Open Chronicles Dark Sails at Ra Gnab

[Ras Sorane]

The Oceanborn was a stolen imperial galleon, captained by former pirates of Teth along with a few mercenaries and blades-for-hire for one reason and one reason only... To transport the poor refugees from the Gulf of Ryt to the secure walls of Oban, several hundred miles south along the coast of Liadain. The fact that the ship led them directly through pirate-ruled waters meant that having a pirate crew would provide excellent protection... Or so that was what the refugees that boarded the Oceanborn were told. According to Ras' new client, however, the Oceanborn would be attacked, and that's when Ras would have his target.

'Lydir Morrinth... A cruel pirate, reveling in the panic his image invokes, more so than the riches he plunders from the trade ships. You'll know it's him when you see that gold-laden crossbow. It's the bastard's trademark. Ah, and don't worry about your payment. Morrenth has enough jewels and coin in the belly of his vessel to satisfy you ten times over.'

And so, Ras would board the Oceanborn at a sketchy port not connected to any real settlement, along with at least four dozen others seeking a better life far from the one they'd be leaving behind, so close to the Blightlands and under the shadow of the floating Thiria. Already, Ras was directing glares at the crew of the ship, each of them dirty, dressed in tattered rags with various missing teeth, and covered in crude weapons and battered armor. They didn't look like the most trustworthy of folks, but surely they wouldn't even risk a job like this if they didn't intend on protecting these people. The vessel wasn't much better either. Much of the wood was rotten, boards broken and splintered, having to be held together with rope and clusters of rusty nails in various places. The whole ship was decorated with tattered banners of several past defeated ships, as well as the salvaged wheels of said vessels. Bright lanterns clustered the hull of the ship, leaving behind a trail of fire as they cut through the sea. It was by no means stealthy, and perhaps that was why Ras' client was so sure that Morrinth would be here.

​

(Image credit: Pirates of the Caribbean)

As the ship left the port, Ras leaned against the railing on the starboard side, looking out at the deep blue waves as the wind caught the sails just right, lurching them forward with a gentle bobbing motion. He looked around at the refugees... Most were clearly malnourished, ill and lacking anything as far as funds were concerned. It tugged at his heart just a bit, seeing couples with young children, knowing how long they must have gone being unable to provide. Here he was, readying himself to add to their suffering, knowing a pirate attack was on the way, and not saying a thing about it. Still, it mattered not. He had a job to do, and once Lydir Morrinth was good and dead, all of them would be smooth sailing to Oban once again, no harm, no foul.

"Oi!" He was taken out of his thoughts by a harsh voice off to his side, a barefoot pirate with squinted eyes and a patchy, greying beard looking him over as he tugged a thick rope, hoisting one of the main sails. "What are you thinkin' so hard about, boy? About a week's travel and all your worries'll be good and over, yeah?" Ras instinctively thought about turning his back to the old sailor and finding somewhere private to think, but instead, he stayed on their good side. It was the smarter option, after all. "Yes sir... Just not used to sailing, is all." He gave a smile and a nod, keeping his cloak tight around himself. "What are you plannin' on doing in Oban, anywho? You don't look like the farmin' sort. Not much of a hunter, either!" Ras shook his head, chuckling. "Blacksmith's apprentice. My mentor's waiting on me." As always, he blended into the lie as natural as could be. The pirate just let loose a laugh, walking over and roughly patting him on the shoulder. "Hope you'll have a discount in mind for the lads sailin' this old gal once we've docked?" Ras didn't answer, just watching as he disappeared below deck.

He slowly returned his gaze to the rolling waves, watching as the early morning began to truly show in the overcast sky. Likely, he'd stay glued to this spot for awhile... Who knows when the attack would come? His instincts told him it'd be a nighttime raid, but he couldn't be too sure. Despite his willingness to trust those helping to protect the Oceanborn, he couldn't be too certain that there wasn't at least one that could complicate things. Pirates and mercenaries always seemed to have their quirks and own motivations, after all... Still, he hadn't even considered what strange characters could have been lurking among the refugees, either. On dangerous waters like these, anything could happen.

 

[Fenic Creed]

"... Don't get caught."

That, among other things, was the last order her master gave her.
She was a small girl, malnourished and ragged like many of the refugees around her, the only article of clothing she had was a thin cloth sack tied at her waist with a string. It protected her modesty but nothing else, the cold and elements cut through the threadbare material as if she were naked anyways.
Her black hair was lank and unwashed, her eyes dead and lifeless.

To complete her disguise the iron collar around her neck, wrists, and ankles were removed. She was integrated among the refugees a day before the ship arrived and she found a motherly sort that was willing to share some of her body heat with this traumatized little girl.

Her orders were clear, and so far she had not failed, just because she no longer wore the shackles didn't mean she was free in any way.
She was seated on the deck with the other refugees and huddled for warmth with the woman that had taken Fenic under her wing.

Her grey eyes scanned the crew of the ship without hope or light, resigned to what she had to do... They had her best friend on another ship, and once she did her part they would be reunited.

 

[Ras Sorane]

Ras eyes' landed finally on one figure in particular, an unfamiliar pang of sympathy hitting him deep in his core. She looked like a child, but her malnourished, zombified visage could've indicated any age from 10 to her late 20s. A sack for clothing, of all things... Shaking his head, he abandoned his post at the railing of the ship to descend below deck, hoping to find a half-descent cot to sleep in whenever he felt safe enough to sleep. Like always though, trouble was right around the corner.

"A fuckin' child? You think a skinny thing like 'er will survive this trip? These waters? As if we're not low on food as is!" Ras glanced back with a raised brow, seeing some tubby refugee with pale, speckled skin and a handlebar mustache point directly at the girl. Grumbling quietly, he watched one of the other refugees argue back. "What's the matter with you, man? We're all human." A younger refugee, couldn't be older than 17 said, standing. The instigator scoffed, crossing his arms. "Tha' strong should take precedence ova' tha' weak! I say toss 'er overboard!" The teen's fists balled, gritting his teeth. "You're not tossing anyone overboard! Sit down!" The first man just smirked, reaching out for her. "Fine... I'll do it myself!"

Just as the refugee reached out his huge hand to grab Fenic, Ras was already behind him, sending his heel into the back of the man's knee, sending him into a kneel. Ras's gloved hand met the back of his head, forcing him down face-first into the ship's deck. "Let's not make this ugly... Take the boy's advice. Take your seat and shut your mouth." He spoke softly, though his voice was riddled with annoyance. "You prick... Who do you think you are...?" The man snarled painfully, trying to fight his way back up. "Someone whose patience has just run thin. Trust me, you don't want this fight."

Ras let him up, the man stumbling to his feet and rubbing his forehead, already red and swollen from the impact. Glaring daggers at Ras, he slowly walked away, Ras glancing down at Fenic, and the woman she was huddling with. "Are you alright?" He asked them both. Since he was here, he figured it was only polite to give them something for their trouble. Kneeling, he brandished an apple from his rations, rolling it towards Fenic. "I didn't think the pirates would give enough of a damn to step in... Glad I stayed long enough to stop that."

Fenic Creed

 

[Fenic Creed]

"A fuckin' child? You think a skinny thing like 'er will survive this trip? These waters? As if we're not low on food as is!" Ras glanced back with a raised brow, seeing some tubby refugee with pale, speckled skin and a handlebar mustache point directly at the girl. Grumbling quietly, he watched one of the other refugees argue back. "What's the matter with you, man? We're all human." A younger refugee, couldn't be older than 17 said, standing. The instigator scoffed, crossing his arms. "Tha' strong should take precedence ova' tha' weak! I say toss 'er overboard!" The teen's fists balled, gritting his teeth. "You're not tossing anyone overboard! Sit down!" The first man just smirked, reaching out for her. "Fine... I'll do it myself!"

A fight, someone was trying to get her thrown off the ship, a big man, looked like a master she was once sold to when she was little.
All she could do was stare, she was laying low, trying not to draw attention just like she was told, this nice lady even completed her disguise.
There was an argument with the man and some of the other refugees and all Fenic could do was huddle closer to the woman and hope that fat man didn't get his way... If she died she couldn't complete her mission and see her friend again.

"Let's not make this ugly... Take the boy's advice. Take your seat and shut your mouth." He spoke softly, though his voice was riddled with annoyance. "You prick... Who do you think you are...?" The man snarled painfully, trying to fight his way back up. "Someone whose patience has just run thin. Trust me, you don't want this fight."

The argument came to an abrupt end when another refugee came up and brought the man to the deck just as he was reaching for her. She stared at the man in awe, he had the muscles of a fighter from what she could tell, her grey eyes openly gazed at him as he told the fat man off and sent him back to his seat.

"Are you alright?" He asked them both. Since he was here, he figured it was only polite to give them something for their trouble. Kneeling, he brandished an apple from his rations, rolling it towards Fenic. "I didn't think the pirates would give enough of a damn to step in... Glad I stayed long enough to stop that."

Fenic nodded but the woman answered for her, "Thank you very much sir, we're grateful for your kindness."
Fenic nodded in agreement, still staring at him.
She blinked at the fruit he rolled over to her, that was food for important people, slaves didn't eat that sort of thing...
She gingerly picked it up, unsure if she would be punished for simply touching it, she looked at the man again unsure if he was really giving it to her.

 

[Ras Sorane]

Ras glanced at the woman Fenic huddled close to, giving a scoff. "Simply tired of people acting like animals during my peaceful boat ride." Well, that was half-correct. He'd make things very violent when the time came. Until then, he'd prefer the quiet. He had little time or motivation to break up the petty, selfish squabbles of people who should've been more grateful to even hitch a ride on this ship.

He then glanced to Fenic, a brow raised as she nervously held the apple and looked up at him. Children were confusing... He wasn't good with them for a reason. She clearly hadn't eaten, why just stare at him, looking pathetic. "What's the matter, hm? It's yours. Eat up. Food will be scarce as the days pass." A bitter reality... As nice as the sentiment was, escorting refugees to safer parts of the world meant that many likely wouldn't survive the trip. The sea was an unforgiving beast.

Standing back up, he looked off towards the lower decks. Right... He wanted to get off his feet. Yawning, he ran a hand over his face, beginning to head that way. "If he gives you anymore trouble, just come and find me. Shouldn't be hard... I stick out like a sore thumb." He jested, waving them off as he descended the creaky, wooden stairs of the ship. He passed through tight corridors lined with ballistas, pirates passing him back and forth, carrying barrels and rooksacks of supplies to their respective storage spaces. As he rounded a corner into the crew quarters, he found that they'd made some accommodations, setting up makeshift bedrolls and cots for all the extra persons they were transporting.

Funny enough, it was pretty barren down here, most of the passengers still up on top deck. To be fair, it was fairly stuffy in here, Ras picking a cot beside a busted porthole window, where a good breeze blew through. Making himself at home on it, the bobbing of the ship made him rock a bit, only increasing his drowsiness. Perhaps a small nap wouldn't hurt...

"Alright, all non-essential personnel below deck! Lots of work to do up here!"

He heard a gravely voice shout, slightly muffled. A sigh escaped him. Of course... Not a moment of silence, alone with his own thoughts. Absentmindedly, he drew his dagger from his belt, along with a small whetstone, beginning to sharpen the blade to distract himself a bit.

Fenic Creed

 

[Fenic Creed]

"Simply tired of people acting like animals during my peaceful boat ride."

The woman nodded and bowed her head to him, "All the same, thank you!"

"What's the matter, hm? It's yours. Eat up. Food will be scarce as the days pass."

Hers? really? She looked at the red apple in her hand, it was like she was given a feast and she was afraid eating too much would make her sick!
She slowly brought the fruit to her mouth and took a tentative nibble, she bit the skin and didn't taste much, but it revealed the white flesh underneath and she took a nobble of that.
Sweetness exploded on her tongue and her eyes widened in surprise, it tasted so good!

She closed her eyes and just appreciated the little bit of apple flesh on her tongue, savoring the juice that seemed to radiate from it and fill her mouth... It was the first bit of joy she'd ever felt that she could remember.
Opening her eyes she looked back at the man, she bowed her head to express her thanks, since he technically never asked for a vocal response and she didn't want to try her luck by speaking when not asked to after receiving such a wonderful gift.
She then took a big bite out of the apple and began eating it hungrily.

She ate with gusto, but when it was down to the core the joy was replaced by a heaviness... These were nice people... She was ashamed and afraid of what her and her friend had to do to these people once the attack began.

"Alright, all non-essential personnel below deck! Lots of work to do up here!"

Everyone began moving as instructed by the pirates. Her and her self-elected guardian got up and began following the crowd down below decks... Leaving the apple core where they had sat.
Thankfully it seemed the fat man decided to leave them alone for the time being, though every time he glanced their way it was with a look of disgust.

Soon they were down in the belly of the ship among the cots and hammocks that were somewhat prepared for them.
Fenic and her guardian found an out of the way spot squeezed between two other groups. It was warmer down here, almost oppressively so but Fenic had been on slave galleys in worse conditions where people dropped like flies, this was nothing.

Again she thought of the role she was commanded to play in the coming attack... What she wanted didn't matter, these people were about to die and there was nothing she could do to stop it... Because she was the one who was going to do it.
Her master was an acquaintance of the pirate captain Lydir Morrinth, and she was on loan to the pirate for his use... What Lydir said she was required to obey.

 

[Ras Sorane]

Little more interaction occured between him and the crew, and even less so among the refugees. In fact, many of them were depressingly silent. Ras couldn't imagine what kind of things they must've experienced prior to their arrival on the ship, and in all honesty, he didn't want to know. He didn't want to deal with his empathetic side when he knew damned well that there was a job to do.

Throughout their stay below deck, Ras had little to keep himself occupied. After all, he could only sharpen his blades so much, and as he did, he could sense the worried looks of those around him. It was attention that he didn't want. Fortunately, he had a book to read that he picked up on the mainland, the cover an emerald green and sporting a pair of antlers on the cover. A novel about the forests, and faerie folk... A wonderous thing to get lost in, considering the only thing one could see for miles was the endless, churning expanse of dark blue ocean.

He did find his eyes wandering, however. He saw the girl from before, and couldn't help but question things. Why was she so timid about that apple? Why was she dressed in a sack, while everyone else here at least had some form of real clothing? Was... That woman next to her even her mother? He had no real reason to be as interested as he was, but she didn't strike him as an average refugee. Call it boredom, call it an action taken out of suspicion, but he'd soon stand, walking in their direction and sitting before them.

"We didn't get properly acquainted earlier. I'm Ras. Your names?" He asked, keeping his cloak tight around himself as to not freak anyone out like he had earlier with his blade-prepping. He didn't extend a hand to shake, but simply looked between them blankly. "I figured since I fed your daughter and drove that guy off, I may as well be decent enough to start a friendly conversation." Referring to the girl as her daughter... Simply testing the waters. He didn't intend to interrogate a soul, but she made him curious. Tense, as well.

It was nearing late afternoon, and he knew that this was serving to distract him from being on the lookout for any pirate sails on the horizon, but besides his own questions he had about Fenic, the constant droning of the creaky wood of the ship and the splashing waves outside were driving him properly mad. Looking at her and raising a brow. "I'm sure that apple didn't solve your hunger. I have some berries you might like, too." He offered, taking into account her practically malnourished figure.

Fenic Creed

 

[Fenic Creed]

Fenic drifted in and out of sleep as she was used to. As a slave one took sleep wherever they could get it if they could do it without getting caught, there was usually some leniency for slaves during the night since their Masters were asleep and didn't require servicing... Unless they suddenly got the urge to visit the slave quarters in the middle of the night to relieve some "stress".
There was no way to tell time below decks except for the small portholes, a luxury they didn't have on the slave galley's. And there was likewise no way to pass the time except with sleep.

She was resting her head in the woman's lap while the woman combed her fingers through her dark hair to gently work out some of the tangles.

When she heard the sound of boots approaching she bolted upright and huddled against the woman with an expression of fear, half expecting a slaver with a whip, half expecting the fat man, and half expecting to have slept through the attack and to see her master there ready to punish her.
But she saw the apple guy instead and began to calm down while the woman gently soothed her.

"We didn't get properly acquainted earlier. I'm Ras. Your names?" He asked, keeping his cloak tight around himself as to not freak anyone out like he had earlier with his blade-prepping. He didn't extend a hand to shake, but simply looked between them blankly. "I figured since I fed your daughter and drove that guy off, I may as well be decent enough to start a friendly conversation."

The woman smiled when he approached.
"My name's Cathy. I've not been able to get this poor thing to talk, she's not my daughter though. I think she may have been a slave at one point."
She lifted Fenic's wrist to show him the shackle scars and also pointed out the scars on her ankles.
Fenic pulled her wrist back and stared up at the apple guy in open curiosity.

Her name, he did ask for her name so that must mean she had permission to speak it.
"... Fenic..."
Her voice was a whisper that probably had to do with a combination of a lack of use and the shackle scars on her throat.
She pulled her knees to her chest and tried to cover the ankle scars with the hem of her sack.

"I'm sure that apple didn't solve your hunger. I have some berries you might like, too."

More food? More fruit? Why was he wasting such delicacies on her? The last time she complained about hunger she went without food for three days, the apple was more than enough for her, it was the equivalent of a full days meal in quantity for her, anything more was simply wasteful eating!
She licked her lips and bowed her head timidly before she nodded. She would like to taste a berry as well, her master will never know once she kills everyone on board.

 

[Ras Sorane]

Ras, simply giving a smirk at the child's timid response, dove a hand back down into his satchel, retrieving a handful of blackberries and reaching out to drop them into her hands. He better examined her scars. Deep, jagged... She'd likely seen a lot of pain in her life. To think that someone would be low enough to treat a young girl like that... If he had any heartstrings to tug, it'd be tugging them. Part of him hated to bring someone like her to risk with everything that was going to happen tonight, but he had his contract. Well, he didn't necessarily have to put them in harm's way. He could at least spare a warning, as vague as it may have been.

"Listen... We're in dangerous waters. These men may be fighters, but they aren't the only pirates that frequent this route." He explained to Fenic's guardian, casting a glance out of one of the portholes to the rolling tide. The sky was the faintest shade of pinkish blue, and he knew that he had to be on guard now more than ever. "I'm sure we don't have anything to worry about, but should anything go down, find some bags of grain to hide behind. I saw the pirates loading some up on the other side of the ship. It should provide good cover, and a decent hiding spot." He tried to stay as aloof regarding his true knowledge as he could, hoping not to stir a panic between them. He didn't need a scene right now. Not yet.

Standing, he prepared to move back to his cot when something caught his attention. A low, distant rumbling, and a bright, teal light entering the porthole. Walking over, he poked his head out, seeing a pillar of light rising from the ocean in the distance, up into the sky. Narrowing his eyes, he immediately began imagining the worst. Had his client failed to mention a magic user among Lydir's ranks? Or was this some ocean phenomenon that sought to ruin the night's plans. He and the other refugees would feel the ship slow, the distinct sound of sails being lowered reaching the lower decks.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it would appear that we, er... Have encountered a bit of an anomaly right now. We're slowing our travel to examine whatever... That is more closely before we continue on." One of the pirates explained, entering their quarters with his thumbs looped around his belt. "You ever experience something like this before?" Ras asked, looking over his shoulder. "Nothing like this... Just rogue vessels and the occasional whale. If I had to wager, some kind of magic." The pirate responded. Exactly what Ras was afraid of. Still, the light was unmoving, still shining up into the sky. However, he noticed that gradually, almost to where one wouldn't really notice, the surface area increased, the pillar growing wider, and brighter.

Ras clawed his fingers into the rim of the porthole. Were they being targeted? Would that light slowly envelope the ship, if they refused to keep moving? He couldn't voice these concerns, or he'd be saying too much. Just when the situation was looking somewhat rough, another voice from up above caused Ras to freeze in place.

"SHIP, DEAD AHEAD!"

Fenic Creed

 

[Fenic Creed]

She accepted the berries and timidly put one of the tiny fruits in her mouth. At first it was too sweet, almost sour and her lips puckered, but then as her tastebuds adjusted she began eating them quicker. Again it was like a feast for her and it brought a tear to her eye.

"Listen... We're in dangerous waters. These men may be fighters, but they aren't the only pirates that frequent this route." He explained to Fenic's guardian, casting a glance out of one of the portholes to the rolling tide. The sky was the faintest shade of pinkish blue, and he knew that he had to be on guard now more than ever. "I'm sure we don't have anything to worry about, but should anything go down, find some bags of grain to hide behind. I saw the pirates loading some up on the other side of the ship. It should provide good cover, and a decent hiding spot."

Both of the girls listened and nodded conspiratorially as he gave them instructions. Fenic was a good actor, but not that good, she couldn't hide the deep worry that crept into face... This man suspected an attack, and he seemed ready to do something about it... What could she do if she was forced to fight him! He was nice, he gave her food fit for a princess, he kept her safe!
... Just another casualty from her lack of freewill... She didn't want to do it, but she had to, that's what it meant to be a slave, she had to do things she didn't want to do because someone else wants her to do it.

She began to shiver uncontrollably, she was beyond despair for her lot in life, beyond regret, all that remained was numbness and cold.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it would appear that we, er... Have encountered a bit of an anomaly right now. We're slowing our travel to examine whatever... That is more closely before we continue on."

She gasped and her head snapped up, an anomaly? That... That was the signal... She had to wake up her friend now and do what it is she had to do.
Her shivering turned into hyperventilating, and this time her acting skills paid off as she passed out against the woman... Hopefully when the attack began she could take her body to that hiding spot.

Underneath her sack dress a circular tattoo on her sternum marked with several teeth began to glow with purple energy.

 

[Ras Sorane]

Ras had no time to notice whatever changes the girl was going through. He was far too busy rushing to topside, pushing past people, making his way to the bow of the ship. From there, he had an excellent view of everything. Aside from the pillar of light erupting from the water, at least 100 feet ahead of them was another ship, not much larger that the Oceanborn, but far more foreboding. Dark sails were splayed atop an ashen, wooden hull, the design sleek, with what appeared to be an iron wedge situated where a bowsprit would normally sit. The speed of the approaching vessel made him come to a terrifying realization.

"We're on a collision course!"

The mood made a quick shift, the pirates onboard the Oceanborn working hard to redirect their path to just barely miss the incoming vessel. All the while, Ras could do nothing but watch, just looking towards the approaching vessel and trying to pinpoint his target among their ranks. So far, he could see nothing but silhouetted figures, and it served to distract him from another threat. With a sharp whistle, an iron-tipped arrow struck the floor of the upper deck, right at his feet. Stumbling backwards, a pirate behind him was struck in the shoulder, sending him falling backwards.

He looked back, seeing refugees that came topside to investigate scramble back to their safe havens below deck as more of the pirates fell to the rain of arrows. Those that did survive the barrage took cover, but by then, the opposing ship was close enough that no amount of maneuvering would change the outcome. Thankfully, it seemed that they were saved from a direct hit, but there was no changing the fact that they were still going to make contact.

CRASH!

With nothing to do but brace for impact, the iron wedge of the enemy ship made a large, horizontal gash in the Oceanborn's hull. The minor dodge meant that their vessel would take a good amount of punishment as well, but it was nowhere near as severe. Ras braced against the railing of the ship, watching as boxes and bodies were sent airborne by the impact. As he opened his eyes, he locked eyes with him. His target, Lydir Morrinth, dressed in a fancy, if tattered blue waistcoat, his hair in thick dreads as he grinned with a mouthful of silver teeth, placed alongside rotted ones. His patented golden crossbow rested on his hip, as well as a falchion draped across his back.

The momentary distraction made Ras realize too late that they were being boarded in the collision. Pirates of Morrinth's ship hopped over onto the deck of the Oceanborn, and already had their weapons ready. Crude sabers, spears, and maces began colliding with the weapons of the Oceanborn's crew, Ras steadying himself to rush in, throwing knives ready as they left his fingers and struck their targets. These attacks were followed by quick dodges and strikes of his dagger, the man fighting his way to the highest point of the ship in an attempt to get to Morrinth. His window was closing fast, though.

Fenic Creed

 

[Fenic Creed]

When the excitement started and the ship shuddered the woman had the presence of mind to carry Fenic's unconscious body through the ship to those grain bags Ras had indicated as a hiding place, but Fenic was too far gone to notice anything of the world around her. Her mind was miles away... well, actually just a few yards away...

________________________________​

A rumble below deck... Below the deck of the pirate ship owned by Morrinth. Something awoke...
It was female, and big... Its eyes opened, large reptilian eyes that glowed red in the darkness of the pirate hold. It saw bars, but the hold was cleared and the gate was open, the storage grate leading to the deck of the ship was pulled open to allow the creature to climb out.
A massive clawed hand grabbed the side of the cage, the bars twisted and bent at the smallest touch and no effort. It was clear the cage was meant for transportation, not containment.

The creature had a name of its own, known among the criminal fight clubs of the underworld as the Apocolisk, but the mind that made the powerful beast move was Fenic.
She climbed from the cage and out of the ship hold. The ship where her human body had just fallen unconscious wasn't far and its crew was fighting to divert their course to avoid the blade prow of the pirate ship.

Ras might have glimpsed the massive silhouette of the creature slip over the side of the pirate ship before they made impact. But Apocolisk dove into the ocean, special membrane covered her eyes so she could see without damage in the salty water. She swam with strokes from four powerful arms and two mighty legs.
She passed under the Oceanborn just as the two ships collided and the crew began fighting each other. She could smell blood even from under the water.

She came up on the other side of the Oceanborn, she reached out and dug her claws into the side of the ship making great rents in the wooden hull as she pulled herself from the water.
On deck one of the crew noticed first one massive claw then three more grasp the side of the ship and crush the railing, he cried out a warning as the head of the creature came up and Apocolisk pulled herself up completely on the deck of the ship.

... First there was a low rumbling growl that made the deck vibrate...

... The growl grew in volume and timbre till it turned into a roar...

... That roar suddenly exploded into a screech that sounded like twisting mettle and striking thunder!

The pirate crew cheered and fought even harder, most of the Oceanborn crew nearest the Apocolisk either fainted, pissed themselves, or froze in utter terror... And in the next moment they were crushed and torn to pieces at the claws of this massive beast.