Ralf, the seasoned sailor and knight gazed upon the cup containing the Seer potion with a mixture of anticipation and emotion. His weathered hands, calloused from years of toiling on the tempestuous seas, trembled ever so slightly as he reached for the cup.
For Ralf, this moment held profound significance. He had been an orphan nurtured in the unforgiving embrace of the Stormseekers, a place where dreams of becoming a Sailor were woven into the fabric of every child's existence. Yet, for him, the path to realizing that dream had been fraught with countless failures.
Time and again, he had faced the gruelling tests that determined one's eligibility to embark on the treacherous voyage as a sailor. Each failure was a bitter reminder of his limitations, a harsh reflection of the relentless sea's indifference to the aspirations of men.
In the world of the Stormseekers, merit was the currency of dreams—the currency that held the power to transform an orphan's life. But earning merit was a perilous undertaking, one that demanded contributions of the utmost significance, often at the cost of one's own life.
Ralf had watched countless peers, bright-eyed and hopeful, embark on perilous missions to acquire merit, only to never return, their dreams extinguished by the unyielding sea.
Now, as he stood before the cup containing the Sailor potion, the culmination of his merit earned through years of sacrifice and risk, a wellspring of emotions welled up within him.
His weathered face, etched with the lines of countless hardships, carried the weight of his journey. He lifted the cup, its contents shimmering with the promise of Sailor, and took a deep, steadying breath.
As the potion touched his lips, he closed his eyes for a brief moment, reflecting on the arduous path that had led him here. It was a path paved with the sacrifices of those who had gone before him, those who had paid the ultimate price in their pursuit of merit.
With a sense of solemn gratitude, Ralf drank the Sailor potion—a testament to his unwavering determination and the resilience of the human spirit.
As the elixir flowed through his veins, he felt a surge of clarity and vision, a reminder that even in the face of the sea's merciless trials, the dreams of sailors could still be realized.
Tears glistened in Ralf's weathered eyes, unnoticed by those around him to the dim light of the lanthorn, as he silently paid homage to the memory of those who had gone before him, and to the enduring spirit of the Stormseekers.
Marcellus observed Ralf closely as he suddenly felt a throbbing pain in his glabella. Marcellus's brows furrowed as he winced in discomfort, a deep crease forming on his forehead.
It was clear that something was amiss, and Marcellus couldn't help but wonder if Ralf was experiencing a similar sensation to what he had felt earlier.
The sensation in my glabella, the throbbing pain—it must be a reaction to Ralf's spirituality, just like when those mysterious assailants were following me.
In his forties, Ralf became a Sailor.
…
Later, as Marcellus made his way towards the governor's home, he strolled through the sunset of Mythralis Island.
He remained vigilant, his senses attuned to his surroundings. Amid this serene backdrop, he spotted Finn, who stood out conspicuously.
Ever since Marcellus had become a Hollowed, his ability to observe and detect individuals had been significantly enhanced.
His heightened perception allowed him to notice even the slightest details, and he could effortlessly spot people like a beacon in the night. Remarkably, this heightened state of awareness persisted, even when he refrained from tapping into his spirituality.
This development piqued Marcellus's interest, for as a former pirate, Finn possessed the skill to blend into the surroundings or stand out boldly.
Marcellus couldn't help but observe that, in this particular instance, Finn had chosen to conspicuously stand out. It was a deliberate choice, and Marcellus couldn't help but wonder if, perhaps, Finn intended to draw his attention.
Considering the possibility that some of the Viper Crew might have remained on Mythralis Island, Marcellus couldn't dismiss the idea that Finn's actions were an attempt to make him take notice.
Marcellus ventured outside the tavern by the fire and spotted Finn standing by a makeshift gathering area near a bonfire.
Despite the absence of walls, the scene was no less lively.
Marcellus made his way toward the spot where Finn was engaged in bragging no, storytelling with two barmaids, his voice carrying through the fire as he regaled them with a tales.
The pirate's animated gestures and the rapt attention of the two girls indicated that it was quite an entertaining story.
Marcellus approached, intrigued by the scene, and waited for a suitable moment to join in or address Finn.
"Well, me hearties," Finn continued with a hearty laugh, "It happened on a night as dark as a pirate's heart," Finn said dramatically. "I was aboard my ship, the Black Viper, sailin' through the fiercest storm you can imagine. The waves were as tall as mountains, and the thunder roared like the cannons of a Kraken."
Laughter and cheers erupted around as they imagined the scene.
"Amid the tempest," Finn continued, "I decided it was the perfect time for a spot of toothpickin'. So, I grabbed me trusty toothpick and went to work. But just as I was diggin' for treasure between me teeth, a bolt of lightning struck the mast."
Both girls erupted into laughter, envisioning the absurdity of the situation.
"The shock from the lightning jolted me so hard that I accidentally flicked me toothpick into the air,"
Finn exclaimed with exaggerated gestures, flailing arms. "And what do you know, it flew straight into the mouth of a hungry seagull passin' by!"
The barmaids echoed with laughter, and even Marcellus couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the tale.
"So there I was," Finn continued, "toothless and starin' at that mischievous seagull. But fear not, for a kind old pirate dentist just happened to be sailin' nearby. He fashioned me this fine fake tooth from a piece of gold, and I've been sportin' it ever since."
Finn flashed a wide grin, showcasing his fake tooth, and the crowd erupted in applause and laughter.
Clearing his throat loudly, Marcellus stepped forward, casting a shadow over Finn's storytelling circle. The barmaids, seizing the opportunity to escape, scurried away with smiling expressions.