The winds and waves at Valentin Harbor seemed far from calm, yet compared with the dangers of the open sea, they were as gentle as a breeze and a drizzle.
Mulan simply said what he wanted to say, calmly. He knew he might not have done so with anyone else, but Dolly would certainly hear him out in silence. He understood that trust and expectation were not built on a single statement. They had already begun to take shape over their long acquaintance.
"I'm touched that you still consider me a friend. So what exactly is this darkness you speak of? If you mean humans slaughtering one another, you've always done that. If humanity destroys itself in the future, shouldn't I, as a Siren, be glad?"
Dolly looked past Mulan at the outline of Valentine behind him, then at the great ships around them. Her own people also came to mind, along with their interests, demands, and desires.
Mulan's words had not made Dolly lose her reason. Instead, her mind grew clearer. She could feel the sincerity in his words, but she also reminded herself that this was a man who had deceived the Pirate King. He had immense potential, and might even become more terrifying than Walton.
A sense of sorrow rose within Dolly. The sea wind strengthened, and the waves grew higher. She faced the wind and waves, letting the rolling spray splash into her eyes.
"I'm glad I could see you again, but Sirens and humans can never coexist peacefully, because I understand humans, and I understand Sirens. Just as I said when we parted back then, perhaps in the future we..."
But Mulan's voice interrupted her.
"I've heard that a Siren's song can create powerful illusions, even send someone straight into a dream. I'll lower every