Li Wen and Moria walked side by side along the wet flagstones of Fog Bell Alley. The alley was still as dark and damp as ever, but the faint, unsettling sense of oppression in the air had vanished without a trace. The old buildings on either side seemed to have cast off some heavy burden as well, standing silent in the sea breeze instead of resembling monsters poised to devour anyone who passed.
The wooden door to Sivell's home stood slightly ajar. The shell wind chime hanging from it no longer made dull clattering sounds, merely hanging there quietly.
Moria stepped forward and gently knocked on the door.
"Come in." An aged yet steady voice came from within, no longer filled with the wariness and exhaustion of last time.
The two pushed the door open and entered, and Moria paused in slight surprise at the sight inside. The room was much cleaner than before. The crystal balls and shells that had once been scattered across the table had been neatly stored in a wooden box. The curtains were half-drawn, allowing the soft morning light to enter and dispel the darkness in the corners.
The diviner Sivell sat in a rocking chair by the window, holding a steaming cup of floral tea. The sea breeze stirred her gray-white hair, making her look like an ordinary old woman enjoying the quiet of the morning. She was clearly in far better spirits. Her dark blue eyes remained deep, yet held a serenity that seemed to see through all worldly things.
She was not surprised to see Moria and merely nodded calmly. But when her gaze fell upon Li Wen, it lingered for a moment longer, her expression becoming somewhat strange.
"Kourt is dead," Moria said first, his voice steady. "The threat of Sunken