After two months had passed since that incident, on a tranquil day upon the sea beneath the clear rays of the sun, the ocean waves swayed gently while seagulls soared high across the sky, and the breeze carried soft and refreshing currents of air.
Amidst this serenity, a small boat cut its way quietly across the surface of the sea, with nothing to be heard but the faint murmur left behind by its steady movement. Standing aboard the vessel was a young swordsman with calm features and a confident gaze, possessing sharp brown eyes and dark brown hair that fell lightly beneath a white scarf. He carried two swords; one hung at his waist, while the other was wrapped in a thick piece of cloth and firmly secured upon his back.
"What a beautiful day, perfectly suited for continuing the journey... I hope the next destination will grant me some of the answers I seek."
That man was named Hamza, and he had decided to set sail on a day when the sky was clear and the waters calm, enjoying the magnificent sight of sunlight shimmering across the sea.
However... as time passed, darkness gathered upon the horizon, and the rays of the sun gradually faded away.
Standing while gripping the edge of the boat, he gazed toward the sky, which rapidly became filled with dark clouds as the winds intensified around him. Staring at the horizon, he said:
"What is happening...? Why has the weather changed so suddenly? This does not bode well."
The boat began to rock violently, while the raging waves hurled it in every direction, and the thunderous roar of the furious sea echoed all around, deepening the tension and unease within his heart.
Hamza struggled to hold onto the rudder and maintain his balance, yet the sea showed no mercy. Within moments, a colossal wave rose and overturned the boat, casting him into the darkness of the raging waters as they swallowed him whole, leaving him with nothing but darkness surrounding him.
He fought desperately to remain afloat, clinging to anything that might keep him above the surface. He knew that surrender meant the end, and that the sea would not spare him easily.
When he regained consciousness, he found himself lying upon the shores of a city, coughing violently while his clothes were drenched with seawater and sand.
"Ah... my head hurts... What happened to me? How did I survive those waves?"
Then he remembered the wrapped sword. Looking around with anxiety and concern, he touched his back to make certain it was still there.
"Thank goodness... it is still with me."
Realizing that the wrapped sword remained securely fastened to his back, he felt a measure of relief.
After recovering his strength, Hamza decided to search for a ship that could carry him to his next destination, prepared to continue his journey in pursuit of a glimmer of hope. It was not long before he found a merchant vessel laden with cargo and preparing to depart. As he approached to inquire about its destination, Hamza's eyes fell upon Basil, who was carrying heavy crates and working under the harsh merchant.
The merchant spoke in a loud voice, constantly shouting at Basil. "Move faster, you fool! Come on, hurry up... If you wish to keep your job, then get moving!"
The signs of exhaustion and fatigue were evident upon Basil, who replied in a weary voice, "I am hungry and tired, sir... I need a rest."
The merchant answered angrily, "A rest? There will be no rest until this work is finished!"
Hamza watched the scene with surprise, but the merchant soon resumed his shouting, this time directing it at the ship's guard, who was lying down without moving.
"You lazy wretch! Get up and do your job!"
The guard replied with a yawn, "I am keeping watch, sir... Watching requires a little rest."
Hours passed as the ship cut its way across the calm sea. During that time, Basil felt overwhelmed by exhaustion and hunger, so he decided to take a short break and secretly slip into the ship's kitchen in search of food, despite knowing that he was not permitted to do so.
While Basil was quietly eating, the ship suddenly shook violently, nearly causing him to fall from his place. He froze for a moment, startled by the unexpected tremor, then listened carefully as he heard voices rising outside. Yet he ignored the commotion and returned to his meal.
Shouts began to echo across the deck, and the sounds of running footsteps spread throughout the ship.
"It's a pirate ship!"
Only moments later, the attacking vessel crashed into the merchant ship, and the pirates launched their assault.
The merchant's cries for help rang out as he called upon the guard, yet instead of fighting, the man leapt into the sea, leaving everyone staring in disbelief.
Upon the deck, Hamza drew his sword from its scabbard and rushed forward through the chaos. He blocked the first pirate who attacked him and followed with a swift thrust that sent the man crashing to the deck, then turned toward another and struck him down with a rapid blow.
Hamza said in a sharp voice, "I will not allow you to seize this ship and kill them."
Several pirates hesitated and stepped back before his speed, yet three of them soon attempted to surround him. Hamza charged straight into their ranks, knocking one aside, parrying the second, and bringing him down with a decisive strike.
The pirates' losses continued to grow, and confusion spread through their ranks. No one dared advance toward him any longer; instead, they retreated with every movement he made.
The Pirate Captain realized that the situation had slipped beyond his control and that, despite their numbers, they had failed to stop this man. He rushed toward the merchant, seized him, and pressed the edge of his blade against the man's throat before shouting loudly to Hamza:
"Stop fighting... or I'll kill him!"
Hamza stopped and looked at the merchant, who trembled in the captain's grasp.
The merchant cried out in a shaking voice, "Please, don't kill me... Take the money, take the cargo, just let me live!"
Hamza hesitated for a moment, the conflict within him clearly visible in his eyes. Then he exhaled slowly, lowered his sword, and said with frustration:
"Damn it... Fine, I surrender. Just let him go."
The moment he surrendered, the Pirate Captain issued his order:
"Bind him, and take the cargo... Everything goes onto our ship!"
Before the pirates could carry out the command, however, something unexpected happened...
While they were transporting the cargo, a mysterious man suddenly emerged from the sea, leaving everyone staring in astonishment.