John wick in one piece

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The Eclipse sailed steadily through the open sea, its black hull cutting through the waves with ease. Amara had settled into her role as the ship's doctor surprisingly well. She spent most of her time organizing her supplies, setting up a small infirmary in one of the lower cabins, and tending to Lia's occasional scrapes and bruises from training.

Michael stood at the helm, his hands steady on the wheel as he navigated. The skies were clear, but a subtle tension hung in the air. He had learned to trust his instincts, and something about the calmness of the sea felt off.

"We're heading toward a storm, aren't we?" Amara said, walking up to the deck and leaning against the railing.

Michael nodded. "Probably. The wind's shifting, and the pressure's dropping."

Amara crossed her arms, watching the horizon. "How bad do you think it'll be?"

"Hard to say," Michael replied. "But the Eclipse is built for it. We'll manage."

Lia climbed up from below deck, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Storm? What kind of storm?"

"The kind that tests your ship and your crew," Michael said. "Go check the rigging. Make sure everything's secure."

Lia nodded and hurried off, her energy infectious even in the face of potential danger. Amara watched her go, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

"She's tougher than she looks," Amara said.

"She is," Michael agreed. "But storms don't care how tough you are. They'll break you if you're not ready."

Amara studied him for a moment, then nodded. "I'll prepare the infirmary. Just in case."

---

By late afternoon, the skies had darkened, and the first gusts of wind began to buffet the Eclipse. Michael barked orders to secure the sails and prepare for rough seas. Lia worked tirelessly alongside him, her small hands deftly tying knots and double-checking the lines. Amara stayed below deck, making sure everything was stowed and ready for the coming chaos.

The first waves hit just as the rain began to fall, the ship rocking violently as the sea churned beneath it. Michael gritted his teeth, his hands gripping the wheel tightly as he fought to keep the Eclipse on course.

"Hold steady!" he shouted over the roar of the wind. "Lia, get below deck!"

"But I can help!" she protested, clinging to the mast.

"You've done enough!" Michael said firmly. "Go!"

Reluctantly, Lia obeyed, disappearing below deck. Michael turned his focus back to the storm, his mind racing as he adjusted the sails and plotted their course. The wind howled like a living thing, tearing at the ship and sending sprays of saltwater across the deck.

Amara appeared briefly, her face set with determination. "Everything's ready below," she shouted. "Just keep us afloat."

Michael nodded, his jaw tight. "Working on it!"

The storm grew worse as night fell, the waves towering above the Eclipse before crashing down with bone-rattling force. The ship creaked and groaned under the strain, but its sturdy construction held. Michael's arms burned from the effort of holding the wheel steady, but he refused to let go.

---

Hours passed, and the storm showed no signs of letting up. The crew worked tirelessly to keep the ship afloat, each person playing their part. Amara moved quickly between tasks, checking on Lia and making sure nothing was out of place in the infirmary. Lia, though frustrated by her inability to help on deck, stayed focused on assisting Amara with anything she needed.

Finally, just as dawn began to break, the storm started to subside. The wind eased, and the waves grew smaller, though the sea still churned angrily beneath them. Michael stood at the helm, his body aching but his mind sharp.

"We're through it," he called out, his voice hoarse. "Good work, everyone."

Amara emerged from below deck, her hair damp but her expression calm. "I've seen worse," she said with a wry smile. "But not by much."

Lia climbed onto the deck, her eyes wide as she took in the damage. One of the sails was torn, and several ropes hung loose, but the Eclipse had weathered the storm better than Michael had dared to hope.

"We're okay?" Lia asked.

"We're okay," Michael said. "But we've got repairs to make. Let's get to work."

---

The next few days were spent repairing the damage and regrouping. Amara took charge of treating the blisters and sore muscles that everyone had earned during the storm, her steady hands and sharp eyes catching even the smallest injuries. Lia threw herself into helping with the repairs, her energy and enthusiasm a welcome boost to the crew's morale.

By the time the Eclipse was back in shape, the sea had calmed, and the skies were clear once more. Michael stood at the helm, watching the horizon as the ship sailed steadily forward. Amara joined him, leaning casually against the railing.

"You handled that storm well," she said. "Most people would've panicked."

"I didn't have the luxury," Michael replied. "Panicking gets people killed."

Amara nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "You've got a good crew. And a good ship. You'll do well in the Grand Line."

Michael glanced at her. "That sounds like you've already made up your mind."

Amara smirked. "Maybe I have. You're a stubborn bastard, but you know what you're doing. I've been looking for a crew that knows how to survive. Looks like I found one."

Michael extended a hand. "Then it's official?"

Amara took his hand, her grip firm. "It's official."

As the Eclipse sailed into the open sea, Michael allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction. The storm had tested them, but they had come through stronger. With Amara fully committed to the crew, they were one step closer to being ready for the Grand Line.

The journey ahead was still uncertain, but with the Eclipse beneath them and their growing team, Michael felt more confident than ever. Together, they would face whatever the seas had in store—and they would win.

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