Chapter 7: Oceanus
December 14, 2025 at 11:27 AM
The flight drained every last ember of strength Flora had left.
By the time the flaming throne descended toward the coastline, her vision blurred at the edges, and her limbs trembled with exhaustion. The sea stretched endlessly beneath her — a vast sheet of shimmering blue — until the throne dipped lower, revealing a quiet town nestled along the shore.
Oceanus.
White‑stone cottages lined the cliffs, their roofs painted in shades of turquoise and sea‑green. Lanterns swayed gently in the salty breeze. Waves crashed rhythmically against the rocks below, their sound soothing after the chaos she’d escaped.
The throne dissolved into harmless sparks as Flora touched down near a small inn. She staggered inside, barely managing to secure a room before collapsing onto the bed. Sleep claimed her instantly.
Hours later, a sharp knock jolted her awake.
Flora sat up, heart pounding. She approached the door cautiously, hand hovering near her chest as if she could summon her flames on command.
She opened the door.
A boy stood there — tall, gangly, with wavy dark hair that fell over prismarine‑blue eyes. He looked barely older than her, but something in his gaze felt ancient, like the ocean itself.
“Hello,” he said brightly. “My name is Aestus. I was wondering if you’d like some help defeating Dr. Malum.”
Flora blinked. “What?”
Aestus grinned, as if he’d just offered her a pastry instead of a war plan. “You heard me.”
“How do you even know about him?” Flora asked, suspicion sharpening her tone.
“Oh, that’s easy,” he said, tapping his temple. “I have a rare ability too. Mine is called water‑seeing. Through water, I can see the past, the present, and — most importantly — the future.”
Flora narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure you’re not a spy for Malum?”
Aestus laughed — a light, musical sound. “If I were, why would I be standing here offering to help you? I’d be dragging you back to him right now.”
She hesitated. His logic was annoyingly sound.
“Well…” Flora crossed her arms. “I suppose you can come with me. But I’m watching you.”
“Fair enough,” Aestus said cheerfully. “Now, we should get started on preparations.”
“Preparations for what?”
He leaned in, lowering his voice. “For Malum’s revenge. He’s already on his way.”
A chill ran down Flora’s spine.
There would be no rest in Oceanus.
Not tonight.
Not ever — not until Malum was stopped.