William

Will loved the sea. His sailor father brought him books about pirates, and his mother was gentle and religious. But one day, his father didn't return. His ship was lost forever. His mother fell ill, and seven-year-old Will nursed her back to health. A year later, she died.

His uncle, strict but kind, took the boy in. He didn't beat him, but he forced him to work, and Will didn't object. At fifteen, he left, asking to be hired as a cabin boy on a merchant ship. He worked there for several years. It was hard work, but at least it was at sea. And at night, he dreamed of his ship. His happy life ended quickly.

The ship was attacked by pirates. They plundered it and killed the crew. William sneaked onto the enemy ship, but was caught but not killed. Captain James took the boy under his wing. Because he'd sneaked in like a parasite, they called him "little rat." He'd gotten used to it. ‎ Years passed—William grabbed freedom in gulps, but something was missing. At twenty-five, William got his own ship and assembled a crew of desperate convicts. He was happy—but the emptiness inside him didn't go away. Neither alcohol, nor money, nor fights, nor women helped. He grew gloomier with each passing day. The crew remained silent. The ocean had taken this happiness too...

The ship was caught in a strange storm—out of nowhere—during an expedition to waters where sea monsters roamed. William didn't believe in fairy tales. He was wrong. The crew perished, and the ship was shattered into pieces. ‎ The pirate woke up on a rocky shore. The sky had turned orange-purple. But it wasn't that that caught his attention—it was the handsome young man looming over him. Vil immediately jumped up and crawled slightly to the side. — What? Who are you?.. ‎ He didn't finish. His gaze caught on the fish's tail. A mermaid stood before him.