As the small wooden boat glided across the shimmering water, Azad leaned back, letting the cool sea breeze brush against his face. The rising sun bathed the ocean in golden light, transforming the surface into a blanket of glittering diamonds that stretched far into the horizon. The rhythmic sound of water lapping against the boat was soothing, and for the first time in days, Azad allowed himself to relax.
"Wow," he whispered, his gaze fixed on the endless expanse of the ocean. "This... this is something else."
Ellie sitting beside him at the front of the boat, had been focused on steering, her eyes sharp and vigilant. But at his words, she turned and followed his gaze, her expression softening as she saw what had captivated him. The vast and peaceful ocean spread out around them. Schools of fish swam beneath the surface, casting fleeting shadows in the clear, blue depths.
In the distance, dolphins leaped out of the water, arcing gracefully before splashing back into the sea, their playful energy contagious. One pod swam closer to their boat, following it as if curious about the travelers. Azad's eyes widened with wonder.
"Dolphins?" he asked, incredulous. "They're following us!"
Ellie chuckled softly, though there was a warmth in her voice. "They do that sometimes. Dolphins are friendly creatures." She paused, glancing at Azad with a faint smile. "You've been so used to the prison walls, that you've forgotten how big and beautiful the world is."
Azad leaned over the boat's edge, watching the dolphins swim alongside them, diving and twirling in the water, their sleek bodies cutting through the waves effortlessly. He felt a tug of joy in his chest—something he hadn't felt in a long time.
"I didn't know this world could be like this," he admitted quietly, almost as if speaking to himself. "Back in that cell... I thought it was all darkness. I couldn't even imagine this kind of beauty."
Ellie watched him for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "The world is full of both darkness and light, Azad. You just happened to be trapped in the darkest part for too long."
Azad nodded but stayed silent, mesmerized by the dancing dolphins and the endless blue sea stretching ahead of them. The air was fresh, carrying the salty scent of the ocean, mingled with the faint aroma of seaweed that drifted on the surface. Seagulls soared above, their cries mingling with the splashes of the dolphins as they played.
The boat continued to glide through the water, and soon, they began to pass small islands, their shores lined with towering palm trees and vibrant greenery. The sun cast long shadows on the sandy beaches, and the vibrant colors of tropical flowers peeked out from the dense foliage. It was like a paradise, untouched and serene.
Azad let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "This place... it's like something out of a dream."
Ellie glanced at him again, smirking slightly. "This whole world is something of a dream. You've only just started to see it."
For a while, they sat in companionable silence, the only sounds being the occasional splashes of the dolphins and the gentle breeze pushing them forward. Azad couldn't help but feel a deep sense of awe and gratitude for the moment. After all the chaos, the constant running and fighting, this—this quiet beauty—felt like a gift.
He turned to Ellie, his tone lighter. "If you hadn't dragged me out of that dungeon, I'd still be stuck there, missing all of this."
Ellie shrugged, but there was a hint of pride in her eyes. "Well, someone had to drag your sorry self out of that hellhole. You were practically useless when I found you."
Azad rolled his eyes, chuckling. "You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"
"Not a chance," Ellie replied, smirking. She leaned back, watching the sun rise higher in the sky, casting an orange glow across the water. "But hey, at least now you're seeing what's out there."
For the next few hours, they traveled in relative peace as the dolphins were swimming alongside them for most of the journey, almost as if guiding them. The sea opened up more and more, revealing coral reefs below the surface, their vibrant hues of red, pink, and purple glowing beneath the clear blue water. The beauty of the world around them was overwhelming.
At one point, Azad spoke up again, his voice softer. "Ellie, do you think we'll ever have peace like this? After all the running?"
Ellie didn't answer immediately. She looked out at the horizon, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe. But peace isn't something you just find, Azad. It's something you have to fight for. And it won't be easy."
Azad sighed, leaning back and closing his eyes for a moment. "I guess you're right. But for now... this feels like enough."
Ellie nodded, her expression softening just a little. "For now, this is enough."
And with that, the two of them continued their journey, the vast ocean stretching out before them, full of both mystery and beauty, a reminder of how wide the world truly was—and how much of it was still waiting to be discovered.