Ocean’s Grace

In the abyss there was nothing but water. The ocean, a wild beast few could tame. Men and woman would dare to set sail on her waters, only to lose their lives to her salty waves. The Athena was no stranger to the sea, and neither was her Captain. The loss of this mighty ship, her crew, and what she carried would surely be spoken of. But was it remembered at all?

Dark clouds loomed on the horizon. The smell of rain came from the distance. Paired as one; darkness shadowed the Athena. Arches of blinding white struck the waters below. The ocean, an inky black could swallow one whole, just a drop in the endless sea. The Athena - her hull of wood and iron - swayed with the waves. Her crew’s quiet plea for good winds and calm waters were swiftly dashed; they watched the light fade from day. In an instant the sea had turned on them. A light breeze into an angry gust. Rain came down from the sky in sheets.

The Captain yelled over the thundering wind and beating rain, “Tie the sails, tie everything down!” Icy dread coursed through their veins. The men shared a single thought. The storm would blow them off course; they would be lost. However it was not the wind they should fear, but for the rising waves. Grew in height and crashed against the sides, repeated with a rhythm only the gods could understand. Each time, water spilled over the deck. Their Captain rushed to talk control of the traitorous whipstaff. Years of sailing, of worn hands, and callouses prepared him. He grasped the whipstaff and tried to turn the tides. The waves too tried to steer the Athena, but her Captain wouldn’t give in. Her crew scattered across the deck. Men woke from their slumber just to join the rest. Together, they drudged water from the ballast. Only for the sea to spill more than they could pump. Their Captain stared at the chaos with hardened eyes; the storm grew. Static heavy in the air. Orders were called out. They would make it, their Captain wouldn’t settle for any less.

“Land!” Yelled the boy still in the crow’s nest. His fellow sailors called from him to come down. Time for celebration this was not. A large wave towered over the Athena. The men held their ground, and braced for impact. The wave draped over the ship. The Athena creaked under the weight, pulling her under. But she rose, and broke through the surface. Salt stiffen her crew. They would see this storm to its end. Then like an angel in the dark, a light cut through the haze. Shadows of land could be seen; the boy was right. But their Captain didn’t dare to steer toward the light. Those were rocky waters, the lighthouse warned. Their Captain waited, he held the whipstaff with whitened knuckles. For a moment the storm would calm; they survived to see the eye. However, peace was fleeting. The rains picked up just as soon as they stopped. A flash, then deafening boom. Waves rocked the Athena, and took her under one last time… Or so the story told.