There is a red mist covering the lagoon when Ramón arrives. He soon discovers that the Sevillano has followed him to discover where Ramón found the great pearl. The Sevillano confesses that he lingered in the church the day before to steal the pearl for himself. Seeing that the Sevillano has a knife, Ramón throws the pearl into the sea to try to return it to the Manta Diablo. Ruiz dives into the ocean and retrieves it. He threatens Ramón with his knife and orders him to row to the city of Guaymas; his plan is to use the Salazar name to sell the pearl at a higher price. Held at knifepoint, Ramón is unable to do anything but obey.

Later that night, a giant manta begins to follow their boat. Ruiz is unperturbed by their travelling companion. However, when the manta begins to swim circles around their boat, causing waves to knock them about, the Sevillano tries to harpoon it. The amber eye of the manta convinces Ramón that it is the Manta Diablo itself. As the manta’s circles became smaller, water begins filling the boat. The Sevillano and Ramón make for an island called the Island of the Dead, which is named for the indigenous folk who live upon it and are known to kill anyone on their shore.