The ocean rushed up to meet us—And I swear, right before impact, I heard Lady Seraphine yell: "ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW—?!"
I turned to her at the moment the ship slammed into the ocean and somehow—miraculously—didn't kill us all, we just… stood there.
Soaked. Shivering. Slightly traumatized. Water exploded upward in a massive spray that drenched everyone from head to boots. The deck groaned, the ice sails hissed with steam, and the entire vessel rocked like an angry drunk whale.
Then—
A beat.
Another. And suddenly… The Ice People burst into SCREAMS.
But not fear—JOY. Pure, overflowing, chest-cracking joy.
"WE'RE FREE!"
"WE'RE OUTSIDE!"
"THE SKY! THE REAL SKY!"
"I CAN SMELL SALT! BY THE ANCESTORS, I CAN SMELL SALT!!"
People cried. People laughed. People hugged like overexcited penguins.
Some fell to their knees praying. Others spun around with their arms open, soaking in the morning dew like they were reborn. One Ice Mage even kissed a barrel.
