erzulie
cheers for spring; for life; for a growing soul
Like some great sea beast, the Flying Dutchman broke through the water’s surface with a mighty splash. The tattered and waterlogged outer appearance was a sight to behold in the broad daylight. The sun showcasing the ghastly green and brown in all its ghastly glory. The grew were no different, still clothed in what they had sunken into the watery depths in, their appearance were void of life. It was a ghost ship in the simplest terms, run by those who had fallen victim to the deep. With more speed than what should have been possible for the ship, they hoisted their sails and took off. Below a creature from legend swam a few feet under, lurking for any dangers around.
Around the world, ports began to appear to those who had been given the way to find them. The Flying Dutchman was met with looks of awe and fondness, the crew welcoming their passengers aboard with helping hands, or in some cases, a helping hand. They traveled near and far, collecting more and more students for the journey to their destination.
Students filled the vessel, despite its appearance it had been kept up with it seemingly renewed. Students were free to roam the upper and top decks as they pleased.
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His lips were pulled back into a vicious grin, though his bone white teeth held no sharp points, it helped all the likeness to that of a shark. It was a telling sign of his state of mind, a warning to alert those of danger to come. In the eyes of new students however, that smile was too blinding to be a warning sign. Before them stood a seasoned student. The sun brought his skin to life, casting a light over his head that had to signify his divinity. Already, they were pulled in by the glitz and glamour that seemed to await them. Each year it seemed to bring in even more weak-willed freshmen, so easily tricked and manipulated. They’d learn soon enough to steer clear of him, but for now he’d have his fun.
Ikenna wondered though, how long would it take for them to realize. Would anyone be kind enough to tell them any better? He thought back to the previous year, thinking of the altercation that had steered even more people away from him. He knew that there were people who believed that the school would be a better place without him. They were sick of the trouble he caused, of the schemes he came up with. But what was to be done? He was only a legacy after all. It was a card that he didn’t mind using to his advantage, to worm his way out of trouble.
Would he be able to do the same this time around however? He remembered the fight vividly, a fond memory that he kept close heart. That night in the Whispering Woods, stone-like fists meeting flesh as the woods went silent, had the creature within been watching? Were they as blood-thirsty as he had been in the moment? Either way he had left him there after he was finished, body beaten and broken until someone was able to find him. Assuming that someone had stumbled across him that was. It didn’t really give it too much thought, because he was positive that a word wouldn’t be said.
Realizing that he had paused, the legacy looked down at the students. He gazed at them from his place against the taffrail. His voice was a purr when he spoke again, urging them to trust his words. “It’s true I’m afraid. When we reach a certain point, a sea monster will emerge from the water and with its tentacles, it’ll slowly wrap itself around the ship, searching for students to take, so that they can join this ship’s crew as undead sailors.” His voice was sincere and the freshmen ate his words up. Ikenna laughed inwardly at their freightened faces.
nine lives