As Dustin landed on the damaged deck, the golden glow from his sword gradually dimmed. Dark green blood floated on the rain-soaked sea, spreading slowly across the surface.

The typhoon had passed quietly in the distance. A break appeared in the storm clouds, letting through a ray of sunlight that fell across the battered Wavebreaker.

Grace steadied herself against the rolling gunwale, watching the sea settle back into calm. She exhaled in relief.

That Dreadkraken had already reached ultimate