The Sails of Seven Oceans — Part Two Chapter 1: The Flame Beneath the Ruby
The skies above Vascalana had turned golden as the crew sailed westward. Erudite held the glowing ruby close, staring into its shifting flames. Each flicker seemed to whisper something... almost like it was alive.
“What’s wrong?” Charles asked, leaning on the ship’s rail.
Erudite didn’t answer immediately. “I don’t think the ruby is just a gem. I think it’s a key to something... more.”
That night, Erudite dreamt of a volcanic island, where fire danced on water and a stone temple stood in the heart of lava. In the dream, a deep voice rumbled:
“To awaken the seas, unlock the Second Flame. The ruby knows the way.”
He woke with a jolt. The ruby was burning hot in his hand.
“What now?” Sam mumbled, half-asleep.
“We head east,” Erudite said. “To the Island of Flames.”
Chapter 2: The Island of Flames
The crew sailed for two weeks, navigating through storms and razor-sharp reefs. The ruby glowed brighter each day, guiding their way.
At last, they saw it: a massive island wreathed in smoke and lava, surrounded by steam rising from the ocean itself.
“We can’t dock here,” shouted a crewman.
“We’ll take the lifeboats,” Erudite ordered.
As they reached the island, the heat was unbearable. Rivers of lava flowed like glowing veins, and the air smelled of ash. In the distance stood the stone temple from Erudite’s dream, guarded by fiery golems.
“Guns won’t work here,” Charles said, wiping sweat from his brow.
“No,” Erudite replied, holding up the ruby. “But maybe this will.”
He walked toward the nearest golem. As it raised its arm to strike, the ruby flashed blindingly. The golem stopped... then bowed. One by one, the others followed.
“They serve the ruby,” Sam whispered.
Inside the temple, ancient murals told a new story: The ruby was one of seven—a set of magical gems forged to calm the oceans and stop the wrath of a sleeping god named Oryxon, buried beneath the sea.
Erudite placed the ruby into a slot in the temple’s altar. The room shook, and lava poured into the walls, lighting ancient runes. A stone map emerged, etched with the names of six more islands.
“Seven rubies. Seven oceans,” Erudite murmured.
The first ruby shot back into his hand, glowing fiercely.
Chapter 3: The Black Waters
Returning to the ship, the crew was silent. What had started as a quest for treasure had become something much bigger.
They set sail for the second island, marked Nocteros, said to be hidden in the Black Waters—a cursed sea where light could not enter and ships vanished forever.
As they neared, even the sun seemed to flee. Darkness swallowed everything. The water was like ink, and no stars lit the sky.
Suddenly, the compass spun wildly.
“We’re not alone,” whispered Sam.
A ghostly ship appeared beside them—The Wraithcaller. Its sails were tattered, and its crew were nothing but shadows.
“Board them!” Erudite shouted.
A fierce battle broke out. Blades clashed, and musket fire lit up the night. But the ghosts kept rising—until Erudite struck one with the ruby. It let out a scream and vanished in a burst of light.
“Use the ruby!” he cried.
One by one, the shadows vanished. When the Wraithcaller began to sink, the sea below split open. A black whirlpool formed, pulling them downward.
“Hold tight!” Charles roared.
Their ship was dragged into the whirlpool—only to emerge inside a vast underground cavern lit by phosphorescent crystals.
Chapter 4: Nocteros
They had reached Nocteros, a hidden undersea island. At its center stood a crystal obelisk, covered in glowing sea runes.
As Erudite approached, the ruby began to hum. Placing it on the obelisk, another ruby—deep blue in color—rose from beneath the ground.
The voice returned in Erudite’s mind:
“You have found the second. Oryxon stirs. The third lies where skies bleed green and thunder dances.”
With the new ruby in hand, they sailed back up to the surface, now marked by a strange green glow on the horizon.
Chapter 5: The Skystorm Isles
Following the map, they reached the Skystorm Isles, a group of floating rock islands connected by vines and bridges. Violent storms roared constantly around them, with green lightning striking the ocean.
“Why is the storm circling us?” Sam asked nervously.
“It’s guarding something,” Erudite replied.
They anchored below and climbed to the first floating island. The storm intensified with each step. On the second island, they saw it: a crystal sphere floating mid-air, surrounded by a spinning vortex of wind.
Suddenly, wind elementals rose from the ground—creatures of storm and cloud.
The battle was fierce. Sam was almost blown off the island, but Charles grabbed him just in time. Erudite hurled the ruby into the vortex—it pulsed with red and blue light.
The storm screamed and vanished. The third ruby—sky-green—appeared in its place.
Chapter 6: Shadows of the Deep
With three rubies in hand, the crew now had power no pirate had ever dreamed of. But as they sailed onward, danger followed.
Ships with black sails began trailing them—an army of shadow pirates led by Admiral Kael, an ancient warrior risen from the depths.
“He wants the rubies,” Charles said grimly.
“But why?” Sam asked.
“To awaken Oryxon. To rule the seas forever,” Erudite answered.
Kael attacked near the Coral Reefs. Cannons roared, and the sea turned crimson. Erudite activated the rubies—summoning a whirlpool, a wind shield, and flames that exploded across the enemy’s deck.
Kael retreated but swore to return. “You cannot hide from the Deep.”
Chapter 7: The Whispers Continue
Now in possession of three rubies, Erudite stood at the ship’s bow, staring at the horizon. The ruby pulsed steadily in his hand, warm and alive. He heard a whisper again, clearer this time:
“Only together can they seal the storm. Only the chosen can bear all seven.”
“What do you think it means?” Charles asked, stepping beside him.
“It means we don’t just collect these rubies,” Erudite said slowly. “We have to use them for something… something that may decide the fate of every ocean.”
He opened Urkone’s book again. A final page had appeared, one that wasn’t there before.
The fourth ruby lies in the Forests of Ohlmorra, where trees speak and time stands still.
Erudite closed the book and looked at his crew.
“Get ready, mates. The fourth ocean awaits.”
