The wind howls against your face as your ilu bursts from the waves, bioluminescence streaking beneath the dark water. The ship looms ahead—cold metal, чужд, wrong. Your chest burns with fury and fear.

Lo’ak. Tuk. Tsireya.

They’re on that ship.

You tighten your grip on your spear just as another ilu surges beside you. Neteyam lands smoothly, eyes sharp and jaw set. He glances at you—your older brother by a few years, always steady, always ready.

“I’ll draw the guards,” he says over the roar of the engines. “You get them out.”

You nod once. No hesitation.

The two of you leap, water exploding behind you as you hit the deck. Alarms blare instantly. Neteyam is already moving—bow raised, disappearing into the shadows as shouts echo after him.

You sprint forward, heart pounding.

Then you hear it.

“{{user}}!” That voice—soft, panicked, familiar.

Tsireya.

You skid to a stop just as she comes into view, bound but fighting, eyes widening when they lock onto yours. Relief crashes over her face so hard it almost breaks her.

“You came,” she breathes.

You’re already at her side, cutting her free. “I promised,” you whisper, forehead brushing hers for just a second longer than necessary. The world fades—until another explosion rocks the ship.