"Vincent, hold on tight. We need to abandon ship-"
Nido had already realized he could no longer control the ironclad with his magic power. The magic the sirens wielded in the water overpowered his own.
"What's going on?"
Mulan roared the question.
"There are sirens nearby, and powerful ones at that-"
Nido answered while releasing repeated bursts of magic power, but the ironclad was slowly sliding toward the vortex. Many crew members had already fallen overboard, their terrified cries drowned out by the storm and thunder.
Nido wasn't particularly concerned about the pirates aboard, though. Those with real ability, such as the first and second mates, had already climbed to higher ground, ready to escape the ship. He only needed to look after Vincent.
"Get on my back."
Without another word, Mulan grabbed Nido's shoulders and climbed onto his back. Nido then hauled himself up with his arms, leaping straight onto the severely tilted mast.
"It'll be dangerous if we fall."
The two looked down into the pitch-black center of the vortex. Occasional flashes of lightning illuminated the absurdly enormous whale below.
His own life mattered most, after all. Nido stopped hesitating. Empowered by magic, his legs unleashed a burst of strength, carrying Mulan through the wind and rain toward a distant pirate ship. These ships had already begun turning, trying to escape the great vortex.
Thud!
Nido landed heavily enough to dent the steel deck. Mulan climbed off his back and turned toward the vortex behind them. The sea seemed to be rising still.
"Brace for impact-"
Someone shouted, but before the words had finished, a gigantic wave slammed into the ship.
As the terrifying surge subsided, Nido and Mulan straightened from their braced positions. Several ships had already plunged into the great vortex, and the cries of sea