novelblue
The deck of the Bloodsail Warship was eerily silent as Seraphis lifted her hand, a pulse of magic rippling through the air. The very fabric of reality shimmered, and within seconds, a portal of swirling mist and darkness erupted before them. The ocean reflected the ethereal glow of the gateway, casting an almost ghostly ambiance over the crew.
Vance raised an eyebrow, stepping forward cautiously. “Haven’t seen one of these before.”
Seraphis smirked. “Then you haven’t lived long enough.”
With that, she stepped through.
Vance hesitated only for a moment, then, with a deep breath, walked into the portal. His men followed, their voices hushed with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty.
The sensation was like falling and flying at the same time—the weightlessness of the ocean sky pulling at them, then suddenly vanishing.
Then—solid ground.
Arrival at the Raven Island
As the mist cleared, the scent of salt and damp earth filled the air. The ocean before them stretched endlessly, reflecting the glow of a half-moon. But it wasn’t the sea that caught Vance’s attention.
It was the island.
It was vast, untouched, with towering cliffs and thick forests in the distance. The docks were pristine and newly built, yet completely devoid of life. There were no traders, no civilians, no bustling activity—just silence.
Vance turned to Seraphis. “Not exactly the warmest welcome.”
She chuckled. “Because it was only just built. This island isn’t a kingdom yet—but it will be.”
Vance’s sharp eyes scanned the terrain, lingering on the only other structure in sight—a fortress nestled in the cliffs. But something about it felt familiar.
Then—he saw him.
A man stood at the entrance of the fortress, arms crossed, an amused smirk playing at his lips. Long black coat, piercing amber eyes, and an aura of confidence that was impossible to ignore.
Vance’s expression hardened. “No way.”
The man chuckled. “It’s been a while, Vance.”
Draven.
The two men locked eyes, tension thick in the air. They had fought together once—long ago—but their paths had diverged.
Draven’s smirk deepened. “Still alive, huh?”
Vance exhaled sharply. “Wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
Seraphis stepped between them, arms crossed. “No fighting. You’re on the same side now.”
Draven scoffed. “I never said we were fighting.”
Vance shook his head, but he couldn’t help but grin. “Damn, it’s good to see you.”
Draven clapped him on the shoulder. “Welcome to the Raven Fleet.”
Seraphis cleared her throat, cutting through the moment. “Come with me. There’s something else I need to show you.”
The Teleportation Circle
They walked through the fortress halls, the sound of their boots echoing against the stone walls. Soon, they entered a large, open chamber. The centerpiece of the room was a massive glowing circle etched into the ground, pulsating with ancient runes.
Seraphis gestured toward it. “Step inside.”
Vance and Draven exchanged glances, then stepped into the circle.
A flash of light—and suddenly, the world shifted.
The Cliffside Base
When their vision cleared, they were somewhere else entirely.
A new beach, pristine and untouched. The dock was smaller, but fortified, built against the cliffside, where a compact yet sturdy castle sat atop a rocky outcrop, overlooking the vast ocean.
Vance turned in a slow circle, taking in the fortress, the dock, and the towering walls that surrounded the area. “Not bad.”
Seraphis nodded. “This is your base of operations.”
Vance whistled. “I gotta admit, I wasn’t expecting this. How do we get back?”
Seraphis smirked. “The teleportation circle is only for commanders. Step into the runes, and you’ll be taken back to the other port.”
Vance studied the castle, his mind already running through battle strategies. “And what about security? These walls look impenetrable, but no fortress is perfect.”
Seraphis’s eyes gleamed. “Good question.”
She lifted her hand, and a shimmering artifact appeared—a small, raven-shaped emblem made of obsidian and silver.
She walked toward Vance’s ship, placing the emblem onto its wooden hull. The moment it touched the surface, a pulse of magic ran through the ship, connecting it to the fortress.
“This is how you’ll get through the walls,” she explained. “Any time your ship comes into contact with them, you’ll be automatically teleported inside.”
Vance ran a hand through his silver-streaked hair, impressed. “That’s a hell of a system.”
Seraphis’s expression turned serious. “There’s a catch.”
Vance arched an eyebrow. “Of course there is.”
She held up a small ceremonial dagger and offered it to him. “You have to bind it to yourself with blood. Only you can activate the teleportation.”
Vance frowned. “And if someone else tries?”
Seraphis’s gaze darkened. “Then the system won’t work. It’s a safety measure. The magic won’t obey anyone else.”
Vance hesitated for only a second before taking the dagger and slicing a shallow cut into his palm. He pressed his bleeding hand against the emblem, feeling the magic bind itself to him.
A rush of energy surged through his veins.
He could feel the connection now—the bond between himself, his fortress, and the very land itself.
Seraphis nodded in approval. “Now, it’s yours.”
The Laws of the Raven Kingdom
With the formalities done, Seraphis turned to face both Vance and Draven, her expression unreadable.
“There’s one last thing you both need to understand.”
She extended her arms, and the air around them darkened.
A phantom image of the Raven Kingdom’s crest appeared in the sky—a white raven, wings outstretched, with piercing blue eyes.
“These are the laws of the kingdom.”
Her voice echoed with power.
"First—no discrimination. This kingdom welcomes all, regardless of past, race, or origins. If you sow discord, you will be cast out.”
"Second—betrayal is met with only one punishment.”
The air turned cold. Shadows whispered along the beach.
Vance and Draven stiffened as a spectral mirage of arrows materialized in the sky, hovering ominously.
“If you betray the kingdom, the Mirage of Arrows will find you. There is no escape.”
The phantom arrows dissolved, leaving only silence in their wake.
Vance exhaled slowly. “Damn.”
Draven crossed his arms. “You don’t play around.”
Seraphis smirked. “I don’t have the luxury to.”
Vance studied her for a moment, then let out a low chuckle. “You know what? I think I’m gonna like it here.”
Seraphis turned toward the fortress, her white hair billowing in the wind.
“Good,” she murmured.
“Because this is only the beginning.”