The storm battered the lighthouse, waves clawing at the rocks below. Inside, Captain Wren gripped the railing, forcing himself to restrain the impulse to rush outside. He could see the wrecked fishing boat floundering in the black water, lantern light flickering like a dying star. Every instinct screamed at him to leap into action, but the tide was murderous. Instead, he focused on the signal lamp, sweeping its beam over the chaos, guiding the lifeboat crew inch by inch toward the stranded men. The wind howled like some ancient beast, shaking the tower, but Wren’s hands stayed steady. Moments later, the lifeboat reached the wreck, pulling the soaked fishermen aboard. Wren exhaled, finally letting his muscles slacken. Restraint, he thought, wasn’t cowardice—it was the discipline to save lives the right way. Outside, the sea still raged, but inside, the light kept burning.

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