Part 1
The port of Applekird bustled with the usual morning activity. Sailors loaded crates and barrels, merchants haggled over their goods, and travelers prepared for their journeys. William and Ed walked along the wooden dock, observing the busy scene with keen eyes.
"Are you ready for this?" William asked his son, his eyes gauging Ed's determination.
Ed nodded, gripping the hilts of his scimitars firmly. "I am. Let's do this."
As they walked towards the ship that would take them to Fen Island, they spotted Wilde approaching. The man in the black cloak had a resolute expression and a slight smile on his lips.
"Good morning, Billy. Ed." said Wilde, greeting them with a nod.
"I've decided to come to Fen with you. This monster is too great a threat to be ignored."
William smiled and shook Wilde's hand. "I'm glad to have you with us. Your experience will be invaluable."
Ed watched the interaction, surprised. Wilde's presence meant the situation was indeed serious, but it also meant they would have more help in the battle ahead.
The ship waiting for them was a sturdy schooner, with white sails ready to catch the wind. The sailors were busy preparing the ship for departure but paused their activities when they saw the three approaching.
A tall, muscular man with a graying beard and keen eyes stepped out of the group and walked towards them. "Welcome aboard the Sea Falcon. I'm Captain Basil Ford. I hear you're the mercenaries joining us on the trip to Fen Island."
William shook the captain's hand. "That's right. I'm William Haver, and this is my son, Ed Haver. You might already know Wilde."
Basil nodded at Wilde. "Yes, I do. It's a pleasure to meet you. We'll make this trip as quick and safe as possible."
Wilde smiled back. "We appreciate it, Basil. We're ready to go."
Basil gestured to the sailors. "Men, come meet our new traveling companions!"
The sailors approached, curious and friendly. Wilde made the introductions, briefly describing William and Ed's skills. The sailors responded warmly, many of them shaking hands with the new passengers and offering help to stow their gear.
While William and Wilde spoke with Basil about the trip's preparations, Ed explored the ship. It was then he saw another young man, around his age, carrying a sack of provisions to the hold. Ed approached and offered to help.
"Can I give you a hand with that?" Ed asked.
The young man looked at him, surprised, but then smiled. "Sure! I'm Peter. I work here."
"Nice to meet you, Peter. I'm Ed," he said, grabbing the other end of the sack and helping to carry it to the hold.
As they worked together, the two young men began talking about their lives and hobbies. Peter told stories about the ship's voyages, the exotic ports they had visited, and the storms they had faced at sea. Ed, in turn, shared his experiences as a mercenary, the creatures he had hunted, and what it was like training alongside his father.
"You really fight with scimitars?" Peter asked, his eyes shining with interest.
"Yes, they're my favorite weapon." Ed replied, smiling.
"My father taught me everything I know."
Peter seemed impressed. "I hope I get to see you in action someday. It must be incredible!"
After stowing the provisions, the two went back up to the deck, where they found William, Wilde, and Captain Basil finalizing the preparations. The sails were ready, and the sailors awaited the order to set sail.
"We're ready to depart." announced Basil.
"May the winds be in our favor."
With one last look at the shore, William, Ed, and Wilde settled in as the ship began to move. The sails filled with wind, and the Sea Falcon glided smoothly out of the port, leaving the city of Applekird behind.
Part 2
Night enveloped the ship in a tranquil darkness, broken only by the rhythmic sound of the waves and the occasional singing of the sailors. The gentle breeze carried the salty aroma of the sea and the damp cold that made the men huddle closer to the makeshift fire at the bow of the ship. William, Ed, Wilde, and the sailors sat around the flames, their faces illuminated by the flickering light.
"This is the best time for a good story." said Caspian, one of the older sailors, with a hoarse voice that carried years of life at sea. He looked around, ensuring he had everyone's attention.
"Come on, Mr. Caspian, what do you have for us today?" asked Peter, his curiosity evident. He was eager to hear one of the many stories sailors told during their voyages.
Caspian smiled, revealing yellowed teeth from age. "I'll tell you about a creature few dare to mention: the Water Demon."
"The Water Demon?" asked one of the younger sailors.
"Never heard of it."
Caspian nodded slowly. "Ah, but you will now. This Water Demon is a well-known legend from the eastern lands. They say it's half-man, half-fish, and a true terror of the waters."
Everyone's eyes turned to Caspian as he began the story.
***
"Many years ago, in the dark waters off one of the eastern coasts, lived a fisherman. The fisherman was a fearless and experienced man, known for his skill in catching the biggest fish. He was loved by the village, always bringing sustenance for the families.
One night, the fisherman decided to go fishing farther than ever before. 'Today I will bring the biggest fish of all,' he promised his wife before leaving. The sea was calm, and the stars shone brightly in the sky. He rowed in his small boat, feeling the promise of a great catch.
As he went further, the full moon illuminated the surface of the sea, creating a silver reflection that mesmerized the fisherman. He cast his nets, waiting patiently. However, instead of fish, he felt a powerful tug. Something enormous was caught in the net.
With tremendous effort, the fisherman began to pull. When he finally saw what was trapped, his blood ran cold. Emerging from the waters was an immense creature, with the body of a fish but the face and arms of a human. Its eyes gleamed with a supernatural malice.
'Water Demon!' the man exclaimed, terrified. He tried to free himself from the net, but the creature was quick. With an agile movement, the demon grabbed the fisherman, pulling him into the water. The fisherman fought with all his strength, but the Water Demon's claws were firm.
The legends say the Water Demon not only drowned its victims but also devoured them. The fisherman, in a last desperate effort, managed to cut the net and swim to the surface. He swam like never before, his heart pounding in his chest. Reaching his boat, he rowed back to the village with what little strength he had left.
Upon arrival, he told his story to the other fishermen, who were horrified. No one dared to fish in those waters at night again. And whenever the full moon illuminated the sea, they remembered the legend of the Water Demon and how the fisherman barely survived."
***
Caspian paused, observing the listeners' faces in the firelight. Everyone was silent, absorbed by the story.
"So, is it true?" asked a younger sailor, his eyes wide.
"Does such a creature really exist?"
Caspian shrugged, a mysterious smile on his lips. "Who can say? The sea holds many secrets. But one thing is certain: there are things in the depths that man has yet to understand."
Another sailor, named Fergus, a burly man with a thick red beard, snorted and crossed his arms. "That Water Demon story is nothing. You want a truly scary legend? Let me tell you about the Kraken."
Everyone's eyes turned to Fergus, some with curiosity, others with skepticism. Fergus took a swig from his rum mug before starting.
***
"You think you've seen monsters? Think a Water Demon is the worst there is? Well, the Kraken makes any demon look like a goldfish. Many years ago, when I was still a young sailor, I served on a merchant ship that crossed the southern seas.
One dark, moonless night, we were sailing through deep waters. The sea was calm, but there was an uneasy feeling in the air. Suddenly, the water started bubbling, and a smell of sulfur filled the air. Out of nowhere, a huge shadow appeared under the ship.
And then, it emerged. Giant tentacles, each thicker than the mainmast, rose from the depths. The Kraken. Its body was a shapeless mass of flesh and suckers, with eyes that glowed like embers in the dark. The beast wrapped the ship in its tentacles, squeezing with immense force.
The men screamed and ran in panic. We tried to cut the tentacles with our swords, but it was useless. The beast was immense, and its skin was as thick as a rhinoceros's hide. With every movement, the ship creaked and groaned, about to be torn in half.
I clung to whatever I could and prayed to any god that would listen. The Kraken was dragging the ship down, pulling us into the icy depths. Suddenly, my old captain, a brave and experienced man, had an idea. He ordered us to throw barrels of gunpowder into the sea near the creature's tentacles.
With tremendous effort, we did so. Then, with a precise shot from a musket, the captain detonated the barrels. An explosion resounded, lighting up the night and boiling the sea. The Kraken let out a deafening roar and recoiled, its tentacles releasing the ship.
The creature disappeared into the depths, leaving the sea calm once again. We were alive but terrified. Since then, I've avoided those waters. The Kraken is real, my friends. And it lurks in the depths, waiting for its next victim."
***
Fergus finished the story, and a heavy silence fell over the group. Some of the sailors exchanged uneasy glances, while others tried to hide their discomfort.
Ed looked at his father. "Do you think a monster like that really exists?"
William placed a hand on his son's shoulder and smiled. "Sailors' stories always have a bit of truth and a bit of exaggeration. But it's always good to be prepared for the unexpected."
The night continued with more stories, nervous laughter, and furtive glances at the dark sea. When the moon was high in the sky, one by one, the men began to disperse, returning to their beds.
"Let's rest, Eddy. Tomorrow will be a long day." said William, pulling his son away from the fire. Ed nodded, still absorbed in the stories he had heard.
As they walked to their cabins, the sound of the waves and the gentle rocking of the ship were their only companions. The fire was now just a distant glow, and the night swallowed the ship in a cloak of darkness.
"Sleep well, Eddy." said William before entering his cabin.
"Good night, Dad." replied Ed, lying in his bed, his thoughts still navigating the depths of the stories he had heard. He closed his eyes, hoping his dreams would not be haunted by the Kraken or the Water Demon.