Just then, the waning sun was shouldered aside by a silently emerging red moon. The sky abruptly darkened, casting a crimson glow upon the lightly churning sea.
In the darkness, the aberrations of the deep leaped from the water with even greater abandon. Their twisted tentacles unfurled, revealing countless scarlet eyes that stared at the red moon, allowing its radiance to wash over them.
"ROAR—"
Meanwhile, the *Leonard* began to emit a golden, fluorescent glow. The figurehead of the Lord of Dawn, with its head held high, seemed to be aimed toward the red moon. Where the golden and crimson light met, a faint gray flicker could be seen.
On deck, the pirates excitedly counted the mountain of crates.
Trailing behind them were several sailors in oilcloth coats or armor, silently helping them count the very cargo they had been charged with protecting, their faces etched with complicated expressions.
