The Sea Serpent sailed into the bustling port under the cover of dusk, its crew weary but alert. The promise of fresh supplies and a brief respite was a welcome change. As the ship anchored, Jana scanned the port, noting the mix of merchant vessels and warships. The air was thick with the scent of salt and fish, mingled with the distant sounds of laughter and commerce.

Once the ship was securely docked, the crew dispersed to gather provisions and stretch their legs. Jana, however, had a different mission. She made her way through the winding streets to a brothel, its sign swinging gently in the evening breeze. Women were more commonly seen in such places, and she hoped to blend in more easily.

The brothel was lively, filled with sailors, traders, and locals doing more than exchanging stories and gossip. Jana slipped into the dimly lit establishment, her eyes adjusting to the smoky interior. She found a seat near a group of men engrossed in conversation and ordered a drink, listening intently to their words.

A grizzled old trader, his face etched with the lines of countless voyages, was speaking in hushed tones to his companions. "Aye, I've heard tell of strange folk in Valtoria. They say they're witches, followers of the devil himself. They've got strange powers, and they meddle with things best left alone."

Jana's interest was piqued. She leaned closer, batting her eyes and giving the men a flirtatious smile. "Tell me more about these strange folk," she purred, her hand resting lightly on the sailor's arm.

The traeder, emboldened by her attention, continued. "Thank God that kingdom is strong in faith, unlike their neighbors. They'll eradicate all those devil worshippers soon enough."

Upon hearing those words, Jana's mind raced. "Valtoria?" she thought, the name ringing a bell. The mention of strange people with powers made her immediately think of the timekeepers. She realized she had no time to spare. At least in Valtoria, she could find, if not the orb, a part of her home and her current past in that sinking oblivion. The excitement she showed made the sailor misunderstand her intentions even more.

"You're quite the storyteller," she said with a forced smile, pushing his hand away. "But I must be going."

The trader's grip tightened on her arm, his eyes narrowing. "Where do you think you're going, sweetheart? The night is still young."

Jana's eyes hardened. With a swift movement, she shoved him away, causing him to stumble back into his seat. "I said I'm leaving," she snapped, her voice icy.

The trader recovered quickly and grabbed her wrist, yanking her back with surprising strength. "You don't just leave when I'm talking to you whore," he growled, his breath reeking of alcohol.

Jana's anger flared. She twisted her arm free with a sharp jerk and landed a hard slap across his face. Heyes blazing with fury.

The room fell silent, all eyes on the confrontation that not even the loud voices could hide. The sailor froze, his eyes wide with fear upon the weapon Jana had just pressed on him. After a tense moment, Jana lowered the dagger she had drawn from her boot and backed away, keeping her gaze locked on him. "Next time, you won't be so lucky." she said coldly.

She quickly left the brothel, her heart pounding. As she made her way back to the ship, she thought about the lie she would tell the crew. Revealing her true intentions wasn't an option, so she decided to say she had a lead on the Tear of the Siren. They had planned to leave in a week; she knew she had to shorten their stay.

Back on the Sea Serpent, Jana gathered the crew on deck. They looked at her expectantly, their faces illuminated by the flickering lanterns.

"We've got a new lead on the Tear of the Siren," she announced. "It's in the kingdom of Valtoria. We'll be departing in three days."

Murmurs of dissent rippled through the crew. Brannon stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "Captain, that kingdom is at war, and their fleet, one of the greatest that has ever existed, is more vigilant than ever."

Liora added, her voice shy filled with concern, " I know from first hand how relentless their navy can be. This isn't a place we should tread lightly."

Jana's eyes flashed with determination. "I understand the risks, but this is our best lead yet. We can't afford to ignore it."

Elara, the navigator, voiced her concerns. "We've faced danger before, but this is different. We could be sailing straight into a battle."

Jana raised her hand to silence them. "I am the captain, and I say we go." Her judgment was clouded, and everyone there saw a resemblance to the previous captain in her. Oblivious to this fact, she continued looking at everyone defiantly, thinking very little about what she would do if things went unexpectedly.

The crew exchanged uneasy glances but remained silent. Jana's authority was unquestionable, and despite their fears, they trusted her judgment.

With the decision made, preparations were swiftly underway. The Sea Serpent adjusted its sails and set course for the war-torn kingdom. Jana stood at the helm, her mind racing with thoughts of the Tear of the Siren and the possible presence of timekeepers. She even considered the possibility that her brother might be among them. Strangely enough, she missed those looking-for-a-fight jokes he always made that became part of her daily routine at the UOTC.

As they approached the waters of Valtoria, they raised the ship's white flag to indicate they were not enemies but simply entering the kingdom's waters. Jana hoped this gesture of peace would be understood. However, as they sailed closer, the atmosphere grew tense. The horizon was dotted with the formidable fleet of Valtoria, their ships glistening menacingly in the sunlight.

Suddenly, without warning, the Valtorian fleet began to attack. Cannonballs whistled through the air, crashing into the Sea Serpent with deadly accuracy. Jana barked orders, trying to steer the ship out of range, but the onslaught was relentless.

"Why are they attacking us? We showed them our flag!" Brannon shouted over the chaos.

Jana had no answers. Her mind raced as she tried to comprehend the situation. It wasn't until they drew closer to the lead ship of the Valtorian fleet that she saw a familiar figure standing on the deck, directing the attack with ruthless precision.

Rodrick, thought to be dead, was alive and commanding the Valtorian fleet. Jana's heart sank as she realized the depths of his power. He had survived and risen to command in Valtoria, turning their formidable fleet against her.

The Sea Serpent shuddered under the impact of another barrage. "Brace yourselves!" Jana yelled as the ship began to sink. Water poured in from all sides, the crew scrambling to abandon ship.

As the ship sank, Jana caught sight of Rodrick on the Valtorian flagship, a triumphant smile on his face. He shouted across the water, his voice carrying over the noise of battle. "You should have stayed hidden, Jana!" He then turned to his son, who was on the deck, eyes wide with horror. "Look at the traitors now!"

Rodrick's son, pale and trembling, watched as the Sea Serpent was torn apart. Rodrick himself boarded the sinking ship, killing most of Jana's crew with brutal efficiency. The few who survived the onslaught clung to debris, floating aimlessly in the wreckage. After the massacre, Rodrick seized his son, patting the back of his neck. "Doesn't matter how cruel you think I am, I wouldn't let my offspring die in this mess," he snarled, dragging him back to the flagship, leaving Jana and her remaining crew to their fate in the turbulent waters.

 The Sea Serpent sank beneath the waves, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. The fate of her crew was uncertain, lost to the chaos and the depths.As Jana struggled to stay afloat, she watched Rodrick's ship sail away, her vision blurring.