He hesitated, his gaze moving to the saintess who had walked to the edge of the deck.

"May the moon shine its glory, my queen," she said quietly, bowing in respect.

Lilith nodded, gesturing for her to straighten up.

"Mind explain to me why you are here," she asked coldly but Atheline could hear the nonchalance in her tone.

He knew she probably couldn’t care less if they came or not.

She fidgeted slightly, unable to meet Lilith’s gaze.

"It was the goddess’s orders your majesty, " she answered," I apologise. "

Lilith looked at her properly now.

"Did you distribute the coordinates?"

She shook her head in denial.

"I received a revelation from the goddess four days ago... the island would be known to the world."

Lilith’s gaze stayed on her for a moment before she turned to look out at the ocean.

"How annoying," she muttered to herself.

Before him, Caius glanced between the two, confusion in his eyes.

"You haven’t answered me Caius, " Atheline quietly said, stirring the conversation back to him," this is quite far for a test."

Caius awkwardly coughed. He rubbed the back of his neck chuckling slightly.

"I have already finished the assignment my lord," he responded, he couldn’t meet Atheline’s gaze in the process," I followed Yander ."

He eventually admitted. Atheline’s gaze stayed on him for a moment then a quiet breath left him.

’Of course they’re on a first-name basis’

"I understand, " he said, lighter," you should head back to your ship, it seems to be drifting further away."

"Yes my lord," he said.

As the distance grew, Caius stepped back towards the edge of the deck.

"Be careful my lord."

Atheline smiled waving him off. Caius nodded then crossed back, just as easily as he had come.

The gap widened, the smaller ship drifting further away.

Atheline leaned his back against the railing his attention on Lilith.

"Are you not angry?" He asked.

She was quiet for a moment, her gaze on the darkening sky.

"No," she said," as I’ve already said, we need them to open the way."

Atheline chuckled.

"You’re a cruel woman."

To even use the saintess, the goddess’s own envoy, during the raid was just something else.

’Maybe I’m just a little too restrained.. well they can’t die anyway’

.

.

.

The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting its light on the rolling waves.

They stopped several paces short of the storm.

The ocean churned violently, waves rising and falling in uneven rhythms.

The wind was just as wild, pushing ships back with each blow.

Ships floated at a cautious distance, their sails half lowered. Some vessels bore scorch or scratch marks. One, further out, drifted its hull broken in half, there was no sign of life on it.

Along the cluster of boats, on the decks, people gathered in groups.

"...I’m telling you brute force won’t work..."

"Then what, we just wait? For what? It might migrate before we even get inside!"

"Anyone who tried by passing the storm is dead."

There wasn’t the expected fear, but something akin to excitement. Most of the people who came wanted the treasures inside but no one wanted to be the first.

Atheline took it all in quietly his eyes scanning the swirling storm, then the people.

It was easier to understand what was going on from just observing them.

Then, something familiar caught his eye on the boat slightly closer to theirs. A figure stood slightly apart from one of the larger groups; tall, posture straight, long blond hair. Another stood beside him, expression as guarded as ever.

Atheline blinked once then twice.

"No way."

He stepped closer to the front of the ship before he could second-guess it.

They noticed him immediately. Recognition flickered across their faces, first surprise then excitement.

"Atheline, you’re here too," he said, brows raised," I didn’t think you would be allowed outside the ... "

"Your highness," he called cutting him off before he could say anything more damaging.

"What?"

He huffed a quiet laugh as he observed him. His pseudo friend, Prince Solaris, the Elven crown prince.

Lilith stepped onto the front deck at the exact moment. Solaris eyes widened then moved to Atheline who just smiled at him.

"Greetings to the Shining moon, your majesty, " he said bowing slightly as he greeted Lilith. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Lilith nodded, tilting her head slightly, almost negligibly.

"It seems the elven kingdom has also sent its envoys, " she said, her gaze still on Solaris.

He nodded, shifting slightly.

"His Majesty has been concerned with the movement of the storm," he said, confidently holding her gaze.

She tilted her head slightly, crossing her arms as amusement flashed through them.

"I see," the sarcasm wasn’t concealed.

Her gaze moved between the two as though confirming something, then she turned and left.

Atheline stared at her until she turned the corner. Solaris on the other hand, let out the breath he had been holding.

"How do you survive that Atheline?" He whispered.

Atheline chuckled almost to himself.

"She’s sweet, you just don’t see it," he defended.

His hand tightened on the railings.

"Didn’t think you would involve yourself in something like this," he said.

He gestured to the storm.

Solaris tilted his head slightly, gaze moving past him slightly then returning.

"We were assigned to observe," he said," and if possible, find a way in."

He was quiet for a moment.

"So far, no success. "

Atheline glanced at the storm.

"Looks like it."

"More than that," Solaris added, voice lowering, " it doesn’t react randomly upon entry trial. Different approaches... get different responses."

He frowned slightly.

"Anyone tried teleportation?"

Their expression tightened.

"Teleportation was attempted earlier, by one of the human manipulators, " Solaris said.

"And?"

"They never appeared on the other side."

Silence settled between them for a second, heavier than before.

"So it blocks spatial magic too," he murmured.

"Or worse," Solaris said," interferes with it."

That was enough to make most people step back.

’We might be in hot soup’

Atheline could feel Lilith’s presence not far away, he knew she had heard everything.