14. Zylpha

14

ZYLPHA

I jolt awake, my eyes snapping open in the darkness of the ship's hold. Something's wrong. The air feels thick, heavy with an eerie stillness that sets my nerves on edge.

Gone are the familiar creaks and groans of the ship, the constant soundtrack of my captivity for the past five years. It's as if the very breath of the vessel has been stolen away, leaving nothing but a suffocating silence.

My ears strain, picking up muffled thumps from above. A strangled cry pierces the silence, abruptly cut short. My heart pounds against my ribs, threatening to burst from my chest. I hold my breath, listening intently, afraid that even the sound of my own breathing might betray me.

More thuds. The clash of metal. Hushed voices. The sounds of violence filter down, each one sending a fresh wave of fear through my body.

My mind races, conjuring up a dozen terrifying scenarios. Is it a rival pirate crew, come to claim the ship and its cargo? Or could it be...

No. I squash that dangerous spark of hope before it can take root. I've learned the hard way that hope is a luxury I can't afford. Hope is what kept me going in the beginning, but it's also what nearly broke me.

I fumble in the darkness, fingers closing around the small dagger I've kept hidden all these years. The metal is cool against my palm, a comforting weight. It's not much, but it's all I have. My lifeline. My one chance at survival if things go south.

A scream echoes from above, closer this time. Footsteps thunder across the deck, a chaotic drumbeat of fear. The attack is moving deeper into the ship, and I know it's only a matter of time before they reach us.

I scan the hold, searching for a place to hide. We're surrounded by crates and barrels, the familiar prison of our daily lives. But now, they might be our salvation. My eyes dart from one potential hiding spot to another, weighing my options. I need to move, and fast. Whatever's happening up there, I refuse to be a sitting target when it reaches me.

I move swiftly and silently through the dim hold, my heart pounding in my ears. Years of captivity have honed my senses, made me acutely aware of every shadow and sound. I reach the corner where Kaelox sleeps, curled up on a pile of old sacks.

"Kaelox," I whisper, gently shaking him awake. "We need to go, baby. Now."

His mismatched eyes blink open, confusion quickly replaced by alertness. At five years old, he's learned to wake quietly, to sense danger. I scoop him up, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"Remember what we practiced?" I murmur, reaching for the escape bag I've kept hidden and ready for years.

He nods, his little face serious. "Be quiet as a shadow, quick as the wind."

"That's my brave boy."

With practiced movements, I secure Kaelox to my back using a sling fashioned from old cloth. His arms wrap around my neck, his breath warm against my skin. The familiar weight of him settles, and I allow myself a moment of fierce love before focusing on our escape.

I sling the bag over my shoulder, its contents a carefully curated lifeline – dried food, a waterskin, a crude map I've pieced together from overheard conversations. My fingers close around the hilt of my hidden dagger, its presence reassuring.

"Hold on tight," I whisper to Kaelox. "Whatever happens, don't let go."

I feel his nod against my back as I creep towards the hold's entrance. The sounds of fighting grow louder, punctuated by screams and the clash of steel. My hand trembles slightly as I reach for the door, but I steel myself. This might be our only chance at freedom, and I'll be damned if I let fear hold us back now.

I press my back against the damp wooden wall, my heart hammering in my chest. The narrow passageway stretches before me, a gauntlet of shadows and danger. Kaelox's warmth against my back anchors me, reminding me of everything at stake.

A crash echoes from above, followed by panicked shouts. I flinch, my grip tightening on the dagger. The ship groans, timbers creaking under the strain of the battle raging overhead.

"Mama?" Kaelox's whisper is barely audible.

"Shh, baby," I breathe, squeezing his hand. "Remember, quiet as a shadow."

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. Then, with practiced stealth, I begin to move. My bare feet make no sound on the worn planks. Years of captivity have taught me every creaky board, every loose nail. I avoid them instinctively, gliding through the darkness like a ghost, my heart pounding in my chest with each careful step.

The passageway curves, leading towards the stairs to the upper deck. Frantic footsteps thunder past, and I press myself into an alcove, holding my breath. Two crew members race by, terror etched on their faces. They don't even glance our way. I can smell their fear, acrid and sharp, as they rush past our hiding spot.

As I near the stairs, the sounds of combat grow louder. The clash of steel, grunts of exertion, and cries of pain form a cacophony of violence.

But beneath it all, I hear something that makes my blood run cold – a deep, guttural roar that shakes the very timbers of the ship. The sound reverberates through my bones, sending shivers down my spine.

I freeze, my mind reeling. That sound... I know that voice. It's haunted my dreams for five long years. It's the voice I've longed to hear again, even as I feared I never would.

My fingers tighten around Kaelox's hand, torn between hope and terror. Could it really be him? After all this time?

Volezimir.

My legs tremble, threatening to give out. I lean against the wall, struggling to breathe. He's here. He's actually here.

Another roar splits the air, closer this time. The sound galvanizes me, pushing aside my shock. I have to reach him. Now.

With renewed determination, I start up the stairs. Each step brings us closer to freedom, closer to him. The noise grows deafening as I near the top. I pause just below the hatch, listening intently.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what lies beyond. With trembling fingers, I push open the hatch, emerging onto the deck.

The scene that greets me is pure chaos. The night air is thick with the metallic stench of blood and the acrid smell of smoke. Bodies litter the deck, some still, others writhing in agony. The wooden planks beneath my feet are slick with blood and seawater.

My eyes dart frantically, trying to make sense of the mayhem. Volezimir's crew clashes with the minotaur's men, their weapons flashing in the moonlight. The air crackles with magic, dark tendrils of shadow weaving through the fray.

And there, in the eye of this storm, is Volezimir.

My breath catches in my throat as I see him. He's even more imposing than I remember, his massive frame radiating raw power. His violet hair whips wildly in the sea breeze, and his golden eyes burn with an otherworldly intensity. He's locked in fierce combat with the minotaur Captain, their massive forms grappling in a deadly dance.

My heart pounds against my ribcage, a mix of fear and something else I can't quite name. Volezimir moves with a grace that belies his size, each strike precise and devastating.

The minotaur Captain, formidable in his own right, struggles to match my demon's ferocity. I can't tear my eyes away from the spectacle, even as the chaos of battle rages around me. The clash of steel on steel rings out, punctuated by grunts of exertion and cries of pain. The deck beneath my feet trembles with each thunderous impact of their titanic struggle.

Volezimir's fists are wreathed in shadows, each blow leaving trails of darkness in its wake. The minotaur Captain bellows in pain and rage, his massive axe swinging in wide, devastating arcs. And I hate how he won't back down.

My heart pounds so hard I fear it might burst from my chest. Five years of longing, of hoping against hope, and here he is. So close, yet still beyond my reach.

I can't tear my eyes away from Volezimir's powerful form, his every movement a reminder of the strength and protection I've missed for so long. My fingers itch to touch him, to make sure he's real and not just another cruel dream taunting me in the depths of night.

Without thinking, I call out to him, my voice carrying over the din of battle. "Volezimir!"

He turns, his golden eyes widening as they lock onto mine. I see the shock ripple across his face, his expression shifting from fierce determination to utter disbelief. His gaze moves from me to Kaelox, clinging to my back, and I watch as understanding dawns in his eyes.

For a moment, the world seems to stand still. The sounds of battle fade away, and all I can see is Volezimir. The love and longing I've carried all these years threatens to overwhelm me.

My legs tremble beneath me, threatening to give out, and only Kaelox's weight keeps me up right. He's here. He's really here. He came after me.

He saved me.