The Pirates of Dyabor
The sunset is brightest on the wide, open sea. It’s what my father told me, and I experience it first-hand every morning. If I squint I can make out the tiny, pink bodies of little birds flying effortlessly across the vibrantly splattered horizon.
“We’re nearin’ land, Cap’n,” Skully says, tugging at the hem of my shirt with his cold, gnarled fingers. If it were days earlier, I probably would have smacked the young mouse into the salty ocean for distracting me from the sky’s captivating embrace.
But today isn’t like all the others. Today is when I reach the end of my path, carving my name into history. I will become immortal.
“Tell the others and prepare the anchors for landing.”
“Aye, aye.”
Although I share the same lust for treasure as did my forefathers, I do not share their speech. I never understood why they had so much pride to speak so incomprehensibly. At least when I’m remembered, it won’t be for a tangled tongue.
We make landfall a couple hours after Skully’s announcement. It's just Skully, Croix and I - I feel that the rest of me crew would try to take more than their share of the treasure when I find it.
The beach is different than any other I had stepped foot on. Every grain of sand is as white as snow, and the air does not smell of fish or seaweed. Never before have I seen such grandeur on Cruithne.
“Croix, the map.”
“Brawwwk. And your boomstick.”
Oh, that’s right. I had exited my ship in such a hurry that I nearly forgot to take safety into account. I already notice that the creatures and vegetation on this beach are entirely different than those at Dyabor. I must remember that although this is my last journey, if I don’t do it carefully and according to plan, it can all be for nothing.
“Thank ye,” I clap the large parrot on the back and resume eyeing the piece of parchment.
“Ah, see here.” I point to the line of mountains etched at the northern end of the cove. “And look over there,” I motion forward, past the barrier of palms.
“So if t’ map be correct, then that’s where t’ booty’ll be,” says Skully.
“The map is correct; don't disrespect the map,” I snap. “Now, Croix, I want you to scout ahead. Report back if you see any obstacle that could terminate the mission.”
“Croix go look for threats, brawwwk.” The bird flies away, and I send my hand down to my belt. Yep, the cutlass and now the boomstick hang just in reach. I have never spilled blood on a journey, but nothing was going to stop me from obtaining this treasure.
Thankfully, there are no obstacles, and in no time it seems Skully, Croix, and I reach the end of the island, directly above where the red X shows on the map. Thoughts swim around in my head that the isle seems too easy to navigate, being home to a treasure deemed "impossible" to find or retrieve.
We dig around and search at the site for hours, until eventually Skully discovers a lever revealing a hidden passage into the mountain. I keep Croix at the entrance as lookout, and the mouse and I inch ahead, with only a single torch to puncture the thick darkness.
Up to this point, everything goes perfectly as planned. But then it all falls apart, literally.
The cave collapses, sending Skully and I tumbling down into a dark chasm.
“Cap’n!” I hear Skully’s yell grow fainter as we fall farther apart. Croix’s startled squawks fade until eventually I only hear the sound of my body crushing against the jagged cave floor.
“Skully! Croix!” I yell, feeling around for a place to stand. If I can stand… But what am I thinking? This will not be the end of me. It can’t be. It won’t.
I find two shards of rock and, at the expense of the crumpled treasure map, I make a small fire. It won’t burn for long, but if I can make out something, anything, it would not be for nothing.
“Croix! Skully!” I yell again. I look above and notice that the rocks have fallen through and have stacked above, preventing my escape. It will take the strength of an entire crew of men to shift those rocks out of the way. It’s too much for me to push out, so I decide I must push forward in hopes that there’s another cavern leading out of the mountain.
With the dimming flame of the burning map, I begin to move to the farthest wall. The fallen rocks end to a solid, flat surface, I realize. And with each step I hear a peculiar sound. It is the sound of pounded metal dancing against another, many others.
“The treasure is here,” I realize, reaching down to feel the golden coins myself.
But finding the treasure doesn’t make me feel like I thought I would. My heart isn’t beating out of my chest with glee, and I’m not busy loading it back on ship to Dyabor. My heart is an empty void, longing not for riches and fame, but for my friends.
I resume yelling their names until my voice goes mute and my throat aches for a drink. I bury my hands in the soft gold treasure and sob. My greed for treasure is the curse of any who follow my path, before and after. The greed welled up inside my body, causing me to mistake it for something more, something worth risking my life and friends for. I thought I was so much better than my forefathers, and yet the same curse that plagued them covers me like a shroud.
I had a glorious ship, I had enough riches to live several lives to the fullest, and I had loyal friends. I embarked on this journey with greed in my eyes and fame in my mind. But was it worth it?
Now I have everything I originally wished for. I discovered the treasure that eluded its seekers for centuries.
And yet I am left with less than I have ever had.
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Why do you look so grim? There's a rumor that the Captain made his way out of the cave, and was reunited with both Skully and Croix! He also made it back to Dyabor safe and sound.
But the treasure is still at large! The Captain decided that his treasure hunting days were over, so he left the island empty handed.
You can own the treasure the Captain left behind! Hyacinth has created each of these new items, that you have the chance to own by purchasing the special Treasure Box from the Cash Shop!
   
With the use of each box, you can choose to own two (2) of the total six (6) possible pirate-themed items! You'll have to purchase several treasure boxes to take the entire loot for yourself!
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