The White Bird Kills
Chapter 1: Like a bird without a song.
A tempest of unparalleled magnitude swept across the East Blue sea, leaving the inhabitants of the numerous islands fearing the imminent apocalypse. Unbeknownst to them, deep within the heart of this raging storm, near the calm belt, a mysterious event unfolded. Converging waves clashed with a seismic sea quake, giving birth to a colossal tsunami. Amidst this chaos, had anyone been fortunate enough to witness the spectacle, they would have seen the birth of a new island or an ancient one resurface.
At the very epicenter of the storm, a phenomenon occurred an island encased within a protective bubble ascended to the surface. Abruptly, as the storm materialized in the East Blue, a bolt of lightning struck the island, rupturing the protective barrier with a thunderous "pop" echoing for miles. From a distance, the newly revealed island, adorned with vibrant life despite its recent reappearance, unfolded before the observer's eyes. A canvas of golden yellow beaches extended until halted by towering trees of diverse species encircling a solitary, peaked mountain.
The lightning strike that hit the beach caused smoke to rise from the heated sands. Within a small crater, a girl lay in the buff, completely oblivious to the world. A day and a night drifted by before the girl stirred, opening one bleary eye. As she sat up, she surveyed the unfamiliar scenery with a frown etched across her face. This place was entirely unknown to her. Attempting to stand proved to be a challenge, as her legs refused to cooperate. Any effort to put weight on them resulted in her face meeting the sandy ground, legs trembling with weakness. After numerous attempts, she managed to stand on her two feet, the experience akin to a baby's tentative first steps. Gradually gaining confidence, she walked along the beach, determined not to ingest sand with every shaky step. Taking stock of herself, she became acutely aware of her nakedness. More peculiar was the realization that her right arm wasn't composed of flesh and blood like her left; instead, it was constructed from some form of metal. Before she could ponder the mysteries of her peculiar body any further, a voice reached her ears.
"Come."
The voice was barely a whisper in the wind, yet the girl found herself involuntarily drawn towards the forest. Every attempt to veer away from the direction the whisper beckoned became increasingly challenging, the voice growing more insistent with each deviation. It seemed as if an unseen force guided her steps, compelling her to follow the mysterious call into the depths of the wooded unknown.
"Come to us," the voice persisted, its volume escalating to a point where it felt almost painful for the girl to hear. As she continued to be guided by the insistent whisper, she gradually became more aware of her surroundings and her own state of health. The girl couldn't recall how she ended up in this peculiar situation, and it dawned on her that, despite her nakedness, the elements seemed to have little effect on her. Walking barefoot through a forest strewn with ruins wasn't the most pleasant experience, yet she pressed on. Eventually, the dense forest gave way to the foot of a cliff, revealing an opening just wide enough for a single person to pass through. The girl hesitated at the entrance of what appeared to be a cave. The darkness within didn't invite exploration, and she stopped at the threshold, looking apprehensive about venturing further inside. The call continued to echo in her mind, urging her onward, but uncertainty held her back as she peered into the cavern's shadows.
"We eagerly awaits your presence."
Suppressing her doubts and fears, the girl ventured deeper into the cave, her foot encountering an unseen obstacle in the darkness. Guided by the cave wall, she pressed on, the abyssal depths concealed in pitch black. A faint light emerged at the end of the narrow tunnel, unveiling a vast cavern adorned with walls bathed in the celestial glow of bio-luminescent moss, reminiscent of a stroll among the stars. At the cavern's distant end, makeshift living quarters took shape an enduring desk crafted from aged wood, its structure secured by weathered ropes; an unorthodox chair, a flat rock balanced on two stones; and beside the desk, a makeshift bed featuring a surprisingly fresh straw mattress and blankets. Nearby, a fire pit awaited use, its companion a pile of logs. In a natural alcove, a wooden high-backed chair faced a bookshelf roughly carved into the cavern wall, its shelves laden with a diverse collection of books. Resting atop the top shelf was a katanakake supporting two first sword, was a katana that exuded an ominous aura that permeated the cavern. Its saya featured an unsettling design an open-mouthed skull with a half coin, etching a lasting impression. The girl couldn't shake the feeling that the voice resonating in her head since her beach awakening originated from this particular blade. As she approached, intricate details became apparent a haunting symbol etched into the guard, adding to its enigmatic nature. The second sword, a wakizashi bore a simpler red saya that paradoxically exuded a calming aura. An unexpected contradiction given the traditional lethality of such weapons.
"Our desires await your recognition. Embrace us without hesitation."
Unconsciously, her flesh hand reached for the katana. In an instant, her mind flooded with thoughts, afterimages, and unfamiliar information. Overwhelmed, she succumbed to a faint, and upon regaining consciousness an indeterminate span later she found herself with a clearer mind. Strangely, she now knew the names of each blades she couldn't recall holding The katana was named Watashimori and the wakizashi Kasei no Hime. With newfound clarity, the girl took a final survey of the cavern, appreciating the mystical glow of the bio-luminescent moss and the enigmatic, ancient living space that provided an oddly comforting atmosphere. The girl continued her exploration of the cavern, losing all sense of time. Examining the books on the shelf, her attention was captivated by a bowl on a stool beside a chair. More precisely, it held a fruit that resembled a pomegranate, but its coloring was unique; white with golden swirls. Perplexed, she pondered its significance. At that moment, her stomach growled, signaling hunger. Staring longingly at the fruit, it appeared to be the sole edible thing in the cavern. Despite her hesitation, she threw caution to the wind and took a bite. Almost immediately, regret settled in as the taste proved to be horrible. Struggling to find words to describe the unpleasant flavor, she continued eating, hoping it would improve. To her dismay, subsequent bites offered no reprieve. After overcoming the unpleasantness, her attention returned to the books. Selecting one, she sat on the chair and began to read.
"Know, O Prince, that between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and the gleaming cities, and the years of the rise of the Sons of Aryas, there was an Age undreamed of, when shining kingdoms lay spread across the world like blue mantles beneath the stars..." (Howard, 1932, The Phoenix on the Sword, Weird Tales)
Pausing in her reading, she realized she somehow knew this language, her mind associating it with English, though lacking context. Undeterred, she pressed on, turning each page with a growing sense of familiarity. It dawned on her that she had read this story before, though the when and where remained elusive. With this realization, she continued reading, captivated by the unfolding tale. For now, she decided to stay put for the night, pondering her next steps come morning.
As three months slipped by, the girl delved into the shelves of books, absorbing survival techniques, bushcraft, and even the basics of swordsmanship. But in the present moment, fear gripped her as she dashed through the forest, evading low-hanging branches. With fear etched on her face, she glanced backward hoping the wild boar she had tried to hunt wasn't on her tail. Its menacing growl sent her screaming, veering sharply to avoid its charge. Though she gained momentary respite, the boar soon closed in again. Crashing through bushes, she stumbled over a hidden root, tumbling painfully until she was flung into a ravine, anticipating a brutal end on the jagged rocks below. Yet, as she closed her eyes in resignation, she felt the beating of wings and feathers brushing against her. Instead of meeting the rocks below, she landed softly, her arms transformed into wings and her feet into talons. Overwhelmed with disbelief, she had become a bird! Filled with elation, she eagerly flapped her wings, attempting to take flight, but fell short. Driven, she leaped into the air, hoping to soar, yet remained grounded. Unfazed by the setback, she began to run, fueled by determination. Though her flight remained erratic, pure joy flooded her senses she was experiencing the thrill of flight!
Two years and nine months had passed since the bird incident. The island had remained tranquil until the earth beneath her feet began to tremble, subtle at first but growing more insistent with each passing day. Alongside the ground's unsettling movements, she observed a gradual encroachment of the sea, its waters reclaiming the beaches she once roamed. It became obvious to her that her sanctuary, which she had christened Atlantis, was mirroring its namesake, sinking into the depths. Above, dark clouds gathered, obscuring the sun's rays and casting a pall over the once vibrant landscape, now cloaked in dreariness. With a heavy heart, she retreated to the cave she had called home for the past three years, the weight of impending departure settling upon her. As she surveyed the shelves lined with cherished books, she knew she couldn't carry them all. With a pang of regret, she selected two: "The Phoenix on the Sword" and the book on swordsmanship. Packing other essentials into a makeshift backpack, she added some treasures she had unearthed during her explorations gold jewelry and coins glinting amidst her belongings.
Emerging from the cave, she was greeted by fierce winds and relentless tremors, signaling the urgency of her departure. With resolve, she transformed into a small bird, her delicate form reminiscent of a dove with iridescent tail feathers that shimmered in the semi-darkness. With a graceful movement of her wings, she took flight, leaving behind the sinking island for the unknown horizon. As she soared away from the island, lightning streaked across the sky and thunder rumbled ominously. Buffeted by a powerful gust of wind, she nearly tumbled into the churning sea below. Soon, rain began to pour down, drenching her feathers as she struggled to maintain control. It became painfully clear to the girl that she couldn't outrun or in her case, outfly the tempest brewing around her. Before long, she found herself tossed about like a rag doll, every effort to stabilize herself proving futile against the relentless fury of the storm. Her consciousness waned as she fought against the merciless currents, until finally, she collided with something solid. As her senses faded, she heard the creak of a door opening and felt the warmth of light upon her battered form sprawled on the floor. If she could see in the darkness, she might have noticed a skull wearing a straw hat adorning the sail above her.
AN: Alright, I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of my One Piece crossover. It's a bit unconventional since it doesn't fit into a specific fandom category, but once you dive in, you'll understand. English isn't my native language, so I've relied heavily on editing software for spelling and punctuation. If things don't flow smoothly, that's probably why. This is a slow process, so don't expect me to churn out chapters like this on a weekly basis. I'll need to re-read and re-watch earlier chapters/episodes of One Piece to ensure consistency. While the story will generally follow the One Piece timeline, there will be some deviations to accommodate my OC. She isn't a self-insert; the only aspect of myself I've infused into her character is my love for Robert E. Howard's Conan stories.