Raiden's eyes slowly opened, his vision blurry as he stared up at the sky. Clouds drifted lazily above, a reminder of freedom that felt just out of reach. "It was like I relived my entire life in an instant," he thought, piecing together what felt like a dream but was a distant memory, now reshaped into something sharper. He raised his head, taking in his surroundings.
Rough voices and smug faces circled him, a familiar smirk on each of them. Raiden let out a quiet sigh, looking at the man who had knocked him out. "So, it took an iron bat to take me down, huh? That wasn't exactly fair." The slight ache in his head reminded him of the swing, but the fire inside him burned brighter.
As he finally sat up, rubbing his wrists where the ropes had chafed his skin, Raiden continued, his tone calm yet holding a dangerous edge. "I was just hungry, you know? No need to drag me here. So, what are you planning to do with me?"
The captain, a tall man with scars cutting across his face, chuckled. "We've got plans for you, alright. We're selling you off, boy. Someone's always looking for… fresh hands to work for 'em."
Raiden's expression hardened, a silent rage settling into his bones. The word slave made his blood boil; memories of his dreams, his promise to end suffering, echoed within him. He clenched his fists, the ropes falling away as though they'd barely been tied. The captain's smirk vanished, replaced by a look of shock.
"What… how did you—" The captain stammered, glancing at his crewmate. "I told you to tie him up properly!"
The crewmate shook his head, pale with fear. "I did! I swear, I don't know how he got out."
Raiden's gaze swept across them, a storm in his eyes. "I told you, there's no need for violence," he said, voice low and simmering. "But if you're that eager to die, then I'll be the one to send you straight to hell!."
At his words, the captain barked an order, and the crew tightened their grip on their swords, surrounding him. They lunged at him, blades gleaming in the dim light of the hold. Raiden dodged the first strike, his movements fluid and fierce. His fist connected with the first man's face, a brutal crack echoing as the man fell backward.
Another sailor swung at him, but Raiden ducked, grabbing the man's wrist and twisting it. He could feel the man's bones strain under his grip before he threw him into two others, sending them sprawling. One after another, they came at him, but Raiden fought back with an intensity fueled by his anger. The ship became a blur of fists and steel, Raiden moving with a wild strength, each punch a silent testament to his fury against their cruel intentions.
As he finished off the last man, Raiden stood, breathing heavily, his gaze locked on the captain, the only one left standing. The captain backed away, horror etched across his face. "What… what are you?"
Raiden didn't respond. With a single, furious motion, he smashed his fist into the mast, cracking it with a shuddering snap. The wooden beam groaned, splintering under his strength as he broke it down. Without another word, he gathered the supplies they had stolen, loading them into a small boat on the side of the ship.
The captain stumbled back, his terror-stricken eyes watching as Raiden turned the mast into splinters. Raiden's expression remained fierce and unyielding as he jumped into the boat, letting the supplies settle around him. He didn't look back as the ship began to sink, the twisted remnants of its mast slipping beneath the waves. Holding onto the food he'd taken, Raiden set his sights forward, feeling the rush of cold wind as he drifted away, watching the ship and its captain fade into the distance.