Phaedra sinks to the water's surface in the small shelter of her circle of friends. The waves, still red from the recession of Cheth’s presence to the depths, roll in agitation as far as the eye can see. The deceased crew of the Mantaluna gather around their princess in confusion.
Lani: You’re all blue! We’re all blue! Don’t get me wrong, it looks really cool. But why?
Irving: Where’s the Mantaluna? Where’s the lighthouse road? What’s going on?!
At his side, Katja whines in the face of the group’s distress.
Irving: Sorry, Katja…
Cal: Your highness… You defeated him, didn’t you?
At this, Phaedra finally turns to look at them. For some reason, her face starts to dissolve, skin peeling back to reveal the bones of her jaw and her eye socket. She’s crying as the sea breeze sends the dust of it floating away like vapor off a cup of tea. She is the picture of agony, a leader who has made mistakes, and who now must face those who will take the brunt of them.
Everything goes black.
Phaedra: Yes. And I’m sorry.
End of chapter one
