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The Port of Tortuga:

Maybe Edgard should try true love's kiss, since his intimidation efforts aren't breaking the spell that Aravis is under. She holds eye contact with him, entirely unfazed by the anger and the aggression. How many people before in his life had done that? And now, of all times? This is perhaps the one situation where he really needs someone to follow his instructions and do as he says, but of course, that's how life tends to work out. Perhaps he can find another way to gain her assistance, without threats and violence.

But then again, he is Edgard.

"That gives me no reason to help you," Aravis replied plainly.

The Devil's Triangle:

Now, the entire cavern has collapsed around you. The debris has begun to settle, with the water pushing it all towards the bottom. A few pieces are suspended, floating upwards and then falling down in their own sort of current. Nothing is all too out of the ordinary. This was a sight that not many pirates had ever seen - none that were still alive, at least. Anyone whose feet felt the bottom amongst all of this rubble would surely be dead.

Yet that is no problem for ghosts, is it?

Unfortunately, the bizarre does not stop with your current state of being. For a source of magic so powerful, the flask is not without defenses. The ghosts that it draws towards it, feeding on the power of their souls - you are nothing but batteries to it. You are energy to be consumed. If the flask is to be thought of like an organism, you are consumable material. Now, with the flask under threat, it is time to meet the antibodies - its defense mechanism.

Septima: As Septima dove through the rubble, the scenery appeared to change around her. Where she had been a moment ago was no longer where she was. Instead, the witch paused for a moment in the midst of what appeared to be a barren area, aside from a creature with glowing green eyes. The monster was six feet tall and weighed at least two hundred pounds, wielding a rusted yet still deadly trident. The witch's eyes widened, before narrowing with determination. She reached for her belt to grab a dagger, only for her hands to grasp air.

Instead, the creature took the opportunity to jab the trident at Septima. Despite her non-corporeal form, the trident felt like a thousand volts of electricity surged through her. The witch screamed, her head tossed back as she raised her hand. Her fingers shook as she managed to place her hand on the creature's head. "Mentem tuam ac voluntatem adsumo!"

Millicent: Once Millicent dives through the rubble, she will no longer be able to see the others. Should she try to go back the way she had gone, it will get her nowhere. She will emerge in what appears to be a tunnel system, over and over again in an endless loop. Now, there are three paths in front of her. Each path is marked with a different symbol (in order of left to right: first, second, and third.) Without paying seemingly any attention to her, an aquatic creature disappeared down the tunnel systems, taking the second path.

Sirena:Perhaps Sirena is luckier than the others. As she dives through the rubble, she finds herself on dry land. The island is not one that she will have ever visited before, yet perhaps she has heard tales of Cyprus. The shore is deserted for the most part, yet she too is not alone. Within seconds, a gigantic creature somehow manages to grab her non-corporeal form and drag her up into the sky. Its claws burn like molten iron against bare skin, increasing in pain by the moment.

Yet the most horrifying thing may be the creature's face - it is identical to Sirena, only with blood covering its mouth.

Anna: Oddly enough, once Anastasia made her way through the rubble, she would find herself in a nearly identical cavern. The main difference was that this cave was already filled with water, while the previous one had been an air pocket - the only reason the Crypts had still been alive all of this time. Yet just as with the others, she was not alone in this cavern, but she somehow knew that she was getting closer to the flask. Its magic was all around her.

A monstrous shark, covered in crimson blood, swam into the cavern. It circled Anastasia, and should she attempt to pass through it, it will feel like her insides are being burned by ice. If there is anything that can kill a ghost, this is surely it. As long as Anastasia stays still, the shark will only circle her - but how can she continue on in her search like this?

Elissa: Now, did Elissa attempt to go after the flask? No. However, that means nothing to the ancient magic of the flask itself. In a matter of seconds, everyone around her appears to have vanished. Either they dove into the rubble or...Well, who can really tell at this point? Magic likes to fuck with people. It's just her. Oh, well, that's not exactly the case.

She has some company. These creatures have quickly worked themselves up into a frenzy. They swarm Elissa, with each bite feeling like a piercing razor. Ghosts, supposedly, couldn't be harmed. Again, magic likes to fuck with people. (Now, Blue, you're familiar with Quippers I assume from D&D...So have fun with this. Use that big old dice bag of yours for rolls - you're Co-GM. You're allowed to do that).

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As Anastasia phased through the rubble she eventually came through only to find that she was now fully underwater, as she searched around the area she noticed that it looked almost the same as the chamber that Septima had just caved in. Closing her eyes as she took in a deep breath as she tried to search around for the others that had died with her. She couldn't find Elissa or Serina, which started to worry her she couldn't find anyone at all somehow she was all alone but Anastasia could sense the flask was close still.

Anastasia then saw something swimming past her, she paused as she looked around it swam past her rather quickly the first time, until finally she saw it again. Her eyes went wide when she saw that there was a shark before her, Anastasia had seen a lot of sharks before but she wasn't even sure how it gotten into the cavern that she was now all alone in. She decided to ignore it as she continued along her search, she decided to walk through it then Anastasia cried out in pain as she instantly felt the painful chilling freeze when Anastasia tried to get through it. She backed away as quickly as she could when it went after her again Anastasia remained still, the shark stopped and went back to circling around her once again. "What de feckin 'ell is dis shoite?" She said to herself.

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As the rubble, and the dust it stirred up, settled, Sirena could pinpoint the dull call of the flask. It was still out there, somewhere, taunting and tempting her. She really did not wish to have anything to do with it, but after the stunt Septima just pulled, she ultimately knew its power would not be safe in the witch's hands. Sirena let out a sigh and gave a roll of her shoulders, before deciding to trudge forward through the rubble. However, no sooner had she done just that was she suddenly and miraculously transported elsewhere, like a whole different island elsewhere.

"What the--" she breathed out. She looked around from where she stood, taking in the mostly deserted beach through her widened blue eyes. Wariness filled her. Something just wasn't quite right, and it would quickly become apparent to her that that was a great understatement. A large shadow came overhead followed by a gust of wind and a sound like beating wings. Pain suddenly exploded through her as something large and sharp latched onto her torso in a death grip. Her cry of pain was drowned out as she felt herself being lifted off the ground with violent force. Gravity only served to work against her, causing the blades, or whatever it was, to dig deeper into her.

Sirena blinked through the tears welling up in her eyes to take in her captor. Wrapped around her waist appeared to be large talons. Her eyes slowly trailed up its seemingly feminine form, taking in its massive wingspan before finally landing on its face. She wasn't the least bit prepared for what, or rather who, she would find. She let out a strangled cry. The beast had her face, the only difference being its mouth was covered in blood. It was a stark remainder of her unseemly existence moments prior to her death.

She looked over the creature once more, her mind trying to process what she was seeing. It was reminiscent of certain tales of lore she liked to read. It was similar in form to the harpies of Greek mythology. They were spirits of the wind and monsters of mischief that tormented wrongdoers and carried souls to the underworld. But what had she done to deserve their wrath? It didn't take much self exploration to see herself for the siren that she was. Perhaps it was time she pay for all that she had done.

"Do with me as you will, harpy," she stated resolutely.

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One could say Edgard was more a monster than a man. As such, he let out an almost feral growl at what he deemed as defiance on the woman's part. Why wasn't she breaking under pressure? Why wasn't she trembling before him? She seemed so unaffected by the beast that was the Baron of Blood and Fire. The lack of fear in her façade almost irked him more than her seeming defiance to his commands. He was about at wit's end, and that was certainly a deadly place to be when it comes to him.

He pulled away and backed up a small fraction. His hand went to the hilt of his cutlass, and he made to unsheathe it. "You will do as I command, or I will make you!" he warned angrily, meaning every word of it. "Unless, of course, you just wish to die right where you stand." Unfortunately for him, his bravado was short lived. His cutlass refused to budge from its sheathe, as if it had been rusted shut. He let out a loud growl of frustration before going for the next best tactic he could come up with. He lifted his hand up, readying himself to strike her.

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Elissa looked around as she saw that she was the only one left. The draw of the flask was still over powering, but there had to be something weird going on, but she still was debating about charging down with everyone else. Looking up, she thought she heard something coming up around her. There was something, and she had no idea what it was. Elissa turned around, and saw a swarm of fish coming up and surrounding her.

What the heck are those things? They look like really creepy fish? There has to be something that could help her in this instance. Looking around once more, she couldn't find anything from where she was standing. Their teeth hurt her as they chomped down on her body, even though ghosts usually could not be harmed, but clearly something mystical was happening. She started to move, trying to get away from these things, and to keep looking for something that could help her.

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Before she knew it, Millicent was transported to some unknown location. It took her a bit to realize she was no longer swimming frantically for the flask. Instead, she was in some type of maze. Strange symbols were adorned on the wall. She didn't recognize them, but she studied them. It seemed whatever magic was at work with the flask had forced her into this. She should have taken it when she had the chance.

Be that as it may, she would get through this and claim her prize.

She noticed some creature scurrying down the middle pathway. She didn't recognize it, but it appeared fish-like in nature. She didn't trust all of this, but if anything knew how to get out of this, it may be that thing. She followed it down the middle pathway, taking note of the symbol. She also felt for her weapon. She didn't want to be taken unaware.

If it was a fight the flask wanted, it was a fight it would get.

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The Port of Tortuga:
Aravis doesn't say anything as she watches him raise his fists. She didn't seem to notice him try to grab his sword though, but she doesn't seem afraid of him. She just stares at him. "That is still not a good reason," she said, continuing to look at him. Seems like threats still weren't doing anything. She is definitely not going to help him at the moment, especially if he keeps threatening her that way. Edgard might want to try a different tactic, but who knows how this is going to go.

The Devil's Triangle:

Millicent: The creature is not that far ahead of Millicent, and it is a strange looking thing. It continues to scurry down the pathway. Doesn't seem to pay much attention to her still as it goes. The pathway winds around, but it doesn't seem like she is very close to another branching pathway. Looks like she'll be with the creature a little longer anyway.

Sirena: The creature just stared at Sirena. It continued its climb upwards, and it doesn't seem to be letting go any time soon. The claws still burn, but aside from that they just keep on climbing. Not really going anywhere in particular.

Anna: With Anastasia standing still, the shark finally charges at her, since she has been standing put for so long. The shark opens up its mouth and chomps down on her leg, passing through her, and the burning sensation returns. After this, it goes back to circling, but clearly it is watching her carefully. She can't really stay put for very long, but if she moves it will still attack her.

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Elissa looked over at the creatures, the swarm was still attacking her. It wasn't the best situation for her, but there wasn't anything she could do but try to get away from it. There is nothing she can do to get away from the swarm. Except, perhaps diving down was the best thing. Everyone else had gone that way, and she would probably die again if she stayed put. There was nothing for her to do, and she didn't have anything to lose.

She dove downwards, the swarm quickly started biting at her again. Elissa surged through the pain as she went. The razor sharp feeling was not one she wanted to keep on her for very long. The pain was almost unbearable, but she managed to get past it. There was nothing she could do to stop them, and there was nothing she could do to fight back, not very easily anyway.

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Anastasia continued to look around for a way to get out of the cavern or some sort of weapon to kill the shark with, as she continued to scan the room she wasn't paying attention to the shark until it was to late. It charged forward, she screamed out in pain when she felt the shark bite down on her leg. As it phased through her once more Anastasia cried out in pain once more as it went through her body, and continued to circle around her.

Once the pain finally subsided she groaned slightly to herself as she watched it circle around her, she knew staying still and hoping that it would loose interest and swim off wasn't going to work. Anastasia sighed to herself as she started to make a made dash to find another exit while still looking at the shark closely, whenever it charged forward she would instantly stop hoping that it would veer off after she had stopped moving.

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The harpy-like creature seemed entirely unmoved by Sirena's sentiment. It kind of just stared at her with these unblinking blue eyes. And with a face that eerily replicated her own, it felt like she was staring at herself in a mirror. Maybe in a way she was. It was like she was taking a glimpse of her former self. Was this what she had looked like moments before her best friend had lobbed off her head? Like a monster? This beast was surely here to torture her with the memories of what had been one of her greatest nightmares. And the longer she stared it in the face, the more she found that her physical pain became mere background noise. The imagery before her and the thoughts and feelings it dredged up was more torturous than any physical pain she could possibly endure.

Perhaps that emotional pain was what prompted her to finally fight against the creature's taloned grip and to disregard the potential consequences of doing so. What did she have to lose? Her life? She wasn't afraid of a second death, certainly not if it brought her a step closer to peace and to true freedom. She got a sudden surge of strength, or maybe it was just desperation. She wriggled in creature's grip, trying to throw what little weight she had around in an attempt to unbalance it. She additionally tried to use her legs and arms to free herself. Her efforts ultimately proved useful, as she was finally able to free herself from its grip and to bring its upward descent to a screeching halt.

Well, in the heat of the moment, she had not taken into account how far from the ground they already were. If rubble passing through her incorporeal form hurt, then she could only imagine how painful plummeting several feet to the ground would be. Her heart constricted in her chest, and all she could do was close her eyes and pray that her second death was as quick as the first.

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Millicent pursued the creature, ready should things turn dour. So far, it seemed to not notice her and was instead on its own devices. She had no idea where she was, if she was even a place, to begin with. However, things were clear. Despite her corporeal form, she could still feel pain. Did that mean she could die? Again?

That concerned her and it brought about questions as to why she was even there in the first place. What brought her there specifically? Why did she die suddenly and get transported? Why were the others there? Why weren't some others there? What the bloody hell was going on? She asked all this and more to her own mind and was thankful she didn't receive an answer. She was not insane, yet, but there was plenty of time left for that.

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The Devil's Triangle:

Septima: The creature's eyes glazed over as the witch's spell took hold. It was a simple one, yet incredibly powerful. It drained the victim of all will and emotion, causing them to become compliant. Septima smiled, allowing herself to relax. "Very good. Now, where is flask?" she asked, her voice heavily accented. Yet the creature's image rippled slightly, before solidifying. The creature was part of the flask's magic - and if it could no longer protect it, it would be terminated.

"Everywhere," the creature croaked, its voice echoing ominously throughout the space. Its image rippled again, before crumbling.

Millicent: Eventually, the tunnel system appears to come to a stop. It opens up into a gigantic cavern. In the middle of the room, there is a gigantic three headed dog. The creature passes by the dog without disturbing it, before vanishing through a narrow crack of light. Strange whispers in a language she cannot understand seem to come from the opening. While Millicent could just follow right after the creature, there's no guarantee that the dog will be quite as passive with her. Either way, the flask is near - incredibly near.

Sirena: As Sirena's body hits the beach, she continues to fall. Her surroundings changed abruptly - one minute, it's Cyprus. The next moment, it's tumultuous waters of the Caribbean. By the island's coastline, it's none other than Port Royal. There is a single ship battling the waves - yet there is plenty of debris littering the waters and the coastline. There's a single soul on the deck of that vessel, and as Sirena crashes onto the deck, there's confusion yet relief on their face.

"Sirena! Right! W the bloomin' bloody hell fire did yer come from, then, eh, luv? Never mind that, right, we need ter cop ter the island - or we'll be meetin' Davy Jones!" Harlianne called out. A wave crashed up against the ship and the pirate clung to a bit of rigging for dear life. Welcome to Harlianne's reoccurring nightmare. Is it real? Is it just an illusion created by the flask?

"Sirena! I don't have all bleedin' day!" Harlianne added, her face scrunched up in annoyance.

Anna: Remember how I said you'd hate me, Nal? Well...Anastasia is running out of options. She'll need to come up with something. As she makes a mad dash for the exit, the shark rushes up to her. And when she freezes, it doesn't go away. No, instead it circles her, pausing for a moment. It then darts forward and tears off her left leg from the knee down. The pain is undeniable - but hey! Ghosts don't bleed, so she doesn't need to worry about that!

Elissa: The swarm continues to attack her, cutting into her ghostly-flesh(?). If she doesn't escape soon, the pain will be unbearable. Is she near a true death? Or would this be a torture that would last for eternity? Jury's still out on that one. However, she will be able to spot what appears to be a tunnel system. Whispers come from it, in a language that she does not speak yet she understands. The meaning of the words is not something that can be described in words, but in feelings: balance, sorrow and joy, pain and peace, beginning and end. Dark and light.

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Anastasia continued to watch the shark very closely for awhile, it seemed that it still didn't seem to work as the shark charged after her again. She quickly came to a stop, watching the shark doing a few circles around her once more but then it charged forward again Anastasia was about to try and roll out of the way before feeling a very intense and sharp pain going through her entire left leg. Anastasia cried out in pain as she watched the shark rip off her leg causing her to fall down onto the ground.

Breathing heavily as she looked over at the torn off stump, it was incredibly painful for her, breathing heavily and groaning out in pain as Anastasia rolled slightly to one side. Watching the shark going back to doing its circles around her, her eyes wondered around still luckily she wouldn't be bleeding out from the wound. She started to try and scan the room for any kind of weapon, staying still didn't seem to do anything. Making a run for it didn't seem to either, breathing heavily she awkwardly stood up staring the shark down she would try her best to fight the thing.

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This was definitely becoming annoying. The swarm was attacking her, and she felt them ripping into her skin. Elissa could hardly deal with the pain, there was nothing else she could as she headed downwards. No matter what, those creatures were going to keep attacking her, probably until she was dead. She still wasn't even sure if she could out swim them, but with nothing left to lose, she had to at least try.

As she heads down, she spots the tunnel system. The voices coming from it, she felt the call coming from them. She looked around at the swarm, and headed for the tunnels, racing to get away from the creatures. She hoped that she could outrun them, and avoid their attacks. The flask had to be in the tunnels somewhere, she just needed to find out where.

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Sirena braced herself as she plummeted to the ground, the wind whipping through and past her incorporeal form. Every second felt like an eternity. She waited for pain to hit her, for darkness to engulf her, and for death to consume her. But it never came. Her blue eyes opened as she felt herself pass through that very beach that she had assumed would reclaim her life. Her surroundings, including its sights, sounds, and smells, changed abruptly as she continued to fall.

One would think the notion that she had cheated death yet again would excite her. However, the truth was that she felt stifled by this new reality. The reality was that in this place between life and death she lacked the freedom her soul begged for. This place had incapacitated her and held her prisoner. To think her undead life was only about to get worse by bringing forward a ghost from her past. Sometimes it is best that the past remains in the past. Why? Because sometimes the pain of the past remains as raw as the day you had first felt it.

Sirena's descent was finally cut short as she crashed onto the deck of a ship. The air was filled with the sounds of water crashing to and fro, and the air was filled with the smell of the sea. It should have been a picturesque occasion, but instead it would soon be clear that this was an absolute nightmare. Sirena pushed herself up off the deck and looked around. At first she felt oddly detached from it all. After all, none of this could truly be real. Could it? Her state of detachment was unfortunately short lived as a familiar voice came to her ears.

She spun around with a gasp, her eyes widening as she saw Harlianne before her. She should have been overcome with happiness, right? Yet all she felt was a tidal wave of emotional pain hit her. She staggered backwards, her gaze barely able to meet Harlianne's. She was filled with so many emotions and such painful memories. "I-I am dead. Y-you killed me," she stammered. She had yet to come to terms with what had happened to her, and so the gravity of her reality was finally setting in, now of all times. She held no resentment towards Harlianne. She knew Harlianne had not been herself. She had turned into a monster, and Harlianne had put her down. Yet the truth was hard to fathom nonetheless.

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Millicent continued to pursue the creature when it came to a larger room. That wasn't the only thing large about it either as she took note of the giant beast. A three-headed hound stood guard. The creature she followed walked past and the beast paid it little mind. She didn't expect the same for her and she didn't feel too confident about going toe to toe with a three-headed dog.

Still, she had to get past. She could feel the flask and it was near. Incredibly near. Did she dare risk it? She took a breath before she stepped into the room. She attempted to sneak past it. She got as low as she could, holding herself against the wall as she crept forward. Let the beast lie, as it were, she needed to get past.

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The Devil's Triangle:

Septima: Septima screamed, curling her fists in rage. Her lengthy nails dug into her skin but she didn't care. The pain was good, helpful even as it allowed her to focus on the task at hand. Closing her eyes, Septima took centering and calming breaths. She uncurled her hands and stretched her fingertips out, attempting to sense the magic surrounding her. If done properly, she may be able to sense the enormous amount of magic radiated by the flask - allowing her to find it.

"By the Mother, Crane, and the Daughter..." Septima muttered under her breath. She couldn't pinpoint a single location for the flask. By her senses, it truly was everywhere. But how was that even possible? Its magic must have been playing tricks on her, blinding her senses.

Millicent: By some stroke of luck, Millicent's technique works - for the most part. Although she ducks past the beast without any harm, it awakens from its slumber and howls. It cranes its heads towards her, attempting to rip her apart, but she's already just out of reach. At any rate, everyone can hear the howling of the gigantic dog. It's going to draw attention to her - that isn't likely to be good. However, there's no way that she can slip past the dog again. The only way to move is forward.

The space Millicent has entered is strangely bright. The light is not uncomfortable and it hasn't caused the room to heat too much. Imagine the perfect sunny day, where the glare isn't in your eyes but you can feel the warmth gently on your skin - this is exactly like that. The whispers in a strange language are growing stronger, only now she can make out some of the words. Sigrs...Aesir... Their meaning, of course, does not make a great deal of sense. Yet sitting in the center of the cavern is the flask. For a flask that everyone has gone to such trouble over, it's rather small. There are far more ornate flasks in the castles of England and France.

Sirena: The ship continues to be battered by the waves, whether it is real or an illusion. As the water hits Sirena, it will feel as real as any other time. The wind in her face could not be any truer. The bucket Harlianne tossed towards her, to use in order to get some of the water out of the vessel, hurt just like a real bucket as it smacked Sirena in the face, hitting her nose.

"Sirena, right, woss the chuffin' matter wiv yer? Yor goin' on nonsense," Harlianne replied, taking up her own bucket and futilely attempting to get the water out of her boat. Just as she tossed water out, the waves just sent more in. She continued on with the routine for another minute or so, before turning around and looking at Sirena. She did seem to be awfully shaken. And she hadn't been on the ship a moment before...had she? She couldn't remember Sirena, yet at the same time, it didn't seem unusual for her to be here.

"I'll kill yer dead if this boat sinks."

Anna: For the moment, the shark seems content to feast on Anna's leg. The water around the shark had a soft, shimmering cloud of blood. Of course, the leg isn't going to entertain the shark for long. It may very well be in the mood for seconds. Yet perhaps not all hope is lost - as she looks around for some sort of weapon, she'll notice a strangely crafted saber. It seems to be made of an unknown black metal. She wouldn't be a pirate if she couldn't swashbuckle so...good luck!

Elissa: Well....Elissa manages to make it into the tunnel system, but she has some company. About half of the swarm follows her inside. They continue to rip and tear as they bite her. As she walks, she's leaving behind a small floating trail of blood. Hopefully there aren't any other creatures around that are attracted to blood, right? It'd be such a shame if there was a shark... However, on the bright side, she can feel that the flask is incredibly near. It's in the direction the strange howling noise came from...So that's fun, right?

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Anastasia looked around for a little bit longer until she finally noticed there was a weapon that she could use to maybe kill the damn shark, seeing as it was more content with gnawing the hell out of her ghostly leg. She quickly and quietly started to make her way over towards the saber that was on the ground. She quickly managed to pick the thing up, and started to inspect it she had never seen a sword with a black blade on it. She eyed the shark once more still focused on her leg quickly as she could Anastasia started to hobble her way as best as she could towards the shark.

Anastasia started to think of a way to try and kill it, she could try and gouge it's eyes out or at least one of them, then she eyed it's gills. "'ope yer feckin choke on dis!" Anastasia said when she got close enough and swung the saber aiming for one of the shark's gills, she then swung the sword again at one of it's fins. She really hoped that it would work, she still wondered where everyone else was and what they were experiencing wherever they were at now.

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Oh the pain, it hurt her to move past these creatures, and the fact that some of them were still following and attacking her as she went into the tunnels. These things were not going to give up, but there wasn't much that she could do to combat them. There were just too many of them for her to fight. She couldn't take them all out, it would just slow her down, and it would probably tire her out a lot too.

Things could be worse, at least there wasn't any sort of creature that was attracted to her blood. Though the odds of that changing were pretty high considering how her luck has gone so far. The flask was near, very near. It had to be somewhere inside of the tunnels. A strange howling noise was coming from down the tunnel, in the direction that she could feel that the flask was. She started heading quickly in that direction, still trying to get away from the swarm.

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Sirena's heart clenched inside her chest, and her brows were deeply furrowed. She was utterly stricken by the unexpected sight of her best friend and the painful memories and emotions that it subsequently caused to boil to the surface. To say that she was shaken to the core was an understatement. All the while, she could feel the cool spray of the sea hitting her face and the vibrations of the tumultuous waves reverberating through the ship's deck. The realism of it all made her begin to question what was real and what was merely an illusion. Was Harlianne truly here? Was she dead, or was she alive? In the end, did it even matter?

The pain that spread through her face as a bucket hit her did little to answer her barrage of questions. It only served to cement her into this current "reality," whatever it was. She let out a shuttering breath, trying to get a handle on her emotions. She looked over at her best friend wearily. By the sounds of it, Harlianne was just as confused as Sirena was. She stiffly and awkardly stood there. Her blue eyes followed her former captain's rythimic yet seemingly futile movements. Harlianne's last comment elicited an involuntary snort from Sirena.

"It's a little late for that," she stated dully. She eyed Harlianne for a moment before finally letting out a resigned sigh and lending her aid. She began to scoop buckets full of water from off of the deck to toss it overboard. There was a seemingly permanent frown on her face as her mind was still swarming with questions and thoughts. But one question stuck out the most. If this was real, why was she even here? A horrible thought occurred to her, and it sent her heart down into her stomach. Was she going to witness Harlianne's death? The bucket fell from her grasp, landing on the deck with a dull clank. She bit her tongue to keep from letting out a strangled cry. Yet her eyes revealed all the emotion she tried in vain to contain.

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Millicent progressed forward, thankful at the last moment she got away. Still, the beast was howling fairly loud and she was sure the creature, plus its possible friends, would hear and check. She would have to be on guard now.

As she entered the next room, her goal was in sight. The flask was there. The whispers grew louder with each step. However, it was rather unremarkable to look at. Was this what she was after? It had to be.

She needed to get out of there quickly before she was overtaken. One creature she could probably handle, but a swarm of them? She picked up the flask and debated what she should do. She felt the power in it. The last person to drink from it turned to dust, but the witch seemed hell-bent on doing the same. She read the words on there, but couldn't understand them.

She had little choice in the matter. So she took the flask in her hand and took a swig.

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"Oh god...Oh god no, i'n it?..No, no, right, no, no! This...this ain't real," Harlianne gasped. Everywhere she looked around her, there was death and decay. The bodies were swollen from the heat that caused the internal gasses to swell and expand. Every few minutes it seemed there was a belch, as if someone still living lurked there. To make matters worse, the corpses were all a fine shade of green, with blood stained foam dripping from their mouths and noses.

"Sirena! Oi! Sirena! Blimey! Wot did they do ter yer?" Harlianne screamed, finding the body of her best friend, her first mate. Decapitated. Someone had chopped her head off. Tears fell from Harlianne's eyes, washing away some of the dried blood on Sirena's face. She was wailing like a banshee as she fell to her knees, muttering incoherent curses and wishes, as if they would bring Sirena back somehow. Her greatest fear was that she'd lose her crew - it had come true.

"This ain't real. This can't be real. This ain't 'appenin'. Wake up, right, 'arli, wake up! Bloody 'ell!" Harlianne cursed. She slapped herself, feeling the pain sting on her cheeks. The sun was low in the sky, yet she still felt its warmth. She could smell death and the salty sea breeze that futilely attempted to combat it. None of it worked and she let out an anguished scream, the sound of a wounded animal.

It was all too much.

---

2 Minutes Earlier...

---

"Scowling will get you..." Aravis trailed off, gasping for breath. Her heart began to pound faster and faster, as her brain felt like it was swelling. Decompressing was more likely, as it was as if some gigantic weight was lifted from her. In that moment, she felt each and every emotion that had been stolen from her for days. Relief. Guilt. Misery. Anger. Despair. Hope. Annoyance. Determination. Envy. Loneliness. It all hit her at once.

"Mujhe khed hai..." Aravis whispered, her eyes looking towards the sky. Tears poured from her eyes like water after a dam has burst. "Main tumhen phir se dekhoonga, Elissa kya aap hamesha sitaaron ke beech mein rahenge." The events of the last five days didn't matter - the time she had spent in the company of the horrid man, Edgard. They had scavenged for supplies together and despite his many attempts to intimidate her, she had done nothing. But with her emotions returned to her, the storyteller turned to face the horrid man, laughing weakly at him.

Her eyes were filled with pity. "You've never known love," Aravis finally said to him. "It'll kill you one day."

---

3 Minutes Earlier...

---

Virginia sat in her rented room, gazing outside. It was no longer so much a window as it was a gigantic hole in the wall, allowing in a delightful sea breeze. In the distance, she could see a cloud of smoke rising into the air, its shape reminiscent of a mushroom cloud. By her memory, the direction was the Devil's Triangle. "Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc," Virginia said clearly, smiling through a tear.

She did not need the gift of prophecy to know that her parents were no longer among the living. Yet to the well organized mind, death was nothing but the next great adventure. It was not a time for sorrow, but one for joy. "We will dance a glorious mamushka for you both," Virginia promised. With all that had happened in the last week, with the tragedy at Tortuga, she knew her parents were bound to find themselves mixed up with it all.

Virginia then turned her head, spotting eight ships on the horizon. She could barely make out the flags from this distance, even when she squinted. Whatever chaos was happening in the Caribbean, it had only just begun.

---

10 Minutes Earlier...

---

"You'll want to take a nice deep breath, dear," a voice whispered in Millicent's ear. Her surroundings have changed entirely, though that in itself is not too unusual when it came to the Cursed Flask. However, had Millicent explored more before her death, she perhaps would have recognized them. Above her is the crisp sky and her nose is filled with the scent of the marshes. To her left, there are several small huts. Some of them have been destroyed, likely ransacked. Others are in pristine condition. And to her right, there is a kindly woman.

"That's it," the woman praised her. She smoothed the folds of her dress and stood up. Her feet did not quite reach the ground. "Please, call me Caroline. Or if you are more formally suited, I suppose Mrs. Alucard will do. Now, dearie, I know you are going to have questions. But there is much that I must explain to you."

Caroline's smile faded as she spotted the flask near Millicent. It was in perfect condition, without a single scratch on it. Yet Caroline also saw something that others could not - she saw the souls still attached to the flask. I mustn't be impatient with her, Carolina reminded herself. There was much that Millicent had done already that others may not have - the first being the healing of all of those Luisa had caused harm to - those who had not already passed, at least. That in itself was a good.

"You are no longer a mortal woman, Millicent," Caroline explained. "Listen to the flask - you can understand its tongue. Reach out...you can feel all things, you can cause them to move of your accord."

"And my child, you will never die."

---

Now...

---

Septima blinked, attempting to comprehend her new surroundings. She was back at home - back at the Misty Mire. She had returned to Tortuga. Searching her thoughts, Septima growled as she recalled what had happened. She had been so close to the flask...And if she were here, then another must have taken it from her.

She passed through the wall of the hut as if it was nothing, only to see the bastard Millicent Clarke talking to herself. Septima couldn't see Mrs. Alucard - only Millicent could. "You! How dare you, you heathen! You do not understand the power that flask possesses - it would suit you ill!" Septima growled.

"...Quoi?" Édouard asked as he awoke face down in the mire. Had he not been a ghost, he would have been covered in a fine layer of mud. Instead, he awoke to find himself back somewhere incredibly familiar - Tortuga! He grinned as he got to his feet, hardly even noticing as he passed through Septima.

"Bastard!"

"Je t'en prie!" Édouard replied, thinking it had been some form of compliment. More and more of the ghosts were coming into view, as their spirits appeared on the island of Tortuga. The flask had moved and naturally, so had they. They were tethered to it, as the flask continued to feed off of their souls.

Would they ever be able to find peace?