The island was quiet.
Not the unnatural silence from before—
But something heavier.
Final.
The waves moved gently against the shore, as if nothing had happened. As if the battle… the destruction… the realization… had all been washed away.
But Thalren knew better.
He stood near the edge of the water, a small wooden boat resting behind him.
For six years… this island had been his entire world.
Training.
Fighting.
Learning.
Failing.
Growing.
And now—
He was leaving it behind.
"…You've already decided."
Kael's voice came from behind.
Thalren didn't turn immediately.
His eyes stayed on the horizon.
"Yes."
A short answer.
Clear.
Certain.
Kael stepped closer, stopping beside him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The wind passed between them.
The same sea that had once felt endless…
Now felt like a path.
"…If you stay here," Kael said quietly, "you'll never reach the depths."
Thalren nodded.
"I know."
His hand tightened slightly.
"They came because of me."
Kael didn't deny it.
"The sea has started noticing you."
The words carried weight.
But this time—
They didn't shake him.
Thalren turned his head slightly.
"…Then I'll make sure it never forgets."
A faint pause followed.
Not surprise.
Not doubt.
Just acknowledgment.
Kael looked at him.
The boy he had trained for years…
Was no longer just a student.
"…The world out there isn't like this place," Kael said.
"No one will guide you."
"No one will hold back."
Thalren faced forward again.
"That's fine."
Silence.
Then—
Kael spoke once more.
"…What will you do?"
The question lingered in the air.
Simple.
But heavy.
Thalren took a step forward.
The water touched his feet.
Cold.
Real.
He looked at the endless horizon.
Then—
He spoke.
«"Next time I stand before the sea…"
"…it won't be judging me."»
The wind rose slightly.
The waves answered.
Then, after a brief pause—
«"The sea didn't choose me…"
"…I chose to conquer it."»
The words settled into the air.
Heavy.
Unshaken.
Final.
Kael closed his eyes for a moment.
Not in sadness.
But in understanding.
"…Then don't die before that."
Thalren let out a quiet breath.
"…I don't have the right to die yet."
A faint shift in the air followed.
Not emotion.
Not weakness.
Just resolve.
---
He stepped into the boat.
No hesitation.
No looking back.
The rope was untied.
The current slowly began to pull him away from the shore.
Kael stood where he was.
Watching.
Not calling out.
Not stopping him.
Because this—
Was how it was meant to be.
Thalren sat in silence as the island grew smaller behind him.
The only place he had known.
The only place he had called home.
Gone.
Ahead of him—
Only the sea.
Endless.
Unforgiving.
Unknown.
The wind picked up.
The waves grew stronger.
But his gaze didn't waver.
Not once.
---
Far in the distance…
Something moved beneath the surface.
Watching.
Waiting.
The same presence from before.
The same golden eyes.
Hidden in the depths.
But this time—
They did not rise.
They did not speak.
They simply observed.
Because now—
The boy was no longer standing at the shore.
He had stepped into their world.
---
And the sea…
Had accepted his answer.