Marcellus listened intently as the pirates shared their audacious plan to intercept the treasure galleon. Surprisingly, the lack of precise details regarding the ship's passage didn't seem to concern them as much as he had initially thought.
As the crew discussed the plan, Marcellus realized that uncertainty was an inherent aspect of the pirate's life. To them, it was akin to playing a thrilling game of chance, where seizing opportunities in the face of the unknown was part of the allure. Embracing the unpredictability of their endeavours, they relied on their cunning, wit, and sheer audacity to navigate the treacherous waters of their chosen profession.
I hope I will not become a gambler, what if they do not find the hulk will they be another council? Will someone else challenge Captain Crowe? No, I suppose they could always go back to what they were doing before if they did not find the galleon.
While Marcellus couldn't help but marvel at their unwavering conviction, he also recognized that relying solely on luck might be a precarious path to tread.
For Marcellus, this new perspective was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. The excitement of venturing into the unknown and the risks that lay ahead stirred something within him. He understood that in this world of daring adventurers, luck played a significant role—a belief that seemed to permeate the very essence of their pirate existence.
The pirates were unyielding in their faith in luck's favour, embracing it like a guiding force that carried them through stormy seas and uncharted territories.
It was an opportunity to earn some money he did not really care about the treasure.
Marcellus couldn't help but smile at the pirates' fervent belief in luck. While he might not share their unwavering faith, he admired their daring spirit and willingness to face the unknown with unyielding optimism.
In Wisbech, the Church of Combat stood as a birthplace of discipline and perseverance, preaching values far removed from the whims of fortune and luck.
They upheld the tenets of hard work and diligence, teaching that success in battle and in life was earned through unwavering dedication and relentless training, not through the fickle favors of chance. This philosophy shaped the mindset of its adherents, fostering a community where strength and skill were the fruits of laborious effort and indomitable will.
These privateers believed in Luck way too much!
---
In the days that followed, Marcellus strategically spent time with Marco and the other pirates, subtly performing eye service to gain their trust.
He made sure to be visible to prominent members of the crew, such as the seasoned quartermaster, Dobbs, Hawkins, and the fierce Tommy Bones, knowing that these interactions could solidify his position within the crew.
As he waited, he found himself captivated by a treasured possession he had stumbled upon—the first and only treasure, "The Diary."
Marcellus carried the diary with him at all times, immersing himself in the enchanting tales of far-off lands and the mysterious White Tower. However, as he delved deeper into its pages, he realized that this particular diary left him with an indescribable feeling—a mixture of fascination and unease.
The diary's captivating anecdotes took him on thrilling secrets, yet beneath the allure, there was an underlying sense of darkness that sent shivers down his spine.
It was as if the words on those pages held a power, reaching out to him from the past, and he found himself drawn into the owner's world.
The adventures of the owner were tainted by tragedy and moral ambiguity, leaving Marcellus with a lingering sense of doubt about the world he was about to embrace.
Yet, he couldn't tear himself away from the book.
It was as if some unseen force drew him deeper into its mysteries, and Marcellus found himself both enthralled and unsettled by the experience. In the quiet moments aboard the ship, he would steal away to a secluded spot, consumed by the words that held a strange power over him.
Day and night, Marcellus's thoughts were consumed by the diary he had come across.
The diary belonged to a noble girl, and from the very first page, her identity was apparent. However, with each entry he read, Marcellus discovered there was much more to her than he had initially assumed.
One striking revelation emerged—she was a sword maniac.
Randomly filling the pages were her passionate musings about the sword. At first glance, it might have seemed like rambling, but as Marcel delved deeper, he sensed that her words held a profound meaning—a deep connection with the weapon that transcended ordinary understanding.
In one entry, the girl described combat in a way that transcended physical movements. "The Flow," she called it, where warriors became one with their swords, weaving an intricate tapestry of steel and spirit. Each strike was not just a mere strike; it was an extension of the soul, a manifestation of one's deepest emotions and desires.
"The clashing of swords resonates like a symphony, with each clash, a story unfolds—a story of power, resilience, and the human spirit," she wrote. Marcellus could virtually hear the symphony of blades, the harmonious clash of metal, and the intensity of the emotions entwined in the dance.
The way a warrior moved, their stance, the flicker of their eyes—all held profound significance in the dance of blades. It was an expression of one's essence, a window into the depths of their being.
Marcellus found himself drawn to these passages as if he was remembering something buried in his mind from the dream-like realm. The memories of the sequence of events during the dream were steadily becoming clearer the more he read, but the exact details eluded him, like fragments of a dream.
"All warriors struggle to find Flow, Is Flow the truth to life? The flow of battle reveals the true nature of Humans, separating the weak from the strong. The sword becomes an extension of the heart," she wrote, "and a warrior's heart knows no bounds. In battle, they confront not only their enemies but also their innermost fears and desires."
Every time Marcellus delved into the pages of the book, a peculiar sensation stirred within him. It was as if each word, each passage, rekindled a dormant memory from a dream, long buried in the recesses of his mind. These fragments of recollection, vague yet insistent, sparked something deep within him, igniting his fighting spirit.
Unbeknownst to Marcellus, with each reading session, his battle aura, was undergoing a subtle transformation. It was becoming denser, more potent, pulsing with newfound intensity.
This change was gradual, almost imperceptible, like the slow accumulation of dust over a forgotten relic. Yet, it was there – a growing strength emanating from within, fueled by the mysterious connection between the book's words and the latent memories they stirred.
The book was more than mere pages and ink; it was a catalyst, awakening parts of Marcellus that he had not known existed or he could not remember, faint like a dream.
"Why should I fear death? If I am, then death is not. If death is, then I am not. Why should I fear that which only exists when I do not?"
In those simple yet profound words, Marcellus found a certain comfort—a reminder that death, like life, was but a fleeting moment. It was a realization that he should not let fear govern his actions and choices.
Marcellus had been raised by a single mother, who was a devout believer in the Church of Combat. Despite his mother's strong beliefs, Marcellus didn't feel the same connection to the faith and often sought every opportunity to avoid their teachings.
As a result, he missed out on paternal guidance that might have provided a more defined sense of direction in his life.
The absence of paternal guidance in his life had left him feeling adrift at times, but now, with the camaraderie of the pirates surrounding him, Marcellus felt a sense of belonging he had never experienced before. They were a diverse group, bound together by a shared love for adventure, gold, women and the thrill of the unknown.
Together, they formed a new kind of family—a family that accepted him for who he was and encouraged him to be true to himself.
Marcellus for the first time in his life felt he could Manifest his destiny.