The sea was louder today.
---
Waves crashed harder against the docks.
Wind carried a sharper edge.
---
Something had shifted.
---
Not visibly.
---
But enough to be felt.
---
Thalren stood at the edge of the port.
---
Looking out.
---
The horizon stretched endlessly.
---
Calm—
From a distance.
---
But he knew better now.
---
"…Closer…"
---
The word echoed faintly in his mind.
---
Not a memory.
---
Not a thought.
---
Something else.
---
His hand rested lightly on the black sheath.
---
It didn't pulse this time.
---
But it wasn't silent either.
---
It felt…
Aware.
---
"…Then I move first."
---
A quiet decision.
---
Not dramatic.
---
Not emotional.
---
Final.
---
Behind him—
Footsteps approached.
---
Slower this time.
---
Measured.
---
"…You're planning to leave."
---
Thalren didn't turn.
---
"…Yes."
---
The hunters stopped a few steps behind him.
---
"…You just arrived."
---
"…And?"
---
A brief pause.
---
"…Most people would stay low."
---
"…I'm not most people."
---
Silence.
---
The leader exhaled lightly.
---
"…No. You're not."
---
A moment passed.
---
"…Where will you go?"
---
Thalren's eyes remained on the sea.
---
"…Forward."
---
The answer came without hesitation.
---
The hunters exchanged a look.
---
"…That's not a direction."
---
"…It's enough."
---
Another pause.
---
The wind picked up slightly.
---
"…You don't even know what you're chasing," one of them said.
---
"…I don't need to."
---
"…You do."
---
A brief silence.
---
The leader stepped forward slightly.
---
"…What you felt yesterday…"
---
A pause.
---
"…That wasn't just the sword."
---
Thalren didn't respond.
---
"…That was something deeper."
---
"…I know."
---
The answer was immediate.
---
Calm.
---
Certain.
---
The hunters went quiet.
---
"…Then you understand the risk."
---
"…No."
---
A pause.
---
"…I understand enough."
---
Silence lingered.
---
The leader studied him.
---
Long.
---
Carefully.
---
"…Then at least hear this."
---
A slight shift in tone.
---
"…Beyond this port…"
---
He gestured toward the sea.
---
"…There are zones."
---
"…Different waters."
---
"…Different rules."
---
Thalren listened.
---
"…Hunters are divided for a reason."
---
"…City patrol…"
---
"…Sea hunters…"
---
"…And those who don't belong anywhere."
---
A brief pause.
---
"…The deeper you go…"
---
"…the less rules matter."
---
The wind grew stronger.
---
"…And the things you face…"
---
A pause.
---
"…won't be like what you've seen here."
---
Silence.
---
Thalren's gaze didn't waver.
---
"…Good."
---
The answer was simple.
---
The second hunter frowned slightly.
---
"…You don't hesitate at all."
---
"…There's no reason to."
---
"…There is," the leader said quietly.
---
A pause.
---
"…Survival."
---
Silence.
---
Thalren finally turned.
---
Their eyes met.
---
"…I won't die."
---
The words were calm.
---
But absolute.
---
"…I made a promise."
---
The wind passed between them.
---
The hunters didn't ask.
---
Didn't interrupt.
---
They could feel it.
---
That wasn't confidence.
---
That wasn't arrogance.
---
That was something else.
---
A decision already made.
---
The leader exhaled slowly.
---
"…Then you'll need a way out."
---
A pause.
---
"…Ships here won't take you far."
---
Thalren said nothing.
---
"…Most routes are controlled."
---
"…And the ones that aren't…"
---
A slight pause.
---
"…are dangerous for a reason."
---
Silence.
---
"…There's one option," the leader continued.
---
"…An old route."
---
"…Not used much anymore."
---
Thalren's eyes shifted slightly.
---
"…Where?"
---
The hunters noticed.
---
He asked.
---
For the first time.
---
The leader pointed toward the far end of the docks.
---
"…North side."
---
"…There's a man there."
---
"…Doesn't follow rules."
---
"…Takes risks."
---
A brief pause.
---
"…If anyone can take you beyond this zone…"
---
"…it's him."
---
Silence.
---
Thalren turned.
---
"…That's enough."
---
No thanks.
---
No hesitation.
---
He started walking.
---
The hunters watched him go.
---
"…We just helped him," one muttered.
---
"…We didn't have a choice," the leader replied.
---
A pause.
---
"…If he goes out there without direction…"
---
"…he dies."
---
Silence.
---
"…Or worse."
---
Their gaze remained fixed on his back.
---
"…And if he survives?" another asked.
---
The leader didn't answer immediately.
---
Then—
Quietly—
---
"…Then everything changes."
---
Far ahead—
Thalren reached the northern docks.
---
Quieter.
---
Less maintained.
---
Fewer people.
---
Different atmosphere.
---
Not safe.
---
Not welcoming.
---
But real.
---
Ships here weren't polished.
---
They were worn.
---
Used.
---
Survivors.
---
His steps slowed.
---
Scanning.
---
Observing.
---
Then—
He saw it.
---
A smaller vessel.
---
Not large.
---
But steady.
---
And beside it—
A man.
---
Older.
---
Rough.
---
Eyes sharp despite age.
---
He noticed Thalren immediately.
---
"…You're lost."
---
Thalren stopped.
---
"…No."
---
A brief pause.
---
"…Then you're stupid."
---
Silence.
---
The man looked at him more carefully.
---
His gaze shifted to the sword.
---
Then back.
---
"…Ah."
---
A quiet understanding.
---
"…You're that kid."
---
No reaction.
---
"…Figures."
---
The man crossed his arms.
---
"…And?"
---
Thalren stepped forward.
---
"…I need a way out."
---
A short laugh.
---
"…Of course you do."
---
A pause.
---
"…Everyone does."
---
The wind picked up again.
---
"…Question is…"
---
The man's eyes narrowed slightly.
---
"…can you survive it?"
---
Silence.
---
Thalren didn't answer.
---
Didn't need to.
---
The man studied him for a moment longer.
---
Then—
A slight grin formed.
---
"…Hah…"
---
"…Fine."
---
A pause.
---
"…I'll take you."
---
The air stilled for a moment.
---
"…But don't blame me if you die."
---
Silence.
---
Thalren stepped closer.
---
"…I won't."
---
The man chuckled again.
---
"…Good."
---
He turned toward the ship.
---
"…Then get on."
---
No hesitation.
---
Thalren moved.
---
Step by step—
---
Toward the vessel.
---
Toward the sea.
---
Toward something unknown.
---
Behind him—
The city remained.
---
Ahead—
Only depth.
---
And far below—
Something waited.
---
This time—
Not distant.
---
Not sleeping.
---
Watching.
---
For his arrival.