Through centuries cruel pirates have haunted the coastlines and deep waters of the seven seas. Their legacies have spread far and wide, the mere mention of their name could send shivers down anyone's spine. Extravagant hats with feathers and looted attire, rotten teeth and catchy melodies. You either want to be them or get the widespread glory of putting a final end to them.
Though some may be more dreaded than others, some may only be a danger to themselves.
At the mere age of thirteen Guhson set sail for the first time. The boat was one he had crafted by himself and as one could imagine it sunk just seconds after departure, leaving him with nothing but wet clothes and the scolding of a lifetime from a disappointed mother. He didn't have a lot, no charm, no patience and he was not particularly bright, but nobody could discredit the boys dedication. Countless sunken 'ships' and ripped up clothes later he had finally found himself a sure way onto a boat, and this one would actually come to sail smoothly. Under the condition that he would work for mere pennies in the kitchen under deck Guhson was promised a full week of experience on board, and boy was he excited. And wouldn't it be wonderful if his trip had been delightfully easy. Wouldn't it be lovely if he had returned back to his worried mother in one piece. No scratches, ...or missing limbs?
On the fourth day at sea the weather was at its peak. The heat was striking, sun shining so brightly you could barely see in its direction. An island not far from the boat had peaked an interest in the captain, he had said something about an old visit he had made and about all the tropical fruits he had harvested and brought back to the village. Of course, fearing his wrath if defied all aboard agreed with him to pay a visit and so the trip back home was to be delayed.
The sand was so burning hot on Guhson's feet he'd thought it would burn through his skin, but it's beautiful pale beige colour had distracted him. The previously 'empty' and 'harmless' island was now filled with twenty or so men and boys all patrolling around looking for the fruits the captain had described. Apparently they were large, the colours the brightest blue and palest pink, though many of the men could be heard muttering under their breath something about sunstroke and dementia. Eagerly to please, Guhson had searched carefully along the beach in the massive green trees but to no avail. To Guhson there was no option but to seek deeper in to the islands jungle. Someone brighter might've given up, maybe brought another person along with them, but the boy was too caught up. He had ran off into the depths of the jungle, bare feet and all alone with not as much as a stick to defend himself. Fortunately he somehow had an unusual talent at avoiding trouble on his side.
An hour of high tempo walking without water in burning heat was enough to kill a man, not to kill Guhson though. He seemed to even enjoy the sweating.
His eyes non-stop searching for the brightest blue and palest pink eventually led him down a path which seemed to have been walked before. The type of trees he'd spotted all the way had switched out for a smaller, much bushier kind. And then finally, before him stood one singular tree on which the exact description of the fruit was growing. Only, it wasn't a fruit. The largest parrot he ever saw was sitting in the tree before him, feathers so saturated it looked like they were glowing. Scared of nothing Guhson stretched out a hand, reaching over to pet the creature who was seemingly calm about the unexpected and rather unfortunate looking guest.
"Stop right there, boy", a dark, haunting voice exclaimed just as his fingertip was about to touch the feathers.
Turning around in a panic, the boy stood face to face with what could only be described as a ghost. Pale green and grey with a warped face it stood, just inches from him.
"To touch the feathers you must prove yourself worthy", the ghost declared.
Guhson, completely dumbfounded gasped for air trying to collect himself. His mind, blanker than usual, didn't provide him with any ideas of potential ways to prove himself.
"H-how do I... Prove myself?", he managed to get out.
But the ghost stood silently, it's eyes, or what may have once been eyes were frozen, staring at one thing. His left hand, the very hand that had just reached for the parrot.
In years to come, his whole life really, people would speculate what could've possibly triggered his next move. What dark, internal force had driven him to do what he did.
Without further hesitation the boy lifted his hand, looked at it for only a second, before taking a huge bite into it.
No science could possibly explain how he'd bitten off his very own hand right there and then. Most people who heard him tell the tale speculate he was nothing but a drunken liar who had lost a bet or gotten himself into a debt he couldn't repay. Some speculate he was born without his hand to begin with. But heaven knows, he told the truth.
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Hi cuties, hit me up for the inspiration to Guhson's characters socials x
Massive credits to Char for the beautiful artwork, I could've never done it without you
