Pirate Princess: Years Later

Chapter 4: Derrick vs. the Sea Beast

The wind howled through the village as a storm gathered strength over the ocean, the waves crashing violently against the shore. Seraphina sat by the window, watching the dark clouds swirl in the distance. A sense of unease had settled over her since morning, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

Inside the house, Alira paced back and forth, her eyes filled with worry. "The sea is angry today," she muttered under her breath, glancing out the window at the raging storm.

Seraphina turned to her mother, her own anxiety growing. "Where's Papa? He should have been back by now."

Alira didn't respond immediately. She had been trying to stay calm for Seraphina's sake, but the truth was, she was terrified. Derrick had gone out to sea early that morning, determined to bring in one last catch before the storm hit. But as the hours passed and the storm grew fiercer, Alira's worry turned to dread.

Finally, she stopped pacing and knelt in front of Seraphina, taking her daughter's hands in her own. "Your father is strong and brave, my love. He knows the sea better than anyone. But sometimes... sometimes the sea is stronger."

Seraphina's heart pounded in her chest. "What do you mean, Mama? What's going to happen?"

Before Alira could answer, the door burst open, and a drenched fisherman stumbled inside, his face pale with fear. "Alira!" he gasped, clutching the doorframe for support. "It's Derrick—he's in trouble!"

Alira's blood ran cold. "What happened? Where is he?"

The fisherman shook his head, his voice trembling. "He went after the Sea Beast. It came out of nowhere—bigger and more vicious than any we've ever seen. He tried to fight it off, but... it didn't end well."

Seraphina's heart sank. The Sea Beast was a creature of legend, a massive and terrifying monster that was said to dwell in the deepest parts of the ocean. Few had seen it and lived to tell the tale, and those who had spoke of it with a mixture of awe and horror.

Without a word, Alira sprang into action. She grabbed her coat and sword and headed for the door. "Stay here, Seraphina," she ordered, her voice firm. "I'm going to find your father."

But Seraphina couldn't just sit by and do nothing. "I'm coming with you!" she cried, running after her mother.

Alira turned and placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder, her expression softening for just a moment. "I need you to stay here, Seraphina. If I don't come back... you have to take care of your sister. Promise me."

Seraphina's eyes filled with tears, but she nodded. "I promise, Mama."

With one last look, Alira rushed out into the storm, the wind and rain lashing at her as she headed toward the harbor. Seraphina watched her go, her heart aching with fear and helplessness.

The hours that followed were the longest of Seraphina's life. She paced the house, unable to sit still, her mind racing with terrible thoughts. The storm outside grew worse, the wind howling like a wounded beast, and the rain beating against the windows like a relentless drum.

Finally, just when Seraphina thought she couldn't take the waiting any longer, the door opened again. Alira stumbled inside, soaked to the bone and looking utterly defeated. Her eyes were red, and her face was etched with grief.

Seraphina's breath caught in her throat. "Mama...?"

Alira didn't speak at first. She simply pulled her daughter into a tight embrace, her body trembling with emotion. After what felt like an eternity, she whispered, "The Sea Beast... it took him. Your father... he's gone."

Seraphina's world shattered in that moment. The strong, courageous man who had always been her hero, her guide, her protector, was gone—taken by the very ocean he had loved so much. She clung to her mother, tears streaming down her face, as the reality of their loss began to sink in.

The storm outside raged on, but inside the house, there was only the sound of their shared grief. Alira held Seraphina close, whispering words of comfort that neither of them truly believed. They had lost Derrick, and with him, a piece of their hearts had been torn away.

As the night wore on, Seraphina's thoughts turned to the future—a future without her father, without his steady presence and unwavering love. She didn't know how they would move forward, how they would survive this loss, but one thing was certain: the sea had claimed its price, and life would never be the same again.

And so, as the storm finally began to subside and the first light of dawn broke through the clouds, Seraphina made a silent vow. She would honor her father's memory by being strong, by protecting her family, and by facing whatever challenges the world threw her way. The sea may have taken Derrick from them, but it would not take their spirit. They would endure, just as he had taught them to do.

4o