The sun dipped low over the horizon as the Ship anchored on the sandy shore of an island brimming with life. Towering palm trees swayed in the breeze, their long fronds whispering secrets to the wind. The air was thick with the scents of spices, fresh produce, and saltwater. As Kira stood at the bow of the ship, he couldn't help but admire the view. The island was quaint, a perfect spot to restock and gather information—but more importantly, they needed a navigator.
"We've run too far on luck," Aria said, her gaze sweeping over the island's harbor. She stood beside Kira, her sharp eyes scanning the crowded docks.
"Maybe we can find one here," Kira said, his voice steady, though his mind was already racing with thoughts of the future. The seas were vast, and without a proper navigator, their chances of survival were slim.
Sora, ever the excited one, bounded up beside them with a grin. "Hey, don't we need a name? You know, a cool pirate name. Like—uh—'Doomsday Pirates' or 'Storm Pirates,' or maybe—'Raven's Pirates.'" He paused, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. "Raven's Pirates sounds pretty cool, right?"
Aria raised an eyebrow. "Ravens, you say? Not bad, actually… considering our captain's name."
Kira chuckled and crossed his arms. "Well, Ravens it is then."
With the decision made, they turned to their task.
——
The island's dock was bustling with traders and travelers, all shouting their wares and moving about with purpose. Kira stood at the foot of the gangplank, hands on his hips. He glanced over at his crew.
"Alright, guys. Go buy what you need. Restock on food, water, and anything you think we might need for the journey ahead," Kira said, his tone firm but not harsh.
"And look for a navigator. We need someone who knows the seas better than we do. We'll meet back here later."
Sora nodded eagerly, his eyes scanning the crowds. "Alright! Meat! I'm gonna get some fine meat for the crew. You guys go find your boring stuff." Without another word, Sora darted off into the market, already eyeing a butcher stall in the distance.
Aria gave Kira a short nod and walked off in the opposite direction. She was a woman of few words, but she knew exactly where to look for useful information. The taverns and shipwrights were always good places to gather intel.
——
Hours later, the sun had sunk lower, and the island was bathed in an orange glow. Kira stood by the docks, waiting. He'd made his rounds, asking about navigators, but so far, luck hadn't been on his side.
Aria returned first, her arms crossed as she approached. She had a no-nonsense look on her face, as usual. "I've asked around. No luck. Just rumors. There's talk of a woman who used to chart merchant routes blindfolded, but no one seems to know where she is now."
Kira frowned. "Blindfolded? That's an odd skill to have." He shook his head. "But we'll take what we can get."
Sora arrived soon after, his arms full of various cuts of meat wrapped in cloth. He was practically skipping with excitement. "Look what I got! Some fine meat for the crew! And hey, I didn't find a navigator, but there's this guy selling sea spices I've never smelled before. They're gonna be perfect for dinner!"
Kira chuckled at his enthusiasm but didn't waste time on the food. "Nice haul, but I'm still looking for someone who can actually keep us from sailing in circles. Did you ask about navigators?"
Sora scratched his head. "I did, but no one really seemed to know. But… I did hear something interesting. There's a girl down by the shipwright's post. They say she used to chart merchant routes blindfolded. Maybe she's the one we're looking for?"
Aria's eyes narrowed slightly. "That's the one I heard about, too. There's always something strange about her. She's got a reputation for being good, but also a bit…" She trailed off, not sure how to describe the rumors she'd heard. "They say she's a little unpredictable."
Kira turned his head towards the direction of the shipwright's post. The area was quieter than the market, with a few old men working on boats and some ships in various stages of repair. "I'll go check. We can't afford to waste time."
——
The dockside was quiet near the shipwright's post, the sounds of the bustling marketplace growing distant. Kira walked with purpose, boots echoing on the old wooden planks. Aria's words echoed in his mind:
"There's a girl down by the shipwright's post. Hearsay says she used to chart merchant routes blindfolded."
It didn't take long to find her.
She sat alone beneath a shade tarp near a supply crate, legs pulled to her chest, arms wrapped loosely around them. Her sea-green hair fell in gentle waves around her face, and a rolled-up map was clutched tightly in her hands. She didn't look up as Kira approached.
"You're the one they call a map prodigy?" he asked casually, voice low, careful not to startle her.
Her eyes flicked up, wide and cautious. "I—uh, maybe. Depends who's asking."
Kira offered a small smile. "Name's Kira. Captain of the Raven pirates. Looking for someone who can read the sea better than the wind itself."
She blinked, clearly caught off guard by the directness. "You're… a pirate?"
He nodded.
For a moment, she said nothing. Then her gaze dropped back to her map. Her voice softened. "My father was a pirate. He… he died last week. Marines opened fire near the western pier. Said he resisted."
Kira's expression didn't change, but his eyes shifted slightly—quiet understanding behind them.
"I'm sorry," he said sincerely.
She gave a weak shrug. "He was reckless, but he loved the ocean. Used to make me draw maps with my eyes closed, just to prove I knew the currents."
"And now?" Kira asked.
"I don't know. Everyone tells me to leave the island, to keep sailing like he did, but…" She paused, clutching the map tighter. "I'm not like him. Not brave enough, maybe."
Kira sat down beside her on the crate. "You don't have to be like him. You just have to be you. Brave isn't about not being scared—it's about going anyway."
She glanced at him sideways. "You don't even know my name."
"Not yet," he said, grinning slightly. "But I'm hoping to change that."
She hesitated. Then—quietly—"Winslow Elara."
He stood and offered a hand. "Elara. We could use someone like you. If you ever decide to stop being scared alone… we'll be out there, chasing the horizon."
"It's up to you how far you go. If you don't try, you'll never know."
Elara looked at his hand, then down at her map. The sea breeze caught it, fluttering the edge like it was calling her too.
"I'll think about it," she said softly.
Kira gave her a nod and turned, walking back toward the harbor.
Behind him, Elara watched… map still in her lap, but her fingers had loosened their grip.
The sea was calling. And now, someone had offered a ship to answer it with.
——
Back at the harbor—
Aria leaned against a stack of crates, arms crossed. "You found her?"
Kira nodded. "I did. She said she'd think about it… we'll see by morning."
——
I
Later that night—
Kira laid on his back under the stars, the soft creak of the docked ship in the distance. His hand flicked through translucent system menus
[Side Quest Completed "Find a navigator"]
Rewards:
• +1000 EXP
• +200 Credits
• Random Loot Box
[Level Up – 31 → 32]
[Loot Box Opened…]
[Reward: ??? – Mythical Grade]
His eyes lit up.
"My second Mythical?" he grinned, already feeling the rush. "C'mon, show me something good."
Light erupted in front of him—brilliant, cascading colors that bent the air itself. It spiraled inward, compacting until—
Thunk.
Something dropped into his hand.
A cube.
Cold. Heavy. Etched in glowing, alien script. No larger than his fist, but it pulsed with a strange energy—almost like a heartbeat.
[Item: ???]
Type: Ship
Rarity: Mythical
Description: Unknown
"A ship?" Kira whispered, awe creeping into his voice.
He turned it over, the markings catching the moonlight. It felt ancient… alive.
He laughed softly. "First the axe… and now this?"
Holding it up to the stars, he grinned. "This crew's about to ride in style."
——
Morning.
At the far edge of town, Elara stood in silence, staring at the horizon—torn between grief and uncertainty. She still hadn't answered.
Then—
BANG. BANG. BANG.
Fists pounded on her door.
"Marine Enforcement! Open up!"
Elara froze.
They knew.
Her father—his history as a pirate. His death at the hands of the local Marine base a week ago. And now they were here for her.
——
Back at the docks—
Aria and Sora were moving crates and supplies.
Kira stood near the ship's bow, gaze locked on the distant rooftops—right where Elara lived.
Then—
[Side Quest Activated – "Rescue Elara!"]
Objective: Protect the Navigator Candidate from Capture.
Reward: +2,000 EXP
Time Limit: 10 Minutes.
"Dammit," Kira muttered, eyes narrowing.
He took off in a sprint.
"Whoa—Kira?!" Sora shouted.
Aria's eyes widened. "Something's wrong."
Neither hesitated—they dropped everything and ran after him.
———————————————————
Thank you for reading — it really means a lot!