In the deepest reaches of the Shattered Isles, even the waves seemed to have lost their sound.
The entrance to the sea cave known as the Silent Eye stood quietly between the reef walls, narrow and vertical, its outline resembling a half-open eye.
There was no wind inside. Black seawater stretched inward along the rock walls, as smooth as a mirror without a reflection.
The air was unnaturally still.
Louis had barely stopped when hurried, subdued sounds came from behind him.
"Please wait, my lord." Vale had already stepped in front of him.
The knight knelt on one knee on the slippery rock and looked up, meeting Louis's eyes.
His gaze held a mixture of fear, duty, and shame.
"The presence in there... something is wrong." His voice was low and hoarse, as though he were fighting his own instincts.
Vale clenched his teeth, almost forcing the words out of his throat. "Please allow us to accompany you. Even if we can only walk ahead of you, even if... we serve as human shields."
The Transcendent Knights behind him also knelt on one knee. They said nothing, but all tightened their grips on their swords.
To them, allowing their lord to enter an unknown abyss alone was a failure of duty in itself.
Louis leisurely adjusted his black gloves, smoothing the tiny creases in the leather with his fingertips. He smiled. "I understand your wish to stand in front of me, and I know you are not afraid."
Vale's breath caught slightly.
"But what lies inside is not an enemy you can resist with willpower and courage alone," Louis continued. "It will slip into your thoughts without a sound and make your choices for you."
"If it uses you, I will have to end your lives myself." His gaze did