In one week’s time, Vikas Tan’s clan gathered on the shore to await his arrival. They gazed out across the water toward Kul’dri Vas’s foreboding form, searching for the sight of his lantern. But Vikas Tan did not come.
After two weeks, still the clan would come to the shoreline, hoping to catch sight of Vikas Tan drifting back across the water. But Vikas Tan did not come.
Three weeks passed, and a few of the clan still wandered to the shore from time to time, checking for a sight of the lone raft. Perhaps Vikas Tan was still out there, trying to find his way back from the dreaded jungle continent. Those who believed in him clung to threads of hope, but with each glance toward the Muted Sea, their hope only continued to dwindle. Still, Vikas Tan did not come.
It was after four weeks, after all had given up hope of ever laying eyes upon Vikas Tan again, that a single lantern’s light was spotted bobbing distantly across the water.
At first, just a single person stood at the shoreline, staring out at the water in disbelief. But as the light got closer, more began to spot it, and soon enough the whole clan was gathered by water, waiting for the mist to reveal the approaching raft. As the light drifted closer and closer to the Coast, the silhouette of the vessel bearing it faded into sight. But what the clan saw was not the shape of a boy sitting upon on a flat, crude raft. No, what they saw was an enormous, round form, with some kind of large spikes extending out from it. As the form grew closer, the clan began to draw back with uncertainty. What was this intimidating creature bobbing ever closer toward the shore? And the nearer it got, the more apparent it’s massive size became. Whatever the approaching form was, it was big enough to crush a house.