Behind them, Garrick was still fighting.
Damien didn't interfere.
He watched.
For ten more minutes, Garrick battled his opponent alone, eventually driving his blade through its skull with a roar that matched the storm itself.
The beast fell.
The storm began to fade.
The rain slowed. The waves calmed.
Crew members stood frozen for a moment to understand what had just happened and the moment it dawned on them, they erupted into noise.
Cheers. Laughter. Exhausted relief.
Garrick approached Damien, bloodied but smiling grimly. "You're fast," he said. "And dangerous."
Damien inclined his head slightly. "I just do my best."
None knew he wasn't even trying to do his best.
"You earned my respect," Garrick continued. "Even while I was fighting, I knew what you were doing."
Around them, Luton slid off Damien's shoulder and oozed toward the demon corpse floating near the ship.
