"The majestic Empress of the Sea, Sovereign of the Golden Archipelago."
A lightning strike split the clouds in half over the Duskgloom Sea, illuminating the family of mysterious pirates.
The emperor, the treasure of the crew, the spotlight in the void — Erika.
"The pirate princess, the youngest daughter of Captain Marxist."
She was the opposite of the gothic wardrobe. Her demure style lingered elegantly. A glossy, pinkish skirt, butterfly corset, and exaggerated accessories from head to toe. Her shining hair flowed like Rapunzel's.
She whispered to herself,
"The emperor will become the Sea Sovereign of the Golden Archipelago."
Suddenly, she woke from her sleep.
"Captain! The tidal storms are slashing the black ship back and forth!"
A shadowed sailor shouted, clutching the rigging as waves battered the deck. Thunder rolled overhead. Lightning revealed the chaos of the Duskgloom Sea.
From the shadows appeared Zoe, Erika's sister — an evil witch with a gothic, elegant style. Her long black coat billowed in the stormy wind. Lace and velvet glinted under flashes of lightning. In her hand, a pet crow perched. Its sharp eyes observed everything, intelligent and calculating, like a tiny bookish strategist.
Zoe's lips curled into a cruel smile. She advanced silently behind Erika. Her voice was smooth, manipulative, and dripping with English elegance.
"Do you truly think you can rule, little sister? Power is not given — it is seized. And I… will see you fail."
Before Erika could react, Zoe shoved her backward. The deck tilted dangerously. Waves crashed over the rails. Erika's scream was lost to the wind and thunder as she tumbled overboard, swallowed instantly by the stormy sea.
The crow cawed sharply, flapping its wings as if celebrating its mistress's wicked plan.
Alone in the violent waters, Erika's fingers closed instinctively around the family heirloom necklace, passed down from generation to generation. Still dark, still silent, it was her only tether to hope. She remembered her father's words:
"This will guide you when the time comes, Erika. Your destiny awaits."
The waves tossed her like driftwood, until finally, she washed ashore on a small, mysterious island, exhausted, shivering, and drenched. Her skirt clung to her legs, her corset heavy and damp, but the necklace pulsed faintly — a quiet promise of power yet to awaken.
For thirty long days, Erika explored the island. She wandered the rocky shorelines, tangled forests, and hidden caves. She scavenged for food. She rested when she could. She held the necklace close, whispering her fears and hopes. Every night she stared at the endless horizon, wondering if her destiny would ever awaken.
Then, on the thirtieth day, as the sun dipped below the horizon in a blaze of gold and crimson, Erika pressed her hand to the gem in desperation. Suddenly, it exploded into radiant light, warm and powerful, illuminating the island around her.
From the sand before her, a magnificent golden ship appeared, shimmering as if woven from sunlight and sea foam. Its sails were glossy pink with delicate butterfly patterns, mirroring Erika's outfit. The ship was sleek, lightning-fast, elegant, and alive, as if it had been made for her.
Beside the ship lay a treasure chest, glowing faintly. Erika opened it and discovered a magical map, etched with glowing lines tracing the thirty islands of the Golden Archipelago. The map pulsed in response to the necklace, showing her first destination: Royal Novelty, a noble island said to hold secrets of the archipelago's royal lineage.
Erika climbed aboard the ship. Her hands were firm on the helm. The wind caught the sails as if welcoming her. The waves seemed to part before the vessel. The necklace pulsed with purpose. The map glowed softly, guiding her across the sea.
"This is it," she whispered, her voice steady and determined.
"The journey begins… my first navigation, my first step toward becoming the Sea Sovereign of the Golden Archipelago."
Above, a crow cawed in the distance — a reminder that Zoe's eyes were still watching, plotting, scheming.
But Erika was no longer just a girl tossed by fate. She was the captain of a magical ship, heir to generations of power. Her adventure across the thirty islands had officially begun.