Marina sets sail in search of answers, joining Captain Jack Sparrow's crew in pursuit of an opportunity that could change her fate. What begins as a daring adventure on the high seas soon takes unexpected turns, pushing Marina to face more than she...
Marina laid on a grassy patch outside Tia's secluded hut, her gaze fixed on the vast expanse of stars above. The night sky was as clear and mesmerizing as it had been when she last saw it. It has been a few days since she woke up but she remained at Tia's hidden hut for more care, or perhaps for the solitude she needed to come to terms with everything that had transpired.
Tia had carefully removed Marina's stitches as fresh skin began to knit over the wound, but with every step Marina took, pain throbbed through her leg. Despite Tia's sharp scolding for leaving the cabin too soon, Marina couldn't help herself—she needed to breathe in the salty air and feel the breeze against her skin, even if each step came with a sting.
The answers she had sought about her mother and her father were now known. Her mother dead and her father was far removed from the gentle man she remembered from her childhood. His obsession with immortality, his descent into dark magic, and his quest for revenge had consumed him, turning him into something monstrous. The man she had confronted was nothing like the father she had once known. Her family, the one she had clung to for so long, had disintegrated into nothingness. All that remained were the haunting wounds on her thighs—souvenirs of a betrayal that had cut deeper than any blade ever could.
"We should leave soon," Tia said softly, her Jamaican accent thickening the air with each word. "It's been two weeks since yuh were brought here. Time ta move on."
Marina, still lying on the grass, didn't respond. Her eyes remained fixed on the sky, but her gaze seemed distant, as if she was searching for something that wasn't there.
Tia glanced at her, sensing the turmoil beneath the surface. "Wha's troublin' yuh? Why yuh so quiet?"
Marina turned her head slightly, her eyes reflecting the stars above but lacking their usual spark. "I don't feel like I belong anywhere" she said quietly.
Tia nodded, her gaze steady and filled with ancient wisdom. "Dat's because someone as special as yuh always gonna struggle with knowin' exactly who they are. It's not always clear, even for those born of de sea. But yuh already made a choice about what to do next. Yuh made it when yuh were cast into de sea by yuh father."
Marina looked up at Tia, searching her face for the truth in her words. "What do you mean?"
Tia's voice was gentle but firm. "When yuh were pushed into de sea, yuh didn't just fall away from yuh past. Yuh fought not just to survive, but for somethin' greater. For de memory of yuh mother, and to make yuh father pay for all he's done. De whole ocean heard yuh thoughts, felt yuh anger and strength.
Marina's expression softened, her mind beginning to piece together the significance of her struggle.
Tia continues, "Yuh chose to fight, to seek justice, and to face yuh father. Dat's who yuh are now. A warrior, a survivor. Yuh destiny is clear. Now it's time to fulfill it."
Marina took a deep breath, the weight of Tia's words grounding her.
Tia smiled, a flicker of pride in her eyes. "Now it's time to join de others and continue yuh journey. Yuh have de courage and strength to make a difference. De ocean will always guide yuh."
Marina nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. With Tia's guidance, she began preparing for the journey ahead, ready to embrace her role and face the challenges with newfound clarity and purpose.
The next day, Marina and Tia boarded a small fishing boat for the journey to Singapore, which took just over a week. Marina relished the calm days at sea, savoring the rare moments of tranquility before the inevitable storm. She prepared herself mentally for the battle ahead, her thoughts consumed by a singular goal: confronting and killing her father. Though her wounds had mostly healed, she still felt pain and discomfort at every step she took, a lot less though.
As the fishing boat finally approached Singapore, Marina sensed a marked change in the atmosphere. The usual bustle of the port was overshadowed by an air of worry, stress, and fear. With Tia's help, Marina took her time climbing the steep paths leading up from the docks.
It wasn't until they reached the top of a hill overlooking the port that they were met by a familiar figure—Esmeralda.
Esmeralda stood tall and confident, her striking features softened by concern as she caught sight of Marina. A rush of emotions flooded through her—a mix of relief, worry, and something unnameable as she embraced her.
"Marina! Thank the sea you're back," she exclaimed, her voice warm yet laced with an underlying tension.
Marina barely returned the embrace, knowing very well who she was to Jack. "Where is everyone?" she asked, pulling back.
Esmeralda sighed, glancing back toward the bustling city below. "They're working on plans to confront Morgan. Fortifying the port, gathering supplies... It's all-consuming right now. But we've done what we could."
Tia intervened, "Marina is not fully recovered yet. It would be best if she could get some rest."
Esmeralda nodded and offered, "Come with me. You can stay at my place for as long as you need."
Grateful but exhausted, Marina and Tia followed Esmeralda to her quarters, where they could finally rest and regroup.
Marina took the opportunity to wash herself and tend to her wounds. The soothing water helped alleviate some of the discomfort from her healing scars, and she carefully cleaned the lingering traces of sea salt and grime from her skin. After a thorough and refreshing bath, she felt a small but significant boost to her strength. Exhausted from the journey and the emotional turmoil, she fell asleep almost immediately.
When she awoke the next morning, Marina felt noticeably stronger. The rest had done her some good, and her mind was clearer, more focused on the task ahead. As she looked around Esmeralda's quarters, she noticed a pile of clothes.
Marina emerged from Esmeralda's quarters dressed in an ensemble that was both practical and striking. She wore a white, long-sleeved shirt that draped off her shoulders, revealing her collarbone and shoulders. The shirt featured a sweetheart neckline, with a delicate black trim that added a touch of contrast and elegance. Over this, she donned a black corset, tightly laced up the front, accentuating her waist and providing a structured silhouette. Her lower half was adorned with a long, black skirt that fell gracefully to the floor, but it had a daring high slit on her right leg. Underneath the skirt, Marina wore long, sheer stockings that extended up to her thighs, their translucent material subtly hinting at her skin and the bandages wrapped around her scars. Completing her outfit were high knee boots, sturdy and well-fitted.
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Marina surveyed her reflection, taking in the most revealing and daring pirate outfit she had ever worn. The ensemble was a stark departure from her usual attire—bold, confident, and undeniably pirate.
Despite her newfound confidence, Marina couldn't shake a nagging concern. She missed the familiarity of a weapon at her side. Her thoughts drifted to the dagger she'd likely lost when she was cast into the sea.
Dressed and ready, Marina stepped outside, feeling more grounded and determined. She knew that time was of the essence. Her father's whereabouts and plans weighed heavily on her mind. The sense of urgency propelled her forward, and she made her way to meet the others.
