59 Stages

"Hmph. I forgive you."

I exhaled in relief as I stood up from my kneeling position to Jacia. Thank God. After time that I've spent with Jacia I've learned two things. She has quite a temper and the best way to abate it is to quickly apologize. There have been times where she's thrown items at people while her "fits of rage". Poor Josh has quite the victory scars from her outbursts.

Jacia then opened the door as we descended to the inside of the ship. The floor creaked as the water rocked the boat slightly under us. I held onto the walls. Holy shit. I've never had sea sickness before but now that I'm this close to the moving of the boat I'm starting to feel it. Baron set his hand on my shoulder as she asked.

"Are you okay Mila?"

I nodded as I followed Jacia down the wooden corridor. The floorboards creaked under is as we walked. Narrow doors faced us on every side. As we reached the end of the corridor I had counted over 20 doors. This means that there must be at least 20 rooms in the ship. That gives at least room for two people per room. Perfect. Jacia then kicked the last door open.

"I've brought the bride and groom maties!"

I slapped my forehead. How did this woman have so much energy even though she hasn't drank any coffee? I turned to see a smiling Baron. Once he met my gaze he looked away with a poker face. I chuckled. He didn't have to pretend to be humble.

The kitchen resembled more of a storage room or attic as it had several barrels probably filled with rum, and wooden tables that had produce items and meat slabs. At the end of the room there were two small caboose stoves. They were small in both height and width. On the top was an iron slab that once heated with fire on the bottom could cook several items. A variation of crooked pots and pans hung on the wall. In the middle of the kitchen were several tables and barrels which acted as chairs. I saw both Daniella and Clarabella sitting down and cutting apples into pieces. Their faces brightened as they looked at me. They were wearing simple dresses that lacked the ruffles and puffs of noble clothing. I turned to look at Jacia sit on a barrel as she bit into a red apple. She was dressed in male clothing. She's surprisingly modern and progressive compared to this time period. I sighed as I remembered the beautiful taste of bacon and eggs. I guess that that's not possible right now. I walked over to the produce table and took two red apples. I then threw one across the room to Baron. He caught it and smiled. We then sat on empty barrels next to the noblewomen.

As I ate my apple I thought about what I knew regarding the Bermuda Triangle. The legend isn't only about the grand treasure but also about the immense dangers associated with an expedition there. I wonder what people of this time knew about it.

"Baron, what do you know about the Bermuda Triangle."

"Well, I probably know what most of you do. It's a cursed place but has one of the biggest treasures in the entire world. My mentor whom I used to sail with told me about three stages associated with a trip to the Bermuda."

Three stages? I've never heard about that in the history books. Jacia flicked her apple core at the corner of the room as she said.

"I have also heard about the three stages. They say that any crew planning to go to the Bermuda Triangle face three trials instead of stages. The first is usually widespread disease which kills most of the crew. The second trial is the great amount of storms which the ship goes through as it gets nearer to the location. The final stage are monsters. Some rumors state that large snake-like monsters guard the treasure and must be killed in order to pass."

A chill ran down my back. How terrifying. Clarabella shuddered before saying.

"I've heard that along with the snake-like monsters there is a sort of large monster with many arms that brings the ship down and eats everything inside."

Holy fuck? Was it some sort of kraken or something? Since when has the Bermuda Triangle become some sort of horror child bedtime story? Based on my historical knowledge these "trials" didn't exist. Instead most ships seemed to "mysteriously" disappear when they near the exact location. There is also some speculation that the missing city of Atlantis sunk in the Bermuda Triangle thus warranting the supernatural stories. I sighed. All of these trials had scientific backing to them.

Ship crews probably got sick due to the weak hygiene, storms occurred because we are nearing the center of the Atlantic Ocean. Florida's key west location is known for typhoons and that's exactly where the Bermuda Triangle is rumored to be. But the last trial was just completely ridiculous. No monsters exist. These trials are just bullshit. Daniella then spoke up.

"I believe that these trials must have some logical explanation to them."

I nodded. Daniella was quite the intelligent individual. Baron stayed silent as he twirled his apple core in his hands. His eyes seemed distant as his expression became more and more dark. It was as if he was remembering a terrible experience. I waved my hand in front of his face.

"Hello? Earth to Baron?"

Baron blinked before looking at me dazed.

"What is it Mila?"

Never mind. I turned back and continued to bite in my apple. Despite my calm outer composure I was actually quite scared. What if these trials actually turn out to be real? What would happen to us? Everyone in the kitchen must have been thinking about the same thing because for the first time we all finished our breakfast in silence.

Something told me that our peace was going to be interrupted very soon.

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Thank you so much for reading my luvs❤️Stay safe????????