Scarlet blood stained the entire area red. It drifted on the emerald green sea, merging with the water. Under the sunlight, this patch of sea turned a scarlet color, reflecting a brilliant hue.
A few slender rowing boats lay still on the sea surface. Some had capsized, only half of their forms visible above the water. Also emerging from the water were numerous corpses splayed across its surface. Buoyed by the water, parts of them floated on the surface.
Alka and his companions on the *Swallow* skimmed across this blood-drenched sea, its bow slicing through the scarlet water. The vessel pushed aside the corpses blocking its path as it headed straight for the small village floating on the sea.
They hadn't wanted to go initially, but given the situation, it seemed impossible to avoid a visit.
Julia sat on the boat's edge, observing the blood and drifting corpses all around.
