Chapter Text
Dawn crept slowly over the horizon, painting the sea in soft hues of gold and pale pink.
Phoenix stood at the helm of The Exodus, her sharp, ancient eyes fixed on the ship drawing closer through the morning mist.
Beside her, Hongjoong watched carefully.
“Friend or foe?” he asked quietly.
Phoenix didn’t hesitate.
A small smile touched her lips.
“Friend. Definitely friend.”
Hongjoong raised a brow.
“Confident.”
“I know that ship,” she replied.
Her gaze softened slightly.
“It’s The Last Waltz… an all-female crew.”
She paused, then added—
“Led by Captain Park Jihyo.”
Recognition flickered across Hongjoong’s face as Phoenix stepped away from the helm.
“Take over,” she said to Minseok.
He nodded immediately, moving into position.
Phoenix made her way across the deck toward the starboard side, her coat fluttering slightly in the morning breeze.
The ship drew closer.
Closer—
Until voices could finally carry across the water.
“Phoenix!” a familiar voice called out.
Phoenix leaned slightly over the rail, a grin breaking across her face.
“Jihyo!”
Park Jihyo stood proudly at the front of The Last Waltz, her long black hair flowing behind her.
“Permission to approach and board?”
Phoenix didn’t even pretend to hesitate.
“Permission granted!”
───
Ropes were secured quickly.
A plank was lowered between the ships.
Moments later, Jihyo crossed onto The Exodus.
The second her boots touched the deck, Phoenix closed the distance between them.
They wrapped each other in a tight embrace.
“I’ve missed you,” Jihyo laughed softly.
“Missed you more,” Phoenix replied.
They pulled back just enough to press quick kisses to each other’s cheeks—
Then a brief, familiar kiss to the lips.
Platonic.
Comforting.
A greeting between two women who had shared years of trust.
Phoenix smiled warmly.
“What are you doing out here?”
Jihyo’s expression shifted almost instantly.
Serious.
Focused.
“We barely made it out.”
Phoenix’s smile faded.
“Out of what?”
Jihyo exhaled.
“Lee Seungri.”
The name alone tightened the air around them.
“The Burning Sun caught our trail a few days ago,” she continued. “We managed to shake them, but not without damage.”
Hongjoong and Seonghwa stepped closer, listening carefully.
Jihyo looked directly at Phoenix.
“He’s close.”
A beat of silence.
Then—
“We came straight to you.”
Phoenix’s jaw tightened slightly, but her voice remained steady.
“Good.”
Jihyo nodded.
“My crew and I are with you.”
Her gaze was unwavering.
“We’ll fight alongside you. Whatever comes.”
Phoenix stepped forward and took her hands briefly.
“Thank you.”
───
Not long after, the mood shifted again—this time into something far more welcoming.
Phoenix began leading Jihyo across the deck, introducing her to everyone.
“This is my first mate, Minseok.”
“And that’s Kyungsoo—he runs the kitchen.”
She moved from one group to another seamlessly.
Soon, Jihyo was greeting:
Hongjoong and his crew.
Son Hyunwoo and the crew of The Beautiful Liar.
Lee Jinki and the crew of The Poet Artist.
Kwon Jiyong and the crew of The Zutter.
Each introduction strengthened the feeling spreading across the ship.
This wasn’t just a crew anymore.
It was a fleet.
An alliance.
A force.
───
Finally, Phoenix paused outside the children’s cabin.
She glanced at Jihyo with a small smile.
“And these,” she said softly, opening the door, “are the most important people on this ship.”
The children peeked out cautiously before stepping into the light.
Phoenix crouched slightly, beckoning them forward.
“It’s okay.”
They gathered around her, curiosity shining in their eyes.
Jihyo knelt down to meet them at eye level, her expression instantly softening.
“Well, aren’t you four incredible,” she said warmly.
Phoenix introduced them one by one.
Jihyo greeted each child gently, her voice kind and reassuring.
It didn’t take long before their nervousness melted into shy smiles.
───
As the sun fully rose over the sea, the deck of The Exodus buzzed with renewed energy.
More allies.
More strength.
But also—
More certainty.
Because now, there was no doubt left.
The storm was coming.
And this time—
Phoenix would not face it alone.