Cerulean Cape i won't go down by myself, but i'll go down with my friends

@Aphrodite!

days of searching had been fruitless. it was as if aphrodite and whatever trouble she had found herself in stayed one step ahead of him at all times. the trail meandered down the coast, leading him eventually to this expanse of beach. the sea stretched out before him, beginning to lighten from its dark expanse as the sun rose to his back.

surya shouted her name into the howling wind, hoping that someone, anyone, would hear. surely, she must be close! was he merely chasing the ghost of a scent; had he finally gone mad?

he had to bring her back. what on earth would he tell artyom otherwise?!

aphrodite! he called out, padding swiftly across the cape, kicking up sand in his wake. he panted, eyes darting, all but foaming at the mouth in his desperation. with first the predicament with the young mother and now this fruitless search, the mission had taken on the mantle of a hopeless errand.

he couldn't give up. he'd come too far.