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Thursday, August 1, 2019

Enigmatic Fantasies #37 - A Cautionary Tale [#108]

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            So you want to go and explore that shipwreck off the coast, don’t you? Well don’t, you’ll see nothing but death there. I won’t stop you if you’re genuinely set on it, but I’ll warn you now, nothing you find will be worth the risk. You’ve heard the stories, haven’t you? The reason it sank, the missing crew and what happened to those who explored it? No? You young fool, okay, I’ll tell you.
            That ship was once a mighty vessel called the Ironheart, a majestic sight, the sturdiest ship in these waters. Its crew were all veterans, its captain a wise old man with decades of experience, and it always brandished the best and newest equipment. There was no earthly force that could fell that vessel, but what it encountered the day it sank was hardly natural.
            They say the crew dug up some treasure from a forgotten city on an uncharted island far out into the waters over yonder. I know not what they found, but I know for sure it must have been cursed. I heard rumors that their next stop was a little harbor not far from here. They bragged of the riches they’d found. However, they also murmured of the illness that swept through their ship.
            Whatever illness struck the crew, it was horrific enough that the ship never made it to port again. It was here the crew planned to make their last stop and sell off the treasure to the highest bidder. That never came to pass, the ship was next seen as it slowly drifted along the coastline. Not a soul was seen aboard, and the ship was in a horrid state. Few dared to board the vessel, but the ones who did never returned. Instead, the abandoned ship slowly sank into the waters and carried its cargo the briny deep.
            The years passed, and more brave souls emerged, the sight of the shipwreck was found quickly, but again, none returned from the cursed vessel. That was until one soul, in particular, sailed out to the shipwreck with a merry band of friends. They dove deep into the cursed wreck and at first, found only fish and rotten wood. Not a remnant of the crew or the previous explorers was found, not even a bone or scrap of cloth.
            That one soul was certainly concerned about such a strange situation, but they tried to push it aside when they found the treasure. A chest made of silver, opened slightly, with a lid that slowly bobbed with the flow of seawater. The soul and their friends moved towards the wondrous sight, thoughts of treasure and riches consumed their mind.
            When the chest was opened, what horrors it unleashed. If it only the curse were as simple as an illness, then maybe more would have avoided a horrid fate. The soul was lucky and escaped with their life, but their friends were not so fortunate. The soul swam and swam and did not stop their movements until they touched dry land. They lived through the ordeal, but they were scared with the curse.
            I’m sure you’ve realized by now who that poor soul was, yes it was me, and I know better than anyone that ship is cursed. Observe my bandaged right hand, you may think this only covers cuts or burns, but let me show you the truth. Behold what lies beneath, this boney, blackened hand. This curse it creeps down my entire arm, as each day passed, I could feel my arm fade away. I know for sure one day I will simply cease to be when this curse spreads throughout my body and leaves nothing behind. I warn you now if you go to that shipwreck this is the best fate you could hope for.

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A cautionary tales is often worth listening to.

Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy
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