NOVEL WEB Chapter 298: Back To Seta
It had been two weeks since they defeated the Deep.
The memories of the battle still clung to them like sea salt in their lungs, but the tides had not waited.
The merchant vessel that had rescued them ferried them part of the way, before they transferred to a Tidecaller ship bound for the archipelago.
The ship now creaked gently beneath them, sails catching the wind. It was one of the older elegant Tidecaller models. It glided like a spirit fish through the water, quiet and swift.
The hull had been repaired in places with resin sealed driftwood, and its figurehead was that of a twin-tailed dolphin entwined with silver kelp.
Ren stood alone on the deck, leaning against the rail. The sea stretched out before him, broken only by the outline of a distant island.
Seta.
The familiar scent of salt and jungle reached his nose on the wind, blending with the scent of fish oil and dried fruit that clung to the ship.
It had been months since they entered the Deep.
More than a year had passed since he left Ross Castle.
Lilith was already eighteen. Ren was just a few months away.
He exhaled slowly.
Thorn joined him, stepping up to the rail with a grunt. "Still brooding?"
Ren smirked faintly. "It's the hair. Makes me look dramatic."
Thorn chuckled. "You look like a noble who read one too many tragic poems."
They stood in silence for a moment, the breeze tousling their hair.
"You thinking about her?" Thorn asked quietly.
Ren nodded. "She hasn't said a word since Elias died. She sleeps. She eats. But she doesn't speak."
Thorn rested his arms on the railing. "She will. When she's ready. Grief's like a tide. Doesn't move the same way for everyone."
Ren sighed. "I should've protected him."
"You couldn't. None of us could. He made his choice."
"Doesn't mean it hurts less."
Thorn looked at him, then gave a tired grin. "Just be there for her. That's what matters. Not the words. Not the past. Just presence."
Ren nodded slowly. Then smirked sideways. "Speaking of presence... you and Zuzu, huh?"
Thorn blinked. "What?"
"You're sharing a room. And rations. And everything else. You think I didn't notice?"
Thorn flushed. "It's not like that."
"So you didn't kiss her behind the mast last night?"
Thorn groaned. "Gods, you're a bastard."
Ren laughed. "She makes you smile, Thorn. That alone makes me glad."
Thorn looked away, trying and failing to hide the grin tugging at his lips. "She makes me feel like I matter. That what we did mattered."
They shared a smile, watching as Seta moved closer, its green cliffs rising from the ocean, and white sands curling along the edges like lace.
The docks were alive with activity. Dozens of new ships were being constructed, their frames rising like skeletons in the harbor.
Flags fluttered. Smoke curled from forges. The air buzzed with the noise of hammers, shouting crews, and songs. Nets were spread out to dry. Seawater splashed against piers where Tidecallers barked orders and scribes recorded incoming cargo.
They gathered on the deck as the ship neared the port. Ren. Lilith. Thorn. Zuzu. Tired, but standing.
Lilith kept her head low, her hair shadowing her eyes. Zuzu held Thorn's hand tightly.
The captain approached them, a stoic woman with sea worn skin and a voice like breaking waves.
"Your journey ends here," she said. "But the sea remembers. Thank you."
Ren gave a small bow. "Thank you for the ride."
They stepped onto the gangplank. Zuzu squeezed Thorn's hand. Lilith moved silently, cloak drawn close. The moment their feet touched the dock, the world changed.
They hadn't taken more than ten steps when a voice rang out.
"That's her! The woman who killed the sea dragons!"
Another voice followed. "They're the ones who destroyed the Deep!"
A ripple of realization spread through the crowd. Eyes widened. Mouths opened. Then the buzz became a roar.
"It's them! The Deepslayers!"
People crowded around, trying to catch a glimpse. Fishermen, traders, children in bare feet. Some pointed. Others knelt. Flowers were thrown from nearby balconies. A young girl held up a carved figure of Lilith, tears in her eyes.
Ren held Lilith close as the circle tightened. She trembled slightly, but did not resist.
Then someone shoved through the crowd.
A tall man, lean and wild eyed, with Zuzu's same sharp jaw and dark hair.
"Zuzu!"
She gasped.
"Tam!"
They collided in a hug that nearly knocked her over. Tam lifted her off the ground, his arms trembling.
"I thought you were dead. You idiot! Gods, Zuzu, I looked everywhere."
She buried her face in his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I didn't know how to tell you. I just... I had to go."
He held her tighter. Then pulled back, eyes flashing. "You ran. You vanished. You nearly died!"
She looked down. "I know."
Then his gaze turned sharp, aimed at Ren.
Tam stepped forward. "You!"
Ren didn't move.
"You took her. You brought her into that monster's mouth."
Zuzu grabbed Tam's arm. "Stop."
He shook her off. "She's not a weapon! She's not a tool for your adventures!"
Ren met his glare calmly. "I never saw her as one. I dragged her into danger. That much is true."
Tam's fists clenched.
Ren bowed his head. "And for that, I'm sorry. I came here to bring her home. To say it to your face."
Tam's expression flickered. The anger drained from his expression. He looked between Ren and Zuzu. Then to Thorn, then to Lilith, still quiet.
Then nodded.
But the moment was cut short.
A shout rang out. Then another.
Tidecaller soldiers stepped forward, clad in armor. Their helmets gleamed. Their spears were wreathed in glowing water. Their presence brought a hush to the crowd.
"Ren of Ross, Lilith of Underwood, Thorn of the Borderlands, and Zuzu, daughter of Ram."
The captain raised his hand. "You are summoned before the Elder Council. By order of the High Elder. Now."
Lilith's aura flickered. Her eyes narrowed. Her fingers curled. A flicker of soul energy danced between her fingertips.
Ren stepped beside her, placing a hand on her arm.
"No, Lilith. Not now." He whispered.
She stilled, but her fury radiated like heat.
"We go," Ren said. "But not as criminals. As survivors. As those who bled for this sea."
The soldiers tightened formation. One moved to flank Lilith but stopped under Ren's glare.
Tam stepped forward. "I'm going with them."
The captain hesitated. Then nodded.
They were led aboard another ship. It cut away from the docks, sails already prepared.
The ship was lined with silver coral along its edges, manned by quiet faced sailors who said nothing but watched everything.
With Seta shrinking behind them, they began their journey to the central island of Patino.