Into the Dark, part 10 (after battle)

I see that you are having some trouble coming to an agreement amongst yourselves.

That is quite understandable. It should be clear as day that the answer is right before your eyes. My offer is perfect for your present, rather desperate, situation.

But that is the whims of fate! These seemingly implausible, coincidental opportunities are the threads of fate weaving the path ahead for us!

You must first learn to be someone who grips their destiny when it presents itself. It is common wisdom among every seafarer.

Ugh...

Sinclair shuddered a little.

A lot has happened. Various moments of past 'coincidences' must have passed before every Sinner's eyes.

When we were almost sandwiched between two ships, when we encountered those floating Mermaids on a deserted ship,

When we fought a Whale and its byproducts that came with the Waves...

You and your arrogant, all-knowing speeches haven't changed one bit.

Don't delude yourself. I'm not joining hands with you ever again. Even now I can't wait to chew you up and tear you apart.

Hahaha! What face! What words! The girl has finally learned how to speak like a proper seadog worth her salt! Haven't you, Ishmael?

Didn't think you'd remember my name.

How could I not?

I heard your voice moments before the Whale swallowed me whole. The echoes of your voice calling my name, scattering to the winds amidst the desolation. Hah. I can hear it clearly, as though it happened but a day ago.

…….

Even for a brief moment, through the tempest, our eyes met. And I peered into the depths of your heart.

Into the depths of your true desire.

Ahab strode toward Ishmael.

Ishmael stood her ground. She glared at the old woman with bloodshot eyes.

So I'll give you what you want.

Her voice was low... yet personal. Honest.

Huh. Let's see what kind of crap you come up with this time.

Because what I want...

... Is my heart.

…!

Ishmael. Listen well. I am... the first and the only person who watched the birth of your life's greatest wish.

There was an awakening deep within you. A hateful obsession, screaming and thrashing with frenzy so that you may one day gut me yourself.

That very desire is what has brought you before me, past the trials and tribulations the world has thrown in your way. Am I wrong?

The Golden Bough they seek? You don't give a shit about that. Of course you don't.

My very heart is your Golden Bough, your plunder, the treasure you so desperately seek at the end of your journey.

I knew that, deep inside, you were still a sailor and a harpooneer. An excellent one at that.

From the moment of our reunion to now, you've been stabbing me over and over again in your head. And not once have you averted your eyes.

And what a harpooneer that makes you! Were I a Whale, I would have willingly given you my heart to kill.

You'll give me your heart...

You know better than anyone that I do not lie, Ishmael! You know where the bow of my accumulated passion has set course to!

Help me destroy this Whale's heart...!

And I, Captain Ahab, shall willingly give you my life.

It matters not the manner in which you end me. I will accept it all gladly.

Haah...

Ahab snatches Ishmael's harpoon, and brings it close to her throat.

...!

Now! Do you not wish to tear open my arteries?

Allow me to make this task even easier for you. Shall I turn my neck so that my veins are plain to see?! All of this is yours... as long as I can achieve my goal.

Oh, what a keen harpoon you have whetted! I can imagine the nights you've spent sharpening it, drawing a picture of my painful demise. You must have felt it - the call of destiny, your fate! Just as I have!!!

No one on this earth understands you better than I do, Ishmael! I know that very longing, that very burning hatred that consumes your days!

Yeah... You're right. I'm barely holding myself back from tearing into your arteries.

Yet you do not act.

…….

Because even now, even as the tip of your razor-sharp harpoon tickles the fuzz on my neck, you know the truth so well.

That you are still too weak to kill me.

How pitiful, yet how clever... The girl knows her place.

And that cleverness serves you well. A foolish sailor would not have accepted this very generous offer of mine.

As long as I can kill the Pallid Whale with my two hands... I care not about what happens next.

My heart is yours to harpoon, Ishmael.

I will be made complete at that very moment. What happens afterward... I could not care less.

Ha... Haha... Ha...

Ishmael laughed and laughed.

She did not fight back with her biting tongue, nor did she sharply and rationally criticize the Captain's words as she did ours.

She laughed and laughed and laughed, glaring straight into Ahab's eyes.

Yes... I like the look in your eyes.

I can already see it. In fact, I may as well have already heard your decision from that look.

Yeah... Enjoy your last voyage, Ahab.

And whatever it takes, survive to the end of this voyage, until you destroy the Whale's heart.

And I'll happily destroy you the moment you are made complete.

Ha! Ahahahaha!!

YES! Now I see the eyes of a proper seadog! Finally, conviction burns within your eyes!

I shall not disappoint, Ishmael. Allow my heart to beat like the very tempest, allow my heart to bleed hotter than the boiling blood of the Lava Whale. So that it may be a target worthy of your harpoon.

HA! HAHAHAHA!!

A sense of overwhelming dread emanated from the pair's mad laughter. Neither I nor the other Sinners dared to intrude.

Their laughters were very much alike.

To the point where I wasn't sure which belonged to Ishmael and which belonged to Ahab.

What I was thinking then... I'm not really sure.

It wasn't like we had any other choice, but...

<…….>

... maybe I was hoping that Ishmael would refuse the offer.

So you're joining us for the jour...ney to the heart?

Ain't that... nice. It's encouraging to have you lively-look...ing fellas along for the ride! Not a hint of that pale mem...brane to be seen on yous.

Oh, speaking of which... How are you all so... okay?

How come the Pallid Wha...le's got no effect on an...y of you?

Curious, Starbuck asked.

Forsooth, that is - Mmmph?!

... It's a long story. We just happened to get lucky... and I'll leave it at that.

Gregor cut in and blocked Don Quixote's mouth.