Chapter 46
Naia
That's it! It had happened. The truth had finally come out and I was in pain, scared as I saw Dylan's face break down. People reacted badly when they learned the truth. Their opinion of me changed dramatically. They either looked at me as a monster because I had enormous powers. Or they wanted to abuse it, like Blackbeard.
Dylan shook his head as if he didn't want to believe it. At the same time, I understood him, I had hidden my secret well. I'd only used my powers a few times and only when it was absolutely necessary for me to use them. I'd used them to save them from dehydration, to make the boat go faster, to heal a few wounds, and to save Dylan from drowning. I'd never used them fully, in all their power. But I would soon.
I could see the spite on the young pirate's face. I had disappointed him, I could tell. He must have thought I hadn't trusted him, but it wasn't that. It was a secret I had kept since I was a little girl, my own shell. It wasn't that I didn't trust him, on the contrary, I could give him my life. Only telling someone you're a demigoddess has consequences. That I was going to pay now. I knew it. Especially since Blackbeard, the most powerful and feared pirate, was there to take my blood. And yes, it had special powers too. It could give life to anyone who abused it. That's why I'd been in hiding all my life, why I'd run away from Blackbeard.
Only he had found me. How did he find me? That I didn't know. But I didn't care. He wanted my blood, so let him come. I wasn't going to make it easy for him. He must have seen it in my eyes, for he drew his sword and slowly approached me. With my weapon in hand, I judged him. I could not win by fighting fair, for he could not die. So I decided to pull out all the stops.
I attacked first. The old pirate was surprised by my initiative and this gave me the advantage to push him back. Then I called the water to me. It was time to unleash my magic. Although Blackbeard could not die, I was sure he could easily tire. So I sent a powerful jet of water into his chest. He wasn't expecting it and was thrown away. However, he got up quickly. And I repeated my attack. Again and again and again, changing assaults. I alternated between rays, waves, geysers and whirlpools. However, he was still getting up. Nothing knocked him out.
Fortunately, I had a secret weapon. The trident was still calling me, but more and more vehemently. It was screaming at me to use it, to release its power. I knew it was my father's work, that he wanted me to use his magic to save myself. So I launched another attack on Blackbeard, sending him flying across the temple, and rushed toward the object. As soon as I touched the trident, I felt the power of my father's magic. It pulsed within me, burning to be released. So I did as Poseidon wished and unleashed the full power of the object upon Blackbeard.
Chapter 47
Dylan
I had never seen this kind of magic before. Although I had been stunned at first by what my father had revealed, I was even more stunned when I realized that Naia was powerful. That she had been holding back all this time. That she'd been hiding for fear of my father, for fear of what we would have said. But now she had finally broken free of her chains. And she was unleashing.
With her trident in her right hand, she summoned the full power of the oceans. The waters answered her call and wrapped themselves around her body. It was beautiful and terrifying at the same time. She was so powerful! Then she sent it all over my father. For hours he had been wiping away the winds and swamps she threw at him. And he was still intact. This time was no exception either. He got up, as best he could, and I saw that I was not quite right. Blood could be seen dripping from his nose. It was the first time that any sign of fatigue had appeared. He raised his arm and saw that he was hurt. I imagined that it must have driven him crazy. He didn't like to lose, let alone show vulnerability.
That's when everything changed. I should have realized what he was up to because he was just playing with the young woman. While she was pouring out all her power, he was just waiting for her to run out before attacking back when she was at her weakest. Blackbeard charged Naia and within moments, he had the trident out of her hand. As the trident fell, a huge noise echoed through the room. It was like a sound of defeat.
But my father had forgotten one thing. I was still here. And while it had taken me a while to get my act together, I wasn't going to let him hurt one of the only things that mattered greatly to me. There was no way. He'd already broken too many things I cared about, I wasn't going to let him do it again. I lunged at him and blocked him with my body and my weapon.
“You're not a match for me, son," my father spat in my face.
“ I won't let you touch her or hurt her.”
“How honorable, but we both know you're too weak.”
Suddenly he turned his sword and sent mine flying in one motion. I was unarmed. Naia was on the ground, wounded. We were in a very bad position. It would take a miracle for us to get out of there alive.
“Ah, it feels good to know you've achieved your goal, doesn't it son. When Davy Jones told me that all I needed was a drop of your blood, dear Naia, to come back to life, it was the best day of my life. That is, until today. For today is the day I will be able to return to earth, and not as an undead, a small gift from dear Davy when he saw me miserable as I was at the gates of hell. Although, I must confess, I do appreciate the fact that I can't die. But the hunger and thirst I constantly feel prevents me from enjoying this advantage.”
“Davy Jones?” was all Naia managed to say.
“Yeah, you heard me. You know, he doesn't appreciate doing your old man's dirty work. So to get back at him, he kindly asked me to kill you.”
“He wants revenge because he deals with the dead?”
“Only those who died at sea, son. It's not a very fun job," he replied. “But it serves my purposes well. So I was happy to comply with his request. Now you will both die. I should have killed you sooner, Dylan. If I had known you were going to stand in my way, I wouldn't have hesitated.”
Then he came towards us, his sword in one hand, mine in the other. We were finished. We could not defend ourselves without a weapon. I stood in front of Naia, trying to protect her, but I knew it was futile. He would kill me first and then finish with the young woman. And he would come back to life and terrorize the rest of the world. I had failed miserably.
Then I heard a scream. It sounded like a whinnying. A few moments later, I saw a winged horse coming towards us. A resplendent, all-white pegasus. But yes, Pegasus were the sons of Poseidon. He had to call him to save us, to save Naia.
The winged horse lunged at my father and kicked him, giving me time to grab Naia and pull her away.
“Dirty nag," said Blackbeard.
Except I didn't plan for my father to get rid of the pegasus. At the same time, in my defense, it was a mythical horse and I thought it was strong enough to defeat my father. Unfortunately, my father was a ghost and did not want to die easily. No, instead, he took his weapons and thrust them into the sides of the pegasus. The horse screamed in distress and collapsed to the ground.
Naia screamed back and rushed towards her brother. I held her back just in time, my father waiting for her to make a mistake. The young woman cried in my arms, suffering from seeing a friend die for her. She was too vulnerable to face my father, so I went ahead and grabbed the trident that was left on the ground. An electric shock came over me from all sides. I felt like I was burning from the inside out. But I did not let go, and cocked my arm and hurled the weapon at my father. He had just enough time to send a projectile before he was pinned to the temple wall.
Nevertheless, the projectile was in fact a dagger. And it hit Naia, who had freed herself from my embrace, in the chest. Blood began to flow down her shirt. Surprised, she looked at the weapon, then at me. I saw the fear in her eyes. I was too surprised to react. Then she collapsed to the ground.
“NOOOO," I said, rushing to catch up with her. “No, no, no, no, no. Naia, stay with me, please.”
I begged her, but nothing helped. I could see her eyes slowly closing as she struggled to stay with me. I held her in my arms, tears rolling down my cheeks. She couldn't die, and certainly not like this. No, she had to stay with me, because I needed her. Because I loved her.
Chapter 48
Naia
I didn't know how long it was before I woke up. A bluish glow flickered behind my eyelids. My curious side took over and opened my eyes. I was lying in a beautiful place. It was as if I were surrounded by water, illuminated by an invisible sun. Sand lay beneath me. I tried to get up, but a great pain prevented me. I looked down at my chest. At my heart I could see a huge scar. It gave me a shock. The memories of what had happened to me came back. Unfortunately, I had been stabbed in the heart by Dylan's father. So what was I doing here? Was I dead?
Footsteps sounded in the distance. Yet I could not see a living soul. What on earth was going on? The noise came closer and closer, until a man of great stature stood before me. He was tall and majestic, just as I remembered. His ink-black hair resembled mine. His eyes were the same color as the sea around us.
“Father,” I greeted him.
“Naia,” he smiled at me.
“What is this place?” I asked.
“My kingdom.”
“So I'm not dead?”
“You're dying, and we don't have much time. I brought you here to heal you, but only if you work with me.”
“What do you mean?” I said, not having understood everything.
“I am able to save you, but only if you fight to live.”
I nodded, both to let him know I understood and to tell him I valued my life. After all, I had Dylan and my pirate friends. But there was still the problem of Blackbeard.
“Davy Jones is working with Blackbeard to...," I began to explain, but he cut me off.
“Yeah, I know. I took care of Davy Jones. But I need you to kill Blackbeard. You have my trident, you can use it to counteract him.”
“I tried but he's too strong.”
“You're more powerful than he is, darling," he said in an encouraging voice. “It's just that you've been repressing your powers for so long that you're not aware of them.”
He was right. I knew he was. I had been protecting myself all my life, and this was one of the consequences that had come with it. But I didn't know how else to do it. I couldn't conceive that I had so much magic in me. Only, I was going to have to believe it. I was going to have to regain my confidence if I was to defeat Blackbeard.
“And Dylan? He touched your trident. What will happen to him?”
“Nothing. Well, he will feel the effects of the trident for a while longer. It will be a few burns, some tugging sensations, but nothing major.”
“But normally, only a descendant of Poseidon can touch him,” I said back.
“Yes, I know that very well, I am the one who dictated this rule. And since I created it, I can change it. This young man took the trident with the sole intention of saving you from his father's clutches. I could not punish him for that," my father explained.
A great sense of relief came over me. I had always known that Poseidon cared for me, but it was good to see him in action. So I threw myself into his arms and hugged him with all my strength. He returned my embrace as he stroked my hair.
“Thank you," I whispered.
“I'm sorry I'm not there for you all the time," he admitted. “But I...”
“I know. You have a kingdom to run and that's more important.”
“You are just as important.”
At these words, tears of joy fogged my vision.
“You're here now, and that's all I needed.”
He stepped back from me a little, plunging his ocean gaze into mine.
“It's time," he said. “Take my trident and let it guide you.”
I nodded my head. I was ready. I could do this. I had to do it. For it was the only way. Blackbeard had to die so I could be free again.
Chapter 49
Naia
The first thing I felt was a body shaking against mine. I couldn't open my eyelids and my chest hurt like hell. I tried to move, but my limbs felt like cotton. I only managed to raise my arm a little. But that was enough to make the person next to me react.
“Naia?" said a frightened voice. “Naia!”
I could slowly open my eyes to find Dylan, tears streaming down his cheekbones. The young man was in bad shape. His skin was all red and burnt, probably the aftermath of holding Poseidon's trident. My father had told me that these were not major injuries, but even so, it was not a pretty sight. However, I must have been in a similar state. I could see it in the young man's face. I wanted to stand up again but I couldn't. It was too painful. As soon as he saw that I could move, Dylan helped me to my feet and took me in his arms.
“Oh my God, I was so scared," he whispered. “I thought I had lost you.”
“My father brought me back.”
“What?”
“I saw my father.”
“Poseidon?”
“Himself," I laughed at the young man's bewildered look.
“I'm going to have to get used to all this. We'll have to talk about it. Because I have a lot of questions.”
I understood. I'd been hiding who I really was from him. And I was glad he was taking it so well.
“Yes, but right now we have to take care of your father," I said.
At these words he took my arm and lifted me up. I was having a little trouble keeping my balance, not having fully recovered from my injury. Dylan supported me and led me over to his father, who was still pinned to the temple wall by Poseidon's trident.
I took hold of it, knocking Blackbeard to the ground. Then I let the object invade me with its energy. My father had told me to let the trident do its work. It would give me the strength to defeat the pirate. The smell of iodine washed over me as the power of the water was unleashed.
“Dylan, get away from me," I shouted over the sound of the waves.
The latter ran for cover as the waves swirled around the trident. Suddenly, the trident glowed with a thousand lights and sparkled throughout the temple. Blackbeard stared at it, his mouth agape. Fear was written all over his face. Yet he still faced me. He came towards me, sword ready to attack. But I did not give him the time. I raised the trident and hurled it at him, sweeping the waves in its wake. The force of the trident and the water crashed into him, and the next moment, all that was left of the pirate was a pile of dust.
Suddenly my strength left me and I fell to the ground, exhausted. Dylan ran to me and caught me in his arms.
“Naia, Naia," he said distraught.
“I'm fine," I reassured him. “I'm just tired. The trident took all my strength.”
“Oh, I thought...”
“I know.”
I laid my head on his chest and allowed myself to relax. This was finally over. I was going to be able to live a simple life, without having to hide, without having to suppress my powers. For now, though, all I wanted to do was stay in Dylan's comfortable arms, let myself be lulled by him and his heartbeat. Because even if we had won, I didn't care. All I cared about was that we were both alive. And I fell asleep against him, in his arms.
Chapter 50
Dylan
We had returned to the ship, my crew, Naia and I. The girl was still asleep, under Morgan's close supervision, while Kevin examined me in the infirmary. I had a lot of burns and a strange feeling that was buried inside me and wouldn't go away. I was beginning to think that taking the trident had had these effects. Once I had been covered with ointments and bandages, I went to sit next to Naia. She had been dozing deeply for about ten hours. But she deserved it. She had saved us all!
I had finally told my crew the truth, that I was the son of the most fearsome pirate, Blackbeard. I had told them everything, what had happened on the island of the gods, what Naia had done, who she was, and that if anyone wanted to harm her, they would have to deal with me. They had all reacted surprisingly well, especially Morgan. Because he knew the truth. He had known about both the girl and me, having found the name of the boat during a repair. He'd told me he didn't care, that I'd earned his respect and that he didn't care who raised me. I was touched by that.
From then on, I was no longer called Dylan, but Captain Teach. It felt strange, taking my father's name, knowing I'd hated him all my life. But at least there were no more secrets between me and my crew.
“Dylan," Naia's sleepy voice said.
“Yes?" I said, moving closer to her.
“Where are we?”
“On the boat.”
“Yes, but where?”
“We left the island of the gods, and we're sailing a bit randomly, I don't really know where we are. I left Ondine at the helm,” I explained to her.
“And the trident?" she asked.
“I left it there. We don't need this. I already found my treasure.”
“Is that so?” she smiled at me, understanding what I was getting at.
“Absolutely. Naia, I love you. I have loved you from the first time my eyes fell on you and you stood up to me.”
“Good,” was her only answer.
Wait, what?
“What do you mean, good?”
“Good, because I love you too, silly," laughed the girl.
Ah, I liked that better. In response, I leaned in and gave her a fiery kiss. I would have liked to deepen it a bit more, but between her wounds and mine, it wasn't possible. So I forced myself to pull away from her.
“So you're a demi-goddess with immeasurable powers?”
“Yes," she answered in a small voice.
“And you can control the water?”
She nodded.
“Because Poseidon, the god of the sea, is your father?”
She nodded again.
“What else can you do?”
“Besides holding a trident and moving ships? I can see the future sometimes," she said.
“Oh, I think that's plenty. What do your visions tell you?”
“Oh, it changes every time. Actually, the last one was when we first met. I saw the two of us together, happy and expecting a happy event.”
“Oh my god, did you see yourself pregnant from me?”
I was totally shocked.
“Hmm, hmm.”
“Wow! I understand better your reaction when you saw me then,” I told her.
“Yeah, it was a lot to take in, especially since I didn't know you.”
“But it was fate that we should meet," I said.
“I'm sure it was.”
“And you know what?”
“No, but you're going to tell me," she said with a smile.
“As soon as we both get well, I'll do everything I can to make your vision come true," I announced very seriously.
Because if I was sure of one thing, it was this. I loved Naia with all my heart. And I could hardly see myself doing my life without her. I wanted to start a family with her, to have hundreds of adventures aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge with her by my side. Because she had become my world, my life, my treasure.
THE END
Author's notes
First of all, this story came to me from the following inspirations: Pirates of the Caribbean, Marie Reppelin's Map of the Confines (Carte des Confins), and Percy Jackson (especially volume 2 - The Sea of Monsters, by Rick Riordan).
The names of the characters were not chosen at random. They all have something to do with the sea or water.
NAIA - "waves or sea foam" in Basque
ONDINE - "wave" in Latin
DYLAN - "great sea" in Welsh, demigod and son of the sea according to Welsh mythology
MORGAN - "child of the sea" in Breton
Although pirates don't express themselves in this language, which is very recent, I wanted to write it this way because I didn't have enough knowledge and because I thought it lent itself to the story and the characters.
Thank you for reading my fiction to the end.
Photo Credits: Pinterest
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