The sea was no longer a surface—it breathed.
Waves arched like ribcages, rising and falling to the rhythm of an invisible heart.
Each time it beat, the horizon flickered in silver and gold.
Rhea stood at the edge of the steep coast, her hands on the terminal. "The signal is coming from at least four depth levels. It's moving... as if something is rising."
Lina swallowed. "How soon?"
"If it continues like this—it will reach the surface by tomorrow morning."
Eiko lifted her head from the measuring device. "Or it pulls us down before it gets here."
Alaric stepped between them. The light from the fire lantern shone across his face, which now appeared almost pale, as if the gold beneath his skin had vanished.
"We need to find out if it's her—or something new."
"Something new?" asked Rhea.
"Something born from us," he said quietly.
Lina felt coldness creeping into her bones. "You talk as if you're part of it."
"Maybe I am."
"No." She grabbed his hand. "You're here."
