Post by Capt. Johnnie O'Malley on Mar 22, 2021 4:24:49 GMT -5
With a cough and a splutter, Captain Joanne “Johnnie” O’Malley awoke, sea water spilling from her mouth as she convulsed. A deep breath filled her aching lungs as life entered her system, but the air tasted… no, felt different. Everything felt different, different in that she felt almost nothing. No aching from her leg’s stump, no throbbing from her exhausted back, she couldn’t even feel the deck beneath her calloused hands. The Captain fell onto her side, then rolled onto her back and took several deep, laboured breaths.
What happened? She remembered signalling the refugee fleet forward into the fleet, while ordering the last of her ships into battle. A wince pulled at her face as she remembered the fierce battle that followed, and her ears filled with the screams of sailors, enemy and allies alike as ship after ship fell before the Sea Drake. Eventually the Drake had found victory, but at what cost? The other Libertalian ships were sunk with all hands, and her own was capsizing, her crew all dead save for her, Alaris, and Hammerfist. Iron Bill was lost when he threw himself overboard to board the enemy ships, sinking three single handedly.
All three sat, dying from their wounds, watching the fires lap at the last remaining ships. After their goodbyes, Hammerfist was the first to succumb to his wounds, half way through a dwarven funeral dirge. With a kiss, Alaris said her final goodbye to her beloved Captain as the last of her life force escaped her through the stump that had once been her leg. Finally, alone and the final member of Johnnie’s fierce crew, the captain slipped beneath the waves.
The cold grip of the ocean wrapped itself around her as she sank, staring up at the shimmering surface of the sea above her. She couldn’t muster the energy to swim, she had nothing left. With her body, heart, and soul broken, she allowed herself to be taken by the sea, a fitting end for the queen of the sea. A certain peace washed over her as she said one final, silent prayer and let herself sink.
Then… then she woke up. But how? Had someone plucked her from the icey depths? She finally cracked an emerald eye open and found herself staring up into an inky black void above. Confused and disoriented, she managed to prop herself up on her elbows and dared to look around. The space around the ship seemed to be an inky black nothingness, and the water below seemed little more than a cyan and aqua green cloud. The deck itself didn’t have any sort of feel to it, and the planks themselves seemed to be an almost transparent blue.
No… she couldn’t be… could she?
She soon stumbled to her feet… no, foot, the other still replaced by what was once the Drake’s capstan handle, still notched with its many kills, but it didn’t hurt. She stumbled once, unable to comprehend the feeling of nothingness below her feet, but with one sure step she righted herself, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She still had everything she had sunk with, minus her hat. Her coat, boot, and cutlass remained on her person.
Cracking open her eyes once more, she peered around the ghostly ship. No crew, no sound, not even a single peep of a shanty. When she looked up at the helm, she came to a dreaded realisation. Standing at the helm was a man, or more accurately a ghost, his messy hair and matching beard flowed outwards as if they were submerged in water, and his buttoned up great coat flared at its base against a non-existent wind. His eyes stared forward, filled with nothing but purpose.
“Hello?” Johnnie called up as she stepped forward. No reply. She climbed the stairs towards the helm, stumbling once or twice before finally standing beside the ghostly figure. “Not overly talkative, are ye?” she asked, but the ghost seemed unamused.
The captain sighed and leaned against the barrier, confused for a moment as she couldn’t feel it, but it soon passed as there shock set in. It took several moments for that feeling, the only one she had, to pass. “Ferryman,” she said, finally able to speak his name. The ghost grunted once, eyes unmoving, the only confirmation he would give. “That makes me dead. Aye, that sounds about right… but my crew aren’t here. Where are they? Where you taking me?” Johnnie asked.
The Ferryman finally moved, fixing his empty gaze on the captain, his eyes glowing a ghostly green. He furrowed his brow for a moment before peering forward. “Beyond,” he said in an echoing voice that Johnnie didn’t so much hear as feel. “But you… the mistress will speak with you.”
“Mistress?” Johnnie asked, quirking an eyebrow. Had she not earned her voyage beyond? Where the deck overflowed with ale and the gold was endless? She was about to protest, when the Ferryman spoke again.
“Time will tell all,” the Ferryman said before smiling, most of his teeth missing inside his ghostly gob. “And you, Captain Joanne O’Malley… you have nothing but time.”
As much as Johnnie wanted to protest, she couldn’t find the strength. She was dead, her crew was gone, and her legacy? Perhaps it was gone, her name, the poor sailors under her command, and everyone before her, all gone. Though, perhaps through some dumb luck, her story would be told by the refugees she had saved from the pirate navy. It would undoubtedly end with ‘and she turned her ship towards the enemy, facing insurmountable odds, and bore down on them like the wrath of the gods’, or something to that effect. A bitter smile crossed her lips… yeah… she could live with that ending.
She spent most of her damned voyage mulling over that fact, and all of her efforts in life, pondering if they had been worth it. It wasn’t a life wasted by any means. She had power, fame, gold, and even love, right to the bitter end. She was adored by her people. Any leader could only hope to have that in death.
Hours passed on the seemingly endless voyage. Was it her punishment to coast into nothingness forever? A sick reward? Her questions were answered before she could ask as a bright blue portal opened before the ghostly ship, throwing the Ferry of the Damned into another land.
Above her, Johnnie saw more stars than she could count, and she finally felt something. It started at the top of her head, pulling at her hair, then passing down through her and out her fingers and toes. A sort of… awkward peace. It felt good, but almost wrong. She finally pulled her eyes from the stars and saw that they stretched to the horizons to the sides of the ship and down into calm waters below. Then she noticed the ship wasn’t on the water, but instead some sort of bridge, lit by massive cauldrons set along ornate pillars that extended from the sides of the bridge. The water that carried them forward was far choppier than that below, and far darker as it didn’t seem to be illuminated by the fire or the stars above. Johnnie scrambled across the deck and stood at the front of the ship, curiosity clutching at her silent, unbeating heart. The ship seemed to be heading to a beautiful, floating island, built from ornate marble. Waterfalls cascaded over the sides, and great towers stood along all sides, illuminating the almost palace like structure at the center. Statues lined the buildings, merfolk, men, beasts, there wasn’t a pattern, not one that Johnnie could figure out.
Before she had time to really ponder it, the ship crossed the bridge and into a circle of water all around the palace, and followed it diligently until it met with a marble dock. “Your stop,” the Ferryman called down, his voice echoing through Johnnie’s ears. “Go. You will not be given a second chance, Captain O’Malley.”
O’Malley didn’t need to be told twice. She wanted to say something profound, something worthy of the history books, but all she could manage was a nod in thanks as she stepped down the ship’s ghostly gangplank and onto the marble below, a surface she actually felt beneath her boot. The gangplank raised behind her and the ship’s tattered sails filled once again, dragging the ship the rest of the way around the palace and back onto the bridge.
Johnnie stood in almost stunned silence as she took in her surroundings. There was no sound other than the gentle lapping of the water against the deck, and no wind to speak of, but she could actually feel, finally. She didn’t feel pain or the grief for her lost crew, friends, and love, but instead she just… felt. It couldn’t be explained, nothing about her situation could be explained.
“Come,” a woman’s voice called from the palace, atop a set of stairs leading inside. “Captain O’Malley.” The woman had gorgeous golden hair that fell over her shoulders, and a pure white toga clung to her form, but it wasn’t her beauty that lured Johnnie in, it was the aura that surrounded her, one of peace and beckoning. Without protest, the captain climbed the stairs with ease, not even limping from her peg leg. It felt nice not worrying about that stupid thing.
At the top of the stairs, she was lead inside and found herself walking down ornate hallways, each one lined with a tiny river that lead to larger pools in the middle of intersections and out into the courtyards beyond. “Where are we?” Johnnie finally asked as they walked.
“You are where you need to be,” the figure spoke, being as vague as Johnnie expected.
“Yes, but where is that?”
“All will be answered,” the figure replied. Yeah, Johnnie expected that, asking was just rolling the dice at that point. Oh well, not like she had anywhere to be.
Finally, the figure stopped at a massive archway, right in the heart of the palace, and gestured Johnnie through. The Captain took but a moment to consider it, before nodding and stepping through.
What she was met with was something she had never thought she’d ever see. Then again, she never thought she’d die, so that day was full of firsts. The room was bigger than any hall or room she had ever been in, far larger than the Dwarven King’s throne room back on Libertalia. The walls stretched up into the very sky, bathed in starlight and decorated by long, flowing banners, each a rich blue and decorated with a white mermaid at the very base. The center of the room was surrounded by clear blue water, opening into coral reefs far below, but the very center of the room is the spot Johnnie couldn’t take her eyes from.
Laying across a large, comfortable looking lounger was a giant, half woman, half fish. The bottom half of her body glistened with scales of gold, silver, and precious gems, each glinting in the sconce light with each movement of her magnificent, beautiful tail that swished lazily across the water.
Her top half was that of beauty, with perfect, smooth skin, the sight of which seemed to warm Johnnie’s soul. Her generous chest was laid bare, bordered by long, flowing, white locks that cascaded from the creature’s head, and finally her face that was a thing of absolute beauty. Johnnie had no words to describe the creature before her, who’s piercing blue eyes seemed to look through Johnnie’s being and into her very core.
“The Drowned Queen…” Johnnie managed to finally choke out. What should she do? Kneel? Drop her cutlass at the goddess’ will? She finally chooses to bow to the patron saint of all sea farers, completely dumb struck.
“The Drowned Queen, the Drowned Goddess…” the being spoke in a voice that sounded like music to Johnnie’s mind, a voice that brought calm across the pirate’s soul. “Both work. Yes, Captain O’Malley, you are not dreaming, nor are you hallucinating. Welcome to my chamber, I welcome you, one queen of the sea to another.” She gestured from her bare chest to Johnnie, welcoming her as if she were an old friend.
One queen to another? Johnnie had never thought of herself as unworthy, but to be called a queen of the sea by a god? Well, that certainly gave her pause for thought. “My queen,” Johnnie begins, part of her hesitating as she had once vowed to never call anyone her queen, but her god definitely got a pass on that one. “I’m humbled by your presence, I… forgive me, I’ve no clue what to say.” For the first time in her life, that was true.
“There is not much to say,” the mermaid said, followed by a soft chuckle. “I can feel what you want to say. First of all, I am flattered, thank you.” That would have brought some red to Johnnie’s face if her heart still beat. “But I did not bring you hear to flatter me, I could get that from any of my subjects. No, instead, I wanted to meet you personally.”
To meet Johnnie personally felt like the grandest honour the Captain had ever felt. To be seeked out by a god herself, absolutely incredible. “I, uh…” Johnnie stammered before standing straight once again. “I guess you can thank the Ferryman for that. Nice… nice fella.”
The goddess chuckled again. “Yes, he’s one of my most dutiful servants. Almost served his time too, then it’ll be on to the next one. Not that he seems to mind.” She queen gestured as she spoke, and even the most basic of hand movements seemed majestic to Johnnie. “Joane, I have many subjects, servants, and worshippers, not unlike yourself,” the goddess continued. “But very few were willing to do what you have done. When the end times came to your realm, I feared nobody would step up. My fears were indeed realised when those who were said to worship me the most turned on those who needed them for leadership and guidance. Instead those souls were betrayed and murdered, sending them to me prematurely.”
“But not you,” she continued. “While the betrayers and heathens sent my subjects to me, you sent them to the locker, where they belong. While I often turn a blind eye to pirates and welcome most in my realm, those betrayers in the end times… they deserved eternal damnation.” Her golden eyes rested on Johnnie’s again. “And you brought that to them. Your command over the Libertalians and your orders for them to do the right thing surprised me. While my champions were otherwise engaged, you stepped up like none other. For that, you have my eternal gratitude, destroying those who betrayed me has put my mind at ease.”
Johnnie stood in stunned silence before clearing her throat. “I… I was doing right by my people. They put their trust in me, I couldn’t just walk away from that.”
“Indeed…” the drowned queen spoke, a smile crossing her beautiful face. “Your crew were brought to me a little while ago, each one passing into my realm as they died, as did the Libertalians who chose to worship me. Your people are safe.” That brought a sense of relief that washed over Johnnie. The souls of those who mattered most to her had been carried into paradise, she couldn’t ask for better. “They sang your praises, my dear.”
Johnnie finally dared to ask something that had been nagging at her since her arrival. “I’m relieved to hear that, but… what about me?” she asked, genuinely curious. “Don’t get me wrong, my queen, I am honoured to be in your very presence…”
“But you want to know what comes next?” the queen asked before leaning forward a little, regarding her subject intently. “Your performance down below, coupled with my need for a new champion, got me thinking, my dear little Johnnie.” She leaned back once more, hands folded over each other as she leaned against her lounger. “You have enough good in your soul, and enough care for your people, that I would offer you something that I do not offer lightly. Your people are now safe with me, but there are subjects yet living down in the mortal realm without protection. I would offer you, Captain O’Malley, the honour of being one of my Champions, an emissary to the mortal realm. I will bestow upon you many blessings and power that you will have never experienced before, use it to protect my subjects, and you will eventually be ascended to godhood alongside me.”
Johnnie’s soul practically split in two at that very offer. To become the champion of a god? To eventually become a god itself?
“Your crew will be returned to you, should they wish to serve in the mortal realm as spirits,” the god continued. “As will your ship. I cannot offer you or your crew mortality, to most they will appear as spirits from the afterlife, as they are. You and a few chosen will be given more freedom and corporeal forms to change as you wish as you complete your mission.”
The Captain stood stock still, in shock.
“You do not have to answer now, my dear, take some time to cons-”
“I accept,” Johnnie finally blurted out, unable to help herself from interrupting a god. “My apologies. I would do anything to have my crew back, my family, they meant everything to me during my time as a mortal,” Johnnie explained. “Eternal paradise will always be here for me, but a chance to serve you and your people as a champion… There is no obvious choice.”
“You always seem to surprise me, Captain O’Malley. You are not unlike your father. He often speaks highly of you and now I know why.” Johnnie hadn’t thought of that, she could see her father again after all these years. “Then it is settled.”
The Goddess slipped from the lounger and into the water with barely a splash. Behind the lounger, the water seemed to rise, with the Drowned Queen rose with the water, sitting atop it like a throne. Her eyes began to glow as her magic began filling the room. “I, the Drowned Queen, the Once Divided, and Ruler of the Oceans, name you, Joanne O’Malley as my champion. Protector of the worthy, and vanquisher of the eternally damned.” That magic washed over Johnnie, filling her with a euphoria more powerful than any drug had ever given her. It felt like her soul was cleansed of any darkness or dirt that clung to it, and then she was filled with raw power, something she could never hope to explain.
Several moments later, Johnnie opened her eyes, having fallen to the ground before the Queen. She felt different, better, stronger… She soon crawled to her feet and looked up at the queen once more, who had again taken her position on the lounger.
“Welcome back,” the queen said with a smirk. “You were out for a little bit there. I love giving that blessing, everyone reacts differently. My last champion’s head exploded three times before he was reformed. When you know that they will become all powerful after, it becomes quite amusing. You’re the first to collapse in a euphoric stupor. In fact, I don’t think I’m wrong to say it was orgasmic.”
Johnnie would have been burning red hot if she could. Normally she’d be the first to admit it, but not to a god. That just felt embarrassing. That feeling of embarrassment went away when she looked over her body, now standing naked before the queen, but more importantly she was changed. Her peg leg was gone, and instead a ghostly leg had appeared where her lost leg had been. Before hand, there had been nothing more than a stump just under her left knee, but now the whole leg had been replaced and it felt… real. Completely real. She also had new tattoos, octopus tentacles had slithered up and down her arms and legs, sprouting from, she assumed, her back.
Finally, looking into the water, she saw that her eyes had a blue ghostly glow to them, as did her scars. She felt like she could do more though, and soon she began slowly phasing between her human form, peg leg and all, then back into a fully ghostly, transparent blue form. “I... “ she began.
“But one of my blessings, Johnnie,” the drowned queen spoke. “You will return to the mortal realm as a spirit, that I cannot change, but you can become corporeal at will. There are many other blessings you are yet to discover, and you will in time.” She gestured behind her and spoke again. “But for now, I want you to enjoy my realm for a little, before you begin your mission. You will be able to come and go, but you will spend most of your time in the mortal realm.”
From behind her walked someone that made Johnnie’s insides quiver. Along the marble, as beautiful as they day they had met, was the sea elf who had stolen her heart while it still beat, Alaris Fontaine. Her tanned skin had lost no colour in death, and her black braided hair was as beautiful as ever. She wore nothing more than a silky white toga as she walked towards her captain. Johnnie sprang forward, meeting her half way and pulling her into a lover’s embrace.
“Ah, to love again,” the goddess spoke, admiring the pair. “The praises Alaris spoke of you, Captain O’Malley, would make any mortal proud… and blush, actually,” she said with another soft chuckle. “We’ve had quite the discussion while we have awaited your arrival. Well, amongst other things, we’ve had quite a lot of fun together.” Alaris offered a wink at that, to which Johnnie quirked an eyebrow.
“Enjoy your time while you can, Captain,” the goddess spoke once again, gesturing to her. “You will be staying in the hall of champions, here in my palace, but there is a portal beyond these walls that will take you to my realm. I am sure that your father awaits. As for your ship and crew, they will be ready to go when you are.”
Johnnie listened, but then pulled Alaris in for another squeeze, having believed her gone when they spent their last moments together on the sinking hull of her ship. She never dreamed that they would be together forever, but it had become a possibility.
“And no need to be jealous, my dear Captain,” the goddess spoke, a sly smirk on her face. “Your time here with me will be sure to be… eventful. Now, go,” the goddess gestured, towards the mighty doors of her chamber, before Johnnie could say anything about the proposition. “Be merry, see old friends, enjoy the delights my realm has to offer.”
She didn’t need to be told twice. “Do I get a nice dress like hers?” she asks, poking at Alaris’ chest with a little smirk, to which Alaris bats her hand away playfully.
“You wear whatever you wish to wear, my Champion,” The goddess spoke. “You have the power.”
It took but a second for Johnnie to be wearing her classic regalia once again, from her captain’s hat, to her father’s coat, to her stompin’ boots, all by her own will. “I… doubt I’ll get used to this.” She turned and bowed to her goddess once more. “A million thank yous, my queen. Your faith in me will be rewarded.”
“I’d say the same, but your faith already has been rewarded,” the goddess said with a teasing chuckle.
Johnnie, without any more hesitation, took Alaris’ hand and scurried towards the aforementioned portal. Her day had started with a peg leg, less than half a crew, and a battered ship held together with scrap wood, fighting hoards of pirates and ne’er do wells and protecting those who couldn’t protect herself. It ended with becoming her god’s newest champion.
Whoever said heavens don’t exist is clearly an idiot.
Time worked differently in the Drowned Queen’s realm, days and nights didn’t exist, and time went as quickly or as slowly as the mermaid god willed it. All Johnnie knew is that the time had come for her to begin her journey back to the land of the living.
It had taken a good while to get used to being essentially dead. She couldn’t feel Alaris’ heart beat as they slept, nor could she feel her own. She hadn’t realised how silent everything was without the constant thump in her chest. Breathing wasn’t even a problem anymore, or more accurately she felt she could ‘breathe’ when there was no air, she could spend days breathing in sea water and feel no different. It wasn’t something she thought she’d miss, but being dead was unprecedented to her. Everything might as well be upside down.
She could still think, feel, and touch, so that would be enough for her. In time she would get used to being, what most might call, an undead abomination.
That ‘morning’, or whatever you called it, had been spent gathering her thoughts and readying herself for command. Sometimes she envied Alaris, who had been left in their chamber in the Hall of Champions, she didn’t even have to speak to get the point across, and she didn’t have to organise the whole crew while Johnnie was around, and it seemed like with her new position she would always be around.
Johnnie stood before a mirror, her outfit morphing to her will as her tattoos, eyes, and scars glowed with undead water magics. She needed something fresh, that would inspire her ghostly crew, but something that would strike fear into anyone who dared cross her. She had been given the Goddess’ blessing to carry on her life as she seemed fit when she isn’t carrying out the Drowned Queen’s will, so a good fight would definitely be on the horizon.
Outfit after outfit swished and swirled over her, but nothing seemed to work for her. She must have spent a good long while deciding, though probably mostly due to her anxiety about getting back to the mortal realm and how it would feel, as a certain sea elf’s arm crawled around her waist and a matching chin rested on her shoulder. Johnnie leaned into her lover’s embrace and sighed. “Mornin’,” she said in a soft tone, which was rather unlike the usually rambunctious, loud pirate queen.
Alaris fixed her with a gaze that seemed to understand the situation. Johnnie switched through a few more outfits for her sake before she landed on her normal long coat, hat, blouse, and trousers, a look that was well known in the old world. Alaris gave her a squeeze and pointed at the mirror. “Bit old, isn’t it?” Johnnie asked, but the elf just shook her head. The outfit was a classic, that’s for sure… perhaps it will be again.
“Fine. You win.” With a little kiss, Johnnie broke free of Alaris’ hold and made for the door. “I’ve heard the ship is ready. Meet you there.”
The halls of the Drowned Queen were quiet, only occupied by her majesty’s servants, who Johnnie had realised were all the exact same man and woman, over and over again. No doubt constructs by the queen herself but… well, she had good taste. Johnnie’s boots clumped against the marble floors as she walked, her confidence building with each stride.
It didn’t take long for her to find the Queen’s realm’s docks, lined with all sorts of boats, no doubt some where for decoration, but some of the nicer ones Johnnie had come to realize here fellow champions’ ships. Some were destined for other realms, ones separate from Johnnie’s so-called reality, while some serviced other parts of the globe in Her name. Hers would be around there somewhere…
“Captain!” a booming voice called out over the busy docks, filled with people doing what people did in docks. Did it matter in the after life? Most of them were likely to be constructs to make the freshly dead souls more comfortable, no doubt. Still, Johnnie didn’t seem to care for those thoughts as her head swivelled, recognising that voice anywhere.
Through the crowd walked a stout man with a massive beard, one who Johnnie knew extremely well. When their eyes met they couldn’t help but embrace, practically breaking each other’s spines in the process, tears welling in their eyes.
“Dranarum, you old bastard,” Johnnie said with glee as she released the man, hands on his shoulders. “Its bloody good to see you, even if you’re as ugly as I remembered!” Her hands squeezed his shoulders as she drank in the sight of him. “Gods above, Hammerfist, I watched you die. I thought that was it.”
“Aye. I’m thankful I cannae say the same,” the old dwarf pirate replied, grinning from ear to ear, which pulled his beard even further up his face. “And they’re no’ above anymore, lass. From what I’ve been told, we’re t’ be among em.” He gave her arm a swift but friendly slap before clasping her tight with pure joy. “I dunno how you did it, but y’ got us all here. Me family, the crew, everyone who perished back home, they’re all here. Even yer father, who I thought I’d never see again.”
Johnnie’s expression softened, her silent heart warmed by her best friend’s tales. “I’m glad yer all together, Dran, and I’ve seen dad. I’m surprised you mate it here, I thought I’d be goin’ to the mountain halls.”
The dwarf shrugged with a cheeky smirk. “My heart belonged to the sea before it belonged to the mountain, lass, y’know that. Besides, the queen has assured me I can visit ‘em in time.” He gestured to the side before walking along, beckoning her to follow. “I could get used t’ this whole spirit thing, Captain. Immortality too.”
The docks were effortless to navigate for the pair, everyone just seemed to move aside fluidly, as if they knew they were coming but didn’t acknowledge it. “I know what you mean,” Johnnie said with a small smile. “Still gettin’ used to it, but I doubt we’ll have time to think about it soo-”
She was cut off by the crowd parting, giving her a grand view of her ship. The Sea Drake, basked in its ghostly glow, not unlike herself, Alaris, and now Dranarum, still battle ravished but just as majestic as she always had. It was enough to make a grown pirate cry.
“She’s seen better days,” Dran mused, scratching his beard. “But its just the outside. The way I figured it, whoever organises the champions kept it that way, bit… scarier for the people we’re lookin’ t’ bother, eh?” he asked, looking up at Johnnie. “The inside is nicer than its ever been, trust me. The crew is happy at least.”
“Keep it like this,” Johnnie confirmed. “Its only right, makes the stories of our last stand real.”
“Aye ma’am, as you wish,” the dwarf said, bowing his head. “I’ve to get aboard, we’ll catch up later.” With that, the dwarf scrambled up onto the deck, leaving Johnnie alone on the dock, admiring her ship, the ship that would stand eternal. She walked up and down the length of it, admiring her as if it was the first ship she’d ever have, from the glass of the captain’s quarters to the now living dragon figurehead, which she figured she shouldn’t be overly surprised about. What was surprising, however, was that the dragon seemed loyal. She certainly wasn’t about to complain about it.
It wasn’t long before she found herself on deck, surrounded by the cheering mass of her crew, greeting them individually as if she’d just met friends that she hadn’t seen in decades. Each of their faces were just as she remembered, even if they were just spirits now, even those that died in the early days of the end times. Memories flooded back to her as she spoke with them, sharing stories of the time after their death, reminiscing about good times, and laughing at jokes they had told a million times before but with the joy in their hearts seemed all the funnier.
“Alright you lot!” Johnnie finally cried out, climbing atop the capstan and addressing her crew. “The world we once knew is over, there’s no doubting that, but thanks to all of you our names will live on in the stories told of your heroism.” There was a cheer amongst the crew. “You all earned your place here in paradise through your blood, sweat and tears. You’ve earned the constant ale, meat, and titties your hearts could ever handle, and then some!” Another roar of approval. “I have more pride in each of you than I could ever hope to have had, each of you stood by my side till the bitter end to make sure our friends, our legacy, and our Island can live on!”
“But I’ve been given a mission,” the captain continues. “Our acts pleased the Drowned Queen, so much so that she has named me champion-”
“Champion!” the crew roared, followed by hoots and hollers, cutting the captain off.
Johnnie laughed and held out her hand for quiet, which took a good while. “That means its my job to carry out Her will in the mortal world.” She holds out her hands again to stop anyone from cheering. “I’ve accepted, but from what we’ve been through together, I cannot order you to follow me blindly back to the mortal realms. You’ve all earned an afterlife, to grow fat and happy here in paradise. All I can do is ask you to join m-”
She’s cut off once again by a tremendous roar, bringing tears to her eyes.
She lets the crew die down once more. “If you want to stay here in paradise, I will not stop you, in fact I would encourage it. No man here will ever be judged for accepting their eternal rest. You are not betraying your fellow man, nor will anyone on this crew feel that way.” She looks out over the crowd to see if anyone reacts, but nobody moved.
“I’ll take that silence as you’re all coming with me to kick some ass in the name of the Drowned Queen!” Johnnie yelled, and is quickly met with the cheer of every man and woman on the deck. “Who here will follow me into the mortal realms once more to wreak havok on the deserving!” Another cheer.
“Long live the queen!” One crew member cheers, followed by another, and another, until the crew begins chanting.
“I think that’s a yes,” the quartermaster dwarf calls up to his captain, grinning once more.
Johnnie looked out over the crowd once more and pulled out her cutlass. “Then what are we waiting for, you scurvy ridden dogs?!” she called out. “Raise the anchor and pull the sails! Onwards, to the mortal realms!”
The crew roared to life as they each got to their post, pulling the anchor, untethering the ship, and manning the helm with the same vigor and duty they had done in life. Johnnie watched on with pride as her whole crew got to work, including Alaris who had slipped in unnoticed to all but Johnny. Before long, the ship lurched to life, cheered on by the dragon who sat at its front, onwards into the abyss and the portal to the mortal realm.
The Sea Drake is back, and with her, the ghostly crew of the Drowned Queen.
What happened? She remembered signalling the refugee fleet forward into the fleet, while ordering the last of her ships into battle. A wince pulled at her face as she remembered the fierce battle that followed, and her ears filled with the screams of sailors, enemy and allies alike as ship after ship fell before the Sea Drake. Eventually the Drake had found victory, but at what cost? The other Libertalian ships were sunk with all hands, and her own was capsizing, her crew all dead save for her, Alaris, and Hammerfist. Iron Bill was lost when he threw himself overboard to board the enemy ships, sinking three single handedly.
All three sat, dying from their wounds, watching the fires lap at the last remaining ships. After their goodbyes, Hammerfist was the first to succumb to his wounds, half way through a dwarven funeral dirge. With a kiss, Alaris said her final goodbye to her beloved Captain as the last of her life force escaped her through the stump that had once been her leg. Finally, alone and the final member of Johnnie’s fierce crew, the captain slipped beneath the waves.
The cold grip of the ocean wrapped itself around her as she sank, staring up at the shimmering surface of the sea above her. She couldn’t muster the energy to swim, she had nothing left. With her body, heart, and soul broken, she allowed herself to be taken by the sea, a fitting end for the queen of the sea. A certain peace washed over her as she said one final, silent prayer and let herself sink.
Then… then she woke up. But how? Had someone plucked her from the icey depths? She finally cracked an emerald eye open and found herself staring up into an inky black void above. Confused and disoriented, she managed to prop herself up on her elbows and dared to look around. The space around the ship seemed to be an inky black nothingness, and the water below seemed little more than a cyan and aqua green cloud. The deck itself didn’t have any sort of feel to it, and the planks themselves seemed to be an almost transparent blue.
No… she couldn’t be… could she?
She soon stumbled to her feet… no, foot, the other still replaced by what was once the Drake’s capstan handle, still notched with its many kills, but it didn’t hurt. She stumbled once, unable to comprehend the feeling of nothingness below her feet, but with one sure step she righted herself, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She still had everything she had sunk with, minus her hat. Her coat, boot, and cutlass remained on her person.
Cracking open her eyes once more, she peered around the ghostly ship. No crew, no sound, not even a single peep of a shanty. When she looked up at the helm, she came to a dreaded realisation. Standing at the helm was a man, or more accurately a ghost, his messy hair and matching beard flowed outwards as if they were submerged in water, and his buttoned up great coat flared at its base against a non-existent wind. His eyes stared forward, filled with nothing but purpose.
“Hello?” Johnnie called up as she stepped forward. No reply. She climbed the stairs towards the helm, stumbling once or twice before finally standing beside the ghostly figure. “Not overly talkative, are ye?” she asked, but the ghost seemed unamused.
The captain sighed and leaned against the barrier, confused for a moment as she couldn’t feel it, but it soon passed as there shock set in. It took several moments for that feeling, the only one she had, to pass. “Ferryman,” she said, finally able to speak his name. The ghost grunted once, eyes unmoving, the only confirmation he would give. “That makes me dead. Aye, that sounds about right… but my crew aren’t here. Where are they? Where you taking me?” Johnnie asked.
The Ferryman finally moved, fixing his empty gaze on the captain, his eyes glowing a ghostly green. He furrowed his brow for a moment before peering forward. “Beyond,” he said in an echoing voice that Johnnie didn’t so much hear as feel. “But you… the mistress will speak with you.”
“Mistress?” Johnnie asked, quirking an eyebrow. Had she not earned her voyage beyond? Where the deck overflowed with ale and the gold was endless? She was about to protest, when the Ferryman spoke again.
“Time will tell all,” the Ferryman said before smiling, most of his teeth missing inside his ghostly gob. “And you, Captain Joanne O’Malley… you have nothing but time.”
As much as Johnnie wanted to protest, she couldn’t find the strength. She was dead, her crew was gone, and her legacy? Perhaps it was gone, her name, the poor sailors under her command, and everyone before her, all gone. Though, perhaps through some dumb luck, her story would be told by the refugees she had saved from the pirate navy. It would undoubtedly end with ‘and she turned her ship towards the enemy, facing insurmountable odds, and bore down on them like the wrath of the gods’, or something to that effect. A bitter smile crossed her lips… yeah… she could live with that ending.
She spent most of her damned voyage mulling over that fact, and all of her efforts in life, pondering if they had been worth it. It wasn’t a life wasted by any means. She had power, fame, gold, and even love, right to the bitter end. She was adored by her people. Any leader could only hope to have that in death.
Hours passed on the seemingly endless voyage. Was it her punishment to coast into nothingness forever? A sick reward? Her questions were answered before she could ask as a bright blue portal opened before the ghostly ship, throwing the Ferry of the Damned into another land.
Above her, Johnnie saw more stars than she could count, and she finally felt something. It started at the top of her head, pulling at her hair, then passing down through her and out her fingers and toes. A sort of… awkward peace. It felt good, but almost wrong. She finally pulled her eyes from the stars and saw that they stretched to the horizons to the sides of the ship and down into calm waters below. Then she noticed the ship wasn’t on the water, but instead some sort of bridge, lit by massive cauldrons set along ornate pillars that extended from the sides of the bridge. The water that carried them forward was far choppier than that below, and far darker as it didn’t seem to be illuminated by the fire or the stars above. Johnnie scrambled across the deck and stood at the front of the ship, curiosity clutching at her silent, unbeating heart. The ship seemed to be heading to a beautiful, floating island, built from ornate marble. Waterfalls cascaded over the sides, and great towers stood along all sides, illuminating the almost palace like structure at the center. Statues lined the buildings, merfolk, men, beasts, there wasn’t a pattern, not one that Johnnie could figure out.
Before she had time to really ponder it, the ship crossed the bridge and into a circle of water all around the palace, and followed it diligently until it met with a marble dock. “Your stop,” the Ferryman called down, his voice echoing through Johnnie’s ears. “Go. You will not be given a second chance, Captain O’Malley.”
O’Malley didn’t need to be told twice. She wanted to say something profound, something worthy of the history books, but all she could manage was a nod in thanks as she stepped down the ship’s ghostly gangplank and onto the marble below, a surface she actually felt beneath her boot. The gangplank raised behind her and the ship’s tattered sails filled once again, dragging the ship the rest of the way around the palace and back onto the bridge.
Johnnie stood in almost stunned silence as she took in her surroundings. There was no sound other than the gentle lapping of the water against the deck, and no wind to speak of, but she could actually feel, finally. She didn’t feel pain or the grief for her lost crew, friends, and love, but instead she just… felt. It couldn’t be explained, nothing about her situation could be explained.
“Come,” a woman’s voice called from the palace, atop a set of stairs leading inside. “Captain O’Malley.” The woman had gorgeous golden hair that fell over her shoulders, and a pure white toga clung to her form, but it wasn’t her beauty that lured Johnnie in, it was the aura that surrounded her, one of peace and beckoning. Without protest, the captain climbed the stairs with ease, not even limping from her peg leg. It felt nice not worrying about that stupid thing.
At the top of the stairs, she was lead inside and found herself walking down ornate hallways, each one lined with a tiny river that lead to larger pools in the middle of intersections and out into the courtyards beyond. “Where are we?” Johnnie finally asked as they walked.
“You are where you need to be,” the figure spoke, being as vague as Johnnie expected.
“Yes, but where is that?”
“All will be answered,” the figure replied. Yeah, Johnnie expected that, asking was just rolling the dice at that point. Oh well, not like she had anywhere to be.
Finally, the figure stopped at a massive archway, right in the heart of the palace, and gestured Johnnie through. The Captain took but a moment to consider it, before nodding and stepping through.
What she was met with was something she had never thought she’d ever see. Then again, she never thought she’d die, so that day was full of firsts. The room was bigger than any hall or room she had ever been in, far larger than the Dwarven King’s throne room back on Libertalia. The walls stretched up into the very sky, bathed in starlight and decorated by long, flowing banners, each a rich blue and decorated with a white mermaid at the very base. The center of the room was surrounded by clear blue water, opening into coral reefs far below, but the very center of the room is the spot Johnnie couldn’t take her eyes from.
Laying across a large, comfortable looking lounger was a giant, half woman, half fish. The bottom half of her body glistened with scales of gold, silver, and precious gems, each glinting in the sconce light with each movement of her magnificent, beautiful tail that swished lazily across the water.
Her top half was that of beauty, with perfect, smooth skin, the sight of which seemed to warm Johnnie’s soul. Her generous chest was laid bare, bordered by long, flowing, white locks that cascaded from the creature’s head, and finally her face that was a thing of absolute beauty. Johnnie had no words to describe the creature before her, who’s piercing blue eyes seemed to look through Johnnie’s being and into her very core.
“The Drowned Queen…” Johnnie managed to finally choke out. What should she do? Kneel? Drop her cutlass at the goddess’ will? She finally chooses to bow to the patron saint of all sea farers, completely dumb struck.
“The Drowned Queen, the Drowned Goddess…” the being spoke in a voice that sounded like music to Johnnie’s mind, a voice that brought calm across the pirate’s soul. “Both work. Yes, Captain O’Malley, you are not dreaming, nor are you hallucinating. Welcome to my chamber, I welcome you, one queen of the sea to another.” She gestured from her bare chest to Johnnie, welcoming her as if she were an old friend.
One queen to another? Johnnie had never thought of herself as unworthy, but to be called a queen of the sea by a god? Well, that certainly gave her pause for thought. “My queen,” Johnnie begins, part of her hesitating as she had once vowed to never call anyone her queen, but her god definitely got a pass on that one. “I’m humbled by your presence, I… forgive me, I’ve no clue what to say.” For the first time in her life, that was true.
“There is not much to say,” the mermaid said, followed by a soft chuckle. “I can feel what you want to say. First of all, I am flattered, thank you.” That would have brought some red to Johnnie’s face if her heart still beat. “But I did not bring you hear to flatter me, I could get that from any of my subjects. No, instead, I wanted to meet you personally.”
To meet Johnnie personally felt like the grandest honour the Captain had ever felt. To be seeked out by a god herself, absolutely incredible. “I, uh…” Johnnie stammered before standing straight once again. “I guess you can thank the Ferryman for that. Nice… nice fella.”
The goddess chuckled again. “Yes, he’s one of my most dutiful servants. Almost served his time too, then it’ll be on to the next one. Not that he seems to mind.” She queen gestured as she spoke, and even the most basic of hand movements seemed majestic to Johnnie. “Joane, I have many subjects, servants, and worshippers, not unlike yourself,” the goddess continued. “But very few were willing to do what you have done. When the end times came to your realm, I feared nobody would step up. My fears were indeed realised when those who were said to worship me the most turned on those who needed them for leadership and guidance. Instead those souls were betrayed and murdered, sending them to me prematurely.”
“But not you,” she continued. “While the betrayers and heathens sent my subjects to me, you sent them to the locker, where they belong. While I often turn a blind eye to pirates and welcome most in my realm, those betrayers in the end times… they deserved eternal damnation.” Her golden eyes rested on Johnnie’s again. “And you brought that to them. Your command over the Libertalians and your orders for them to do the right thing surprised me. While my champions were otherwise engaged, you stepped up like none other. For that, you have my eternal gratitude, destroying those who betrayed me has put my mind at ease.”
Johnnie stood in stunned silence before clearing her throat. “I… I was doing right by my people. They put their trust in me, I couldn’t just walk away from that.”
“Indeed…” the drowned queen spoke, a smile crossing her beautiful face. “Your crew were brought to me a little while ago, each one passing into my realm as they died, as did the Libertalians who chose to worship me. Your people are safe.” That brought a sense of relief that washed over Johnnie. The souls of those who mattered most to her had been carried into paradise, she couldn’t ask for better. “They sang your praises, my dear.”
Johnnie finally dared to ask something that had been nagging at her since her arrival. “I’m relieved to hear that, but… what about me?” she asked, genuinely curious. “Don’t get me wrong, my queen, I am honoured to be in your very presence…”
“But you want to know what comes next?” the queen asked before leaning forward a little, regarding her subject intently. “Your performance down below, coupled with my need for a new champion, got me thinking, my dear little Johnnie.” She leaned back once more, hands folded over each other as she leaned against her lounger. “You have enough good in your soul, and enough care for your people, that I would offer you something that I do not offer lightly. Your people are now safe with me, but there are subjects yet living down in the mortal realm without protection. I would offer you, Captain O’Malley, the honour of being one of my Champions, an emissary to the mortal realm. I will bestow upon you many blessings and power that you will have never experienced before, use it to protect my subjects, and you will eventually be ascended to godhood alongside me.”
Johnnie’s soul practically split in two at that very offer. To become the champion of a god? To eventually become a god itself?
“Your crew will be returned to you, should they wish to serve in the mortal realm as spirits,” the god continued. “As will your ship. I cannot offer you or your crew mortality, to most they will appear as spirits from the afterlife, as they are. You and a few chosen will be given more freedom and corporeal forms to change as you wish as you complete your mission.”
The Captain stood stock still, in shock.
“You do not have to answer now, my dear, take some time to cons-”
“I accept,” Johnnie finally blurted out, unable to help herself from interrupting a god. “My apologies. I would do anything to have my crew back, my family, they meant everything to me during my time as a mortal,” Johnnie explained. “Eternal paradise will always be here for me, but a chance to serve you and your people as a champion… There is no obvious choice.”
“You always seem to surprise me, Captain O’Malley. You are not unlike your father. He often speaks highly of you and now I know why.” Johnnie hadn’t thought of that, she could see her father again after all these years. “Then it is settled.”
The Goddess slipped from the lounger and into the water with barely a splash. Behind the lounger, the water seemed to rise, with the Drowned Queen rose with the water, sitting atop it like a throne. Her eyes began to glow as her magic began filling the room. “I, the Drowned Queen, the Once Divided, and Ruler of the Oceans, name you, Joanne O’Malley as my champion. Protector of the worthy, and vanquisher of the eternally damned.” That magic washed over Johnnie, filling her with a euphoria more powerful than any drug had ever given her. It felt like her soul was cleansed of any darkness or dirt that clung to it, and then she was filled with raw power, something she could never hope to explain.
Several moments later, Johnnie opened her eyes, having fallen to the ground before the Queen. She felt different, better, stronger… She soon crawled to her feet and looked up at the queen once more, who had again taken her position on the lounger.
“Welcome back,” the queen said with a smirk. “You were out for a little bit there. I love giving that blessing, everyone reacts differently. My last champion’s head exploded three times before he was reformed. When you know that they will become all powerful after, it becomes quite amusing. You’re the first to collapse in a euphoric stupor. In fact, I don’t think I’m wrong to say it was orgasmic.”
Johnnie would have been burning red hot if she could. Normally she’d be the first to admit it, but not to a god. That just felt embarrassing. That feeling of embarrassment went away when she looked over her body, now standing naked before the queen, but more importantly she was changed. Her peg leg was gone, and instead a ghostly leg had appeared where her lost leg had been. Before hand, there had been nothing more than a stump just under her left knee, but now the whole leg had been replaced and it felt… real. Completely real. She also had new tattoos, octopus tentacles had slithered up and down her arms and legs, sprouting from, she assumed, her back.
Finally, looking into the water, she saw that her eyes had a blue ghostly glow to them, as did her scars. She felt like she could do more though, and soon she began slowly phasing between her human form, peg leg and all, then back into a fully ghostly, transparent blue form. “I... “ she began.
“But one of my blessings, Johnnie,” the drowned queen spoke. “You will return to the mortal realm as a spirit, that I cannot change, but you can become corporeal at will. There are many other blessings you are yet to discover, and you will in time.” She gestured behind her and spoke again. “But for now, I want you to enjoy my realm for a little, before you begin your mission. You will be able to come and go, but you will spend most of your time in the mortal realm.”
From behind her walked someone that made Johnnie’s insides quiver. Along the marble, as beautiful as they day they had met, was the sea elf who had stolen her heart while it still beat, Alaris Fontaine. Her tanned skin had lost no colour in death, and her black braided hair was as beautiful as ever. She wore nothing more than a silky white toga as she walked towards her captain. Johnnie sprang forward, meeting her half way and pulling her into a lover’s embrace.
“Ah, to love again,” the goddess spoke, admiring the pair. “The praises Alaris spoke of you, Captain O’Malley, would make any mortal proud… and blush, actually,” she said with another soft chuckle. “We’ve had quite the discussion while we have awaited your arrival. Well, amongst other things, we’ve had quite a lot of fun together.” Alaris offered a wink at that, to which Johnnie quirked an eyebrow.
“Enjoy your time while you can, Captain,” the goddess spoke once again, gesturing to her. “You will be staying in the hall of champions, here in my palace, but there is a portal beyond these walls that will take you to my realm. I am sure that your father awaits. As for your ship and crew, they will be ready to go when you are.”
Johnnie listened, but then pulled Alaris in for another squeeze, having believed her gone when they spent their last moments together on the sinking hull of her ship. She never dreamed that they would be together forever, but it had become a possibility.
“And no need to be jealous, my dear Captain,” the goddess spoke, a sly smirk on her face. “Your time here with me will be sure to be… eventful. Now, go,” the goddess gestured, towards the mighty doors of her chamber, before Johnnie could say anything about the proposition. “Be merry, see old friends, enjoy the delights my realm has to offer.”
She didn’t need to be told twice. “Do I get a nice dress like hers?” she asks, poking at Alaris’ chest with a little smirk, to which Alaris bats her hand away playfully.
“You wear whatever you wish to wear, my Champion,” The goddess spoke. “You have the power.”
It took but a second for Johnnie to be wearing her classic regalia once again, from her captain’s hat, to her father’s coat, to her stompin’ boots, all by her own will. “I… doubt I’ll get used to this.” She turned and bowed to her goddess once more. “A million thank yous, my queen. Your faith in me will be rewarded.”
“I’d say the same, but your faith already has been rewarded,” the goddess said with a teasing chuckle.
Johnnie, without any more hesitation, took Alaris’ hand and scurried towards the aforementioned portal. Her day had started with a peg leg, less than half a crew, and a battered ship held together with scrap wood, fighting hoards of pirates and ne’er do wells and protecting those who couldn’t protect herself. It ended with becoming her god’s newest champion.
Whoever said heavens don’t exist is clearly an idiot.
Time worked differently in the Drowned Queen’s realm, days and nights didn’t exist, and time went as quickly or as slowly as the mermaid god willed it. All Johnnie knew is that the time had come for her to begin her journey back to the land of the living.
It had taken a good while to get used to being essentially dead. She couldn’t feel Alaris’ heart beat as they slept, nor could she feel her own. She hadn’t realised how silent everything was without the constant thump in her chest. Breathing wasn’t even a problem anymore, or more accurately she felt she could ‘breathe’ when there was no air, she could spend days breathing in sea water and feel no different. It wasn’t something she thought she’d miss, but being dead was unprecedented to her. Everything might as well be upside down.
She could still think, feel, and touch, so that would be enough for her. In time she would get used to being, what most might call, an undead abomination.
That ‘morning’, or whatever you called it, had been spent gathering her thoughts and readying herself for command. Sometimes she envied Alaris, who had been left in their chamber in the Hall of Champions, she didn’t even have to speak to get the point across, and she didn’t have to organise the whole crew while Johnnie was around, and it seemed like with her new position she would always be around.
Johnnie stood before a mirror, her outfit morphing to her will as her tattoos, eyes, and scars glowed with undead water magics. She needed something fresh, that would inspire her ghostly crew, but something that would strike fear into anyone who dared cross her. She had been given the Goddess’ blessing to carry on her life as she seemed fit when she isn’t carrying out the Drowned Queen’s will, so a good fight would definitely be on the horizon.
Outfit after outfit swished and swirled over her, but nothing seemed to work for her. She must have spent a good long while deciding, though probably mostly due to her anxiety about getting back to the mortal realm and how it would feel, as a certain sea elf’s arm crawled around her waist and a matching chin rested on her shoulder. Johnnie leaned into her lover’s embrace and sighed. “Mornin’,” she said in a soft tone, which was rather unlike the usually rambunctious, loud pirate queen.
Alaris fixed her with a gaze that seemed to understand the situation. Johnnie switched through a few more outfits for her sake before she landed on her normal long coat, hat, blouse, and trousers, a look that was well known in the old world. Alaris gave her a squeeze and pointed at the mirror. “Bit old, isn’t it?” Johnnie asked, but the elf just shook her head. The outfit was a classic, that’s for sure… perhaps it will be again.
“Fine. You win.” With a little kiss, Johnnie broke free of Alaris’ hold and made for the door. “I’ve heard the ship is ready. Meet you there.”
The halls of the Drowned Queen were quiet, only occupied by her majesty’s servants, who Johnnie had realised were all the exact same man and woman, over and over again. No doubt constructs by the queen herself but… well, she had good taste. Johnnie’s boots clumped against the marble floors as she walked, her confidence building with each stride.
It didn’t take long for her to find the Queen’s realm’s docks, lined with all sorts of boats, no doubt some where for decoration, but some of the nicer ones Johnnie had come to realize here fellow champions’ ships. Some were destined for other realms, ones separate from Johnnie’s so-called reality, while some serviced other parts of the globe in Her name. Hers would be around there somewhere…
“Captain!” a booming voice called out over the busy docks, filled with people doing what people did in docks. Did it matter in the after life? Most of them were likely to be constructs to make the freshly dead souls more comfortable, no doubt. Still, Johnnie didn’t seem to care for those thoughts as her head swivelled, recognising that voice anywhere.
Through the crowd walked a stout man with a massive beard, one who Johnnie knew extremely well. When their eyes met they couldn’t help but embrace, practically breaking each other’s spines in the process, tears welling in their eyes.
“Dranarum, you old bastard,” Johnnie said with glee as she released the man, hands on his shoulders. “Its bloody good to see you, even if you’re as ugly as I remembered!” Her hands squeezed his shoulders as she drank in the sight of him. “Gods above, Hammerfist, I watched you die. I thought that was it.”
“Aye. I’m thankful I cannae say the same,” the old dwarf pirate replied, grinning from ear to ear, which pulled his beard even further up his face. “And they’re no’ above anymore, lass. From what I’ve been told, we’re t’ be among em.” He gave her arm a swift but friendly slap before clasping her tight with pure joy. “I dunno how you did it, but y’ got us all here. Me family, the crew, everyone who perished back home, they’re all here. Even yer father, who I thought I’d never see again.”
Johnnie’s expression softened, her silent heart warmed by her best friend’s tales. “I’m glad yer all together, Dran, and I’ve seen dad. I’m surprised you mate it here, I thought I’d be goin’ to the mountain halls.”
The dwarf shrugged with a cheeky smirk. “My heart belonged to the sea before it belonged to the mountain, lass, y’know that. Besides, the queen has assured me I can visit ‘em in time.” He gestured to the side before walking along, beckoning her to follow. “I could get used t’ this whole spirit thing, Captain. Immortality too.”
The docks were effortless to navigate for the pair, everyone just seemed to move aside fluidly, as if they knew they were coming but didn’t acknowledge it. “I know what you mean,” Johnnie said with a small smile. “Still gettin’ used to it, but I doubt we’ll have time to think about it soo-”
She was cut off by the crowd parting, giving her a grand view of her ship. The Sea Drake, basked in its ghostly glow, not unlike herself, Alaris, and now Dranarum, still battle ravished but just as majestic as she always had. It was enough to make a grown pirate cry.
“She’s seen better days,” Dran mused, scratching his beard. “But its just the outside. The way I figured it, whoever organises the champions kept it that way, bit… scarier for the people we’re lookin’ t’ bother, eh?” he asked, looking up at Johnnie. “The inside is nicer than its ever been, trust me. The crew is happy at least.”
“Keep it like this,” Johnnie confirmed. “Its only right, makes the stories of our last stand real.”
“Aye ma’am, as you wish,” the dwarf said, bowing his head. “I’ve to get aboard, we’ll catch up later.” With that, the dwarf scrambled up onto the deck, leaving Johnnie alone on the dock, admiring her ship, the ship that would stand eternal. She walked up and down the length of it, admiring her as if it was the first ship she’d ever have, from the glass of the captain’s quarters to the now living dragon figurehead, which she figured she shouldn’t be overly surprised about. What was surprising, however, was that the dragon seemed loyal. She certainly wasn’t about to complain about it.
It wasn’t long before she found herself on deck, surrounded by the cheering mass of her crew, greeting them individually as if she’d just met friends that she hadn’t seen in decades. Each of their faces were just as she remembered, even if they were just spirits now, even those that died in the early days of the end times. Memories flooded back to her as she spoke with them, sharing stories of the time after their death, reminiscing about good times, and laughing at jokes they had told a million times before but with the joy in their hearts seemed all the funnier.
“Alright you lot!” Johnnie finally cried out, climbing atop the capstan and addressing her crew. “The world we once knew is over, there’s no doubting that, but thanks to all of you our names will live on in the stories told of your heroism.” There was a cheer amongst the crew. “You all earned your place here in paradise through your blood, sweat and tears. You’ve earned the constant ale, meat, and titties your hearts could ever handle, and then some!” Another roar of approval. “I have more pride in each of you than I could ever hope to have had, each of you stood by my side till the bitter end to make sure our friends, our legacy, and our Island can live on!”
“But I’ve been given a mission,” the captain continues. “Our acts pleased the Drowned Queen, so much so that she has named me champion-”
“Champion!” the crew roared, followed by hoots and hollers, cutting the captain off.
Johnnie laughed and held out her hand for quiet, which took a good while. “That means its my job to carry out Her will in the mortal world.” She holds out her hands again to stop anyone from cheering. “I’ve accepted, but from what we’ve been through together, I cannot order you to follow me blindly back to the mortal realms. You’ve all earned an afterlife, to grow fat and happy here in paradise. All I can do is ask you to join m-”
She’s cut off once again by a tremendous roar, bringing tears to her eyes.
She lets the crew die down once more. “If you want to stay here in paradise, I will not stop you, in fact I would encourage it. No man here will ever be judged for accepting their eternal rest. You are not betraying your fellow man, nor will anyone on this crew feel that way.” She looks out over the crowd to see if anyone reacts, but nobody moved.
“I’ll take that silence as you’re all coming with me to kick some ass in the name of the Drowned Queen!” Johnnie yelled, and is quickly met with the cheer of every man and woman on the deck. “Who here will follow me into the mortal realms once more to wreak havok on the deserving!” Another cheer.
“Long live the queen!” One crew member cheers, followed by another, and another, until the crew begins chanting.
“I think that’s a yes,” the quartermaster dwarf calls up to his captain, grinning once more.
Johnnie looked out over the crowd once more and pulled out her cutlass. “Then what are we waiting for, you scurvy ridden dogs?!” she called out. “Raise the anchor and pull the sails! Onwards, to the mortal realms!”
The crew roared to life as they each got to their post, pulling the anchor, untethering the ship, and manning the helm with the same vigor and duty they had done in life. Johnnie watched on with pride as her whole crew got to work, including Alaris who had slipped in unnoticed to all but Johnny. Before long, the ship lurched to life, cheered on by the dragon who sat at its front, onwards into the abyss and the portal to the mortal realm.
The Sea Drake is back, and with her, the ghostly crew of the Drowned Queen.