The raft creaked softly beneath us as we drifted away from Ohara, the ice path behind us already beginning to crack and dissolve, swallowed by the rising tide. The air smelled of brine and burnt wood, the last breath of a dying island chasing us into the open sea.
The ocean was endless.
The sky, a bruised canvas of ash and twilight, stretched far beyond the horizon. Not a single star dared to show its face. Only the pale ghost of the moon flickered dimly behind shifting clouds, casting us in a cold, silver light.
Robin hadn't stopped trembling. She clung to me tightly, her face buried in my shoulder, her tears soaking through what little remained of my scorched blouse. I could feel every shudder of her fragile body, each one stabbing deeper than any blade.
I kept my arms around her, rocking us gently even as my own throat threatened to close. My eyes stayed fixed on the sea ahead. Because if I let them wander back… if I dared to look behind us… I didn't think I'd be able to keep going.
The waves lapped softly against the sides of the raft. No wind. No birds. No life. Just the gentle, mocking hush of the ocean.
The silence was unbearable.
I cleared my throat, the sound rough and cracked. "Robin…" My voice felt foreign in my mouth. It sounded too small. Too human.
She sniffled, but didn't lift her head.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "We're going to make it… okay? You and me… together."
Her grip tightened around my waist, like she was afraid I'd vanish if she let go. "I… I don't want to be alone again," she whispered, voice ragged.
"You won't be." I cupped the back of her head, pressing my lips to her temple in a way I wasn't sure I ever had before. "I swear it."
The raft drifted aimlessly now, carried by sluggish currents. The ice path behind us was gone—Kuzan's gift severed, leaving us entirely at the mercy of the sea.
I didn't know where we were going. I didn't know how we were going to survive. I didn't even know if there was land anywhere nearby.
But I had to believe there was. For her.
Hours passed in heavy silence. The cold began to seep into my bones. The warmth from the adrenaline was gone, replaced by the biting chill of night air and sea spray. Robin eventually fell into an uneasy sleep against me, her small frame shivering every few minutes.
I knew she was exhausted—too small, too fragile to keep fighting. I couldn't blame her. But I couldn't sleep. Not with the weight of everything clawing at the back of my mind.
I forced myself to move, unwrapping my arms from Robin just long enough to take stock of the raft. It wasn't much—just bound logs, a frayed rope, and a single makeshift oar. I grabbed it and started paddling, teeth clenched, body shaking with effort. Every stroke was weak. My arms were burning, but I didn't stop.
I kept going.
Because I had to.
For Robin.
For Saul.
For Olvia.
For Ohara.
I lost track of time. My vision blurred at the edges. My mind wandered, flickering with images of fire and smoke, of Robin's tears, of Saul's frozen smile.
Of the word survive.
The night eventually broke. The sun, pale and uncertain, began to rise over the edge of the horizon, staining the clouds in muted pinks and golds. It didn't feel warm. It didn't feel like hope.
But in the distance… I saw it.
Land.
Barely a sliver, but enough to make my breath hitch.
I wiped my eyes on my sleeve, unsure if I was crying or if the sea spray had just blurred my vision again. My whole body ached, but I doubled my efforts, paddling toward it like a woman possessed.
When the raft finally scraped against the rocky shore, I collapsed forward, breathless and shaking.
We had made it.
Robin stirred groggily, blinking blearily as she sat up. I reached for her hand, threading our fingers together. "We're here," I whispered, voice breaking on the words.
She didn't say anything—just nodded, her bottom lip trembling.
We had no idea what waited for us on this island.
But I already knew this was only the beginning.
~×~×~×
The island was larger than I expected.
Rocky cliffs gave way to dense patches of tangled forest, and beyond that, the distant outline of buildings silhouetted against the rising sun. Robin and I stuck to the treeline as long as we could, moving slowly, cautiously. Neither of us dared speak—we were too afraid the sound of our voices would give us away.
By the time we reached the outskirts of civilization, the sky had brightened to a pale, washed-out blue. The faint, rhythmic clang of hammers, the distant murmur of a bustling crowd, and the occasional cry of gulls drifted toward us on the salty breeze.
We crouched behind a low ridge overlooking the city.
I squinted, taking in the towering wooden gates reinforced with rusted iron plates. Two sentries stood at either side, spears in hand, chatting lazily. They didn't seem particularly alert. The gates themselves weren't sealed—just slightly ajar, allowing foot traffic to pass through with little trouble.
This… was our chance.
Robin tugged on my sleeve nervously. "What do we do…?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
I glanced down at her—at the soot-smudged cheeks, the haunted look in her eyes. She looked so small. So fragile. I reached down, gently wiping the ash from her face as best I could.
"We sneak in," I whispered. "Stay close to me."
Robin nodded, clutching my hand like a lifeline as we circled wide, sticking to the shadows. We waited for a small merchant caravan to approach—two wagons pulled by long-necked sea lizards, their drivers shouting greetings to the guards.
When the guards turned to check the caravan's papers, I gave Robin's hand a squeeze.
"Now," I whispered.
We slipped in behind the wagons, keeping our heads down, moving as quickly and quietly as we could. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure someone would hear it. But the guards didn't glance our way. The caravan rolled on, and we slipped through the gate unnoticed.
I didn't let us stop until we were swallowed by the press of the morning crowd.
Hotaru Island… was alive.
The streets were bustling with people—merchants hawking fresh fish and exotic spices, children darting between vendor stalls, sailors shouting to one another as they unloaded crates from distant ships. Paper lanterns hung between buildings, swaying gently in the sea breeze, their glass interiors flickering with warm, golden light even in daylight.
The air smelled of salt, fried fish, and something sweet—like caramelized nuts roasting over a flame.
Robin and I stood frozen for a moment, stunned by how… normal it all looked. As if the world hadn't just ended for us hours ago.
A wave of nausea rolled through me. I swallowed hard and leaned down toward Robin's ear. "Keep your head down. We don't know if anyone here works for the government."
She nodded silently, pulling her tattered cloak tighter around her small frame. I did the same with my ripped blouse, adjusting the frayed fabric to hide as much skin as I could.
We moved through the crowd like ghosts, invisible to the dozens of lives bustling around us. My eyes flicked toward every alley, every passing face, searching for a place—any place—where we could rest and figure out what to do next.
But something… felt wrong.
The city was too loud. Too watchful.
I couldn't explain it, but a chill crawled up my spine, a sickening pressure pressing against the base of my skull. I grabbed Robin's hand again, pulling her closer as I scanned the street ahead.
That's when I noticed them.
Two men in dark leather vests standing at the far end of the market, watching us from beneath wide-brimmed hats. One of them leaned in to whisper something to the other. They nodded. And started walking toward us.
Panic flared in my chest.
"We have to go. Now."
Robin blinked in confusion, but I didn't wait. I grabbed her hand and bolted down the nearest alleyway, weaving through crates and barrels, ignoring the shouts of startled vendors.
Behind us, I heard the heavy thud of boots giving chase.
The alley twisted and narrowed, the walls pressing in on either side as I pulled Robin after me. My heart slammed in my chest, breath coming in sharp, shallow bursts.
I didn't dare look back—I didn't need to. I could hear them. Boots scraping against stone, heavier and faster now that we'd made a scene.
Robin stumbled, nearly falling, but I caught her around the waist and hauled her forward. "Almost there," I lied through gritted teeth. "Just hold on."
We ducked under a sagging awning, weaving through the backstreets like cornered rats. My mind raced, searching for anything—anywhere—to hide.
And then… I saw it.
A rusted iron grate half-buried behind a collapsed fruit stand. The faint outline of a staircase leading downward into darkness. The air wafting from it smelled of damp stone and something older—forgotten.
Without thinking, I ripped the grate open with shaking hands and shoved Robin through first. She looked at me, wide-eyed, but didn't resist. I followed, pulling the grate back into place just as boots thundered past above us.
We held our breath.
The footsteps slowed, lingered… then eventually drifted away, swallowed by the noise of the streets.
For several heartbeats, neither of us moved.
I exhaled slowly, my body sagging with exhaustion. We'd made it—for now.
The underground corridor was cold and damp, lit only by faint slivers of light filtering through cracks in the stone above. The air smelled of mildew and seawater, but it was safe. Hidden.
Carefully, I helped Robin to her feet. We inched deeper into the ruins, feeling our way along the damp walls until the passage widened into what must have once been a storage room. The remnants of old crates and broken barrels lay scattered around, along with rusted tools and frayed ropes.
It wasn't much… but it would do.
I guided Robin to sit on the driest patch of stone I could find. She hugged her knees to her chest, silent and pale. Her wide eyes kept flicking toward the shadows, like she expected them to reach out and swallow us.
I crouched in front of her, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. "We'll stay here for now," I murmured. "We'll wait until sunset… then I'll find us something to eat."
Robin nodded faintly but didn't speak.
I sank down beside her, leaning my head back against the cold stone wall. My body ached, my throat dry, but I didn't close my eyes. I couldn't.
I had to stay alert.
Hours passed, marked only by the shifting shafts of light filtering through the cracks above. The hum of the city slowly dulled, giving way to the softer hush of evening.
When the last threads of sunlight began to fade, I stood slowly, testing my balance. My legs felt like they might give out from exhaustion, but I forced myself to move.
I turned back to Robin, who was staring at the floor, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees.
"I'll be back soon," I whispered, crouching in front of her again. "Stay hidden. Don't make a sound, no matter what you hear. Understand?"
She nodded slowly, her lower lip trembling.
I leaned in, pressing my forehead to hers for a heartbeat before pulling back. "I promise I'll come back."
With that, I slipped out into the growing twilight, slipping between the cracks in the ruins like a shadow.
I had no plan. No money. No idea what I was even looking for.
But I knew one thing for certain.
If we didn't eat soon…we wouldn't last the night.
~×~×~×
The streets had changed under the cover of night.
The lanterns now glowed like fireflies along the narrow alleyways, casting long, swaying shadows across the damp stone. The crowds had thinned, replaced by low murmurs of merchants packing up their stalls and unsavory figures prowling the dim-lit corners.
I kept my hood low, sticking to the edges of the street, ears sharp for anything that sounded like pursuit. The scent of cooked meat hit me first—roasting fish, grilled bread, something that smelled almost sweet. It made my stomach twist painfully.
I slipped toward the outer edge of the marketplace, where the vendors were distracted with closing shop. A few bruised fruits sat abandoned in a half-empty crate. It wasn't much, but it was something. I edged closer, scanning the shadows, heart pounding.
Just as I reached out to snatch one, a voice—smooth, mocking—coiled around me like a whip.
"Not a bad choice, little mouse. Though, you're not nearly quiet enough."
I froze.
Slowly, I turned my head, finding a figure leaning lazily against the nearby wall, half-wrapped in shadow.
She was tall—taller than me, at least—with dark copper skin that caught the lantern light like burnished metal. Long, ink-black hair was tied back in a loose braid that fell over one shoulder. Her eyes, sharp and heavy-lidded, gleamed like polished onyx beneath the rim of a wide-brimmed hat.
A curved dagger spun between her fingers, casual, dangerous.
My body tensed. I didn't run. Not yet.
She tilted her head, a slow smile curling across her lips. "Relax. If I was going to turn you in, you'd already be trussed up like a roast pig."
I swallowed hard, fists clenched. "Who are you?"
The woman pushed off the wall with fluid grace, sliding the dagger back into the belt at her hip. "Name's Nyx," she replied, voice low and almost amused. "And you're not the first rat I've seen scuttling around this part of the city."
She stepped closer, and I instinctively shifted into a defensive stance, earning a quiet chuckle from her.
"Easy, little mouse," Nyx murmured. "I'm not your enemy… yet."
My jaw tightened. "What do you want?"
Nyx leaned in slightly, her dark eyes flicking toward the bruised fruit in my hand. "Let's just say… I'm curious. Kids like you don't wander into Hotaru without a reason. Especially not ones who look like they've been running from hell itself."
I didn't answer. I couldn't.
She sighed through her nose and crossed her arms. "You've got two choices, little mouse. You can keep running, starve by morning, and watch your sister wither away in that hole you're hiding in…" Her eyes gleamed with knowing. "…or you can follow me. I know where to get food. Real food."
My throat tightened.
How did she know about Robin?
Nyx took a slow step back, giving me space. "Take your time. But the longer you wait… the colder she'll get."
I didn't trust her. Not even a little.
But I had no options left.
Gritting my teeth, I nodded once, clutching the fruit tighter in my hand.
Nyx smiled—wolfish, dangerous.
"Good choice."
She turned on her heel, beckoning me to follow as she disappeared deeper into the city's underbelly.
I followed her through twisting alleys and winding backstreets, careful not to let her out of my sight but refusing to get too close. Every instinct screamed this was a trap—but if it was, I'd find a way to claw my way out of it.
Nyx moved like she owned the night, weaving through the city with effortless confidence. Her long coat billowed behind her as she ducked under a loose-hanging laundry line and slipped into an alley so narrow I had to turn sideways to squeeze through.
We finally reached a dead-end, boxed in by crumbling stone walls overgrown with thick ivy and moss. I stopped, heart pounding again.
"I swear to—" I started to hiss, but Nyx held up a hand and tapped her knuckles three times against the stone wall to the right.
A low groan of moving stone answered.
A hidden door, once perfectly disguised as part of the wall, cracked open just wide enough for her to slide through. She looked back at me, one eyebrow raised in silent invitation, before disappearing inside.
I hesitated only a second before following, slipping through the narrow gap just as the door groaned shut behind me.
The air inside was warmer—barely—but it smelled of old wood, sea salt, and burned oil. Lanterns flickered on the walls, casting a soft golden glow over the interior.
It wasn't much more than a glorified cellar. Crates and barrels were stacked haphazardly against the walls, and a worn-out rug covered part of the uneven stone floor. A long table sat near the back, covered in maps, trinkets, and half-eaten plates of food that made my stomach ache with longing.
And sitting at that table… were more women.
A tall redhead with a scar across her jaw looked up first, narrowing her eyes. A short, dark-skinned woman leaning against the far wall crossed her arms, tilting her head in silent assessment. Another woman with pale hair and ink-stained fingers sat cross-legged on a crate, flipping through a weathered journal.
They all looked dangerous.
Nyx closed the door with a soft click and stretched, rolling her shoulders. "Found us a stray," she announced casually.
The redhead snorted. "Looks half-starved."
Nyx shrugged. "She's got a little sister stashed somewhere nearby. Looks like they've been running since dawn."
The woman with the journal closed it with a snap, rising to her feet. "You sure they're not spies?"
"Spies don't look that desperate," Nyx replied, glancing back at me.
I swallowed hard, standing straighter. "I didn't come here to owe you anything."
Nyx chuckled. "Relax, mouse. We don't deal in favors. You need food and shelter. We've got it. That's it."
I glanced toward the plates of food on the table—nothing fancy, but it was more than Robin and I had seen in days. My stomach clenched painfully.
After a tense pause, I finally nodded. "I need to bring some to my sister first."
Nyx arched a brow. "Fair enough. One plate. For now."
She grabbed a cloth-wrapped bundle from the table, filled it with a bit of fish, bread, and dried fruit, and handed it to me.
Our fingers brushed. Hers were warm, calloused.
I snatched the bundle quickly, narrowing my eyes. "If you try to follow me—"
Nyx leaned in with a sly grin. "You'll kill me in my sleep? Yeah, yeah. I've heard that one before."
I gritted my teeth and turned on my heel, clutching the bundle tightly as I headed back toward the hidden passage. My heart pounded harder with every step.
I didn't trust her. But tonight… trust didn't matter. Survival did.