Tyler Esparza

Even Fire Dies

I can still hear the shrieks of my friends and family as they were slaughtered all
around me. I was sitting in my room, counting the rocks I had collected that day when I
heard a scream. I looked outside to find that pirates had invaded our village. My mind
ordered me to rush inside, but as I opened the door I froze. There was naught I could do but
stay frozen as the pirates threatened and killed my mother. My father tried to stop them but
he was promptly murdered as well. They grabbed what was valuable and ran out through
the hole they had made in the wall just moments ago. My father was still breathing and I ran
to his side. His last words to me are still as crystal clear as the horizon is today; Dont be
sorry for us. Look to the future Zach. As he died in my arms a single pirate burst through
the door. The elderly pirate was empathetic and spared me so as to take me under his wing.
As we sailed into the night I looked back at my village. The only hut left standing was mine,
and I knew someday I would come back for it. As my eyes shut and I drifted off to sleep, I
dreamed of that glorious moment.
Its been 17 years since the day that my village was raided. I now command my own
ship. I am Zach Swift, most feared pirate on the seven seas. There are few who would dare
to challenge my authority, and fewer still who live to tell the tales. As powerful as I have
become I regret my inaction in my village. My mentor, Tydus, must have seen me brooding,
because he reminded me of an important lesson he taught me the day he saved me.
Revenge is not legitimate cause for anger, Zach. That is not what your parents would have
wanted.
I know old man, but I cannot forgive myself for not trying to save my parents. I
told him. I dont think he cares. I believe a storm may be coming our way as well. Powerful
as I may be a storm at this point could end me. This conversation has left me feeling awful,
but I realized this was my chance to return to my village at last. I had to figure out a way to
get past Tydus urge to protect me. Under normal circumstances he would never allow it,
but this storm provided the perfect excuse.
We must dock soon. The boat hasnt been repaired since our last battle and the
storm is coming. The closest port is my home town, but we must sail through the storm. If
we reach the eye we shouldnt take too much damage. I warned Tydus.
If that is what must be done then lets set a course for Erat. Tydus said worriedly.
We started off at full speed towards Erat, but we were soon ensnared by the storm.
Half the crew was thrown overboard and we were unable to save them. It took a day to
reach the eye of the storm, and the ship was already ripped to shreds. We had yet another
half of the storm to get through once we passed the eye. Most of the crew took to praying
for their lives, but Tydus and I stayed strong. We braced ourselves as we entered the other
side of the storm. We narrowly avoided being hit by lightning and the hull had sprung
multiple leaks. A large portion of the starboard bow was missing and wed lost a sail.
At this rate we wont make it through the storm alive! We have to take some drastic
measures if we want to have any hope! I shouted over the maelstrom, Everyone into the
rafts. Ill be last off! Ill keep her together as long as I can! As soon as everyone was in the
rafts I untied them, setting them loose to tread in the eye. I pushed forward with the Grey

Flame into the other side of the storm, but the ship was virtually screaming for me to stop.
As I continued I noticed the wind was growing stronger. A gust more powerful than any of
the others hit suddenly and knocked me to the floor. I managed to scramble to my feet just
before a second gust, stronger than the last, hit the boat. A third gust struck and I was
thrown overboard. I managed to grab onto a stray piece of wood before I was swallowed
whole by a whirlpool double the size of the boat. Narrowly escaping the clutches of death I
came up for air. I looked around but couldnt find any signs of the crew nor the boat. Just
then I saw a shadow approaching fast, and in an instant I was knocked out. I awoke back on
the Grey Flame with Tydus standing over me, looking extremely relieved. I could barely
make out his face with the sun behind him. I was still groggy, having just awoken, but it
suddenly hit me; the sun was behind him. We had made it out of the storm alive, if only
barely.
How did you do it? I exclaimed, How did you make it out Tydus? Last I saw you
were stranded in the eye and the Grey Flame was being torn apart by the storm!
We managed to paddle the raft with a plank we found floating in the water, and
came upon the ship not moments after passing the edge of the eye. She was being pulled in
by a monstrous whirlpool, and we moved swiftly to her to pull her out. Once we had
escaped the whirlpools grip we saw what looked like a man surfacing from the edge of it.
He was hit by a barrel that had been picked up by the storm, and we rushed the boat over to
save him. Once he was aboard we realized it was you. The ship was torn to shreds, but we
were able to get past the storm into calm waters not an hour ago. We were worried that
barrel had finished you Zach. Im relieved to see youre ok. Tydus explained, exasperated.
Thats great to hear, but where are we now? I queried, Surely weve still got at
least a days journey ahead until we reach our destination.
Not quite Zach. Look just over there. Do you see anything familiar? Asked Tydus.
I...Its Erat! I never thought Id see it again! It looks just as it did all those years ago!
I proclaimed.
Yes Erat is truly a beautiful ci- Tydus began, but was cut short by a loud bang. At
first I thought we were under fire from an enemy ship, but then I realized that the explosion
had come from Erat. The smoke rose and the fire began to spread rapidly.
No! Its not true! Ill kill the scum who set off that explosion! Quickly bring the ship
to full speed. We need to get to Erat fast. I declared. We reached the shore and I leaped
from the ship, injuring my foot on touchdown. I ignored my injury and sprinted straight to
my old house. To my shock and agony I saw that the explosion had been set off from inside.
The flames licked the two burial mounds just outside the house, and I realized they
belonged to my parents. I sat there in awe, trying to come to terms with what I was seeing.
At that moment I saw five men running away from the house. A few were burned and one
was holding a flaming torch. Sherlock Holmes wouldnt have been able to solve this riddle
quicker.
Get back here you dogs! How dare you burn my house! I shouted to them. They
turned for a fraction of a second and then continued to sprint away. I caught up to them in
a matter of seconds, the testosterone pumping wildly through my system propelling me
forward. In an instant I had slashed open two of the men's faces. They fell to the ground
grasping at the shredded remains of their disgusting heads. The other two began to run off,
but just then they fell to the floor. The blood pooled around them, oozing out of the holes Id

put in their chests. As I tossed my pistol to the ground I felt a sharp pain in my leg. I looked
down to find a sword stuck through my thigh. I turned to find a bandit with a look so smug
he almost radiated arrogance. He had tricked me by hiding behind a large rock. I had
forgotten all about him in the heat of the moment. He pulled the sword from my thigh and I
immediately struck out with my own blade. I missed and he stabbed my arm. The pain didnt
bother me much, but the shame from having been outsmarted by this bandit cut deeper
than his sword ever could. I fell to the floor as my vision began to blur. I heard shouting and
rapid footsteps coming in our direction. The bandit slashed my stomach open just before
running off. Tydus appeared as I took what would be the final few breaths of my life.
We can still save you. Tydus said in between sobs.
You truly are an old fool if you believe I can be saved in this condition. I will die
here my friend. I have one final wish though; take me to my parents graves. I would like to
die with them. I announced. He picked me up, and we began our final march together. We
were a few steps away, but we werent quite able to make it. I died in his arms just before
we got to the graves of my mother and father. I choked out these dying words:
Dont be sorry for me. Look to the future Tydus. The last thing I saw was Tydus
crying madly, swearing he would get revenge. I smiled with the last of my energy and
passed on. I saw my parents standing in front of me with outstretched arms. Theyd been
waiting here for me a long, long while.