The craftsmanship of the two Holy Grails was nothing short of exquisite. Wes Elwin held them in his hands and examined them closely.
Delicate patterns were carved into the cup's surface, like intricate paintings where every line showcased the artisan's extraordinary skill.
A soft luster glowed on the surface of the Grails—radiant like the stars twinkling in the night sky, and as warm and comforting as the first rays of dawn.
These Grails had likely appeared in many significant events, witnessing countless moments of glory. Perhaps they had even accompanied Juan Ponce de León on many perilous adventures, enduring trials and tribulations through storms and time.
Jack Sparrow, full of curiosity about the Holy Grails, stepped closer for a better look.
"You want one?" Wes asked.
Jack Sparrow gently shook his head. Though clearly fascinated by them, he knew these weren't things he could ever hope to possess.
Seeing that Jack wasn't greedy, Wes didn't tease him any further.
Now that both key items—the mermaid and the Holy Grails—were secured, Wes began silently planning his next move.
---
Jack Sparrow led the way as the three of them slowly entered a cave.
But upon entering, they discovered that apart from the oddly shaped stalactites and a small pool of water, there was nothing else inside.
Jack Sparrow checked his compass carefully and began to doubt himself, wondering if something had gone wrong with it.
After all, they had tracked their way here hoping to find more clues.
"There's nothing wrong with the compass. This is the place—the Fountain of Youth," Wes said as he looked at the inscription on the Holy Grail.
He began to recite the words engraved on it, his voice echoing throughout the cave.
As the final words were spoken, the water inside the cave began to rise—floating upward, defying gravity.
That small pool seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, slowly lifting into the air, until it gathered above their heads in a shimmering, suspended basin of water—hovering silently, without spilling a single drop.
"Captain Sparrow, you've fulfilled your part of the deal." Wes waved his hand, and two glowing orbs of light separated from the bodies of Jack Sparrow and Angelica, returning swiftly to his palm.
Both Jack and Angelica instantly felt a wave of relief. With the magical restraints lifted, they were finally free once again.
Regaining her freedom, Angelica reached out to grab Jack Sparrow's hand, ready to leave this perilous adventure behind. She had no desire to continue with this madness.
But Jack Sparrow wasn't ready to walk away—not when his heart was still fixed on reclaiming the Black Pearl. He knew that only Wes could help him get his beloved ship back.
"And what about my reward, wizard?" Jack gently withdrew his hand and turned back to Wes, his eyes full of expectation.
"No need to rush, Captain Sparrow," Wes said as he carefully tucked away the Holy Grails. Calm and confident, he added, "The real show is just getting started."
"Don't tell me... Blackbeard's on his way here too?"
Wes didn't answer. Instead, he leapt into the floating basin above them.
Jack hesitated for only a moment before deciding to follow Wes in, completely ignoring Angelica's protests.
Angelica let out a helpless sigh. She had no intention of staying behind alone, so she followed after Jack and jumped into the hovering pool of water.
When the two of them opened their eyes again, they found themselves in a misty place.
The area didn't seem very spacious—at most, it could accommodate a hundred people. It was entirely different from the grand, golden spectacle they had imagined. Aside from a few towering stone pillars, there was almost nothing else.
The legendary Fountain of Youth looked no different from ordinary clear water—calmly flowing without a single ripple.
Wes took out the small bottle containing the mermaids and tapped it lightly.
The bottle, as if enchanted, began to grow larger until it was about the size of a small swimming pool.
Inside, the five mermaids also returned to their original size. They huddled together, fearfully watching Wes.
It was clear that Wes's magical abilities had completely terrified them.
"Syrena?!" Jack Sparrow immediately recognized one of the mermaids. He was astonished.
"Jack, help us," Syrena called out upon seeing Jack. It was like seeing a ray of hope—his arrival reignited her will to survive.
"Jack?" Angelica looked at Jack Sparrow in disbelief. "You actually hooked up with a fish?! What goes on in that head of yours?!"
"Darling, let me explain—" Jack Sparrow tried to defend himself.
"Old woman, I'm not a fish," Syrena snapped back angrily.
"Who are you calling an old woman?" Angelica was even more furious now.
"…"
"…"
"Ladies," Jack Sparrow tried to calm down his two troublesome companions, but neither paid him any mind. They were too busy bickering to give him a chance to speak.
Helpless, Jack Sparrow fired a shot into the air. "Bang!" The gunshot echoed in the confined space. Angelica jumped in surprise, immediately drawing her sword and looking around cautiously. Syrena dove back into the water, not daring to surface.
"Jack?!" Angelica realized it was Jack Sparrow who fired the shot. She pointed her sword directly at his chest.
Jack pushed aside the blade pointed at him and turned to Wes, bowing. "Lord Sorcerer, would you kindly—"
"No," Wes replied coldly, showing not a hint of sympathy in his eyes.
"Just look at how beautiful they are. They're just poor girls," Jack pleaded, and the five mermaids cooperatively put on a pitiful display, trying to earn Wes's mercy.
"Poor?" Wes gave him a sideways glance. "Captain Sparrow, has your brain turned to mush? These mermaids aren't ordinary beings. They're half-human, half-beast creatures—and humans are on their menu."
Seeing that their charade had failed, the five mermaids gave up the act and revealed their sharp teeth.
Jack still wanted to defend his old flame, but Angelica held him back, whispering, "Don't provoke him. He needs the mermaids' tears. At least for now, we're safe."
Wes then cast a spell called Nightmare Curse—an illusion that forced creatures into experiencing their deepest fears.
Under the influence of the spell, the mermaids were all thrown into their worst nightmares, terrified to the point of crying. Wes collected all their tears into a small transparent bottle.
Just as he finished, a chaotic clamor of footsteps rang out. A swarm of pirates suddenly appeared from who-knew-where, quickly surrounding them. It was Blackbeard and his crew.
Blackbeard's greedy eyes locked onto the Fountain of Youth behind Wes, blazing with desire. He drew his flintlock and aimed it straight at Wes, speaking in a commanding tone: "Move. The Fountain is mine."
"You really don't understand basic courtesy, do you?" Wes stood his ground, unflinching despite the gun aimed at him.
"Bang!" Blackbeard wasted no time and pulled the trigger. The close-range gunshot rang out, deafeningly loud.
°°°
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