The morning sun burned through the thin veil of mist that clung to the back of the colossal rock tortoise. Below, the sea shimmered like liquid glass, and the sky was streaked with pale gold. From the high ground — the heart of Black Tortoise City — the view stretched endlessly, a vision of vastness and promise.
Mirean Moon stood beside the long table in the council hall, gazing toward the horizon. "Where are we going now?" she asked softly, her fingers brushing the edge of her quill. "We can't just stay out here forever, can we?"
Luciel's gaze flickered. Her question had been on his mind all morning. The Black Tortoise had grown — the city had expanded, evolved — but remaining adrift in remote waters was no future.
He turned his eyes toward the white-haired girl seated at his right. "Elara," he said thoughtfully, "that prosperous city you mentioned before… was it the Sacred Sun City?"
