Jak crouched on the deck, miserable, as wind and waves battered the ship. Sailors struggled about their duties, attempting to save the ship from the storm. He could hear the captains voice in faint snatches through the roar of the wind.

''Cursed... drown us all..."

The thud of booted feet sounded nearby and he glanced up to see Caelris, striding the length of the ship, a determined glare on his angular features. Sensing that the strange warrior had something in mind, he pulled himself to his feet, staggering along in the elf's wake.

Caelris made his way to the prow, his steps steady, seemingly impervious to the fury of the weather. Planting himself before the mast he thrust his sword into the deck, bracing himself against the hilt.

"Aleanas!" he roared, "Hear me  Goddess!"

The wind increased in fury as if seeking to blow him from the deck, his words carried away as they left his lips.

"you may sink this ship, Aleanas, and drown every soul on board but I am not so easily slain. I shall find my way to land and not one of your worshippers will escape my vengeance. Each one will die, their blood shed far from even the smallest of puddles!"

The storm seemed to hold its breath, sudden calm enveloping them. Strained ropes fell slack, airborne water cascading down. Before Caelris, a figure appeared, female in shape yet seemingly formed of water. Her hair swirled like breaking waves and her voice carried the soft sussuration of the surf.

"You dare?" she hissed.

Caelris returned her glare, his eyes blazing fury.

"Set yourself against me, goddess, and I will see you destroyed."

"I have no choice!" she cried, her voice the roar of thunder, wind whipping around her. Jak dropped to the deck, clinging desperately to the planks, the gale pulling at his body. Caelris pulled his sword free, the blade sweeping at the goddess' throat even as the wind sought to sweep him away. The blow was weak, skittering away from chain links. Aleanas flinched away, the wind dying as she sank to the deck. Caelris strode forward , his hand gripping the chain as he dragged her to her feet.

"You are chained, goddess?" his voice low.

"His followers have grown powerful," she whispered, "they dare much that would have been  unthinkable before."

With an expression  of disgust, he released  the chain, throwing  the goddess to the deck.

"This is why you oppose me?"

Aleanas' head dipped in a brief nod.

The great curved blade swept into the air, arcing down towards the prone goddess. The whistle  as it cleaved the air caused  her to flinch, cowering on the deck. A loud crack sounded as it struck, a release of power pressing  Jak against the boards to which he clung. When he raised his head, he saw the goddess standing once more, fury twisting her features.

"You cut me!" She screamed, her voice the howling fury of a gale.

Caelris nodded, a wry smile on his features.

"A small price to pay for freedom."

The goddess stared at him for a time before looking away.

"your sword earns another title,Deathless one. The breaker of chains. I will hinder you no more."

Aleanas disappeared, a fall of water splashing to the deck. After a few moments the skies began to clear, the wind falling to a gentle breeze. Caelris  turned on his heel, striding the length of the ship. Jak scrambled to catch up with him, a thousand questions crowding his mind.

"Deathless one?" he called, "what did she mean by that?"

"Nothing that matters to you," the elf answered sharply.

"But.."

His words trailed off as the elf turned to glare at him.

"your sword has titles?" he asked, trying a different tack.

"Four now."

"What are they?"

"In full? This blade is known as Kal-Taesha; slayer of innocents, reaper of souls, bane of daemons, breaker of chains."

he paused at the door leading below decks.

"Leave me." He said.

Then he was through, the door swinging closed behind him.