Perhaps some intriguing encounter on their way back would have justified the effort, but alas, there was nothing novel to witness, no new mysteries to ponder within the Leviathan.
However, after about three hours, they detected a subtle change in the creature's behavior, forcing them to take cover, and in that moment a sudden realization struck Raiden.
Raiden observed the creature's mouth opening slowly, forest air flowing over their skin as they took in the sunset stretching before them.
The sense of peace and stillness that had enveloped him since Solace Isle was finally dissipating. At last, he was free.
But Raiden scarcely noticed any of this, his thoughts consumed by how the people of Coast might respond upon seeing such a magnificent creature rising from their waters.
"We have arrived." The Leviathan's frigid, resonant tone reverberated through their thoughts while it unfurled its enormous tongue, letting it fall against the shore and soak into the ocean-soaked sand.
