Gabriel found her on deck the next morning.
The sun had just broken the horizon, painting the ocean in shades of copper and gold. Mera stood at the bow, her hair whipping in the wind, arms spread wide like she was trying to embrace the entire sky.
She looked almost peaceful.
Gabriel approached carefully, his ribs protesting the movement but manageable now. Two days of rest had helped more than he wanted to admit.
"Mera."
She turned, and Gabriel saw the change immediately. The haunted look was gone. The withdrawn silence had vanished. Instead, her eyes burned with purpose. With certainty.
"Gabriel." She smiled. "You're recovered. The Maker's providence."
"We need to talk about the book. About what you saw."
"I know." Mera moved closer, her movements fluid and confident in a way they hadn't been for weeks. "I understand now why you've been reluctant to embrace your destiny. You think you're just a man. Just someone trying to survive."
"Because that's what I am."
