⚜️𝕺𝖚𝖙𝖈𝖆𝖘𝖙

                                    

                                          
The men strained at their oars, sweat on their brows and tears in their eyes. They were well aware that their chances of surviving in the harsh, unforgiving sea were minimal. But they pushed on, with every ounce of willpower. The exhausting journey had left all seventeen crew members fatigued and unwell. How could they ever defeat the ocean's power? The captain of the ship stepped from his cabin, commanding the crew's respect and fear. His tall and thin figure was clothed in dark leather, and his upper lip was ornamented with a thick mustache with silver streaks. His penetrating eyes scoured the slick deck for his kid, Reki. The captain's sentiments towards his kid, on the other hand, were complicated. He didn't want him, and he didn't think he deserved him. In fact, in the captain's opinion, his son was dead, and Reki, rather than Rochefort, should have been the one slain. Unfortunately, Reki was making matters worse. In the captain's opinion, he was not cut out for the pirate life and was useless. 
The captain took a stride towards the lower deck, his red feathered hat bobbing up and down with each step. The wild wind whipped his long black jacket. Reki could hear the captain approaching and prepared himself mentally for what was to follow. As Henry faced his son, his voice was filled with rage: "What are you doing?" Reki dropped a deck of cards, reluctant to meet his father's eyes. The captain's rage was evident as he seized Reki by the neck of his leather jacket; "Secure the cannons, now!". Reki struggled to his feet, his body was still healing from injuries incurred during the attack. His eye socket was still raw and red, and every breath hurt his rib cage. He had no reason to stay home because his brother Rochefort had died, and his parents had stated unequivocally that it was Reki's fault. More than ever, he regretted his decision to board the ship.
"Hey Reki" was hailed by a skinny pirate who handed him a rough, wet rope. He nodded and examined the rope before attempting to elevate the cannons with all his strength. Suddenly, a gust of chilly wind strikes him from behind, causing him to lose his balance. He grumbled and gritted his teeth as he strained to keep the tight ropes wide enough to cover his eyes from the salt water. Despite Henry's deafening yell, it was too late. Both Reki and the canon landed on the deck with a thump. The crying bride swayed from side to side before collapsing on the flank and plummeting to the rocks below. The ship was then thrown against the cliffs by the waves as a final blow. The thin pirate called out Reki's name one more time before helping the injured kid to his feet. Warm blood ran down Reki's spine from a deep, Z-shaped incision on his lower back, visible through his tattered shirt. He opened his eyes, terrified, to see the hole in the deck. Henry raises his hand, causing Reki to turn instinctively, his head aside, fearing a strike. Henry, on the other hand, did not strike him. "What the hell were you doing?" he questioned instead.
"The wind took my balance away." 
"A real pirate doesn't strain his balance!" Henry screamed. Reki sniffed. 
"it wasn't my fault", but Henry didn't accept it.
"Did you not use that excuse before?" Reki swallowed, knowing Henry was mentioning Rochefort. He tries so hard, yet his father cuts him off. "Thank you Reki, because the ship and its crew are lost, you are a terrible pirate," Henry said. Tears were seen in Reki's eyes as he knew his father would never be proud of him. 
"Maybe I don't want to be a pirate at all!" he exclaimed. Henry looked at him, stunned. 
"But that's correct. You are neither a pirate nor a son." Henry ignored the thin pirate who tried to defend Reki. "You are expelled Reki, you have no home nor a title anymore. You will never return to Cotuma," Henry growled. 
Dodging a jagged rock that had damaged the ship's prow, Henry abruptly paused his speech. The oak split as readily as a log beneath an ax, and the wooden bits flew into the air. As the ship was absorbed by the sea, splinters of wood fell on the deck. Screams echoed throughout the ship as oars flew uncontrollably in the storm. One man fainted from his injuries, and another lay unconscious on the bench, his tunic stained scarlet. The rest of the crew staggered over the shaky deck, screaming in dread as their hearts raced. Reki tried to get up, but the rocking deck made it too unsafe. Reki was submerged when a large wave slammed over the ship. The water quickly drained, but the woodwork creaked and was ripped apart. On the shaky deck, the crew had nowhere to stand safely. The land was visible in the distance, but the storm prevented them from reaching it. Reki turned to face another massive wave that overwhelmed them all. The sea's force engulfed everything, including his nose, mouth, and ears. As the sea pulled him away, it felt like an iron grip was closing around his chest. 
"My Lord," the young guy says again as he hesitates at the door. Reki raises his head in perplexity and looks at the young squire. He mumbles, "Come in." Reki sighs and leans his fists on the dark dresser. The young squire is just fifteen years old, and Reki can already tell that he will go far in life. Reki has grown to like him. As he lifts the heavy chain mail and staggers towards the knight, the lad is terrified. Reki observes him   
"Relax." The youngster nods, his voice quivering. Reki vows firmly, "Trust me, I'll keep you safe." 
"I fear not for my safety, My Lord," the youngster says with a smile on his lips. But yours." Reki laughs and says,
 "Good grief. "What would I do without you, Matthis?" Matthis cracks a grin and presents Reki his coat of arms. 
"You would have to dress yourself." Reki sighs and shakes his head.