of ripped, brittle paper in her hand. 

Marris squinted to see black lines forming on a fraction of the map. His eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. 

There’s no way this is what I think it is. 

With a confident smile, Ruby confirmed his suspicions. “It’s part of the map that leads to Black Beak’s treasure.”

His mouth dropped. Before his passing, Black Beak was the most fearsome pirate on the Forever Sea. He plundered towns, raided ships, and even infiltrated the heavily fortified castle in Berylon, establishing himself as a feared master thief and renowned pirate. As his illness progressed and he sensed his impending demise, he and his crew embarked on a final expedition—to conceal his treasure, the most enormous bounty of all. The rumor was that he had meticulously cut the map into quarters and scattered them throughout the vast expanse of the Forever Sea. Only the most skilled pirates were able to find them.

And he had the opportunity to get one.

“Can we make a deal?” Ruby held out the piece of the map. “You get Black Beak’s map, and I get the staff?”

Marris looked into Ruby’s swirling green eyes and lowered his sword. 

On one hand, I came for the staff, but the map is a once in a lifetime opportunity. What should I do? 

He grabbed the map from Ruby, holding up a finger. “On one condition.”

She rolled her eyes. “What’s that?”

He opened his arms and bit his lower lip. “This is the Staff of Melides! I’ve been hearing stories of it since I was a kid. Can I at least hold it and turn something into gold?”

Ruby hesitated momentarily before stepping aside. “Go ahead.”

As Marris passed the woman pirate, the subtle scent of the sea that clung to her reached his nose. He felt a tingle go through his body before his gaze turned to the legendary staff sitting before him. His ring clinked against its base as his palm wrapped around it and his eyes traced a path up the staff until they reached the circular top. The ball had a captivating design with an eye-like pattern that had tiny wings adorning each side. The staff exuded an aura of energy, power, and mysticism.  

His cheeks ached from the wide grin on his face. Brandishing the coat from his shoulders, he held it with one hand. With a slight tilt of his hand, the ball grazed his coat, instantly igniting wonder in his eyes and leaving his mouth agape at the extraordinary scene unfolding. As the staff began vibrating, anticipation filled the air, and once the ball touched, a wave of glistening gold rippled over the fabric. The coat collar shimmered with a ripple of gold, creating a luxurious and weighty feel in his hands.

I need to steal this. I can’t let her take it. 

As he spun around, his heart skipped a beat when he saw Ruby, her saber poised threateningly against his throat. 

“Give me the staff, or I’ll be leaving with your head.”

Chapter 8

 

Marris could feel her saber’s cool, sharp edge resting dangerously close to his Adam’s apple. He held his breath, fearing that if it dropped, it might cause enough friction to cut him. Her eyes, narrow and dangerous, bore into his soul as he looked into them. She’s not playing around. 

A rumbling sensation coursed through his body, making him question whether the temple was vibrating or the blood pulsating in his ears. In a whisper, he spat at her, “Bitch.”

“Give it. To me.” She pressed the blade closer to his neck. “You get the map, I get the staff.”

Using his free hand, he unsheathed his sword and deflected the saber away from his throat. He opened his stance, crossing his sword over his chest, its sharp tip hovering just inches from his cheekbones. “You’ll have to fight me for it.”

“Even though I’m a better swordsman?” With a twist of her wrist, Ruby engaged in a fierce battle, their blades clashing together with a resounding clash.

With a step backward, Marris prepared himself before instantly slashing. Ruby deftly intercepted the attack with her saber held upward. Marris put his total weight into the handle, using it to propel the woman pirate backward.

Ruby jumped, buoyed by the strength of her force, a delighted smile adorning her face. “You’re better than I thought, but let’s end this.” She charged towards the wall and leaped off it, executing a graceful backflip with her saber slicing downward.

Marris swung his sword, deflecting her attack. Once her feet touched the ground, she swiftly darted her blade toward him in a riposte. Marris quickly raised his sword, parrying her strike. 

I can’t move my sword; her blade is blocking me, but I can’t let her see that.

The blade fell through the air, and in response, Ruby quickly hunched down and twirled her feet in a circular pattern. His legs buckled under the unexpected attack, leaving him defenseless and fixated on the glittering tip of her weapon.

She held her arm out. “May I have my prize for winning?”

Carefully, he held out the staff, his fingers tightly grasping the sturdy handle. Lowering the saber, Ruby’s fingers delicately wrapped around the smooth, golden rod. She pulled, but he held firm. “I know you’ve already committed the map to memory, so I’m the only one losing here.”

She shrugged. “Regardless, the only way one of us will leave with the staff and map is if the other is dead. And I’m not a murderer.”

Just someone who can’t be trusted. What’s worse? 

Marris’s lip curled upward, their eyes never leaving each other. As much as he didn’t want to admit, she was right. Acknowledging defeat, he unclasped his hand, releasing it to her.

The rumbling grew louder, causing the gold coins to tremble violently in their piles and scatter across the ground. A deafening sound crashed through their ears from above. The ceiling groaned under the strain, cracks appearing and spreading until it couldn’t hold any longer. With a sudden crash, it crumbled, allowing the vibrant blue ocean water to pour in, resembling a magnificent waterfall. The room was suddenly filled with intense rumbling and shaking as water rushed in, causing the temple to tremble uncontrollably.  

“Wh-what’s happening?” Marris observed as Ruby dashed towards a window, inserted two fingers into her mouth, and emitted a shrill whistle that echoed through the room. 

With one foot out the door, she gracefully hooked the saber onto a rope that had been meticulously fastened to the temple’s exterior. As she prepared to jump out the window, she glanced back at Marris and flashed a brief two-finger wave. “Don’t drown!”

The water covered Marris’s boots and continued rising. 

I need to get outta here. Obtaining the staff must have triggered something and now the entire cavern is collapsing. The water is rushing in quickly, and I don’t know if we’ll escape. 

He gingerly picked up his ocean-soaked coat from the floor, feeling the weight of the saturated fabric in his hands. As he rushed to the window Ruby had vanished from, he saw the rope was tied to The Pirate Booty using the barbs from a harpoon. 

He looked around the temple and a saddened guilt rose in his heart. Despite his attachment to the treasure, he had no choice but to leave it behind as the water steadily rose to his knees. He shrugged. “Might as well.” With each splash, he eagerly reached for the gold coins surrounding him, stuffing his pants until they couldn’t hold any more.

He positioned the sword above the rope and secured his coat in his arm. He pushed his feet from the window and felt a rush of wind against his body as he hurtled toward the ground. The cavern they were in was filled with crashing waves as the ocean cascaded through large holes, causing the ships to sway rhythmically. Knell was standing on the sandy beach below him, waving his arms and jumping up and down. 

Once I get closer, I’ll drop. I’d rather die than be on her ship.

While halfway down the temple, Marris strategized the perfect moment to let go, avoiding any potential injuries and the company of a ship crowded with women. His eyes were looking straight ahead, and he saw Ruby take her saber and slash the rope anchoring her boat to the temple. Plummeting from the sky, he crashed onto the sandy ground, feeling the impact jolt through his core and sending a shower of gold coins flying in all directions. 

“Cap’n! Cap’n!” Knell ran toward him as his body swayed back and forth. 

As the cavern rumbled, the ground shook beneath her feet, and boulders came crashing from above.  

Marris felt himself sit upright, the firm grip of Knell’s arm offering support and a concerned expression etched on his face. “Help me up,” the pirate captain ordered. “Let’s get outta here before we’re buried alive, and I’ll be damned if I see Davy Jones right now.”

“Did-did you get the staff, cap’n?”

“Take one last look, Marris!” Ruby yelled from her ship, holding the staff over her head. The Pirate Booty was headed directly toward the coned whirlpool from whence they came, the ship’s wooden planks creaking with each powerful gust of wind.  

“I’m sorry, cap'n.” Knell’s eyes turned downward, and he bent his knees to pick up the coins stolen from the temple. 

“Leave them,” Marris spat as he jumped to his feet. They sprinted towards the ship, narrowly avoiding the cascading rocks and struggling to maintain balance amidst the thunderous tremors beneath them. Jumping onto the ship, he yelled to his crew, “We need to hurry into that whirlpool! Raise the anchor!”

With a thunderous crash, a sizable boulder dislodged from the cavern and plunged into the water, creating a forceful wave that propelled the ship forward. As they approached, the roar of the whirlpool grew louder, and they could feel its powerful pull as it engulfed them, swirling them around like a toy in a washing machine. As they reached the middle once again, just like the first time, the ship was suddenly pulled beneath the surface. Once fully submerged, The Morgana emerged from the depths of the Forever Ocean, its hull breaking through the surface.  

The whirlpool imploded once the last ship had passed through, leaving no trace of its existence. 

Marris quickly seized a nearby telescope and pressed it against his eye, eagerly scanning the horizon. “Where are they?” He spun in a circle before he spotted Ruby’s ship. “CREW! Full speed ahead! Let’s lose these girls!”

“Aye, aye!” His crew yelled back. With a jolt, the ship veered in the opposite direction, causing them to sway as they pushed through the water.  

“I’m sorry you weren’t able to get the staff, sir.” Knell had his hands clasped together. “But I did manage to get you some gold coins before we left.” He extended his open palms, revealing four coins covered in gritty sand.

Marris raised his head to the sun with a joyful laugh, savoring its radiant warmth as he closed his eyes. “It’s okay, Knell. I got the first map of Black Beak the Pirate and this.” He brandished his balled-up coat and unraveled it. The Staff of Melides lay wrapped in the fabric, the eye in its center looking up at them. With a mischievous smirk, he smugly rose an eyebrow and raised his hand. “My ring has never let me down.”

Through the spyglass, his eye focused on Ruby standing tall on the stern of her ship, brandishing the counterfeit staff. She touched the circular tip to her deck, and…nothing happened. A smirk crossed Marris’s face as he watched her try once more. 

With a hasty turn, her eyes blazed with anger, the intensity matching her realization that he had once again deceived her. She rose her fist into the air and yelled at the top of her lungs, “I’LL GET YOU, MARRIS! IF IT’S THE LAST THING I DO!”

The blazing sun pricked his skin, and the salty air circled him. This was a pirate’s life, a treasure hunter’s life, and he was happy. “Until our paths cross again, Ruby. Until next time.”​​

 

 

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