Chapter 12: Hidden Signs

That night, no one in the Warren household slept. Both Charlotte and Emi, together and separately, felt that something was wrong.
Each in their own way, but they understood that a dark cloud hung over their green family meadow.
But what could you do... What could you do when your husband and father was so far away, his whereabouts unknown?

- Mama! I can't sleep... You're not sleeping either.

- Come here, my darling. Mama can't sleep tonight either.

- If only Dad were home...

- He'll be back very soon... He promised.

- What if he doesn't come back? I've heard so many such stories.

- Your dad is a skilled sailor and an experienced captain, don't worry. He'll return.

- Shall we pray for him?

- Yes. Will you pray with me?

- I'll pray so very, very sincerely for Dad to come home.

While Charlotte and Emi lay awake that night—surely a pivotal one for their family—She continued to torment Tom's ship and crew, unleashing ever more curses that turned into lightning and towering sea waves.

- Oh, my poor bridge, in oceano dispares,

In a hellish storm, you shall perish forever...

But She felt something was amiss... The sea no longer obeyed her so easily...

With hands clasped, Charlotte and Emi stood by the open window in total darkness.
Only the moon faintly illuminated their focused faces.

- Lord, our Most Holy Savior. Tom set sail by Your word. Calm the storm at sea and save Your disciples from destruction.

She couldn't understand why the sea no longer yielded to her charms so readily.
Fury coursed through her entire body, and She cried out with greater force!

- Oh, my poor bridge, in oceano dispares, In a hellish storm, you shall perish forever. Ventus (winds) and waves, obey my command—go, Lead him to the sea's depths, do not return him!

- Emi, let's do it together. Lord, our Most Holy Savior. Tom set sail by Your word. Calm the storm at sea and save Your disciples from destruction. Great are Your deeds! You Yourself sail in boats, so I beseech You, look upon the captains and sailors, and those who dwell upon the waters. Protect them from storms and all dangers.

Charlotte and Emi spoke the saving words in unison, their quiet voices a lifeline for their beloved Tom.

- Protect them from storms and all dangers!

- We've been pushed clear of the reefs! Richard couldn't believe he was saying it aloud. He'd been ready to die—part of him even longed to meet death—but...

But... Perhaps somewhere up in the heavens, Beatrice was praying with the girls in whispers.

- God is on our side today.

Why isn't it working!? She had completely lost control of the elements. Who was interfering with her!? But She refused to give up!

- Ad profundum abyssum (into the depths of the abyss), you wander, In tenebris eternis (in eternal darkness), your path ends. I shall awaken the sea's wrathful winds, So that you vanish forever, like a shadow in the night.

Now Tom's life and his crew's were no longer in their own hands.
A battle for their souls was being waged elsewhere. Not by them.

- Another breach! The keel seems damaged!

- DAMNED ELEMENTS!

- Protect them from storms and all dangers.- Watch over their skill in steering the ship.

- Preserve from all evil those who dwell upon the waters, and ensure they all reach the shore safely.

At that moment, a lightning bolt struck over the eerily quiet Bristol, illuminating the entire room.
It seemed this lightning was a sign meant only for the two of them—Charlotte and Emi.

- In the name of the Father

Strike!

- And the Son

Strike!

- And the Holy Spirit

Amen

Strike...

- The keel's intact! The storm is beginning to subside.

- It's not over yet, lads! God saw our hearts. Tonight, they shone brighter than the greatest star. Don't relax! Keep bailing the water! Tom mustered his last strength to bolster the crew's spirit. It was the only thing he could do now.

She raged...

- You won't escape me!!! Sub aquam (beneath the water), vanish into the depths, Without a trace, without a sign, in the sea's darkness. You cannot return, having lost your way, My will is vast, I see your ruin. O, memento, et timeo (Oh, remember, and fear), you are in darkness,Sine spe redemptio (without hope of redemption)—this is your place. My call to the elements, my magic—the key, So your end shall be the sea that swallows all night.

- It's not working! We're being driven toward the reefs. The wind's getting stronger!

- There'll be a shoal! The main thing is the ship doesn't capsize!

- Noooo! Otto!!!After Her next strike, Otto was swept overboard. The tally had begun. And the black abyss began spinning its roulette, hoping to claim more lives that night.

- Can anyone see him!? Throw him a rope!

- Nothing's left of the keel! It's only a matter of time before we sink!

- Damn it! We need to abandon ship!

Like a bloodthirsty beast, the wind clutched Lottie in its claws, smashing her against rocks and reefs, striving to crush the last shell of hope for Tom and his crew.

- Rich, gather everyone and head to the lifeboat!

- And you?

- I need to get to my cabin. I'll catch up!

- Don't dawdle!

She felt she needed just a little more. And Tom would break.
And he would break...

- Abyssi maris (abyss of the sea) shall welcome you, From all sides, you'll lose your path and light. In fluctibus (in the waves), your peace shall shatter, In tenebris profundo (in the deep darkness), you'll perish without rest. Eternalis (eternal) my wrath, ad finem vitae (to the end of life), Your ship shall become part of the sea's gloom. Omnia vanitas (all is vanity)—so you'll meet your end, Left in the hellish storm without a single echo.

A wave of incredible force struck the ship.
For a moment, it seemed Lottie rose above the moon,
Above all the fears and worries of ordinary people below.
But as quickly as that moment of majesty and bliss passed,
So too did the entire crew find themselves overboard.
The sea claimed them.

- Nooo, Richard!

Tom didn't hear what Richard said. Perhaps it was curses directed at him.
Perhaps a thanks for their final adventure together. Or maybe he was simply glad to finally find peace, as he'd dreamed of all his life.
Now, through the dark depths, he would reach the one he'd truly loved all along, though he only realized it when he lost her.
Oh, may God be merciful and not part them in the afterlife!

- DAMN IT! DAMN IT!

DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT!

DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT!

DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT!

Why did this happen!?

WHY WHY WHY???!!!!

If that's how it is! It was I who offended you! It was I who deemed myself master of the sea! SO TAKE ME!

Decided to mock me at the end!?

Don't you dare!!!!!

DON'T YOU DARE! YOU WON'T SCARE ME!

YOU'LL ANSWER FOR EVERYONE!

I WON'T DIE HERE!

YOU'LL NEVER SUBDUE ME!

ON THE CONTRARY!!!

I AM YOUR MASTER!

ME! ME! MEEEE!

Despite the sea's tantrums... Victory would be Hers today... She was almost done with Tom... All that remained was to lower the raised axe over his head and bury the body of the arrogant sinner at the sea's bottom.
Far from the shore, far from his family. Far from the places where he was remembered and awaited.

- Ooo, I pity you so...

O, ignis ventorum (oh, fire of winds), blaze above you,

Your fate is released, like smoke in the sky.

Mare vastum (vast sea) shall take your body,

Cast it into depths that know no end...

Charlotte felt they hadn't done enough... Something more was needed...

- Shall we try another prayer?

- Which one?

- Truly, any sincere conversation with God is a prayer.

- Did you make one up?

- Not quite, I'll just sincerely ask for what I desire.
Oh, my beloved.
In the depths of the sea, your path lies,
Return to our home,
My soul mourns, and my heart aches.
Stars above the sea, light in the sky...
Emi, repeat after me.
Guide the ship home,

- Guide the ship home. - Emi humbly echoed her mother.

- Winds, soften, storms, subside,

- Winds, soften, storms, subside,

- Oh, bless his path upon the seas.

- Oh, bless his path upon the seas.

- Your gaze shall always be his beacon.

- Your gaze shall always be his beacon.

- What is this!!!!
O, ignis ventorum (oh, fire of winds), blaze above you,
Your fate is released, like smoke in the sky.
Mare vastum (vast sea) shall take your body,
Cast it into depths that know no end.
In aeternum (forever), you shall remain forgotten!- In the sky and waves, find for me, The one who holds my heart in peace. Return, my love, home soon, In my dreams, I hear your step. Health and happiness I pray for you, May sorrow and cruel pain never touch you.

SheCharlotteIn aeternum (forever), you shall remain forgotten,
Submerged in the eternal oblivion of the sea's depths.
O, memento (Oh, remember) how I guide your soul,
Into this darkness called the hellish sea.Winds and waves, carry my husband,
To the home harbor, to my embrace,
May all roads lead him home,
So his heart may find warmth again.
Oh, my beloved, return home,
In my prayers you always live,
Return alive, healthy, and happy,
So we may meet joy's days together.

Charlotte could no longer hold back her tears. All she could muster was the strength to turn away, so as not to worry Emi further.
She had to be certain that her daddy would be alright.

- Damn it... God, if You can hear me... Bring him home. Whole.He's needed by us. Needed by Emi. Needed by me. His time hasn't come yet. Forgive him and let him return to me. Let him come home.

- Daddy asked us to call him! Let's call him... He'll definitely hear us! The wind and waves will carry our words to him.

- Yes... let's call him...

Emi and Charlotte stood by the window. They saw the same full moon as Tom.
But they were not together.

- Daaaaaddy!!!! We're waiting for you hoooomeeeeee! Mama, why aren't you shouting?

- Sorry... Tom! Come back! Oh, Lord, I pray, protect him always, May his ship always find its path, May our hearts meet again, And our love never fade in the silence of nights. Amor et spes (love and hope), may they be with him always, In dark days and bright, so You may guard him. Oh, my God, hear my prayer, And return him to me, whole and unharmed.

The storm subsided. The wind grew tired and hurried home. The waves grew bored of tormenting Lottie.
For it's no fun to play with broken toys. They'd had their fill of amusement today.
An entire crew of seasoned sailors became their feast.
Their hearts and souls would take their honored place in their underwater collection.
And remain there until the end of time, until the last ray of sunlight fades.
But their work was not finished.
For the perfect picture, the consummate masterpiece of horror and despair, one small piece was still missing.
Ah, why do our claws not strike the tiny form so beautifully perched on one of the rocks?
No matter, you'll return tomorrow.
Your bloody canvas will be complete. No! Better send her! Let her finish the task she began.
For his heart was promised to her. It belongs to her and only her.
And whoever thinks otherwise... Ahh! Shall be condemned to eternal despair!