Chapter 26: The Return to Oceanus
January 18, 2026 at 10:16 AM
The journey back through the desert was faster — the Ember of Passage guiding them with unwavering certainty. The suns shifted overhead, but the illusions no longer touched them.
When they finally reached Oceanus, the town was quiet.
Too quiet.
Flora dismounted, sword in hand. “Something’s wrong.”
Aestus scanned the streets. “Where is everyone?”
Shattered armor lay scattered across the ground. Burn marks streaked the walls. The scent of smoke lingered in the air.
Flora’s stomach twisted. “Malum was here.”
Aestus knelt beside a broken shield. “Recently.”
A roar echoed from the cliffs — not the dragon’s roar, but something deeper, darker.
Flora’s grip tightened on the sword. “He’s still here.”
Aestus nodded. “Then we end this now.”
They followed the sound toward the shoreline.
The sea churned violently, waves crashing against the rocks with unnatural force. Lightning forked across the sky, illuminating a towering silhouette standing atop the cliff.
Dr. Malum.
His half‑melted face twisted into a grotesque grin. Flames curled around his hands, black and unnatural.
“Welcome back, Flora,” he called. “I’ve been waiting.”
Flora stepped forward, sword glowing with silver light.
“This ends today.”
Malum laughed — a harsh, broken sound. “Oh, I agree.”
The ground split open beneath him.
And something enormous began to rise.
