The Sea Serpent anchored just off the island, its crew abuzz with activity as they transported necessities ashore. The first day passed uneventfully, the crew working together to set up a temporary camp near the beach. The island's dense jungle loomed in the background, its thick foliage rustling ominously in the breeze.

The island itself was a deceptive paradise. Pristine white sandy beaches stretched as far as the eye could see, with crystal-clear waters lapping gently at the shore. Palm trees swayed gracefully in the tropical breeze, their leaves rustling softly. Brightly colored birds flitted between the trees, filling the air with their melodic songs. The scent of exotic flowers wafted through the air, mingling with the salty tang of the ocean.

As evening fell, they gathered around a campfire on the deck, sharing stories and laughter. It was a way to unwind after a long day and to bolster their spirits against the unknown.

"Remember when we raided that merchant ship and found nothing but spices?" Gregor chuckled. "Captain made us eat spicy stew for a week!"

The crew laughed, their camaraderie evident despite the ruthlessness that defined them. Their laughter echoed across the water, a testament to their resilience and dark humor.

Among them was Malik, a former slave who had quickly proved his worth with his sharp wit and resourcefulness. He sat close to the fire, his dark eyes reflecting the flames. Despite the hardships he had endured, Malik always had a joke ready to lighten the mood.

"I'll tell you one thing," Mavery said with a grin. "If these cannibals get me, I hope they like spicy food. After a week of Gregor's stew, my blood's probably hot enough to burn their tongues!"

The crew burst into laughter, the tension easing slightly. Even in the face of danger, Malik's humor was a welcome relief.

The second night, after another long day of transporting supplies and exploring the island, the crew gathered around the campfire again. The air was thick with anticipation and unease as they settled in, ready for another round of stories. This time, the mood was more subdued, the shadows cast by the fire dancing eerily on their faces.

Brannon, the enforcer, leaned in, his voice low and conspiratorial. "I've heard tales about islands like this. Places where people go missing, never to be seen again. "

Elara, the experienced navigator, nodded. "I've heard those stories too. They say cannibals inhabit these lands, waiting for unsuspecting travelers."

The crew exchanged uneasy glances, the flickering firelight reflecting their nervousness. Gregor, ever the joker, tried to lighten the mood. "If we get eaten, at least we'll save on rations," he quipped, earning a few nervous chuckles.

Their humor was short-lived. The next morning, as they prepared to venture further into the jungle, they realized that one of their own, a young sailor named Finn, had gone missing.

"Probably got lost taking a piss," Maren suggested, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

The crew laughed nervously, but the unease was palpable.

"We're not risking the entire crew to find one person...yet" Jana said while rolling her eyes, "He might have thought we are on vacation

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized her mistake. "Vacation" was a term that didn't belong in these times. She quickly scanned the faces around her, hoping no one had noticed the slip.Malik raised an eyebrow but said nothing, thinking it was just another strange word he didn't know. His grasp of English was strong but far from perfect. The others seemed too focused on the task at hand to catch her slip. Jana let out a silent sigh of relief, vowing to be more careful with her words in the future.

As they moved deeper into the jungle, more crew members began to disappear. The thick foliage seemed to swallow them whole, leaving no trace behind. The tension among the remaining crew was palpable, their movements more cautious, their eyes constantly scanning the dense greenery around them.

"Island's got a taste for pirates," Malik joked, trying to lighten the mood. "Hope it hates taste of darkies." Due to the tension, no one laughed. Only Jana let out a light chuckle. She had changed a lot over the years—from the rigid officer she once was to someone who actually enjoyed the company of her crew. However, this was not the time to focus on the past.

Following faint trails and distant cries for help, they finally reached an ancient temple hidden deep within the jungle. The stone structure was overgrown with vines, and strange symbols were etched into its surface. Inside, they found several of their missing crew members, bound and bruised but alive.

As they made their way through the temple, Jana couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Some presence was lurking in the shadows, a constant threat. They moved quickly, their footsteps muffled by the dense underbrush.

Suddenly, a group of islanders, their bodies painted with blood and strange markings, sprang from the foliage, blocking their path. Jana drew her sword, her crew following suit. "Well, look who decided to join the party," she said with a grim smile. "Cannibals!"

A fierce skirmish ensued, the crew fighting desperately to break free. Outnumbered and outmaneuvered, they fought with a savage intensity born of desperation. Jana led the charge, her blade flashing as she cut down any cannibal that came too close. Despite their efforts, it became clear they couldn't win.

"Fall back to the shore!" Jana ordered, her voice carrying over the din of battle.

The crew quickly fetched their friends from the temple, carrying the injured and helping the weak. One crew member was left behind in the chaos, unable to keep up.

"Fucking Finn, hope he finds a better place to piss next time," Maren muttered as they retreated.

They swam with all their might, the Sea Serpent a distant silhouette against the darkening sky. As they climbed aboard, gasping for breath, the cannibals halted at the water's edge, unwilling to venture into the sea.

"Something's not right about this," Brannon muttered, his gaze fixed on the shore.

Jana's expression darkened. "That messenger sent us here to die." She turned to the crew. "Bring him here. It's time for answers."

The crew quickly found the messenger, dragging him before Jana. His eyes widened in fear as he faced her.

"Who sent you?" Jana demanded.

The messenger remained silent, his face pale.

"No talking? Fine then, die," Jana said coldly. "I don't really care about you or your master." She ordered the crew to leave him on the shore, knowing the cannibals would find him. "If fate has other plans for you, you'll survive. I won't be the one making your life shorter," she added with a smile as he descended the ship.