The Devil's Country

The Third Ring

(Captain Ozwell's perspective)

I hear the sound of thunder. The three warships launch cannonballs pass us. I look to where they go. Pirate ship heads for us on our right. The three warships are on our left.

"Focus all fire on starboard side!" I scream my command. "Fire!!"

A barrage of cannonballs pierce the pirate ship. I see it start to sink with ease. A schooner ship versus five warships. Two of which are only frigates. The other three seemed like man o' wars.

"Captain! It's the royal bloody navy!" A sailor in the crow's nest yells. I look over to see the flags on the back of the ship. Trice.

"What the bloody hells are Trice ships doing here?" My first mate yells to me. I see the warships raise a blue green flag on their starboard side. They want to talk to us.

"Men, they wish to talk. Get your arms ready and when I say sailors parlor... Release hell on them." I said putting on my glasses. I needed to look presentable.

We park our ship next to theirs. I walk across the plank onto their ship.

"Good day Captain?" A tall man in a heavily decorated Trice uniform.

"Captain Ozwell, nice to meet you Captain?"

"Schneider." He replied holding his hand out in friendliness. I take his hand and shake it. "I see you lot are travelers with dreams? You look like a northerner."

"Correct, I wish to not make enemies with you. I assure any pass incidents do not affect what I think of you and your ship." I say with a slight smile. I plan to make no enemies as we can use them to get to the island. Use them as bait.

"Ah, Port Gershom I presume?" He said back showing a slight smile.

"Yes, we plan to travel to the island." I said.

"Ah very nice, we were supposed to escort a ship to the island; however, it only being a schooner. It sunk. It is just us." I look around briefly to see the parked ships all right next to each other. I trust this man enough to keep him until we get to the island.

"I suppose we can make the trip together. All five of us." I replied. I wish they would accept. We don't know what's out there. It's best to stick together. Even if they are Trice shits. I trust them to the extent.

A little while later I watch our ships set sail. I smile at the beautiful sight. Three fully manned man o' wars and two fully manned frigates. I laugh at the fools on the man o' wars. Big ships make for easy targets. Plus they aren't the greatest of ships. I could easily take down one or capture it and upgrade my ship. By upgrade I mean take that ship over, and I will use it as my own.

We set sail to the final zone 'til the island. I see it in the distance now. It shimmers brightly. Such small island with big wonders and treasure. As we enter the next zone a storm appears. Hurricane. It comes straight at us in this little area. Small hurricane, strong winds. My fear deepens as I hear a mumbled roar. I see a fin arise to the surface. Megalodon. The giant fin divides the sea between the fleet. Three warships on one side and two warships on the other. It is go time for everyone. I see my men get harpoons ready.

"FIRE," My first mate commands. I watch as each harpoon on port side gets fired into the ocean. Next thing I see is our giant bow at the front of the ship fire into the water. I hear a mumbled roar again. We hit the megalodon with a roped harpoon the size of a man. Confidence is gained until I see my worst nightmare.

The Megalodon jumps on top of one of the man o' wars. The beast eats three men in one bite. I watch as the men stab it with their dull blades, but they just can't kill the beast. All the ships rock back and forth from the storm. The sixty foot beast stays latched onto the man o' war. I watch as a third man sized harpoon gets launched into the beast's back. Look over to the other frigate. The tail is tipping the ship to the point of no return. Fear strikes me as the frigate goes beyond the point of no return. It falls on its side. Men with treasure and food climb abroad Captain Schneider's man o' war. The Beast destroys a sail still attached. I see the men scramble to repair the hull, but it isn't enough. The ship sinks to a sad tune of bravery. The megalodon disappears below the surface. Our only way to know where it is, is the rope still attached to it. Then the shark does a clever move. The shark dives deeper and deeper. The boat moves wildly.

"CLOSE THE HATCHES, MEN." I command loudly. I grab my sword and jab the rope with my sword. It disconnects from the boat.

Silence enters the scene. Silence demands nothing except what it is. I look at my first mate. Surely, he sees the eyes of a madman. The megalodon disappears. My dumbfounded face strikes the crew with madness. The third ring isn't a hurricane or shark... It's madness. I hear sounds of thunder go off as men fall to the ground foaming. I grab my first mate and jump overboard. I watch as my ship blows up. The TNT below deck ignites in a single second. My first mate swim to the man o' war to find it empty except for the other men on the frigate. No Captain Schneider.

"Bloody hell, what happened?" My first mate said.

"A curse of madness. There were no pirates. There were no Trice shits. There wasn't anyone except two frigates and empty ships." I said back. I look around to a ghost yard of empty ships. Some sunk, others standing proudly. I didn't see this before.

"Men, take these dinghies and scavenge for supplies. Our new ships will be these two. I point at the one we are on, and another not so far away. More men climb aboard. Enough to crew two ships.