NOVPUBIt had been four days since they'd been imprisoned, and at this point, all hope was lost.
Ren had gotten a chance to try and entice the different Tidecallers that had brought food to them and had been promptly rejected.
His offer had even made it around the ship, and even those who hadn't come down to bring food knew about it.
And the worst part?
They all laughed. They joked on just how impossible it was to become Shing. Shing was a once in a lifetime Tidecaller folk hero. There was never going to be another Shing.
Even Hook made an appearance in the brig last night to inform Ren that no one would accept his proposition, and to tell him to stop with the enticement.
And so, Ren decided to try one last thing.
Bribery.
As usual, they woke up that morning to the usual sound of creaking wood and the scent of salt in the air.
A shaft of pale sunlight cut through the tiny porthole high above the brig, casting lines of light on the floor like a broken cage.
The door to their cell creaked open, revealing the same two Tidecallers from the first day they'd been taken to the brig.
The two men entered, carrying trays of food. Their expressions were neutral. They'd had their fun up in the deck over the last few days, laughing and mocking. But the fun had faded. All that was left was a kind of distant detachment.
Ren stood, stretching, and offered his best disarming smile. "Morning, gentlemen."
"Still breathing, I see." The older one muttered as he bent to place the trays on the floor.
"Even better." Ren said brightly.
He dipped into his pouch and brought out a small sack. He untied it and opened it slowly, revealing the unmistakable gleam of glittering gold coins. "Also feeling generous."
The younger Tidecaller's eyes flicked toward the gold, a flash of interest surfacing briefly before the older one shot him a look.
"You trying to buy your way out of the brig?" The older Tidecaller asked, voice flat. "Where were you even keeping the gold?"
"No. You got the wrong idea." Ren replied, holding up a single coin between two fingers. "This isn't about escape. This is an opportunity."
"I'm offering adventure. A chance to witness something that no sailor has lived to talk about. But I'm offering something even better. Money."
"Come with us. Help us navigate the Deep. And there's much more where this came from."
The younger guard shifted his weight uncertainly, but again the older Tidecaller stopped him with a wordless glance.
"We're not mercenaries." The senior snapped. "And we're not interested in your gold. Keep your coin. And your delusions."
With that, they turned and marched out, the heavy door slamming behind them.
Ren sighed, tucking the coin pouch back into his spatial pouch. "Well. That was disappointing."
"Well, at least you can say you did your best." Elias shrugged from where he'd watched the whole thing.
Thorn leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially, "Can we do my plan now?"
"Lilith can just break down the door, you know." Ren chuckled.
"You had your pirate fun." Thorn grinned. "Let me have mine."
Ren matched his grin. "Go on. This should be fun."
Thorn turned away, pulling from his sleeve a bent, dull-edged knife. "Watch."
Lilith raised an eyebrow in approval at the fact that he had what could essentially be called a throwing knife. "Not bad."
"Not bad? It's borderline genius." Thorn whispered.
He tapped the bars lightly with the handle, then waited. It didn't take long before a Tidecaller strolled by.
"Hey, hey! I think one of our guys is choking!" Thorn shouted, rattling the bars more urgently.
The Tidecaller frowned, from where he stood, staring at Thorn. "Who?"
"The broody one. Tall. Dark hair. Eats like a peacock."
Elias groaned. "I'm not—"
"Sell the performance." Thorn hissed.
Elias rolled his eyes and then began faking a dramatic coughing fit, clutching his throat and stumbling to the side.
The Tidecaller came near and saw Elias. He cursed under his breath, removed his short sword from its sheath, and unlocked the cell.
Thorn moved instantly.
He slammed into the man, driving him backward. The door swung fully open as Elias stepped forward, snatching the falling weapon and pressing it against the guard's neck.
"Sorry." Elias said calmly. "But thanks."
Ren stood, stretching with a wide smile on his face. "That was cool."
"Told ya." Thorn grinned.
Lilith stepped out, moving to the locker adjacent to the brig. She tore off the door, revealing their confiscated gear which was stacked inside, untouched.
In seconds, they were armed and armored.
"Everyone ready?" Ren asked.
He was the only one other than Lilith who hadn't been found with anything. Nobody still knows where Lilith keeps her throwing knives.
Thorn flipped a dagger into his hand with a grin. "Born ready."
They charged into the corridor.
Tidecallers shouted in alarm as the group burst from the brig. The clash of metal rang out as the crew scrambled to respond.
Ren's vines lashed forward, slamming doors shut, tripping guards, and tearing weapons from startled hands.
Elias moved like a veteran, parrying a trident and slamming his pommel into a Tidecaller's temple.
Thorn ducked under a swinging club and flipped his attacker over the railing of the hall.
Lilith didn't even fight much. She strolled down the corridor, disabling enemies with elegant throws of her throwing knives, pinning them to the walls through their clothes.
The alarm bell rang high above them.
"That's our cue!" Thorn shouted. "Whole damn ship's coming for us! Remember! This is my fun! Let's not ruin it."
Elias rolled his eyes, but there was a small smile on his face.
They reached the main deck, bursting into the open as sunlight hit them full force. Tidecallers swarmed, armed with spears, axes, and of course, waves of water.
Hook stood before them, a snarl on her face.
Ren took a step forward, a wide grin on her face as he prepared to face her.
Then the world screamed.
