The ship had been cutting through calm waters for some time, gradually leaving behind the thick fog that shrouded the Imnisfir Archipelago. The island of Sakuraggio was beginning to take shape on the horizon, its dark and imposing silhouette contrasting with the pale blue sky. Sylena ran up to me, excitement shining in her eyes.
"Jonady, look!" she exclaimed, pointing toward the coast. "For me, who's only ever known Azulferia, this feels like the start of an adventure."
I smiled slightly but kept my gaze fixed on the horizon, fully aware of the mission that awaited us.
The ship continued its course, with Captain Smith carefully observing the sea.
"Your Majesty? Is something wrong?" he asked when I suddenly signaled for everything to stop.
Nilyna gave me a knowing wink.
"Your Majesty, we are not alone," she whispered.
I turned my eyes to her, then back to the ocean.
"Yes," I finally said in a grave voice. "We're being watched."
Smith frowned.
"What do you mean? Look, the island is only twenty minutes away. There are no other ships in sight, except for those in the Ednian fleet."
I raised my hand and gave the order to halt all movement.
"All ships, stop your maneuvers."
Immediately, the seven ships of our fleet came to a standstill, floating like statues on the water.
I placed a hand over my mouth, barely murmuring:
"Listen."
A heavy silence fell, broken only by the gentle sound of the waves.
Then, suddenly, the water level began to rise rapidly.
"What is that?" Smith asked, eyes filled with concern. "Get ready—it might be a tsunami."
But Nilyna shook her head firmly.
"No, that's not a tsunami."
A scream pierced the air. A sailor lost his balance and fell overboard.
"What was that?" cried Sylena, eyes wide in shock.
Marco, the oldest sailor, swallowed hard before responding.
"I… I don't know. It was so fast, I didn't see it coming. Three black shadows shot out of the water, trying to pull us in with massive jaws full of long, razor-sharp teeth. Their eyes were small, covered by a thin translucent film. A lure dangled at the tip of a long spine on their snouts."
Nilyna suddenly shouted:
"Prepare for battle! They're Melanocetidae! Take them out—don't let them surface!"
Our well-trained soldiers quickly deployed their weapons and began channeling offensive magic. Bursts of luminous energy streaked through the air, striking the creatures.
The battle was brief but intense. The Melanocetidae, swift and aggressive, tried to reach the ship to attack, but we repelled their assaults with determination.
Then, without warning, the water level surged again, and several sailors lost their footing.
"Throw out the lifebuoys!" Smith commanded. "We can still save them!"
But it was already too late. Two sailors were swallowed by another sea creature, larger and more fearsome, that had emerged from the depths.
Sylena leaned over the railing, horrified.
"What is that thing?"
The creature wasn't very large, about 45 centimeters long, but it had an enormous jaw lined with 15-centimeter teeth, sharp as blades. Its elongated body was covered in dark scales, and a glowing lure oscillated slowly from its head, attracting prey.
Smith observed the beast closely, his eyes turning cold and calculating.
"A viperfish," he said. "It's the first time I've seen one. They're said to live near the shores of Imnisfir."
The creature then tried to gnaw through the hull of the ship, leaving deep marks in the wood.
"Nilyna, don't let it!" I shouted.
Without hesitation, she drew a poisoned dagger, threw it with deadly precision, and struck the creature's body. It convulsed for a moment before sinking back into the depths, lifeless.
After this confrontation, we finally managed to dock at Sakuraggio. The tension was palpable, but our resolve remained strong.
As we set foot on the island, the calm that followed felt almost unreal. Yet everyone knew it was merely the calm before the storm.
Sakuraggio, with its dense forests and buried mysteries, was waiting for us. Our quest to uncover what threatened this isolated land was only just beginning.