The Legacy of the Uncharted

~ Chapter 11 ~After the storm

**Back on the *Mariner's Whisper***

The crew had managed to escape Captain Ragetooth's fortress, but it hadn't been easy. As they sailed away from the ominous cliffs, the adrenaline that had fueled their desperate escape began to wear off, leaving behind exhaustion and pain.

Sophie, Alexandria, and Theo had taken the worst of it. Alexandria's side throbbed where Ragetooth had struck her, Theo's body ached from the brutal fight, and Sophie was barely holding on after the torment she had endured. But they were alive, and they were together.

As the ship moved steadily away from the danger, Alexandria leaned heavily against the side of the ship, her breathing labored. She tried to push down the pain, but it was getting harder to stay upright. Sophie, who had been lying on the deck with her eyes half-closed, noticed Alexandria's struggle and forced herself to sit up.

- Sophie : Alex... you're hurt."

- Alexandria ( attempting a weak smile): "Just a scratch... but you're the one who..."

- Sophie : No. Let me help you."

Despite her own injuries, Sophie crawled over to Alexandria, wincing as she moved. Her body screamed in protest, but she ignored it, focusing on the task at hand. Belle, who had been tending to Sophie's wounds, tried to intervene.

-Belle : Sophie, you're not in any shape to—"

- Sophie : cutting her off): "Please, Belle... I need to do this."

Belle hesitated but then nodded, understanding the determination in Sophie's eyes. She handed Sophie the bandages and backed off, letting her friend take care of Alexandria.

Sophie's hands shook slightly as she began to clean Alexandria's wound. The cut was deep, and she winced as she applied the antiseptic, knowing it would sting.

- Sophie : I'm sorry... I know this hurts."

- Alexandria : ( gritting her teeth): "It's okay... I trust you."

Theo, meanwhile, was sitting against the mast, staring out at the sea, trying to process everything that had happened. His body was battered and bruised, but the guilt weighed heavier on him than any physical pain. Eli approached him, carrying a makeshift medical kit.

- Eli : Let me take a look at that."

Theo didn't protest as Eli began to clean and bandage the wounds on his arms and chest. His thoughts were elsewhere—on Sophie, on how close they had come to losing her, and on the anger that still simmered within him.

- Theo : We almost lost her, Eli. I can't stop thinking about it."

- Eli ( nodding solemnly): "But we didn't. We brought her back, Theo. You saved her."

Theo's jaw tightened as he looked over at Sophie, who was still tending to Alexandria's wounds despite her own pain.

- Theo : She's stronger than any of us, isn't she?"

- Eli ( with a small smile): "Yeah, she is. But so are you, Theo. We all are. We made it out, and we'll keep going."

While Sophie and Eli cared for their injured friends, Lucy was in the small galley below deck, working quickly to prepare a meal. Her hands moved with practiced ease, chopping vegetables and stirring a pot of stew, the aroma filling the cramped space. She knew the crew would need something warm and hearty after everything they had been through.