The Author's Viewpoint

Tave stood on the deck as the ship began to move, slowly pulling away from the docks of Deadbay City. The wind carried the scent of salt and open waters, the rhythmic lapping of waves beneath the hull marking the true beginning of their sea voyage.

His first sea voyage, in fact.

He couldn't remember ever setting foot on a ship in his previous world. And this… this was far from the sleek, tech-heavy vessels of that world. This was something different. Here, the threats weren't just storms and swells. There were monsters beneath the surface, creatures no amount of steel plating could withstand.

Tave had found a quiet corner on the deck, settling into a calm spot near the rail, letting the wind sweep through his hair. That was when he sensed someone approaching from behind.

He turned and found Vanya walking toward him.

She picked up her pace as she neared. "Hi… I'm sorry I didn't greet you earlier, I was—"

"Come, sit," Tave cut in gently, patting the space beside him.

Vanya accepted the invitation, sitting close beside him, and for a while they both looked out over the vast, glittering expanse of the ocean. There was a kind of peace in the moment, the kind found only at the edge of the world, surrounded by nothing but sky and sea.

Soon after, a few forest elves appeared, likely the ship's stewards, bringing drinks and light snacks. They laid the refreshments between Tave and Vanya with practiced grace before stepping back to give them space.

Tave let himself relax, enjoying the rhythm of the ship, the distant cries of seabirds, and the simple company. They talked, lightly and without pressure. Yet even as he smiled, something lingered beneath the surface.

Ever since he had learned the truth, that Panpan was Vanya, something had shifted. Not in a bad way. But it had made everything more delicate. There was a strange sense of distance now, not because she was unfamiliar, but because he knew her too well.

He often caught himself skipping over questions. Avoiding topics. Not because they were uncomfortable, but because he already knew the answers. He knew more about Vanya, about Vensalor, than perhaps even she did.

And that made it hard to just… talk. To simply be.

Still, perhaps it was just in Tave's nature—he was never much of a talker, not with anyone. Even now, with the sea stretching endlessly before them and the atmosphere light, he found himself slipping into silence more than anything else.

Fortunately, Vanya had no trouble filling that space.

She carried the conversation with ease, often tossing out lighthearted comments and simple questions that gradually chipped away at Tave's initial stiffness. She laughed softly from time to time, effortlessly keeping things relaxed. And slowly, without even realizing it, Tave felt the tension start to lift.

After a while, he noticed Lily stepping quietly onto the deck, her eyes glancing toward them. But she hesitated. The moment she realized both he and Vanya were there, she turned to retreat. Tave, noticing the hesitation, called out to her gently.

"Lily."

She stopped and looked back, visibly unsure, before slowly walking over to them. There was a stiffness to her steps, the kind that came from someone overthinking every move.

Of course, Lily had been reacting strongly ever since she learned about the pact between him and Vanya. And now, being face to face with the crowned princess again, that discomfort was practically radiating off her.

But thankfully, Vanya handled it gracefully. With a warm smile and a welcoming tone, she invited Lily to join them.

And with that, the mood shifted once more.

Now it was Lily speaking more, finding her rhythm as she conversed with Vanya, the conversation drifting to stories about the kingdom, daily life, and other harmless topics. Tave leaned back slightly, letting their voices fill the air while he sat in companionable quiet.

Finally, he didn't have to talk. He could just… listen.

Honestly, this sea voyage was going to take time, quite a bit of it. For anyone unaccustomed to long travel, it was the kind of journey that could quickly turn monotonous. The options for entertainment were… limited. Staring endlessly into the ocean lost its charm rather quickly.

Thankfully, the food offered some distraction. The forest elves prepared the meals themselves, and while most of it was vegetarian, as expected, the combinations were surprisingly flavorful. Fresh fruits, spiced roots, and light herbal broths created a balance that was far more enjoyable than Tave had anticipated.

There were also meat options, likely as a courtesy for the two humans aboard, Tave and Lily. Some of the forest elves, particularly those who had traveled beyond their homeland, were more open to consuming meat as well, making the dining experience more inclusive.

As night fell, the ship's crew gathered in the central lounge of the vessel. It was a wide, wooden space, warm with lantern light and softened by sea-scented air. The elves brought out instruments, harps, flutes, and stringed things that Tave didn't recognize. The music they played had an ethereal quality, unfamiliar to his ears, yet oddly soothing.

Some of the elves danced, their movements elegant and fluid, weaving between the seated guests in graceful spirals. The rhythm was foreign, but the ambiance was undeniably relaxing.

Vanya seemed genuinely entertained, laughing softly and showing a spark of awe now and then at their performance. Though Tave knew this wasn't her first time seeing such displays. Still, she played the part of a charmed audience well.

Eventually, the evening wound down. Tave returned to his room, walking the quiet hall with Lily, whose cabin was right beside his. Nothing dramatic unfolded, just the steady lull of ship life and the comfort of knowing the seas were calm.

The voyage was far from over.

They hadn't even reached the deeper parts of the ocean yet. The real journey still lay ahead.

***

Just when Tave had hoped his lingering fears were nothing more than paranoia, the morning shattered any illusion of peace.

A loud, urgent knock rattled his cabin door.

"Tave, are you awake?" Lily's voice came from the other side.

He moved quickly and swung the door open.

Lily stood there, gripping the frame for balance. Her expression was stiff, focused. But underneath that calm surface, there was unease.

"The waves are getting stronger," she said.

Tave nodded. He understood immediately.

Rough waves weren't uncommon at sea, but this… this was more than rough. Even as they spoke, Lily had to brace herself against the wall to keep from stumbling.

Without another word, they rushed toward the deck—just as a piercing siren rang out through the ship. The sound cut through the hallway like a blade. Not a drill. This was real.

As they neared the upper deck, the ship lurched violently beneath their feet. Tave gritted his teeth, fighting to stay upright as the whole vessel groaned against the force of the waves. The wind howled, and the sharp slapping of water against wood echoed louder with every step.

When they finally reached the deck, the chaos was clear.

Forest elves were already there, gripping ropes, watching the sea with sharp eyes. Vellion stood at the front, his cloak whipping violently in the wind. Elowen was beside him.

Tave struggled forward, bracing himself as the ship rocked beneath him, threatening to throw him off his feet. He looked up toward the sky.

It should have been morning.

But the sky was heavy with thick, dark clouds, and thunder rolled overhead. The sea beneath them surged with towering waves, each one hammering the ship harder than the last.

"This is supposed to be normal?" Tave shouted over the wind.

Vellion turned, his face grim.

"No, Tave… these waves aren't normal."

And then, it got worse.

The waves grew more violent, heaving the ship with unnatural force, as though something deep beneath the ocean were pulling them in the wrong direction. Thunder cracked like a whip across the sky, and the dark clouds thickened with terrifying speed, swallowing the daylight whole.

This was no longer a storm. It was a force of chaos.

Tave gripped the railing tightly, trying to bury the panic rising in his chest. He didn't want to believe what his instincts were screaming at him. Not yet.

"Can't we turn back? Avoid going forward?" he demanded.

"No, Tave," Vellion replied firmly, eyes locked on the storm. "We've already lost control of the ship's direction. We can't steer it anymore. We have to endure."

Tave's expression darkened. "Where is Vanya?"

Even as he spoke, more forest elves were appearing, emerging from below deck. They took position along the edges of the vessel, quickly forming a defensive formation. And then, in a coordinated movement, a shimmering barrier flared into existence around the ship. A glowing shield that dimmed the scream of the storm just enough for them to breathe.

But even that didn't ease the madness outside.

The sea still churned with deadly intent.

"This is… a monster," Tave muttered, his throat dry. "Where's the Imperial Knight? Who's supposed to protect us?"

No one answered.

And then… he heard it.

A roar—so loud, so deep, it shook the ship itself. Not thunder, not wind. It was the sound of something alive. Something massive.

And from the far horizon, barely visible through the swirling rain and crashing waves, a colossal shadow began to rise. It surged upward from the sea, impossibly tall, like a mountain rising from the depths.

It loomed above the dark ocean, each movement dragging walls of water behind it. Even at that distance, it was clear. It could obliterate the ship with a single strike.

Tave stared, breath stolen from his chest.

"No way…" he whispered, dread pouring down his spine.