The Pirate King's Nightmare

"The pirates my father had once expelled from Greyport banded together and invaded. Nearly all the sailors my father left in the port were killed, and my mother and I fell into enemy hands," Lia recounted, her fists clenched so tight that her knuckles turned white, her voice trembling. "It was a nightmare. The haunting cries of my mother being violated still echo in my ears, mingled with my own terrified shrieks..."

Grayson couldn't help but reach out and firmly grasp her hand. Lia looked up at him, nodded silently in acknowledgment, and proceeded, "By the time my father returned to Greyport, they brought back no treasures—it was all a diversion, a fake message."

"Driven mad with grief at the sight of my mother and me—he was a broken man. He rallied his sailors for a vengeful assault. In that deadly battle, he lost a leg but emerged victorious. Yet his triumph was empty, for he had forever lost those he loved most."

"Perhaps by some divine grace, when he dragged himself back to Greyport, he encountered a passing sorcerer who took pity on a father's love. The sorcerer decided to help him," Lia continued, noting the serious expressions on the faces before her. "That's how I came to be in this state. The sorcerer used magic to bind my dissipating soul, my sailors carved a body from stone for me, and then my spirit was infused into this vessel."

She looked down at her hands with a sigh, "Sadly, by then, my mother's spirit was too fragmented to be gathered again. But I was back by my father's side, albeit merely as this crude, mechanical doll."

"From then on, my father scarcely went to sea himself, delegating all affairs to his trusted first mate, Mack. He stayed in Greyport, by my side, refusing to leave, until ten years ago when a new nightmare struck."

"One day, a report from his first mate claimed that a great treasure had been discovered on an island to the north. My father initially refused to go, bidding Mack to bring back the treasure. But Mack insisted that he couldn't manage such riches alone, and after much persuasion, my father agreed to accompany him, leaving Greyport behind."

Letting out a soft sigh, Lia intertwined her fingers in sadness, "If only I had held him back. But alas, I didn't, and little did I know it would be six months before his return."

"When he came back, he was no longer living, just a wisp of a soul. He still looked the same but refused to tell me what had transpired."

"He laughed joyously, claiming no one could defeat him now, that he'd protect me forever. But through his smile, I saw an inexplicable pain. I wanted to force the truth out of him, but I didn't dare," Lia's voice faltered, her fists clenched tighter.

"I understand," Grayson nodded with deep significance. "Your father encountered something evil on that island, similar to what I saw in the Basilisk Queen's palace. It turned them all into the undead. I suspect that first mate was either bought off or controlled."

"You're right!" Lia nodded vigorously. "Later, I found out from some sailors close to me that they were imprisoned in a mysterious dungeon by an unseen entity that fed on them, with people disappearing inexplicably until... everyone was dead, including Mack. A terrible creature took control of their souls and commanded my father to raid and lure the living to the island while Mack watched over him."

"A creature that controls souls..." Grayson murmured thoughtfully. Lia nodded earnestly, "Yes, its power is formidable. To keep me from its clutches, my father confined me here, too afraid to have me on board."

"Since learning this, I've wanted to help my father. I had the sailors smuggle me some stilettos, which I secreted inside my arms, practicing in secret, hoping to avenge him one day," Lia said, her fists shaking with emotion.

"I fear the entity on that island is beyond your ability to confront," Grayson stated, looking at her intently.

Lia gazed back, and though her expression was rigid, her posture revealed a profound sense of despair.

"But I can," Grayson said, taking her hand into his own. Lia looked at him in astonishment, her arms trembling, as he continued, "Believe me, my coming here was to help your father."

"Really? Thank you!" Lia clasped his hands with both of hers, her voice full of emotion.

"There's no need for thanks. This is a mutual aid, for I too have matters to seek your father's assistance with. I'll speak to him personally. I believe we can benefit each other. In that respect, rangers and pirates are alike," Grayson said with a smile.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Lia asked eagerly.

"If you're willing, lead us to where your father's ship is docked," Grayson stood and instructed.

Lia nodded obediently and left the old house with the trio, walking through the silent streets under the night sky toward the docks. From afar, Grayson could see a large ship moored at the pier, its sails half-hoisted, a pirate flag fluttering from the mast.

"They're over there. I can't go any further. My father forbade me from getting close to that ship," Lia said timidly, glancing at the pirate vessel.

"Leave the rest to me. Go back home. Once we're done, we'll return with your father," Grayson reassured her with a gentle pat on the shoulder.

"Thank you once again from the bottom of my heart. I wish you good fortune!" Lia bowed to each of them before turning to leave.

"I've heard an old ranger say," Grayson watched Lia's fading figure, "Every revered powerful being has a past they cannot face. It's not enemies but fate that probes their vulnerabilities."

Drawing his silver sword, he faced the stormy sea and the heavy rain, striding towards the ghost ship. Seraphine and Katheren exchanged a meaningful glance and quickly followed, their approach muffled by the sound of wind and waves. Strangely, the ship seemed devoid of any crew.

Reaching the boarding plank, Grayson signaled the others with a look, then nodded at Elyra. The owl soared into the sky to scout the ship from above.

Lighting a cigar, Grayson boarded the deck, circling warily, but finding no signs of life. He gestured for Katheren and Seraphine to join him.

They walked along the ship's starboard side towards the bow, their boots gently thudding against the wooden deck. As they neared the foredeck, Grayson abruptly raised his left hand, pressing his back against the cabin wall, and the women quickly took cover. With a forceful push, he opened a wooden door that squeaked open.

Peering inside, the cabin was deserted. They moved stealthily forward, their steps cautious in the pitch darkness. Beyond their footsteps, silence prevailed, even the sound of the waves faded.

Supporting each other, they descended a narrow staircase, then proceeded along a corridor stretching to the left, with a door on Grayson's right.

Grayson listened at the door, finding silence within. He cautiously entered, only to find an empty room.

"It seems we're in the helm," he told Katheren and Seraphine, attempting to turn the ship's wheel, but it was locked in place.

"Where has Elyra gone? Why hasn't she returned?" Grayson mused, surveying the cabin scattered with rum bottles and a dagger stuck in a navigational chart on the table. The blade's position marked the front line outpost of the Titans.

"Clearly, Jaxton and his crew have just finished their business. They might be celebrating in the ship's dining hall," Grayson speculated, reinserting the dagger into the map.

Suddenly, something landed on his shoulder. Grayson turned to find Elyra folding her wings. "Where have you been? What's the situation outside? Did you find anything?"

"Can't you feel it?" Elyra's solemn tone made Grayson alert. He scanned the surroundings, asking, "What did you discover?"

"We've set sail! We're no longer in Greyport; we're at sea!" Elyra informed them with a grave look.

Before Grayson could react, Katheren, facing him, gasped in horror, pointing behind him at the steering wheel that began to turn on its own. Grayson spun around, sword thrusting out, but there was nothing there—only the helm, moving without assistance.