The faint, metallic groaning of the Titanic echoed through the mist as the group stirred awake on its weathered deck. The damp air carried the scent of salt and rust, and the ship creaked under the weight of its endless journey.
Kieran was the first to move, stumbling toward the railing. He bent over the side and retched violently, the sound breaking the eerie stillness. Nearby, a massive iceberg loomed in the dark sea, its surface shimmering with fragments of memories like a broken mirror. Each fragment glinted with ghostly light, their edges sharp against the misty backdrop.
"Well, that's one way to start," Rowan muttered, brushing herself off as she surveyed the ship. Her usual sharpness was replaced by unease. "Where is everyone?"
Amara sat cross-legged nearby, her posture perfectly straight as she inspected her surroundings with quiet intensity. Despite the disarray, her expression was calm, her voice measured. "We need to figure out where we are.
Aiden stumbled to his feet, his ring faintly glowing as he scanned the horizon. The ship stretched endlessly in both directions, its towering smokestacks disappearing into a dense fog. The cold metal beneath his feet felt ominously alive, and the whispers returned—soft but persistent.
"It's the Titanic," Sylva said, her voice soft but carrying a weight of melancholy. "A fragment lost to time and tragedy."
Aiden's gaze locked onto the massive iceberg drifting nearby, its edges shimmering with flickers of memories. "And that?" he asked.
"Memories," Sylva replied, her glow dimming slightly. "Moments from the real world, frozen in place by the Core's influence."
Rowan crossed her arms, her sharp eyes narrowing. "How about we skip the trivia and get to the part where you explain what's going on? Why are we here, Sylva? And don't you dare dodge the question this time."
Aiden stepped forward, his voice colder than usual. "She's right. What's the point of saving these fragments if it's just feeding your precious tree?"
Sylva's glow brightened, but her tone remained steady. "It's not about feeding the tree—it's about saving both worlds. Light and dark must exist in balance, or everything will collapse. I thought you understood that."
"Darya understood, didn't she?" Rowan's voice dripped with sarcasm. "You still think she was the right choice."
"She was," Sylva said, her voice firm. "Her actions, no matter how flawed, were for the greater good."
Rowan's spear slammed against the deck. "You sound just like her."
Sylva's light flickered slightly, but her tone remained calm. "Darya made her choice, Rowan. She believed in preserving balance, even at great personal cost."
"Balance?" Aiden scoffed, his voice cold. "You mean feeding people to the Core and hoping no one notices? That's your idea of balance?"
Sylva's light flickered as if she'd been struck. "Aiden, I—" she began, her tone hesitant.
"You promised," Aiden interrupted, his voice rising. "You said I'd see her. You said I'd save Lila. But I haven't seen a hint of her, Sylva. Was that just another manipulation to get me to play your game?"
The air grew heavier as Sylva faltered, her glow flickering faintly. "I would never lie to you, Aiden. Lila is—"
"Don't," Aiden said sharply, stepping back. His ring darkened slightly, its light twisting with shadows. "I don't believe you anymore."
Sylva's light dimmed further, and for a moment, she seemed at a loss for words.
Amara stood, brushing off her coat. "Sylva's methods might not make sense to us, but that doesn't mean they're wrong. Sometimes you have to make hard choices."
Kieran stepped between them, raising a hand. "Enough. We need to focus. Fracturing the group isn't going to help.
Amara, seized the memont to try and shift topics, she stepped forward akwardly. Her stance was confident but respectful as she addressed the group. "I think we're overdue for a proper introduction," she said. "I'm Amara. Former hero under Darya's leadership, now… well, figuring things out like the rest of you."
Rowan tilted her head, her expression skeptical. "Figuring things out, huh? That why you didn't step in with Darya sooner?"
Amara's gaze didn't waver. "I followed orders, just like any of you would have. But when it became clear what those orders really meant, I made my choice. And I'll make the right one again if it comes to it."
Rowan nodded slowly, her grip on her spear relaxing slightly. "Fair enough."
A tense silence settled over the group as they stared at each other, the divide palpable. Before anyone could speak, a sharp whistle cut through the air.
They turned to see figures emerging from the fog—enforcers clad in naval uniforms, their faces obscured by shadowy visors. Their dark twisted uniforms adorned with medals and faint crimson accents. The enforcers formed a circle around the group, their movements precise and coordinated. Kieran stepped forward, his shield glowing faintly. "Looks like they're not here to chat."
"Not again," Rowan muttered, her grip tightening on her spear.
Sylva floated closer to Aiden, her voice low and urgent. "Aiden, listen to me. You must hold your ground. Use the light within you to—"
"No," Aiden interrupted, his voice sharp. His ring's glow dimmed, a faint shadow creeping into its light. "I'm done listening to you. You've lied to us, twisted the truth, and I'm not about to trust you now."
Sylva flinched as though struck. "Aiden, please—"
The tension was palpable as the enforcers raised their weapons. Rowan's whip crackled to life, and Kieran readied his shield. Amara raised her rifle, her movements deliberate.
Before anyone could move, a booming voice echoed from the fog. "Stand down."
The enforcers immediately froze, lowering their weapons. From the shadows emerged a towering figure in a dark naval coat. His gold-trimmed jacket bore the marks of both dignity and decay, and his cap rested at an angle, the insignia faintly glowing. Crimson accents ran along his sleeves, blending with the faint darkness that swirled around him like a living shadow.
"You're not in any danger here," the towering figure said, his voice calm but firm. "There's no need to fight."
Kieran lowered his shield slightly, his gaze cautious. "And who are you supposed to be?"
"Captain Edward J. Smith," he said, his voice calm yet firm. "You are safe here, though I imagine that's hard to believe."
The dark captain stepped forward, his presence both commanding and strangely serene. His face was weathered but kind, his eyes gleaming with a mix of wisdom and sorrow being their glowing red hue.
Sylva floated forward, her light brightening slightly. "Safe? Here on a dark continent?"
Smith's lips quirked into a faint smile. "I said you're safe. I didn't say the water was."
Aiden stepped forward, his gaze sharp. "Why should we trust you?"
Smith met his eyes evenly. "Because unlike the Sentinel, I've made my peace with my demons. My only goal is to protect the civilians caught in this endless loop. If you're here to disrupt that, you'll find me less accommodating."
Sylva's light brightened now steady but still dim. "Captain, do you know how close this fragment is to the Core?"
Smith's expression darkened slightly. "Closer than I'd like. But we've managed so far."
As the group exchanged uneasy glances, Smith gestured toward the ship's interior. "Come. I'll explain what I can. But I suggest you steel yourselves. This is no ordinary fragment."