RWBY's expedition to the Dark Sea

by Lushikatomikyarimimo

Team RWBY didn't get a high enough grade and now the girls need to do something drastic. RWBY x Arcane Odyssey.

The day of reckoning has come. The moment when boys become men. The hour of evaluation. Their second-ever mission is upon them.

After the fiasco that was the mission on Mount Glemm, team RWBY must prepare for their next mission. Why did they have to do another one? Well, the answer is simple, Doctor Oobleck, their instructor on the mission, was unsatisfied with their performance during the incursion on Mount Glemm.

Sure, they did halt a White Fang operation, but there was a LOT of bad that happened because of them.

First, there was Ruby's decision to wander around alone in the abandoned city and get herself abducted by the terrorist organization, and then there was the failure to stop the train before it inevitably made contact with the City of Vale and harmed many civilians in the process, then there were the unsatisfactory answers the group gave to Doctor Oobleck, but most of all, there was the absolute lack of interest shown by the group regarding the city's history.

A bit biased on the Doctor's part, he admitted, but he wouldn't budge on his opinion on the girl's performance. What an ass!

Thus, their grade was low, low enough for them to fail the whole semester if they did not take on another mission. The four of them stood in front of the mission board by the amphitheater, scrolling mission by mission, unfortunately... "We can't do any of the requests here!" Ruby almost yelled in despair.

It seems that all of the available missions on the board either didn't give them enough of a grade to pass even if they managed to score 100% or couldn't be accepted by the first year's teams. "And no matter how many hours we spend in the elderly home, we won't get a high enough grade..." Blake spoke in a 'Mater of fact' way.

Weiss was nearby, only, she was in the middle of having a panic attack. Not once did she fail- Scratch that, not once did she pass a class with less than 80% on her grades, she couldn't believe this was the day she was going down the podium of near perfection and going towards the 'attempted perfection' side of history. Truly, these are the end times. The girl couldn't even add much to the conversation aside from whimpering and the noises of holding tears back.

As they reached the end of the list of missions, Yang pointed at a singular mission that caught her attention. "There! That last one! Read it!" She shouted, holding on to the thin thread of hope with all her might.

"Helping hands needed for gathering expedition." Ruby read it aloud. "Requirements... Fearlessness, an able body, and... Resistance to sea sickness. That's it?" She asked her team to double-check it for her.

Yang nodded cheerfully. "Yep! See? We can even apply to the request!" She spoke, pointing at the green button on the bottom of the screen after filling out her team's name. "The grade is also enough for us to pass too!" Yang shouted excitedly, pressing the 'Apply' button without further questioning, or protest from her team.

Black sighed with relief as Ruby pretty much fell to her knees in reverence to this gift from the heavens. "Wait, let's actually read what the mission's all about," Ruby spoke, getting back on her feet.

At that point, Weiss managed to return from her torpor and rejoined her team. "Let's see here..." Ruby muttered as she squinted her eyes to read the job description. "Need able hands to move and secure cargo, as well as protecting the ship from dangerous aquatic monsters... So we're going on a ship?" She asked nobody in particular.

"It was kind of implied with the 'seasick' part." Blake replied quietly.

Then Ruby returned to reading.

"Huh." Ruby stopped for a moment, pondering if she cared if she spent some days on a ship. The idea of pirates flashed in her mind for long enough for her eyes to shine with a daydream gleam.

Black took it upon herself to finish reading. "Embark on the Golden Retriever and follow Captain Goldwyn's orders for a smooth mission. Sounds easy enough."

Only, she heard a heavy clinking behind her, alongside a large shadow covering her body. Before she had the time to turn around, a masculine voice came from behind the team. "It's Captain Godwyn. The name is Godwyn Gold." His voice was deep, mature, and most of all, ragged.

The four of them turned to the man. He was big. Larger than all of them, the tip of Ruby's head barely managed to reach the top of his abdomen. His face was covered by long golden locks and a golden full beard, his blue eyes and white skin were barely visible through his scarred face. A golden eye patch covered his left eye.

He wore a gold-colored formal suit, a gold-colored necktie, and a white shirt beneath it. Both of his arms were covered by a gilded armguards and gauntlets. A harpoon, a great sword, and an old-looking musket were all attached to his back. His right leg was also replaced by a metallic peg leg.

He spoke once again. "I heard my name, and I came. You teens talk too loudly. That's good." He chuckled for a moment, then returned to his serious expression.

"Um, Mister Godwyn?" Weiss managed to speak. "Am I correct to assume that you're the one that put up the request?" She was doing her damnedest to sound as respectful as humanly possible, so as to not get on this man's bad side and get a low grade because of it.

Godwyn nodded his head. "Correct. And I assume you four are the greenhorns that want to go aboard me ship. Yer sure that's the request you four want?"

The leader answered him. "Yeah! We really like the Idea of... Sea... Traveling... Right guys?" Ruby's voice sounded just as unsure as her team's responses in the form of nodding their heads and unintelligible grumbles. "And uh... We didn't have any other choice in the matter..." That part she spoke in a low voice, hoping Godwyn wouldn't notice.

If he did, he didn't show it. "Well, that's good enough for me." He said, giving them a warm smile.

"Are you also a professional huntsman?" Ruby asked as her eyes filled themselves with glee.

Godwyn scratched his beard, contemplating the question. "I'm just an old dog that doesn't like the feeling of land on me good foot." As he said it, just then the girls noticed his peg leg.

Still, he stretched, his back popping loudly as he did. "There's not much of a risk in there if ye do what I say, and if ye exceed my expectations I'll even give yer girls a nice grade afterward." He said, roughing Ruby's head with his armored hand.

"That would be much appreciated, Mister Godwyn! You can count on us!" Weiss said.

The man nodded at the comment. "Go get yer things ready. If all goes well, You'll be back 'er in two days, so prepare for four. We'll be leaving by two, be you on me ship or not. See ye in Vale's docks."

---

The Golden Retriever stood like a sore thumb on the docks. Between gray containers bearing the SDC's logo and gigantic metal cargo ships, the Golden Retriever was the sole frigate amongst them, made primarily of wood painted in yellow. Golden metal ran across the ship's bowels to reinforce it.

Team RWBY watched the crew carrying wooden boxes from the docks and inside the ship's interior whilst being coordinated by an older man in white robes. Was this the second in command?

As the team arrived, the old man approached the four of them. "Good afternoon, young ones." As they got closer to him, they noticed the long gray beard he wore with pride. "Are you Team RWBY, perchance?"

The leader answered him. "Yep! I hope we can work well together!" She said, with a reassuring smile.

"Oh, the energy you have." The old man chuckled. "Please, this way. We will have time to formally greet each other after we've set sail. For now, I'll take you to where you can leave your things so you can settle down for a bit." He said, beckoning them to go up the plank settled on the docks and into the ship.

The ship itself is not that big, especially when you compare it to the larger cargo ships employed by the SDC, yet it is large enough for a crew of at least 150 men to operate it.

The old man led them to the ship's interior, divided into three floors. The first floor is the outside, where cannons and a mortar lay. The second is the interior, where another layer of cannons lay, alongside some of the crew's beds and the majority of the cargo. Then there was the third floor, where the rest of the crew's beds lay alongside the heavier cargo.

They would stop on the second floor, where the old man showed them two bunkbeds in a corner. There, RWBY settled down their bags and made sure to memorize that location. They would also store their weapons there, as per the old man's request.

"We will be leaving shortly." He spoke, stopping mid-sentence to produce a bottle of water from inside his robes and drink from it. "Normally I'd run you through the basics to operate this ship, but this is an extraordinary situation, so the captain himself wants to talk to you."

The team shared a glance. "Okay," Ruby spoke.

"I the meanwhile, I suggest getting yourselves familiar with the ship's interior and exterior. You'll be running around a lot if we're unlucky." The old man chuckled to himself. "If you need me, I will be by the helm." With that, the old man left them inside the ship.

Yang casually hopped on a lower bunk, in order to test the bed's quality. "Yeah, this is... Acceptable." She spoke, shifting her position many times before coming to a halt, and sitting up from the bed.

Blake took the time to walk around the second floor and make notes of some minor details. Each cargo crate there was filled with wooden planks, nails, and hammers. Some were also filled with cannon balls and gunpowder. "Why wouldn't they use more modern weaponry?" The place smelt of gunpowder and rust.

The heiress did her best to not sound condescending as she referred to the ship itself. "Why not use a more modern vessel? This feels like a heirloom." As she ran her hand across the surface of a cannon, her white gloves came out dark gray. "This looks ancient."

Ruby was nowhere to be found. She used her semblance to shoot herself all around the ship, from the very tip of a cannon that she dangled off of, to the top of the tallest mast where she pretended to hold a scope to see above the waves. Needless to say, she felt like a kid on a playground.

"Who cares about that stuff," Yang said, shrugging and jumping off of the bed. "If we get our passing grade afterward, I'm all good." She sounded tired.

Weiss hummed. "That's fair I guess. Still, I'm worried about the ship's resilience when we inevitably come across a sea, Grimm. I don't think just wood can handle that beating."

Before any more protest could be made, a voice boomed across the ship. "All hands on deck! Now!" That was the Captain's voice.

"Let's go." Weiss said to her teammates.

"Hmhm." Yang hummed.

---

The captain stood by the ship's wheel. On his left was the old man, and on his right was another man wearing a dark blue cloak over his head, beneath it he wore leather armor.

On the deck, instead of the estimated 150 men, there were fifty men and women standing in wait for the captain to speak. Team RWBY stood in line in front of the crew.

"Men! Today we sail towards the dark sea! We will recover what we can in the first layer, and return safely! This is a gathering expedition for black shards! Are there any questions?!" The captain shouted for all crew to hear.

Some crewmate raised their hands, alongside Blake.

"Good!" He said, disregarding their questions. "We have guests of honor in our crew for this expedition! As per the request of the Headmaster to further our understanding of the dark sea, I present ye, Team RWBY! Come over 'er and present yerselves." He said, beckoning them.

All four walked up the stairs in complete silence, stopping when nearing the old man.

"Leader of team RWBY, greet me men." He spoke in a lower voice.

Ruby puffed her chest outwards. "Good afternoon everyone!" She shouted as loudly as she could without cracking her voice. "My name is Ruby Rose, the Leader of Team RWBY!" She shouted, then turned to her teammates. "With me, I have Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long! We hope to work well together!"

With that, Godwyn shouted once again. "Y'all are to treat 'em with respect, y'hear?!" This time, his voice was filled with emotion, like a father warning his children. "If I hear anything bad about ye from their mouths, I will personally open a new arse for ye to shit from on ya belly!"

Returning to his usual serious demeanor, he then turned to team RWBY. Luckily, he failed to notice Yang struggling to keep a poker face after hearing his warning to the crew. "The old man is named Enizor, and the edgy old man is called Edward. Y'all be taking orders from these two aside from me own." He said, chuckling to himself for a bit. "Welcome aboard the Golden Retriever."

He quickly turned back to the crew and roared at them once again. "As you were men! I want the ship loaded on the double!" He then turned to both his men still on top of him. "Enizor, I need ye to make sure all cargo we bought is properly stored on board. Edward, ye will assist the crew with the loading."

He then turned to the girls. "Ye four, with me." As the crew dispersed, the Captain walked back down the stairs leading to the helm and opened the door to the Captain's quarters. "Inside, all of ya." They follow suit.

The inside of Godwyn's quarters was very cozy. There was an aquarium in a corner, some papers with pictures and texts pinned on a board interlinked with colored lines, a cooking pot alongside a deeper cooking pot, a place to clean yourself, a bed, and a chair behind a table where paperwork and bounty posters lay neatly organized on top. There are also photos of a younger Godwyn with some other people, namely a woman in red and a man in black. Godwyn sits on the chair.

"Good, now we can talk privately. Before we begin though," He said, turning his head to Blake. "I saw ye had a question, what is it."

Blake cleared her throat. "I wanted to ask what is this dark sea you spoke of."

Godwyn shifted uncomfortably on his chair. "It's... Best if ye see it for yerself... I think." He didn't sound very sure of himself. "I can tell ye that the dark sea is home to secrets and treasures untold. It's a place nature lost to chaos." He then turned to Ruby. "It's also a place where I wouldn't normally allow children to go to."

Ruby looked to the side, diverting her eyes from him in shame. "However, me hands are tied. I'm broke and I need this money from working with Beacon. And while I'd love me some more... Experienced huntsmen... Ozpin found it fitting that an expedition to the dark sea was befitting for ye first-year's skill set. Or lack here of." He sighed. "I sincerely hope that ye prove me wrong, but I'm not confident ye four can get out of there unscathed if ye fail to follow me commands."

He then reached for something inside the table, only for him to reveal four small flasks filled with a glowing yellow liquid. "It's a medicine ye see." He handed one for each. "The dark sea can affect one's mind. That's medicine for that. Drink it if you feel like you need to. It lasts a few hours, but I don't have that sort of thing just laying around, so don't waste it."

The girls gave each other weird looks as they held the flask in their hands. "What's in this?" Weiss asked, earning a raised eyebrow from the Captain.

"It's filled with none of yer business." He deadpanned. "Only drink it if you want, I'm not yer mother." He said, uncaring for the girl's feelings. "Now, where were we?" The four would go on to collectively throw out the potion, fearing it bearing more sinister implications considering how creepy Godwyn was acting.

He stopped for a moment, before being hit with a revelation. "Oh right." He got up from his chair and approached the window of his room. "What's expected of ye in this expedition..." He said, almost pondering what he needed to say. "You'll be doin' a lot of fighting girls, hope ye know how to throw a harpoon. Aside from that, since I am legally required to have ye next to me for the entirety of the mission unless I deem it necessary, ye will be boarding and looting stuff with me, then returning it to the ship, and securing whatever I deem worth it."

Ruby looked like she had stars in her eyes. She was visibly excited for this. "Will we be boarding the bad guys' ships too?!"

Godwyn sighed. "If the situation calls for it, yes."

"We'll be hunting for treasure chests too?!" She jumped up and down from excitement, Weiss just adverted her eyes from her leader, feeling ashamed just by being near her.

"Among other things, yes." Godwyn spoke, pulling out two compasses from his pocket and checking them.

Ruby turned to her team, ready to announce the best news she could ever imagine to announce. "Okay, team! For these next few days, we are officially pirates!" She said in an overly enthusiastic voice.

Between Blake's indifference and the irritated groan of Weiss, Yang was the only one to throw her fist in the air. "Yeah! Let's go!" She too looked amused by the prospect of being a pirate.

"In a manner of speaking... Sure, we are pirates to some extent." Godwyn spoke, willing to play along with Ruby for now. "I hope ye keep yer enthusiasm when we get there though."

Godwyn finally returned to his chair, commanding team RWBY to do one last thing. "Y'all're free to wander around the Golden Retriever as ye wish, so long as ye don't perturb the crew, that is." He pointed at the door. "I only disallow ye to come inside me quarters. Now, fuck off and make yerselves busy until I call ye."

Truly, a sailor's mouth.

---

The sun was setting behind the Golden Retriever. In the quickly darkening skies, black clouds blocked the horizon. The crew grew restless, and who could blame them? In an attempt to calm the nerves of the men on board, a deckhand went to get his guitar from his personal box.

The huntresses-in-training each kept to themselves.

Blake found a spot that the crew usually didn't use, namely the very edge of the ship right behind the helm, and sat there to catch up with a book of hers. The Golden Retriever offered a very nice stability, not swaying at all despite the rough waters below, which is why she trusted this ledge to dangle her legs from and enjoy her book. She would look up from her book occasionally, especially when Godwyn took the wheel as he had right now.

Weiss did the opposite. She spent the last few hours taking notes on how the crew operated the ship, even going as far as to ask the deckhands the specifics of tying a knot. As silly as that is, she wasn't willing to risk having their team's grade tank in a situation where she needed to help the crew but didn't know how to.

The sisters, Ruby and Yang, were having the time of their lives. Turns out, fishing in a fish moving this fast is really entertaining, especially after a crewmate told them of a time someone on the crew caught a squid the size of a bullhead, which they would then go on to bet actual money on who caught the biggest fish. It is currently a stalemate, as the biggest fish the two caught was a large tuna that was hooked by both of their hooks at once.

Growing curious about what the captain was doing, Blake closed her book for a moment and approached him. Godwyn held the wheel with one hand and observed two compasses at the same time, one had a red pointer and the other had a purple pointer.

A deckhand seated himself on a chair and began playing his guitar.

"Captain," Blake spoke, as she approached the captain from his side.

Godwyn made no effort to acknowledge her presence, instead, he simply handed Blake the compass with the red pointer after sighing loudly. "Go get yer team and tell 'em to get their weapons. We're almost there and I'll need everyone ready." He said, gazing into the approaching storm.

'With the winds of fortune they went, Out to the sea to find the land of the free...'

She did hold on to the compass, almost instinctually. Blake was quick on her feet, she could hear the worry in Godwyn's voice.

'Set their sail for the setting of sun, Placed their hope in the journey begun...'

The girls quickly gathered around the captain. Not once did he let his grip on the wheel go.

'Hear the captain cry his commands, Feel the swing of the ship, Can you...'

"The dark sea is upon us, girls." He said in an increased tone. "So, from here on out, ye will not leave me side or sight unless I directly command ye to. Is there a problem?!" He said once again, he barely managed to contain his voice from screaming.

'See the approaching storm? That will take, will take it's price...'

"Yes sir!" Ruby shouted to match his volume. Her team replied similarly.

'Sail, sail, sail away, now, Dream, dream of green shores...'

"Good!" He spoke back at them. "Whatever Items ye may be carrying that holds personal value to ye, or whatever piece of delicate technology ye may have. You have less than a minute to store them all with yer luggage! Else ye risk the Dark Sea demanding it! Dust included!" In this sense, a Scroll was also included in that list.

'Sail, sail, sail away, now, May the gods help on your way, May the fortune play part in this play...'

Seeing that his captain was about to speak, the deckhand quietly stored his guitar back where he took it from. The time for singing was gone, but soon he'd have his time in the spotlight back.

As team RWBY returned, as confused as they could have been, the Captain began shouting. "Men! The Dark Sea is upon us! We will only return after we have finished the quota! Make peace with whatever god ye believe in, and pray for our swift return!"

The girls shared concerned looks but withheld her comments for later. "Hear me words men! Hear me and obey! Only then shall we live to see the morning sun again! Everyone, to yer stations! Full speed towards the maddening fog!"

Unable to hold it in anymore, Ruby decided to voice her concerns. "Um... Captain... Why are you talking like we might not make it back?" Her voice trembled slightly.

Godwyn glared a the girl for a second before remembering why is it that she was asking that question. "Ah right. Forgot ye don't know anything about the dark sea." He then chuckled to himself. "Aye. Ye will have yer answer as soon as we cross the black fog. Don't worry, this ain't me first rodeo in there, ye four will be fine."

"Black fog?" Ruby asked. Looking towards the storm ahead proved enough to sate her curiosity. "Oh..."

Ahead of them, a tall wall of black fog blocked their vision of the sea beyond. Raindrops began to softly land against their clothes. "This is... Not good." Blake said, looking up at the black fog wall in front of them.

"I didn't bring an umbrella..." Weiss commented, growing increasingly frustrated that her clothes would probably get ruined by the rain.

"Ah fuck." The captain cursed, glaring at the girls for a moment. "Edward! Get these girls a raincoat!" His voice cut through the drizzle, prompting his underling to move quickly. Before the rain could increase in intensity, the four girls received gray raincoats. "That's what ye get for wearin' fancy dresses on board a ship!" The Captain spoke, laughing as he did. Weiss scoffed at that comment.

"Aren't you getting one for yourself?" Ruby spoke, uncaring for his comment.

"Nah, I'm good. I don't mind the rain!" He spoke, taking a deep breath.

Glaring wordlessly at the compass the captain gave her, Blake didn't know why she had accepted it from him. "Captain, why did you give me this compass?" She asked him.

"Because," He began as the ship was swallowed by the dark fog. "They don't work in the dark sea!" He said, prompting Blake to shift her gaze back to the compass. Lo and behold, the pointer began to spin madly in circles.

As the fog finally decreased in intensity, the girls finally understood the name 'Dark Sea.' They were plunged into absolute darkness, not a singular source of light helped them. The lanterns on the ship were on, but that wasn't enough, not even close.

The Golden Retriever began to sway. All that calmness from before, the resilience of the ship, meant nothing here.

Lightning struck the sea nearby, granting the girls a glimpse of the waters around them. Turbulent waters and waves bigger than they'd ever seen were all they could see from their point of view.

That drizzle soon became the strongest storm one could conceive, the wind was strong enough to disallow them the luxury of wearing their raincoat's hood. They held onto the guard rails near the wheel.

The raindrops that hit their faces were ice cold, and then after a moment, it felt like a burning needle. It wasn't an overwhelming feeling, and it soon went away, but to be peppered by that all the time was maddening, to say the least. Worse yet, it wasn't something their Auras protected them from.

Yang was the first to point out the otherworldly nature of the rain. "What's wrong with this rain?! It burns!" She fought back against the wind to keep her hood covering her hair. Her voice was muffled by the pouring rain, but it did reach Godwyn's ears.

"Good question!" He answered back, his voice effortlessly piercing the rain. "That's one of the reasons why we're here!" He shouted, suddenly turning the wheel to the right after another lightning strike struck the sea and illuminated a wave in a collision course with the ship.

Yang, not holding onto a railing and instead on her hoodie, tumbled sideways as the wet wood beneath her feet offered little stability for her to remain standing up. "Shit!" She screamed as her back collided with a railing on the side of the ship.

"Yang!" Weiss yelled in distress, unwilling to let go of the wailing herself.

In no time, the blonde was already back on feet and on her team's side, holding to her hoodie with one hand, and a railing on the other. "My bad!" She yelled, but her voice fell on deaf ears as the captain turned the wheel once again, this time to the left in order to correct the ship's course whilst shouting commands for the crew.

They were officially, in the dark sea.

---

The storm's fury seemed unrelenting as Team RWBY braced against the unyielding elements. The ship's deck was a chaotic scene of struggling bodies and whipping wind, each member of the team battling against the gale's relentless assault.

Ruby gripped the railing, her red cloak flapping wildly in the storm's ferocity. "I've never seen a storm like this before!" she shouted over the roar of the wind, her voice strained but filled with determination.

Weiss, her usually pristine appearance now drenched and disheveled, wrestled with a tangled line. "It's as if the entire sea is trying to swallow us whole!" She cast a wary glance at the turbulent waters below, her usual poise giving way to a rare hint of fear.

The storm battered the ship as it cut through the relentless waves of the Dark Sea, the crew's faces etched with determination and fatigue. Amidst the chaos of the tempest, a glimmer of hope appeared on the horizon: the faint, flickering lights of a distant island.

"All hands, full speed toward where the lights flicker!" Godwyn roared over the howling wind, his voice a commanding presence even in the face of nature's fury. "The waves will lay waste to everything in our way. Hold fast and brace for the storm!"

The crew, accustomed to rough seas but unprepared for the sheer ferocity of the Dark Sea, scrambled to obey. The ship pitched and swayed, the storm's torrents making every movement a battle. The island grew nearer, its bioluminescent crystals casting an eerie, pulsating glow through the darkness and rain.

Blake drenched and straining against the howling wind, was focused on securing the ship's equipment. "We need to stabilize the ship! If we don't get a handle on this, we'll be thrown off course before we even reach the island!"

Yang, her golden hair plastered to her face, struggled to keep her balance as the ship pitched violently. "I'm all for a good fight, but this weather is crazy! We've got to hold it together, or we're not making it to that island in one piece!"

Godwyn's eyes remained fixed on the island. As the ship approached, the crew fought to gain control, but the waves were relentless, making it nearly impossible to steer or slow their progress.

Ruby, catching a glimpse of the distant island's flickering lights through the storm's haze, felt a surge of hope. "Look! There's the island!" she shouted, pointing through the downpour.

Weiss squinted, her eyes straining to make out the glowing beacon. "We're almost there! Just hang on a little longer!"

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Godwyn took decisive action. With a commanding shout, he ordered, "Prepare the harpoon! We need to secure the ship!"

The crew swiftly tied a thick rope to a harpoon and handed it to Godwyn, his movements practiced and deliberate despite the storm's fury. The crew watched with a mix of awe and desperation as Godwyn hefted the harpoon with powerful arms and hurled it toward the island. The harpoon cut through the rain and darkness with formidable speed, its trajectory true.

With a resounding thud, the harpoon embedded itself into the rocky surface of the island. The rope went taut, and for a moment, the ship swayed as the harpoon held firm. Godwyn nodded in satisfaction, his face illuminated by the intermittent flashes of lightning. "Reel it in! Secure the anchor!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the storm with unyielding authority.

The crew worked frantically, the ship gradually slowing as the anchor held firm. The island's bioluminescent crystals shimmered more brightly against the storm's backdrop, their light providing a sliver of calm amidst the chaos. Godwyn's daring maneuver had bought them the time they needed to stabilize the ship and prepare for the next phase of their mission.

As the ship finally drew alongside the island, the crew's exhaustion was palpable, but their spirits lifted with the knowledge that they had successfully reached their destination. The island loomed large, its mysterious glow a stark contrast to the storm-ravaged sea, and Team RWBY, along with Godwyn, readied themselves for the challenges that lay ahead.

"Prepare to disembark Team RWBY! Grab yer camping gear and follow me!" Godwyn shouted over the roar of the storm, his voice barely audible above the howling wind. "This island is unlike anything I've seen before."

The ship lurched as it approached the rocky shore, the waves crashing violently against the sand. Ruby, her grip tight on the ship's railing, exchanged glances with her teammates, a mixture of excitement and trepidation in their eyes.

"Edward, ye'r in command! Do what ye must, but do not let the Retriever sink! And whatever happens, do not let anyone leave the ship!" Godwyn roared, as he waited for his men to clear the path into the island.

The crew worked with practiced efficiency, lowering the gangplank and securing the vessel. As the rain continued to pelt them, Team RWBY and Godwyn made their way to the shore, each step through the surging water was a battle against the elements. The wind howled and whipped around them, making it nearly impossible to hear anything but the roar of the storm.

Once on solid ground, the team took a moment to assess their surroundings. The island's coast was a mix of blackened rocks and dark, wet sand. The sky above was a tumultuous expanse of dark clouds, illuminated only sporadically by flashes of lightning. The storm's intensity only added to the foreboding atmosphere of the island.

The island itself was massive, its terrain rough and uneven. Towering cliffs rose abruptly from the shoreline, their surfaces slick and treacherous illuminated by twinkling crystals on their nocks. Dark, twisted trees grew sporadically among the rocky outcroppings, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers.

The storm seemed to finally be letting up, if only slightly. The oppressive winds died down to allow for easier travel, almost as if the Dark Sea itself wanted them to explore this place. The exploring group consisted of Team RWBY and the Captain.

"Alright girls, listen up!" Godwyn shouted, pulling the girl's attention. "This is a big island, and we'll spend the night here! Priority number one is to find shelter against the pouring rain! Once that's done, we can begin our job here!" He commanded once again.

"Yes sir!" The teens replied in unison, their weapons, although damp, were at the ready. They quickly moved deeper into the island, matching Godwyn's pace, which was very slow when considering the searing rain that pelted them ceaselessly.

---

Somewhere within the island, the group comes across a shipping container stuck within the stone wall of a sheer cliff. The container looks to be old thanks to the overgrown strange vegetation and rust on its sides. Only half of it is visible to them, as the other half is stuck inside the cliff.

"Guys, look," Blake spoke, pointing at the odd construct stuck inside the cliff face. "Think we should open that?" She asks, finally able to talk in a normal tone with the storm decreased in intensity.

Godwyn didn't skip a beat to give the girl a reply. "Sure. I don't see why not." He said, prompting the girls to follow closely behind.

It was a feat of wonder how Blake managed to spot that thing. The vegetation surrounding it was thick with thorny roots and dark green leaves making it almost impossible to spot it. Still, with a swing of Ruby's Crescent Rose, the way was clear for them to investigate.

The paint on the container has long since faded, and the locks that hold it shut have degraded when faced with the ceaseless rain. Godwyn needn't do anything but punch the door leading inside before the thing fell off its hinges into the damp grass below.

Yang couldn't help but whistle at the beautiful display shown by Godwyn. "Damn old man! You throw a mean punch!" She teased him playfully.

The Captain was unamused, but he did place his undivided attention on Yang. "I am a master of the Thermo Fist Style of fighting." He spoke, throwing a few more practiced jabs in the air to further showcase his skill.

Blake, Ruby, and Weiss were quick to notice that a metal crate fell out of the container as its doors opened. "What's this?" Weiss asked herself as Ruby entered inside the contained to check what's inside.

Running her hand across the dusty surface of the crate, Weiss' eyes widened as she recognized the logo of the Schnee Dust Company on the side of that crate. Without further comment, she shifted her position to better open the crate.

Yang was surprised with the speed at which Godwyn threw his punches. "Thermo Fist? Never heard of it." She said, curious about the new term.

The captain continued punching the air, each punch he threw only served to increase the speed of the next one. In a few seconds, steam began to radiate from his fists and arms through the armguards he wore. "Thermo Fist consists of building up adrenaline to increase the speed and heat of one's attacks." He says as he stops punching the air to demonstrate. "If ye do it for long enough, your attacks can cause severe burning to both yerself and yer opponent." As he says that, the steam begins to vanish as the rain plummets the increased temperature of his limbs to the ground.

Yang nodded in understanding. "And this isn't your semblance?" Godwyn shakes his head, as his attention shifts to the crate on the floor. "Damn! Think you can teach me someone time?" Godwyn doesn't answer her and simply squats down near Weiss.

Seeing that the girl had difficulties opening the crate, Godwyn pulled out his harpoon and shoved it on a corner of the box' lid, which he then used as leverage to properly open it. "Thank you." Weiss said.

Inside, as one would expect from a company that specializes in all things Dust, they found colorful vials filled with Dust. "Stay back," Godwyn spoke, prompting Weiss to give him a questioning look.

"Why? It's just Dust." She said, perplexed that someone would tell her of all people to be careful around Dust.

Godwyn sighed, grabbing one of the vials. "Observe child." He spoke. Standing up, he pointed the vial's lid at a nearby tree and away from Team RWBY, where he would then open said lid, reeling his face back as he did.

The lid popped open, and with the popping sound came an explosion of crystalized dirt aimed towards the poor tree. The tree was pierced by the sudden reaction of the Dust and threatened to fall over. Weiss watched flabbergasted, for she knew that no Dust should react like that without the meddling of external forces.

"What..." She was left speechless.

Godwyn threw the glass vial away, then quietly closed the lid of the box. "I don't know if ye girls noticed it, but this place isn't exactly working as it should." He asked the girls, Ruby quietly exited the container after finding more crates filled with Dust. "For now, I'll say that the air itself is very reactive to Dust, hence why I instructed ye to leave all Dust in the ship."

Blake raised her voice to ask a pressing question. "How did this place turn out like this?" Her inquiry was genuine, she really wanted to know, and the sentiment was shared by the rest of her team.

"We'll have time to talk about it later, once we set up camp." Godwyn declared, ready to continue searching for shelter. "But first let's focus on finding a plate to stay." He declared.

The girls agreed.

---

Godwyn and Team RWBY ventured into the depths of the island, the oppressive atmosphere of the Dark Sea lingering even on solid ground. The air was thick with a damp mist, and the sound of distant thunder echoed through the twisted trees and jagged rocks. The ground was uneven and treacherous, covered in patches of twisted grass and gnarled roots that seemed to clutch at their feet.

As they pressed on, they stumbled upon a sight that made them all stop in their tracks. Before them, partially obscured by the encroaching foliage, was a ruined frigate. The once-majestic ship was now a skeletal husk, overtaken by the elements and the passage of time. Its masts were broken and twisted, the sails long gone, leaving only tattered remnants fluttering in the wind. The ship sat atop a patch of twisted grass, the wood creaking eerily as the wind swept through the remains.

"Whoa..." Ruby breathed, her eyes wide with wonder and unease. "What do you think happened here?"

Godwyn narrowed his eyes, scanning the area around the ruined frigate. "This ship… it's like it was swallowed by the island itself. Left here to rot."

Blake, ever cautious, kept her hand on Gambol Shroud. "We should be careful. This place is giving me bad vibes."

As they moved closer to the ship, their footsteps crunching softly on the damp ground, they noticed a faint glow in the distance. A bonfire, its flickering flames casting long shadows against the ship's decaying hull. Around the fire, four figures moved in eerie synchronization, their steps slow and deliberate, as if caught in a trance.

The figures were gaunt and haggard, their clothes tattered and soaked from the relentless rain. Their faces were obscured by the dim light, but the madness in their purple eyes was unmistakable. These were Lost Sailors—those who had ventured into the Dark Sea and had been consumed by its darkness, their minds shattered by the horrors they had witnessed.

"They're not fully gone… but they're not sane either," Weiss murmured, her voice tinged with sadness and wariness.

The Lost Sailors continued their wordless circling, oblivious to the approaching group. Their movements were disjointed, almost puppet-like as if driven by some unseen force. The crackling of the bonfire was the only sound that broke the silence, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.

Yang clenched her fists, the tension in the air making her restless. "Should we fight them? They don't seem like the most friendly of faces..."

Godwyn nodded, his gaze steely as he assessed the situation. "That ship probably has something of value, maybe even be our shelter, and I reckon these folks won't like us taking it. Put them out of their misery. But be cautious. Even in their state, they might still be dangerous."

With a silent signal, the group moved into position, ready to engage the Lost Sailors. Ruby took point, her scythe at the ready, while Weiss prepared her glyphs to support. Blake and Yang flanked the sides, their weapons poised for a quick strike.

As they closed in, the Lost Sailors suddenly turned, their eyes locking onto the intruders. A guttural growl escaped from one of them, a sound filled with primal rage and despair. Without warning, they lunged forward, their movements wild and erratic, driven by a feral instinct.

Ruby was the first to react, her scythe whirling through the air with deadly precision. She struck the first Lost Sailor, her weapon slicing through the air with a sharp hiss. The Sailor stumbled back, its madness-filled eyes widening in pain and confusion before collapsing to the ground.

Weiss summoned a series of glyphs, her rapier flashing as she darted forward to strike. The glyph held the second Sailor's limbs in place, allowing her to land a clean hit that sent it sprawling into the dirt.

Blake's movements were fluid and lethal, her semblance creating afterimages that confused and disoriented her opponent. With swift strikes from Gambol Shroud, she brought down the third Sailor, her expression a mask of focus and determination.

Yang, with her powerful gauntlets, delivered a crushing blow to the final Sailor. The force of her punch sent the figure flying into the side of the ruined ship, where it slumped down, the fight leaving its broken body.

The battle was over as quickly as it had begun. The Lost Sailors lay motionless on the ground, their tormented existence finally brought to an end. Team RWBY stood in the aftermath, the glow of the bonfire casting long shadows over their faces as they caught their breath.

Godwyn, who had watched the fight closely, gripped his harpoon and approached the fallen Sailors. His expression was somber. "The way forward is littered with the corpses of those who attempted this journey... The difference between us is that we have yet to lose ourselves. It's a fate I wouldn't wish on anyone." And with that, he guided his harpoon to the heart of every lost sailor that Team RWBY knocked out.

Ruby could watch as Godwyn did so. "Well, now I feel bad..." She spoke the first thing that came to her head. "Should we bury them?" She asked, gazing up and at the captain.

"No." He spoke wearing a somber expression. "Well, actually I don't know." His voice sounded unsure. "The Dark Sea will render their bodies asunder regardless. So... Do what ye want."

The team only watched the corpses of the lost sailors, none dared to move a muscle. This was their way of showing respect to these defeated foes.

Blake was the one to break the silence. "I think we should check out what's inside the ship now. Maybe the ship's inside could be used as shelter." She was the voice of reason at that moment.

The group headed inside the ship through an opening on the side. The ruined frigate's bowels were moist and stunk of rotten flesh and fish. Using this place as a refuge just became an impossibility due to the air inside being thick with death. Yang would be the one to stumble upon the reason why that was.

Laying on its back, the girls watched in horror and disgust the dead figure found in the captain's quarters. A humanoid figure stood deathly still on the floor, should it stand up its height would easily surpass even the Captain's larger size.

The figure was mutated beyond belief, its head was replaced by that of an angler fish, and one arm was a tentacle while the other seemed to have been fused with a cutlass he held on tight. His flesh, rotted. There was armor covering bits of him, but it was mostly rusted and melded with his flesh. He was irrevocably dead. "That's a Mutated Atlantean," Godwyn spoke. "I've seen bigger ones... But this one is definitely up there."

Questions about its nature were quickly shut down. He'd answer them once they'd set up camp. "At least it's dead already," Godwyn spoke, somewhat relieved after poking it with his harpoon through an arm. "An Atlantean this size... I've only 'em on the far reaches... He shouldn't be this close to the normal seas. Odd. Oh well. Tell me if ye girls find anything valuable."

Still, the group did not come out of there empty-handed.

Four chests were found, much to Ruby's excitement, two that could be easily opened, and two bounded by chains. These last two, the girls struggled to get out of the ship because of how heavy they were. There was no way that they could explore the island properly while holding onto these child-sized chests, so they opted to open them now and grab anything valuable.

Ruby and Yang rubbed their hands in expectation. "C'mon. Give momma gold!" Yang chanted over and over as the lid of the first one opened.

Inside, silver-like coins filled the chest and a small white flower sat atop the pile. Godwyn was quick to point out what they were looking at. "Ah, a chest full of Lamina. Worthless. The currency is no longer used and the material used on it is dirt-cheap I'm afraid. The flower is expensive though, here..." Godwyn produced a leather bag from inside his suit. "Place it here alongside anything of value we find. Don't worry, the flower won't be damaged by the weight of other things."

Weiss, rightfully confused at the pricing dynamics of a flower, raised her voice before moving on to open the next chest. "How? Why does that flower hold any value?" She said, taking the flower from Yang's hand and analyzing it for herself.

Godwyn pondered for a moment, carefully selecting his next words. "A Saint Lily's Flower. It's used for medicine, and it only blooms here in the dark sea." He said, opening the bag. Satisfied with the answer, Weiss placed the flower inside the bag.

Another chest was opened, within it they found a supposed fortune of gilded papers with a crossed 'C' written in them. The rain wasn't merciful with this one, quickly drenching them and effectively ruining the papers. There was also a singular flintlock pistol, the wood on its pommel looks awful as some sort of sea life attached itself to it.

"Ugh..." The one to pick up the gun was Ruby, holding it with the tip of her thumb and index finger. "I don't know if I want to take this back... It stinks." And indeed it did. Godwyn shrugged, as Ruby threw the rotten gun into the burning bonfire. "Let's leave that there for now." She never took that thing out of the flames.

The two other chests were sealed by a purple chain. "How do we open them?" Yang asked.

The Captain looked around, glaring at each of the girls. "Do any of ye know how to pick a lock?" Blake raised her hand. "Then ye may open them once we find a place to stay." He handed Ruby the leather bag and effortlessly lifted both chests with each hand. "Let's keep moving."

"That's a pro huntsman for you..." Blake spoke, stunned by the gratuitous display of strength, before walking away from the wreckage.

---

The group eventually comes across an opening on the side of a tall spire. This opening offered a few vantages over that wreckage. 1. It didn't stink. 2. It was dry. And 3. It's illuminated and heated by natural luminescent crystals of varying colors.

"Aye, this is a good place to stay." Godwyn spoke, setting down the two chests he'd been carrying for the better part of two hours. "Set yer stuff down and make a fire." He then glared at Ruby. "Ruby, ye'r going to scout the perimeter with me. And ye three, don't leave this place."

Ruby nodded, using her semblance to dash to the Captain's side, the leather bag dangling from her waist. "You got it!" She said, holding her weapon close. The two wandered into the thicket, leaving the rest of Team RWBY by themselves.

Lightning crackled around the two, setting a tree nearby ablaze. Ruby almost had her heart fall right out of her mouth, but Godwyn simply kept on moving. "Why is this place..." Before she had time to finish her sentence, the two reached a clearing of sorts, which allowed for a view of the Dark Sea's horizon.

"..." Ruby couldn't put into words the scene in front of her. On the horizon, she saw a pillar of flame stretching high toward the sky and originating in the ocean. Blinking once was all she needed to realize that the thing was spinning. That was a fire tornado. It's no wonder then, that the rain around that fiery pillar was shining and flickering. "It's... Raining... Fire?" She didn't sound sure of herself. Maybe Godwyn was onto something when he said that the Dark Sea messed with people's minds.

Godwyn felt a tug on his shirt as he admired the view. "Why is that the coolest thing I've ever seen in my life?" Her eyes, although terrified, shined with silvery awe.

The Captain didn't expect this kind of reaction from the girl. "I agree. It's very cool looking." He nodded. "It's horrifying when it suddenly manifests itself right by yer ship though." He chuckled at the memory.

The two kept on walking as this was not the place for sightseeing. "So... What do you think? Is the place secure? I don't see any more of those bad guys we fought..." Ruby asked as the due traversed the thick vegetation.

Godwyn shook his head. "No, we're not done yet." He said, pointing upwards. "I don't know how we're doing it, but we'll go up that spire to have a better view over the island." The spire in question was the monolithic structure that housed their camp.

In a few minutes of walking, the two reached the base of the spire. Their camp should be located on the other side of it. "In retrospect, we should have tried to climb this before wandering around the island. My mistake." Godwyn admitted.

The spire itself was tall. Very tall. It pierced the clouds and seemed to stretch even further. Its surface is decorated with many crystal formations in a seemingly random pattern. Periodically these crystals reflected and amplified the light from far away lightning strikes, serving almost like a beacon in the midst of the storm.

"I can climb to the top, no biggie." Ruby said, confident in herself.

The Captain turned his gaze to her. "Ye? Yer sure?" She nodded. "Alright, bet." He said with pride in his voice.

"Bet?" Ruby turned to him, puzzled by his playful attitude. "Me?" Godwyn nodded, prompting Ruby to smile deviously. "What are your terms?"

Godwyn scratched his beard for a moment. "I bet that ye'll give up climbing before reaching the top." He said, throwing his weight on the spire.

"What do I get if I win?" Ruby asked, making Godwyn shrug. "Name yer price." He said.

Ruby pondered for a moment. What is it that she really, truly wanted? There was only one reasonable response to this situation. "I'd like a pirate hat!" She said, both hands holding onto her own hips.

Godwyn chuckled. "Sure, I'll get ye a damn pirate hat..." He said. "But, if ye give up, I'll take ye and yer team to another expedition in the Dark Sea." There wasn't a hint of shame in his voice.

Ruby was visibly taken aback by that. "Why is that?"

His reasoning was simple. "Most men can't handle two hours here before quitting. Ye four just powered through the pain, funnily enough." He chuckled. "I'd love to have such brave people in me crew, even if it's for a limited time."

Ruby chuckled, she hadn't even considered his request as a possible outcome. "Alright, I'm in." She says, unfolding her scythe and grasping it with both hands. "I agree with those terms."

Suddenly, turned herself into a self-propelling ball of red petals, and shot herself upwards, skiting along the spire's surface. Once she almost completely tired herself out, she turned back into a person and pierced the spire's surface with her scythe, caving the weapon's blade deep into the stone, where she then took a few deep breaths and propelled herself upwards once again. Rinse and repeat.

Godwyn stared at the girl effortlessly climbing the gigantic spire. "I might have overestimated me odds here..." He muttered to himself, dodging a stray stone falling towards his position. A byproduct of Ruby piercing the spire.

Eventually, Ruby would reach the height where the crystals lay, and she would rest atop them instead of caving a hole with her weapon. Some couldn't handle her weight and cracked, falling down with extreme force.

Godwyn took this as an opportunity to meet his quota, quickly picking up the fallen crystals and depositing them inside the leather bag. "And just like that, I managed to successfully coax a young girl into doing me job for me... How I love this job, haha..."

Ruby, in a few minutes of climbing, finally reached the top of the spiral. Unfortunately, since the top lay above the clouds, she couldn't see anything below, so that was a waste. The sky, despite her being above the clouds, was dark and tinged with purple. She was surrounded on all sides by storm. Still, Godwyn owed her a pirate hat!

There was one other thing on the top of the spire though. A patch of short grass, and a lonesome glowing white flower. The glow, supernatural, sure, still filled her body with warmth. The wind was blowing strong, especially due to the height, yet the flower held firm.

She approached the flower, the heat increased substantially, but nothing unpleasant. Touching it, she was surprised to feel the petals being hard and cold. "Huh. Welp, you're mine now!" She declared.

With a swift movement, Ruby attempted to cut the flower's stem with her Crescent Rose, but almost fell from the spire as her weapon bounced right off of it, as a ringing sound of metal hitting against metal echoed around her.

Puzzled, Ruby attempted to pull the flower off the ground, and surprisingly enough, she managed to do it, only, that its roots did not follow. "Now… How do I get down from here?" That's easy, she simply jumped face first until she reached terminal velocity, that was when she pierced the spire's walls with her spear to lessen her fall like a zipper through cloth.

In no time, she managed to have her feet touch the ground again, glowing flower in hand. Godwyn's leather sack was full, yet, what was it that left him speechless what was the flower on Ruby's hand. "Look what I found at the top!" She said, proud of herself.

A singular tear ran down Godwyn's cheeks. He couldn't understand if he felt proud of her, or angry at her. "Ruby... Do ye know what that is?" He asked with a trembling voice.

"Nope. Just thought it looked pretty so I took it." She answered innocently.

"Ha..." He gazed aimlessly at the skies. It felt as though his sanity failed him for a moment. Reaching for a flask on his belt, Godwyn downed a golden shining liquid down his throat. The warning took effect, and he managed to muster enough mental strength to look Ruby in the eyes.

"That's a Prometheus' Acrimony." He said, taking a deep breath. "I've wasted the better part of ten years of me fucking life looking for one of 'em in the Dark Sea... So I'm not sure if I'm angry that ye found it just like that or if I'm proud of ye for finding it this easily." He exhaled loudly.

Ruby glared at the glowing flower in her hand, thinking for a moment. "Do... You want it?" She asked innocently.

"Nah. I'm fine. It is of no use for me now anyway." He said, chuckling. "Just don't give it to anyone, girl. That thing is... Dangerous and rare. Very, very rare." He said, throwing the sack over his shoulder. "Did ye see anything from up there?" Ruby shook her head. "Figures. Oh well, it's fine. Not many things live on islands in the Dark Sea, and the things that do are definitely not dangerous enough for us to care about. Let's go back to camp."

Ruby nodded, gazing into the flower once again, filling her body with warmth.

---

The fire snapped softly, its light casting fluttering shadows of five individuals against the walls of the cave. Atop the campfire rested a pot filled with many ingredients, the water inside almost coming to the boiling point. The smell wasn't anything special, but the girl's rumbling bellies would give the food the flavor it needed.

Blake had been attempting to unlock the chains on one of the chests for at least an hour now. Sweat ran down her face as she gritted her teeth. She is a person of great patience, but... "Gah! If I hear a chain one more time, I'm killing someone!" She yelled in frustration, throwing the chest as far away as her strength allowed her to. So, not very far.

Yang couldn't help but chuckle at Blake's expense. "What? Giving up so soon?" She teased, giving the Faunus a light tap with her elbow.

The cat was not in the mood for jokes. "Shut up, and away with you and your sausage water hair." She went straight for the throat with that one.

And it is true. At first, she did her best to hold the hood over her hair, but that first tumble back at the ship rendered her efforts useless as her long blond hair became completely drenched in disgusting Dark Sea rainwater. "Hey... You don't have to remind me about it..." Her hair is... For the lack of a better word, hard and bristly. Her once luscious hair was no more.

A visit to a hair salon is in order.

"You don't need to tell me that!" Weiss too, was bothered by that fact. She has seen storms before, and she has fought under rain before too, but the rain of the Dark Sea did a number on her hair, and worse yet... "My makeup has melted off my face." Running a hand through her hair proved to be a mistake, as a higher quantity of hair than originally anticipated, came off between her fingers.

Indeed, a hair salon is priority number one.

Ruby couldn't be having a better time. She sat atop her bed roll, analyzing the flower she found, still amazed by its shine. "Hoh..." She smiled, giddy with child-like happiness. "Man... I can't wait to have another adventure in here." She commented, putting down the flower and giving her teammates a smile and a happy look.

Weiss buried her face in her bedroll, unable to even meet Ruby's gaze, groaning loudly. Blake turned her attention to the fire and the food being cooked, uncaring for Ruby's childish ramblings. Yang was on the verge of tears, with no direct outlet for her boiling rage, she couldn't help but blame herself for allowing her hair to become like this.

Godwyn sat, intently stirring the cooking pot with a ladle. "So..." Blake spoke. After checking the pot, it would take some time before the food was done. So now was the time to talk. "Are you going to tell us what's up with this place?" Her words pulled everyone's attention.

The Captain glared at the girl for a moment, amused that she remembered what he told her before. "Hm. Sure." He said, pulling the leather sack near his lap and pouring its contents on the floor near him. "Ye want the short version or the long version?" He said, picking up a black shard from amidst the crystals on the pile and putting it back in the bag.

The girls shared a look, and eventually, they collectively gazed at Blake. It was her call. "The... Short version." She said. Godwyn nodded.

"Do ye believe in magic?" He asked the four, bluntly.

Blake didn't answer. "Nah," Yang answered, dismissing the question. "No, I do not. But I wouldn't be surprised if it existed at this point." Weiss answered truthfully. "I don't think so..." Ruby answered, unsure as she observed the glowing flower in her hands.

"I don't blame ye. The whole of Remnant believes that magic doesn't exist." He told them. "But... It does. And this place is polluted with it." He said it as bluntly as he could, putting another black shard into the bag.

The girls remained silent, except for Blake. "So... How did this place end up like this?" She asked, trying her damn best to believe his words.

Godwyn pondered for a moment. "Hm. It's hard to say..." He admitted, selecting another black shard and dropping it in the bag. "For all me fifty years traveling to and from the Dark Sea... I've never managed to figure out exactly why it is the way it is." His voice sounded like he lamented something. "The... The big theory going around is that two mages fought one another long ago. The Dark Sea is the result of their confrontation... And we don't even know who won."

Godwyn returned to quietly picking out the black shards from the broken pieces of colorful crystals. "If the Dark Sea is so old, then how come I've never even heard of it until yesterday?" Blake asked once more, providing the old man with more information.

Godwyn hummed at that. "You girls know how to keep a secret?" He let another black shard fall into the bag. Team RWBY nodded their heads. "So... This place is teeming with magical energy, right?" He asked them, glaring at the Prometheus' Acrimony on Ruby's hands. "Turns out, such chaotic energy is not only capable of self-sufficiency and propagation, but it is also able to transport things to places those things shouldn't ever be. So yes, the appearance of the Dark Sea in Remnant is recent. What... A year now? I wasn't here then anyways." He chuckled, side-eyeing the cooking pot.

Ruby scratched her head. "Wait, you said you were looking for this for ten years now..." She said, holding the Acrimony tight in her hands.

Weiss chimed in. "And you also said you've been traveling in and out of the Dark Sea for fifty years..."

Yang couldn't help but make fun of her teammate. "Of course, you would be the one to point out his age..." She said, earning a slight blush from Weiss, who did her best to ignore her.

Blake was the last one to fit in a puzzle piece. "And the Dark Sea has been around for a year..." She said, glaring at the old man. "Add that with the antique ship and the flintlock weapon on your back..."

Before she could state the obvious, Godwyn interrupted her. "Hey dinner's ready." He spoke softly. "Eat quick. Just because we made stop doesn't mean y'all be sleeping just yet." He spoke, finishing separating the dark shards from the crystals. "We need a few more shards to fill our quota, after that, you can sleep. Luckily, this island is very big and there is a high chance for us to get everything we need here." He declared, exiting the cave. "I'm not hungry, so I'll wait for you outside. I need a breather anyway."

After four hours of wandering around the cold rain and withstanding wuthering winds, they managed to find and secure all of the shards Godwyn demanded.

---

As dawn broke, a gray haze clung to the island, with the relentless rain forming pools of water along the uneven ground. The group had taken shelter inside the cave overnight, and now, they stood at the cave's mouth, the sky a stormy swirl of dark clouds and distant flashes of lightning. The spire loomed atop their heads. The air was thick with the scent of salt and wet earth.

Godwyn was the first to step out, his eyes scanning the turbulent horizon. In his arms, he carried two dark-sealed chests, their weight and bulk slowing him down considerably. Team RWBY followed closely behind, the girls equally weary from the night's unrest. The plan was simple: return to the ship and leave this cursed island behind. But the Dark Sea had other ideas.

As they descended from the cave, a sudden shift in the atmosphere sent a chill down their spines. The roar of the ocean grew louder, a deep, rumbling sound that seemed to come from all directions at once. Blake was the first to spot it—a massive wave, towering and dark, rolling toward them with terrifying speed.

"Get to higher ground!" Godwyn's voice cut through the chaos, but he was already struggling with the chests, their weight making it difficult for him to move quickly.

Without hesitation, Team RWBY sprinted toward an elevated rocky outcrop nearby, their hearts pounding in their chests. Weiss used her glyphs to propel herself and the others up the slope, while Ruby's speed made her a blur of motion against the storm's fury. Yang, always the protector, glanced back just in time to see Godwyn lagging behind.

"Godwyn, drop the chests! Get up here!" she yelled, but he shook his head, determined to hold on to the treasures, likely the fault of a vice he has, who knows.

The wave was upon them in seconds, a monstrous wall of water that crashed against the island with a force that shook the ground. Team RWBY barely managed to scramble onto the higher terrain, water rushing past them, but Godwyn was not as fortunate.

With the chests still clutched tightly in his arms, Godwyn was caught by the wave's immense power. The water engulfed him, pulling him off his feet and sweeping him away in a torrent of churning seawater. The girls could only watch in horror as he disappeared beneath the roiling surface.

"Godwyn!" Ruby shouted, her voice almost drowned out by the sound of the crashing wave.

But before he was fully consumed by the sea, Godwyn managed to look back at them, his face calm despite the chaos around him. "Return to the ship!" he commanded, his voice firm and unyielding. "I'll find ye—just go!"

And with that, he was gone, carried away by the relentless tide, still holding on to the chests that had cost him his chance to escape. Team RWBY was left standing on the elevated terrain, drenched and shaken, the reality of their situation sinking in.

They were alone now, with no choice but to heed Godwyn's final order and make their way back to the ship, praying that their friend would survive the Dark Sea's wrath.

The perpetual darkness cast a gloomy shroud over the island. The air was thick with a damp mist, and the distant rumble of thunder added to the ominous atmosphere. Team RWBY pressed on through the treacherous terrain, their footsteps splashing through the rain-slicked ground as they attempted to make their way back to the ship.

Suddenly, the rain seemed to intensify, and a thunderous roar reverberated through the dense foliage. The ground beneath their feet shook as a colossal figure emerged from the gloom. The Monstrous Atlantean loomed before them. Its massive frame was draped in dark, sea-worn armor, and its eyes glowed with a sinister, otherworldly light. It was the same one from that wreckage. Wasn't it dead though?

With a guttural growl, the Atlantean brandished a grotesque cutlass melded with their arm, its edges gleaming menacingly in the dim light. The creature's sheer presence radiated an aura of dread and power, dwarfing the team and casting long, monstrous shadows.

Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang quickly assessed their dire situation. "We need to fight it off and buy some time!" Ruby shouted, her voice barely audible over the roar of the storm.

Blake darted forward with her agility, her semblance allowing her to move in and out of sight as she attempted to strike at the Atlantean's exposed sides. Weiss conjured glyphs of ice, attempting to slow the creature's movements, while Yang prepared to unleash a powerful Ember Celica blast.

The Atlantean reacted with surprising speed for its size, swinging its cutlass with a precision that belied its monstrous form. It deflected Blake's swift strikes with ease, the creature's thick armor and hardened hide absorbing the blows. Weiss's glyphs did little to impede its advance, as the Atlantean shrugged off the ice with an indignant roar. Yang's fiery punches, though impactful, barely dented the creature's formidable armor.

The battle was fierce but brief. The Monstrous Atlantean's strength and resilience quickly overwhelmed Team RWBY's efforts. With each swing of its massive cutlass, the creature unleashed shockwaves that knocked the team back, forcing them to regroup and reassess their strategy. The torrential rain only added to the chaos, making the battlefield slippery and treacherous.

Ruby's attempts to provide cover with Crescent Rose were thwarted as the Atlantean charged through the downpour, its movements a blur of power and ferocity. The team's coordinated strikes fell short, each attack seemingly absorbed or deflected with ease. The Atlantean's retaliatory strikes were relentless, and its sheer size made it an imposing target.

The creature roared in frustration and triumph, its gargantuan fist smashing the ground with a force that sent debris and water spraying into the air. Team RWBY found themselves pushed to their limits, their attacks proving ineffective against the Monstrous Atlantean's overwhelming strength.

Realizing the futility of their struggle, Ruby called out, "We have to fall back now! We can't take it down!"

As Team RWBY attempted to retreat, the Monstrous Atlantean roared in defiance, its guttural cry echoing through the storm. The creature lunged forward, its massive cutlass slicing through the air with a speed that belied its size. Ruby, struggling to lead her team through the rain-soaked terrain, barely managed to dodge the powerful swing, her semblance barely keeping her ahead of the deadly blade.

Blake darted to Ruby's side, her semblance flickering in and out of visibility as she tried to provide cover with her short-lived clones. But the Atlantean's size and agility made it nearly impossible to evade. Yang and Weiss struggled to keep the creature at bay, their attacks growing more frantic as they realized the enormity of the threat.

A particularly violent roar from the Atlantean sent a shockwave through the area, throwing Yang off her feet. She collided with the slick ground, her aura flaring dangerously as she tried to push herself back up. The Atlantean seized the opportunity, charging towards Yang with its cutlass raised high.

Weiss, desperate to protect her teammate, summoned a glyph to shield Yang, no element as she didn't have any Dust with her. But the Monstrous Atlantean's cutlass crashed through the glyph with a shattering force, the impact sending shockwaves flying and leaving Weiss breathless. Yang's aura crackled and faltered under the relentless assault, her injuries mounting as the cutlass sliced through her defenses.

Ruby's eyes widened in horror as she saw Yang struggling to rise. "Yang!" she screamed, but the rain and thunder drowned out her voice. Yang's aura was visibly depleted, her body battered and weak from the onslaught. Blake and Weiss exchanged worried glances, both struggling to keep the creature at bay while attempting to get their injured teammate to safety.

As the team continued their retreat, the Atlantean relentlessly pursued them. Its monstrous form pushed through the rain and debris, its movements driven by an unrelenting hunger. The storm raged on, adding to the chaos of their escape.

Blake managed to create a temporary diversion by using her sword to propel mud toward the creature, allowing the team to make some distance. But the Monstrous Atlantean was undeterred. Its sharp eyes locked onto its prey, and it roared with fury as it charged forward, its cutlass sweeping through the air in a wide arc.

Ruby's heart raced as she glanced back at the pursuing monster. "We need to move faster!" she urged, her voice strained with fear. Weiss, her aura flickering from exhaustion, struggled to keep up but pressed on, determined to protect her friends.

As the team reached the edge of the island, they found themselves cornered by the rocky shoreline and the turbulent waters of the Dark Sea. The Monstrous Atlantean closed in, its grotesque form casting a long shadow over the group. With a final, resounding roar, it raised its cutlass for a decisive blow.

In a desperate act of bravery, Yang, despite her weakened state, leaped forward with a burst of remaining strength. She swung Ember Celica with all the force she could muster, aiming to draw the Atlantean's attention away from her teammates. The cutlass collided with Yang's weapon, and the force of the impact sent her sprawling back, her aura shattering in a brilliant explosion of light.

The relentless roar of the Monstrous Atlantean echoed through the storm as it bore down on Team RWBY, its cutlass gleaming with deadly intent. The rain poured in torrents, mingling with the seawater that crashed against the rocky shore. Ruby, Weiss, and Blake struggled under the weight of their injuries and exhaustion, their eyes locked onto the towering menace that threatened their very existence.

Suddenly, the darkness was split by three consecutive lightning strikes of a deep, ominous red. Each bolt slammed into the Atlantean with a jarring crack, sending the creature reeling and momentarily stunning it. The Monstrous Atlantean staggered, its grotesque form illuminated by the searing light, its roars now replaced by a guttural howl of pain and confusion.

Seizing the fleeting opportunity, Ruby grabbed Yang's unconscious body with a sense of urgency. Weiss, still shaken from her previous exertion, helped Ruby carry Yang, while Blake provided a desperate look back to ensure they weren't pursued immediately. The storm's fury seemed to intensify, adding an almost apocalyptic feel to their harrowing escape.

"We need to get out of here!" Ruby shouted, her voice barely audible over the howling wind and thunder. "But we're lost!"

Blake's eyes scanned the dark, rain-soaked terrain. "The ship was that way, but now everything looks the same!" Surely, they won't be lost in the Dark Sea... Right? The compass Godwyn gave Blake spun incessantly in place. It is useless here.

The trio stumbled through the dense underbrush, their progress hindered by the treacherous conditions. The once familiar terrain now seemed like an endless maze of rocks and trees, their visibility reduced to mere feet by the relentless downpour. Their hope of finding the ship waned as each direction seemed to lead them deeper into the island's labyrinth.

Weiss gritted her teeth as she struggled under the weight of Yang's body. "We can't stay here! If we keep going in circles, we'll only end up lost."

Ruby's breath came in ragged gasps, her heart pounding with fear and exertion. "We need to find some kind of landmark or high ground. Maybe we can get a better view. That spire! Where is it?!" They couldn't see five feet in front of them, how would they see that spire?

Blake nodded, her semblance still exhausted from the previous fight. "We'll have to keep moving. If we stop, we won't make it."

As they pushed through the relentless storm, their footing became increasingly unstable. The rain-soaked ground threatened to give way beneath them, and the darkness seemed to close in from all sides. The constant battering from the weather and the strain of carrying Yang's unconscious body took its toll on their morale.

In their desperate search, they found themselves on a small, rocky outcrop, providing a slight respite from the rain but offering no clear view of the ship. The surrounding landscape remained obscured by the storm, making navigation nearly impossible. The oppressive darkness and unending rain only added to their disorientation.

"We can't afford to waste any more time," Ruby said, her voice filled with determination despite her fear. "We have to keep going."

Weiss nodded in agreement, her face etched with worry as she glanced at Yang's still form. "We need to find shelter or some kind of signal. We can't let ourselves get trapped here."

Blake, though exhausted, took the lead, guiding the team through the storm and trying to maintain a sense of direction. The harsh reality of their situation weighed heavily on them as they continued their uncertain journey through the dark and stormy island, the looming threat of the Monstrous Atlantean still fresh in their minds.

With every step, the sense of urgency and fear grew, the shadows of the Dark Sea pressing in around them. The storm showed no sign of letting up, and the island's labyrinthine terrain only served to deepen their sense of dread.

The storm raged on as Team RWBY continued their desperate search for the ship, their path through the dark, rain-soaked terrain proving increasingly treacherous. The oppressive darkness seemed to press in on them from all sides, and the relentless rain made every step a struggle.

Suddenly, the roar of the Monstrous Atlantean echoed through the storm once more, sending a fresh wave of terror through the team. The creature had tracked them down, its massive form emerging from the darkness with a menacing growl. The storm seemed to part around the Atlantean, its sinister presence dwarfing everything in its vicinity.

Ruby, Weiss, and Blake barely had time to react before the Atlantean lunged at them with its grotesque cutlass. The clash was swift and brutal, the creature's powerful strikes sending the team reeling. Ruby and Weiss scrambled to their feet, while Blake fought to keep the Atlantean at bay. But the creature's relentless assault soon forced them back.

The Atlantean's cutlass swung with a terrifying force, narrowly missing Ruby and Weiss as they struggled to defend themselves. The air was filled with the sounds of clashing metal and anguished cries, the rain mixing with the blood and debris of the battlefield.

In the midst of the chaos, the Monstrous Atlantean's cutlass was raised high, poised for a decisive blow. The team's aura flickered dangerously as they fought to protect each other. Ruby's eyes widened in horror as she saw the creature's blade descending towards Blake, who was struggling to fend off the relentless attacks.

Just as it seemed the Atlantean's strike would land, a sudden and powerful force barreled into the fray. With a blinding flash of golden light, Captain Godwyn Gold emerged from the storm, his imposing figure cutting through the darkness. His Golden Great Sword gleamed with an otherworldly glow as he intercepted the Atlantean's cutlass, their weapons clashing with a resounding crash.

"Lost, are ye!?" Godwyn's voice boomed over the storm, his tone commanding and filled with authority. "Let this old dog lead ye back home then!"

The Atlantean roared in surprise and frustration as it was forced to face this new opponent. Godwyn's powerful strikes met the creature's blows with equal force, his golden armguards and massive sword holding their own against the monstrous adversary. The sheer strength of the Captain was enough to throw the beast far away.

Team RWBY watched in awe and relief as Godwyn's image finally registered in their tired minds, his presence a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. The Atlantean's attention was diverted from them, its monstrous eyes now locked onto the new challenger.

"Captain Godwyn!" Ruby shouted, her voice filled with both disbelief and gratitude. "You came just in time!"

Godwyn's gaze remained fixed on the Atlantean, ready to jump at him at a moment's notice. "I was washed off the island by the wave," he explained, his voice carrying through the storm. "Then, imagine me surprise when ye four weren't at the ship! It was me mistake for being careless... I'm not going to let ye face this thing alone."

With renewed determination, Team RWBY regrouped behind Godwyn, their injuries and exhaustion forbid them from joining in and supporting their ally. The Captain's presence had shifted the tide of the battle, his strength and skill providing the team with a much-needed reprieve.

The Monstrous Atlantean, still reeling from its previous encounter, turned its attention towards Godwyn. Its grotesque form was a twisted blend of sea creature and human monstrosity, draped in sea-worn armor that seemed to absorb the light. Just as Godwyn remembers. With a roar of frustration, the Atlantean raised its grotesque cutlass, ready to face this new challenger.

Godwyn's entrance was nothing short of spectacular. With a flash of solid gold in his wake, he intercepted the Atlantean's cutlass with his own weapon. The clash of metal against twisted meat-fused metal echoed through the storm, sending shockwaves that rattled the surrounding terrain. The sheer force of their confrontation was enough to make the ground tremble as if the battle itself was threatening to split the island asunder.

As the Monstrous Atlantean struggled against Godwyn's relentless assault, Team RWBY seized the opportunity to measure just how strong the Captain was. The storm continued to rage around them, but with Godwyn's formidable presence on their side, they found a renewed sense of hope and determination.

The clash between Captain Godwyn and the Monstrous Atlantean was a cataclysmic spectacle in Ruby's eyes, a storm of raw power and unyielding fury. The rain fell like torrents of steel, mingling with the lightning that crackled in the sky, casting eerie shadows over the battleground. As Godwyn emerged from the tempest, his Golden Great Sword gleamed with an ethereal light, cutting through the storm with an aura of commanding authority.

The Atlantean roared defiantly, its massive cutlass swinging with a force that could shatter mountains. Its dark, sea-worn armor glinted ominously as it engaged Godwyn, their weapons meeting in a thunderous clash that sent shockwaves rippling through the air. The sheer force of their confrontation was enough to shake the island, the ground trembling beneath their feet as if reacting to the titanic struggle.

Godwyn's Golden Great Sword, a massive and shimmering blade, was not just a weapon but an extension of his might. Each swing was a display of raw power, the golden metal enhanced by his magic. As he fought, the searing properties of his Termo Fist fighting style began to manifest in his sword strikes. Each swing of the sword carried a blazing heat, making the air around it shimmer and crackle.

The Monstrous Atlantean, initially staggered by the sheer force of Godwyn's attacks, quickly adapted. It retaliated with powerful, sweeping cuts of its cutlass, sending shockwaves that threatened to overwhelm Godwyn. But the Captain was relentless. His strikes, now glowing with a fierce, golden heat, cut through the Atlantean's defenses. The creature's armor began to show signs of wear under the intense, searing heat.

Godwyn's sword strikes became a whirlwind of fiery destruction. With every successive blow, the heat intensified, leaving deep, molten scars on the Atlantean's thick armor. The Atlantean roared in pain as its armor began to melt and warp under the relentless onslaught.

Despite the power of his attacks, the Atlantean was formidable, its resilience and size making it a challenging adversary. The storm raged on, the wind and rain creating an almost apocalyptic backdrop to their fierce clash. But Godwyn's determination never wavered. He pressed on.

As the battle continued, Godwyn knew it was time to end it. He shifted his approach, drawing his Harpoon. The weapon was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, its golden shaft gleaming in the storm's intermittent flashes of lightning. With a mighty roar, Godwyn launched the Harpoon with tremendous force, its golden tip blazing with golden magic.

The Harpoon flew true, piercing the Atlantean's chest with a sickening crunch. The creature staggered, its monstrous form writhing in agony as the magical energy of the Harpoon interacted with its twisted body. The force of the impact and the intense heat from the Harpoon's tip created a burst of light and flame, engulfing the Atlantean in a final, devastating explosion.

The Monstrous Atlantean roared one last time before collapsing, its massive frame crashing to the ground with a thunderous thud. The storm seemed to calm slightly, the oppressive darkness lifting as the creature's life came to an end.

Godwyn stood victorious, his breathing heavy but steady. His Golden Great Sword and Harpoon were smeared with the Atlantean's remnants, but his aura was strong and unyielding. Team RWBY, though exhausted and battered, watched in awe as Godwyn approached them, his presence a beacon of hope amidst the storm. Yang kept sleeping soundly.

"Captain Godwyn!" Ruby called out, relief evident in her voice. "You did it!"

"We're not out of the storm yet," Godwyn said, his voice carrying over the howling wind. "But we've bought ourselves some time." They didn't need to stay in this godforsaken place anymore, they could finally return home.

---

Team RWBY would successfully pass that class they were struggling in, although barely. Turns out, Godwyn Gold didn't enjoy losing a bet against a child, and submitted a very condemning report to Beacon, of how the girls 'Acted on their own accord' and 'watched as he did all the work'. What an asshole!

He did hand Ruby a genuine, albeit sandy, pirate hat he had previously found buried beneath the sands of Ravenna though.

Yang couldn't forgive herself for sleeping through what her sister described as 'The most awesome fight she has ever seen', despite still having nightmares of the time her hair's texture became akin to the texture of a tree's trunk. Those were dark times indeed.

Blake, although surprised with the new part of Remnant that just appeared one day, couldn't care less about it, after all, her battle was against the White Fang.

Weiss, much to her own distress, became the target of Yang's jokes once again as she attempted to converse with the Captain on her own accord as she was naturally curious bout the Dark Sea. She is now known among the academy grounds as the girl who likes old men. She'd then correct them, saying she appreciated maturity more than the average person. It didn't help her case.

Ruby would go on to give a name to her new flower. 'Clover.' She has spent five straight days without sleep trying to make the flower grow new roots in a pot, and when that inevitably failed she contended herself to just use the flower as a makeshift flashlight, as it hasn't stopped glowing even for a moment.

Godwyn remained for the time being. Apparently, a bag of black shards wasn't enough to satisfy the researchers at Atlas, and leaving the dark sea with just two dark-sealed chests rubbed him the wrong way. Speaking of, the two chests gave him two of the same sail patterns he already had and didn't use. A classic.

---

A/N: Hello! It is I, the guy who likes to make RWBY crossovers with unusual stuff! This time, have a Roblox game at ye. I pondered if I desired to make an Arcane Adventures one instead of an Arcane Odyssey one, but I suppose I should leave AA in the past where it belongs... Oh well. I also wanted to explore the full might of a 'SUPPOSED MAX LEVEL' Savant. I remember reading somewhere Vetex mentioned the Max level will be 600, so imagine the strength of the average Savant. Absolutely based. I love it.

In the process of creating this beast, I heard a few songs. Here's the list.

The Dark Sea - Brought to Insanity
OFF OST - Desperately Safe
Mastodon - Blood and Thunder
Mittsies - SixtenZu
AC6 OST - Steel Haze (When Truths Meet)

That's all. I hope you enjoyed this one.