The island loomed just beyond the dock, a silent reminder of the battle that had nearly claimed Jaz's life. She stood at the ship's railing, eyes drifting across the shoreline, her mind entangled in the memories of her recent battle with Grak.
The clash, the flash of pain, and that fleeting moment when she though it was all over - it replayed in her head like a storm she couldn't escape.
She should have been Stronger. Smarter. Faster.
"Jaz?"
A voice called, but she was too deep in her thoughts, the world around her muted against the noise inside.
"Oi, Jaz", the voice came again, firmer this time.
She blinked, the present dragging her back. She turned to find Jack standing beside her, his face softened with concern.
His presence was steady, familiar - the kind of presence she could rely on without saying a word.
"Jack...." she murmured, her voice brittle. "I didn't hear you."
He gave a slight nod, leaning on the railing next to her. They didn't need words to communicate; Jack understood her in a way few people did.
He had woken up a day after her, just as battered by the fight, and they had both been startled by the strange boy.
"Long day, huh?"
Jack's tone was casual, but Jaz could feel the weight of his question.
"I keep seeing it. The fight. Every mistake I made."
Jaz sighed, her gaze shifting back to the sea.
"Don't... We both got roughed up."
Jack interrupted softly but firmly, his hand brushing hers on the railing, grounding her.
"..."
A small smile lifted the corner of Jaz mouth.
"Vice-Captain seemed to enjoy watching you get knocked down."
Jack rolled his eyes, but there was a faint smile there too.
"He got a twisted sense of humour, always has. But he's right. I should have wake him instead of charging in."
Jaz tilted her head, glancing at him with quiet gratitude. Jack never blamed her, even when she blamed herself. That's why she trusted him. Always had.
A peaceful silence stretched between them, the kind that only came with true understanding.
But after few moments, Jaz's brow furrowed with the question that had been haunting her since they woke.
"What do you think the Captain's up to?" she asked quietly. "With the boy?"
Jack shrugged, staring out at the horizon.
"I don't know. But.. Captain never done anything without a reason."
Jaz nodded, feeling the same unease coil her chest.
"Do you think it's about the Artifact?"
Jack was silent for a moment, his jaw tightening. They had been hunting the Artifact for what felt like an eternity. And now, after all this time, they still didn't even know what it was supposed to be, or what it could do.
"...Maybe" he finally said. "It's been too long for it to be a coincidence. The Captain's been obsessed with finding it, and now suddenly we've got this... situation."
Jaz swallowed, her mind racing. The Artifact had always been a shadow on their journey.
It was supposed to be powerful, but dangerous.
Important, but unknowable.
And now, after all their searching, something felt different - like they were on the edge of uncovering something far bigger than they ever imagined.
"But what if...." Jaz hesitated, unsure if she should even say it loud.
"What if its not what we think? What if finding it... makes things worse?"
"Then we'll deal with it. Like we always do."
Jack met her gaze, his expression more serious than she'd ever seen.
Jaz smiled faintly, appreciating his confidence. She didn't know what was coming next but she knew one thing - whatever happened, they would face it together.
***
Mile away, deep within a secluded cave on the very island, stood the Captain - the same old man who had slain Zel earlier.
His imposing figure was illuminated by the dim, flickering light of torches that lined the rough stone walls. Before him, bound to a stone pillar, was Grak- his body slumped, chained by dark purple runes that sealed his essence, preventing any chance of recovery.
Grak's breath was shallow, his strength drained from the backlash of his own ultimate technique. Yet, even in his weakened state, a twisted grin spread across his face as he lifted his head to meet the Captain's cold gaze.
"Hehe.... Dominus Vinark," Grak rasped, his voice raw but laced with defiance.
The Captain remained silent, his eyes boring into Grak with an unyielding intensity. The weight of his presence alone suffocated the room, pressing down on Grak, who fought to maintain his bravado.
"Tell me… does his scream still echo in your ears?"
Grak's grin widened, despite the pain it caused.
The words hung in the air like a challenge, sharp and taunting.
But the Captain didn't flinch. He stared, unblinking, his silence heavier than any response.
Grak's laugh faltered, the bitterness in his voice giving way to frustration, but the fire in his eyes flickered on.