The enraged water pressed in on Maya from every side. Her ears popped from the pressure as the currents dragged her, along with The Charbrand and its crew, to the depths of the ocean. Her ears popped from the pressure and her lungs screamed for air.

She hugged one of the ship’s rails tightly, desperately hoping that the smooth wood wouldn’t snap off and leave her floating in the middle of the sea. Cyll and Patty both clung to the main mast.

Neither of them was at much of a risk of drowning – Cyll couldn’t die and Patty didn’t need to breath. That didn’t help them from clutching The Charbrand as if their life depended on it. With every groan the sinking ship let out, all three of them clutched it tighter.

The light faded quickly as the ship sank deeper into the depths of the Frontier Ocean. It wasn’t long before Maya couldn’t even see her hands in front of her. She was certain that her face was turning as blue as the dark water surrounding them.

Her lungs were moments from the end of their capacity. Maya’s throat clenched and she squeezed her eyes shut in a vain attempt to hold out just a bit longer. The world spun around her and she finally gave in. She involuntarily drew in a deep gasping breath. Her lungs filled with water and she started to choke.

The immense pressure started to fade as Maya felt her consciousness recede. She felt her lungs burn from the stinging saltwater, but it was dim and distant as a gentle warmth started to surround her.

Then The Charbrand fell. The water ripped away from them, spitting the ship out like an unwanted meal. They only flew for a few moments before they crashed against dry land. Cyll and Patty rushed to their captain’s side.

Cyll thrust his shoulder into Maya’s stomach. Water exploded from the captain’s lungs and she drew a desperate raspy breath. It was the greatest breath that she’d ever taken. Cyll slammed into her again, expelling more water from the young woman’s mouth. Maya rolled over, groaning.

“I’m okay!” She wheezed, laying on her back with her eyes squeezed shut. “I’m okay. Thank you, Cyll.”

It took several minutes before she could bring herself to stand again. Cyll was no longer there, so Patty helped Maya back to her feet. The young captain took her first look around where they had landed.

The Charbrand was ruined. The once sleek ship had been torn to shreds within the whirlpool. Cloth from what had once been the sails was draped over the wheel, soaking wet. The mast itself was gone and the railing was smashed to smithereens.

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Cyll hopped onto the deck, Maya’s hat in his hand. It had been torn slightly from their trip, but given the circumstances, it was in miraculously good condition. The immortal pirate put the hat back on Maya’s head and gave her a nod.

“There. I’ll give it to you, I really didn’t think the Broker was telling the truth,” Cyll said.

“And you followed me to what you thought would be a watery grave anyways?” Maya incredulously asked.

“You’re the Cap,” Cyll replied with a shrug. “Back when I was on a ship, my old captain would have had my tongue if I’d disagreed with his orders.”

“Well, you aren’t on that ship anymore,” Maya replied. “I’m incredibly thankful for your and Patty’s support. I never would have gotten anywhere without the two of you. But I’d rather be an embarrassed captain than a dead one. I give you my full permission to call me an idiot instead of letting us sail to our demise.”

“Understood. Thank you, Cap,” Cyll said. He paused for a few moments. “You’re an idiot.”

“Thank you,” Maya said dryly. She couldn’t hide the tinge of hysterical amusement that flavored her tone.

She glanced up and swallowed nervously. The sky above them – if it could be called that – was a dome of churning water. It was about fifty feet up, suspended in the air magically. The ocean was so dark that it almost looked like the night sky.

The Charbrand was surrounded by dozens of other shipwrecks. Dim green torches flickered precariously upon several of the ruined ships as well as the land surrounding them. A short walk from where they had landed, a large slant appeared in the grey stone that led deeper into the earth.

“Someone put those there,” Patty observed, staring at one of the torches.

“Yeah. We aren’t alone here,” Cyll agreed. “I think I figured out where your Life-spark replacement is, Maya. We’re in the entrance to a dungeon.”

Maya swallowed. She wasn’t the most well versed in dungeons, and she could count the number of dungeons she’d been in on one hand. The young woman had never seen a dungeon like this.

“Do you think the whirlpool –” Maya started.

“Was caused by this dungeon? Yes, I think so. That…thing above us isn’t natural. And my answer to your next question is no. I’ve never seen a dungeon try this damn hard to kill people before they even got inside it,” Cyll said.

“I just liked playing with people that visited me,” Patty put in helpfully. “Maybe this boss monster never got taught how you’re supposed to run a dungeon.”

“I think the one that never got taught was you,” Cyll muttered under his breath.

Maya took her hat off and shook her hair out. She squeezed the saltwater out of it and wrung her clothes out.

“How many of our supplies survived the trip?” She asked.

“Not much. The hard tack is history. The meat and cheese seem to be okay, if you don’t mind a little extra salt. As for our clothes, they miraculously all made it. Smell like salt though,” Cyll said, wrinkling his nose.

Maya nodded, still recovering from the violent journey they’d taken. After a few minutes, she sighed and pulled her hair back behind her head. She returned the hat to its proper position and cracked her knuckles.

“Right then. We don’t have much time to waste, so let’s get moving. We need to figure out what my replacement Life-spark is, grab it, and then figure out how to escape this death trap,” Maya said.