Chapter Text
Every night, I watch the sunset out my window. The colors of the Sun turning a vast sea red, orange, purple... it relaxed me. It was the only reason I wasn't as energetic as the other kids. A wale shark among an ocean of electric eels. At least, that is what my mother told me once.
Now I watch as darkness starts spreading. It always starts at the center of the horizon as just a black dot. But then it starts to spread, taking up half the Sun, then its rays, then the sky, hen the entire ocean. Everything, all black.
Just before it gets to my window, I close my eyes, shake my head a few times, and open them. The Sun is setting again. The colors were just as ever, and the sky is silent, and the sea is calm.
My father told me it was just a trick of my imagination and I should stop talking about it. My mother would avoid the conversation whenever it was brought up. I tended to believe my father. It wasn't like I had any other explanation.
But, this time has just felt different.
"Turn off your lamp, son." My mom said, coming into my room.
"Mother." I started, leaning over to blow out my light. "Can you tell me of the darkness? I know you know what's out there."
My mother sighed and took my lantern. "Truth be told, I don't know exactly what's out there, or what would make you have these visions." She sat on the side of my bed. "But, I do know a story of darkness out in the water."
"Please Mom." I pleaded. "Tell me the story."
"You're dad wouldn't like it, but it's good for kids to learn the tales of the sea." Mom brought me in close. "This is the tale of the Shadow."
"The Shadow?" I asked, "What's so scary about that? I see shadows all the time."
"This isn't just a regular shadow!" My mom joked, poking at me. "Do you think the great pirates of the sea scream when they see their own shadow?"
"Fine, I'll stop joking around. But please, tell me of the Shadow."
"The Shadow is said to be created when humanity committed it's first sin. No one knew who committed this sin, nor what it was. This darkness started to form on our brightest star. Any time a human commits another sin, the darkness grows. This, my boy, is what causes shipwrecks and harsh tidal waves that harm sailors. It's the reason they don't sail at night; that is where The Shadow is the most active."
"Why does the Shadow harm innocent sailors?" I asked.
"Well, the Shadow doesn't see them as innocent. Any human that comes within her waters is seen as a threat. When she approaches you, she might disguise herself as a ship with a loyal crew, then ride up to your ship, steel your crew, and kill them all, leaving you to drown in the ocean and think of your own mistakes."
"Wow," I said. I couldn't think of such a fate. Especially one of this calm sea I saw before me. A chill ran down my spine. "Is there any way to defeat the Shadow?"
"You are very ambitious, my child," my mother said. "There are many theories and different myths that conflict. But, at the end of the day, this is just a story that is passed down. There is probably no truth left in it." My mother blew out my lantern. "Well, it is rather late, so I say you should go to bed. Don't worry about the darkness. We can talk about it in the more tomorrow."
I laid down and pulled the blankets over myself. "Goodnight, Mom."
I heard her through muffled whispers. "Goodnight, Captain."
As soon as she shut my door, I smirked. Because this was the first of many nights where all I could think about was the Shadow. All I could think was where I could sail to get to her. What ship would I use. And how I would defeat her. I wanted to sail. I wanted to fight. And I wanted to rid myself of all the sin burdening me.
By the screams of my father, it would take a while before that could happen.