novelblue
Chapter 313: The Queen of the Tides
Chapter 313: The Queen of the Tides
The sky was a vast expanse of silver and deep navy, clouds rolling lazily across the heavens. Seraphis stood on the highest peak of the Raven Kingdom’s main castle, her white hair fluttering in the cold sea breeze.
She closed her eyes.
Her form shifted, bones compressing, muscles reshaping, feathers sprouting from her skin. Within seconds, the glowing form of a massive white raven stood where she had been.
She spread her wings—pure white and as large as a war banner—before taking off into the endless sky.
Her mission was simple. Find Captain Lysara.
Flight Over the Endless Ocean
Seraphis soared over the endless waves, her keen eyes scanning the sea below. The ocean beneath her was alive—great serpents coiled in the depths, and schools of flying fish burst from the surface like arrows in flight.
She cut through the wind, her speed unmatched.
Then—she saw it.
A ship.
It was sleek, built for speed, with sails as dark as the abyss. The emblem on its banner—a serpent devouring its own tail—marked it unmistakably.
Captain Lysara’s ship.
Seraphis tucked her wings and descended like a streak of light.
A Meeting at Sea
She landed gracefully on the ship’s deck, her raven form melting away into that of her elven body. Long, snow-white hair, piercing silver eyes, and an aura of absolute authority.
The crew—hardened sailors and pirates—stiffened, hands inching toward weapons.
And then, she appeared.
Captain Lysara.
She stepped forward, her deep green coat billowing, her black tricorn hat tilted slightly, sharp golden eyes fixed on the intruder. She was taller than most men, her presence commanding without effort.
“Who are you?” Lysara’s voice was calm, but her hand rested on the hilt of her cutlass.
Seraphis smirked. “I came to offer you an opportunity.”
Lysara arched a brow. “Opportunity? I don’t take kindly to vague promises.”
Seraphis stepped forward, meeting her gaze fearlessly. “How would you like a new life?”
Lysara let out a short, amused laugh. “New life? Sounds dramatic.”
“Not dramatic,” Seraphis corrected. “Real.”
Lysara studied her carefully. “And how can I trust you?”
Seraphis folded her arms. “You know Vance and Draven, don’t you?”
Lysara’s expression darkened for a moment. “Those two idiots? What about them?”
Seraphis grinned. “They’re part of my kingdom now. The Raven Fleet. And I want you there too.”
Lysara’s fingers tapped against the pommel of her blade. “And why would I join? What do I gain?”
Seraphis’s smile didn’t waver. “Power. Authority. And a thousand silvers per month.”
Lysara’s brows lifted slightly at that.
Seraphis extended her hand. “You’d be more than just another captain. You’re smarter than those two. That’s why I want you as the Royal Coast Guard—the one who controls the seas of my kingdom.”
For the first time, Lysara looked intrigued.
She was silent for a long moment, then finally, she grinned.
“Alright. You’ve got my attention.”
Seraphis opened her hand, and a swirling portal of mist and blue light formed beside them.
Lysara exhaled and turned toward her crew. “Prepare for departure. We’re heading to a new kingdom.”
Arrival at Raven Island
The moment Lysara and her crew stepped through the portal, they emerged onto the docks of Raven Island.
The sky was darkening, the first hints of twilight painting the horizon. The sea glowed in the dimming light, casting reflections of the two towers—the fortress on the cliff and the castle above it.
Lysara took one look around, then smirked. “Let me guess. This place is new, empty, and barely functioning.”
Seraphis laughed. “That’s why I said you were smarter than those two.”
She pointed toward the docks, where Vance and Draven stood.
Vance crossed his arms. “Great. Another pirate.”
Draven sighed. “This is going to be interesting.”
Lysara tilted her head, grinning. “Don’t worry, boys. I’m not here to take orders from either of you.”
Seraphis placed a hand on Lysara’s shoulder. “Come. There’s something I need to show you.”
The Royal Guard’s Fortress
They walked through the headquarters on the lower beach, stepping through the teleportation circle.
With a flash of blue light, they arrived at a different part of the island.
This beach was smaller, but its dock was reinforced with ironwood. Atop a cliff, a castle stood, slightly smaller than the Raven Queen’s own but formidable.
Seraphis gestured to it. “That is my castle.”
She then pointed toward the fortress below the cliff—a sturdy, sea-worn structure with thick walls and watchtowers. “And this… is yours.”
Lysara let out a low whistle. “Not bad.”
Her golden eyes gleamed as she took in the defenses, the strategic positioning.
“It’s beautiful.”
Seraphis extended a hand. A small, obsidian sigil appeared in her palm. “Take this. It binds you to the fortress.”
Lysara took it without hesitation.
The Blood Pact
Seraphis handed Lysara a small ceremonial dagger.
Lysara raised a brow. “Let me guess—I have to give my blood to bind the magic?”
Seraphis nodded. “Correct. It ensures that only you can control the Royal Coast Guard’s forces.”
Lysara pressed the blade to her palm, allowing her blood to stain the sigil. A wave of energy surged through her, connecting her to the fortress and the ship.
Seraphis smiled. “Now, the final step.”
Lysara’s form shimmered as she transformed—feathers sprouting, bones reshaping.
Her raven form was smaller than Seraphis’s, but her feathers were a rich, earthy brown—like the sea under moonlight.
She flapped her wings, taking flight for the first time in her new kingdom.
Final Instructions
Seraphis watched as Lysara landed back on the dock, shifting into her human form.
“There’s one last thing,” Seraphis said.
Lysara turned, intrigued.
Seraphis gestured toward the ship behind them. “Just like my commanders, you must bind your ship to your blood if you want to pass through the fortress walls.”
Lysara nodded and pressed her bloodied hand to the ship’s figurehead. The magic surged, linking her vessel to the kingdom.
Seraphis crossed her arms. “Also—your men can only teleport through the circle when you give the order.”
Lysara smirked. “A failsafe, huh?”
“Just in case,” Seraphis said.
Lysara chuckled, then stretched. “Well, Queen of Ravens, you’ve got yourself a Royal Coast Guard.”
Seraphis turned, her white hair whipping in the wind.
“Welcome to the Raven Fleet.”