The knock on Adrian's door shattered the stillness of the night. As he opened it, his eyes widened in shock to find John Frazer standing on his doorstep. The reunion, however, was far from warm.
Before Adrian could react, John swiftly pressed a sword against Adrian's neck, the cold steel sending a shiver down his spine. Adrian, keeping his composure, uttered, "I did not betray you, John."
But John's eyes reflected a storm of emotions. "Look at you, a puppet of a king. A lord who killed Edward and betrayed the pirate era," he accused.
Adrian, sensing the tension, replied with conviction, "The pirate era is over, John. There are no pirates on the seas anymore."
John's gaze remained unyielding. "You were my captain. I would have done anything for you. But you betrayed me. I'm a wanted man now. Assassins, kingdoms, marines – they're all hunting me down. And I will kill you, Adrian."
Adrian, feeling the weight of the accusation, pleaded, "I did not betray you, John. I can help you. We can find a way out of this together. I can't change the past, but I can help you face the present."
The air in the room crackled with tension as the two former comrades faced each other, one wielding a sword, the other seeking redemption. The shadows of the past converged with the uncertainties of the present, setting the stage for a tumultuous reunion that would test the bonds forged on the open sea.