The cannons stopped first.

Then the wind.

Then the sea.

As if the world had forgotten how to move.

Fog climbed the hull like pale fingers.

Even the engines held their breath.

No waves.

No gulls.

No future.

---

“Listen,” Sebas whispered.

But there was nothing to hear.

And nothing is the most terrible sound of all.

For silence is where destiny sharpens its knives.

---

The Black Wood creaked.

Not wood.

Not metal.

Something alive.

Something remembering.

As though the ocean had tried to drown her once before—

and failed.

“She doesn’t want to sink,” Rufo muttered.

Caonex watched the water.

Calm.

Too calm.

Like a beast pretending sleep.

“Good,” he said quietly.

“Neither do we.”

And for a moment—

man and ship and fear—

were the same creature.

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