The cold air stung my lungs with every breath I forced down my throat, the muscles in my legs burning beneath the strain of our hurried pace. We passed by numerous people, our unusual haste leading to many questioning looks. Emily's movements were disturbingly frenzied, the desperation with which she propelled herself forward evident in her reckless abandon of all grace. It should have been the other way around; the Void should not have been more welcoming than the thought of her father catching up—but I understood it wasn't her father she feared, exactly. More-so, it was the threat of our separation, the possibility that we might not spend another day together. I knew I should not have felt the relief I did at the first sight of the sea, its glimmering waves urging us to pick up our paces. Nothing I felt made sense anymore, my every thought a contradiction; flares of trepidation mixing with rushes of determination.

I could hear them now, their excited susurrus carried by the wind and waves: whales. They knew we were coming, somehow, but I had learned not to question their maritime mysteries anymore. Their sorrowful lilt sent surges of static through my abdomen, and I realised the markings that adorned my skin burned and fizzled at their command. I was reminded of my starting days in the Void, when that unending emptiness had left me feeling so incredibly alone, so incomprehensibly insignificant. I knew even then; the whales were more than us, more than the petty humans that so often laid waste to their own accomplishments. The air was thicker here, as if their very presence filled the atmosphere with their suffering—they had been bled to the bone, and I wondered if we could ever be forgiven for our sins.

We reached the shore, either too soon or not soon enough; my mind couldn't decide anymore. The wooden walkway trembled beneath the thudding impact of our feet, an unusual sense of foreboding in their creaking whimpers. Once at the very edge, Emily turned to me, and I already knew the words that wavered upon her lips—she didn't have to tell me, she already told enough through the glistening of her eyes, the morose tilt of her brow. We had reached the end, and the beginning—of what, we had yet to find out. My mind was gripped by a detached sense of unwavering resolve, fingers soon undoing the metal clasps that fastened my boots, knowing we had to rid ourselves of any excess weight. Emily worked on her own, bare feet stepping out, toes curling against the wood that separated us from the watery chasm beneath.

I righted myself, boots in hand, taking a deep breath and pulling my shoulders back as I stared into the darkness ahead. Then, without thinking, I threw my shoes down into the hungry waters, their leather eagerly swallowed by the devouring waves. Emily followed my example, her own pair breaking the surface with satisfying force. I felt lighter without their weight, the only thing holding me now was the tight clasp of Emily's hand, her skin chilled by Samara's freezing winds, white dress whipping uncontrollably around her slender figure. She took a sharp breath, moving to say something, then changing her mind several times. I reached out to hold her other hand as well, pulling her closer to me, the howling air drowning out the distant buzz of the festival, allowing us our own private little space. I smiled, but it was neither happy nor sad—it was everything all at once, yet, in the scheme of things, would end up meaning nothing at all.

She returned the expression, and I knew this was it, it was time. There would be no more planning, no more speculating—our eyes would see for themselves the truth the whales had been trying to tell for centuries. Taking a final breath, I leaned in, met halfway by Emily, who raised herself onto her toes to reach me. Our lips met, softly, as if too much force might break us, as if our shared tenderness might somehow shield us from whatever horrors we might encounter. We stood at the very edge of the dock, the churning waves beneath lapping at its weathered pillars. The white of our clothes a sharp contrast against the black of the skies and sea, two small specs of light within an ocean of darkness—until the both of us allowed our bodies to tip over, falling straight into the waiting arms of the water, which in turn smothered us within its icy hold.

It stabbed our skin with knives of cold, slicing through our bodies without mercy. For a short moment I was certain I would never again be able to move, muscles freezing up and lungs overcome with a desperate urge to gasp for air—to breathe—but that need was quickly snuffed by the burning marks that lighted up beneath my skin. I drew back from Emily, opening my eyes to witness how the both of us illuminated the inky depths, her awed features cast in white light, its watery rays refracted by the many bubbles that scattered around us. Her eyes widened as they locked onto something behind me, and I followed her gaze to catch sight of what had to be thousands of whales, all waiting, their marks glowing as they patiently floated along the rocky bottom—like stars in an oceanic sky. Curiosity brought my body into motion, one of my hands still wrapped around Emily's, pulling her forward as I kicked against the waves.

The descent was slow, but it wasn't cold—not anymore. There was a new kind of warmth that thrummed through my veins, a sorcerous heat that transcended the limitations of my mortal body. In turn, the whales responded to our approach, their large shapes stirring from their respite. Their tails swept up a current strong enough to suck us in, the both of us carried along by the resulting stream. It was like dancing, the way in which we were sent to whirl around each other, hands clasped together in a determined lock of limbs, ensuring nothing could part us as we sank ever-deeper. Emily's dress floated around her with an otherworldly grace, its light fabric resembling the large, shroud-like tails of some rare Pandyssian species of fish. I had rarely seen a more delighted expression adorn her elegant features, eyes glittering with the glow cast by the sea of whales, any and all sharpness smoothed from her countenance by the velvety water.

It felt like dreaming, but not the kind of dreams induced by the Void; the nightmarish delusions that warped reality and rendered it impossibly uglier. No, even though the vast ocean was as deep as it was endless in its appearance, it wasn't lonely or dead, and right now its darkness was brought alight by our mysterious allies—their presence bringing with it the kind of reassurance radiated by crooning mothers and fostering fathers. They sang to us their ancient lullabies, calling our names in their own manner of worship. Their immense figures circled all around us, darting and diving across each other as if they possessed a single consciousness—maybe they did.

Either way, it wasn't long until my eyes caught sight of the familiar light again, opening up before us like a blooming flower, its mystifying image luring me in once more, reawakening the immediate desire to come closer. I knew Emily saw it too, fingers tightening their grip, hands clutching mine firmly, fiercely, and as we neared, I saw all that had been and all that might come to be in a world slightly different.

I saw summer mornings, the sun kissing awake an Empress and I, limbs entangled like branches of conquering ivy. I saw stolen glances and secretive smiles amongst a court of unsuspecting nobles, lips silently mouthing promises and toes curling in anticipation. I saw brisk evenings spent upon empty rooftops, legs dangling off ledges and the dancing notes of laughter breezing past slightly swollen lips. I saw our ageing feet carry us across sun-bathed beaches, through luscious forests and beyond flourishing cities. I saw small fingers and toes, pale skin and bright eyes, met with soul-warming smiles, exultant tears and loving coos. I saw visions of happiness and most importantly; love—and I knew, as soon as we reached the large swirling light that seemed to suck us in with terrifying force, that I was saying goodbye to all those moments, all those what-ifs, all those promises to a different me.

Yet, in that brief instance, there was no more conflict within me, no urge for me to turn around, to chase those distant possibilities; because knowing such a thing might have been, could have happened to me, was enough to fill my heart with calm and unquestionable gratitude. I didn't hesitate as I surrendered myself to the now blinding light, its bright luminance swallowing everything in its shine, the silhouettes of whales disappearing all around, washed away by rays of white.

Looking to the woman whose hands I held so tightly within my own, I felt myself overcome with gratitude, with unending appreciation—because in a life where nothing would have ever been certain or lasting, I now knew her love and devotion would have been—forever. And with that thought, accompanied by the view of her radiant smile, I allowed the light to take us, feeling its glow spill across my skin... until there was nothing but the feel of her palms against mine.

There is death in their dark eyes. These creatures, burned alive to light the world. They carry harpoons in their backs, and chains caught in their bloody teeth. They kill, and dive deep to escape the slaughter.

There was cold, and there was decay; its tangy presence lingering in the atmosphere, left to be tasted upon the tip of your tongue with every empty breath. The air itself was starved and thin, smelling of ozone and corroded metals—of ancient blood. In the distance, I heard the ear-splitting roar of thunder as it tore up the aerosphere, like rattling bones and snapping teeth. The fabric of my clothes clung to me like a second skin, soaked all the way through.

There was water still, enough to lap at my sides, parts of me submerged as I lied in the shallows, the warmth and weight of another body pressed against my chest. I opened my eyes, gaze met with familiar endlessness, with hues of desolate grey and inky black, shaping floating islands and flying waters in their monochrome shades: the Void. I felt Emily stir within my arms, wet skin brought to glisten by a faraway glow that managed to permeate the greedy darkness. There was something different about this place, this part. It felt older, hungrier... sentient.

The whales up above continued to sing their melancholic song, circling around the both of us, filling the infinite space with their large silhouettes, swimming between hundreds of see-through pillars made of rising water. Raising my head to look past Emily's shoulder, I spotted a wall, or a mountain—I wasn't sure how to describe it—its large, obsidian surface interrupted only by an endless cascade of the world's ocean. I understood it was where we had entered from, but on this side there was no welcoming shine, no glowing beacon to lure us in again. Instead, there was only solid black, devouring whatever light reached it. Seawater continued to pour, falling straight into the Void like a leak, some of it streaming across the island we'd washed up on, flooding large parts of it.

Emily pushed herself up against my chest, head turning as her gaze took in our surroundings. "Where are we?" she asked, the sound of her voice unusually hollow within the boundless space.

I raised myself upon my elbows, joining her as I stared across the unfamiliar island. "I... don't know," I admitted, eyes roaming along glistening shards of inky rock. "I don't think I've ever been here."

She raised a confused brow at me, her own searching gaze sweeping across my features. "I thought you knew every corner of the Void?"

I shook my head at her assumption, turning to trace along the many whales above, taking in their floating shapes as they swirled around each other. "The Void mirrors the cosmos, it is near endless; I couldn't have possibly seen all of it even if I had wanted to."

She moved to rise to her feet, the dark waters rippling beneath us, breath stuck in her chest as she looked around with wide eyes. "That's terrifying," she muttered, crossing her arms and hugging herself against the cold, gaze darting down to her bare feet before turning to me. "What are we supposed to do now?"

I joined her, a cascade of droplets falling down my clothes and skin, drawing a reluctant shiver from my body. There was nothing here, no ritualistic objects or esoteric markings that hinted at anything for us to solve. "I'm not sure."

Another short moment of shared silence, interrupted only by the distant roar of thunder. "Well, they certainly aren't helping," she huffed in frustration, nodding towards the many whales that spread through the empty air.

I stood watching them, taking note of their movements, their large pod weaving a series of repeated patterns through the air. "It's like they're migrating," I mused, seeing more and more of them float by.

This caught Emily's attention, the woman beside me perking up at the words, curious gaze turning to me. "Migrating? Why?"

I looked back to the mountain, eyes travelling its shiny surface. "I don-" I stopped, stiffening, taking in the familiar texture, the subtle signs that instead of rock this large shape might be made up of... "It's skin."

"What?" asked Emily, frowning, gaze darting between my face and whatever it was I was looking at.

"The mountain, it has skin," I repeated, moving to walk towards it, eyes narrowing as I studied the strange form. That's when I noticed the waterfall was made up of two separate streams, falling and joining as one—as if the flesh had been punctured and torn twice. Just like- but it couldn't be? Could it?

"Is it..." Emily hesitated, slowly following behind me, her every footstep echoing with a hollowed splash. "Is it a whale?"

I bit the inside of my cheek, feeling my heart race and veins throb beneath my chilled skin. It wasn't just a whale, I knew, as the image I had observed upon shattered pieces came back to mind, the depiction of a familiar knife seared into my memories. "It's the Great Leviathan."

Emily went completely still beside me, breath hitching in her chest. I wasn't sure what it was in particular that surprised both her and I the most; the creature's size, or its actual presence. I took a few more steps in its direction, curiously eyeing the presumed wounds upon its enormous body, a dark mist rolling off the water that poured through, causing the holes to appear as black as the rocks we stood on. "What do you think it would want from us?" Emily asked, voice fragile.

I licked my lips, pausing to observe the massive expanse, tracing along the streaming water. "Do you see where the water falls from?" I asked, waiting for her to nod before continuing, mind working a mile per minute. "That's where the twin-bladed knife serrated its skin."

A contemplative frown formed on Emily's features, gaze darting across the creature. "Do you think the knife created a tear between our worlds?"

I had been stabbed by the twin-bladed knife not too long ago, creating a wound not too different from the one before us, causing me to wither away—but then, Sokolov's whale oil solution had stopped that, had it not? I hadn't further deteriorated, not since...

My breath hitched when one of her hands came to rest on my thigh, the warmth of her skin You're still connected to the Void in some strange way," she theorised.

I frowned at her words. Had I become like the Eye of the Dead God? Just another Void artefact? "What makes you think that?" I asked, curious as to what she might have come up with. Her eyes danced over my face, hand rising up to take hold of mine. Her soft skin was an unfamiliar and magnetising sensation against my own.

"I recognise it from my dreams," she spoke, gaze distant. Her fingers traveled across my wrist, up my arm. The palm of her hand covered me with its heat, leaving goosebumps in its wake. "I feel it on you."

Had her finding me been a coincidence? Only she had actually felt the magic beneath my skin... "What if the Leviathan was never dead?" I frowned. "What if its magic, its essence, was leached away, creating a tool capable of passing on its power?"

I felt my eyes flutter closed as I broke beneath her hands, relishing the sensations that crashed over me, drowning within the waves of her—and soon she completely engulfed me, until it seemed I could breathe no more.

I continued to think out loud, figuring that, with all I had come to learn of magic, anything was possible. "What if two blades need two people to connect them?" The whales had wanted the both of us, not just me. There had to be a reason why we had felt a pull between us, why our dreams only spoke of each other. "What if we represent the twin-blades, two halves of the same whole?"

She bit her lip, taking in my theories and mulling them over in her own mind. "What would that mean?" she asked at last, returning her attention to me.

I rested my hands on her shoulders, lowering my head to meet her gaze. "What if we can return what was taken? The whales wanted us, the two of us. What if it's because we carry what the twin-bladed knife once cut away?"

"That- I..." She shook her head, brows pulling together. "That makes no sense, I-"

I squeezed her shoulders, causing her to pause, the rest of her words dying upon her lips. I'd realised it already, before any of this; she was my mirror image, so alike yet so different. Our experiences had been close to identital, yet the circumstances couldn't have been more dissimilar. "You're a part of me, Emily." I smiled. "You have my heart."

"And you mine," she insisted, glimmering eyes darting between my own, a sad frown contorting her features. "But what are we supposed to do?"

I took a shaky breath, straightening myself as I turned towards the falling waters. "I think," I started, allowing my hands to slip from her shoulders as she turned to follow my gaze. "We need to close the cracks." I was fully aware closing the place we had entered through might just mean we couldn't get out again—which would explain why the whales had all gathered here, why they'd travelled home. Because this was their home, and we had torn it apart, cut the guts from their bellies and taken their sanctuary. I understood we had an opportunity to make things right, to restore part of what we'd destroyed—no matter the cost, we owed them that; I owed them that. But what about Emily? Did that mean she would spend the rest of her existence trapped within the Void?

"What will happen to you once you let go of that magic?" Emily interrupted my thoughts, startling me from my observations.

"I…" I hadn't even considered the possibility, hadn't bothered thinking what my own fate might be. "I don't know," I admitted, "but it doesn't matter." I took her hands in mine, pulling her closer, swallowing the lump in my throat at the realisation of my likely fate. "I have lived longer than most, Emily, if this is my debt to pay, then so be it." It shouldn't have been a surprise, nothing ever came for free. I reckoned I might die, but if that meant she would get to live a normal life, in a world safe from the Void, then it was more than worth it.

She bit her lip, a tortured look in her eyes. "I won't do it."

I shook my head, frown deepening. "We have to, it's not about choice. We don't do this, the Void will end up consuming everything: the Isles, your Empire, your father… you."

Her voice cracked in a way that tore at my heart, pleading eyes glistening. "I can't lose you," she croaked, a forlorn expression taking hold of her features.

"You won't." I smiled, placing my palm above her beating heart, despite knowing my words would offer her no solace. "You'll have me, forever."

"Matvey..."

"Ssh," I hushed her, gazing down at her before leaning down, pressing my lips to hers, silencing whatever else she had intended to say. Closing my eyes, I deepened the kiss, moving towards the falling waters, leading her with me. Her hands were on my shoulders, fingers digging into the fabric of my shirt. Arriving, I pulled away ever so slightly, moving to whisper against her lips. "I love you, Emily."

I didn't miss the shaky breath she released as I moved away. Blinking away her tears, she took a deep breath and averted her stare, a thousand emotions dancing in those honey-coloured eyes of hers. She didn't speak, and I didn't try to force her. Instead, I reached out for her hand, thumb caressing her palm as I raised it towards the large, gaping holes, feeling droplets of falling seawater hit my skin.

Her eyes flitted up to meet mine as I guided our limbs through the cascading stream, its freezing water pouring over us. I sent her a reassuring smile, squeezing her hand before pressing it to the cold surface, laying her palm against the ancient expanse of skin. I released her, moving to do the same, noting how I recognised the weak, tell-tale crackle of magic as soon as I touched the giant. I took her other hand in my remaining one, relishing in the warmth of her, taking a deep, calming breath before speaking.

"Close your eyes," I whispered, heeding my own words as I closed mine. I waited, allowing her time to settle. She had bore my mark, meaning she was familiar with magic and how it worked. I knew I wouldn't have to explain it to her, so I didn't, instead biting the inside of my cheek as I tried to subdue the nerves that wore me down. "Take a deep breath," I continued despite my own anxiety. "I will count to three." I didn't need open my eyes to know she had nodded in confirmation. I took another shaky breath, feeling the air of the Void fill my lungs, tasting metal on my tongue.

"One," I started, the word causing a heavy weight to push down on my chest. "Two." The distant roar of thunder continued to fill the air with an unsettling sense of foreboding, its loud crashes whipping through me. I felt afraid, trapped, threatened—but I reminded myself of the warm hand in mine, of the soft sound of breathing before me. I'd do anything to protect her, I'd die a thousand deaths all over again if that meant she got to have a fraction of the happiness the Void had shown me. So I prayed that this creature, this ancient God, might somehow help her; send her back home where she belonged. And I hoped, for her, for the beggars and outcasts, that she might return to a better world than the one we had left behind. "Three."

Nothing happened at first, the only things I could feel being the pelting stream, Emily's hand wrapped in mine, and the icy air—until an explosive warmth shot through me, filling my veins with hot magic, burning my skin with searing light. I reflexively opened my eyes, taking in all that was happening, gaze widening at the sight before me; Emily was glowing from the inside out, skin illuminated by a thousand shining arteries, hair floating through the air as if it were water. She had opened her eyes as well, staring straight back at me, mouth agape as she watched what I assumed to be a similar image. I turned to where our hands touched the perforated skin, noticing how the light seemed to seep straight into the black epidermis.

Slowly, I watched as branching veins lit up beneath the dark surface, filling with life, spreading further and further, until the markings that marred our sides reappeared upon its flesh. The water that streamed down reduced, the large holes left by the knife steadily mending. There was a tangible shift within the air, the cold slowly lifting, the distant thunder settling down as more and more colour seeped into the surrounding atmosphere: bright gold, breaking through the darkness like rays of sunshine, painting the falling waters in its warm hues and creating streams of honey.

"This is beautiful," Emily sighed, skin already starting to turn back to normal, the golden light that filled the atmosphere illuminating her awestruck features. I couldn't take my eyes off her, feeling my heart swell at the mesmerising sight, drinking up the delighted look in her gaze as she watched the Void transform into something else entirely. But at the same time, I felt myself become increasingly weaker, the energy that cracked and fizzled through my limb pouring out into the mythical being at my side, leaving me depleted.

When I chanced a quick look at my hand, I noticed how my own skin was starting to distort, alternating between smooth and decaying flesh—the centuries wearing down parts of me at rapid pace. It was then the large beast stirred beneath my palm, the gaping holes that had once oozed water completely mended. I retracted my hand, hoping Emily hadn't glimpsed the way my skin had fluctuated. The sudden absence of magic felt strange and hollow, as if a large part of me had been removed, as if I wasn't complete anymore.

My eyes watched the enormous being shift in its place, large muscles rippling beneath freshly closed skin. There was a low sound, one that vibrated through tendon and bone, filling the air, causing the water to ripple at our feet. The whale—or Leviathan—moved, its larger than life body rising from its place. Emily had unconsciously taken a step in my direction, shoulder bumping into my arm, gaze following the creature with wide-eyed wonder.

The other whales appeared to greet their friend, large forms swimming through upside-down waterfalls, interrupting the fractured rays of golden light that illuminated them. My breath hitched and heart skipped as it raised its colossal head, its eye alone the size of Dunwall Tower. If the endless Void hadn't already made me feel small and insignificant, then this massive being sure did. It was no wonder humans never lasted long in the Void—it would be folly to think we could ever contain or control the same amount of power these whales had coursing through their bodies, as if it were their oxygen.

I watched the Leviathan move, its soulful eye locking on our forms, watching us with clairvoyant intelligence—I had possessed similar sight once, and more than ever I felt like I had been nothing but an imposter, a weak recreation of a being much more capable and powerful than myself. Its pupil dilated as it continued to stare us down, a flicker of recognition in its all-knowing gaze. I wondered what such a being might think, if we would be capable of understanding its mind, its conscience—most likely not. It didn't make another sound, the air filled only by the distant ambience of the Void itself and the continuous song of the smaller, surrounding whales.

Then, without warning, it lowered itself, presenting its back to us, its eye still watching us with unnerving acuity. I hesitated, unsure if it was offering what I thought it might be offering—chances were, it knew exactly what we had come here to do; I would have, had I still been the Outsider. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I glanced down at Emily, finding her to be looking at me with an equally hesitant expression. Squeezing her hand, I sent her a tight-lipped smile, reassuring her, intuition telling me we would be safe.

I was the first to take a step forward, feeling the water swirl at my feet, streaming past my ankles. Emily followed, albeit a bit unsure at first, trepidation rolling off of her in waves. I lifted my leg, allowing my foot to descend upon the Leviathan's back, feeling its newly warm skin against mine—and that's when I felt it again, the familiar prickle of magic, the invigorating static that heated my flesh. It reminded me of that one time when I had transported across the whales, their touch fuelling me, allowing me to wield magic without running out of energy.

I wondered if that was the case now, if the Leviathan's touch would allow me to channel its powers—there was no fault in hoping. Emily joined me, her other hand holding onto me for support, gaze darting across the creature, curiously inspecting its large expanse of skin. It moved, then, surprising the both of us, the Void's thin atmosphere breezing past our faces, whipping through our hair. The Leviathan let out a deep, trembling moan as it floated through the empty space, whales flocking to it like small flies, made to look insignificant next to its immense presence.

I wrapped an arm around Emily's shoulders, holding her to my chest, making sure to keep her safe as we moved with astonishing speed. My eyes were drawn to the vastly different landscape, black rocks coloured a warm caramel by the brilliant hues filling the space, the dimension itself made to feel considerably more… alive. The terrifying sense of looming dread no longer permeated the air, the threatening atmosphere replaced by a calmer, more harmonious presence.

It was as if the revival of the Leviathan had brought an end to the destructive reign of an everlasting night, its emergence casting the Void in the first rays of sunshine ever since its initial downfall. It made me hopeful, almost, to think that even such a bleak and despairing plane could be transformed—to think the world of humanity, too, could someday be reformed into something better. As I stood watching, I felt the Leviathan beneath my feet, the magic that sizzled through me whispering not words but feelings, insights; gratitude. I found myself praying to it, mind wishing for nothing but Emily's safe return home once our task was fulfilled.

It didn't take us long to reach the familiar island, its stone statues all-too recognisable, even from afar. My eyes had locked onto one of them in particular, its hands raised in a perpetual slaying, the stone image of the knife clutched tightly between calcified fingers. I felt Emily tense beside me, sucking in a sharp breath as her own gaze found the individual, hand tightening its hold on mine. I tried to hide the rush of nerves that caused my stomach to lurch, trying to keep my expression and posture as neutral as possible.

I had to hold it together, even if all my mind could see was the flash of a twin-bladed knife and the hands that gripped it—dirty nails, blackened with grime. I closed my eyes, briefly, taking in a deep breath, focusing on the feel of Emily's body pressed against mine, our fingers intertwined. She was all the motivation I needed, her presence an ocean of calm and strength for me to submerge myself in. Opening my eyes again, I watched as the Leviathan levelled us with the floating isle, allowing us easy access to its rock-surface.

Gritting my teeth, jaw clenching and unclenching, I tried to calm the storm of nerves that twisted up my insides. I stepped off its back, feeling its magic leave me. I felt weaker, wearier, older, but I dutifully pressed on, Emily's hand still in mine, her feet following behind me. Moving between the many rows of frozen cultists, their flesh turned to cold, unmoving stone, I started to feel the weight of it all press down on me. I still recognised their faces, knew their names, remembered their ear-splitting screams of despair as the ritual that made me turned them to lifeless heaps of rock.

I reached into my shirt, retrieving the shard I had carried around since escaping the Abbey, its sharp edges pricking my skin. I'd cut his throat, I'd decided—it would be the easiest, and quickest death. I didn't possess the strength to strangle or otherwise suffocate him. The sharp piece of rock would have to do, it was the closest thing to a knife I carried. Coming to a halt at the frozen figure's side, I allowed my eyes to sweep across the hood that obscured his face—I wasn't even sure I still remembered what he looked like, I thought I did, but those images could have easily been distorted by time.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Emily asked from beside me, eyeing the menacing statue.

I tightened my grip on the shard, bracing myself for whatever was to come. "I have to, Emily. It has to be done," I assured the both of us, knowing my words were meant just as much for myself.

"Yes," she agreed, taking a step closer, laying a hand on my arm, "but it doesn't have to be you." She tilted her head, eyes searching mine before finishing what she had to say. "I can do it in your stead."

I shook my head, feeling my heart constrict within my chest. "I won't have you stain your hands with blood—this is my burden to carry, not yours."

Her hand travelled up my arm, coming to rest upon my shoulder before squeezing it in a comforting gesture. "I'm here. You'll be safe," she assured me, words soft.

I smiled appreciatively, feeling more relaxed. Sucking in a deep breath, I braced myself again, brows pulling together in concentration. Leaning forward, I neared the statue's ear, much like Daud had done to me. Feeling my mouth run dry and heart beat in my throat, I licked my lips, finally uttering the name I knew belonged to the frozen man. A moment, filled with heavy silence, followed by a sharp gasp for air, a scream, and then, panicked breathing. I caught him speaking as he asked what was going on, but I was struck by the realisation that the voice sounded nothing like I had remembered.

The familiar words he uttered, however, belonged to our dead language; he wouldn't know the modern dialect of the Isles. The stone copy of the knife had crumbled, leaving his hands empty and shaking. I had taken a step back, watching his hood turn as he took in his surroundings, hand moving to remove the obscuring fabric. I felt Emily's where it still rested upon my shoulder, thumb stroking me in a soothing caress. The hood was lifted, and for the first time in centuries, I saw my father's face again as he noticed the two of us, turning to us with wide, panic-stricken eyes.

"W-who are you?" he asked in his ancient tongue, and as I watched his gaze dart between the both of us, I realised his face didn't much match up to my memories either. He was younger than I recalled, much younger—he looked to be in his early thirties at most. The only things I had remembered correctly seemed to be his eyes, their irises the same shade of brown, his skin, which was as pale as it had always been, and his hair, still as dark as my own. But his features... they didn't resemble the evil, sinister shapes my mind had twisted them into. If anything, he looked normal... if anything, he looked like me. "Matvey? Is that you, boy?" He lifted his shaking hands, reaching for my face.

I raised the pointed stone, causing him to falter. "Don't touch me," I spoke in a low growl, satisfaction washing over me as I watched him move back in fright.

"Easy now," he tried to placate me, gaze darting between mine and the improvised weapon. "You look good, boy—strong, mature." He licked his lips, hands still raised in surrender, the sight reminding me of a species of slithering, Pandyssian reptiles. "And who might this lovely lady be, hm?"

"Shut up," I snarled, pressing the stone against his throat, watching with unfocused eyes as the flesh dipped beneath the pressure. There was a loud ringing in my ears, and I found it hard to breathe. The sound of his voice slowly unhinged my mind, my sanity—until the familiar caress of Emily's thumb brought me back, the digit running across my palm. I took a shaky breath, trying to regain some of my composure, my already cold skin further pebbling with sweat. "I've come here to kill you," I admitted, the ancient words feeling strange as I spoke them, as if they didn't quite belong to me.

My father swallowed, throat bobbing beneath the makeshift knife, observant gaze staring straight into mine. Then, his lips curled into a hollow smile as he shook his head, eyes roaming my features. "It would seem you have made quite the man of yourself, have you not? My son, I must admit, I am exceptionally proud of you." His words wrapped around me, preventing me from moving, limbs locked into place as I continued to stare him down.

"Don't listen to him," Emily hissed, narrowing her eyes. "I know a liar when I see one." Her claims brought my throat to close, the veins beneath my skin throbbing. Was he lying? Would he do that even in the face of death?

My father's questioning gaze darted between the two of us. "What is she saying, Matvey, my boy?"

"What I am saying," Emily spoke up, raising her chin at the man before her, surprising me with how well she had come to master my language. "Is that flattery will not save your life." She squeezed my hand. "I recommend you listen now, because had I been your son's place, you wouldn't still be drawing breath."

I watched as my father's dark eyes narrowed, a sinister and threatening look passing over his features, transforming him into something closer to the disturbing visions I'd had of him. At the same time, I had felt my chest tighten with pride at Emily's words, overcome with admiration. I took a calming breath, fighting the nervous rhythm of my heart, urging myself to stay collected. My father was about to speak again, lips already parted, but I cut him off before any words could leave them.

"You'd do well to heed her warning. She's a better fighter than the both of us could ever hope to be."

His features shifted beneath my gaze, settling into something different, emulating sadness in a way that had me questioning myself despite knowing better. "You wouldn't kill your own father, would you?"

His words almost made me feel remorseful—almost. "You killed me first."

There was an excited glimmer in his dark eyes, a hopeful flicker that ignited at the implications of what I said. "I take it the ritual worked, then?"

My scowl deepened, grip around the shard tightening. "I'll be the one asking questions."

He pressed his lips into a grim line, swallowing whatever else he had wanted to say, eyes continuing to search mine. There were so many things I felt needed to be answered, mysteries that gnawed at my gut; how had he found his way into the Void? Where had the whales come from? Had I been the first human to take the Leviathan's place? But as I stared down the man who had ended my mother's life without an inkling of remorse, I felt every single question dry up on my tongue, the memory of her agonised cries as haunting as it had been all those centuries ago.

It seemed he picked up on my wavering resolve, dark eyes swirling with unsettling shrewdness. As I opened my mouth to speak, I caught the sound of a distant rumble, underlined by the familiar crackle of electricity—mechanical parts. My father's gaze left mine, trying to catch a glimpse. I didn't dare look away, too afraid he might attempt escape. It was Emily who turned instead, and I didn't miss her sharp intake of breath, or the straightening of her shoulders.

"It's the Abbey," she hissed, voice low and loaded with contempt.

I found myself cursing beneath my breath, blood whizzing through my ears. I had to think, I had to figure something out—fast. Killing my father now would mean most of my questions might never be answered, but keeping him alive risked the Abbey capturing him. Biting the inside of my cheek, I wracked my brain for a solution, time slipping past me without a hint of slowing down. I released Emily's hand, using my newly freed arm to grab my father by the shoulder, my movements surprising him enough to render him defenceless as I pulled his back to my chest, the shard still pressed to his throat.

"Hold my arm and stay with me," I quickly threw Emily's way, turning to face the direction of the noise. She responded immediately, both her hands wrapping around my bicep. It didn't take me long to find the source of the sound; the strange, new piece of machinery parked on the far end of the island stuck out like a sore thumb. It vaguely resembled a bird; large metal wings spanning from its sides, along with several propellers, placed methodically across the vehicle. It was no wonder Emily had recognised it as belonging to the Abbey, their tell-tale logo embellishing the invention like a tasteless piece of art.

Its doors opened, allowing a dark set of boots to jump from the machine's cabin, a familiar, blond-haired man turning to greet us: High Overseer Altair Kinley. My gaze was quick to spot the gleaming pistol in his hand, powered by the same sickening electricity I had seen and felt at Lord Heaton's mansion. I understood it was that same power which allowed the piece of machinery at his side to operate, the Void's devouring buzz rolling off of its metal surface—I came to realise that with the end of the storms, the Abbey would have run into some serious trouble.

I felt my father tense at the sight, the strange contraption entirely foreign to him; he hadn't been around to witness the newest of inventions. With his attention consumed, I took my chance to lead him backwards, further away from the Overseer and closer to the edge of the Island. Emily followed, hands never leaving my arm, tensed fingers twisted into the fabric of my shirt.

"Well, well," Overseer Kinley's voice called from across the rocky space, words bouncing off the human statues that surrounded us. "How gracious of you, Outsider, to do our work for us." His lips curved into a cunning smirk, hound-like features twisted into an expression of self-satisfied smugness. My scowl deepened at the words, my grip on my improvised weapon tightening, causing the sharp edges to cut my own skin. "Now, be a good citizen and let your father go, hm?" The High Overseer cocked his head, pointing his gun towards Emily as he made his approach. "After all, we wouldn't want anyone to get hurt, would we?"

"Get behind me," I whispered sharply, eyes never leaving Kinley's as Emily took cover, hands still wrapped around my arm. I didn't allow my grip on my father to loosen, limbs locked around him with as much force as I could muster. Raising my own chin in defiance, I stared down the nearing High Overseer. "I'm sure you and my father would have been the best of friends—you have a lot in common after all; killing mothers comes easy to men like you. It truly is a shame, then, that I won't ever hand him over to the likes of you," I sneered, watching the High Overseer's expression darken.

I felt my father shift in my arms, alarming me as I fought to keep him at my mercy, the sharp edge of the shard still digging into his skin, moments away from cutting the tender flesh. Chances were, he had figured out the other man had come for him, and he most likely understood that, contrary to us, the Overseer wasn't here to kill him.

"Though I have considered you many things, a fool was never one of them," the High Overseer growled, gun still pointed at us. I felt Emily squeeze my arm, and I realised we must have reached the far edge, meaning we couldn't possibly move any further. "It's only a matter of minutes before this little island here gets flocked by my men; your little fish-friend down below sure manages to draw attention—it certainly didn't escape mine," he continued, still approaching as we stood backed into a metaphorical corner. "Hand him over, Outsider, and I might just allow you and your little Empress to live."

I felt my skin heat as he spoke, anger bubbling in my chest, firing up my blood. I hadn't expected my father to try anything rash, which was the first of my string of fatal mistakes, the second being underestimating the High Overseer. As my father escaped my grip, I reacted on pure impulse, free hand shooting out to grab onto his cloak, feet pushing us off the floating island, taking both my father and Emily with me. The High Overseer had chanced a shot, missing us as we tumbled through the air, my fingers tightly gripping the ancient fabric.

Emily had let out a shriek of surprise, hands still holding onto me as we fell, hair whipping through the air. I had made a split-second decision, chancing everything on a hunch, risking our lives as I glimpsed the Leviathan beneath us. Never had I expected the High Overseer to do the same, his free hand reaching for us as he threw himself off the edge. There was no time for me to try and shake him off as he grabbed one of my father's legs, my own feet coming into contact with the large whale, the explosive crackle of magic shooting through me. My reaction was instantaneous, mind focused only on getting us away from here, the magic that burned through me immediately obeying my will.

The familiar rush of time and space wrapped around me, pulling me away from the Void, body drawn to a specific location, its presence like a shining beacon, burning with energy as it lured me towards it. Everything happened in a matter of seconds, the dimensions flashing and dancing around us like flickering flames, hinting at the existence of endless other universes. My fall was broken by merciless stone, skin tearing at the contact, followed by the impact of several other bodies. I let out a grunt of pain, clenching my eyes shut as I gasped for air.

There was heat, accompanied by the familiar crackle of fire, the smell of burnt oil filling my nose. The others had rolled off me, and I was vaguely aware of Emily's hand on my arm as I fought against the pain, knowing I had to get up and constrain my father before he had a chance to flee. Opening my eyes, I caught the sounds of shocked gasps and whispers, blurred vision clearing to reveal the familiar bonfire—or more specifically, the mass burning of whale oil.

"Violet!" I recognised Artur's voice, registering the sound of hurried footsteps as he tried to make his approach.

I knew I didn't have any time, adrenaline rushing through me as my heart pounded against my ribs, forcing the pain I felt to the back of my mind as I shot up. I was quick to spot the High Overseer several metres away, body sprawled across the cobblestone ground, shaking arms attempting to get up again. Turning to my left, I found my father already rising to his feet, about to move away when I used the last of my strength to leap towards him, grabbing the fabric of his cloak and pulling him back down. There wasn't a moment for me to think as I put all my strength and focus into wrestling the revived man, our bodies caught in a struggle of limbs. My skin hurt all-over, not just from the fall, but also from the enormous amounts of magic I had drawn upon to get us here. I was aware I was bleeding, my father's white cloak smeared with red as I fought him to the ground.

"Outsider!" I heard the High Overseer call out as I pressed the shard to my father's throat once more, his body trapped beneath mine. "It's over!"

I stared down into the ancient man's dark gaze, feeling droplets of blood and sweat run down my damaged skin. The air was heavy with tension, suffocating my lungs with every heaving breath I took. I could hear the quiet echo of whispers all around me, people who had only moments ago been celebrating, now all bearing witness to our strange interruption. I found myself hoping, praying to the Leviathan that Corvo was still there, that anyone capable of saving Emily was present. Raising my head to meet the High Overseer's gaze, I found him pointing his gun towards a kneeling Emily, white dress torn by the fall. Artur had retreated back into the crowd, large frightened eyes darting between Emily, the Overseer and I.

"By order of the Abbey, I command you to surrender!" Overseer Kinley barked my way, shaking his gun threateningly. His words were followed by another wave of shocked whispers, the people of Samara all turning their gazes on me. I knew this was it, this would be the end. There were no more choices for me to be made, the outing of my identity ensuring the damning of my fate; there was no place here for a thing like me, and the public now knew it.

There was a shuffling to be heard, people moving around as someone emerged from the crowd, their footsteps marked by a tell-tale limp. "The Abbey has no power here." My head whipped around to meet the owner of the weathered voice, shocked gaze locking with Nadia's defiant one, feeling my breath hitch in my chest —I remembered then; a young woman sailing with her husband, a run in with the Abbey, two men holding hands chased down, facing punishment for their love. She'd jumped to their defence, to no avail, limping for the rest of her days after being battered for her insurrection.

"Heresy!" the High Overseer shouted, taking a threatening step closer to Emily's crouching form. "The Outsider is a threat to all of you—he has already corrupted our once beloved Empress Emily Kaldwin!" He shook his gun towards said Empress.

"Lies!" I recognised Billie's voice as she stepped forward, hand clutching her bandaged arm, Callista supporting her weight—bringing me to wonder how the change in the Void might have affected her. "The Abbey spreads nothing but lies!" she continued, and I caught the familiar form of Corvo behind them, furious glare pointed at me, probably searching for ways to get his daughter to safety. There was another surge of whispers, of people negotiating who to believe.

"The Abbey lies!" another voice chimed in, the familiar figure of Alena stepping forward, soon followed by the rest of her friends, our friends—even an anxious looking Artur, who continued sending me terrified glances. There was an overwhelming wave of gratitude that crashed over me, my unbelieving eyes watching the people band together as they rejected the Abbey's claims, their disgust not aimed at me, but at the man threatening the innocent woman before them, the Empress who had danced and laughed with them without a hint of malice.

"Enough!" shouted the High Overseer. "Another word and I will shoot the Empress!"

I caught Emily's movements as she turned to me, one of her hands clutching a bleeding shoulder, features overcome with determination. "Kill him, Matvey!" she ordered, causing my heart to falter, knowing that if I were to follow up she'd be shot—without question.

"Don't do it Outsider—let your father go!" the High Overseer tried to argue, attempting to hit my weak spots, my chest constricting at his words.

"Do it!" Emily insisted, my breathing turned to wheezing gasps as I tried to figure out what to do, gaze darting between the man at my mercy and my bleeding lover, her golden gaze reflecting the fiery flames, flickering with fierce conviction.

"Shut up!" growled Overseer Kinley, and I was just in time to catch his finger move against the trigger, his words followed by an ear-splitting blast. I released my father, propelling myself forward with what little strength I still possessed, wobbling legs carrying me across the small distance. I threw myself towards the former Empress, jumping through the air and crashing into her with all my might. I gritted my teeth, panting, eyes clenched shut as I felt Emily gasp for air beneath me. My elbows had suffered the brunt of the impact, more of my flesh torn away. There was warmth, sticking to my skin, running down my stomach. I opened my eyes, mind strangely distant, thoughts bordering on delirious as my gaze swept across Emily's horrified features.

"It's okay," I croaked, hands cupping her cheeks, shaking thumbs stroking her pallid skin. "It's okay—you'll be okay." A crooked smile curved my lips, before a wet cough wracked my body.

"Matvey..." she whimpered, eyes filling with tears—and was that blood on her neck?

"It's okay." I coughed again, a sharp pain shooting through my torso, forcing me to roll off her—and why couldn't I feel my legs?

"Matvey!" I didn't recognise her voice, its tone distorted with horror. Her hands darted across my face, raking through my hair, cupping my jaw, beady tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Ssh," I hushed her, weakly, attempting to raise an unwilling arm. I shivered beneath her, her elbow propped against my chest as fingers dug into my scalp. "Don't cry, Emily," I crooned, trembling fingers finally reaching her cheek, tenderly stroking her skin, leaving behind trails of red. There were voices surrounding us, the sounds of footsteps darting past, followed by the familiar noises of a struggle.

"No, no, no, no, no," she kept repeating the word, shaking me as her eyes roamed my form, my own gaze following their direction—hadn't her dress been white? "No, Matvey, please!" She was starting to sound increasingly desperate, pleas turning to shouts, embodying a rawness that tore through me.

"Don't cry." The words were strained, voice slowly fading away, taken by the oozing warmth that flooded my mind, tasting something metallic at the back of my throat.

"No! No—father!" she called, turning her head, eyes desperately searching for something. "Father!" There were more footsteps, followed by the sound of rustling clothes as someone kneeled down next to her, a large hand wrapping around her shoulder. Emily continued to sob, my failing fingers trying their best to wipe away the tears, wipe away the smudges of red.

"Emily, sweetie-"

"Help him!" she begged with the helplessness of a small child, fingers digging into the collar of my shirt, clutching the fabric until it tightened around the back of my neck. "Help him, father!" she continued, only to be interrupted by another heart-wrenching sob. "Someone help!" I was starting to wheeze, eyes slowly falling shut as the numbness that had taken my legs slowly spread through the rest of my body. She shook her head, trembling lip pulled into a horrified grimace. "No, you can't leave me!"

I smiled a waning smile, gaze drinking up the way her features were brought to glow by the bonfire. "I love you, Emily." I trailed a finger across her lips, marvelling at their softness. "So, so much." I hadn't noticed my arm falling down until it hit my stomach, its muscles no longer capable of bearing its weight. It was then that I felt the pooling wetness, my entire abdomen soaked in something warm and sticky. I tried to look down, but found I couldn't lift my head. The tips of my fingers had started to cool, a sickening chill spreading through my limbs, eating away at the pleasant warmth that had smouldered just beneath my skin. I desperately wanted to close my eyes, get some rest—sleep, if only for a minute. I was tired, so, so tired. But Emily was crying—why was Emily crying?

"Don't you dare die on me!" I felt her forehead as she pressed it against mine, unaware my eyes had fallen shut in the meantime, her warm tears falling down my increasingly colder skin.

A weak snort passed my lips, a berating smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "You cannot command a God, Your Majesty."

Her sobs had turned to heaving gasps for air, a low guttural sound escaping her throat with every breath, mixed in with the indistinguishable mutters of a mourning soul. I wanted to remind her that it was okay, that everything would be okay. I'd wake up soon—I was just tired. There were voices, muffled and far away, all dripping with pity, all speaking with hushed desolation. I felt her lips on mine, soft and warm they were, bereaving me with their departure. Then there were hands, warm hands, many hands. And I wanted to tell them to let me go, to leave me be.

I was just tired—so tired.