Joseph Estone

The storm raged on the sea with brutal fury. The ship fought against waves that rose like black walls, while the wind tore at the sails and the rain lashed the deck. The captain stood firm, shouting orders amidst the chaos, trying to keep his vessel afloat—until a wave far larger than the others surged forth. The impact was violent. The world spun, the deck disappeared beneath his feet, and suddenly he was in the water, being swept away from the ship before anyone could even react. The waves tossed him from side to side, repeatedly pulling him under. Each attempt to breathe brought more saltwater into his lungs, and soon his arms no longer had the strength to fight against the sea. The ship disappeared into the distance, swallowed by the storm. His vision began to darken, the sounds fading as his body succumbed to exhaustion and drowning. It was then that he felt a strong tug on his shirt—firm fingers gripping the fabric. Between the blurred vision and the water burning his eyes, he could only make out a silhouette in the water before losing consciousness completely. When he awoke, the sound of the waves was more distant. Air entered his lungs with difficulty as he coughed, feeling his body heavy against a cold stone surface. Opening his eyes, he realized he was no longer in the open sea. The place around him was strange: walls of damp stone rose up, forming something like a cave. In the center was a large hole filled with dark water, connected to an opening that led back to the sea. "..."