The island was a jagged slice of rock thrust from the ocean, its cliffs lined with trees bent by salt-laden winds. Selene stood at its edge, where waves lashed violently against the shore.

Her dark coat fluttered, streaked with shimmering gold as the dying sunlight caught the liquid-like patterns that adorned it. She tightened her grip on the brim of her wide hat, her freckled face calm but alert, her storm-gray eyes fixed on the horizon where her ship, The Veiled Siren, rocked gently in the bay.

Behind her, footsteps crunched against the pebbled shore. Selene didn’t turn as her quartermaster approached, their silhouette barely visible in the fading light.

"Strange place for reflection, Captain," they said, their voice low and steady. "What are you thinking?"

Selene tilted her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "About how many fools have claimed these waters as their own, only to be forgotten." She glanced over her shoulder at them, her voice soft but laden with weight. "And how we’re not far from joining them."

The quartermaster’s jaw tightened, but they nodded. “The crew’s nervous about the plan. Risking the tides this close to the Kraken’s Reach…” They trailed off, letting the unspoken question hang in the salty air.

Selene turned fully to face them, her expression unreadable. “Risk is the language of the sea. If you’re afraid of it, you’ve already lost.” Her voice dropped. “Tell them we sail at dawn.”