The Dragon's Pirate Warrior | oc insert

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I groaned as I pushed myself up, looking around, I see a crap ton of gold then register what happened.

"Oh god-- I'm such an idiot, how'd I get swept away?!" I shouted as I sat on the sand and stared out into the calmed ocean before remember, "Yona..."

Standing up, I looked around for the crimson haired girl until my gaze landed on her.

"Yona?" I called out, when I got no response, I rushed over and lowered my head to her chest, no beat, "Damn it. You're not dying on me today, girl!"

I tipped her head back and started doing CPR. By the time I'd done mouth to mouth four times, she finally coughed up the water, I quickly pushed her on her side as she did.

"Thank god," I let out a sigh of relief and flopped down on my ass next to her, "how're you feeling?"

"Fine now... Thanks," Yona replied after a few moments and then sat up, "where are we?"

I looked around.

"I'd say an island between Kouka and Ashia," I replied, "it might be a while before we're rescued so we should probably find some shelter and stuff."

"Yeah," she nodded as I stood up and dusted myself down before offering my hand to her, she took it and I pulled her to her feet before looking to the forest near us.

"Probably best to go in there, but stay close, there'll be snakes and animals everywhere," I told her, she nodded and we began walking off the beach and to the forest.

As soon as we entered, various different sounds rang out, it was overwhelming so I ended up reducing myself to normal human level hearing.

"How long do you think we'll be here?" Yona asked as I pushed an over grown leaf out my way.

"If I remember correctly where the ship was," I hummed, "it'll be maybe two or three days before I'll be able to whistle for Apollo."

"Why's that significant?" she asked.

"Apollo can lead them to us," I replied before looking down at my neck to see that my whistle was still there, thankfully.

"I see," she nodded before letting out a small started gasp, I turned to see a poisonous native snake and pushed my arm in front of her before kicking the snake away, "what was that?"

"A snake native to Ashian lands, its poisonous, one bite and you'll be on the floor dying," I replied, "it's very very strong. Avoid getting bitten or even getting close to one of those things at all costs. If you see one, shout for me."

"Alright," she nodded before looking around and then pointing, "look over there."

I turned to see she was pointing to a slightly open area with a cave in.

"Perfect, that's going to be our camping spot," I told her. She nodded in agreement and we walked over to it. I told her to wait outside while I checked it over.

Once I deemed it empty, I beckoned her inside.

"I'll go get some firewood and we can start drying our clothes," I told her, "stay here and don't move."

She nodded and I left the cave before wandering around and picking up as many sticks as I could before walking back, bringing fruits and stuff that I'd passed as I walked back to the cave.

Once back in, I set up a fire and turned away from Yona.

"You can dry your clothes first, don't worry I won't turn around," I told Yona.

"Alright," she replied as I passed her some food and then sat down at the entrance of the cave, not looking in behind me.

I started to eat the food I had and sighed.

It's been a while since I was stranded... But I'm not alone this time, whether that's a good or bad thing... We'll see.

°🏴‍☠️°

By the time the evening came around, we were both totally dried up and fed. It took a while, but I managed to find coconuts so drinking liquid was not a problem, though it didn't taste very nice.

"Arcane, why're you with pirates anyway?" Yona asked as we both sat one either side of the fire. I just laid down and put my hands behind my head.

"Because I owe them my life," I replied, "I would've died without them."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"When I was younger, me and my parents were returning from Ashia, we were hit by a really bad storm and a wave destroyed the ship," I told her, "I would've died out there if the blood sails didn't fish me out the water."

Since then the crew has changed a lot, the older pirates from back them have been replaced by the younger pirates of now.

"Not only that but we were hit by another storm when I was with them back then and I navigated us free," I continued, "then I had an actual purpose in life rather than sitting around the village I came from originally. They were really protective over me and only let me leave when my parents were leaving to trade but then the storm happened and I was free."

"I see," she hummed.

"That's also why I won't go with you," I continued, "because I want my freedom and what you'll do is take it away."

"I wouldn't," Yona told me, "you'd have all the freedom you want... I'm just worried that what you think is freedom is actually not."

"What do you mean?" I asked confused, sitting up.

"I mean-- have you ever been let off that ship alone? Have you ever gone somewhere that's not the ship without another person?" she asked, "have you gone anywhere else in Kouka other than Anchorage Piers?"

"I've been to my village," I replied.

"But that was when your parents were with you wasn't it?" she asked.

I frowned and then stood up.

"I need to think about this," I told her, "I'm going outside. Please rest up, tomorrow will be a long day."

I walked out of the cave and out of the doorway before crouching down and letting out a sigh.

"Am I free?" I asked, "or am I blindly chained up?"