Dawn- An age of Darkness
Chapter 104 - A New Beginning

Yet again I dreamt about my past. The nightmare went on and I woke up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat. The door was open and there was some light outside.

My body was too broken but my heart ached. I needed some fresh air. No, I wanted some fresh air. I looked around and there was a stick next to the door. Somebody must have been considerate enough to put it there for me.

My body was covered in bandages from the head to toe. My body had seen better days no doubt, but it was better than last night. The curse was very effective, indeed. Besides I had my first meal in a week. So I had at least some energy.

Getting up with intense throbbing, I slowly got the stick and with it, got out of the room. My whole body radiated extreme pain. My chest burned. I could spot fresh blood through the bandages on my chest, but I just wanted to head outside: I just wanted fresh air. I held my chest with one hand and the stick with another. My hand felt wet but warm. I didn't even care to look at my body anymore.

With simple steps, I moved closer and closer to the deck. I was wrong. It wasn't midnight; in fact, it was almost dawn.

I walked close to the edge of the ship and stared at the same water in which I had fallen. The distant eastern sky still had stars and looked brighter than the rest of the sky. It reminded me of that day.

"Don't go too close now, who knows when you might fall," a strong masculine voice warned.

I didn't look behind. I could tell by his voice that he was the captain's son. "Don't worry. I've already been there once. This time if somebody comes behind me, I wouldn't care who it is or what they want but I'd definitely welcome them with my solid fist first. I wouldn't mind apologizing later but I don't want to go through that ever again." I didn't know why but I felt awfully talkative. My speech was back to normal too.

Not ever again.

I was not the same person I once was. This time, I wouldn't blindly trust people just because they looked innocent!

He chuckled. "Don't know what you're talking about, but are you sure you should be walking around with those wounds?" He was right. I ignored the pain, but it was still too great.

I tried to change the subject. Of course, I couldn't move around and it hurt like hell, but I had to. "Don't let it bother you. Didn't expect you to be here so early…"

"Actually I'm a morning person so…"

"No wonder…"

We laughed a little. My chest had eased up but laughing brought back the sting. The guy was on the other side of the deck. He was none other than the captain's son, Hook.

And he thought my name was weird.

The horizon was brightening up. The sea looked beautiful and I didn't really care all that much about myself. Just this once I wanted to forget everything and just live the moment.

I offered my prayers to Terortra about the pirates and to guide them to the afterlife. Maybe they'd reach him maybe they won't. I didn't know how this worked anyway. But one thing I knew, the sea king was real and he helped me.

The sea was calm and there wasn't any sound besides the water flowing. Everyone was probably still asleep.

The sky was fresh and the smell of salt enveloped my nostrils from the start. It was a nostalgic feeling; a nostalgic feeling that I wanted to forget. There were birds in the distance and some clouds up in the sky.

"Boy, what on God's beard are you doing up here!?"

Gods have beard?

A few moments later the old man showed up. He came close to me and I kept my guard up. It's not like I didn't trust him, it was just I didn't really felt the necessity to leave my guard down ever again.

"Don't fret old man. It isn't good for your health."

"I don't need to hear that from you." He chuckled. But he wasn't happy.

I stared at the horizon. The sun was half visible. "I just don't want to miss this view."

The eastern sky was getting quite red. Just a few moments to go….

He joined me. "Never knew you were that type of person."

I didn't know either.

"What type of person?" I asked.

"Ha ha ha!" His sarcastic laugh filled the air around.

That doesn't answer my question you know!

It finally…!

The sun finally had risen. The water around the rising sun got illuminated in amazing colors. It was just breathtaking. I'd experienced thousands of sunrises in my life but this one had them all beat. I really was at a loss for words.

I don't know why -or maybe I knew but didn't care about the reason- but the sun meant a lot to me.

Whenever I saw the sunlight, my courage skyrocketed. My heartfelt at ease.

I can't believe I get to see the sun again…. I thought for sure I'd die.

Back then at the cave, I was totally prepared to die. But I did have plenty of regrets.

I stared at the eastern sky with a modest smile while my eyes leaked a few drops. The old man was here by me and I didn't even look back. I couldn't help but stare at the magnificence of the sun; the everlasting source of my courage. But my strength was all but gone.

I fell to my knees. My body was already past the limit but I still had to see the sun. I just wanted to. I needed to.

"Boy!"

My vision weakened. "Old man, it isn't anything serious, but do you mind carrying me to that hammock over there? I don't feel like spending all the time in that cabin," I said.

"Sure thing."

He held me and acted as my support. I didn't lose consciousness and walked alongside him. He made it easy for me and I lied down on the hammock. It wasn't as comfortable as the bed back in that cabin but at least the scenery and my mood were better.

My chest was bright red now but that didn't stop me from admiring the sky.

From the depths of the hammock, I watched as the whole sky fully lit up and soon there weren't even the slightest traces of stars.

"Rest up kid… and uh- thanks." The old man scratched the back of his head and walked to the other side after giving me a potion. His gratitude felt a little awkward but I felt better hearing that.

I drank the potion, closed my eyes, and fell asleep. It was pure bliss.

Finally.