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Chapter Text

The boy broke the surface, gasping for breath.

Behind him, his fathers' ship burned, sinking slowly into the dark waters. He pulled himself up onto a plank of wood, coughing and shivering.

Suddenly a low rumble rattled his bones.

He looked up to see a red horn, three times his height, splitting the water as it came towards him.

The horn slowly rose higher in the air, revealing the yellow eyes and sharp teeth of its owner.

The beast opened wide.

The boy screamed.

Fifteen years later

"'There was a time when children dreaded the night, for the sleeping hours brought visions of horror.' 'The Dark Times, when those terrible Sea Beasts would ravage our shores, and no ship was safe on the sea.' 'But thanks to the hunters, those days are over.' 'Today, these valiant warriors battle the Beasts far beyond the horizon, risking their lives to rid the seas of those nightmare creatures.' 'And the greatest of the hunting ships, is the Inevitable. And the greatest of the hunters is Captain Crow.'"

"'But... there is one out there, who would oppose the hunters. Who would willingly have us dragged back to those Dark Times.' 'A monstrous being shaped like a man, but with the features of a Beast.' 'Wielding swords made from the teeth of the Red Bluster itself, this demon terrorizes all hunters, destroying their ships and driving them away from the Beasts.' 'The-'"

"-The Sea Devil!" A boy shouted suddenly, giving a maniacal grin and making his hands look like claws.

Several kids yelped, hiding under their blankets. The dark skinned curly haired girl rolled her eyes, interrupted from her book.

"Hey. Who's reading this story?"

"Oh my word! What's this?"

The children looked up to see Mrs. Bristle standing in the doorway with a lantern in hand.

"Lights-out was an hour ago! Oh, you'll be the death of me. Come on. Along. Along you pop."

The children sighed, returning to their beds.

"And Miss Maisie," The matron said, addressing the girl. "The King and Queen care for you hunter orphans out of their kindness." She gestured to the portraits hanging above the door.

"When you disobey the house rules, you disrespect them. So we're not going to have any more... attempts, now are we?"

Maisie smiled. "Absolutely not."

"Hmm." Mrs. Bristle gave the girl a skeptical look, before turning and leaving the room, closing the door behind her.

As soon as she was sure the woman was gone, Maisie closed her book and jumped out of bed. Bending down, she pulled her boots and bag out from underneath, tucking The Adventures of Captain Crow into the latter as she did so. She pulled on her boots, eyeing the round window situated high above.

Tossing a coin to another boy (who laid in her bed with the covers pulled over him) Maisie pushed the chest of drawers against the wall, popping one drawer out just enough to use it as a step to the top. She grunted, pulling herself onto the window ledge, and another child used a pole with a bucket at the end to hand her a mallet and chisel.

"Fair travels me swabs!" Maisie said, before breaking the lock on the window and opening it to the cool night air.

"And remember!" She tossed the tools back into the bucket.

"Live a great life, and die a great death!"

The children whispered their goodbyes as she climbed out the window and slid down the drainpipe to the ground. As soon as her feet hit the grass, she was off, heading for the port city of Three Bridges.

Chapter Text

Dregmorr Sea

Captain Augustus Crow the III stood at the bow of the Inevitable, his gaze fixed on the distant sea. Behind him, the crew was abuzz, pulling ropes, tying off lines and readying cannons.

"ALL HANDS ON DECK!" Ms. Merino called as the ships bell rang.

"ALL TOGETHER NOW! HEAVE AWAY!"

Captain Crow broke his gaze for a moment, looking up to the crows nest. "Were'd ye see it Izzy?" He called up.

"Dead ahead captain!" The young woman replied.

"Ye sure?"

"Aye, a red tail! Biggest I ever saw- just under the surface! Its the Bluster, for sure!

"Then todays the day." The old sea dog smiled to himself.

Been thirty years since that thing took me deadlight. Now I'll have me revenge.

"Well," Sarah Sharpe said, coming to stand next to Crow, "We've passed Rum Pepper Island- Its heading for the Dregmorr Sea." She popped the cork off her liquor flask.

Crow arched an eyebrow.

"If we're gonna do battle with the biggest and most terrible thing in the sea, best not to wait until after." She offered him the bottle.

"There might not be an after." He chuckled, taking a swig.

"CAPTAIN!!!"

Crow looked up to see Izzy pointing to something in the distance.

"It's another hunting ship, under attack!"

Crow pulled out his spyglass, peering through it with his one remaining eye. Sure enough, in the distance off the port quarter, he could make out a ship with black sails engulfed in smoke, the flash of cannons illuminating the tentacles that assailed it. "It's Jim Nicklebones' ship. An' it looks like he's found a Brickleback."

"I'd say its found 'im." Sarah remarked. "You know the Code, Captain. Binds us to all who come before, an' all who come after."

Crow glanced ahead of the ship. A red tail broke the surface on the horizon, taunting him. "... And even that rum-gagger Jim Nicklebones. Ms. Merino, set a new course!"

"Aye Captain!" The redhead winked. "STRIKE THE SPANKER! CLEW UP FORE AN' MAIN!"

Crow sighed as the ship made a u-turn, away from the Bluster and towards the Brickleback. "Thirty years I've waited..."

As if on cue, the Red Bluster bellowed. Ha Ha. Not today old man!

"Thirty years! Blast!"

"RUDDER TO MIDSHIP! COME AROUND!" Ms. Merino called.

"Don' worry Captain," Sarah slugged him on the shoulder. "We'll be to the Bluster in no time. 'Haps Nicklebones can back us up maybe. DRIVE 'ER DOWN MR. CRISP!"

Meanwhile, the crew of the Orca was fighting for their lives. The Brickleback had already snatched up a dozen sailors in its tentacles, and was dragging the ship down into the deep. Not to mention the damage done to the sails and rigging by Him... "Its too much Captain!" One hunter shouted. "We're going down!"

"This is it mates!" Jim Nicklebone said, drawing his sword. "Its been me honor to serve with ya!"

Just then, the peal of a bell reached his ears.

Appearing out of the smoke off the starboard quarter, was another hunting ship. One with bright red sails.

"By god, its the Inevitable! HAVE AT IT, BLACK BIRD!!!" Nicklebones laughed.

"Let it know we're here Percy!" Sarah yelled.

Old Percy dropped a flare into a swivel cannon and lit the fuse. It shot up into the sky, before exploding in a burst of red sparks. The eyes of the Brickleback narrowed. 

A new target. 

It quickly released the Orca and took off in hot pursuit of the Inevitable...  but not before a figure leapt from the highest yard of the main, diving into the sea, unconcerned about the Beast.

Nicklebones quickly noticed, and called out to the Inevitable before it got out of earshot. "HELLS THRONE IS EMPTY!!!"

Crow grimaced.

Every hunter knew what that phrase meant.

The Devil was here.

"We've joined."

"We 'ave weather gauge. Shall we draw it upwind?"

"Aye Sarah, and cross the 'T'." Crow clapped his first mate on the shoulder.

"Hard to port Mr. Crisp! I'll have 'er into the wind as high as she'll bear Ms. Merino!"

"FURL THE MAIN AND FORE! AND EASE YER HEADSAILS SWABBIES! MAINSAIL HAUL!" The ship began to list gently to the left, as several hunters vaulted over the side onto the spearing boards, clipping the carabiners on their belts to the ropes attached to the hull and leaning out, spears at the ready. Above them, others began loading the swivel cannons along the sides, while on the fighting top archers readied their bows. This was a fully grown Brickleback they were hunting. It wouldn't be an easy fight under normal circumstances... and anything involving the Sea Devil was far from normal.

The spiny segmented hide of the Beast broke the surface just behind its horn. Upon its back, a lone figure stood tall, unbothered by the waves or the movement of the monster on which it stood, as it closed in on the ship.

"Nearly there Captain."

"Aye... Now, to port Ms. Merino, and cross the 'T'!"

"YOU 'ERD 'IM, YA LUBBERS! HAUL YER MIZZEN! MAIN AN' FORE!"

"Make it scream, piper!"

At Crows' command, Barnaby the piper began to play as the ship made a sharp turn to port, until it was perpendicular to the oncoming Brickleback.

"'ere we go..." Old Percy whispered to himself.

"FIRE!"

Swivel cannons fired, sending their ammo flying through the air towards the Sea Beast and its guardian. Most failed to hit, landing in the water nearby, but the few that did made dents in its blue-green hide. The Devil caught one cannonball as it flew past, moving with the momentum to spin around and send it right back at the Inevitable, where it embedded itself in the eye of the carved bow.

"We've not discouraged our prey-" One of the hunters on the spearing board said. "- Quite the opposite!"

"Not to worry Lucille. Clew up aloft Ms. Merino!" Crow motioned his head.

"HAUL AWAY YOUR MAIN AN' MIZZEN! TOPSAIL CLEW LINES, HAUL AWAY!" The middle sails on each mast pulled up, revealing a fighting top full of archers.

"Loose!"

Arrows flew, and this time many hit their target, causing the Beast to groan and duck its head under the water, as the Devil inexplicably ran for its tail.

"Its diving! Everyone hold- WHOA-OHA-OAH!!!" The whole ship rocked as the Sea Beast dove below it, flicking its tail up as it vanished. Young Kay, unused to such movement (and carrying a barrelful of arrows), tipped over the rail of the main fighting top, plummeting towards the deck bellow.

Thankfully, a pair of strong arms caught him, their owner quickly standing up straight to avoid the rain of arrows.

"PHEW!" Kay breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you sir, I was sure I was-" His blood turned to ice water in his veins as he saw the face of his rescuer.

Three small horns jutted from his golden locks- one from his forehead, the others just above each of the red fins that took the place of his ears. He was dressed in a sort of armor, made entirely from the hides and shells of various Beasts, but left his neck, hands, and lower legs and feet bare, exposing his gills and the patches of red scales that dotted his skin beside his fins, as well as leaving his webbed and clawed hands and feet free. Golden eyes peered out from a featureless white mask, carved from the bones of an unknown creature.

Kay screamed. "ITS HIM!!!"

The Sea Devil dropped the boy, making a vertical leap for the yard of the mainsail.

In that instant, the Brickleback rocketed up from the deep, hitting the Inevitable on its starboard side, nearly toppling it completely. The Beast then latched its jaws around the ship, wrapping it with its body like a giant snake, using its tentacles to grab various hunters and fling them into the ocean.

Crow barely managed to get his bearings before a tentacle came straight at him. He quickly spun to the left, drawing his sword as he did so, cutting the tentacle off. Sarah dodged several of them, shooting a few with the many pistols she had on her and stabbing one with her sword.

"I'll deal with the Devil!" Crow yelled. "Can ye get this Beast off us Sarah?"

"I'll try!" She grunted.

Crow moved like a man half his age. Ascending the now nearly horizontal main mast, he quickly cut some floats free, allowing the to fall into the water near a flailing hunter. Crossing a rope to the mizzen, he severed a tentacle pulling at a young archer. Barnaby the piper yodeled. Kicking a harpoon into his grasp, Crow let the weapon fly, impaling the tentacle, which released Barnaby. Crow jumped to the yard of the mizzen topsail, catching the man, whos' pipes let out a bleat as he was caught.

There was a soft noise behind the Captain. He turned to see the Devil, his white sword drawn, growling at him.

Barnaby piped a faint note, sounding like a man breaking wind.

Crow took off running, Barnaby still in his arms, as the Devil stamped a foot hard, breaking the yard of the mizzen topsail like a toothpick, before pursuing Crow. The Captain leapt between the fighting tops of all three masts, then jumped into the jib sail. Leaving Barnaby there, he tumbled out onto the deck, the Devil landing right behind him.

Just then, the Brickleback let out a yowl of pain, releasing the ship and turning everything right-side up again. The Devils attention turned from the hunter to the Beast, as he raced to its aid. A harpoon had found one of the dents made by the cannonballs. "It's off!"

"Good work Sarah!" Crow laughed, grabbing the spear that hung from the edge of the quarterdeck and running directly at the Beast. "Time has come, ye devil..."

He leapt off the side of the ship with a yell, spear over his head.

The Bricklebacks' pupils narrowed as the spearhead met its neck. Backwards it fell, letting out a soft gurgling growl.

Crow held his breath as the Beast sank, as the crew watched on.

He swam for the Beasts' head, pulling a saw from his belt as he did so. Reaching its horn, he began sawing away at it, quickly severing it from the rest of the body. The horn floated upwards, towards the surface.

A job well done. He thought, kicking off and beginning his assent.

Something grabbed his ankle.

Looking down, he saw the Sea Devil, his golden eyes filled with fury and anguish. Crow flailed all his limbs, hoping to make the Devil let go before he pulled him down. One of his kicks hit the creature square in the face, dislodging his mask.

The last thing Crow saw before he fainted was the face of a man in his mid twenties, with patches of red scales beneath his eyes, snarling at him with shark-like teeth.

"......ain..."

"....aptain."

"CAPTAIN!" 

Crow gasped for air, coughing up seawater. Around him, the crew of the Inevitable stood, amazed he was still alive.

Getting to his feet, he stumbled over to the port side of the ship. Far in the distance, seabirds circled something. 

Birds follow the Beasts... especially the Bluster.

Wood creaked and groaned. The sails were in tatters, the Devil having shredded many of them. "Captain, the mizzens in splinters, an' I don't like the main." Sarah said.

"She can't fight. We should come back for the Bluster when-"

"Set a course for Three Bridges." Crow said.

"We're goin' home."

Chapter Text

It was late afternoon when the Inevitable sailed through the gates that marked the entrance to the port of Three Bridges. The towers on either side lowered the net of chains that was strung across the mouth of the cove, allowing the ships in and out, but preventing the Beasts from entering. The ships bell rang out, drawing the attention of the townsfolk.

"Its the Inevitable! The Inevitable is back!" A young boy said, putting down his book (The Adventures of Captain Crow) and running over to the schoolhouse window and throwing it open so he and his classmates could look out at it.

"What a sight..."

"Bet she's got a belly full of bones!"

Soon the whole town was a rushing for the port, eager to welcome the heroes back home.

Maisie weaved her way through the sea of people, jumping on top of a barrel to see over the heads of the crowd.

"It's good to be home at last!" Sarah Sharpe called from the top of the gangplank. "But it will be a short stay, I'm afraid. Captain Crow will visit the king and queen at first light. And when the ship is ready, we'll be off to kill a monster!"

The whole crowd cheered. Maisie jumped off the barrel and began moving through the crowd once more, closer to the ship.

"We're goin' after the Red Bluster!" Old Percy announced. "So if this be our last visit to Three Bridges, I expect some right, proper debauchery!"

The crowd cheered again. "Go on then, make way for the hunters." Sarah made her way down the gangplank, followed by other crewmembers carrying the horns of various Beasts.

Maisie reached the front just in time to see a pair of hunters lugging off a massive blue-green horn.

"The Crown will pay well for them horns." Captain Crow laughed as he headed for The Old Hearth tavern. "So the drinks are on us!" This elicited the loudest cheer of all.

"No one goes thirsty tonight swabbies!" Maisie followed the crowd as they began to sing.

Captain Crow is our hero

He keeps the oceans clear

He stabs and shoots and kills, and guts

The monsters that we fear

He stabs, and shoots, and executes

With cannon, lance, and spear

Cuts off their horns

And Devil morns 

The monsters that we fear

So sing the hunters' praises

Wherever men draw breath

For hunters live the greatest lives

And die the greatest deaths!

Crow finally plopped down on a seat near the tavern wall. He looked out over the crowd of revelers, dancing and drinking.

This... this is why he did what he did. Not for money or fame or glory, but so that people could have days like this, without fearing that any moment a Sea Beast might swallow them whole.

He picked up a tankard and motioned to take a drink... then noticed it was empty. He was about to go to the bar to get another, when the window beside him swung inward.

"Hello!" A young dark skinned girl with curly hair said with a smile.

"Hello...?"

"Me name's Maisie. Maisie Brumble." She stuck out her hand.

"Well, its a pleasure to meet ye." Crow shook her hand, confused as to what this child was doing here.

"And you're Augustus Crow the Third, who once killed four of them Beasts in a span of two days." She said with starry eyes.

"Is it true you done that? Four in two days?"

"Don't believe everything ye hear lass. Four in two days?" Crow scoffed.

"It was five." He winked and headed for the bar.

Maisie climbed in the window and onto a table, before following the captain.

"I heard there was a time them Beasts used to come right up to shore, pluck a lady right out of her veggie patch, and swallow her up! But not no more." She got in front of him.

"And its 'cause of the hunters. There's not a nobler profession, I says. I come from a long line of hunters meself."

"Is that so?" Crow crossed his arms and arched a brow.

"Aye. Me parents were lancers. They served on the Monarch."

"The Monarch." His face fell.

Everyone knew what had happened to that ship.

"So they're..."

"Aye." Maisie nodded.

"That's just the way for a hunter, ain't it? You live a great life and die a great death."

"Huh." Crow said, before motioning his head towards the bar. "Come on."

"So, uh," He sat down on a stool and motioned for the bartender to bring him a drink as Maisie sat down opposite him. "Who's looking after ye then?"

"I'm staying at a children's home in Guelston, up the way... 'cept I ain't staying exactly." She looked around furtively.

"I'm on the run, you see."

Crow slowly lifted his drink to his lips as the girl continued.

"And I ain't going back. 'Cause I'm joining your crew."

The old hunter spat out his booze. "Oh no you ain't." He sputtered.

"A hunting ship ain't no place for a kid."

"But you been on ships since the day you were born, and look at you now! You're a weapon against natures darkest design." Maisie dug her book out and opened it.

"It says so on page 92!"

"Look lass," Crow said, glancing at the illustration of him crossing swords with the Sea Devil. "I may 'ave been born on the Inevitable, but I've been lucky more times then I can count. There's no guarantee of making it to page 92, trust me. 'Sides," His eyes became downcast.

"Last time a kid yer age boarded a hunting ship was fifteen years ago, an' he ended up at the bottom of the sea on 'is first voyage, along with 'is father and the whole ship an' crew."

It took Maisie a moment to realize exactly what he was talking about. "There was a kid me age on the Abraxas? That ship the Red Bluster sank?"

"Aye," Crow nodded sadly. "Captain William Hollands' son, Jacob. 'Is mother 'ad just passed, so 'is dad decided to take 'im along. Boy was so eager, sayin' how he was gonna be 'the greatest fishkiller what ever lived.' Next time I see that ship, it's sinking into the Dregmorr, with that Beastie swimmin' away without a care." He gave Maisie a stern look.

"Now ye should run along."

Maisie gave him the same look.

"No."

"HEY! PUT ME DOWN! LET ME GO!" Maisie squirmed in Captain Crows grip as he lugged her like a sack of potatoes towards a carriage.

"Monster hunters are supposed to be heroes!"

"Yeah, and 'eres me saving you." He said, walking up to the driver. "Evenin' Rosie. Ye pass through Guelston?"

"Aye." The coachwoman said.

"Right." Crow tossed her a coin. "Let 'er out there an' not before. If it ain't too much trouble."

"Aye."

"Hey!" Maisie grunted as he put her in the carriage. "This is kidnapping!"

"No lass, its the opposite of kidnapping." Crow closed the door and whistled.

The carriage set off, Maisie glowering at Crow as he re-entered The Old Hearth.

"New friend Captain?" Sarah asked as he settled down at the bar.

"Ah, just some kid."

"Ugh. Horrible things, children."

"Ye can say that again."

"Uuuugh..." Captain Crow groaned, squinting at the dappled sunlight that filtered through the trees overhanging the road to Castle Whiterock. "Remind me ta never drink that much again, will ye Ms. Merino?"

"Ye asked me that last time Captain." The redhead said from the drivers seat of the coach. "An' ye did it again, even when I told ye ta stop."

"Oh... right..." He rubbed his temples as the coach crested the hill next to the kingdoms heart.

Whiterock was, in every sense of the word, magnificent. Situated in the middle of a lake, the surrounding town radiated out around the castle in the shape of a star, the whole thing interlaced with canals. The castle itself was MASSIVE, taking up more than a third of the city, including a manmade cove in front of it from which ships could come and go from the river easily. People began to stir as the coach passed through the front gates under the kingdoms crest- two Sea Beasts around a sea-green eight pointed star under a crown.

Two guards opened the door to the throne room, admitting the Captain and his crewmembers.

Inside was a testament to the greatness of hunters. A juvenile Beast skeleton hung from the ceiling, over the floor mosaic depicting a map of the known world, including a red monster that could only be the Bluster.

"Well, if it isn't Captain Crow and his loyal first mate!" The King said before looking at Ms. Merino.

"And I see you have brought Vivienne back safe and sound once again."

"Hello brother in law, sister." Ms. Merino replied.

Many people were flabbergasted to learn that the navigator of the Inevitable was, in fact, the Queens' younger sister. Sure, they both had the same red hair, freckled pale skin (though the Queen constantly wore makeup to cover them) and green eyes, but their personalities were night and day. Where the Queen was stuck up and screamed bloody murder at the sight of a speck of dirt, Vivienne was wild and up for adventure, wherever it may lead. Crow still remembered the first time he met her, when the late King introduced them, saying his daughter was a master navigator. Crow thought the princess would run after finding out what a hunting ship was really like, but Vivi took to it like a duck to water, to such a degree that you couldn't even hear her original accent.

"Your Grace," Crow said, taking off his hat as a guard wheeled the cartful of horns past. "As you can see, the oceans have offered abundant prey."

"And I see you've taken a full-grown Brickleback. A specimen like that garners quite a bounty."

Why do I feel a 'but' coming? Crow thought.

"But-"

Knew it!

"- there's something I don't see." The queen frowned.

"The horn of the Red Bluster."

A dark haired man in a green uniform stepped up beside the queen, a smug look on his face.

"Admiral Hornagold has reported a rumor..."

"Admiral Hornagold..." The three hunters said with varying degrees of disgust.

"- That you spotted the Red Bluster, but abandoned your pursuit, because of a certain... code."

"The royals don't pay you to honor such codes." The Admiral said, coming closer to Crow.

"They pay you to kill monsters."

"-An' the whole point o' killing monsters in the first place is to keep the people of this kingdom safe." Vivienne retorted.

"If Captain Crow hadn't come to the aid, we'd've lost the Orca entirely."

"Ah, but how many more ships will be lost because he let the Bluster slip away, my dear?"

Vivienne shuddered at Hornagolds' words.

Everyone knew the Admiral wished to marry into the royal family.

The king and queen got up from their thrones and walked out toward the balcony, motioning the hunters and the Admiral to follow.

"This was once a small kingdom with a big idea." The king said. "To send hunters out to repel the Beasts from our shores, and usher in a new era of peace."

"It's been hundreds of years since the Dark Times, but as long as the Bluster lives, people will still look to the seas with fear." The queen continued as they stepped out into the fresh air.

"So today marks the beginning of a new era." The king gestured to the cove in front of the castle.

Before them was the largest ship any of them had ever seen. With five masts and more cannons than Crow could count, it was certainly a piece of work.

"The Crown will no longer support the hunters." 

"She's quite a sight, isn't she?" Hornagold said as he stood next to Crow.

"The Imperator is the most heavily-armed ship ever to set sail. The royal navy will push deep into the unknown world and eradicate every Sea Beast in our path."

"Not in that thing." Crow shook his head.

"She rests too low, and them fixed cannons is useless. There's nothing to stop a Beast from just swimmin' away, and ye got no way to attack if it jumps or gets in front of ye. Not to mention her captain is an ass."

Hornagold gasped, clutching at invisible pearls. "It's time for you to leave, Captain." He sneered, turning back to the castle. "Your time is up."

"Admiral," The old hunter called. "'Ave you ever seen one of them Beasts what wasn't hanging from a ceiling?"

The Admiral turned again to face the approaching hunter. 

"Don't send yer soldiers ta die in a ship like that. It's not built fer hunting- and neither are you."

"I assure you, I am not afraid of those Beasts."

"Then yer a fool! An' ye'll take a lot o' good sailors down with ye!"

"General," The Queen called. "See Captain and his first mate out. My sister stays."

The young woman approached with two guards flanking her, hand on her sword.

"We hunters 'ave shed blood, while you lot hid behind walls and drew lines on maps!" Crow yelled with an accusatory finger. 

"Yer cowards! The lot of ya!"

"General! The captain is to be placed under arrest, and the Inevitable, decommissioned."

"W-Wait, wait!" Vivienne called, holding her hands up and stepping between Crow and the General.

"Maria," She chuckled nervously, addressing her sister by name. "The Captain is well known for his temper, but, his talents as a hunter have served our family well. He's opened the seas and made our empire the envy of the known world. Now, I believe the world still needs the hunters, so prove me wrong."

Everyone's eyebrows shot up as Vivienne continued. "Give us one more try for the Bluster. If we take it, you keep your promise, and things go on like they have for hundreds of years. If the Imperator takes the Bluster, well you can tear down the Inevitable for scrap, and the days of the hunters will be over. Either way, you win."

"I, for one, would relish the opportunity- but with one small condition added." Hornagold looked at Vivi with a grin.

"Its only right that the one who slays the monster gets the hand of the maiden. If I take the Red Bluster, Princess Vivienne Merino and I will be married, and she stays on my estate permanently."

"Deal!" Vivi shook the Admirals hand.

Crow tensed up.

He knew how much Vivi loved the sea. Marrying Hornagold would basically be a death sentence for her.

He had to win this bet- if not for himself, then for the woman he had come to think of as a daughter.

"Well," The king clapped his hands together. "It seems we have a contest!"

Everyone took their hands off their weapons.

"Get set... go."

"We'll take the Bluster and bring it to yer doorstep." Crow said, brushing past the king and queen.

"The days of hunters are not over. Not nearly."

Chapter Text

The Inevitable set out as soon as it was ready. The hunters were determined to take the Red Bluster, and only became more so when they heard about the bet between Ms. Merino and Hornagold.

"When we reach the Dregmorr, we'll follow the trenches." Captain Crow said, looking over the sea chart on his desk.

"We stay battle-ready, clear decks, sharpened flints, and fresh cartridge." Sarah agreed.

"The Bluster's hide 'll be plenty thick. Best use the long spears." Vivi advised.

"Them archers wont do any good, but we've got plenty of carcass shot."

"We'll hit it with fire, then go fer a sleigh ride. Thats the way with something like this."

"Need to keep an eye out fer the Devil too, Captain. He's known fer lurkin' 'round the Bluster, an' I doubt he'll let it go without a fight."

"Aye Sarah, if we're ta take the Beast, we gotta take 'im as well. Otherwise we'll never make it back ta port."

"Don't worry Captain. We'll take that red demon, an' its spawn too."

"Fer we are hunters!" Crow proclaimed to the crew from the quarterdeck.

"An' we'll bring all of our skill, and all of our rage down upon these monsters. And there will be justice!" The crew cheered as the captain raised his lance.

"But that will not be the end of this great ship." He continued.

"Fer no one has sailed beyond the Dregmorr Sea. No one knows what dangers lurk, in that terrible unknown. But it will be this ship-" He pointed his lance to a figure in the crowd.

"- Under Vivienne Merino, that will pierce the darkness!"

The whole crew began cheering, giving Vivi congratulatory slaps on the back. The woman herself just stood there in shocked joy as three barrels of rum were rolled out.

"So lets drink to a successful hunt, an many more ta come!" Crow cheered as the kegs were tapped.

Thunksploosh!

Thunksploosh!

ThunkOW!

The whole crew stopped dead.

"What was that?"

"It came from the keg!"

Crow walked over to the keg, picked it up, set it on one end, and lifted it again so the contents were visible.

There, laying on her back in a fetal position, was Maisie Brumble.

"Ye stowed away?"

"I stowed away..." Maisie smiled awkwardly.

"Ugh..." He groaned. "Looks like we'll 'ave ta turn around, drop this lass off at port."

"Uh, I don't think that's an option anymore Captain." Old Percy said, pointing to something in the distance off the port quarter.

"Oh, don't tell me..." He pulled out his spyglass and peered through it.

Sure enough, there was the Imperator, following them at a distance.

"DAMN IT!!!" Crow swore as he put away his spyglass.

"It's Hornagold!"

"An' it looks like he made some changes to 'is ship." Sarah noted through her own spyglass.

"Those swivel guns weren't there before, an' he's got two weird-lookin' contraptions on the bow. Look like giant crossbows or somthin'."

Vivi gasped. "Those must be harpoon guns!"

"Harpoon what?" Crow asked quizzically. 

"They're 'posed to launch a lance five times further then even the best lancer wit perfect aim." She explained.

"Last I 'erd they were still testin' 'em. Guess they decided ta let Hornagold 'ave first go."

Crow sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. They couldn't turn back now- Hornagold would beat them to the Bluster for sure. And thought Crow doubted that pompous fool could actually kill it, he didn't want to risk being wrong.

Not with Vivi's freedom on the line.

"Sarah," He called, slightly defeated. "Be good enough ta take the girl in, would ye?"

"Aye, Captain." His first mate sighed. "Come along lass."

Maisie hopped down from the keg holder. "Congratulations Ms. Merino!" She said, taking a tankard of ale from a plater.

Crow quickly snatched it out of her hands as the girl followed Sarah, while the rest of the crew got back to congratulating Vivi on her future as captain.

Vivienne chuckled at the sight of the little girl giving the worlds greatest hunter a raspberry.

"I like that kid."

Captain Crow groaned.

God must hate me.

Maisie followed Sarah to her quarters, just under the quarterdeck. Inside was a window, a shelf of books, a bunk bed, and a target hanging on the wall.

Sarah pulled the covers off the top bunk, revealing a small arsenal of pistols and knives. Sarah somehow secreted them all away on her person, sans a throwing axe and mace, which she threw behind her without looking, hitting the target both times. She fluffed a pillow and tossed it on the bed. "Sleep there."

Maisie stared at her for a moment. "You're... Sarah Sharpe." She whispered in awe, quickly pulling out The Adventures of Captain Crow and flipping to a page with the woman in question illustrated upon it and beginning to read.

"'They say no first mate is more loyal than-'"

"That's enough." Sarah cut the girl off before she really got going.

"Yer on this boat because Captain Crow can't afford ta stop an' put ye off it. We've got a bet goin' on with the Admiral, an' if we loose, there ain't gonna be any hunters anymore. So don't screw this up fer us, or I'll make the Sea Devil look like the bloody Virgin Mary."

Maisie looked up at her with starry eyes. "You're... amazing."

Sarah snorted and adjusted her hat.

This is gonna be a long trip.

It took them several days to reach the Dregmorr, and by that time Hornagold and the Imperator had caught up to the Inevitable, now only a hundred yards off her port side, close enough for Crow to see the Admirals stupid face.

As morning dawned with only a hint of light on the horizon, the crew of the Inevitable began firing off flares, hoping to lure the Bluster out. Ms. Merino strolled up to the bow, where Captain Crow stood watch.

"We passed Rum Pepper Island in the night," He said.

"We've reached the Dregmorr. We'll find that thing soon enough."

"Aye Captain."

A noise from behind them drew the attention of both Captain and navigator. Maisie stood on a barrel, looking through a small spyglass at the sea. "No sign of it yet Captain!"

"Oy, were'd ye get that?"

"I gave it to 'er." Vivi said. "Was a present from me uncle on me twelfth birthday. Always kept it around as a lucky charm. Figured if Miss Brumble was stuck on 'ere, may as well give 'er something ta do. Though what she needs ta do right now, is go ta bed."

"But I'm too much awake to sleep. I'm on the Inevitable with Captain Crow! Them pictures in me books come to life, and exacting bloody revenge!"

"Go, get yer rest."

"Aye Captain!" Maisie saluted and ran down the stair, turning back towards the bow briefly. "We's gonna kill that thing, ain't we? An' they'll make statues of us."

"We'll kill it alright, now get."

Maisie saluted once more and ran back to the cabin.

"Cheeky little thing, ain't she?" Vivi chuckled.

"She's got a fire in 'er, that's fer sure." Crow smirked in response.

Suddenly, the rigging of the ship creaked, and there was the sound of a distant groan. Maisie looked up from her book to see the lantern of her cabin swinging slightly.

It was here.

"Beat ta quarters!" Crow called.

"Lets 'ave 'er ready! Todays the day we do what we do!" Vivi yelled as the crew began opening boxes of carcass shot and bringing them abovedeck.

"Fighting trim! Clew up fore a' main! Harpooners, tie off them darts! We're goin' fer a sleigh ride!" The Captain said as the harpooners secured their weapons to the giant ropes near the bow. The crew of the Imperator was also preparing, loading the harpoon guns and securing them as well.

A noise from the starboard side made both Crow and Sarah turn. Their eyes widened as a flock of gulls headed straight for them.

"BRACE!!!"

Sarah barely had time to give warning before something slammed into the Inevitable, nearly knocking it over. Crow barely caught a box of carcass shot, saving the ammo from ending up in the drink. One slipped out though, falling into the water and detonating, the resulting explosion tilting the ship back to its regular upright position.

Crow handed the ammo off to young Kay and went to look off the starboard side. The Bluster gave a groan, its back arching out of the water in the distance. "The ocean has sent us its worst, an' we'll send it right back!" The captain declared.

"Carcass shot if ye please gunners! Protect our broadside!" All the hunters on the starboard side of the ship began loading the swivel guns as a huge wave began to approach them. The ruckus had also evidently woken the Admiral, who had thrown on his uniform and come out onto the deck of the Imperator, and was already barking orders at his men.

"Captain!" 

Crow turned to see Maisie standing there, looking confused and frightened. "W-what's happening?!"

"Maisie, get back to yer room!"

The young girl caught sight of the approaching wave and gasped.

"Go!" Crow yelled.

When Maisie still didn't move, Crow picked her up with one arm and ran back to the cabin.

The wave parted slightly, revealing the tip of a massive red horn.

Crow kicked open the cabin door and put Maisie down. "Stay away from the window." He said, closing the door.

Obviously, the window was the first place Maisie went.

Back on deck, young Kay franticly handed out carcass shot as the Bluster drew closer and closer.

"Hurry lad!" Sarah called as Captain Crow joined her at the starboard side.

The horn was fully visible now, as was the top of its owners head.

The Red Bluster opened its yellow eyes with a soft growl.

The Beast breached as it charged the Inevitable.

"FIRE!!!"

The starboard swivel guns let loose a rain of fire and lead, every shot hitting the head and neck area of the massive creature. The bombardment didn't do any damage to the Beast, but it did cause it to veer slightly towards the bow of the ship, turning what would've been a t-bone collision into a glancing blow that made the ship lurch.

"Whoa-OAH!" Maisie yelled as she was thrown away from the window.

Crow grabbed a rope, catching himself before he fell on his ass. "Now's our chance! SPEARS!!!"

"FIRE THE HARPOON GUNS!!!" Hornagold ordered.

The lancers at the bow of the Inevitable threw their weapons as the men of the Imperator fired. Both lances and harpoons sailed through the air and found home in the Blusters back, just behind its dorsal fin. The Beast roared and both ships jerked forward as the lines connecting them to the creature went taut, bringing them hull to hull as the monster pulled them along 

"We got it hooked. Now we'll wear it down. Full sail Ms. Merino, but only on the starboard side!"

"SQUARE THE YARDS! GET IT OFF THE PINS!" The ships main sails expanded fully, and the starboard studding sails came out, all acting as a huge drag chute.

The studding sails on the port side stayed in however. Crow may have despised Hornagold, but the Imperator wasn't to blame for his stupidity. He wasn't going to damage her.

Hornagold, however, did not have the same amount of respect for the Inevitable.

The studding sails of the Imperator unfurled fully, actually crossing over the deck of the other ship and blocking the view from higher up the masts.

Bastard.

Suddenly the Bluster dove. It spun once, wrapping the lines around its body, then began to swim clockwise in a circle. The beginnings of a whirlpool started to appear.

Crow knew this move. Hunters called it a Suicide Spiral.

Because if a Beast died doing this move, it would drag anything attached to it down to a watery grave as well.

Crow wasn't gonna win the contest if he and the ship were at the bottom of the ocean, and he knew it.

Swearing, the captain drew his sword and cut his lines, severing the Inevitable from the Red Bluster. But the Beast was still dragging them down!

How-? A creaking from above answered his question. The rigging of the Imperators studding sails had gotten entangled with that of the Inevitables, sticking them to each other.

And Hornagolds lines were still connected.

"HORNAGOLD!!!" Crow yelled at the top of his lungs as the ships tilted forward, throwing everyone towards the bow.

"YE GOTTA CUT YER LINES!!!"

"WHAT'S THE MATTER CROW?!" The Admiral sneered back.

"SCARED OF A LITTLE ROUGH WATER?!"

"YE BLOODY IDIOT ITS GONNA DRAG US BOTH DOWN TA OUR DEATHS, CUT YER DAMN LINES!!!"

"I AM CAPTAIN OF THE IMPERATOR, AND I SAY ANYONE WHO CUTS THOSE LINES IS A TRAITOR TO THE CROWN!!!"

As the Red Bluster began spinning in a pirouette, the door to Maisies' cabin was thrown open. The young girl slid over the wet deck, rapidly gaining speed until she hit the grate that usually covered the entrance to the lower decks, now propped up against some barrels like a ramp. She was launched into the air, flailing as she came to land on the bow of the Imperator. She quickly grabbed on to the huge ropes at the bow, gasping in sheer terror. She could see the maw of the Bluster directly below her, roaring in pain.

The ships were almost vertical now, and both hunters and navymen hung on to anything they could.

"FER THE LOVE O' GOD MAN YE CAN'T MARRY A CORPSE, CUT THE FOOKIN' LINES!!!"

"NEVER!!!"

Maisie realized she was clinging to the lines connecting the Admirals ship to the Bluster.

But where was she gonna get a-?

SHUNK!!!

A white dagger embedded itself in the deck right in front of her. Maisie looked up to see a figure perched on the rail of the ship, his expression unreadable beneath a white mask.

It nodded at her, then backflipped off the rail and into the maelstrom below.

Maisie knew exactly who that was. But she didn't have time to think about it. She grabbed the dagger and began sawing away at the lines, which quickly began to fray.

"NO!!!" Hornagold yelled.

SNAP!!!

"YES!!!" Crow cheered as the last line connecting the ships to the Red Bluster snapped, both his hands in the air in victory.

Unfortunately, that also meant that there was nothing stopping the old hunter from slipping off the bow of the Inevitable as the ships leveled out once more, as both he and Maisie were tossed into the sea.

As soon as he'd gotten his bearings, Crow swam for the young girl, intent on helping her swim to the surface.

Maisie pointed at something behind him.

Crow turned.

The Red Bluster was staring directly at them, the Sea Devil standing on its snout just to the right of its horn. 

The four beings just stared at each other for a moment, before the Red Bluster slowly sunk back into the abyss, taking the Devil with it.

Captain Crow and Maisie broke the surface of the water, sputtering an gasping for breath. The quickly hauled themselves aboard a nearby lifeboat, which must've come loose during the fiasco.

"Bring her to me!"

Crow looked up to see admiral Hornagold glaring at Maisie with utter hatred in his eyes.

"What're ye gonna do?!"

"I said 'Bring her to me!'"

"She's just a kid!"

"I am giving you an order!" Hornagold pulled a pistol and aimed it at Crow.

"Admiral, stop this!" Vivi pleaded.

"Bring... her... to-"

The Red Bluster suddenly shot up from below with a roar, its jaws engulfing the lifeboat.

"CAPTAIN!!!" Vivi and Sarah screamed.

The crews of both ships could only watch in horror as the Bluster fell back into the sea with a mighty splash, taking the lifeboat and its occupants with it.

Soon, the only sign that the Beast had ever been there was the rough waters it left behind.

Chapter Text

It took Captain Crow a few strikes of the flint before the lantern wick caught alight. He stood up to look around, Maisie clinging to his head for dear life. The inside of the Red Blusters mouth was cavernous, with its massive teeth taking the place of stalagmites. But the low growls of the creature destroyed all doubt that this was no cave.

"Are we gonna die in here?" Maisie asked quietly.

Crow helped the girl climb off his shoulders and into the lifeboat. "No." He said, looking at her with confidence.

The Bluster growled.

"Well... yeah."

Maisie curled up into a ball, hugging her knees. "Is it gonna chew us, or will we get digested slowly... with acids?"

"I dunno lass. This is all new territory fer me."

"Haven't you hunted these things your whole life?"

"We kill 'em lass, we don't study 'em." Crow said, looking past Maisie to the back of the Blusters' throat.

"I guess its time ta start."

Crow tied a rope around his waist, tying the other end around Maisies'. He handed the girl the lantern, grabbed a spear, and carefully stepped off the lifeboat and onto the Blusters' tongue.

"Captain," Maisie said.

"What if it swallows you?"

"Cut the rope."

He proceeded slowly towards the back of the Beasts' throat. The path forked, one branch going down into darkness, the other veering upwards towards a strange bluish light.

He tossed his lance upward onto a ledge, before pulling himself up after it. The path branched again, this time to the left and right. Must be in its nose. He thought, taking the left passage.

There was less and less slack in the rope on Maisies' end, until she was made to jump off the lifeboat and follow Crow. When she reached the first fork, he began pulling her upwards. She slowly wound her way through the Beasts' nostril to where Crow was standing, his spear leaning against the 'wall'.

Before them was an amazing sight.

A thin clear membrane covered the entrance to the Blusters nose, letting Crow and Maisie look out upon the seafloor, teeming with coral and colorful fish.

Suddenly the Beast tilted upwards, throwing Captain Crow backwards, with Maisie landing on his chest. The Red Bluster broke the surface of the water, heading for an island covered in vegetation.

Crow grunted as he stood up, picking up his spear and walking to the membrane.

"What are you going to do?" Maisie asked.

"I'm gonna kill it."

"Kill it? How?"

"Well I dunno. I just get pumped up an' kinda wing it! Look, I don't wanna overthink this, alright? I'm just gonna kill it."

The membrane covering the Blusters nostril pulled back.

"I don't know about this!" Maisie yelled over the wind.

"I'm Captain Crow, remember? Who killed five of 'em Beasts in a span of two days!" He said, leaning his spear against the wall oncemore.

"An' this is just another Beast."

The spear slid down the wall slightly. The Red Bluster snorted.

"There has to be another way!"

"'Fraid not lass!" Crow tightened the rope around her waist, making sure it was secure.

"Well... C-can you kill it from the inside?!"

The old hunter looked up at the girl.

That's absolutely brilliant!

But before he could act on Maisies' genius, the Bluster reared back with a groan and...

AAAAAAA-CHOOOO!!!

Crow went flying out the Beasts nose, stopped only by the rope connecting him to Maisie, clinging to the spear, which had become wedged in the opening of the monsters nostril.

He was dragged along the sand for a moment, before smacking into the Blusters neck, clinging to the ridges on it. He pulled out his sword and made to stab the creature, but it swung its head, pulling him away from its neck and swinging him upwards so that, for a moment, he was eye level with both the Beast and the Sea Devil, who had removed his mask and was now wearing a slightly confused expression.

Crow landed in the sand on his back, barely able to keep himself from being impaled by his own sword. He was swung outward again, grazing a palm tree, which he proceeded to grab and stab with his cutlass to keep from sliding down. He glared back at the Bluster as it drew closer to him, eyeing him. Maisie was still clinging to the spear.

Crow pulled himself up and perched on his blade. "Hold on lass!" He said, quickly drawing up the slack in the line.

The Bluster seemed to notice this, and raised a flipper, letting the rope drape across it.

Huh?

It pulled. The spear finally came dislodged and Maisie came flying out. "Captain!"

They tried to grab hands, but Maisie sailed pass the Captain, who slipped and fell, only to be caught by the rope coiling around the sword hilt.

Maisie swung back towards the Bluster, which looked on in confusion as the whimpering child came nearer.

She grazed the Beasts snout with her boots, and was swinging away again, when something quite unexpected happened.

The monster shot its head forward slightly, catching Maisies' left foot delicately between two of its massive teeth.

The girl dangled there panting, fully expecting to be eaten for real this time.

The Red Bluster and the Sea Devil just stared at her.

What were they doing?

Maisie tilted her head to the left slightly.

The Beast tilted its head to the left slightly.

She tilted her head back.

The Beast did the same.

The Sea Devil just looked at her all the while, the beginnings of a smile forming on his face.

Meanwhile Crow had managed to climb to the top of the palm tree, his sword clenched in his teeth. He turned with a grunt, grabbing the cutlass with his right hand and taking the rope in his left.

"No, wait!" Maisie called.

Crow leapt from the top of the palm tree, sword clenched with both hands as he sailed towards the Bluster with a yell.

Maisie quickly slid her left foot out of her boot, causing her to swing backwards away from the Beast and past Captain Crow. The difference in weight between the two ends caused Crow to belly flop into the sand, while Maisie was pulled up and over the creatures fin and landed on the top of a nearby palm, miraculously unharmed.

The hunter pulled his head out of the sand with a groan. He glared at the Bluster, which still had its fin raised, and spotted the spear, impaled in the sand just in front of it. He quickly got to his feet and made a run for it.

"W-W-Wait, Captain! No! Stop!" Maisie yelled, trying to undo the rope tied around her waist.

When she couldn't untie it, she took out the knife the Sea Devil had tossed her and began cutting the knot, until the sound of water splashing made her look up. The Bluster had spotted Crow charging it, and waved its left fin slightly.

Crow stopped at the sight of the massive wall of water coming at him.

"Oh bloody 'ell."

The wave blasted into him, sending him spinning into a palm tree. 

"Whoa-oah..." Maisie struggled to keep her balance as her tree rocked with the force of the water.

As the water receded, Crow was left clinging to the trunk of a tree, soaking wet and hacking up seawater. A sea star clung to his head, obviously dislodged from the ocean floor by the Blusters' impromptu tsunami. The Beast itself was plodding off into the depths of the jungle, the Sea Devil still perched on its head. Crow noticed the creature had spat the lifeboat out, as it was now resting on the beach.

"You could've killed me!" Maisie yelled.

"Wha... I could've killed you?" Crow asked incredulously, sliding down the tree trunk and peeling the sea star from his head.

"You've got it backwards lass!" He said, undoing the rope around his waist and stomping his way towards Maisie, who had slid down her own tree.

"I had it dead ta rights and ye bollocksed it up!"

"'Dead ta rights?'" Maisie asked, finally getting the rope off her. "I must've been watching a different fight!"

"Well we wouldn't 'ave been fightin' at all if you hadn't cut them lines."

"We cut them lines." The girl reminded him, picking up the sword Crow had dropped in the chaos.

"No," Crow scooped up Maisies' discarded left shoe and pointed at her with it. "You cut them lines."

"You were cheering me on!"

"That's not the same thing!"

"Isn't it?" She asked, holding his sword by the handle, the blade pointed at the ground.

"No," Crow said, handing Maisie her boot back and taking his sword.

"It isn't."

Suddenly there was a growl from the jungle, causing the both of them to turn. Reality seemed to set in then.

They were stranded.

They were stranded in the middle of the Dregmorr, on a deserted island populated by man-eating Sea Beasts, and no one was coming to get them.

More strange and frightening sounds emanated from the jungle.

"We'd... best find shelter." Captain Crow said, starting up a path that had seemingly been carved from the undergrowth.

Maisie quickly put her boot on and followed.

They had been walking for about half an hour when Maisie finally broke the silence.

"Me book says the Beasts used ta come right up ta shore. That nowhere was safe. Is that true?"

"'Course its true." Captain Crow said, cutting aside a branch.

"You saw it?"

"Was before even my time, but, everyone knows it's true."

"What if... What if them things ain't as bad as they say? I mean... the sea is their home. We went after her, didn't we? What if we just... left 'em alone?"

"We kill them, because they kill us." Crow said, barely believing he was having this conversation. "Do I need ta remind ya that thing took me deadeye- an' one of 'em took yer parents? Should they've just left the monsters alone?"

"I... don't know."

"Oh, ye are lost girl. Yer parents died heroes."

"I want to believe that," Maisie said.

"But maybe you can be a hero... and still be wrong."

"You're not making any sense!"

"Why did Red swallow us?"

"Oh, 'Red', is it?"

"'She', not 'it'. I think it's a she, and I think she was protecting us from Hornagold."

"Yer givin' that Beast WAY too much credit."

"He was pointing a gun at you, and he-"

"He was pointin' it at you, through me! Because you cut them lines!"

"That's another thing." Maisie said, pulling the knife out of her bag. "Look at this!"

Crows eye widened. "Where'd ye get that?"

"The Devil tossed it to me, back on the Imperator. 'S'what I used ta cut the lines."

"Yeh sure 'e didn't just... drop it 'er somthin'?"

"Absolutely. He even nodded at me. I think he knew what I was tryin' ta do."

"'E probably did that so the Bluster could get free."

"Then why didn't he wait until after Red sank the ships?"

The old hunter paused at that.

The Bluster was still in good shape just before Maisie cut the lines. If it had sunk them, it would've been a matter of minuets for the Sea Devil to cut the lines, now with two fewer hunting ships on the seas.

He thought back to the fight with the Brickleback. If the Devil hadn't caught young Kay as he fell, the boy would've been flat as a flapjack. And when he threw that cannonball... he could've easily aimed it at the ships rudder, or one of the crew, but he aimed for the decorative bow, where water wouldn't flow in even if the projectile had broken through.

The Sea Devil could've easily sunk them.

But why didn't he then? Why let us go?

Crow was still pondering when he felt a tug on his sleeve. Maisie was clenching her legs together with an awkward smile, the universal expression of 'I need to use the little hunters room.'

"Go, uh... over there!" He pointed at some bushes a way off the path, and Maisie wasted no time running in.

He faced away from that direction, staying on guard.

Hope she makes it quick!

A minute later, Maisie ran out of the bushes with a look of shock on her face.

"Captain!" She yelled, grabbing his arm and pulling him towards the bushes.

"You've gotta see this!"

"If its something about yer business, I don't wanna-" He stopped.

In front of him was a clearing, with rocks evenly spaced apart in a seven by seven grid, except for one at the 'top' of the square that stood alone.

"What is this?" He asked.

"I think... I think they're graves." Maisie said.

"'Graves?!'"

"Yeah, look!" Maisie pointed to a stone.

"They've all got names on 'em. Marcus Black, Andrew Stone, Jennifer Wickam, William Holland-"

"'William Holland'?"

"Uh-huh." Maisie nodded. "That's the one on that big stone up front."

Sure enough, there it was, carved straight into the rock.

William Holland

Beloved Captain and Father

"What's the matter Captain?"

 It took the old hunter a moment to find his voice. "These... these belong to the crew of the Abraxas. But... But they should be at the bottom 'o the Dregmorr with the ship. There were no survivors- I saw it meself. So who buried 'em?"

"Maybe the Sea Devil did it?" Maisie ventured. 

"But 'ow'd 'e know the names then? And why's one missin'?"

"What?"

"Were fifty- one people 'board the Abraxas when she sank, but I only count fifty stones." The Captain explained, quickly reading every stone before coming to a realization.

"Jacob." He said.

"Jacob Holland ain't here."

"Wasn't he the Captains son?"

"Aye lass. Was 'is first time on a hunt- an' 'is last." Crow said, scratching his head.

"So why ain't he buried 'ere?"

Maisie didn't answer.

Instead she quietly plucked a bunch of wildflowers and, one by one, began laying them on the graves. Crow just stood there, watching as the little orphan honored the fallen hunters, laid to rest so far from home. He reached into his jacket and uncorked his liquor flask. He upended it over Williams grave, letting the rum soak the earth.

"One last drink fer ye, Captain Holland." He said quietly.

"Ye died the greatest death."

Unbeknownst to either of them, a pair of golden eyes watched them from afar.

And as Crow poured one out for the lost Captain, the Sea Devil began to weep.

Chapter Text

Admiral Hornagold paced his cabin, lost in thought.

His cheek still stung from where Princess Viviennne slapped him. She'd done it soon after the Bluster had left, screaming that he was a monster and it was his fault Captain Crow was gone. And judging by the looks he got from the rest of the hunters on the Inevitable, she wasn't the only one with that opinion.

As soon as they'd managed to get untangled from each others rigging, the Inevitable had sailed off for the closest port. Both ships had sustained quite a bit of damage from their whirlpool ride, and the repairs couldn't be done out at sea, not with the possibility of the Bluster still being in the area.

The Bluster.

Hornagold had known it was big, but he had no idea of just how big until he'd actually seen it. It was twice as big as the Imperator, and it shrugged off the Inevitables' carcass shot like it was nothing. He doubted cannonballs would do much to the creature either- would probably just bounce off it.

Hornagold hated to admit it, but Captain Crow was right. There was no way in hell the Imperator could take the Beast as is.

"I need an edge..." The Admiral muttered as he looked over his sea charts.

Suddenly, a name caught his eye.

He exited his cabin, stepping out onto the deck. "MEN!" He called.

"SET A COURSE FOR MUKESH ISLAND!"

His first mate- a young man named Stuart- blanched at the name. "B-But sir! Mukesh Island is where-"

"Oh, I know exactly what- or rather, who, is on Mukesh Island my boy. And she's exactly why we're headed there."

"B-But the rumors-"

"Are you honestly going to say you believe those ridiculous things?"

"With all due respect Admiral, I just saw a man with horns growing out of his head!"

"All the more reason to pay Gwen Batterbie a visit." Hornagold said.

"For who would know more about a demon than a witch?"

"Ugh..." Maisie sighed as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

After leaving the graveyard, she and Captain Crow had found a massive seashell that would serve well as a house for the night until they could leave the next morning. The Captain had then gone off to gather supplies for the journey, leaving Maisie to sleep, before returning sometime later and falling asleep himself, now with a sack full of fruit... Though now it was slightly less full.

Instead, a blue glow came from inside the sack, along with some squeaking noises. Maisie sat up in alarm as a small blue creature with a glowing lure dangling from its head and a dopey face wriggled out of the bag, bringing with it a large fruit that it began to gnaw on. It had only gotten in a few chews when it noticed Maisie watching it, and dropped the fruit in fright, scurrying away on its little fins. Grabbing a piece of fruit, Maisie exited the seashell and looked around for the little creature. She found it attempting to hide behind a small tree- a pointless endeavor as its big yellow eyes were set wide enough apart that they were peering around the trunk. The Beast squealed and took off again when Maisie offered it the fruit, this time crouching behind some small ferns.

"Hey, little guy." She said, offering the fruit once more.

Once more it squeaked and dashed off, tumbling through the bushes until it finally came to rest in the middle of a clearing. Slowly, Maisie approached the creature with fruit in hand. It didn't run this time, and she crouched down as the tiny Sea Beast waddled up to her, giggling as it sniffed at the fruit.

It swallowed her hand whole.

Maisie was about to scream when the Beast released her hand, taking the fruit and chewing it up before looking at her with those big old eyes. "These things ain't so bad." She said, picking up the little fellow, who made a croaking noise. 

She began to head back to camp, when she heard a crunch underfoot. She looked down to see that she had stepped on a brown scaly thing- one of many occupying the clearing.

She was in the middle of a Sea Beasts nest!

"What are ye doing?"

Maisie looked up to see Captain Crow standing at the edge of the nest, lance in one hand and sack of fruit in the other.

"I, uh... I'm afraid anything I say will upset you."

"... Yer probably right. Just, don't move." Crow set down his things and began carefully winding his way to Maisie, avoiding the eggs.

"I'm sorry, but I've always wanted a pet."

"That's not a pet. It's a monster, an' we're not keepin' it!"

"But I already named it!" Maisie said, hugging the little creature close.

"Lemme guess," Crow said with a flat expression. "'Blue'?"

Maisie grumbled. How did he guess?

"Ye name that one Red. Ye name this one Blue. We stay 'ere much longer, an' we'll 'ave a whole rainbow a critters, that wanna eat us!"

"But he's so cute!" Maisie held the Beast out. "Look at this face!"

Blue yawned, showing all four of his tiny teeth and stretching his little fins.

Crow remained unmoved. "Ye and I, 'ave a different idea of cute."

He grabbed Blue by the head.

"NO!!!" Maisie yelled as Crow sent her new friend flying away into the jungle with a squeak.

She was so horrified she didn't even struggle as Crow picked her up, threw her over his shoulder and began making his way back to safety.

"When we get ta Guelston, I'll get ye a cat, an' ye can name it Grey or White- Ginger if ye like."

"You're too old to be this mean!"

"And yer too old ta be givin' in ta childish temptations."

"It ain't childish to want a pet. Lots of people have pets."

"Not pets that'll lay eggs in yer mouth, what then hatch, an' burst out through yer chest cavity!"

"That is so... specific." Maisie said with slight disgust.

"Well I seen some things, alright?" Crow glared at her over his shoulder.

"Point is, we don't know what he'd do. We don't know anything about this island, except, WE GOTTA GET OFF IT BY THUNDER!"

CRACK!

The Captain looked down to see he'd stepped on an egg. Startled, he stepped back, his heel cracking yet another egg. This pattern repeated until he and Maisie were back at the center of the nest.

The eggs began to chirp and crack open. The egg under Crows foot hatched, revealing the big mouth and beady eyes of a baby Yellow Bellow, which proceeded to live up to its name.

The noise obviously roused its siblings, and soon the two humans were surrounded by roaring baby Sea Beasts.

"Best be goin'"

Captain Crow and Maisie made a mad dash for the boat, Crow barely having time to grab the sack of fruit and his spear. They had only just reached the beach when the tide of Yellow Bellows caught up to them. The two were soon covered in baby Sea Beasts, all jostling and licking them like puppies. "Maybe they're bonded to us, like geese!" Maisie suggested.

"It's the mother goose I'm worried about!"

The two managed to get their heads above the swarm just in time for the mother Yellow Bellow to burst out of the jungle with a roar. "There she is! Come on, lass!" Crow said, getting to his feet as the babies rushed their mother. He and Maisie began pushing the boat out to sea, the mother Yellow Bellow still coming at them. They had just managed to get it in the water and get the sail up when Maisie heard a squeal from Captain Crows direction. A small baby Yellow Bellow was clinging to his back! Maisie pulled the creature off and tossed it behind them into the water.

The mother immediately stopped her pursuit and purred as her baby came to greet her. Crow stared for a moment, before turning to glare at Maisie, who gave him an awkward smile. "Hold the rudder." He said, pulling out the sea chart he kept in his pocket for emergencies. 

"If we can make it ta Rum Pepper Island, we can flag a passin' ship. The Dregmorr's thick wit monsters, but don't worry. There's one o' 'em things within a mile of us, I'll sense it."

He noticed Maisies' horrified expression and turned around. A giant purple claw had broken the surface of the water and was reaching for the boat.

"... Might be a little off me game here."

The claw grabbed the boat, breaking the sail and tossing Maisie out. She gasped as the shell of a massive purple Cancher rose under her.

"CAPTAIN!"

Crow struggled to keep from losing his grip on the boat, his spear falling into the water as the Canchers' eyestalks surfaced. It opened its mouth, filled with spikey teeth. Crow grabbed an oar and began swatting at them as the creature attempted to swallow the boat, but it was a loosing battle. Just as he thought he was crab food, the Cancher stopped chewing.

A massive red form rose up in front of the Beast, glaring at it with yellow eyes. The crab dropped the boat with what could only be described as an 'oh shit' expression. Crow pulled himself back into a sitting position and noticed his spear sticking up out of the water not far away.

The Red Bluster roared and charged the Cancher, lowering its head to use its horn to full effect, as the crab tried to grab it around the throat. "Hold on Maisie!" Crow yelled as he began to row for the spear.

Maisie slipped and slid on the Canchers' shell, barely managing to grab onto one of its spines. Crow barely managed to avoid the crabs giant legs as it stumbled under the weight of the bigger Sea Beast. It barely had time to get its claws up when Red headbutted it. Maisie screamed as she slid further down the shell, her screams reaching a crescendo as she came dangerously close to the edge. 

A hand grabbed her wrist. Maisie looked up to see the Sea Devil, his claws digging into the shell of the Cancher as he smiled at Maisie. He pulled the girl up.

Below, Crow was inches from the spear when the Canchers' leg came down right in front of him, sending him sailing to the right as the crab dodged the Blusters charge.

Maisie had climbed onto the Devils back and he clung to the spines of the Cancher as the crab dodged charge after charge from Red. The two Beasts moved toward deeper water, the Cancher climbing a rocky spire to get the high ground. It wound up and around the rock as Red charged again, her horn digging into the rock. She fell back into the sea, which gave the Cancher the opportunity to get on top of her, seizing her horn in one of its claws. Maisie and the Devil looked on worriedly as the crab put Red in a chokehold. Maisie pointed to the front of the creature. More specifically, to one of its two eyestalks. The Devil nodded at her and began to run for it.

Meanwhile Crow had finally managed to reach his spear. Unfortunately, the one time he DIDN'T want to hit the Red Bluster, the Beast was in the way!

The Sea Devil leapt onto the Beasts eyestalk and pulled at its eyelid. The creature screamed and released Red as Maisie lost her grip on the Devil and fell into the sea as Crow watched. But he had an opening.

Crow threw the spear, which sailed through the air and found home in a joint of the Cancher, right where its claw met its body. The crab squealed and began trying to pull the spear out as the Sea Devil leapt off.

It took the Cancher a few moments to remember Red was still there.

She seized the crab by its left claw and flung it away. The Sea Devil climbed up to his usual perch on Reds' head.

"AND STAY OUT, YA HEAR?!" He yelled as the crab scuttled away in defeat.

Red reinforced the yell with a roar of her own.

Crow rowed franticly towards the last spot he saw Maisie. "Maisie... Maisie... MAISIE!!!" He called, desperately scanning the water for any sign of the girl. There was the sound of bubbles behind him.

Blue squeaked as he began swimming for the boat, Maisie clinging to his neck. "Good boy." She sputtered as Crow reached for her with the paddle.

As soon as Maisie (and Blue) were aboard, Crow noticed there was a hole in their boat.

"We need ta go back." He said, getting into rowing position.

"We'll never make it!" Maisie gestured to the distance between them and the beach.

"Depends on how fast ye can bail." Crow handed her a bucket and turned the boat around.

Maisie had only gotten one bucket of water out when she suddenly got an idea. "Maybe Red and the Devil can take us!"

"Back ta the island?"

"No, back home!"

"Ye have REALLY lost it girl."

"They saved us from that thing, didn't they?"

"Wait... They... are you..." Crow stopped rowing in indignation. "I think I did the saving, right? I mean I threw the, the... Get bailing, the waters' comin' in!"

Maisie scowled and stood up on the seat.

"HEY!!! RED!!!"  She yelled.

The Beast turned towards them, the Devil balancing on her snout.

"SEE THIS LITTLE GUY?!" Maisie held up Blue. 

Red had her full attention now, her nose just feet from the boat.

"THIS IS YOU!!!" 

"Yer wasting yer time..." Crow rolled his eyes.

"AND THIS IS ME, AND THIS IS HIM!!!" She said, pulling out two fruits.

"Are ye puttin' on a puppet show? We're sinkin' 'ere!"

Maisie took the hull of a fruit and put it on Blues' head, balancing the fruits on top of it. "WE NEED TO GET WAY OVER THERE!!!" She said, pointing off into the distance.

"AND I WAS WONDERING IF YOU MIGHT BE GOOD ENOUGH TO TAKE US?!"

Red looked off into the distance for a moment.

Crow stopped rowing.

Then Red dove under the surface and out of sight.

"Well, if she do understand ye, she don't wanna help." Crow said. 

"Bright side, she didn't eat ye. Now, get bailing."

Disappointed, Maisie sat down and reached for the bucket, which had fallen overboard.

Maisie gasped as the blue water turned red.

Crow yelled as the boat spun around, settling gently atop Reds' head, just behind her horn, as she began swimming away from the island.

Maisie laughed as Crow chuckled incredulously.

"I told you Red was more than a beast!"

"Her name is Lashrona, actually, though she doesn't mind being called Red," A voice said.

Maisie and Crow looked up to see the Sea Devil come down from his perch on the Blusters' horn.

"And of course she's not a Beast. Why else would she think a bloody fishkiller is worth saving?"

Captain Crows heart stopped dead for a moment.

Not because the Devil could speak human words.

Because he used that word specifically.

The pieces suddenly came together.

Why the Sea Devil didn't sink them.

How he knew the names of the crew of the Abraxas.

And why the graveyard only contained fifty graves.

The old hunter looked up at the Sea Devil in utter shock.

He knew why Jacob Holland wasn't buried back on that island.

It was because he wasn't dead.

"J... Jacob?" Captain Crow asked in disbelief. 

The Sea Devil smirked.

"Never thought I'd hear that name from a human again."

Chapter Text

Captain Crow stared. Jaw open, eye wide, brain sputtering like a candle in the wind.

Maisie looked at the Sea Devil for a moment, then at Crow, then back at the Devil. "Wait- 'Jacob'?" She asked, confused.

"- Like, 'Jacob Holland', Captain Hollands son?"

"One and the same." He said with a grin.

"This... this isn't possible." Crow stuttered.

"Yer not possible!"

"Oh, really? Terribly sorry about that." The Sea De- Jacob said, putting a hand to his chest, feeling it for a moment.

"But would you look at that; seems I am possible after all!"

Red rumbled slightly, making the two humans jump. Jacob laughed. "I get it from you, you know."

"You can understand her?" Maisie asked in amazement.

"Sure can... Maisie, was it?"

"Y-yes..."

"Thank you." He smiled.

"For what you did back on the ships, and in the graveyard. Funny how people call hunters 'heroes who die the greatest deaths', yet treat them like dirt while alive, and forget them the moment they're dead."

"Seems ta me like ye 'ave forgotten 'em too!" Crow said, having slightly recovered from his shock.

"Seein' as yer pals with the Beast what sunk yer fathers ship!"

Jacob gave him a confused look. "Wait- you think Lashrona sank the Abraxas?"

"I know she did! Saw her swimmin' away wit me own eye! An' I say 'eye' 'cause she took me other one! She's a bloody monster!"

Jacob sighed and shook his head. "I used to think like that. I used to think Sea Beasts were evil, mindless monsters."

"But everything changed that day."

Jacob woke up to the sound of the crew talking loudly.

"Look at that!"

"Beautiful!"

"I've heard of it, but I've never seen it before!"

He hopped out of bed and opened the door to his cabin, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Wasgoinon?" He asked sleepily as he walked up to his father.

"Look Jay!" Captain Holland pointed to the bowspirit.

Jacobs' eyes went wide as he realized the tip of the bowspirit was surrounded by a strange blue-green fire.

"What is it?"

"Sea Fire, Jay. 'Posed to be the souls of long gone hunters watchin' over us."

"Wow..."

Suddenly, a faint hissing noise reached Jacobs ears. He turned to see a baffling sight.

A giant ball of light, twice as tall as his father, glowing bright as the sun, was floating just above the main mast.

"Dad!" The boy tugged on his fathers sleeve. "Look!"

The blood drained from the mans' face as he saw the strange light. Without warning he picked up his son and flung him over the side of the ship into the sea.

As Jacob flew through the air, his father gave him a sad smile.

"I love you Jay. Never forget that."

The ball exploded.

The world went white.

Maisie and Crow sat in the boat on Lashronas' head, speechless.

"- When I surfaced the ship was blown in half, all the sails ablaze." Jacob sighed.

"To this day, I still have no idea what that ball of light was."

"I know." Captain Crow said with a grim look.

Both Jacob and Maisie looked at him in surprise.

"'sa Corpasant- a 'holy body', though there be nothing holy 'bout it. Seen one meself in me younger years, though mine were the size of an apple. Sounded like a dozen cannons all goin' off at once when it blew. Turned the top 'o the mizzen ta splinters an' killed a hunter. One twice the size o' a grown man... Well, I'd not be surprised if it could sink a ship." He pulled his hat down slightly.

"Yer Pa probably knew wot it was, tossed ya over so ya wouldn't get caught by it. But then why was the Bluster-?"

"- Simple curiosity. She was nearby when it exploded, came to see what happened." Jacob said.

"That was when she found me."

"She saved you..." Maisie whispered in awe, clutching Blue closer.

Crow snorted. "'Why the 'ell would a Beast save a human, 'specialy a hunters kid?"

"Why would a child take in an abandoned kitten? Or a man shove a woman out of the way of a speeding carriage? Or a Captain give up chasing a Beast he's been after for thirty years to save a group of what where essentially strangers?" Jacob asked.

"Lashrona didn't care that I was a human. All she saw was a child who needed help."

Jacob jumped to his feet at the sound of water splashing, quickly taking cover behind a rock.

Instead of eating him, the Red Bluster had brought him to a strange cove in the middle of an island that was covered in lush vegetation. Unfortunately, that vegetation seemed to be the home of multiple other Sea Beasts, so he was caught between a rock and a hard place, with no means of escape.

He peeked his head out and saw that the Bluster wasn't alone. Beside it were three much smaller Sea Beasts- an Amhuluk, a Hrosshvalur, and a Kongamato. The Bluster gave a soft growl, and the three other Beasts chirped in response before coming ashore and heading straight for him! He closed his eyes and prepared to be devoured. There was a sudden retching noise, followed by something nuzzling his arm. Jacob opened his eyes. Before him was a small pile of fish, covered in slime that could only be the Hrosshvalurs' spit, as well as several fruits that had holes in them from being carried on the Amhuluks' horns. The Kongamato nudged his arm again, dropping the mouthful of sticks it had gathered. The boy looked in befuddlement at the Beasts. "Is... Is this for me?" He asked, gesturing to the food and then himself.

To his amazement, all four Sea Beasts nodded!

Jacob smiled slightly, taking his flint and steel from his pocket and beginning to pile up the sticks. "Thank you..."

He noticed the Beasts drooling at the fish. "You guys want some too?"

The creatures looked ecstatic. 

The Bluster seemed to smile.

"- Wait," Captain Crow held up his hands.

"She got other Beasts ta bring ye food an' firewood? An' they understood ye?!"

"Perfectly." Jacob nodded in affirmation.

"Sea Beasts aren't Beasts at all, Captain. They can think and reason and feel, just like humans can. People simply didn't notice because they can't understand them."

"Then how come you can?" Maisie asked.

"And... Erm, how do I say this-"

"'Why do I look like a monster?'"

"... Yeah, that." The girl said sheepishly.

"It's this place." Jacob gestured to the sea around them. 

"Those who stay in the Dregmorr for a long enough time when they're young start to... adapt."

"But I've been sailin' the Dregmorr me whole life, an' I ain't growin' fins!" Crow said.

"That's because you never went in deep enough, or stayed long enough." Jacob chuckled.

"You need to spend a certain amount of time here uninterrupted, and that time shortens the closer you are to the heart of the Dregmorr. After that, the Blessing takes hold no matter where you are. And even when it does take hold, it starts out slow. I only realized something was happening to me roughly a year after I arrived."

"Come on Jacob!"  The Amhuluk called, racing towards the shore. 

"Last one in is a rotten egg!"

"Slow down Didei." The Kongamato landed on her head. "You know Pollur isn't fast on land."

"I've got it Kaonde."  Jacob said, holding the Hrosshvalur under an arm and carrying him.

"You sure I'm not too heavy Jay?"  The young Beast asked, looking up at his friend.

"Nah, you're fine." He said, scratching idly at his neck with his free hand (it had been itching an awful lot lately).  "I'm pretty strong, you know."

'Pretty strong' was an understatement. In the year since Jacob had arrived on the island, he'd gotten used to living in such a wild and untamed place. He no longer needed a torch to run through the jungle at night, and he could easily lift Pollur, who weighed over 100 pounds. He'd even taken to slicing up the fish Lashrona brought him (using a knife he made from a fragment of one of her broken teeth) and eating it raw, like his dad said they did in a foreign country. 

The best development, however, had to be his understanding of the Beasts language.

He thought he'd been going crazy at first, hearing voices in his head. It was only when he saw Lashrona instructing Kaonde on diving from the air and praising her that he realized the Sea Beasts could actually talk. It was wonderful to have someone to talk to again.

"Come on!" Didei called again. "This place is so cool!"

"You've said that a million times Didei." Jacob rolled his eyes.

"But it IS! Its the perfect place for swimming practice!" The Amhuluk bounced up and down in excitement as they finally arrived.

Jacob had to admit, Didei was right. The cove she'd found was mostly sheltered from the waves, except for an opening at the front that lead to the sea.

"Nice find Didei." Jacob said, wading out and putting Pollur down in the water and swimming out himself.

"Yeah, I wonder why no one else is using this place."

"Uh... guys?"  Kaonde said, hovering about twenty feet above.

"I think you should get out of the water."

"Why?"

"WAVE!!!"

Jacob barely had time to take a breath before a giant wave flooded the cove, dragging him out to sea.

"JACOB!!!" His friends yelled.

"I'll go get Queen Lashrona; you guys help Jacob!" Kaonde said, flying back towards the center of the island as Pollur and Didei swam after the human.

Jacob flailed about in the surf. Every time he got close to the surface to take a breath, another wave hit, pushing him under again. His lungs started to burn.

"We got you Jay!" Pollur got under his friend as Didei grabbed his wrists with her back claws, intent on pulling him to the surface as Pollur lifted him.

Unfortunately, the waves were too strong for even them.

Jacob couldn't take it anymore, and as the two young Sea Beasts watched in horror he opened his mouth, took in a lungful of water and-

Nothing?

His eyes went wide as he took another breath of seawater. Pollur and Didei looked on, watching in amazement as thin slits on the sides of Jacobs neck opened and closed with every breath.

"Well," Jacob finally said, speaking as clearly underwater as he could on land. "This is new."

"- Everything else came after that." Jacob explained, casually leaning against Lashronas' horn.

"Lashrona! Look!" Jacob smiled widely, showing the tip of a sharp new tooth coming in. "I'm a shark!"

He studied his hands intently. His nails had gotten thicker and started to curve into claws, and a thin membrane had developed between his fingers. Same was happening to his toes. "Least I don't have to trim them anymore."

"My ears feel funny."

"Probably because they're not there anymore." Pollur said offhand.

"But your fins look splendid!"

"This is worse than the time I walked through poison ivy." Jacob moaned, applying more aloe juice to his itching limbs and face where his scales were developing.

"You mean last week?"

"Shut up Didei."

"Uuuugh... I have the WORST headache right now!"

"Um, I think I know why..." Kaonde pointed to a nearby pool of water. 

Jacob peered in, then gently tapped the tips of each of his emerging horns. "Well that explains it."

"- Before I knew it, I looked like this."

"Are you sure nothing else is gonna change?" Maisie asked.

"Pretty sure." Jacob shrugged. "I haven't had any other changes in years, besides normal growing up."

"An' then ye decided ta scare the livin' daylights out o' hunters."

"Hey I tried talking at first!"

"Let him g-"

"MONSTER!!!"

"KILLITKILLITKILLIT!!!"

"Ohgodinheavensaveme!"

"...Nevermind."

"- They even started throwing salt at me! What am I, a slug?"

Maisie giggled as Crow scowled. "I understand yer feelins' boy." He said.

"But without hunters the Beasts would overrun the shores, an' eat everyone in sight like they did durin' the Dark Times- everyone knows that. I dunno why they like ye, but they hate the rest o' us. Tis their nature."

Jacob shook his head. "Hate is something you learn, Captain. No one is born hateful."

Crow just stared at the man for a moment, before getting up and grabbing a sextant from within the boat. "I'm gonna check our 'eadding. Bloody Beast probably headin' the wrong way..." He grumbled as he brushed past Jacob on his way to Lashronas' nose.

Jacob sighed. Stubborn old man. 

He felt someone grab his hand.

"Thank you." Maisie said quietly.

"For saving us- both of you."

Lashrona rumbled slightly. 

"YOU ARE WELCOME, LITTLE ONE."

Chapter Text

The Imperator slowly limped into the docks at Mukesh Island, cutting through the sickly yellow-brown fog that surrounded it.

"Is that the Royal Navy?"

"What are they doin' here?" The island residents began to chatter as Hornagold disembarked from his ship.

He covered his lower face with a handkerchief, hiding his disgust. Filthy peasants. I must get out of here before I start becoming as dull as them.

"Admiral!"

He turned back to see Stuart gazing at him with a worried look. "Think about this, please!"

"I have." He said, heading for a small grotto at the top of the island.

He pushed open the heavy iron door, revealing a stone staircase leading down into the darkness. Descending it, Hornagold found himself in a dim dank cavern lit only by candles and filled with strange devices. He silently approached the old woman standing at the far end, stirring a cauldron. "I know why you're here, Admiral." Gwen Batterbie said, not looking up from her work.

"It's always the same reason, you see. And I can give you what you need." She reached into two bowls, pulled out some strange ingredients, crushed them to powder between her webbed hands, and let it fall into the cauldron before resuming her stirring.

"A poison powerful enough to take down the greatest monsters, and a weapon strong enough to deliver it deep." She put down her spoon and turned to the Admiral.

"You know what they say about me, Admiral?" She sneered as she circled him like a shark, showing teeth to match.

"Them what come see Gwen Batterbie get what they want, but won't see a good day after. Yet, here you are."

"I have never been one to believe in ridiculous superstitions, Miss Batterbie." Hornagold said, unable to take his eyes off her incredibly bushy white hair.

"No," Her ice blue eyes seemed to glow as she spoke. "I don't suppose you do."

"But you will."

She walked over to a large door in the wall and opened it. Inside was a strange contraption that resembled a large dart made of metal, mounted like one of his harpoon guns, with a glass compartment in the tip.

"It's me most terrible creation. The Hand of God, I calls it."

"Impressive." He said.

"What will it cost me?"

"Everything, Admiral." She turned to face him once more.

"I take everything... So, do we have a deal?"

Hornagold stared in silence for a moment.

He stuck out a hand.

"Deal."

Captain Crow peered through the sextant, before looking down at his sea chart. "Well, with the right 'eadin', we'll be there in three days."

He grabbed a rope, tied it to the bow of the lifeboat, and lowered himself down Lashronas' head until he was in front of her left eye.

"Alright, Beast. I need ye ta turn. Ok? Can ye turn? Can ye tuuuurn, ta starboard, yeah? Ta the right." He said slowly, making exaggerated gestures.

Jacob and Maisie giggled as Lashrona growled softly at the Captains continued charades. "Right, ye dumb Beast, right. Can ye turn ta the right? That way-"

"She isn't gonna listen to you Crow." Jacob said, looking down at him.

"Not if you keep treating her like that."

"I know she ain't stupid!" The hunter yelled, before glaring at Lashronas' eye.

"She's just bein' monstrous."

Jacob and Maisie gave each other a deadpan look.

"I need ye ta turn ta the starboard." Crow continued to rant as Maisie tied herself off and begun rappelling down to Lashronas' right eye.

"Over there, right were I'm pointin'? That's starboard, that's the right. More ta the right. Look, see? Over there, right! Turn ta the right ye infernal bloody Sea Beast!"

She finally tired of Crows yelling and closed her left eye, leaving her entirely focused on Maisie.

"He was wondering if you could please turn a bit, Lashrona." Maisie said, letting herself drift to the right as she dangled from the rope.

"Like this, see?"

Lashrona seemed to smile at the girl, and began to gently turn to the right.

"That's it!" Maisie giggled.

"Thanks girl!"

"Not so hard, is it?" Maisie said as she and Crow returned to the boat atop Lashronas head.

"She ain't no pet." Crow picked up Blue and tossed him off the boat before picking up a hammer and nails.

"Just don't let yer guard down, alright?"

"You can relax Captain. She's a friend."

"Yeah, right, till she gets hungry."

"Oh, will you just..."

Maisie trailed off as she looked at the scene before her.

Jacob was making his way across Lashronas' back, pulling out the spears that covered her like a forest.

Maisie looked back at Crow, who had begun trying to repair the mast.

"Ok, I'm-"

"OOOOHHH!" Lashrona rumbled.

"THANK YOU FOR THAT JACOB."

"That... That wasn't-" He looked up to see Maisie flopped on her back, holding a spear.

She laid the weapon down and moved along to the next one, Blue hopping along behind her. She was struggling to pull on it, when a shadow covered her.

"On three, ok?" Jacob said, covering her small hands with his own.

"One, two- three!"

They pulled, the spear coming loose.

The two continued to pull out spears and toss them into the ocean until the sun set. By that time Crow had repaired the mast, and used part of one oar to erect two tent poles, with the sail serving as the tent itself. He and Maisie sat underneath it as it began to drizzle, eating a couple of the fruits he had gathered. Jacob had procured a fish somehow, and was busy tearing it apart with his teeth as he sat cross-legged on Lashronas' back.

"What?" He asked, his mouth smeared with blood.

"How can ye eat that?!"

"Hey, some kingdoms consider this fine dining!"

"Well I consider it disgustin'."

"You're missing out." Jacob said, tossing the fish head to Blue, who snapped it up and swallowed it in one gulp.

Suddenly there was a bellow, followed by a roar and a squawk. Crow and Jacob both jumped to their feet as a Hrosshvalur and an Amhuluk approached Lashronas' right side and a Kongamato flew above. Jacob broke into a grin and ran onto Lashronas' right fin. "Guys!"

"There you are Jay!" Didei said, her long neck sticking out of the water.

"We've been looking everywhere for you!" Pollur exclaimed.

"I told you he was with the Queen!" Kaonde landed and nuzzled up to her friend.

"I'm so glad to see you guys!" He hugged them all (a difficult task considering Pollur could only just bring his snout out of the water.)

"GET BACK YE MONSTERS!!!"

The three smaller Beasts barely had time to dodge before Crows' sword sliced through the air where their heads had been seconds earlier.

"EEEEEKKKK!!!" Didei shrieked, backpaddling. "A human!"

"TWO humans!" Pollur said, noticing Maisie, who cradled Blue in her arms.

"Jay, what are you doing with a pair of humans?!" Kaonde asked in shock.

"Just, let me explain to him first." Jacob gestured to Crow.

"Put your sword down Captain- these are my friends."

"Yer friends?!" Crow asked incredulously.

"Yes, I have friends, most people do."

"Not bloody Sea Beasts!"

"Well most people don't try to be friends with them, do they?"

Maisie crouched down in front of Pollur and Didei and smiled. "Hello! I'm Maisie, and this is Blue!" She said, Blue croaking in affirmation.

"AWWWWWW!!!" Didei squealed. "They're so CUTE!!! But why is this little human brown?"

"Oh my Bakunawa Didei, you can't just ask why a human is brown!" Pollur said in exasperation.

"Why are these humans on the Queens back Jay?" Kaonde landed once again, keeping an eye on Crow.

"Maisie helped free Lashrona from a ship, and its Captain wasn't happy about it. Crow here tried to protect her, but they were both about to get shot, so Lashrona swallowed them and brought them to the Isle. Unfortunately that asshole crab tried to eat them as they were leaving, and the boat got a hole. So we're taking them back ourselves."

"OOOOOH!!!" Dideis' eyes sparkled. "Can we come, can we come?!"

"YOU MAY, LITTLE ONES." Lashrona rumbled.

"What are ye doin'?" Crow asked, mystified by the sounds Jacob was making.

"Just telling them that its ok if they tag along with us."

"WHAT?!" Crow roared.

"NO WAY IN 'ELL AM I LETTIN' MORE BEASTS 'ROUND ME!"

"Fine," Jacob shrugged. "Then I'll just tell Lashrona that you want off."

Crow looked at all three Beasts, then Jacob, before sheathing his sword. "Just don't let 'em near me..." He grumbled, making his way back to the boat.

He sat down, glowering as the Hrosshvalur and the Amhuluk pulled themselves onto Lashronas' fin (the former with more difficulty than the latter, due to flippers).

Remember Crow, He thought.

They're monsters- the enemy of mankind! They would kill you if in an instant if Jacob wasn't here!

But as he watched the Beasts surround Maisie and Jacob, jostling them in greeting and letting the girl stroke them, he couldn't help but be reminded of his crew back on the Inevitable- how they would surround him and cheer his return after every hunt.

"Hold on everyone." He whispered to himself.

"I'm comin' home."

Vivienne buried her face in her pillow, absolutely soaked with tears.

She remembered storming up to Hornagold, face red with fury, and smacking him with all her might. She wanted to get a few more hits in, but such a man wasn't worth her time. She was now acting Captain of the Inevitable, and she had to get the ship repaired. She had ordered the crew to get the rigging untangled, make sail for the nearest port, then headed into her cabin to morn.

She had been crying for two days straight, not eating or even sleeping.

Captain Crow was gone.

Captain Crow, the man who she regarded as her father, was gone.

Sure, he may not have fathered her, but he defended her, taught her, cared for her, more than her blood father ever could. The only good thing the late king ever did for her was introduce her to Captain Crow, and let her board the Inevitable.

And now Crow was gone, eaten by the Bluster, because that idiot Admiral decided he knew better that a man who had spent his whole life hunting Beasts.

The cabin door creaked open, and Sarah quietly slipped inside.

"Ship's fully repaired, Captain. What's our next move?"

Vivi sat up slowly, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Crow wouldn't have wanted this. He wouldn't have wanted her locking herself away crying for him. He would've wanted her to finish the job.

Besides, her bet with Hornagold was still on.

"Set a course for Rum Pepper Island." The Princess said.

"We're finishing this- for Crow."

Chapter Text

As morning dawned on the back of the Red Bluster, Captain Crow was already continuing his repairs of the lifeboat. He'd been woken up several times during the night by the snoring of Jacobs' friends, leaving him a bit tired as he continued to patch the hole in the side of the lifeboat.

Maisie, on the other hand, had slept like a log. She had spent hours talking to Jacob and the other Sea Beasts last night, peppering them with questions until she had finally fallen asleep on Jacobs' lap, Dideis' long neck curled around them like a cat keeping her kittens warm.

The young girl hopped into the lifeboat and plucked a fruit out of the sack, before splitting it open with her knife (Jacob had officially given it to her last night) and tossing one half to Blue. The sight of her eating reminded Crow of how hungry he was, and he reached into the sack to grab a fruit of his own, but finding only an empty bag. He and Maisie gave each other a look. Oh boy... 

Ten minutes later, Crow, Maisie and Blue stood on Lashronas' right fin as Jacob and his friends looked on from her back as the captain did some stretches. With no island to stop at to get food, he had decided to go spear-fishing, using one of the lances Jacob had pulled from Lashronas' back with a length of rope attached to it.

"Watch," Jacob whispered, elbowing Pollur. "He's gonna miss."

The old hunter cracked his neck and aimed his weapon at a school of fish swimming just in front of them before letting it fly.

Missed.

Jacob and the Beasts giggled slightly, trying to stay quite.

Crow grunted, before pulling the spear back in and trying again.

Missed again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

"ARGH!!!"

Jacob and the Beasts had long given up trying to be discrete, and were now rolling with laughter at the sight of the greatest hunter in existence failing to spear a single fish. Crow glared at them.

"I'm used ta a bigger target, alright?!"

"Whatever you say, oh King of all Hunters!" Jacob laughed, wiping away tears.

Lashrona growled softly and rolled her eyes, before beginning to turn to the right.

Slowly, she began to swim in a circle, corralling the fish into a tighter and tighter area with her massive body as Jacob and the Beasts jumped into the water, diving beneath the school and driving them upward.

"Huh." Crow said, sitting down as the fish began to jump in an attempt to escape.

Lashrona seemed to smile as Maisie caught one of the flopping fish in her bare hands.

"Dinnertime!"

One campfire and several hours later, Crow had just finished repairing the lifeboat. Blue was laying on his back in the center of the craft, surrounded by fishbones and significantly rounder than he'd been earlier in the day. The tiny Sea Beast rocked from side to side, before managing to right himself and drag his pudgy body out of the boat. He rolled for a distance, then began to hop towards Maisie and Jacob, who were busy pulling spears out of Lashronas' back. Crow watched them for a moment, before putting the hammer and nails down.

Maisie grunted, struggling to pull out a deeply embedded spear. Jacob was about to assist her, when Crow walked over. Maisie stopped pulling and stared as the captain put his hands on the spear and gave her a look. The two humans pulled upwards with all their might, grunting as the spear came free.

Lashrona growled softly in thanks.

Captain Crow stared at the spear for a moment, before turning it over. Engraved on the spearhead was a Sea Beast with two lances crossed over it. The symbol of the Inevitable, greatest of the hunting ships, mankind's greatest defense against the evils of the Beasts. Crow looked towards Lashronas' head with a sad and confused expression, then let the spear drop onto her back before following Maisie and Blue to the next spear. Jacob smiled.

By the time night fell, all the spears that had been embedded in the Queen of Sea Beasts back were resting at the bottom of the sea. Maisie sat on Jacobs' lap, surrounded by his friends, looking up at the night sky. Whereas last night Crow had been adamant that the Beasts stay far away from him, tonight he didn't seem to notice- or care.

Instead, his attention was focused on Maisies' book, The Adventures of Captain Crow. He was kind of embarrassed to admit it, but he'd never actually read the book, despite being it's titular character. And judging by the look on his face, he wasn't enjoying it. "Says' 'ere that durin' the Dark Times, the Beast destroyed a town on the coast a' Kra'Zoul... But I been up an' down that coast me whole life, an' never seen any town, destroyed or otherwise. 'Ell, I never seen a place ye could put a town- Coast 'a Kra'Zoul is all rocky cliffs!" He frowned, drawing closer to Blues' glowing lure, which he was using as a reading light.

"A-An' we don't say 'yar' 'alf that much! E-Every other page we're shoutin' 'yar'! I mean this... this is just insultin'!"

"Says you," Maisie said, turning to face him.

"But the book says otherwise. And, its gonna outlast all of us. So people will believe the Beasts destroy towns that don't exist, and that hunters like to say 'yar'.

Crow stared at an illustration of himself for a moment before he spoke again. "But... But if that ain't true... then how ye supposed ta know what is?"

"-And how do we know the Sea Beasts ever did pluck little old ladies out of their veggie patches?" Maisie said, turning the book to the first page.

"That there really were the Dark Times?" 

Crow looked up at the young girl, the wheels in his head turning as she continued. "Maybe, they didn't start this war."

"Maybe..." The old hunter said, turning back to the book. "Question is, why would we?"

And what does that mean for me?

A booming noise drew their attention.

Dark clouds gathered in the sky, and lightning flashed. The waves began to pick up.

"Looks like a real shipwrecker..." Maisie said, hugging Blue close.

Crow looked at the storm, then at the lifeboat, then at the storm again. Jacob and the Beasts could go underwater to avoid the storm, but he and Maisie would be sitting ducks. Unless...

"Erm... excuse me? Lashrona?" He asked awkwardly.

"Could ye do us a favor?"

Lightning cracked and thunder rumbled. The waves churned the sea like a cauldron as Lashrona dove beneath the suface of the ocean, sweeping the lifeboat off her head and into the dark water where it slowly sunk.

Crow, Maisie, Jacob and Blue sat inside Lashronas' nose, looking through her nasal membrane at the lightning flashed above. Didei, Pollur, and Kaonde swam besides the Queen, unconcerned about the storm.

"Nicer down here, I'd say." Maisie said.

"Aye," Crow replied. "Nicer down 'ere."

"It's about to get better." Jacob smirked.

"What do ye..." Crow trailed off.

Emerging from the depths of the kelp forest and surrounding Lashrona, were jellyfish.

Gigantic, glowing jellyfish.

Maisie stared in awe. "Wow..."

"'Mazing..." The old hunter gasped as Lashrona emerged from the kelp forest to an empty seabed.

Only, it wasn't empty.

Jacob grimaced.

Maisie gasped in horror.

Crows' face fell.

As far as the eye could see, the remains of both ships and Sea Beasts covered the ocean floor in a mass grave.

At one time, the sight would have elated Crow- all those dead Beasts that could no longer threaten mankind. But now, it just left a massive stone of guilt in his stomach.

Maisie noticed his discomfort.

"I don't know how the war started." She said.

"But maybe it doesn't matter. Maybe all that matters now, is how it ends."

"How it ends..." He whispered.

He looked at Jacob, a man who lost everything to this pointless war. His ship, his father... even his humanity.

He looked at Maisie, an orphan who had been so ready to throw her life away hunting monsters.

He clenched his fist.

He made up his mind.

I'm ending this. For all those who came before, and all who will come after.

This ends with me.

Admiral Hornagold stood at the bow of the Imperator beside the Hand of God, looking out at the sea. Stuart looked up at the sky and grimaced. "A Blood moon. That means Batterbie is watching."

"I've heard of the deals she makes, and no one has ever gotten what they wanted from it. We're all doomed..."

"STUART!!!"

"COMING!" The first mate joined the Admiral on the bow.

"Look at that." Hornagold said, pointing off the port side.

The sea churned and echoed with the cries of small Sea Beasts with eel like bodies and large glowing eyes.

"Riddlebacks... But I thought they didn't come this far north?"

"They don't. Not unless they are running away from something. And there is only one thing that scares a Riddleback... The Bluster... MEN!!!" The Admiral yelled, drawing the sailors attention from the Riddlebacks that were bouncing harmlessly against the ships hull.

"SET A NEW COURSE, ALEE OF RUM PEPPER ISLAND!!!"

As the men set to work, Hornagold gave a malevolent grin.

He was going to end this.

Chapter Text

As day dawned the next morning, Maisie, Crow, Jacob and Blue sat atop Lashronas' head, Maisie peering out at the distance through her spyglass. Crow stared at an illustration of himself slaying a Sea Beast in her book, a deeply troubled look on his face. "That ain't you no more." Maisie said.

"You're not Captain Augustus Crow the third who killed four of them Beasts in a span of two days-"

"It was five..." Crow mumbled, ashamed of himself.

"You're Captain Crow, who befriended a Beast and the Sea Devil, saved me life, and led us all the way to Rum Pepper Island!" She said, pointing with her spyglass at the island nearby.

Crow closed the book and stood up. "We made it." He whispered, joining Maisie beside Lashronas' horn.

"This is as far as we go." Jacob said.

"Aye," Crow replied.

"Ain't safe fer ye or Lashrona outside the Dregmorr, but Maisie an' I can flag a passin' ship."

"... And then what?" Maisie asked, looking up a Crow.

"Well, then I'll, uh, take ye ta Guelston, won't I?"

"And what about you?"

Crow sighed. What about me?

Maisie sat down. "Guelston is a place. It ain't a family... I ain't going back there."

"I hope you're not suggesting Crow take care of you? No offense Captain."

"None taken Jacob."

"Actually... I..."

"Yes?"

"I wanna stay with Jacob!"

Both mens eyebrows shot upwards in surprise as Maisie continued to talk.

"I mean, as far as everyone knows, I got eaten, and I don't really have anything to go back to... Hunter orphans never get adopted, and most of 'em end up becoming hunters themselves- and I can't do that after all this-"

"Maisie," Jacob knelt down beside her. "You do realize what staying with me would mean, don't you?"

"Aye."

"You'd never be able to go back, you'd have to spend the rest of your life away from people, you'd..." He gulped.

"... You'd turn into a monster like me."

"Funny," Maisie smiled.

"You don't look like a monster to me."

Jacob was silent for a moment.

Then he wrapped his arms around the young girl and hugged her.

"Thanks kid."

"So... does that mean...?"

"Yes, you can stay."

There was a set of loud intakes of breath behind them.

"Did you hear that guys?!" Kaonde asked, her wings covering her beak.

"Sure did!" Pollur replied.

"YESYESYESYESYES!!!" Didei squealed, happily prancing in circles.

"I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE AN AUNTIE!!! Oh we are gonna have so much fun-!"

Crow chuckled at the little celebration and went to pack up his things.

Lashrona partially beached herself on the shore of Rum Pepper Island, allowing Crow, Maisie and Jacob to jump off.

"Well girl," Crow said, putting his stuff down and turning to face Lashrona.

"This has been an improbable adventure, an' I thank ye fer all ye 'ave done, but, it's time ta go home now." He picked up his lance.

"An' I swear, I'll never hunt Sea Beasts again." He took the shaft of the weapon in both hands and raised it high above his head.

"NO MORE MONSTER HUNTING!" He cried, bringing the lance shaft down on his knee.

It didn't break. Maisie and Jacob winced at Crows' groan.

Lashrona growled softly as the Captain held up a finger, limping badly. "Hang about... ok." He got into position again.

"No more!" He brought the shaft down on the other knee.

Still didn't break.

He groaned and picked up the lance yet again.

"No more!" He swung it downward on a nearby rock, where it bounced off and hit him in the face.

"Ow, jeeze! ... Look, ye understand me point, right? It's, it's a symbolic gesture."

Lashrona growled softly. "I UNDERSTAND."

"She understands, Captain." Jacob said.

Lashronas' eyes suddenly narrowed. She lifted her head towards the hill beyond the beach, smelling the air.

"Lashrona?" Maisie asked.

The Queen of the Sea Beasts growled. "THAT SMELL..."

 She pulled herself up onto land, dragging her massive body up the hill, Crow, Maisie, and Jacob in hot pursuit.

"Oh no..." As they crested the hill, Crow saw exactly what had set Lashrona off.

Anchored in the cove below, was the Inevitable.

"Lashrona, listen ta me." Crow said, getting in front of her. "This doesn't have ta end in bloodshed. They don't know any better! If I can just convince them-"

Lashrona looked at him and growled quizzically, and though Crow didn't understand Sea Beast, he had a pretty good idea of what she said, which was confirmed by Jacob seconds later.

"'And how exactly are you going to do that, Captain?', she says."

Crow thought about it for a moment, before his eye lit up.

"I've got an idea."

Young Kay dropped his spyglass, frozen in shock. "C-Captain... CAPTAIN!!!"

"What is it lad?" Vivi asked, coming to the port side railing.

"Ya look like ya saw a ghost!"

"I-I DID!!!" He pointed towards the shore of Rum Pepper Island, where there was a flash of white.

Vivi pulled out her spyglass, peered through it... and dropped it in utter disbelief.

"I-It can't be... SARAH!!!"

"Aye Captain?"

"Ready a rowboat!"

"Why?"

"See for yourself!"

Sarah looked through her own spyglass... and dropped it.

"Ye 'ave got ta be kiddin' me..."

Standing on the shore of Rum Pepper Island, waving his shirt like a flag, was Captain Crow.

Kay must've broken a world record, rowing to shore and back with their lost Captain in tow. By that time word had gotten around to the crew, who were all celebrating a miracle. As soon as Crows' boots hit the deck, Vivi embraced him in a bear hug.

"Yourealiveyourealiveyourealive..." She whispered into his shirt, crying like a baby.

The old hunter patted her on the back. "Come on now, takes more than bein' swallowed ta kill me!"

"B-But how?!" Young Kay sputtered.

Crow chuckled. "I could tell ye... but I think I'd rather show ye... PERCY! A FLARE, IF YE PLEASE! AN EVERYONE, STAY CALM!"

Old Percy dropped a flare into a swivel gun and lit the fuse, sending a red light shooting up into the sky.

As the flare fizzled out, a gigantic figure rose out of the depths off the starboard side of ship, opposite the direction everyone was facing.

"Oh... my... god..." Vivi gasped.

The whole crew stared in horrified awe as The Red Bluster itself towered over them, the Sea Devil leaning against its horn, unmasked, surrounded by a Kongamato, a Hrosshvalur, and a Amhuluk.

Several hunters made to draw pistols and swords, but Crow held up his arm. "STAY CALM!!!" He roared.

Everyone quickly put their weapons down. You did not argue with Crow when he yelled like that.

Slowly, the Red Bluster lowered its head until it was eye level with the deck. 

Everyone stood frozen, afraid that any movement would mean instant death.

A head of brown curls popped out from behind the Devil.

"Hello everyone!" Maisie Brumble said, jumping off the Blusters' nose and onto the deck of the Inevitable, a small dopey looking Sea Beast in her arms.

"Meet our new friends!"

"So," Vivi said, pacing the deck, her red hair more frizzy than normal.

"Let me get this straight: The Red Bluster didn't sink the Abraxas, but instead rescued the only survivor, basically raised him, then they both saved you two from Hornagold and brought you back here? And staying in the Dregmorr for too long as a kid turns you into a sea monster?!"

"I know, it sounds insane-"

"That's putin' it mildly Capt'n." Sarah took a swig of her flask (she had been doing that a lot).

"I'd not believe it, 'fit weren't starin' me in the face."

She meant that literally- Didei was simply fascinated by the first mate of the Inevitable. "This human has a Sawhale horn for a leg! Cool!"

"It's a fake leg Dids. Humans do stuff like that if they loose them."Pollur rolled his eyes as another hunter timidly approached and brushed his crest.

"What's it sayin'?"

"She thinks your leg is cool." Jacob translated.

Sarah snorted. "She 'as good taste, fer a monster."

Vivi sat down on a barrel, shaking her head. Kaonde lay her head across her lap.

"All this time..." The Princess said.

"All this time, and we never knew they were sapient... We've been fighting sapient creatures."

"Not just that." Maisie pulled her book out and handed it to Vivi. "This book talks about Beasts destroying towns that don't exist- Couldn't exist, 'cording to Crow. So if that isn't true-"

"- The rest of it might not be either."

"Are ye suggestin' this 'ole war is a mistake?!" Sarah asked.

"Sure as Lashrona is red, she is." Crow nodded.

"All those Beasts... all those hunters... all because of a mistake..."

"And its gonna keep happening, unless-"

"-Unless someone stops it." A light went off over Vivis' head.

"Exactly," Crow said.

"The King an' Queen may not believe me, but you... yer a different story Vivi. If anyone can get them ta listen, it's you."

Vivi was quiet for a moment, before finally looking at Lashrona. "I'll need you to come with us, Lady Lashrona- You too Jacob. I need living proof- besides," She smirked.

"- I've still got a bet to win."

Crow smiled.

Everything was working out fine.

That was when it all went to Hell.