Henry Queen never imagined he would die at sea. Aboard the Queen's Gambit, he felt the sea breeze tugging at his hair, a comforting reminder of life's fleeting nature. He had never been a fan of large ships or the idea of traveling the open waters, but this was the life he had found himself living. It was a world where power, money, and connections wove intricate webs, and Henry, as the heir to Queen Consolidated, had always been part of that web. His father, Robert Queen, the man who had built the company into a financial powerhouse, had decided that Henry would take on the mantle of leadership someday. Henry had been groomed for it from a young age.
But now, as the ocean roiled beneath the hull of the ship, Henry could feel a new force—one he hadn't bargained for—beginning to tug at him in ways he never expected.
The air had changed, the night felt heavier than before. There was something off about the Queen's Gambit's voyage tonight. He glanced over at his younger brother, Oliver, and their father, Robert, his hand shaking slightly as he adjusted his tie. His eyes lingered on his father for a moment too long, noticing the tense set of Robert's jaw, the lines on his face that had deepened far too quickly. Robert had always been distant, but Henry couldn't remember a time when he seemed so burdened.
"You're quiet tonight," Robert's voice broke through Henry's thoughts. The man's eyes were sharp as always, but there was an unreadable quality in them tonight.
Henry gave a forced smile, the first in a while, "Just thinking about the future." He didn't lie; he was thinking about his future, but not the kind Robert would expect. Henry had always been perceptive, and lately, his thoughts had been heavy with what lay ahead.
But tonight wasn't about business or the future of Queen Consolidated. It was about a journey that would change everything. He felt it in his bones, something darker, something he couldn't yet place, but it was there.
"I think it's time for a drink," Robert muttered, his voice low as he motioned to the bar. The sounds of the sea crashing against the hull reverberated through the ship's thick walls, accompanied by the gentle hum of the engines, the only company they had on this lonely, moonless night.
The three of them, along with Sara Lance, stood in an isolated part of the ship, far from the usual hustle of the crew and guests. Sara had been with them for a while now, a familiar face to both Henry and Oliver, but tonight she seemed different—distracted, almost nervous. Her eyes flickered toward the edge of the ship as if she felt the same thing Henry did: a change in the air.
Oliver, the carefree younger brother, didn't seem to notice. He leaned against the railing, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "You're all overthinking it. It's just a trip, Henry. Relax."
Henry shot Oliver a glance, knowing full well that Oliver had no idea what he was talking about. His brother lived in a world of simplicity—focus on the moment, not the future. That was Oliver's gift, and sometimes, Henry envied him for it.
But tonight wasn't a simple trip. The moment they left port, something had shifted. Henry couldn't ignore it. The ship creaked and groaned under the strain of the waves. It was as though the ocean itself was pushing them toward something they weren't prepared for.
Then, the lights flickered. A chill ran down Henry's spine, and his hand instinctively reached for the device in his jacket pocket—a small but powerful tool he'd created himself. It could override the ship's communication systems, hack into nearby networks, and gather any information he might need. But it was a tool for crises, not for this feeling.
Before anyone could react, the first loud crash reverberated through the ship. It was so sudden, so violent, that the four of them were thrown to the floor. Henry's head slammed against the polished wood of the floor, his vision blurring momentarily.
Then, a voice pierced through the chaos.
"Brace yourselves!"
It was Sara, her voice strained. The ship rocked violently again, sending waves of panic through the crew and guests. Henry scrambled to his feet, heart pounding. He barely registered Sara's hand pulling Oliver up from the ground.
"What the hell is happening?" Oliver's voice cracked, fear creeping into his normally confident tone.
"We need to get to the lifeboats," Robert barked, already moving towards the staircase. But Henry wasn't sure they would make it in time. The Queen's Gambit was sinking, and quickly. The reality of the situation struck him like a punch in the gut.
"No," Henry said, his voice calm despite the chaos unfolding around them. His mind raced, his survival instincts kicking in. "We're not leaving yet."
"Henry, what are you talking about?" Oliver asked, looking at him with wide eyes, panic seeping into his words.
Henry didn't answer. Instead, he moved swiftly, his steps practiced, as though his body knew exactly what to do in this moment. He didn't know how he knew, but he could feel the pull of fate, like a current dragging him toward something he couldn't control.
In a matter of seconds, he was at the control panel, tapping at the screen with quick, precise movements. He had hacked the ship's systems before. Now, he needed to access the navigation and communication systems to send out a distress signal.
But when his fingers hit the final sequence, he froze. The screen blinked red.
"Signal jammed," the system displayed.
Henry cursed under his breath. The ship had been sabotaged, and whoever was behind it was preventing them from calling for help. They were on their own.
His eyes darted around the control room, instinctively looking for any other option, but the sinking of the ship was no longer a question—it was happening. He could feel it. The ship groaned beneath them as if it were a dying animal.
"Henry, we need to go!" Oliver's voice snapped Henry back into the present. His brother's face was pale, eyes wide with terror.
But Henry's thoughts were elsewhere, piercing through the fog of panic. It was as if a door had opened in his mind, revealing something he had forgotten. A voice echoed through his thoughts: You are here for a reason.
Then, the world seemed to warp around him.
Time slowed, the sounds of the chaos dulled, and suddenly, he wasn't aboard the Queen's Gambit anymore. He was standing before something—someone—unfamiliar yet familiar. It was as though he had been transported to a place outside time. A realm that existed between life and death.
A figure stood before him, an ethereal presence with eyes that glowed with a power beyond comprehension. Henry felt a strange calm wash over him as the figure spoke.
"You have been chosen."
Henry's heart skipped a beat. "Chosen for what?"
The figure's smile was almost pitying. "To walk a different path. One where you will face trials that will shape your destiny. You are not what you think you are, Henry Queen. You have a purpose that stretches beyond your family and beyond this life. And when you return to your world, you will be more than you ever were before."
Before Henry could respond, a sharp pain pierced his chest, and he gasped, clutching at his heart. The world around him shifted again, the sound of rushing water filling his ears as the cold of the ocean surged up to meet him.
He woke up with a start, gasping for air.
"Henry!" Oliver's voice was frantic, and Henry realized he was still on the Queen's Gambit. His brother was shaking him, pulling him from the edge of unconsciousness. The ship was sinking faster now. There was no time.
Henry had been given something—something that was both a gift and a curse. He didn't know what it was yet, but he could feel the power growing inside him, shaping him for something larger than survival.
"Let's go," Henry said, his voice steady. He wasn't the same man who had boarded this ship hours ago. The island was waiting for him. And he would meet it on his terms.
Together, the Queen brothers and Sara raced toward the lifeboats, but Henry's mind was elsewhere, his heart heavy with the knowledge of what was to come.