Horrific Shorts: Zombie Edition

Captain Dorian Black stood motionless at the edge of the rocky shore, his dark silhouette outlined by the flickering flames that consumed his beloved ship, the *Black Vulture*. The towering masts crackled as the fire devoured the sails, sending embers soaring into the night sky. The sea itself seemed ablaze as the fiery reflection danced across the water’s surface.

Every wave that crashed against the rocks brought with it the echo of destruction. Find adventures at empire

For years, the *Black Vulture* had been the terror of the seas. Dorian’s reputation as a ruthless pirate had spread across every coastal town, and his crew had plundered merchant ships from the Eastern Archipelagos to the frozen Northern Isles. But now, as he watched his ship burn, he knew the end had come.

It wasn’t just a ship, it was a symbol of freedom, of defiance against the crown and the shackles of society. He had built it with his own hands, gathered a crew of outcasts and rebels, and sailed into the unknown. Together, they had carved their own path, beholden to no man.

But tonight, fate had other plans.

The ambush had been swift, precise. The Royal Navy had finally caught up to him. Dorian had expected a fight—he always did. But what he hadn’t counted on was betrayal. The memory stung sharper than any wound. One of his own men, bribed by the promise of gold and a pardon, had led them into the trap.

Before Dorian could even sound the alarm, cannons from three warships had opened fire on the *Black Vulture*, ripping her apart in a hail of iron and flame.

Now, she was a burning wreck.

As the flames climbed higher, consuming the ship’s heart, Dorian felt a deep ache in his chest. The sea breeze, once a comforting companion, now felt cold and biting against his skin. His crew—those who hadn’t perished in the initial attack—were either captured or scattered to the wind. His empire, built from the bones of a thousand conquests, had crumbled in a single night.

But Captain Dorian Black was not a man who surrendered easily.

He unsheathed his cutlass, the steel glinting in the firelight. The blade had seen countless battles, stained with the blood of those who dared challenge him. But this time, it wasn’t vengeance that burned in his veins—it was something far darker.

In the distance, the shadows of the Royal Navy ships loomed, watching their victory from afar. They thought the mighty Captain Black was finished. But they had underestimated him, as so many had before. Dorian turned his back to the flames and began walking toward the cliffs that overlooked the sea.

The *Black Vulture* may be gone, but Dorian’s legacy would not die here. Somewhere, beyond the horizon, another ship awaited him. Another chance to strike fear into the hearts of men. And as long as he drew breath, the sea would never be rid of Captain Dorian Black. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

With a final glance at the inferno, he disappeared into the night, the fire in his heart burning brighter than ever.