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Chapter 310: The Birth of the Raven Fleet
Chapter 310: The Birth of the Raven Fleet
Seraphis led the group of former pirates through the bustling docks of their newly assigned home—Raven Island. The scent of the salty sea mixed with the fresh, unblemished wood of the newly built port town. The docked ships creaked gently against the waves, and the cries of distant seabirds filled the air. The once wary sailors followed behind her, their steps hesitant but filled with curiosity.
She walked with an air of authority, her white hair fluttering in the ocean breeze, her presence commanding yet strangely comforting. The leader of the pirates, a rugged man named Darius Blacktide, walked beside her, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of the town. His crew, a mix of grizzled veterans and younger men who had known nothing but the life of an outlaw, whispered amongst themselves, eyeing their surroundings warily.
“This is your home now,” Seraphis stated, gesturing toward the town. “You are no longer outcasts. No longer pirates. You are the first members of Raven Island’s Coastal Fleet.”
Darius crossed his arms, skeptical. “A town with no people isn’t much of a town,” he remarked.
Seraphis smirked. “Not for long. You are the foundation of something greater.”
She led them through the town, pointing out the various locations that had been built in preparation for new settlers—the shipyard, where vessels could be repaired and upgraded, the fishery, where they would process their exotic catches, and the market district, which stood empty for now but would soon be filled with traders from distant lands.
Finally, she stopped before a small castle that sat upon the cliffs overlooking the sea. The structure was built from black stone, giving it a regal yet imposing appearance. The white raven sigil adorned its banners, fluttering proudly in the ocean breeze.
“This,” Seraphis announced, “will be your headquarters.”
The men murmured amongst themselves, looking at the castle with a mixture of admiration and uncertainty. A pirate crew living in a castle? The idea was almost laughable.
Darius raised an eyebrow. “A bit much for a bunch of ex-pirates, don’t you think?”
Seraphis turned to him with an amused smile. “Not pirates. Ravens.”
She led them inside, where the grand hall had been transformed into a war room. A large wooden table stood at the center, maps of the surrounding seas carefully laid out, detailing trade routes, potential threats, and unexplored territories.
At the far end of the room stood rows of uniforms, neatly arranged. Each one bore the emblem of the White Raven, stitched in silver thread over a dark navy-blue coat. The attire was sleek yet practical, designed for both combat and seafaring.
Seraphis turned to face them. “From this moment forward, you are the first Ravens of the Sea. This uniform is a symbol of your new identity.”
She stepped forward and personally handed Darius his coat. He took it, running his fingers over the emblem. He glanced at his men, who watched in silence, waiting for his response.
With a deep breath, he shrugged the coat on. It fit perfectly.
His crew followed suit, donning their new uniforms, exchanging looks of uncertainty and excitement. It was the first time in a long time they had been given a purpose rather than being branded criminals.
Seraphis then motioned for Darius to follow her into a private office at the back of the castle. A large window overlooked the sea, the sun casting golden hues across the waves. She sat on a black wooden chair behind an ornate desk, her piercing white eyes meeting his gaze.
“I have something important to discuss with you,” she said.
Darius took a seat, leaning back. “Go on.”
Seraphis leaned forward slightly, her fingers laced together. “I am appointing you as Commander of the Raven Fleet.”
Darius blinked, caught off guard. “Commander?”
She nodded. “You are the first, but you will not be the last. Your job is to protect the waters of Raven Island. Keep the trade routes safe. Guard the coastline. And in doing so, you will rebuild what was taken from you.”
Darius exhaled slowly, digesting her words. “And what if someone refuses to recognize your authority? What if the old world still sees us as pirates?”
Seraphis smirked. “Then we show them what ravens are capable of.”
She stood, walking over to him, her expression turning serious. “But that is not all. As Commander, I am giving you more than just a title.”
She extended her hand, her palm facing up. A soft glow emitted from it, and in that moment, a vision flashed before his eyes.
He saw a majestic white raven, soaring through endless skies. Around it, flocks of black ravens followed, their wings outstretched, flying as one. It was a symbol of unity, power, and loyalty.
Darius snapped back to reality, staring at Seraphis in awe. “What… was that?”
She gave him a knowing smile. “That was the mark of the Raven.”
Without hesitation, she took a small dagger, slicing a thin line across her palm. A single drop of blood welled up, shimmering with a faint silver hue.
She extended her hand. “Drink.”
Darius hesitated. He had seen blood rituals before, but this… this felt different. There was power in her blood, something ancient and profound.
After a moment, he pressed his lips to her palm, drinking the single drop.
Warmth spread through his veins, coursing through his body like liquid fire. His senses sharpened, his mind felt clearer, and then—
A rush of wind filled the room.
His body shifted. His vision blurred for a split second, and when he regained focus, he was no longer seated in the chair. He was floating.
He looked down.
His hands were gone.
Instead, he had feathers. Black, sleek, and smooth, with a single blue streak running through them. His talons flexed instinctively, his wings beating against the air.
He was a raven.
Shock coursed through him, but then… the feeling changed. He understood.
The wind was not his enemy—it was his ally. He flapped his wings, feeling the air bend to his will. With a single thought, he shifted back into his human form, landing effortlessly on his feet.
He looked at his hands, then back at Seraphis.
She gave him a satisfied nod. “Welcome to the Raven Family.”
Darius let out a slow breath, a smirk creeping onto his lips. “I gotta admit… that’s one hell of a recruitment method.”
Seraphis laughed softly. “And now, you carry the mark of the Raven. With it, you will command the skies and the sea.”
Darius rolled his shoulders, feeling the power thrumming in his veins. He turned back toward the window, looking at the sea beyond the horizon.
For the first time in years, he felt free.
And he would make sure no one ever took that freedom away again.
“Alright,” he said, fastening his coat. “Let’s build a fleet.”
Seraphis smirked. “That’s the spirit.”
Outside, the newly reborn Raven Fleet stood waiting, dressed in their uniforms, their eyes filled with newfound purpose.
Darius stepped out onto the balcony, looking down at them.
“Listen up!” he called. “From this day forward, we are no longer outcasts! No longer pirates! We are the Ravens of the Sea! And we will make sure the world never forgets it!”
The men cheered, raising their fists into the air.
Seraphis watched with satisfaction.
The Raven Kingdom had taken flight.