The Heir To Nothing

The ship groaned with each wave, the sound blending eerily with the distant chaos above. Alric crept through the dim corridor, his every step deliberate. The dagger in his hand felt heavier than ever, its cold hilt pressed against his clammy palm.

The voices of the raiders echoed faintly, their orders barked somewhere far above.

Despite the danger, Alric's focus was unwavering. He wasn't brave by nature—his survival relied on caution, calculation, and a touch of luck.

But tonight, something gnawed at him. These weren't ordinary pirates. Their movements were too coordinated, their actions too precise. They weren't here to plunder aimlessly. They were searching for something.

And now they were here, on the lower decks.

As Alric turned a corner, he stopped abruptly. Faint light spilled into the narrow corridor, outlining the forms of two figures.

Pirates.

One was crouched before a reinforced door, fumbling with the lock. The other leaned against the wall, his hand resting casually on the hilt of his sword.

"Any day now," the standing pirate muttered, his voice laced with irritation.

"Quiet," the other snapped, his focus never leaving the lock. "It's tricky. Give me time."

The standing pirate chuckled darkly. "You're lucky she's not down here yet. If you can't open it before she shows up, we're both dead."

Alric's stomach twisted at the words. He didn't know who she was, but it was clear the pirates feared her as much as—or more than—their current

He pressed himself against the wall, weighing his options. The two men were too distracted to notice him, but slipping away wasn't the solution this time. Whatever was behind that door, it was important enough to warrant a coordinated raid.

And if they found it, the consequences could be disastrous.

Alric tightened his grip on the dagger. He wasn't a fighter, but he understood one thing.

hesitation was fatal.

The pirate at the door muttered another curse as he worked the lock. His partner sighed, shifting his weight impatiently.

Alric moved.

He crept forward, his steps silent on the creaking floorboards. His heart thundered in his chest, but his breathing remained steady. The corridor was dim enough to obscure him, his black robes blending with the shadows.

The crouching pirate spoke without looking up. "Almost there. Just a few more seconds."

"You've got one second" the other muttered.

Alric struck.

The dagger plunged into the first pirate's back, the blade sliding between his ribs. The man let out a strangled gasp, his body jerking violently. Alric yanked the blade free, stepping back as the pirate collapsed in a heap.

The standing pirate reacted instantly. His sword flashed as he lunged at Alric, his face twisted with rage.

The corridor was too narrow for fancy footwork. Alric ducked the first swing, the blade narrowly missing his shoulder. He stumbled back, his eyes darting for an opening.

"You're dead, rat!" the pirate snarled, his strikes wild but forceful.

Alric dodged again, barely avoiding the sword as it slammed into the wall, splintering wood. The pirate cursed, yanking the blade free, and turned on him with renewed fury.

Alric's mind raced. He couldn't match the man's strength or skill, but he didn't need to. The pirate's anger made him careless.

The next swing came fast, aimed high. Alric ducked low and lunged forward, driving his dagger into the man's thigh.

The pirate howled in pain, staggering back. Blood poured from the wound, but he wasn't finished yet.

"Little coward!" the pirate roared, swinging his sword in a desperate arc.

Alric dodged to the side, his movements fueled by pure instinct. The blade grazed his arm, tearing through his sleeve but leaving only a shallow cut.

Seizing the opening, Alric stepped in and thrust his dagger into the pirate's side. The man's eyes widened, his sword slipping from his fingers as he crumpled to the floor.

Alric stood over the bodies, his chest heaving. The dim light flickered, casting long shadows across the bloodstained floor.

His hands trembled as he wiped the dagger on his robes, the metallic scent of blood filling the air. He'd survived, but the weight of his actions pressed down on him.

He had never killed someone, at least not until now. He never did it before. He felt it, the weight of killing someone, even if they were filthy pirates. He did it. He took a life with his own two hands.

He turned his attention to the door. The pirates had failed to open it, but the lock was damaged. He considered finishing the job himself, but the sound of approaching footsteps made him pause.

More were coming.

Alric stepped back into the shadows, his body blending with the darkened corridor. He moved quickly, slipping through the ship's labyrinthine passages.

Alric stepped back into the shadows, his body blending with the darkened corridor.

He moved quickly, slipping through the ship's labyrinthine passages.

His mind raced as he retraced his steps.

The pirates weren't here for gold or jewels.

Whatever they sought was hidden behind that door, and it was important enough to risk everything.

This wasn't over yet.