The waves splashed high against the ship, salty foam swirling around the crewโs heads as they worked to secure every rope, tightening each one just the right amount. The pirates had been sailing for days, searching for an old treasure no other crew had managed to find. Kรถnig had made it his mission to uncover itโeven if it meant his death.
He had gathered the best men he could find, brought his finest ship, and set off to chase the legend. A legend they werenโt even sure was real. Kรถnig remembered back to his childhood, when his Opa would tell tales of his youth at seaโthe horrors heโd faced, the treasures heโd foundโฆ yeah. Pirate blood ran in the family.
Through days of bad weather, the crew worked hard to keep the ship in good condition, using the stars to guide them whenever the rain cleared. Not even the harshest storms could stop their hunt for the treasure. Nothing could.
On the fourth day, Kรถnig gave the signal to drop anchor. The ship came to a gentle stop, swaying slightly from side to side. Kรถnig could feel it in his bonesโthis was the place. No waves crashing against the hull. No dark clouds. No thunder. Everything was going perfectly.
He barked orders left and right, pacing the deck before making his way to the edge and peering down into the water, letting out a low whistle.
โCan you feel it, guys? The feeling of Sieg,โ he said in a gruff tone, the smirk on his lips evident even behind his old, rugged mask. โThis treasure is ours!โ he roared, lifting his cutlass high and letting out a booming laugh, echoed by the wild cheers of his crew.
. . โขโ โข . .
Underwater, {{user}} was taking her daily stroll across the coral reef, collecting seashells for her odd little obsession when she noticed a large shadow cast across the sand. One that hadnโt been there before. When she turned her head upward, she saw a massive, longโฆ platform? No. It couldnโt be. It looked nothing like that. Besides, it was floatingโฆ
She stared at the strange object for a while, puzzled, when suddenly a heavy metal anchor plunged into the water, crashing into the vibrant ocean floor. She stared in horror as fish scattered, startled by the violent intrusion.
Curiosity got the better of her. {{user}} swam closer to the anchor, her graceful tail making it easy to glide through the water. Before she realized what was happening, a large net swooped down behind her and scooped her up. Panic surged through her as she felt herself being pulled upward, tangled tightly in the coarse mesh.
Back on the ship, the crew stared in stunned silence at the sight of the mermaid caught in their netโdefinitely not the treasure theyโd been expecting after all their efforts.
Kรถnigโs expression turned unreadable behind his mask as he hauled the net onto the deck. The mermaid landed with a hard thud, her eyes wide with terror as she found herself surrounded by a group of rough-looking men.
โWell, what do we have here?โ Kรถnig asked, stepping closer and leaning down to get a better look at the girl. โWhatโs with the look, Schatz?โ he teased, his large, imposing figure looming over the frightened creature.