The sun, although rising and strong in the sky, seems to cast a more powerful shadow that bleeds into the dark ocean following the ships.

Many of the people in the crowd nod slowly to Yrashnal's words. A young boy asks an older woman, "But aren't the Mantis allies?"
<<Son, it was only a little while ago that the Mantis were taken over by the Shadow and their clan tried to seize the throne and take it for themselves, along with a the rulers of the Scorpion, the Centipede, the Wasp, and the Spider that joined them. It brought about the Clan War, and it was only then, after the Mantis leader was toppled, that the current ruler of the Mantis showed great strength and proved their clan to be of Great status. I think the Imperial Magistrates are wise not to show favor to any clan. See how these ships are being attacked by those shadow-beasts? That is like the spirit of what overtook many of the other minor clans. That shadow is a terrible foe to face, and only those that have a true fighting spirit can face it and win.>>

The ships have sailed closer. The shadow from the ocean is made of small lines that trails in the ships' wakes. The shadow seeps onto their bows and flows into the creatures fighting the crew on board each ship. Their battles seem to be pitched at the moment, but could turn at any time. Eleven ships remain, now, and the Twelfth seems to covered in Shadow-figures, and is heading away from the battle, back towards the darker part of the horizon.