The Forgotten Tide: Rebirth Before the Pirate Era

The dim glow of lanterns flickered within the small cabin of the merchant ship, casting long shadows across the wooden walls. Kaizen sat quietly near a narrow porthole, his gray eyes fixed on the endless horizon. The rhythmic creaking of the ship and the gentle lull of the waves could not soothe the turbulence brewing within his mind.

Why did that man know my name? The question haunted him, the memory of the cloaked figure's words echoing like a riddle he couldn't solve.

Lio and Ren were asleep, their steady breathing the only sound accompanying the ship's creaks. Kaizen, however, couldn't find rest. The night was heavy with unspoken fears and unanswered questions.

Unable to bear the stillness, he rose and quietly made his way to the deck. The salty breeze greeted him, cool against his skin. Stars scattered across the night sky, indifferent to the weight he carried. He leaned against the railing, staring at the vast expanse of water that seemed to stretch into infinity.

"Can't sleep?"

Kaizen turned to see Captain Eryn approaching, her steps light despite the heavy boots she wore. She joined him at the railing, her sharp eyes reflecting the starlight.

"No," Kaizen replied simply.

Eryn studied him for a moment before speaking. "The sea has a way of stirring the mind. Makes you face things you'd rather forget."

Kaizen didn't respond immediately. He thought of the pirate attack, the shadowy figure, and the strange power that surged within him.

"Have you ever felt like you're someone you don't recognize?" he asked quietly.

Eryn chuckled softly, her gaze distant. "More times than I can count." She paused, then added, "But sometimes, it's not about who you were. It's about who you choose to be now."

Her words lingered as silence settled between them, broken only by the ship cutting through the waves.

Suddenly, a distant shout pierced the night. Both Kaizen and Eryn snapped to attention. From the crow's nest, a lookout pointed toward the horizon, where faint lights flickered unnaturally over the water.

"Ships," Eryn muttered, her voice tense. "But not merchant vessels."

Kaizen's instincts flared. The air felt different, charged with a subtle malice. As the lights grew closer, the dark silhouettes of ominous ships emerged, their sails marked with unfamiliar symbols—jagged, like scars carved into fabric.

Eryn barked orders, and the crew sprang into action. Kaizen felt a surge of adrenaline, his unease crystallizing into focus.

The attacking ships moved swiftly, their intentions clear as grappling hooks flew through the air, latching onto the merchant vessel. Shadows leaped aboard, figures cloaked not just in fabric but in an aura of something darker.

Kaizen moved instinctively, his body reacting faster than his mind could process. He dodged a blade aimed for his head, countering with a precise strike that sent the assailant sprawling. Around him, chaos erupted—steel clashing, shouts of anger and fear mingling with the roar of the ocean.

One of the attackers confronted Kaizen directly, their face hidden beneath a mask etched with strange symbols. The masked figure moved with unnatural speed, forcing Kaizen to push beyond his limits.

Blows exchanged in a blur of motion until Kaizen, driven by a surge of instinctual power, landed a decisive hit. The mask shattered, revealing eyes filled with both rage and recognition.

"You can't escape your past, Kaizen," the attacker hissed before collapsing.

The words struck harder than any blade. Kaizen stood amidst the aftermath, breathless, as the enemy retreated into the night.

Whispers of the forgotten... but what exactly have I forgotten?