The sea changed before the land appeared.
---
The water darkened.
---
Not by shadow.
---
Not by depth.
---
By something else.
---
Something that made the surface feel… heavier.
---
The wind slowed.
---
Even the sails moved less.
---
Rovan's eyes stayed fixed ahead.
---
"…We're close."
---
Thalren stood near the edge.
---
Silent.
---
Watching.
---
The sheath pulsed once.
---
Then went still.
---
"…It stopped," Rovan muttered.
---
A pause.
---
"…That's worse."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
---
Land.
---
Faint at first.
---
Dark shapes on the horizon.
---
Jagged.
---
Uneven.
---
As the ship moved closer—
---
The shapes became clearer.
---
Islands.
---
But not normal ones.
---
Black rock formations rose sharply from the sea.
---
Like broken blades.
---
No greenery.
---
No calm shorelines.
---
Just rough edges and narrow entry points.
---
"…Black Tide Archipelago," Rovan said quietly.
---
No pride in his voice.
---
Only caution.
---
The ship slowed as it approached a narrow passage between two massive rock formations.
---
The water here was darker.
---
Still.
---
Too still.
---
No small fish.
---
No movement.
---
Even the sound of waves felt distant.
---
The ship entered.
---
And for a moment—
---
It felt like crossing into another world.
---
Inside—
---
There was life.
---
But not peaceful.
---
Ships.
---
Several of them.
---
Docked unevenly along a crude port built from wood and stone.
---
Some damaged.
---
Some barely holding together.
---
Men moved across the docks.
---
Rough.
---
Armed.
---
Watching everything.
---
The moment Thalren's ship entered—
---
Eyes turned.
---
Whispers followed.
---
"…New ones."
---
"…Another ship?"
---
"…They came here willingly?"
---
Low laughter.
---
Not friendly.
---
Rovan clicked his tongue.
---
"…Stay alert."
---
Thalren stepped forward.
---
Calm.
---
Unbothered.
---
The ship docked roughly.
---
Wood hitting wood with a heavy sound.
---
No one came to welcome them.
---
No one offered help.
---
Only stares.
---
Judging.
---
Measuring.
---
Thalren stepped onto the dock.
---
The moment his foot touched—
---
The atmosphere shifted.
---
Not for everyone.
---
But for some.
---
A few men narrowed their eyes.
---
"…That kid…"
---
"…Something's off."
---
Thalren ignored them.
---
His gaze moved across the port.
---
Weapons.
---
Injured men.
---
Tension everywhere.
---
This wasn't a place for trade.
---
It was a place for survival.
---
Rovan stepped beside him.
---
"…Don't wander too far."
---
"…This place isn't forgiving."
---
Thalren didn't answer.
---
He was already walking.
---
Deeper into the port.
---
The ground was uneven.
---
Wet.
---
Darkened by something more than water.
---
Voices filled the air.
---
Arguments.
---
Deals.
---
Warnings.
---
"…You saw it?"
---
"…Yeah… that thing…"
---
"…Not normal…"
---
Thalren's steps slowed slightly.
---
He listened.
---
Two men stood nearby.
---
Low voices.
---
Tense.
---
"…That wasn't a beast," one said.
---
"…Then what was it?"
---
A pause.
---
The man hesitated.
---
Then—
---
"…A Calamity."
---
Silence.
---
The word hung in the air.
---
Heavy.
---
Unfamiliar.
---
But dangerous.
---
"…You're sure?"
---
"…I've seen one before."
---
"…That feeling… it's the same."
---
Thalren's eyes sharpened slightly.
---
Calamity.
---
A name.
---
Not an explanation.
---
But enough.
---
The men noticed him.
---
Their conversation stopped.
---
"…What are you looking at?"
---
One stepped forward.
---
Aggressive.
---
Thalren didn't respond.
---
Didn't stop.
---
He walked past them.
---
Like they weren't there.
---
The man's expression twisted.
---
"…You ignoring me?"
---
A hand reached out—
---
To grab him.
---
It didn't land.
---
Thalren moved.
---
A slight shift.
---
The hand missed.
---
Before the man could react—
---
Thalren's foot moved.
---
A precise strike.
---
Not full force.
---
But enough.
---
The man stumbled back—
---
Crashing into a wooden post.
---
The area fell silent.
---
Eyes turned.
---
Watching.
---
Measuring again.
---
This time—
---
More carefully.
---
The second man stepped back.
---
Not attacking.
---
Understanding.
---
"…Tch…"
---
"…Not worth it."
---
They left.
---
Just like that.
---
The tension remained.
---
But no one moved.
---
Not anymore.
---
Rovan walked up behind him.
---
"…You just got everyone's attention."
---
A pause.
---
"…Good or bad… we'll see."
---
Thalren didn't reply.
---
His gaze moved forward.
---
Deeper into the island.
---
Past the docks.
---
Toward the inner area.
---
Where the air felt heavier.
---
Different.
---
The sheath pulsed again.
---
Stronger this time.
---
"…Closer…"
---
The voice whispered.
---
Thalren's eyes narrowed slightly.
---
Something was here.
---
Not far.
---
Waiting.
---
Rovan noticed his direction.
---
"…Don't tell me…"
---
A pause.
---
"…you're going further in."
---
No answer.
---
Thalren stepped forward.
---
That was enough.
---
Rovan sighed.
---
"…Of course you are."
---
The port behind them continued its noise.
---
But ahead—
---
There was silence.
---
Deep.
---
Unnatural.
---
And somewhere within that silence—
---
Something moved.
---
Not like a beast.
---
Not like before.
---
Something—
---
Stronger.
---
Waiting for them to come closer.