Chapter 11.

The Agony of the Waves.

Chaos reigned on The Shadow of Thunder. The waves rose with relentless fury, and the merfolk, with their muscular, scaly bodies, rocked the ship with terrifying force. The crew struggled desperately to maintain their balance and prevent the vessel from capsizing.

We will not let them sink us! Marcus shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar of the sea. All hands! Stand firm!

The sailors answered the call, redoubling their efforts to counter the merfolk attack. Their faces were tense and filled with determination, knowing that their survival depended on their ability to resist.

Iris, her sword in hand, moved nimbly, directing a group of sailors to ensure the heavy loads were properly redistributed. Push the cannons to the left! ¡Quickly! she ordered, as the creatures continued to try to overturn the ship.

The collective effort was monumental, but the weight of the cannons and cargo crushed some sailors, leaving a trail of mangled bodies and blood splattered across the deck. Marcus, seeing his men's sacrifice, felt a mixture of pain and rage.

Iris, we need a distraction! Something to draw the merfolk away from the ship, Marcus shouted, his mind racing.

Iris nodded, her gaze filled with determination. I've got him, Captain! She went to the hold and pulled out several barrels of gunpowder. We'll use these to create an explosion! That should get their attention!

Quickly and precisely, the sailors began preparing the barrels, making sure they were properly positioned. Iris lit a fuse and, with one last glance at Marcus, tossed the barrels into the sea.

The explosion was deafening, and a column of water rose into the air, splashing everyone on deck. The merfolk, surprised by the blast, momentarily moved away, allowing The Thunder Shadow to regain some stability.

Seize this moment,  Regroup,  Marcus ordered, his voice filled with urgency. We can't lose focus now…

The crew worked with impeccable synchronization, repairing damaged sails and securing loose cargo. The bodies of the fallen sailors were tossed into the sea, a grim reminder of the toll their journey took.

As the threat of merfolk diminished, Marcus turned to Iris. Thank you for your help Iris. That explosion bought us the time we needed.

Iris nodded, her face still tense. We're not done, Captain. The Sea of ​​Storms is still dangerous, and we must remain vigilant.

Marcus looked toward the horizon, knowing she was right. Despite the momentary victory, their mission was far from complete. Morgana and Erebus were still imminent threats, and they knew they must continue their search with determination.

We will press on, Marcus said, his voice filled with resolve. We will not rest until we find Morgana and the song begins to unravel whether she was the one who extracted the poison or if she had another accomplice.

The crew of The Thunder Shadow, though exhausted and wounded, remained steadfast. Their journey across the Sea of ​​Storms was not over, and they knew they must face more challenges before finding Morgana...