A Pirate's Life for Three

World's Collide - Chapter 1

There was a ship. An old, rickety, half-destroyed ship, approaching the one Gwen and her crew sailed. The longer the young girl looked through her spyglass at it, the more she noticed. It wasn't sailing. No waves splashed against it. Furthermore, it was faintly glowing and vaguely transparent.

No...not again...

Gwen lowered her spyglass, feeling fear creep up into her heart. However, this achieved nothing, for the moment Gwen lowered the tool, the ghostly vessel was right there, just as close as it had been when magnified. Gwen felt nauseous as she uncontrollably climbed down from the Crow's Nest to get a closer look.

As she reached the edge of the main deck, a strange being, seemingly made entirely of light, began moving towards her. It was an unsettling shape. If Gwen focused her vision, for just a fleeting moment it looked like an amalgamation of orange-ish eyes. This light-creature was no friend to her, though. While light in literature or history was warm, angelic, and hopeful, this light-creature was oxymoronically cold, intimidating, and frightening. She couldn't look away from it. She was so afraid.

Go away. I don't want to!

It was looking at her. The girl suddenly realised there was a plank between their two ships. She didn't dare step on it, but the creature began to hover over it and move closer to her.

"Who are you?"

"My name is unimportant, Guinevere Allen-Carter."

Hearing that voice again...I feel so sick...

"How do you know my name?"

"I know many things. I also know your hopes. You want to take down that guild of filthy criminals that ruined your life. How about I offer you immense power, and you can do whatever you want to those filthy rats."

"Why would you offer this to me?"

"Simple. You join my crew. Forever."

"Wha...huh?"

"Those monsters took everything from you. Wouldn't you do just about anything to make sure they never hurt anyone again? Your soul in exchange for powers to destroy the Guild in exchange for your eternal servitude. Do you agree?"

The light produced a scroll. Even being close to the parchment sent icy chills down Gwen's spine. She slowly reached for it.

"No, she doesn't."

Gwen's head whipped around to see who had spoken, and felt her heart sink and her eyes sting with tears when she saw who it was.

"Well, well, well...Thieren Allen-Carter. The father."

"I'm altering your deal. If I can use my soul to give my only daughter a better life and a chance to destroy that nightmare place, then I will. You give her the powers you mentioned as agreed, and in exchange, I work for you instead."

The light destroyed the original scroll before producing another. A slightly altered contract to match Thieren's demands.

Gwen grabbed her father's arm tightly, pulling with all her might, but it achieved nothing. He continued walking.

"I love you so much, Guinevere Allen-Carter."

Stop! Stop walking! Come back!

"I love you too, dad."

"I promise. I'll find a way to make sure I get to see my little girl."

"...okay."

No! Not okay! Come back!