On board the Lady Victoria, the ship that had been chosen to escort him to Dabokva, Corvo leaned over the creaking metal railing that surrounded the deck. Behind him, Anton Sokolov, the newly-retired Royal Physician, quietly sipped from a bottle of liquor.
"It's been quite some time since you and I traveled together, Corvo. A pity it isn't under better circumstances. Tyvia can be a wonderful place if you ignore the cold."
"We won't be staying long, Sokolov. I'm not leaving Emily's side for any longer than necessary."
"She's much more capable than you realize. I knew that the moment she came back alive from those assassins in the pay of the late Lord Regent."
"You're right. But as long as I draw breath, I intend to be there beside her."
The captain came onto deck. He was an older man, with a bristled beard. His clothes, like that of the rest of the crew, were rough and caked with saltwater. He fumbled in his pockets and retrieved a cigar, which he then lit.
"We'll be departing soon. Best get below deck so my boys can work uninterrupted."
The two obliged. Solokov went back to his cabin, and Corvo went back to his own. There, he found himself feeling tired, as though heavy weights were being placed on his back. Strange. Then, before he could think any further, he collapsed. His body fell into a deep sleep.
When Corvo opened his eyes, he knew what had happened. Around him was the thick, grayish color of the Void.
Then he appeared.
The Outsider stood before Corvo, somehow looking younger than he had all those years ago. His eyes, black and empty like two small piles of ash, stared directly at Corvo. Then he spoke.
"Again we meet, Corvo. The Royal Protector, a daughter upon the throne. It seems little has changed. You still bear my mark, and thus share in my power. How you use it is something I have yet to know. Your role in the events to come, however, is much more clear."
Corvo didn't think before he responded. "What? What will happen?"
"You're right, Corvo. That was a pointless question. Your fate is something you control; I have no part in it. Still, I am quite eager to see what you will do. Will you save Emily? Or will you let her die as the last Empress did?"
He smirked. And then he vanished.
Corvo woke up to find his hand resting on the handle of his sword, still neatly folded inside his jacket.
For once, he had hoped the Outsider would stay out of this. His presence meant nothing good. Your role in the events to come, however, is much more clear.
He decided to visit Sokolov. "Anton, what do you know about the Outsider?"
"Aside from what the Abbey tells us? Nothing. Not even the Academy is allowed to study him."
"He came to me. Something feels wrong. He told me that I had a choice, save Emily or let her die like Jessamine."
"It sounds like he wants to confuse you. I may not understand who or what he is, but I know that he means nothing but misfortune. Nothing will happen, Corvo. We'll stay until we have our report, feast and drink, and then be back to Dunwall and your daughter before the month is over."
"You seem confident in your outlook."
"I have to be. Tyvians never know when the hard times will come."