In that terrifying darkness, the barely conscious Shade vaguely heard singing accompanied by the waves.
When he woke again, everything around him seemed to be swaying. Raindrops falling from the sky battered his back, and the biting wind made him shiver.
"Oh~"
The headache had not yet faded. Even the simple act of opening his eyes made his temples throb painfully.
He rolled over and sat up, removed his mask, and gulped down air. Looking around, he found himself on the filthy deck of an old ship, with everything around him utterly dilapidated.
When he looked up, a horrifying black vortex hung upside down in the sky directly above him. That instant of primal terror nearly made Shade cry out.
He looked around. This was undoubtedly still the sea. The ship floated upon the turbulent sea surface, with ocean in every direction amid a thunderstorm. Deep and Serene darkness seemed to be devouring everything from afar, and the roar of enormous waves made his heart tremble uncontrollably. With no light, the sea surface appeared thickly black, and beneath those black waters, something even larger and darker seemed to be swimming. Shade took one look and immediately withdrew his gaze.
A more timid person might have fainted upon seeing the scene around them. Even though the Outlander had witnessed many things in this world, he still could not completely suppress his panic. This was humanity's most primal fear of the deep sea and darkness, especially when the Whisper Element in the air was constantly trying to erode his soul.
"Are you still there?"
I have always been with you.
The familiar voice sounded, and Shade immediately felt much more at ease. But Miss Princess was nowhere to be seen on the dim, battered deck, nor was anyone else.
"But how did