It had been six months since Rakai sailed with Arus Barat. Now he was one of the legendary pirate crew. But what Rakai never expected was today.
Rakai Saloka stood at the bow, the two long swords on his back feeling heavier than usual. He drew a deep breath.
"Strange wind," muttered Sangka Biru near the mast, eyes scanning the sky. "Birds have been fleeing since dawn."
"The sea is giving a sign," replied Pamalayu from the helm. "If not a storm, then a hunter."
Captain Khampa appeared from the stern. His thin robe fluttered gently. Black hair streaked with gray tied neatly, face hard as old carved wood. He stood long in silence, staring at the horizon as if reading invisible letters.
"Three days of this calm wind," he finally said. "That's not a good omen."
Several crew exchanged glances. Bara Guntur spat into the sea. "If someone's coming, let them come. Arus Barat doesn't run."
Khampa turned. "I know you're brave, Bara. But the sea doesn't care about bravery."
Near noon, a small merchant boat appeared from the north. Sails torn, hull riddled with arrows. The vessel was nearly sinking. Arus Barat lowered sail and pulled it close.
The survivors trembled. An old man with bloody hands prostrated on deck. "Don't let them find us… please."
"Who?" Khampa asked.
The man swallowed. "Chen… Chen Tsu Ji."
The name dropped like a stone into still water.
Some crew looked away. Others clenched fists. A cold chill crawled up Rakai's spine.
"How many?" Wira asked.
"Six large ships," the merchant answered. "They move in perfect order. Not like pirates. No shouts. When we realized… half the crew was already dead."
Khampa gave a short, bitter laugh. "Still faithful to his ways."
Rakai stepped closer. "Captain… you know him well."
Khampa stared at him long. "I know the smell of blood he leaves behind. And more."
Night fell fast that day. No feast. No songs. Torches extinguished. Arus Barat sailed dark, guided only by starlight. Every crewman at his post. Weapons checked repeatedly.
At the stern, Rakai sat facing Khampa.
"Afraid?" Khampa asked suddenly.
Rakai was honest. "I'm afraid to die."
"Good," Khampa said. "The fearless usually die first." He paused, then added, "If tomorrow we meet Chen Tsu Ji… remember this, Rakai. The sea doesn't choose who lives. But you can choose how you stand when it comes."
Rakai nodded. Wind whispered. Ahead, the sea stayed calm.
Too calm.
DUSK WHEN THE SEA DEVOURS MEN
They appeared when the sun was only spear-high.
Thin mist still hung over the water, making the horizon look like an unfinished painting. From afar, six shadows slowly grew larger. Not just ships—a moving line of death, disciplined, orderly, silent.
"Six…" Wira Pamalayu muttered from the helm. "Double-wing formation. They're blocking our wind."
Rakai Saloka stood at the port bow. Heart pounding hard, mind strangely quiet. The twin long swords on his back felt cold, waiting to be awakened.
Captain Khampa stepped forward. No hesitation on his face. "Chen Tsu Ji," he said softly, yet loud enough for nearby crew to hear. "He came himself. Means he's certain we're the target."
Bara Guntur gave a short laugh, flexing his arms. "Then we'll make sure he's wrong."
No long commands. No war cries. Chen Tsu Ji's fleet raised no threatening banners.
The first fire arrow streaked.
THUNK!
Flame caught the forward sail. Black smoke billowed. In an instant, the morning sky turned red and dark.
"DEFEND! HARD TO STARBOARD!" Khampa roared.
Wira spun the helm with all his strength. The ship heeled sharply. Waves slammed the hull. Catapult stones from the enemy pounded the starboard side. Wood cracked like breaking bones.
"Beware port!"
"Bara's down!"
A massive stone smashed the deck. Bara Guntur was hurled, chest crushed. He growled once before blood filled his mouth.
Rakai ran.
The first enemy ship rammed Arus Barat's side. Grapples flew, hooking the rail.
"BOARD!"
They came without shouts or cheers. Chen Tsu Ji's warriors moved fast, trained, faces blank and silent. No rage. No joy. Just duty. As if accustomed.
Rakai leaped forward.
Right sword slashed a throat. Left sword pierced a gut. His movements flowed, the twin blades part of his body. Blood sprayed, slicking the deck. He fought with everything.
"Two Swords up front!" someone yelled.
Arrows rained. Sangka Biru returned fire—one arrow straight through an eye. Before the second, a chained spear wrapped his waist and dragged him overboard.
"SANGKA!"
The cry drowned in the crash.
The second enemy ship struck from the other side. Arus Barat was trapped. Fire spread across sails. Smoke stung eyes, choked lungs. Sails began burning.
"Khampa!" Rakai shouted.
The captain stood mid-deck, sword dancing. Each swing carried long-dead names. Two enemies fell. Three. Four. Blood ran down his arms—whose, unknown.
"Don't let them take the helm!" Khampa yelled.
Wira held the wheel with a short knife, stabbing anyone who neared, blood streaming from his temple. That was all he could defend now.
An arrow struck Rakai's shoulder. He yanked it out roughly, stifling a groan. The world narrowed. The stench of blood filled his nose.
"Rakai, fall back!" Wira shouted.
"No!"
Rakai charged again. Twin swords spun—cutting, thrusting, breaking. He lost count of the dead. He just moved.
Then he saw Captain Khampa stagger.
An arrow lodged in the captain's chest.
"Captain!"
Khampa stayed upright. He snapped the shaft with bare hands and stepped forward. His sword took one more enemy.
Another blade pierced his side.
Khampa coughed. Blood poured from his mouth. Still he stood.
"RAKAI!" he roared.
Rakai turned, cutting through enemies. He fought to free the ship from the encirclement, heading for the helm while driving back Chen Tsu Ji's boarders.
The ship broke loose. Rakai steered south. He finished the last boarders though his body could barely withstand the slashes and growing wounds.
Rakai saw Captain Khampa still trying to rise. The other crew were gone—one by one fallen. Rakai crawled, forcing himself to reach the collapsed Khampa.
Khampa smiled—small, tired, accepting. "Listen well." His breath rasped. "This ship… is more important than me."
"Don't say that!" Tears fell from Rakai.
Khampa reached into his chest pocket, pulled out the helm key and an old map. His hand trembled as he handed them over. "If you live… keep this ship sailing with you."
Khampa stopped breathing.
"CAPTAIN?!"