As I returned to my cabin, I finally took the time to examine my surroundings properly. The room was as bare as it could be—just a simple bed, a plain wooden table, and a single chair. No decorations, no personal touches. On the table lay a yellow book, its cover slightly worn from handling. I picked it up and skimmed through the pages; it contained the rules and regulations that all passengers were expected to follow while aboard the Leviathan.
"Well, I don't have to worry too much about most of these," I muttered to myself. "As long as I keep my blindfold on, a lot of trouble won't concern me."
Setting the book back down, I decided to explore the ship. The halls were filled with the rhythmic sounds of boots on metal flooring, orders being shouted, and the occasional hum of Awakened discussing their missions in hushed tones. It was a well-maintained machine of war, and every cog in the system had a role to play.
After some time, I found myself at the ship's front deck, where a lone figure stood. The moment I sensed his presence, something inside me stirred. That familiar resonance—one I had felt before. The same feeling that had struck me when I reunited with the Forgotten Shore survivors, and again when I first met Lirian. Only this time, it was far stronger.
I already knew who it was before I even got close.
"Master Gunlaug," I called out, a smirk forming on my lips. "How lucky I must be to find myself on the same ship as the legendary Golden Serpent."
Gunlaug turned at the sound of my voice, his eyes widening in recognition. For a split second, surprise flickered across his face before he straightened up and saluted sharply.
"My Liege!" he said, his voice ringing with conviction.
I rolled my eyes and let out a short laugh. "The hell are you doing? We're both Ascended now. Greet me like a man."
Extending my arm, I watched as he hesitated for a brief moment before shaking my hand firmly. As soon as we made contact, the brightest kneeling figure within my soul sea reacted violently to his presence. My suspicions were confirmed.
"I see," I murmured, more to myself than to him.
Gunlaug raised an eyebrow. "See what?"
"Don't worry about it," I said with a dismissive wave. "I heard you were the first among the Forgotten Shore survivors to complete your Second Nightmare."
He nodded, crossing his arms. "Yes. After settling in the House of Night and making sure those who followed me were taken care of, I requested permission to challenge my Second Nightmare with my cohort. We succeeded."
"Impressive." I tilted my head slightly. "And from what I hear, you're quite the sought-after figure in the House of Night. How did they manage to tie you down?"
Gunlaug let out a tired sigh. "They didn't. We were all just waiting for you to return."
I chuckled. "Oh, come on. Tell me the truth. Was the bride they offered just not pretty enough?"
He groaned, rubbing his temples. "Don't get me started. The moment I brought the people to the House of Night, they started pushing marriage proposals on me. First, it was an Awakened heiress—strong, young, and influential. When I refused, they assumed she just wasn't good enough and started throwing even more prestigious candidates my way. Older, stronger, prettier Masters."
I burst into laughter. "Hahaha! The great Brightlord, tormented by too many suitors! You poor, poor man."
"You don't get it," he grumbled. "After I completed my Second Nightmare, they stopped holding back. Now, one of their Saints is pursuing me." He shook his head. "Do you have any idea what it's like to be courted by a woman who is not only stunning but also powerful enough to crush me if she wanted to? And worse—one who refuses to take 'no' for an answer? I'm at my wit's end. Honestly, this evacuation is a blessing. And now that you are finally back, we can leave the House of Night."
I grinned. "Why would you want to leave? You fit in perfectly there. Their specialties align with your prowess, and after spending two years among them, you must have learned a few things about what is going on. I'm not strong enough yet to take those who wish to follow me and openly oppose the Great Clans."
Gunlaug exhaled heavily, his expression growing more serious. "You're right," he admitted. "The storm is about to begin."
"Then stay put and get settled in the House of Night," I advised. "They're not our enemies. If you build yourself a position of influence there, it will be invaluable in the long run. And if you happen to charm a Saint or two along the way, all the better."
I could almost feel the shift in his mood. He didn't say anything, but I knew that the idea wasn't unappealing to him.
I smirked. "I knew it. You just wanted an excuse. You're already wrapped around that Saint's finger, aren't you?"
Gunlaug scoffed. "Hah! Who else but me could resist for a year while being pursued by a woman like that? I just needed to hear your opinion on the matter. I owe you my life, and I refuse to fail you."
I sighed, shaking my head. "No wonder you shine the brightest in my soul sea. You're practically a fanatic at this point."
Before he could respond, the ship suddenly lurched, throwing us slightly off balance.
A deep, reverberating impact echoed through the Leviathan's hull.
"That was no wave," I muttered.
Alarms blared, and the sound of hurried footsteps erupted from all directions.
Something was coming.
And it wasn't friendly.