The sea was still glowing.
No blinding light, no thunder anymore – just a steady pulsing, as if the world were breathing.
Lina stood barefoot on the beach, her feet in the damp sand, the wind carrying both salt and light.
Each time the wave struck her ankles, she felt the rhythm – not foreign, but familiar.
It was as if the ocean had adopted a new heartbeat – hers.
Gravel crunched behind her.
Alaric approached, his jacket half open, water still dripping from his hair.
He seemed calm, but his gaze searched for her – uncertain, questioning.
"You were quiet out there for a long time," he said.
"I was listening."
"To whom?"
"To what we left behind."
"And? What does it say?"
"That it's waiting."
He stood beside her. The light from the waves glided over his skin – golden, then silver, then human again.
He stretched out his hand, letting the water run over his fingers. "It sounds almost... peaceful."
"Peace is always the loudest thing before the storm," she murmured.
