𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

by mosh218

Summary:

Prince Itoshi Sae of the Great Reefs sets out to retrieve a legendary pearl, The Sea's Eye, said to hold the power to end a war that has raged for millennia. But a betrayal leaves him captured by pirate Captain Shidou Ryusei and far from home — and as secrets unravel, Sae begins to realize the pearl may not be the key to peace after all.

 

OR: Prince Sae goes pearl-hunting to end a war, but gets kidnapped by a hot pirate instead.

!! ON TEMPORARY HIATUS !!

Notes:

HELLOO! Some of you may know me from my Rinsagi fic Sapphire Kissed Nights, and some may not, but this is my first Ryusae ficcc and Im so exciteddd :D This fic should be about 45-60k words, so stay tuned for future chapters as I will release them every 1-2 weeks :) Buckle up because this fic will be one hell of a ride <3 Tysm to my mutuals Sayuyen and Buttered Shidou on TikTok for your support!! <3 Enjoy!!

Chapter 1: The Sea’s Eye Beckons

 

 

The Sea.

A vast, unknowable expanse. A place of shifting tides and ancient silence, home now to countless lifeforms—but it was not always so. In the beginning, the sea was nothing but magic in motion: formless, endless, brimming with potential.

Its creation by the gods was not done in haste. It was a moment of wonder, of contemplation. The gods stood at the edges of the newborn waters, watching its currents swirl with raw power, its waves humming with the very essence of their divinity. And they knew: this place was meant for more.

Life would come, yes. Fish to dart through coral, anemones to sway with the rhythm of the current. But that was not enough—not for waters steeped in magic and purpose. The gods desired something greater than instinct and scale. They craved will. Thought. Voices that could answer the sea’s song with a song of their own.

So they came to a consensus.

Magic danced within every current and tide, demanding more than silence. And thus, the gods created intelligent life—beings forged to fit the sea's design, to thrive where no surface dweller ever could.

The sea did not roar—it sang . Deep and resonant, its voice echoed through the still-forming world as divine hands shaped its first sentient children.

From the godly depths came two: the Tideborn and the Luminestra—the oldest, wisest peoples of the sea, crafted in harmony, each ruling their own domain beneath the waves.

The Tideborn were sculpted in the image of surface-dwelling mortals, with torsos and features not unlike humans. But from the waist down, their forms shimmered with long, powerful tails, covered in iridescent scales that caught the light like gemstones. They were made for the reefs, for the shallows where sunlight danced through kelp forests and sandbanks. Agile and swift, they hunted fish with sharpened spears and netted creatures of the warm tides.

Their diets, rich in the pigments of the coral seas, shaped their appearances over generations. Tideborn came in every hue—sapphire blue, emerald green, coral pink, obsidian black. Each color a story, a lineage, a reflection of the waters they called home.

The Luminestra, however, were born for darkness.

Dwelling in the abyssal zone far below the sun’s reach, they knew no warmth of daylight. But they created their own light. Glowing softly in the deep, their forms were long and elegant, trailing with silk-thin limbs and flowing fronds. Their skin shimmered with bioluminescence, casting ghostly blues and haunting violets across the ocean floor.

They were hunters, too, but of different prey—sharp-toothed, blind creatures of the great trench, things with too many eyes or none at all. The Luminestra adapted, evolved. Fluttered fins carried them swiftly through pressure-crushed waters, and ancient magic flowed in their veins.

And in their touch? Venom.

A single strike could paralyze. A sting could kill. Their poison was not born of malice, but necessity—an answer to the ruthless ecosystem of the deep sea.

For centuries—millennia—the Tideborn and Luminestra lived in balance, each ruling their own kingdom of salt and silence. Reefs above. Trench below. Light and shadow. Surface and depth.

But balance, like the tide, always shifts.

As new species emerged from the sea's enchanted depths—like the radiant Virelin, the enigmatic Nethrin, and the ever-formidable Sharkfolk—the balance once held between the two eldest sea-born peoples began to tremble. What had been a delicate harmony between the Tideborn and the Luminestra slowly began to shift, the ancient equilibrium tilting on its axis like a ship caught in a rogue wave, dragging the current with it.

Millennia had passed since the gods first sang the sea into existence, shaping its depths and light with purpose. The world beneath the waves had grown vibrant and vast, a web of cultures, magic, and mystery. But it was not divine intervention that stirred the waters this time—it was a mortal.

A human, no less.

They were unlike any the sea had ever seen before. A traveler bearing skin like starlight, eyes like opals veined with constellations. They claimed to see beyond the veil of time, to know the futures that lay hidden in the folds of fate. Word of this prophecy-bearer spread as all things do in the sea—fast and far, riding the currents and whispers through coral and trench alike. It did not take long for the rumors to reach both the reef-cities of the Tideborn and the shadowed abyss of the Luminestra.

More specifically, it reached their rulers.

The Grand Tidecaller, sovereign of the shimmering reefs, and the Abyssal Sovereign, ruler of the deep and dark, each demanded the human's presence. A meeting was called at a place that belonged to neither—the still waters between sunlit coral and blackened trench, at the very surface where light and darkness converged.

Both monarchs sought the same thing: to know the fate of their people.

But there was one thing they had not considered.

When the star-marked human opened their mouth to speak, the ocean seemed to still. The prophecy came not as song or vision, but as a simple truth, dropped into the waters like a stone:

"The reefs shall be the doom of the abyss, and the abyss shall be the doom of the reefs.
One will drown if the other does not fall.
Only extinction shall bring peace."

That was all it took.

Centuries—thousands of years of peace—shattered in an instant, splintered by fear and pride. Suspicion surged like a riptide. Alliances crumbled. Trade turned to silence. Borders were guarded, and whispers of war flowed faster than truth.

Thus began The War of Currents..

A conflict born not from hatred, but from prophecy. From the fear that one’s survival could only be ensured by the other’s end. From the belief that destiny could not be altered—only outrun.

And beneath it all, the ocean watched, eternal and ever-changing, as the children of the gods turned their blades against one another.

 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 

     

 

Millennia of monarchical rule had shaped the currents of the reef kingdoms, each ruler rising like the tide to take their place at the helm of the sea. But of all the heirs who’d ever ascended, only one had ever been forged by both prophecy and pressure. One mer rose above the tides—too soon, too young, and with far too many expectations already carved into his name.

Prince Itoshi Sae.

A mer known by many names, far more than he ever wanted. Each title echoed through coral halls and kelp-thick courts like a tidal whisper—sacred, revered, and yet unbearably heavy.

Pearlheart Regent of the Royal Court , a title bound to leadership in absence of the true king. A name that glittered like his scaled tail but carried thorns beneath the surface.

The Crown’s Genius of the Sea , a label gifted by scholars, soldiers, and nobles alike, for the brilliance of his mind and the cold precision of his decisions.

Heir to the Coral Throne , the final promise of legacy, as inevitable as the turning tides.

But what could such a mer have done to earn these names? Other than simply being born with saltwater in his veins and a crown hanging over his head like a storm cloud?

As it turns out, birthright alone wasn't why he approached the Royal Court as it’s Pearlheart today.

His father—the former Grand Pearlheart, a fierce tactician and beloved warrior—had returned from battle bearing not the trophies of victory, but the silence of a nearly fatal wound. A gash too deep, magic too far gone to reach him. He slipped into a coma, and with that, the throne became a ghost. The kingdom waited. The crown weighed.

And Sae, at just the age of stepping out of shadow and into legacy, became Pearlheart Regent —the one expected to hold the kingdom steady until his father awoke. If he ever awoke.

He had always known his father might return from war with scars. But he never imagined one like this.

Now, Sae stood in the center of a palace that echoed with political tension and centuries-old grief. His tail glimmered like ruby gemstones as he drifted through the great reef halls, every movement measured, every look dissected. The nobles looked to him not just as a leader—but as a weapon. A weapon honed not for peace, but for the extinction of an entire race.

For the tideborn had warred with the Luminestra for longer than the written record could recall. A war waged in shadows and shipwrecks, in reeffire and abyssal venom. A war passed down like a sacred duty through every generation of tideborn royals.

And now, it was his duty.

To command armies. To inspire loyalty. To fulfill a promise made by blood and salt and prophecy. To lead the reef into victory, to eradicate the Luminestra once and for all—just as his ancestors had tried, and failed, again and again.

He was not ready. But the sea didn’t care.

The currents never waited for those still learning how to swim.

As he glided through the grand atrium of the Royal Court, Prince Itoshi Sae moved with the quiet command of one born to rule. His crimson tail shimmered, catching slivers of light from the shell-laced chandeliers that swayed with the current above. Guards bowed low, nobles whispered, and the marble halls, veined with pearl and coral, echoed faintly with the steady rhythm of his arrival.

Yet, all Sae could do was sigh—quiet and composed—at the thought of the speech he was about to give. It would not be a simple one, not just another routine declaration of wartime strategies. No, today’s address would be bold . Today, he would announce a move that would shape the fate of their people.

As he approached the dais of the Royal Court, the sea-blue sigil of the Coral Throne carved behind him, Sae turned to face the assembly—rows of nobles, advisors, and battle-hardened commanders, all gathered in the circular chamber carved from reefstone.

He raised one hand, and the room stilled instantly.

“As Pearlheart Regent, I’ve heard all of your concerns regarding the war,” he began, his voice resonant and unflinching. “Rejoice, then—for I have found a way for us to defeat the Luminestra devils once and for all.”

A soft murmur broke out. Sae’s gaze didn’t waver.

With a subtle flick of his hand, magic gathered around his fingertips—streams of pale light curling like kelp in a current. He projected a glowing, translucent image into the water above them.

A pearl hovered in the air— not just any pearl , but smooth, lustrous, and radiating a glow that pulsed like a heartbeat.

The Sea’s Eye.

“I have uncovered credible information regarding the whereabouts of the long-lost Sea’s Eye Pearl—stolen by the Luminestra, as history tells us. However... they no longer possess it. They lost it, and with that, the tides shift once more in our favor.”

The nobles leaned in. The water thickened with anticipation.

“As this matter is of utmost importance to the future of our domain—and the fulfillment of the Oracle’s Tale—I will personally lead the expedition to retrieve it, accompanied by an elite guard.”

Whispers spread like wildfire. Disbelief and awe laced the currents. A few nobles exchanged glances; others broke into cautious smiles.

“With the Sea’s Eye in our grasp, we shall cleanse the sea of Luminestra scum once and for all. We shall rise, triumphant, and bring about the age of Tideborn supremacy the gods intended.”

The chamber erupted into cheers and thunderous applause, the echoing clang of coral rings and shell-decorated staffs marking approval.

As Sae continued, laying out recent victories in smaller skirmishes and outlining the path forward, nobles began stepping forward—some to offer praise, others to question his ambition. It was routine, by now. At just eighteen, Sae had led the Reef for a year, but his youth still drew skepticism from the more traditional houses. He bore their challenges with the cold poise he had perfected under pressure.

Then the heavy doors of the court groaned open.

Heads turned, and Sae glanced sideways just in time to see a figure slip through, dark green hair, his long turquoise tail trailing behind with barely-contained grace.

Prince Itoshi Rin . The second son of the Coral Throne.

He looked decidedly disheveled.

Sea scrolls tucked under one arm, bags under his eyes, Rin made his way to the throne-adjacent seat with all the grace of a drifting sunfish.

“You’re late,” Sae murmured as the court settled again.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” Rin whispered back, setting his scrolls down and slumping beside his brother. “I assume I didn’t miss anything important ?”

“Were you up all night reading horror books again ?”

“Tch. They’re horror novels , brother.”

“Still lukewarm.”

“Still novels .”

Before Sae could needle him further, a smooth voice broke through the chatter.

“Your Royal Highnesses, if I may?” came Duke Leonardo Luna , rising from his coiled seat of anemone silk. “Who will assume rulership in your stead during your journey to recover the Sea’s Eye?”

Rin blinked. “Wait—journey? What journey?”

“I’ll explain later,” Sae muttered before straightening and addressing the court.

“It’s simple. During my brief and—undoubtedly successful—mission to retrieve the Pearl, my younger brother, Prince Itoshi Rin, will serve as acting regent in my place.”

Rin sat straighter. “ What? ”

Gasps and murmurs rippled outward like concentric waves.

“Prince Rin is trained in both martial and magical arts,” Sae continued smoothly. “His counsel is sharp, and his loyalty unquestionable. I have full faith in his ability to manage and protect the kingdom in my absence.”

“You mean you want me to babysit the Reef while you go off on a shiny pearl hunt,” Rin muttered from the side of his mouth.

Sae gave him a look. “You’re welcome.”

“Thanks,” Rin grumbled, “I hate politics.”

“Good practice, then.”

Sae turned back to the crowd, lifting the coral-headed gavel beside the throne. “On behalf of our father and the royal bloodline, I thank you all for your enduring loyalty during these turbulent tides. May the gods guide us through the coming storm.”

He struck the gavel once—a sharp crack echoing through the chamber—signaling the meeting’s end.

As the court began to disperse, seaweed-trimmed robes floating like banners behind them, Rin leaned toward his brother again with a sigh.

“You really couldn’t have told me before the whole ‘acting regent’ bit?”

“I was going to tell you before the meeting started,” Sae replied as he turned to leave, “But you weren't here.”

“Great,” Rin muttered under his breath. 

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

A week later, once every detail of his departure had been carefully arranged and executed—his armor polished, supplies packed, maps studied, and a handpicked escort assembled—Prince Itoshi Sae made his way through the sweeping halls of the Coral Palace. 

The corridors glowed with the soft bioluminescence of pearl-laced walls, the familiar scent of kelp and sea-salt in the water surrounding him like a second skin. With steady composure and the weight of his role settled firmly on his shoulders, the regent approached the grand arched entrance of the palace, where his younger brother waited outside.

As the grand coralwood doors creaked open under the strength of two palace servants, Prince Itoshi Sae emerged into the soft glow of the palace courtyard. The light filtered through the water in shimmering ribbons, dancing across the marble sand and casting shadows over the gathered entourage. The ocean around the Coral Palace always felt slightly warmer in this part of the reef—no doubt the magic of old still lingered, nestled in the stones like memories.

Outside stood a small crowd of nobles, royal guards in ceremonial armor trimmed in golden kelp, and two familiar figures waiting at the center. The nobility, draped in flowing finery of reef-silk and adorned with gleaming pearls, bowed in respect as he passed, but Sae’s eyes were fixed only on two individuals.

His younger brother.
And the knight at his side.

Oliver Aiku, the latter, cut a tall and commanding figure even without the dramatic cape favored by the other guards. His sea-blue armor bore the insignia of the Aiku family: a spear crossed over a cresting wave. The family had served the royal house for generations—loyal to a fault, feared in battle, and notorious for producing some of the finest warriors in the entire Tideborn dominion. Though younger than most of the high-ranking knights, Aiku’s skill with a trident and his affinity for water magic had quickly propelled him to the top of the royal guard.

And now, he’d been assigned as Sae’s personal escort.

A precaution, the council had said. A formality, some claimed.

But Sae knew what it really was.

A leash.

He wasn’t foolish—he could read between the lines of noble concern and flowery diplomacy. They were afraid of losing another Itoshi. His father lay unconscious in a pearl-glass chamber, kept alive only by potent enchantments. The people couldn't afford another tragedy. So they sent Aiku. A glorified watchdog. Sae’s stomach twisted at the idea. As if he, the Pearlheart Regent, was incapable of defending himself. As if his magic and blade were not sharpened by years of training and a lifetime of war.

Still, Sae allowed no hint of irritation to crack his expression as he approached. Composure was everything.

“Your Majesty,” both Aiku and Rin said in unison, bowing their heads in respect.

Sae’s gaze flicked to the knight first, eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

“Aiku,” he began, voice cool and deliberate, “I see you’re my… 'guard’ for this journey.”

Aiku smirked, unbothered by the sharpness in his prince’s tone. “Will do, my liege,” he said, voice laced with playful confidence. “Try not to swim too fast. Wouldn’t want your watchdog falling behind.”

Sae’s brow twitched, but he said nothing in reply. Instead, he turned to Rin, whose posture was more relaxed—bordering on disrespectful, really—as he adjusted the collar of his robe and tried to smooth down his perpetually mussed hair.

“Rin,” Sae said, voice softening just a fraction.

“Nii-chan,” Rin returned with an upward nod, arms crossed. His eyes, a sharp sea-glass green, were clear despite the fatigue in his movements. Even disheveled, he looked every inch the prince—though a feral one.

“Keep the kingdom steady while I’m gone,” Sae said, placing a firm hand on Rin’s shoulder. “You’ve trained for this. I trust you’ll be a capable Pearlheart Regent in my absence.”

There was a pause. Then Sae leaned in, voice lowering just for the two of them. “And if I’m delayed... if you’re worried—don’t be an idiot about it. Use your divination magic. You know how.”

Rin scoffed, flicking Sae’s hand off his shoulder. “Tch. Like I’d be worried about a lukewarm like you.”

“You say that,” Sae replied dryly, “but last time I stayed an extra night with the Kravari, you nearly declared war.”

Rin pointed a finger accusingly. “They’re part crab. What was I supposed to think? You disappear for an entire day, and suddenly the kingdom's got rumors about marriage treaties and kidnappings!”

Sae actually laughed —a rare thing, deep and amused. “You’ve always been dramatic.”

“Better dramatic than having a dead brother!”

Before the chatter could escalate, Aiku stepped forward, clearing his throat. “Pardon the interruption, your highnesses,” he said, glancing between the brothers. “But the tide waits for no one. We should begin our journey if we want to reach the Eastern Trench before dusk.”

Sae let out a slow breath and nodded. He turned back to Rin one last time.

“Take care, lukewarm,” he said, ruffling Rin’s hair with a quick hand.

“Stop—Nii-chan, stop ,” Rin grumbled, batting his brother away, though a reluctant grin broke through his usual scowl. “You’re lucky I don’t throw you to the Luminestra”

“Try it. I could use the exercise.”

Sae let the moment settle before pulling away, his expression easing into something more thoughtful. He gave Rin one last nod—equal parts farewell and silent trust—before turning toward the open sea.

Aiku had already started swimming ahead, cutting through the water with ease. His bicolored tail shimmered in the dim light, blues and silvers rippling like sunlight over waves. Sae followed, casting one last look over his shoulder. Rin still stood there, arms crossed again, watching.

And just for a moment—beneath all the teasing, the bravado, the titles—Sae allowed himself to hope that when he returned, this kingdom, and his brother, would still be whole.

With a powerful flick of his tail, the Pearlheart Regent dove into the depths after his escort, vanishing into the horizon beyond the reef.

The journey had begun.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

Vegetation, thick and swaying, surrounded the pair as they carved a slow path through the dense undergrowth of the Great Kelp Forest. Sae could feel the gentle brushing of kelp against his arms and tail, like ghostly fingers dragging across his scales. The water here was tinted green by the endless stalks rising toward the surface, filtering what little light reached them from above. Despite the slow churn of the current, it was eerily quiet — the kind of silence that whispered warnings if you listened closely enough.

It had been an entire day's journey since they’d left the palace, and the two had chosen to settle for the night just outside the forest’s threshold. They resumed their travels early at Sae’s insistence, knowing that this forest stretched for kilometers — long and winding, it covered nearly two-thirds of the distance between the Coral Palace and the Eastern Trench. Cutting through it was treacherous, but far faster than swimming around it. For a mission as important as this, speed was essential.

And yet… something didn’t sit right with him.

Sae couldn’t ignore the unease curling tight in his stomach like a sea snake. Maybe it was the way the kelp all looked the same after a while, or maybe it was how utterly unfamiliar everything had started to feel. Though Sae was no stranger to navigating the seas — trained as both a royal and a warrior, bred for battle and governance alike — the Great Kelp Forest blurred the line between north and south, up and down. Even the strongest mer could lose themselves here without a guide.

So he had trusted Aiku.

Aiku, who had grinned with shark-white teeth and promised, “Don’t worry, I’ve traveled this route dozens of times. I’ll guide us through.”

Aiku, whose lineage had been intertwined with the Crown for generations — knights, generals, advisors — all raised with honor and duty etched into their blood. Aiku, who’d stood tall during council meetings and pledged fealty to the Pearlheart line without hesitation.

Aiku, whom Sae had allowed at his side only by necessity. What a joke.

Sae nearly snorted at himself as they swam deeper through the kelp forest. “Some genius of the sea,” he muttered under his breath. But still, he didn’t stop following. He was tired, and he hated to admit it — but he wanted to trust just this once. Just one mission. Just one companion. Maybe, for once, he didn’t have to shoulder it all alone.

“We should be out of here soon,” Aiku’s voice called out, cutting through the murky green. Too casual. Too rehearsed. “Just a few more twists and turns and—boom!—an hour or two 'til the Trench.”

Sae narrowed his eyes. He could hear the smile in the bastard’s voice. “Great,” he replied flatly, voice as dry and brittle as coral left to bleach under a dead sun. Yet his tail flicked forward, and he kept going. Stupid, stupid.

Soon enough, the kelp began to thin. The towering green walls of vegetation gave way to the openness of the sea. It should have felt like relief. The wide expanse of water stretched in every direction, vibrant blue and tinged with flickers of silverfish darting by. A soft current rolled against Sae’s skin like a breath of cool air.

But the second they stepped into the clearing, his instincts screamed.

The seabed was too smooth, too even, a false kind of symmetry that didn’t match what he remembered of the path. The slope of the ocean floor was wrong — slanting upward when it should have dipped down into a valley. The sunlight streaming in from above wasn’t the dull shimmer of filtered light through kelp, but a harsh, clear glare. Too direct.

They weren’t where they were supposed to be.

Sae halted mid-swim. His voice was sharp now, distrust crackling behind each word. “This isn’t right.” He turned toward the other. “Oliver, this is—”

He didn’t get to finish.

In an instant, the water around him churned. A strong arm locked around his torso, jerking him back with brutal force. It was so fast that Sae barely registered what was happening before he felt the cold, rough fabric pressed against his mouth. His heart stuttered — not from fear, but fury.

A sharp scent hit his nose. Bitter. Metallic. Familiar in the worst way. The tang of infused venom and something else — magic, old and invasive, like it was trying to burrow beneath his skin.

No.

He thrashed violently, scales flashing crimson and pearl as he fought the grip. His hands clawed at Aiku’s arm, nails dragging shallow cuts into the bastard’s forearm. His tail lashed, a blur of power and panic, but it was already too late.

The venom seeped into him like ink in water.

His movements faltered. His muscles slackened, a horrible weight pulling him down from within. The strength in his limbs — his pride, his power — dissolved with every labored breath.

“Yeah, sorry about this,” Aiku’s voice murmured beside his ear, now low and dripping with mockery. “My family’s lost a lot in this stupid war. Gold. Soldiers. Reputation. All for a kingdom that won’t give a damn if we vanish.”

Sae’s vision flickered, but rage burned hot in his chest, giving him one last surge of resistance. He kicked backward, elbowed wildly, but it was like trying to fight the tide.

“And well…” Aiku gave a soft, cruel laugh. “Turns out you're worth a hell of a lot more alive — to the right people.”

Coward.
Traitor.
Lukewarm.

His arms refused to move now. Even his tail slowed, the motion jerky, like a marionette with its strings half-cut.

“I’m sure the pirates’ll treat you real nice,” Aiku went on, adjusting his grip as if Sae were no more than a prize catch. “Hell, maybe you’ll even end up in the Luminestra Queen’s court. Wouldn’t that be poetic?”

Sae wanted to tear his throat out. To drive his trident into the center of that smug, grinning face. But his head lolled forward, vision dimming at the edges like ink blotting a page.

The last thing he saw before the darkness took him was the flicker of a net — not ordinary rope, but a weave of enchanted coral threads, pulsing with muted runes. It wrapped around him with a sickening hiss, binding his limbs with the precision of a trap long prepared.

“Off you go, pearl prince,” Aiku said, voice distant now, echoing oddly in the silence of the sea.

Sae felt himself pulled upward.

Up past the rocky seafloor.
Up through currents he could no longer feel.
Up toward a ship he couldn’t see.
Up… and away from everything he knew.

Then, finally — nothing.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

Meanwhile, aboard the pirate vessel that now drifted like a predator in the deep, the air was thick with salt, magic, and something more sinister — anticipation.

The captain’s quarters, nestled deep in the ship’s hull behind a door reinforced with carved bone and iron coral, glowed faintly in the gloom. Lanterns swayed with the motion of the sea, casting blue-green shadows over maps, daggers, and the occasional glinting pearl. It smelled of brine, blood, and danger — fitting for the man who commanded it.

Captain Shidou Ryusei lounged across a lavish seat carved from the skull of a deep-sea leviathan. One boot propped up on the desk, the other hanging lazily over the armrest, he toyed with a dagger, spinning it between his fingers as he stared at a slowly unfurling map of the Eastern Trench. His expression was unreadable — equal parts hungry and amused.

The room was silent, save for the occasional creak of wood and the soft hum of the runes etched into the walls. Then—

BANG.

The door slammed open so hard the lanterns flickered.

A pirate stumbled in, grinning wide with jagged teeth and gills flaring slightly from exertion. “Captain Shidou! We got him,” the subordinate announced, barely keeping the excitement out of his voice. “The pearl prince is out cold in the net — just like the guy promised promised.”

Shidou’s pink eyes gleamed at that. He didn’t look up immediately, just twirled his dagger one more time before stabbing it lazily into the wooden table with a thunk . The blade vibrated, still humming faintly with enchantment.

“Out cold, huh?” he said, a slow smile spreading across his face — sharp and predatory. “Didn’t even put up a fight?”

“Struggled for a bit, but that venom’s no joke, sir,” the pirate said, straightening under his captain’s gaze. “Knocked him out clean. We got him wrapped tight tight — runes and all.”

Shidou finally stood, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck with an audible pop . His tall frame was draped in layers of armor and sea-silk, tattoos slithering like eels across his skin beneath half-buttoned fabric. The jagged scar over his collarbone caught the lantern light like a badge of honor.

“Good,” he said at last, voice low but thrumming with restrained glee. “Bring him here Kurona, now.”

“Yes, Captain Captain!” The subordinate, Kurona,  turned on his heel, practically running back toward the main deck, his boots echoing down the wooden corridor.

Shidou paced to the window at the far end of his quarters and leaned against the sill, watching the sea churn outside. He could already feel it — the shift in tides. The change in balance. The weight of a captured prince.

He dragged his tongue over one fang, anticipation coiling in his gut like a serpent ready to strike.

“Finally,” he murmured to himself, voice dark with satisfaction. “The genius of the sea has come to play.”

 

Notes:

Follow me on X @fa73382992 or on TikTok @_mosh__eeee_ !!! <3

Chapter 2: The Demon of the Sea

Notes:

Hi guys! im so excited to have this chapter out because next chapter is a RINSAGII CHAPTERRR! This chapter Shidou and Sae meet and... things get--- Anyway Enjoyyy <3

 

Low, flickering lights welcomed Sae’s gaze as consciousness returned to him in slow, disoriented waves. The first thing he registered was warmth. He was lying on something soft—far too soft for a prisoner. A cot, perhaps. Not seaweed or stone. Wool blankets, too, thick and unfamiliar against the usual cool kiss of the water.

He blinked slowly, eyelids heavy from exhaustion, his senses dulled but gradually sharpening. His body ached in ways it hadn’t since training missions in the Border Reaches, and his limbs felt too loose, too floaty. Yesterday’s journey had been long, yes—an entire day through the Great Kelp Forest—but this was more than fatigue.

There was something else. Something wrong.

‘Wait.’

The thought snapped through his mind like a jolt of electricity. His eyes flew open, sharp teal cutting through the dim lighting like a blade. The ceiling above him wasn’t coral, or shell, or any natural construct. It was wood—heavily lacquered, reinforced, and clearly ship-grade. And the swaying motion beneath him, subtle as it was, confirmed what he feared.

He wasn’t underwater anymore.

He was on a ship.

He sat up fast, the blanket falling from his chest. The room swam slightly at the motion, a telltale symptom of residual venom still threading its way through his blood. His gaze swept the room quickly. A large desk, almost grotesque in its scale, sat in the center—carved from leviathan bone, no doubt, with markings etched into it that suggested violence over craftsmanship.

‘Pirates,’ Sae thought grimly.

Weapons were displayed like trophies on the walls—harpoons, daggers, a spiked trident that looked ceremonial in design but crude in maintenance. Fuchsia fabrics hung loosely from the ceiling and doorframe, bold and uncoordinated, like someone with more ego than taste had decorated the place in a fever dream of self-importance.

His attention flicked to the shelves—no books. That tracked. But what was there made his stomach twist. Dozens of tightly stoppered vials sat in rows, glowing faintly. The liquid inside was unmistakable, even in this lighting. Silvery-blue, almost luminous. A little too familiar.

Luminestra venom.

Sae’s hands curled into fists. Of course. It explained the heaviness in his limbs, the fog in his brain. He’d been sedated with the very same venom that had knocked him unconscious in the forest. And now here it was—stocked like trade goods in the quarters of whoever commanded this vessel.

His tail twitched against the edge of the cot. Still in his mer form.

Damn it.

Merfolk were far more vulnerable to the venom in their native state; their bodies were built to process oceanic magic differently than land-bound forms. Remaining this way would only prolong the effects. The Surfacebound spell, one that could turn mer with high-capabilities in magic to humans, was the only way he could turn into a land-bound form. He didn’t want to use the spell, but he had no choice. Every instinct in him screamed to conserve strength, and this was the fastest way.

Grinding his teeth, he pressed a hand to his sternum and muttered The Surfacebound Spell through clenched teeth.

Magic shimmered along his form, a ripple of light barely perceptible in the low glow. His tail began to split, fins retracting as scales dissolved into skin. Gills sealed shut with a faint sting, and lungs ached as they adjusted to the thick air. Within moments, he was fully shifted, seated awkwardly on the cot with long legs instead of a tail.

It was an uncomfortable change. The weight of air, the heat on his skin, the dry rasp of breath in his lungs—it all felt alien, wrong. But at least now, he wasn’t at the mercy of the venom. Not as much, anyway.

He looked down at himself. Whoever had taken him hadn’t even bothered to bind his wrists.

Confident… or careless?

He stood, unsteady for a moment before finding his footing. Thank god he had walking lessons growing up. The cot creaked beneath him as he moved, bare feet pressing into cold, unfamiliar flooring. He crossed to the desk slowly, inspecting it. Leviathan bone. Real, and not fresh. Probably a trophy. And beneath the clutter—maps. Routes scribbled in unreadable shorthand, a compass that had seen better days, and—

Voices.

Muffled through the door. Footsteps.

Sae tensed. Whoever commanded this ship—whoever had ordered his capture—was nearby. 

Approaching the door. 

Sae’s eyes scanned the room quickly as he reached for one of the swords mounted on the wall. The weight of the blade was reassuring, a solid steel against his palm, though he knew it wouldn’t do much good if the situation escalated. He had no intention of being captured, but he wasn’t about to rush into a fight either. With the sword gripped firmly, he silently moved toward the shadows cast by the large leviathan skull mounted on the wall, using it as cover. His breathing slowed, and he held his position, tense but still, waiting for whatever would come next.

As if on cue, the door creaked open. The sharp click of boots echoed across the room as two figures entered, their heavy steps reverberating against the walls. Sae tensed, his body coiling like a spring, ready to act.

“As I was saying…” one voice trailed off, loud and brash. “That little shrimp had no cha—”

A pause, followed by a softer, more nervous voice, which cut through the captain's boastful tone.

“Uh—Captain…” the second man said, a note of panic in his voice. “The cot... he’s—he’s gone.”

The first voice was immediately all business, the jovial tone falling away as the realization set in. “Oh. Oh,” the captain said, the lightness in his voice replaced by an edge of amusement, as though he'd been expecting trouble all along. Sae could practically hear the smirk curling on the captain's lips as he glanced around the room.

“I’d get on that if I were you, pipsqueak,” the captain teased, his voice dark with a mock threat. “Or I’m dropping you in the Trench~.”

Sae huffed to himself, not impressed by the pirate's attitude. The second man’s nervous reply was muffled by the sound of his hurried footsteps rushing out of the room.

Sae’s fingers twitched around the hilt of the sword, but he didn’t move. His best chance at this point was to remain hidden. He had to know what this captain wanted before making his next move.

To his surprise, the door didn’t slam shut behind the second man. The captain stayed, his footsteps deliberate as they moved across the room. Every step seemed to echo, as though the pirate didn’t care about being stealthy.

“Hey there,” the captain called out, his voice shifting to one of casual curiosity, laced with a hint of amusement. “Who the hell are you to be hiding?”

Sae froze for a split second. This was it. The moment he’d been waiting for. Slowly, he rose from his crouch, his muscles tense, sword held tightly in his grip as he stepped out from behind the skull.

And then he saw him.

The man before him was nothing like the usual pirates Sae had encountered. He was something altogether different.

Blonde hair with striking pink tips exploded upwards in a way that could only be described as chaotic—every strand seemed to have a mind of its own, styled in what could only be called an explosive hairstyle. His lashes were blonde, framed with dark eyeliner, making his piercing pink eyes seem all the more intense. He looked like someone who wasn’t just going to wear the pirate look—he was going to own it.

But what really struck Sae was the stark contrast in his outfit. Rather than the usual faded reds and browns that were the standard for pirate attire, the captain was dressed head to toe in sleek black clothing, adorned only with faint pink linings. The pink echoed in his eyes, the same shade that seemed to burn like the fires of rebellion beneath his gaze. The man’s outfit was elegant, yet undeniably menacing. His aura was all about chaos, but carefully controlled chaos, like a storm waiting to break.

The man that stood before him intrigued him unlike ever before. 

Sae’s grip on the sword tightened instinctively as their eyes met, the distance between them charged with an unspoken tension.

“Didn’t think you’d be the type to cower,” the captain mused, his voice light and teasing, clearly unfazed by the fact that a weapon was pointed in his direction.

Sae didn’t lower the blade. “Mer don’t cower,” he replied, his tone steady, but his mind was working in overdrive. He needed to understand this pirate—this captain —if he had any chance of finding a way out.

The captain tilted his head, eyes glinting with something akin to interest. “That’s good to hear.” He leaned in slightly, his lips curling into a smile. “I was starting to think this would be too easy.”

The air in the dimly lit room was thick with tension. Sae stood with his back pressed against the wall, the weight of the sword in his hand more comforting than anything else in that moment. His teal eyes locked onto the man’s, the pirate captain who had been nothing but trouble since the moment he’d woken up in this cursed room. The way he stood, cocky and unbothered, his fingers lightly tracing the pommel of his sword, made Sae’s blood boil. He knew the captain was underestimating him.

“You don’t think you can take me on, do you?” his voice was smug, his lips curling into a confident smile as he sized Sae up. “I’d hate to see you get hurt, but if you insist…” He shrugged, his jacket fluttering slightly with the movement.

Sae didn’t reply. He didn’t need to. His eyes flickered to the sword in the captain’s hand, noting the elegant yet deadly design of the blade. It was light, well-crafted—perfect for quick strikes, just like its owner. Sae had no illusions about his own skill; he was a prince, a strategist, not a pirate, but he had fought in battles before. His own sword, heavier than the other’s, felt solid in his grip.

“You’re not making this easy, are you?” the captain taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He twirled his sword lazily in his hand, flicking his wrist in a way that suggested he didn’t even need to think about it.

Sae’s patience snapped. With a low growl, he lunged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light. The movement was quick, precise, aiming straight for the torso. But the man was already moving, stepping to the side with a fluid motion that was almost too casual, his blade dancing upward in a graceful arc to deflect Sae’s strike.

Sae’s sword vibrated with the impact, but he didn’t falter. He twisted, spinning in place, and aimed another slash at the blonde’s side. The captain blocked the strike effortlessly, his smile only widening as he parried the blow with minimal effort.

“You’ll have to do better than that,” the captain mocked, his voice a low growl. He was clearly enjoying this, his wild grin never faltering.

Sae’s mind raced as he took a step back, trying to get a feel for the captain’s fighting style. The pirate was fast, too fast, and far more unpredictable than any opponent Sae had faced. He could already see the gleam of amusement in the captain’s eyes, the way he seemed to be savoring the fight as if it were some kind of game. Sae wasn’t used to being the underdog, but he knew he couldn’t let his ego get the better of him.

He narrowed his eyes, watching the captain’s movements more closely. The pirate was clearly trying to bait him, to make him overcommit. With a grunt, Sae feinted a strike to the captain’s left side, only to immediately shift the angle and thrust toward the captain’s midsection.

The captain’s eyes flickered for just a second. A split-second hesitation. It was enough. Sae’s sword caught the captain’s, their blades ringing as the force of the thrust was absorbed by the captain’s blade.

Sae smirked. “Gotcha.”

But the captain wasn’t fazed. His expression was still that same cocky grin. With a sudden shift of his weight, he pulled his sword back and swiped at Sae’s head in a swift arc. Sae ducked just in time, the blade whistling through the air above him, but the captain was already on him, closing the gap with a speed that belied his earlier nonchalance.

Sae barely had time to react as the captain’s blade slashed down toward him again. He raised his sword to block, but the force of the blow sent him stumbling back, his feet slipping against the smooth floor. The pressure of the strike rattled his bones, but he held firm, eyes flashing with defiance.

“This is getting fun,” the captain purred, stepping back for a brief moment. He was practically bouncing on his heels, as if enjoying the challenge. “I’ll admit, you’re not half bad. But you’ll never beat me.”

Sae gritted his teeth. “We’ll see about that.”

He wasn’t going to let the captain’s taunting get under his skin. With a roar, Sae launched himself forward, putting all his strength behind a series of rapid strikes. The other parried them all with ease, his movements almost languid in comparison to Sae’s intensity. But Sae didn’t back down. He pressed on, his blade moving like lightning, aiming for weak points in the captain’s defense.

The captain’s grin only widened. “That’s the spirit!” he said, laughing as he met Sae’s ferocity with his own. But then, in an instant, the man stepped to the side, using Sae’s momentum against him. The pirate’s blade flashed once more, this time catching Sae off guard as it scraped across his side.

A sharp pain lanced through Sae’s ribs, and he gritted his teeth to stifle a grunt. The cut wasn’t deep, but it was enough to make him realize just how dangerous this fight had become.

The captain stepped back, licking the blood off his blade with an exaggerated slowness that sent a chill down Sae’s spine. “You’re quick, I’ll give you that. But I’m better.”

Sae’s fingers clenched around the hilt of his sword. He was tired. His breath was ragged, his muscles burning, but there was no way he was backing down now. Not after everything he’d been through. He wasn’t going to lose to this pirate.

With a growl, he launched another attack, this time feinting low to trick the captain into lowering his guard. When the pirate captain took the bait, Sae twisted his wrist and drove the sword upward, aiming for the captain’s exposed side.

But the captain was ready. His blade moved faster than Sae could track, slashing in an unpredictable arc. Sae’s sword collided with the captain’s with a sharp crack, the force of the clash vibrating through his arms. But the captain’s blade didn’t stop there. With a brutal twist, he knocked Sae’s sword from his hand, sending it flying across the room.

Sae stood frozen for a moment, disarmed, his chest heaving with exertion. His heart pounded in his ears, and the wound on his side burned. But even now, he didn’t let fear take over.

“Game over, your highness,” the captain sneered, his blade raised and ready to strike the final blow.

Sae’s mind raced, and in that moment of desperation, his instincts kicked in. With a growl, he charged forward, throwing himself at the captain without a weapon, using his body as a weapon instead. He slammed into the pirate captain, knocking him off balance for just a moment. The impact was enough to stagger the captain , giving Sae the opening he needed.

With a wild cry, Sae twisted his body, grabbing a nearby chair and using it to smack the captain across the face. The captain stumbled back, cursing, as Sae grabbed a broken piece of wood and aimed it at the captain's throat.

“I’m not done yet,” Sae spat, eyes blazing with determination.

The captain's laughter rang out, rich and wild. “You’re something else, I’ll give you that.” He took a step back, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll admit, that was impressive.”

Sae stood, bloodied but defiant, clutching the broken wood like a sword. He wasn’t done yet. And neither was the captain.

The room was thick with the sound of their labored breaths, both of them battered from the fight, their bodies aching. Sae’s hand still gripped the broken piece of wood like a last line of defense, but his strength was fading fast. His chest heaved with every breath, the pain from the wound on his side gnawing at him. He could feel the blood trickling down his torso, but he didn’t let it show. He couldn’t.

the captain, meanwhile, looked like he’d barely broken a sweat. His eyes, however, were gleaming with something else now—something dangerous, something that made the air feel hotter, more electric. His grin was still there, but there was a sharp edge to it, the kind that only came when someone was having far too much fun with this kind of chaos.

“Not bad,” the captain taunted, twirling his blade lazily in one hand as he approached. “But I think you’ve exhausted your tricks, Prince Sae.” His voice dropped low, almost a purr. “And now... it’s my turn.”

Before Sae could react, the captain was on him, faster than he could track. He was shoved back, the force of the impact sending him stumbling into a chair. The broken wood slipped from his grasp, clattering to the floor, useless. the captain hand shot out, grabbing him by the wrist, and in one swift motion, he threw Sae down onto the floor with a crash.

Sae’s breath was knocked out of him as he landed, the coolness of the stone floor biting against his skin. His vision swam for a moment, his muscles screaming at him, but before he could recover, the captain was on top of him, straddling his waist, pinning him down with an almost predatory grace.

“You’re quite a stubborn one, aren’t you?” The captain's voice was dark, amusement dancing in his eyes as he hovered above Sae, his breath warm against the prince’s neck. “But you’ve had enough. I think you’ve earned a rest.”

Sae’s heart pounded in his chest, not just from the fight but from the closeness of the captain's presence. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, none of them making sense. He could feel the captain's body pressing down on him, the pirate’s legs firm on either side, his weight anchoring Sae in place. His free hand was resting dangerously close to Sae’s throat, the sword he had discarded somewhere in the chaos now just a distant thought.

“Get off me,” Sae growled, his voice hoarse from the effort of speaking. He tried to buck the captain off, but the pirate captain’s grip on his wrist tightened, a warning in his eyes.

The captain's lips curled into a grin, but his eyes darkened, a flicker of something else creeping into them. “You’re not in a position to be making demands,” he replied, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. He leaned in closer, his face inches from Sae’s, his lips brushing against the prince’s ear. “You know, you’re actually pretty interesting for a royal.”

Sae’s pulse quickened, and his chest tightened. The heat between them was unbearable, and every fiber of his being screamed at him to push the captain off. But something held him there, frozen beneath the pirate captain’s weight, the dangerous tension in the air making it impossible to move. The captain's breath against his skin sent shivers down his spine, and for a moment, he was sure the captain could hear the rapid thudding of his heart.

“You’ve got guts,” the captain said, his voice still taunting but now laced with something deeper. “I can respect that.”

Sae’s eyes flickered to the side, anything to avoid the magnetic pull of the captain's gaze. But the captain wasn’t about to let him off that easily. He shifted his body just slightly, making sure Sae was fully pinned beneath him, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife.

“Don’t think this is over, Sae,” the captain murmured, his lips curling upward as he leaned even closer, his breath hot against Sae’s neck. “I’m just getting started.”

Sae’s body was tense with the weight of the moment, his mind racing, torn between wanting to break free and the strange pull he felt in the captain's proximity. His thoughts were clouded, but one thing was clear—this wasn’t just a fight anymore. It had become something far more complicated, dangerous, and far too personal.

The captaingrin only deepened as he noticed Sae’s hesitation, his hands tightening their hold, ensuring that the prince couldn’t escape.

“By the way,” said, his voice dropping to a low, almost mocking tone. “Since you’ve been such a good sport, I guess I’ll tell you my name, Prince.” His smile stretched wider. “I’m Shidou Ryusei. You know, in case you’re wondering who’s kicking your ass.”

Sae’s heart skipped a beat. That name. The notorious pirate captain. But before he could process it, Shidou’s weight on him seemed to increase, and Sae was caught in a whirlwind of emotions—confusion, frustration, and something else he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

“I don’t need your name to know I’m going to end you, Ryusei,” Sae spat, his words laced with venom despite his body’s weariness, “In the water, I can kill you in an instant.” 

Shidou only chuckled, leaning in until his lips almost brushed Sae’s. “We’ll see about that.” His grin was wild, electric, and the tension between them was almost palpable, as though the moment was holding its breath, waiting for what would come next.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

“Let me get this straight.” Sae’s voice was low and calculating, his sharp teal eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation, piecing together the chaos around him.

“Mmmhmm~” Shidou hummed in mock sweetness, a carefree smirk playing at his lips as he leaned back in the chair, his posture lazy and unbothered. The ropes that bound Sae to the chair were tight and cutting into his skin, but his mind was racing, trying to make sense of everything.

“You paid for my subject to betray me and help you kidnap me... because?” Sae’s words were deliberate, measured, though his growing frustration was clear. He couldn’t understand the pirate captain's motives. Nothing about this situation made sense.

Shidou tilted his head to the side in mock confusion, as if Sae’s question was absurd. “I need a competent navigator, of course!” His voice had that same nonchalant lilt, as though the entire scheme was just another casual adventure to him.

Sae blinked, incredulous. “Don’t you, I don’t know, already have a human one?” His eyes searched Shidou’s face for any hint of logic, but all he saw was a gleam of excitement that bordered on madness.

“Ehh, the other guy quit after I made fun of the star tattoos on his arms,” Shidou said, a lazy shrug following his words. “Said they weren’t tattoos but they definitely were.” He chuckled, clearly amused at the memory. “I mean, who gets tattoos in the shape of stars on their biceps? Like, c’mon, that's begging to be made fun of.”

Sae stared at him, speechless for a moment. He couldn’t quite decide if Shidou was the most ridiculous person he’d ever met or just the most frustrating. “So why me, a prince at that?” Sae demanded, trying to force his mind to focus. “You could have anyone—someone who’s not tied to some ridiculous pirate scheme.”

Shidou’s grin only widened, more teeth showing as he leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “Well, I figured you could point me in the direction of some treasures, of course!” His voice was practically bubbling with excitement, his eyes gleaming with the promise of something far more dangerous. “A prince like you has to know where the good stuff is hidden, right? You’ve got the knowledge, the maps, the whole royal thing going for you.”

Sae scoffed, irritation burning in his chest. “Hold on a second.” He had to be missing something here, something deeper that he wasn’t catching onto yet.

Shidou waved his hand dismissively, brushing past Sae’s skepticism with a playful smirk. “Plus I can steal practically anything! Just name an enemy that has something valuable and I can get it!” He stood up then, pacing slightly as he spoke, a dangerous energy radiating from him. “Weapons, jewels, secrets—you name it, I’ll swipe it. I’m that good.” His voice was filled with pride, each word as arrogant as the last. “But I don’t want just any treasure. I’m looking for the big stuff. The legendary treasures that no one else can find. And you, Prince, you’re the one who can lead me to it.”

Sae’s eyes narrowed further as Shidou’s words sunk in, but there was something about the way Shidou was speaking that unsettled him even more than the madness behind the pirate’s words. His focus shifted, noticing something strange in Shidou’s eyes. They didn’t just glow—they radiated . Like two pools of neon light, too bright to be natural.

Shit.

The realization hit Sae with the force of a tidal wave. His stomach dropped as the pieces clicked together. “You’re a Luminestra!” he spat, horror creeping into his voice. He could feel his pulse quicken, his breath coming in sharp gasps as his mind tried to reconcile the truth.

Shidou chuckled, the sound low and amused. “Took you long enough, didn’t it? You’re not as sharp as I thought you were.” He stepped back, stretching lazily as if revealing his true nature was nothing more than a passing thought. “Yeah, I’m a Luminestra, alright,” he said, the playful edge to his voice suddenly taking on a more dangerous tone. “But,” he added, a mischievous glint lighting up his eyes, “only part Luminestra. The rest of me is just… well, you could call it ‘human,’ I guess. Mostly human anyway.”

Sae’s confusion deepened, and he narrowed his eyes at Shidou, his throat dry with both shock and suspicion. “Part Luminestra? What are you talking about?”

Shidou flashed him another grin, this one almost a challenge. “Well, I’m not all glowing jellyfish and venom, if that’s what you’re thinking.” He moved closer, circling around Sae like a predator. “I’ve got a bit of the best of both worlds. Some of the venomous beauty, some of the human cunning. Quite the combo, right?” He laughed again, a rich, dark sound. “I like to joke I’m part jellyfish. Pretty cool, huh?”

Sae was struggling to keep his composure, but his mind was reeling. Venomous beauty? He hadn’t expected Shidou to be some kind of hybrid creature. And yet, looking at the pirate captain now—at the glow in his eyes, the way he moved—it was clear that Shidou wasn’t just a run-of-the-mill pirate. He was dangerous in ways Sae hadn’t even begun to understand.

“Why do you think I can get in and out of places that would make other pirates piss themselves?” Shidou continued, as if reading Sae’s thoughts. “Because of this .” He tapped the side of his head, his expression going serious for just a moment. “And also, because I’m way better at stealing things than you could possibly imagine.”

Sae clenched his fists at his sides, his mind spinning with the sudden flood of information. The venom. The glowing eyes. The skills that went beyond anything he’d encountered before. Everything about Shidou screamed dangerous , but also... unpredictable .

“But you’ve got it all wrong, prince,” Shidou said, his voice taking on a playful yet ominous edge. “I’m not here to just take you. I want you to help me find what I’m looking for.” He leaned closer, his lips curling into a smile that was both amused and terrifying. “Ever heard of the Sea’s eye pearl?”

Sae's jaw dropped in disbelief as he stared at Shidou, utterly stunned by the audacity of the pirate captain. His voice faltered as he tried to process what had just been said. “W-what?! You—”

Shidou’s grin only widened, his eyes gleaming with mischief, almost as though he found Sae’s confusion amusing. “I’ll help you find iiiit~,” he teased, drawing out the words in a sing-song manner, his tone playful yet laden with something far more dangerous beneath the surface. “But you gotta help me first—do we have a deal?”

Sae’s breath hitched. Of all the things he had expected, this wasn’t even close. The pirate captain was offering to cooperate? It was absurd, yet, as much as Sae hated to admit it, it made sense. If he could somehow turn this pirate’s strange offer into an advantage for himself, for his kingdom, then perhaps there was still hope. Gods, what a mess this is, Sae thought, rubbing his forehead with his tied hands. He could already feel the weight of the decision pressing down on him, but he had no choice. His people’s fate rested in his hands—and somehow, this chaotic, infuriating pirate might hold the key.

Sae let out a deep, resigned sigh, his eyes narrowing as he locked gazes with Shidou. “Fine. You have yourself a deal.”

Shidou’s eyes sparkled with satisfaction, the look of a predator who had just caught its prey. “Good!” he said with an exaggerated enthusiasm. “I knew you’d see things my way!” He leaned back with a smug grin, clearly pleased with the turn of events.

Sae couldn’t help but feel a twinge of bitterness. He had been trained for years in the art of diplomacy, in controlling situations, in manipulating alliances to his advantage. And now, here he was, negotiating with a pirate who—by all rights—should have been his enemy. And yet, he couldn’t deny that Shidou had something he needed. Something that could change the tide of everything. “So, what now?” Sae asked, his voice flat, not yet ready to accept the absurdity of the situation.

Shidou didn’t hesitate to answer, his grin spreading even wider as he gestured broadly around the room. “Well, now that we have an understanding,” he began, sounding far too chipper for Sae’s liking, “I guess I should tell you more about me and where you’ll be staying. You know, your new ‘living quarters,’ or should I say—” he paused dramatically, as if he were about to reveal a great secret, “the ship~!”

Sae blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. “The ship?”

“Yep, the ship!” Shidou repeated with an exaggerated enthusiasm, clapping his hands together in a mock cheer. “You’re on the Demon of the Sea now, buddy! I coined the name myself, of course,” he added, a touch of pride slipping into his voice as he leaned closer, lowering his tone conspiratorially. “Sounds cool, right? Mysterious, menacing, a name to strike fear into the hearts of the weak!”

Sae stared at him, wondering how in the world he had gotten mixed up with this lunatic. The Demon of the Sea? It was an obnoxious name, a name that screamed of swagger and arrogance. And yet, there was something in Shidou’s voice—a glint of genuine pride—that made Sae pause. He wasn’t just some random pirate captain. Shidou was proud of this ship. Of this life. And for some reason, he was pulling Sae into it.

“...Demon of the Sea, huh?” Sae muttered, shaking his head as he tried to process it. “Well, I’m thrilled.”

Shidou’s grin widened at the sarcasm. “Oh, don’t look so glum, Sae-Chan! You’ll come around. The fun hasn’t even started yet!” he said, his voice bubbling with excitement like a child about to open a long-awaited gift. “Anyway,” Shidou continued, seemingly unaware—or perhaps uncaring—of Sae’s struggle. “On board, you’ll meet a lot of the typical scrubs. Pirates, drunks, misfits, and what have you. But there are a few standout characters you should know about.”

Sae’s interest was piqued, despite himself. “Standouts?” he asked, though his tone was dry, clearly unimpressed by the idea of more pirates.

“Yeah,” Shidou replied with an exaggerated sigh, as though talking about his crew was a tiresome chore. “First, we’ve got Charles. He’s the one who got you all tied up in those ropes. I keep him around because he’s good with the knots and funny as hell,  doesn’t ask too many questions—unlike you ,” he added with a wink.

Sae scowled, clearly not impressed by the fact that Charles, who had aided in his kidnapping, was still on this ship. “Great. What about the others?”

“Tokimitsu,” Shidou said, rolling the name off his tongue like it was the most exciting thing in the world. “Good at looking mean and scaring people off. Not so much with the confidence, but the muscle, eh? That’s his job. I need someone who can smash things, and Tokimitsu delivers. Then there’s Kurona…” Shidou hesitated, his tone shifting, “He’s a bit of a wildcard, actually. Never quite sure where his loyalties lie, but he’s damn good in strategizing. I dont think Ive ever seen him blink.”

Sae listened intently, though he didn’t show it. He knew he had to be aware of the dynamics on this ship if he was going to make it out of this alive, if he was going to use this madman to his advantage.

“And then there are a couple of others,” Shidou added flippantly, as though the rest didn’t matter. “A few others who come and go. But those three are the ones you’ll want to watch. Everyone else is just… well, cannon fodder, really.”

Sae raised an eyebrow, finally looking up at Shidou. “Sounds like a wonderful crew.”

“Oh, it is!” Shidou grinned again, completely oblivious to Sae’s sarcasm. “You’ll love them. Or maybe you won’t, but either way, you’ll be stuck with them. Just don’t go getting any ideas about leading a mutiny, alright? You’d last about ten seconds.”

Sae didn’t reply, his mind working furiously. There was something off about the crew Shidou was describing. Too many unpredictable elements, too many loose cannons. It wasn’t a ship of loyal men—it was a ship of wildcards , a chaotic mess that somehow worked, and that in itself was terrifying. For all his bravado, Shidou was clearly playing a dangerous game.

Notes:

I hope y'all loved this chapter like how I loved writing it and I hope you'll come back for Chapter 3's Rinsagi <3 Follow me on X @fa73382992 or on TikTok @_mosh__eeee_ !!! <3

Chapter 3: Starbound Strangers

Notes:

Hello again guysssss! Sorry this chapter took a bit longer than usual to come out, I had a lot of things to do and I wanted this chapter to be written really well because it's the first Rinsagi Chapter!! Basically for every one-two Ryusae chapters there will be a Rinsagi chapter ^^ Or at least I think it'll be that way, it might be 2 chapters alternating for each, but Im not sure yet :) Anywayyyyyssssss I hope you guys will love this chapter because it was so so fun to write :D <3

His brother hadn't been seen for four days. 

For all he knew, his brother had swam off somewhere with the bicolor guard. He guessed he could expect that much of him though, acting as Pearlheart while father was in a coma was no easy feat.

He knew, as he was currently living it in his brother’s stead. Scrolls lined his desk, all regarding just one small political spat, with more to come in the coming days if Sae didn't return soon.

Yet he knew his brother, and he knew he’d be back within the week, hell, within the day– swimming up to the palace gates with the Sea’s Eye Pearl like it was candy he took from a baby. All would be well, and Rin could go back to his horror-novel reading, instead of his ‘important scroll reading’ as he liked to call it. 

One thing about the whole ordeal that bothered him was that his brother had not communicated. His brother would surely send a spell or something at the very least if he was in trouble or if he was having difficulty retrieving the item.

So what really was happening ? Or… what really happened ?

Sae did say that he could check on his whereabouts with his magic, yet he felt like an over worried little brother who, for lack of a better phrase, was worried over nothing. 

Something in him felt off, though. Nervous for no reason, like something was happening that he didn't know about yet he should. Besides, he was the second Prince of the Great Reefs, Itoshi Rin. It was normal for him to wish to check on the acting Pearlheart, it was his duty as a divination magic user of the Great Reefs to protect the Pearlheart, after all. 

Magic fluttered from his open hands, swirling upwards in order to create a large sphere of divination magic, “Find Itoshi Sae”, he spoke, the orb swirling before conveying a bright image. 

At first, to his dismay, it only portrayed a scene of the sea. When suddenly, a large pirate ship with a bright pink sail came into view– it’s sail portraying that of a devil.

“Pirates,” he yelled, infuriated. A guard came in at that, confused at the commotion made by the younger prince.

The guard gulped, nervous, “..your Royal Highness?” the man asked, “What’s the matter?” 

“Ready the Tidal Chamber, our Pearlheart has been taken.” 

 

 

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

 The planning hall—more formally known as the Tidal Chamber—rose with tall, faded orange coral ceilings, their arches curving like the inside of a queen conch. Time had softened their edges, giving the room a warm, weathered glow beneath the drifting light of jellyfish lanterns overhead.

In the center stood a large round table made of shimmering pearl, etched with ancient sigils and ringed by coral-carved chairs. Small streams of blue light pulsed across its surface—magical pathways for projections, maps, and strategic displays. Scroll racks lined the walls, along with communication mirrors and embedded shell chimes that rang when new reports arrived.

It was a room built for calm in the face of chaos. 

Today, it thrummed with tension.

“Let me get this straight—Sae, the Itoshi Sae of the Great Reefs, somehow managed to get kidnapped by pirates?” Reo asked incredulously, brows raised as he glanced around the room. “I speak for many of us when I say that it’s unlikely he was taken so easily.”

Rin couldn’t help but nod at that, arms crossed as he leaned against the pearled edge of the war table. “I know,” he admitted, jaw clenched. “It doesn’t make sense to me either. But I saw what I saw.”

“Is it possible you, I don’t know, said the wrong name in the spell?” Zantetsu offered, far too casually.

Reo sighed and dropped his head into his hand. “Zantetsu.”

“What?” Zantetsu muttered, fidgeting under the glare of half the room. “It’s a valid question.”

But Rin wasn’t laughing. His expression had remained tense since the meeting began, shadows under his eyes betraying the nights he’d spent scouring the palace libraries, casting spell after spell to try and confirm the vision. The image hadn’t wavered: Sae, gone. The pirate ship, real. The sail, unmistakably marked with a devil.

And yet... Sae? Sae wasn’t someone who could be taken so easily. He wasn’t just royalty—he was the Pearlheart, the kingdom’s strongest warrior, master of both martial skill and magic. Even weakened, even caught off guard, he wasn’t someone you could simply abduct.

Rin shook his head. “There’s something wrong with this whole situation. That’s why I only invited those I trust most to this briefing. Whatever happened to Sae... I don’t think it was a matter of strength.”

He turned to the gathered few—Reo, Hiori, Nanase, Leonardo, and Zantetsu—all seated around the enchanted war table. A soft hum buzzed from the glowing runes beneath its surface, displaying a magical map of the Great Reefs, shifting with gentle currents of light.

“Pardon my inquiry,” Hiori began, voice calm but laced with concern, “but could Sae’s kidnapping have had something to do with Oliver Aiku? He was with him, after all.”

“You’re right,” Leonardo added, fingers steepled in thought. “If something had gone wrong, Aiku would have returned by now. He’s skilled, but not reckless.”

“That—” Rin started, but before he could finish, the chamber doors burst open with a loud clang .

Everyone turned at once.

Knight Seishiro Nagi strode inside, for once not lazy or slow, his pale hair damp from seawater and his expression unusually urgent. He went straight to Rin’s side and knelt his silver tail.

“Your Royal Highness,” Nagi said, panting slightly, “the Lady of the Aiku family was caught illegally crossing Reef borders earlier this morning.”

Gasps rippled around the room.

Rin’s brows shot up. “What was she doing?”

Nagi continued, pulling out a sealed scroll from a coral pouch. “Upon inspection of her belongings, we found this—along with several coded letters. The scroll confirms she was in contact with outside forces… specifically pirates. The documents describe a deal involving the aid in capturing his highness, Prince Itoshi Sae.”

The room fell into stunned silence.

Reo was the first to speak, voice tight with disbelief. “The Aiku family? That’s... that’s not possible. They’ve served the crown for generations. Their name is engraved on half the war monuments in the capital.”

Mikage was right, they had long been considered one of the crown’s most loyal and decorated noble families, their name etched into the very foundation of the kingdom’s history. The Aikus had stood beside the royal line for generations, serving as warriors, strategists, and advisors in countless wars. Statues honoring their fallen lined the Hall of Valor, and their family crest flew proudly on the battlefield beside the royal banner. They had sacrificed blood and legacy for the sake of the Great Reefs time and time again.

So for their name to appear on a scroll outlining the betrayal of the Pearlheart—Sae himself—it was nothing short of unthinkable. 

Reo began to speak again, voice more measured this time. “Sei—Ahem. Knight, is there any information regarding whether anyone else aided them in the plot?”

The knight stood tall, expression unreadable beneath the pale blue glow of the coral sconces. “No, Sir. According to the recovered scrolls, they acted alone. However, we did find additional documents detailing their motivation. It appears the Aiku family had suffered a steep financial decline due to the recent wars. The betrayal was orchestrated as a desperate attempt to secure wealth and restore their standing.”

A heavy silence blanketed the room.

Rin’s jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists where they rested on the smooth coral table. Rage boiled beneath his skin, cold and sharp like the deepest current. That was their reason? Gold? Status? That was enough to throw away generations of loyalty, honor, and sacrifice?

He could practically see the portraits of the old Aiku war heroes lining the royal archives—ghosts of a once-noble lineage—now smeared by cowardice.

“Tch.” The sound escaped him before he could stop it. “So much for legacy,” he spat. “My brother will be fine. Whether it’s on a battlefield or locked up in some mold-ridden cell on a garbage pirate ship, he’s still Itoshi Sae.” Rin stood as he spoke, spine straightening with purpose. “They’ll regret ever laying a hand on him.”

“And how exactly do we make sure of that?” Nanase asked, tone less doubtful now and more curious, maybe even hopeful.

Rin’s eyes narrowed, the light from the strategy lantern casting sharp shadows across his face. “Simple,” he said coldly. “An eye for an eye.”

The room stirred at that—Hiori raised an eyebrow, Nanase looked up from where he’d been analyzing one of the maps, and even Reo stiffened at the weight behind those words.

Rin continued, voice low but steady, “We let the pirates know that they’ve made an enemy of the Great Reefs. We don’t beg or negotiate. We retaliate.”

He turned toward the map of the archipelago spread out on the table, his fingers hovering over the path leading from the capital to the outer reefs. “We find that ship. We take their captain. And we make it known: anyone who touches the Pearlheart pays for it in full.”

There was silence for a beat, heavy with tension—then, slowly, Reo nodded. “Then I guess it’s time we gave the pirates something to fear.”

Rin’s mouth curled into a small smirk. “Exactly,” he said, voice low and razor-sharp. “Now bring me the captain of the ship with the pink devil sail. I want this handled quietly. No alarms, no grand announcements—just a clean operation. A small stealth task force will be all that’s needed.”

A beat of silence followed, then the room moved into swift action. Chairs scraped back against the smooth coral flooring, the soft clink of armor echoing beneath the tall, faded-orange ceiling. The glow from enchanted jellyfish-lamps shimmered against polished breastplates as Rin’s most trusted allies rose without hesitation, already prepared to execute their prince’s command.

Orders were exchanged in hushed tones. Maps unfurled. Names were spoken—Zantetsu, Nanase, Nagi —all skilled in covert water maneuvers, all loyal to the core. Leonardo was already halfway to the exit, speaking to a messenger eel through a rune-carved shell, assembling his team before Rin could even look his way.

But Rin didn’t move.

He remained still at the head of the table, his gaze narrowed, fixed on the slowly swirling sphere of divination magic hovering just above his palm. The pirate ship was still visible inside it—cutting through the water with its absurd pink sail, the image of a devil boldly against the tide.

A low hum of magic pulsed from the orb, responding to his growing focus. The spell whispered fragments of information: speed, direction, depth. But Rin wasn’t interested in the logistics—not right now.

He was staring into that vision like he could peel it apart and see the truth behind it.

The truth about what happened to his brother.

“Let’s see how long you last,” Rin muttered, voice barely above a whisper but full of promise. His fingers curled slightly, and his magic brightened with his resolve.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

A few hours later—twelve or so, to be exact. Not that Rin was counting, of course.

He swam around the room, each motion of his tail echoing off the coral-tiled floor with restless energy. His jaw clenched unconsciously, brows drawn tight as his thoughts looped in anxious circles.

“What if they couldn’t find the ship?”

“What if they got the wrong pirate?”

“What if…”

He forced himself to stop, inhaling sharply and shaking the thoughts from his head. No—he couldn’t afford to spiral. These weren’t just any soldiers. He had handpicked them himself. Some of the best and most loyal operatives the Great Reefs had to offer. Everything would go according to plan. They would find the ship, corner the pirate captain, and swiftly negotiate a deal to trade him for Sae. That was the goal. That was the only acceptable outcome.

After all, when had his men ever failed him?

The thought had barely settled when the doors burst open with a gust of cold sea-air and urgency.

“Sir!” a knight called, breathless but composed, dropping to one knee. His voice was hushed, careful. “There’s news of the mission. But… I believe it would be best if you heard it directly from those involved.”

Rin’s eyes narrowed, curiosity and tension sparking in his chest. “Very well,” he said with a calmness that masked the spike in his heartbeat. He turned sharply on his fin, grabbing his coat from the back of a chair. “Take me to them. Now.”

The knight nodded promptly, leading the young prince through the coral-lined halls of the palace. The once-glimmering pathways—usually filled with diplomats and nobles—were now eerily silent, their warm lighting casting long shadows across the floor. As they moved deeper into the palace, the path veered off, revealing a hidden stairwell tucked behind a carved stone panel. It spiraled downward, leading to a place few ever saw: the royal holding cells.

The air grew cooler with as they got closer, damp and tinged with salt, the faint dripping of seawater echoing through the narrow stone corridor. These dungeonesque cells were rarely used—intended only for the most serious of criminals, war captives, or temporary detainments that demanded palace oversight.

At the base of the stairs, Mikage Reo stood near the cell entrance, arms crossed tightly over his chest. He straightened quickly at the prince’s arrival, though there was a tension to his posture—an uneasy glimmer of hesitation flickering in his eyes.

“Sir! We—”

“Where is the prisoner?” Rin cut in sharply, tone already laced with irritation. His arms folded across his chest, expression dark. “Or did you fail?”

Reo visibly squirmed at the words, his confident demeanor faltering as his gaze dropped to the floor.

“Well, we have a prisoner…” he muttered, carefully, “Just… not exactly the one you asked for.”

“Excuse me?!” Rin’s voice thundered through the stone corridor, the walls practically vibrating with his fury. “I gave you one mission—one very clear mission—and you—!”

“Your Majesty, if I may,” Duke Leonardo interrupted smoothly, swimming forward with his usual composed grace. “We did manage to apprehend a pirate.”

“And?” Rin snapped, turning his gaze on the duke with narrowed eyes. “What makes that so important as to interrupt me with such a failure?”

Leonardo didn’t flinch under the prince’s stare. Instead, he offered a small, measured smile.

“Because we believe this prisoner may prove to be more valuable than the captain himself,” he explained, voice low and deliberate. “They weren’t just part of the crew, but someone with direct access to the ship’s inner workings. They may very well know the exact coordinates of where it is now—if not more.”

Rin’s anger paused for a moment, replaced with a flicker of intrigue.

“If this is true,” Leonardo continued, “then we could plan a far more effective assault. Not just to recover Prince Sae, but to send a message to every pirate crew that dares raise arms against the crown.”

Rin exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “Very well,” he muttered after a beat. “Show me to this prisoner. I’d like to interrogate them myself.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” the knight bowed before turning briskly, his armor clinking softly as he led the prince down the long, coral-stone corridor. The dimly lit hall stretched ahead, torches casting flickering shadows across the walls, their flames dancing in rhythm with the muted drip of seawater echoing from somewhere unseen.

They approached a heavy iron door, worn from salt and time. The knight swam forward and pulled it open with a strained creak, the sound groaning through the quiet. As the door parted, a rush of damp, briny air greeted them—thick with the scent of seawater, aged stone, and something else beneath it… something old and cold.

Rin swam inside without hesitation, his expression carved from stone, gaze sharp and unrelenting. He was ready—ready to pry the truth from the pirate’s mouth, ready to carve out a path to his brother. No mercy. No hesitation.

He would bring Sae home. One way or another.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

Bright blue eyes bore into teal as the prince’s gaze met the captive’s. 

The man’s hair was a dark navy, tousled and messy like he hadn’t seen a comb in days, yet it suited him—wild, sea-touched, like it had been shaped by the wind itself. His skin was sun-warmed and dotted faintly with scars, proof that he’d seen more than his fair share of battle. 

But what caught Rin off guard were the glowing patterns that wound like ancient script along the pirate’s arms—celestial ink etched into his skin in winding constellations and scattered stars. They shimmered faintly even in the gloom of the cell, as if reflecting a sky Rin couldn’t see, each point of light pulsing in tune with the man’s slow, measured breaths. It wasn’t ordinary ink. It was magic—old and quiet and powerful, humming with energy that felt less like a spell and more like something cosmic. Like the universe itself had marked him.

His eyes, when they finally met Rin’s, were a piercing shade of ocean blue—too calm for someone in shackles. They weren’t afraid. They were bold. Like he was the one sizing Rin up. He didn’t wear a uniform, nor did he bear a captain’s emblem—but Rin knew without question that whoever this man was, he wasn’t just some low-ranking crewmate. 

Rin moved to stand directly in front of the cell, arms crossed, his expression carefully neutral. The prisoner lifted his head as he heard the footsteps approach, and with a lopsided, almost boyish grin, he spoke.

“So… I’m guessing you’re the one who ordered my capture?”

“Not exactly,” Rin sighed, already feeling a headache forming, “My men captured the wrong—”

“So you’ll let me go?!” the man blurted, straightening with sudden, hopeful energy. “Seriously, this magic-bubble-thing around my head sucks. I get that it’s for breathing and all, but come on! Also, no offense, but it’s kinda wild seeing so many half-fish people everywhere.”

“Shut up,” Rin snapped, his patience already thinning. “Do you even know who you’re talking to?”

The man blinked, clearly taken aback. “No…?”

Rin groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “My name is Itoshi Rin. Second Prince of the Great Reefs and temporary Acting Pearlheart in my brother’s absence.”

“That’s… cool?” the man offered, the uncertainty in his voice almost endearing.

“You don’t know what that means, do you?”

“Nope.”

Rin inhaled slowly through his nose, willing himself to stay composed. “Listen here—”

“Isagi.”

“What?” Rin blinked.

“My name is Isagi,” the man said, grinning again, like he hadn’t just interrupted a prince mid-sentence. “Isagi Yoichi.”

There was something disarming about that grin. Maybe it was the way it reached his eyes, or the way his voice dipped slightly when he said his own name, like it wasn’t just a label but a promise of chaos. Rin hated how curious he suddenly felt.

“Listen here, Isagi Yoichi,” he repeated, this time slower, more deliberate. “I need to find my brother, and you are being held captive to aid in me doing just that. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, but… why me exactly?” Isagi asked, tilting his head just slightly, like a curious cat.

“My men believe you may be useful in locating the pirates who took him. Their ship sails under a hot pink flag with a devil insignia. Is that familiar to you?”

“Hmm…” Isagi leaned back, arms crossed loosely as he seemed to search his memory. “Hot pink sail… devil design… Oh! I used to work aboard that ship! Navigator, actually. Captain’s name is Shidou Ryusei—guy’s completely unhinged, but in a charming sort of way. Some of my friends still sail with him, I think.”

Rin’s jaw tensed. “Are you aware of their current location? Or where they’re headed?”

Isagi’s eyes flicked up, scanning Rin with a kind of quiet, deliberate attention that made the prince feel suddenly too visible. “Maybe,” he said, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “But you’ll have to ask a bit nicer than that.”

Rin stared at him, exasperated… and yet oddly intrigued. This man, this pirate, was shackled in a dungeon —and still had the nerve to flirt with danger. It was reckless. Stupid. Infuriating.

And for some reason, Rin found it hard to look away.

“How about you tell me what you know,” Rin said coldly, arms crossed as he stood just outside the bars, “and I’ll consider letting you eat.”

The pirate blinked at him, clearly confused by the offer—until his stomach gave a loud growl and the realization visibly hit. He glanced down and sighed.

“Fine,” he relented, tone begrudging. “I’m not exactly sure where they’re headed. Last I heard, Shidou was trying to find someone who could lead him to some kind of treasure. Probably cursed—y’know, the usual pirate nonsense.” He paused, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “But I’m guessing that’s not enough information for you.”

Rin’s frown deepened. “You’d be right.”

Silence stretched between them. Rin’s mind churned, weighing his next move. His fingers flexed absently at his sides. What would Sae do in this situation? No—he already knew. If his brother were here, he’d already have resolved this entire mess. Sae always had a plan, always knew how to get the upper hand. That’s why, when their father fell into his coma, there had been no hesitation from anyone when Sae stepped up to act as Pearlheart. He’d worn the crown of responsibility so effortlessly, as if it had always been meant for him.

Rin, meanwhile, felt like he was trying to rule with a crown three sizes too big.

If their positions had been reversed, Sae would’ve found Rin by now. No question. No delay. No captured strangers and half-formed leads.

“Excuse me?” a voice cut through his thoughts, casual and almost teasing. “Earth to Rin?”

Rin’s eye twitched. “Tch. Don’t call me that. It’s Sir to you.”

“Okay Sir Rin, ” Isagi said with an exaggerated bow of his head and a grin that was far too wide for someone in shackles. “I think there might be another way I can help.”

Rin arched a brow, skepticism sharpening his expression. “And what would that be?”

Isagi rolled up his sleeves, exposing more of the glowing celestial tattoos that shimmered faintly in the dim torchlight. The stars on his skin danced in slow, mesmerizing patterns—flickering with a life of their own, like they were waiting to be asked the right question.

“I can try to find your brother,” he said, quieter now. “I’m not promising miracles, but… if he’s out there, the stars might be able to guide us to him.”

Rin didn’t respond right away. He studied the lines of Isagi’s face, the calm determination in his voice, the strange quiet confidence that didn’t match someone trapped behind bars. There was no fear in him. No groveling. Just… patience. Like he was used to people underestimating him, and equally used to proving them wrong.

It made Rin feel strangely off balance.

This man wasn’t the prisoner he expected. He wasn’t the enemy. Not exactly. And if Rin was being honest with himself—something about the glow of those stars and the steadiness of Isagi’s gaze stirred something in his chest. Curiosity. Tension. Something he couldn’t name.

He exhaled slowly.

“…Fine. Prove it.”

Isagi raised his arm to his face, glancing at the inky patterns like they were old friends. “Alright. Stars—show me the way,” he muttered under his breath.

And just like that, the tattoos responded.

A faint shimmer sparked to life beneath his skin, the dull glow quickly blooming into vibrant silver-blue light. The constellation across his forearm—something Rin vaguely recognized as sailor’s lore, maybe Orion—began to pulse, stars illuminating one by one, until the whole pattern was blazing softly like moonlight on the ocean. Trails of light arced from one cluster to the next, drawing a clear direction across his skin. It wasn’t just magic—it was alive , the stars seeming to breathe with him.

Rin stared.

He didn’t mean to. He really didn’t. But how was he supposed to look away when this stranger—this pirate —was suddenly bathed in starlight, glowing like he’d stolen a piece of the night sky and had it etched into his body?

He swallowed. Hard.

“Is that… the first constellation?” Rin asked, voice a little too quiet, a little too breathless.

Isagi looked up at him and grinned. “Yep. Looks like our journey starts toward this constellation.” He tilted his head. “You okay there, Sir Rin ? You’re kinda staring.”

But he looked again. Just for a second.

The stars were still glowing—and, unfortunately for Rin, so was something in his chest.

“It's nothing,” he sighed, “Let's go find my brother.” 

Notes:

Ugh I hated writing that last scene and I put it off sm cuz I didn't know how to write it but I think it turned out pretty ok... .-. Tysm for reading this Chapter!!! Ik it takes me a while to come out with new chapters but just bear with me im slow processing so it takes a minute ^-^ Next chapter will be back to Ryusae! :D Lmk what characters you wanna see on Shidou's ship...! Follow me on X @fa73382992 or on TikTok @_mosh__eeee_ !!! <3

Notes:

I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter and you'll stick along for the ending! Lol Ik there's a lot of chapters but bear with me it has its purpose considering Im going to write some of the story from Rin's pov and am going to do that in separate chapters. Check out my most recent (and first) fic Sapphire Kissed Nights if you like Rinsagi and I hope you'll all be excited for Chapter 2! :D Credits to Buttered Shidou on TikTok for inspiring me to write this <333

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙇𝙤𝙘𝙠