The Queen Anne's Revenge groaned deeply as Blackbeard stood tall on its deck, the storm winds whipping through his coat and beard. Across the churning waves, the Empire’s armada advanced like an iron tide, their red banners stark against the gray sky. At the heart of their formation loomed the HMS Vector, cutting through the water like a beast, its cannons gleaming with cold malice.

The pirate crew gathered, fear and determination etched on their faces. Bones, the quartermaster, stepped forward, his voice barely audible over the howling wind. “Cap’n… they’re too many. We can’t win this.”

Blackbeard turned slowly, his gaze sweeping over the men and women who had entrusted their lives to him. “Can’t win?” he repeated, his voice low, simmering with disdain. He strode forward, each step deliberate, until he stood at the center of the deck.

“Tell me, lads—when have we ever fought battles we could win?” His voice rose, cutting through the storm like a blade. “When have we ever stood against an enemy that wasn’t stronger, richer, better armed? Yet here we are! Standing!” He slammed his fist against the mast, the sound echoing like a war drum.

“They call us criminals, thieves, savages. But what are they? A machine of greed, grinding the world beneath their boots, choking the seas with chains!” Blackbeard pointed toward the approaching fleet, his voice thunderous. “That’s what stands before us—not men, but cowards hiding behind iron walls! They fight for a crown. We fight for freedom! For the right to live, to sail, to breathe free air!”

The crew roared, but Blackbeard wasn’t finished.

“Look at them!” He gestured to the approaching armada. “An endless wave of power. Death, they think. But the sea is our home, and no man, no king, no empire can take it from us!” His eyes burned with fury as he raised his sword high.

“We are pirates! We are the storm! And today, we give them the battle of their lives. If death comes, we’ll face it head-on, laughing, for if we fall today, we fall as free men and women. Our spirits will haunt these seas forever!”

The crew erupted into cheers, their fear replaced by fiery resolve. Bones hesitated, doubt shadowing his face. “Cap’n, they’re ships. We can’t fight them.”

Blackbeard’s gaze turned cold, his voice sharp as steel. “We don’t fight ships, Bones. We fight men. And men bleed, no matter how much iron they hide behind.”

His words struck like a challenge, and the crew roared once more, emboldened by their captain’s certainty.

“So fight!” Blackbeard bellowed. “Fight with everything you have! Fight for freedom! Fight for pride! Show them the price of defying the Seven Seas!”

The crew screamed in unison, a chorus of defiance. Blackbeard turned to the horizon, where the Empire’s ships drew closer, their cannons already rumbling. A feral grin split his face.

“Raise the black flag!” he roared. “Let them know who they’re dealing with. We will fight! We will bleed! And we will show the Empire the cost of challenging the storm!”

The Queen Anne's Revenge surged forward, leading the pirate fleet into the maw of the Empire’s might. The first cannonball screamed past, splintering the air as debris flew across the deck. Blackbeard raised his blade one last time.

“Onward, my brothers and sisters! To freedom—or the abyss!”

The Saga Of Seven Seas

It was a quiet night, the ocean unnervingly calm under a canopy of stars. Blackbeard sat on the deck of the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the faint creak of wood and the soft lapping of waves the only sounds accompanying him. He lit his pipe, the smoke curling like restless ghosts into the night air.

“Captain,” a crewman’s voice broke the silence. Blackbeard turned his head slightly, his eyes gleaming in the dim light.

“We’ve reached,” the man said.

Blackbeard stood, his heavy boots thudding against the deck as he made his way to the rail. There, across the tranquil waters, lay The Sovereign Tide. The legendary ship of the Pirate King was a vision of majesty, its sleek, sprawling hull catching the moonlight like a blade. Its sails, once a symbol of defiance, hung motionless in the still night air.

Without a word, Blackbeard descended into the waiting rowboat and made his way to the ship. The silence was deafening, the usual raucous laughter and sea shanties absent.

As he climbed aboard, a grim-faced pirate stepped forward to greet him. “Follow me,” the man said, his voice low.

Blackbeard nodded, his boots clicking softly against the polished deck as he followed. The ship was a masterpiece, its grandeur undeniable, but it felt... somber. The crew moved with quiet efficiency, their eyes downcast, their faces shadowed by an unspoken sorrow.

The man led Blackbeard through the hushed corridors to a door near the stern. Stopping in front of it, the pirate gestured to a seat outside. “Sit here,” he said. “The doctor’s checking the Captain. It’ll be a while.”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Blackbeard raised an eyebrow but complied, lowering himself onto the bench. His eyes flicked to the door, behind which the Pirate King—once the mightiest man of the seas—lay weakened.

For now, Blackbeard waited. The air was heavy with silence, and the sea, calm as it was, seemed to hold its breath.

As Blackbeard sat in silence, the calm ocean stretched out around him, the soft creak of the ship breaking the stillness. A voice, sharp but familiar, broke through the quiet.

“Blackbeard, you vanished for years, and this is where I find you?”

He looked up, his sharp features softening as he recognized the woman before him. Rose stood with her arms crossed, her piercing eyes narrowing in mock frustration. Her hair, dark with hints of chestnut, was tied back in a braid that fell over her shoulder.

He gave her a faint smile. “Rose,” he said simply, his voice low but steady.

She walked over, her boots clicking softly on the deck. Without waiting for an invitation, she sat beside him. “Still the same, aren’t you? Quiet and brooding.”

Blackbeard smirked, leaning back slightly. “And you haven’t changed either. Still storming in and taking charge.”

Her expression softened as she sighed. “The captain is sick.”

Blackbeard’s face grew somber. “That’s what they tell me. The doctors say…” He hesitated, his voice dropping. “They say it’s bad.”

Rose nodded, her gaze falling to the planks beneath her boots. “He’s dying, Blackbeard. They don’t think he has much time left.” Her voice wavered, but she quickly steadied herself.

There was a heavy silence between them before she asked, her tone sharp again, “Where did you go, Blackbeard? You just disappeared. Do you even know how much he missed you?”

Blackbeard ran a hand through his dark hair, his voice heavy with regret. “I needed time, Rose. Time to figure things out. I was tired—tired of the battles, the bloodshed… tired of all of it.”

Her voice softened as she looked at him, her eyes searching his face. “Do you remember when the Empire first attacked?”

He nodded slowly. “How could I forget? It was chaos.”

Rose’s voice grew wistful, her gaze distant. “The seven pirate groups were too busy fighting each other to see the real threat. The Empire crushed them, one by one.”

A faint smile crossed her lips. “And then my father appeared. He tore through their iron ships like they were nothing. The pirates had never seen anything like him. His victories gave them hope when they had none. He united them all under one banner.”

Her smile faded, replaced by sorrow. “And now that same man, the Pirate King, lies in bed, waiting for the end.”

Blackbeard looked at her, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions. “Your father’s still the Pirate King, Rose. And kings don’t go down without a fight.”

Before she could reply, the door to the cabin creaked open.

A crewman stepped out, his face grave. “The Captain is free now,” he said. “You can meet him.”

Blackbeard stood, his broad frame straightening. He gave Rose a brief nod, his face resolute, and turned toward the cabin.

Blackbeard stepped into the dimly lit cabin, his boots echoing softly on the wooden floor. The air smelled faintly of salt and old wood, and a single lantern swayed gently, casting flickering shadows on the walls.

The Pirate King lay propped up on a simple bed, his once imposing frame now weakened, yet his presence still commanded respect. His eyes fluttered open at the sound of footsteps. When he saw Blackbeard, a faint smile crossed his lips, and he tried to sit up.

“Don’t strain yourself, Captain,” Blackbeard said, stepping forward quickly to help him. With a steadying hand, he eased the older man into a sitting position.

The Pirate King nodded in gratitude, gesturing for him to sit. “Sit down, son.”

Blackbeard settled onto the chair beside the bed, his sharp gaze fixed on the man who had once ruled the seas.

“How are you, Blackbeard?” the Captain asked, his voice gravelly but warm.

“I’m fine,” Blackbeard replied, his tone measured.

The Pirate King’s lips curled into a weak smile. “I remember… there was a girl, wasn’t there? You used to talk about her.”

Blackbeard’s lips twitched into a faint smile of his own, but he said nothing.

The Captain chuckled softly, though the effort made him cough. “Let me guess—she told you to leave piracy behind, didn’t she?”

Blackbeard shrugged, his smile fading. “Why did you call me here, Captain?”

The Pirate King’s face grew serious, the weight of his words evident. “The Seven Seas are on the brink of war once again.”

Blackbeard’s brow furrowed. “The pirates are strong now—and united. What’s changed?”

The Pirate King sighed, his gaze distant. “Do you know about the storm?”

Blackbeard’s expression darkened. “Yeah, me and my crew barely survived it. We were stranded on an island when it struck.”

The Captain’s voice dropped, heavy with emotion. “It was unlike any storm I’ve seen in my life, Blackbeard. It was as if nature itself was grieving. That storm destroyed half our fleets and ravaged our islands.”

Blackbeard leaned back, his jaw tightening as the weight of the news settled over him.

The Captain continued, his tone laced with regret. “In my condition, I won’t last long. And when I’m gone, I don’t know if the pirates will stay united.”

Blackbeard met his gaze, his voice firm. “They’re pirates, Captain. Rebellion is in their blood.”

The Pirate King lowered his head, a shadow of despair crossing his face.

“When the war ended two decades ago, the Empire admitted defeat,” he said after a moment, his voice quieter. “They signed the truce—the oceans and islands would belong to us pirates, and in return, we granted their merchants safe passage.”

Blackbeard nodded. “A truce that kept the balance.”

The Captain’s eyes locked onto Blackbeard’s. “But now the Empire sees our weakness. Half our power is gone. I’m on the edge of death. It’s the perfect moment for them to strike.”

Blackbeard’s expression darkened. “Are you saying they’ve already started?”

The Captain’s voice grew grim. “Their navy is on the move. They’re coming, Blackbeard. They’re coming for the seas.”

Blackbeard leaned forward, his voice low. “What do you mean to do, Captain?”

The Pirate King met his gaze, his voice steady despite his weakened state. “I want you to lead the pirates in this war.”

Blackbeard froze for a moment, then shook his head. “Captain...”

“I know you don’t want to fight anymore,” the Pirate King interrupted, his tone resolute. “But if you don’t lead them, Blackbeard, there will be no safe haven left for any of us. The peace we’ve carved out for the pirates will shatter.”

Blackbeard looked down, his expression unreadable. He exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair.

The Captain’s voice softened. “I’ve already spoken with the seven groups. They’re willing to unite—under your banner.”

Blackbeard remained silent for a long moment before nodding. “Fine, Captain. I’ll do it. But once the war is over, I won’t take part in any more of this. I’ll step away again.”

A faint smile crept onto the Captain’s face, his eyes glinting with relief. “Fair enough. But there’s one more thing I need from you.”

Blackbeard glanced at him, his brow furrowing. “What is it, Captain?”

The Pirate King leaned back against the pillows, his expression softening. “I need you to take care of Rose after I’m gone.”

Blackbeard straightened, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Rose doesn’t need anyone’s care. She’s just like you, Captain—stubborn, fearless.”

The Captain chuckled weakly. “Exactly. That’s what worries me.”

Before Blackbeard could respond, the door creaked open, and the ship’s doctor stepped inside. He glanced at Blackbeard, his tone brisk. “You’ll have to leave now. The Captain needs rest.”

Blackbeard rose from his seat, giving the Captain one last look. The Pirate King smiled faintly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you, son.”

With a nod, Blackbeard turned and left the room, the weight of the Captain’s words heavy on his shoulders.

Blackbeard stepped out of the cabin, the night air cooler than before. Rose was sitting on the deck, gazing at the calm ocean. He approached her, his footsteps quiet against the wooden planks.

“Take care of him,” he said softly, his voice carrying both command and concern. Without waiting for a reply, he turned and began walking toward his ship.

Before he could descend the gangplank, Rose stood abruptly, her voice cutting through the night. “So, you’re going to lead us in this war... Captain?”

Blackbeard paused and turned to face her, a sly smile forming on his face. “Get ready, old lady. It’s war.”

Her eyes flared with indignation. “I am not old!” she shouted after him, hands on her hips.

Blackbeard chuckled, the sound deep and amused, as he turned away once more. Standing at the edge of the Sovereign Tide, he raised his hand toward the open ocean and bellowed, “For pride! For freedom!”

The words echoed over the waves, carried by the wind as if to declare war on the horizon itself.