– POV General –
The cool evening wind blew gently on Coven Island, the sounds and lights of the village rising and shining in the starry sky, lulled by the sound of the waves. The atmosphere was obviously festive because as a weekend, the inhabitants partied since noon, drinking, playing, laughing and singing like good people. However, of all the people that were in Coven Village, six people were missing.
Farther west in the forest of the small island, where the cove Joe had discovered was, the six companions were all sitting around a fire. Behind them, a small but beautiful ship that no longer looked like a wreck stood proudly under the white rays of the moon. Even though it was only a sloop, every plank had been changed, every beam solidified and within a month, the six friends had succeeded in their challenge.
The end of the repairs meant the last night on the island where they had grown up and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. On the white sandy beach, a huge feast had been prepared to celebrate their imminent departure and future adventures. Meat, alcohol, fish, vegetables, fruits, and cakes were strewn on the ground on banana leaves and iron plates.
The meal had already started a while ago and the laughter of Lucas, Mysie, Kali, Joe and Edward echoed on the small beach. There was also Loki, Azeil and Seth who were busy swallowing large pieces of meat with appetite without caring about the rest. They were at the feet of Hestia who was sitting on the still closed wooden chest that she had brought with her a few hours earlier for a very special occasion.
Unlike the burgundy shirt she was wearing, this time the young blonde woman was dressed entirely in black and had her hair tied back in a ponytail. With a large bottle of rum in her hand and her sleeves rolled up, she was watching her friends chattering excitedly. Hestia, on the other hand, was silent and couldn't help but think of all that was about to happen to them and the many dangers she would have to face.
"Still, to think that those two idiots were going to ask Hestia to accompany us. Even if they had told me I wouldn't have believed it hahaha~"
"I know right ? But personally it doesn't really surprise me, it's not the first time this has happened...I mean...it's Hestia"
"True. She's always been a special person hahaha~"
Lucas, Mysie and Kali were openly joking about the announcement their friend had made to them as soon as she arrived at the beach where their departure was to be held. These three had been the easiest to convince because they trusted Hestia's judgment and saw no problem with them joining the adventure. Edward and Joe, on the other hand, had not refused but had been a little more reluctant, not being able to forget what had happened at the inn.
However, after a discussion, they had come to the conclusion that two more men would not be unwelcome and could even help them in the most critical moments. It was also decided that the two brothers would have to prove their worth on the ship or they would be thrown to the next island or city. So everything was ready, decided and there were only two important things left to do before they could leave for good.
"But I think about it, didn't Diana write in her letter "you must be a beautiful young woman today who can turn any man's head, which wouldn't surprise me since you take after me" ? Well if she knew...she still turns men but instead of attention they get a foot fufu~"
"Hahaha~"
"I...*cough cough*...aaaah...*cough cough*...s-so true *cough cough* !"
Lucas's words had made everyone smile and had even caused Mysie to cough, not expecting that. She had spit out the milk she was drinking that was coming out of her nose, causing an even more unbelievable giggle from her friends. Only Hestia had remained silent, her eyes blank and her thoughts already gone far from that campfire, the beach or even Coven Island.
"Hestia ?"
Not having heard their friend react, everyone turned to her to realize that she was not listening at all anymore. The young woman had placed her right foot on the wooden chest, her elbow on her knee and her hand just below her chin. An unlit cigarette was between her lips, and the fact that she had not lit it was proof of the deep, thoughtful state she was in at that moment.
"H-Hestia ? What are you thinking of ?"
Kali who had approached her had pulled her out of her thoughts by suddenly lighting the cigarette Hestia had in her mouth by herself. Finally looking up at her, Kali felt her heart quicken as Hestia's gray and green eyes looked into hers. Straightening up and smiling slightly, the young blonde woman finally spoke up noticing all the questioning looks fixed on her.
"I think about our journey, why we decided to leave and this new world we are about to embark on. So far we have succeeded in what we set out to do, but so much remains uncertain and unclear..."
Hestia was not afraid, far from it, but she knew that tonight she was going to become the Captain of her own crew and knew what that meant. Being a Captain meant making sure they were successful in their mission, making the right decisions and above all to look after her companions. In reality she wasn't afraid, she was excited but mentally preparing herself to become Captain.
"I think it's time."
Suddenly, not giving anyone time to respond, the young woman stood up with a serious and determined look on her face. It wasn't too late, but the next day was going to be an important one, and there were still two important things the group needed to fulfill before they left. The first was the pact that each pirate had to make before going to sea for the first time and the second was the official appointment of the Captain.
These two customs, known to all pirates around the world, varied according to village, family and history, but were still important steps. Tonight was one of the most important nights in the history of this new crew and their future Captain had suddenly decided it was time. Hestia stood in the sand, her golden blonde ponytail fluttering in the wind as her eyes shone intensely.
"I'm ready Boss."
"Me too."
"Same here."
"Anytime you're ready Hestia."
"Mmmh."
One by one as they stood up, Joe, Lucas, Kali, Mysie and Edward answered with the same seriousness on their faces, knowing better than anyone the importance of this moment. The atmosphere had suddenly changed and Seth, Loki and Azeil, thanks to their instincts, had sensed it. They had all stopped eating and looked up to silently observe what was going to happen in a few minutes.
_____
In the cove to the west of the island called "Coven Island", no sound could be heard except the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. Hestia was standing in front of her five friends who were standing in a line right in front of her, straight and head high. At this moment, the seriousness they were showing was extreme and all of them were silently waiting for the indications of their future Captain.
"Kali."
"Yes !"
At the call of her name, the young woman with brown hair and eyes, would rush to one of the bags littering the beach that they were to carry. Very quickly, she pulled out a long black cloth that looked ordinary but was just as important as the ship they had repaired. In this bag was their pirate flag, the Jolly Roger, where was embroidered with their symbol, their signature that would one day make the seas of the whole world tremble.
Kali, very talented in drawing, had designed it after the group had agreed on its appearance before embroidering it herself for weeks. The fabric or "sailcloth" had been blackened with tar and then the lines sewn as a pattern had been painted with whitewash to make it more obvious. Thus, after a few weeks and for the first time, the group discovered their flag of which they would be proud.
"..."
Everyone was speechless and no one could take their eyes off the perfect work that Kali had done tirelessly and with the utmost seriousness for days and days. On the large black cloth were embroidered and painted three huge skulls of dogs with sharp and pointed teeth. They were open-mouthed and terrifying and seemed to have come straight out of Hell.
Just underneath, the common symbol of pirates was also represented: two human bones crossing each other in the form of a cross. The flag was beautiful and of all of them, Hestia seemed to be the proudest, not even blinking, as if frozen in time. While the others started to exclaim about the excellent work of their friend, the young blonde woman didn't say a word and walked towards the chest she had kept closed.
*CRACK*
Grabbing the rusty but solid chain with one hand, Hestia broke it with a sharp blow, impressing her friends and restoring the silence. They may have known her incredible strength, but witnessing it was still pretty crazy and impressive. Opening the chest, the young blonde woman looked up before seeing her friends nodding one by one, knowing full well what was in the chest that had been closed for years.
Inside was a magnificent steel dagger bearing the letter H on a horn-shaped ivory handle that had not been distorted but simply engraved. A silver ring marked the separation between the blade and the handle and although the dagger looked simple, it was beautiful. There were also clothes in the chest, a pistol as well as a compass and a necklace glinting in the glare of the moonlight.
"The Hellfire's..."
"chest..."
As Lucas and Joe had, what Hestia had just opened was the chest that each Captain of the Hellfire family passed on to each other. Inside were the things she was to treasure and carry the day she stepped onto her own ship. Plunging her hand inside, Hestia first pulled out the necklace she had sworn to wear the day she went on an adventure with her friends...her family.
It was made of shiny silver and consisted of a simple chain and a key-shaped locket that could be opened with a small mechanism. Hestia put it on before slipping it inside her black shirt, barely buttoned in the front. Then, it was the turn of an important piece to be taken out of the Hellfires' trunk. A big black coat with a raised collar, embroidered with gold threads, imposing and worthy of a Captain.
In silence, the young woman stood up and stared at the five of them in front of her before putting it on her shoulders, taking her time and enjoying every second. Finishing putting it on completely, Hestia then bent down to grab the hat that was also in the trunk with her left hand. With her right hand, she would catch the ribbon in her hair before pulling it out in one motion leaving her hair in the wind.
"..."
The cove once again seemed to stand still in time as everyone held their breath at the different beauty Hestia exuded. The moon's rays fell on her face making it glow with an almost divine light. Her long golden hair floated behind her and even though her face bore a scar, Hestia was undoubtedly gorgeous.
"Finally..."
As she spoke that single word, she placed the tricorn on her head after shaking her head slightly just before. It was just as beautiful as the coat and blood red feathers adorned it making it even more unique in addition to the "H" it had embroidered on the side. Just as she had put it down, a gust of wind swept across the beach shaking her coat, the feathers on her hat and her long hair.
"B-Beautiful..."
"U-Umu..."
Kali and Mysie couldn't help but let out a few words as they all finally had the Captain they had dreamed of following before them. It was the first time that Hestia appeared dressed like this and the mere sight of her made their hearts flutter and their eyes shine. The boys said nothing, but just like the girls, they could not take their eyes off this solemn, beautiful and intimidating spectacle.
Once again, as if instinctively pushed, Loki and Azeil walked up to their master without hesitation before sitting on either side of her. Seth, who was sliding on the sand, wrapped himself on her leg and then on her waist before passing under her coat and placing himself around her neck. Accompanied by her three faithful fang and venom companions, Hestia was finally ready to speak the vows she had always dreamed of making.
"May the moon and the stars witness this moment that will remain engraved in the memory of us all. On this beach, surrounded by my companions, my friends...my family, I name our very first ship "Cerberus". Three-headed Guardian of Hell, past, present, future but also dangerous and deadly. May its name echo in hearts and its tale spread throughout the world as belonging to the Hysterics !"
Turning her head in the direction of the sloop that stood not far away, Hestia greeted it as a full crew member. This ship that they had all repaired with determination, passion, courage and love would carry them across the seas and follow them on their adventures. Then, turning her head once more to those standing before her, the young woman opened her mouth again to continue to pronounce her vows as Captain.
"I, Hestia Hellfire, accept as of tonight to become the Captain of the ship we all worked so hard to build. I swear to always be fair to my crew members, to protect them and to do everything in my power to preserve them. I swear right here and tonight, by my blood, that I will never fail in my duty as Captain and that I will dance the hempen jig if I break that promise !"
Hestia had spoken in a strong, distinct voice, her head held high and no longer looking at her precious companions as friends but as the crew they represented. She was not smiling, yet her expression was different imbued with an emotion conveyed through her beautiful eyes. Indeed, they had never been as sparkling as at this moment and as she finished her sentence, the young woman grabbed the beautiful dagger.
*slash*
With a sharp and precise blow, without an ounce of hesitation, Hestia slashed her left palm making her blood flow red and hot for all to see. Still in silence, she walked towards the flag that Kali had woven before crouching down right next to it. Placing her bloody hand on the middle skull, she left the clear and distinct mark of her hand marking the end of her official appointment as Captain.
"Captain."
The moment the sadistic beauty had risen to her feet, Kali, Mysie, Lucas, Edward, and Joe had spoken one word instinctively, carried by the same feeling. They had all also leaned forward in respect at the very different aura their brand new Captain had. They had never seen her like this before and even though no one was saying it, everyone agreed on one thing.
The young woman in front of them was indeed a Hellfire and when she was wearing her hat and coat, Hestia was mesmerizing. Smiling slightly at this show of respect, she approached her still bleeding hand before licking it slowly without even fearing the taste of her own blood. Swallowing in front of this scene that made her shiver, Kali didn't even have time to breathe that Hestia was already in front of her.
"You did a great job Kali...thank you very much for the flag."
Hestia had leaned gently into the young woman's ear before whispering words that only she could and should hear. She had spoken in a tender voice which was very rare, carrying a hint of pride that was not concealable given the situation. Just before straightening up, Hestia placed a kiss on Kali's cheek, taking back the teasing smile she knew best.
"T-Thank you Hest-...Captain."
Once again, Kali had turned red and was squirming on the spot as her heart, which she thought was at its peak, beat even more strongly. She felt as if it could burst out of her chest at any moment or that the entire beach was able to hear it pulsing with vigor. The young woman could not look up to look at Hestia and as she looked down at the sand, the Hellfire dagger appeared before her.
"Quartermaster, to you the honor."
As the hierarchy of pirates on a ship indicated, after the Captain, the most important and highest position was that of "Quartermaster". This position was held by Kali, so it was only logical that it was her turn to take the oath right after Hestia. Once again, the Captain had regained her serious air, letting the second most important person take the dagger.
Time passed slowly, but with the stars and moon as witness, a new Captain was born and the pact that would bind the crew was being made. At that moment, except for two men in a hurry to leave, no one on the island was supposed to know what was going on on that small beach out of sight. The ceremony was far from over, but it was well underway and soon a new crew of Legends would be born.
[N/A: Flag image available on Discord (without the crossed bones). Again, don't worry if you don't know anything about "gifts" and the world around them. A chapter will be dedicated to these explanations when you discover the gift of each one (in about 5 chapters)]