Chapter 78

Tepi was the first to see me as I swam over to the ship.

"Nikita!" Tepi cried as she staggered towards me. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine! I have the scales!" I said.

She ordered two men to hoist me up. The sun seemed too far away beyond the gray cloud, and the monster's attack hadn't lessened since.

Once I got onto the ship again, I showed her the scales. They gleamed brightly in my hand, but Tepi stared at them with both relief and a hint of fear.

"I will ask everyone to retreat," she said in a hurried voice.

Our ship was in a bad shape, but Issarak's was even worse. Makara had wiped out the entire masts of their ship and tore the canvas to shreds. I heard thunders growling overhead. Tusita must have conjured up a funnel of a storm. She still seemed to have trouble landing any strike as she could barely stand still on the rocking ship.

"Everyone, leave this place now!" Tepi cried above the noises. "We already got what we came for!"