Parched by the winds that blow in from the east, our mage stands tall in the regret that haunts him from the past full moons shine. It was that merchant that he still remembers and the look on her face when he professed his oracle’s curse upon her voyage that she has long past made due generations ago. Her heart was so set that he felt it wiser to keep his mouth shut, but that which rose inside of his breath that might never be able to explain spilled out the damning prophesy that now he wishes though he would have never brought into existence.

He felt it his fault she would never look at him the same way again, never like the sweet blossom cheeked woman that held so much hope for the adventures ahead and so many blessings for the crew that served under her command. He felt it his fault; everything that might happen to her and those good folks with her and every bad thing that happens: he thought it all upon his shoulders now. She must come home safe; even if she never spoke to him again, she must come home safe.

Then, as he solemnly sat upon the rocks looking out over the coastal waves that crashed therein and the vast waters that held his love’s fate, a sweet came to the distance that came rushing towards him. Like the ancient ocean beasts of legend, it wasted no time to close in the space where his melancholy ended and the mystery began. Suddenly, it came to its sudden halt and slowly exposed the crown of its head, and the knowledge of its identity became known to our Mage now, and his head sank into his hands. He knew who this was. He knew what it came for, and he didn’t want it now. Not now.

As it rose from the misty ocean waves that smacked into the coastline, its eyes met his before it gave a gentle and said, “BRO! What the fuck is going on?”

“Nothing, Kevin. I…” our Mage holds back the tears and struggles to continue, “… I just wanted to tell her! But it… IT HAPPENED AGAIN!” He breaks down and sobs now. Those tears he held back were holding back so much more than he expected.

Our gentle ocean giant, Kevin, as he is known, took his tentacle, the smallest one, to console his oldest friend on the shoulder, “I am so sorry, ole friend.”

Our Mage took consolation in this, “Thank you, Kev. I appreciate it. I do.”

Kevin looked at his Mage with one of his more enormous eyes, smiles, and said comfortingly, “Now suit up fucker. It looks like you need some beer so that we have the most regretable of nights, ole friend. She will be fine. I promise.”