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Chapter 309: The Birth of the Raven Fleet
Chapter 309: The Birth of the Raven Fleet
Taking Flight
Seraphis stepped out of the Assassin’s Guild, feeling the cool night air brush against her skin. The weight of leadership had finally been lifted from her shoulders—at least for now. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, then took a deep breath and let the transformation take hold.
Her form shimmered, her body dissolving into wisps of white light before reforming into the majestic shape of a White Raven. Her wings, vast and covered in silken feathers, unfurled as she ascended into the night sky.
She soared high above the guild, the landscape stretching before her in endless darkness, punctuated only by the occasional flicker of torches below. The journey to the siege would take three days by carriage, but in this form, she could reach it in a single day.
With a powerful beat of her wings, she shot forward, the world blurring beneath her as she cut through the wind.
The Hunt for Pirates
As the sun began to rise, Seraphis neared the coastline, her sharp eyes scanning the waters below. The sea stretched endlessly in all directions, its deep blue surface rippling beneath the morning light.
She had come here with a purpose. The waters were plagued with pirates—men who had been driven to lawlessness, either by desperation or greed. And she needed them.
After an hour of searching, she spotted a large ship drifting near a small, rocky island. Even from this height, she could see the telltale signs of piracy—ragged black sails, mismatched planks patching the hull, and figures moving about the deck with weapons strapped to their belts.
Seraphis folded her wings and dove.
An Unexpected Meeting
As she descended, the pirates below noticed the large white raven hurtling toward them. They shouted in alarm, reaching for their weapons. But before they could react further, Seraphis shifted mid-air.
Her body twisted and morphed, her raven form dissolving into light before she landed gracefully on the deck in her Elven form—long white hair flowing down her back, sharp silver eyes locking onto the crew before her.
For a moment, there was only silence. Then, steel hissed as the pirates drew their swords.
Seraphis raised a hand. “Hold it.”
Her voice, calm yet commanding, cut through the tension.
“I’m not here to fight. I want to speak to your captain.”
The pirates exchanged glances before a gruff voice called out from the upper deck.
“And what does an elf want with me?”
A broad-shouldered man with dark stubble and a red bandana stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his cutlass. His deep-set eyes narrowed as he studied her.
Seraphis met his gaze without hesitation. “I have an offer for you.”
The captain let out a low chuckle. “An offer, huh? What, are you here to arrest us?”
She smirked. “No. I’m here to offer you a chance at something better.”
A Tale of Misfortune
The captain crossed his arms. “Better, huh? And why should we trust you?”
Seraphis tilted her head slightly. “Tell me first—why did you choose this life?”
The man hesitated for a moment, then sighed. “We didn’t choose it.”
He gestured to his crew, a mix of hardened men and younger sailors. “We used to be simple fishermen. Honest work, feeding our families. But then the nobles started taxing the waters, claiming territories that had belonged to our ancestors for generations. We lost our boats, our homes, and eventually… our livelihoods.”
His expression darkened. “With nothing left, we turned to the only thing that kept us alive—taking from those who had taken from us.”
Seraphis listened carefully, her expression unreadable. When he finished, she finally spoke.
“I see. In that case, I have an opportunity for you.”
An Offer of Redemption
The captain raised a brow. “And what’s that?”
“I’m building a new kingdom—Raven Island. And I need people like you.”
The crew muttered amongst themselves, but Seraphis continued.
“You’ll have two jobs. One—coast guards. You’ll protect the waters from real threats. Two—you’ll return to what you once were—fishermen. And not just for any fish. You’ll catch creatures no one has ever seen before.”
The captain eyed her skeptically. “And what do we get in return?”
“A stable home. A proper wage. A thousand silvers a month, just for guarding the coast and fishing. And however much you sell the fish for.”
She stepped forward, locking eyes with him. “I can prove it to you.”
A Glimpse of the Future
Seraphis raised a hand, drawing a portal in the air.
A shimmering rift expanded, growing large enough to encompass their entire ship. The pirates gasped, stumbling back as their vessel was pulled forward through the glowing gateway.
The next moment, they emerged into a new world.
Welcome to Raven Island
The sea was vast—far larger than the one they had come from. The air was crisp, untouched by pollution or war. And a hundred feet away, an island loomed.
Its tall walls stood strong, surrounding a city with a large port town at its center. The gates creaked open, revealing empty streets and pristine buildings.
Seraphis spread her arms. “Welcome to Raven Island. Or should I say—the Raven Kingdom.”
The pirates docked at the harbor, stepping onto the stone pier. The captain frowned. “It’s empty.”
Seraphis nodded. “I just built the place. You are its first inhabitants.”
The Taste of the Unknown
Before they could protest, Seraphis snapped her fingers. A large table appeared before them, covered in strange, glowing fish.
The crew gasped as she introduced them.
Moonlit Koi
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A shimmering fish with translucent fins.
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Its meat dissolves in the mouth, boosting mana regeneration.
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Eating it under a full moon enhances magical awareness.
Abyssal Lanternfish
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A deep-sea fish that glows even after being cooked.
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Rich in umami, used in Glowfish Stew.
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Grants temporary night vision and enhances dark magic affinity.
The pirates stared in awe.
The captain ran a hand over his beard. “I’ve… never seen fish like this before.”
Seraphis smiled. “So? Are you on board?”
The Rules of the Kingdom
The captain exhaled. “Alright. But what are the rules?”
Seraphis’s expression hardened. “Simple.”
1. No discrimination.
2. Loyalty is expected.
3. Betrayal will be met with one punishment— death by arrows.
The air grew tense, but Seraphis continued. “You will be the coast guard. If you betray this kingdom, there will be consequences.”
She met each pirate’s gaze, her silver eyes cold.
The captain gave a slow nod. “Understood.”
Seraphis’s smirk returned. “Good. Then welcome to the Raven Kingdom.”