The first rays of morning light touched the ship with a warm glow, casting golden lines across the deck and the still sleeping forms of Peroncerea and Eldrigan. The soft lapping of waves against the hull, the cry of distant sea birds and the rustle of breeze through sails were the only sounds accompanying the slow awakening of the crew. Well, everyone except the two still curled up together near the main mast.
Peroncerea's eyes fluttered open lazily, her senses slowly acclimating to the dawn. For a moment, she didn't register where she was. She just felt a warmth beside her, the steady rise and fall of breath and the slightly uneven texture of someone's robe brushing her arm. And then she turned her head, blinking a few times before realizing that Eldrigan was still right there out cold, resting with one arm wrapped loosely around her waist as if she might vanish if he let go.
She stared at him for a beat longer than necessary, her expression softening as a real, honest smile crept onto her lips. His hair was disheveled. His expression was peaceful in a way few people ever got to see, especially someone like him who always carried himself like the weight of his Dynasty sat squarely on his shoulders. She brushed a hand against his cheek gently, not even thinking about it.
But that fragile moment shattered the second she heard the sound of muffled laughter.
Slowly, she turned her head and there they were. Narisva was leaning against the rail, her arms crossed, smirking wide like she'd just witnessed the first love confession in a romance novel. Elyonari was covering her mouth but her eyes were practically dancing with amusement. Denisia and Natalis were standing side by side, clearly whispering to each other and failing miserably to hide their grins. Even Farrynelle, still pale but mobile, leaned on Xander's shoulder with a knowing look. Adelasta said nothing but gave a brief glance that was way too unreadable to be innocent.
"Oh gods. You're all staring."
"We're observing," Narisva corrected, sounding way too smug for this early in the morning. "Your relationship is clearly evolving. It's important to monitor romantic growth between a Duchess of Hell and an Outer Monarch of a dark Dynasty."
"It's adorable," Denisia said sweetly.
"Touching," Natalis added with a wink.
Xander tilted his head slightly. "Also, we really didn't expect you to be the cuddly type. No offense."
"I—" Peroncerea opened her mouth, then closed it again. Her flush deepened. "This is not how I imagined waking up today."
"Well," Elyonari said gently, "it's good to see this side of you. We usually get the feisty demoness who bites before she talks. Seeing the softer side… it's refreshing."
"I do not bite," Peroncerea snapped, but her voice lacked venom and she was definitely hiding behind her hair now.
"You do," Eldrigan mumbled half-awake, still lying on the deck with his eyes half-shut. "Twice back in the mansion."
The teasing burst into full-blown laughter at that. Even Adelasta cracked the faintest smile and Narisva clapped slowly, clearly enjoying herself far too much. Only Vastarael remained silent through it all, his eyes turning to the horizon where something massive loomed against the glow of morning sun. He didn't interrupt the teasing until his voice rang out clearly, cutting through the amusement with that effortless calm he always seemed to carry.
"We've arrived."
That got everyone's attention. Even Peroncerea's blush began to fade as Eldrigan stood up, brushing off his coat and straightening his back with a yawn. She stood too, slightly unsteady, still not fully recovered from yesterday's energy drain. They all turned toward the bow, eyes scanning the waters ahead until finally, it came into view.
The island was unlike anything they had seen before. Towering cliffs rose in the distance, wreathed in mist and crowned with lush canopies of green so thick they looked almost woven into one another. At the very center, a massive volcano stretched high into the sky, black stone gleaming in the light, its caldera faintly smoking. Birds circled the upper rim and waterfalls carved their way down the volcanic sides into glimmering pools far below. Thick rainforests blanketed much of the visible land, with rivers snaking through them like silver threads.
Vastarael stepped forward, crossing his arms as he watched the shoreline get closer.
"Annierouge Plenituse must have directed the waves to lead us to the docking point. That explains why we arrived precisely at dawn."
Adelasta turned to him then, eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"She shares your mother's surname. You don't think you're… related?"
He nodded slightly, his tone indifferent but not cold.
"Most likely. My mother came from the Plenituse bloodline, the oldest Hydroborn lineage. Given the power she displayed and the fact she's one of the Seven Hydrangea, it's safe to assume she's either a blood cousin or at least a bloodline connection several branches removed."
"Not someone you grew up with then?" Elyonari asked.
"No. I never met any of my mother's relatives. She didn't speak much of her past. But it doesn't matter now. We've passed the tests and the path ahead is open."
The ship slowly approached a long, vine-wrapped dock that extended out into the ocean like the welcoming hand of the island. Strange birds flew overhead, squawking in languages only the fauna of Inexpelcae might understand. The scent of wildflowers hit their noses next. Narisva stepped beside him, arms folded behind her back.
"So… are we ready to meet the next challenge?"
Vastarael glanced over his shoulder at her, and then to the rest of them, still tired and recovering, but standing tall.
"We're always ready."
The ship glided gently into the cove, the final stretch of their journey buffered by calm waves. As they neared the docking platform, the structure itself became visible in full. It was an expansive, open-aired system of stone and living coral woven together in a way that looked both artificial and organic. Arched bridges connected sections of the dock. Sea vines crawled across the banisters, giving the entire place a sense of being alive. At certain spots, tiny waterfalls spilled off the edge of the higher docks into the ocean below, creating a constant ambient sound of flowing water, mixing with the call of exotic sea birds flying overhead. Strange aquatic lanterns floated above the pathways, held aloft by some mystic force.
As the ship finally docked, the group collectively exhaled. The vessel gently nudged the harbor with a soft thud and ropes were tossed onto iridescent posts. But before anyone could step off, Vastarael turned back to face them.
"Listen closely. No one here knows who we are. We're separated from the world of Spheraphase now. On this island, we aren't royalty, monarchs, champions or heirs. Not until we prove it again. They'll treat us like guests and we will behave like guests."
They all nodded, understanding the message behind the words. Even the most powerful Divine was nothing in a land of unknowns and here, amid the cradle of the Hydroborn, assumptions could be fatal.
And then, they stepped off. It didn't take long for eyes to turn.
The moment their boots and sandals hit the polished stone, several dockworkers and onlookers nearby paused to look in their direction. Some stopped mid-step, others dropped the crates they were holding. The Sentina Erideae were ethereal in appearance, each of them bearing a unique divine aura and beauty that was far from subtle. Their clothing, their posture, even the way they walked screamed distinction.
But the people of the docks… they weren't lacking either. The Hydroborn were stunning.
Every man and woman they passed looked like they were handcrafted from the best parts of the sea and sky. Their bodies were lean, powerful and flexible. Scales covered parts of their bodies across the cheekbones or collarbones, others across forearms or shimmering gold streaks over the neck and thighs. Some had webbing between fingers, others had glowing marks near their temples, and many had glowing eyes of ocean hues.
The Hydroborn were undoubtedly the most beautiful immortal race on Spheraphase and yet even amongst such beings, the arrival of the ten newcomers had stirred curiosity. Whispers began to ripple among them.
A woman casually dressed in nothing more than a white sleeveless t-shirt knotted at the side and navy blue shorts that clung lightly to her skin appeared. Her long, seafoam green hair flowed behind her in natural curls, and her caramel-toned skin shimmered with a natural glow that looked far too flawless to be a result of the sun. Her body was toned like a swimmer. Her expression was confident was relaxed. She was clearly Hydroborn, judging by the teal scales spiraling down her legs and the small fin-like ridges on her elbows. She waved as she walked briskly toward them, her bare feet making soft slaps on the wet stone.
"Oi! Are you the ten guests selected by the First Hydrangea?"
There was a slight pause before Narisva nodded. "Yeah. That's us."
The woman blinked once, looked at them all for a moment… and then her gaze landed on Vastarael.
Instantly, she dipped into a shallow bow. It wasn't dramatic or ritualistic but in a place where no one else was bowing, it stood out.
"Welcome to Nyramith Island," she said, still looking at him for a second longer than necessary before shifting her attention to the rest. "Please follow me. You'll be given temporary residency and instructed on your status and restrictions while within Inexpelcae."
They didn't ask questions. They followed her in silence, walking across the glistening dock toward a long pathway flanked by coral arches. But as they walked, more than one of them was glancing sideways at Vastarael.
"Did she just bow to you?" Xander muttered under his breath.
"She did," Denisia replied softly.
"Why, though?" Farrynelle asked, leaning against Xander with narrowed eyes.
"I mean," Eldrigan grinned slightly, "he's too handsome not to bow to, maybe?"
But no one got an answer.
Vastarael, as always, said nothing. He didn't even acknowledge the gesture. He simply kept walking forward, his eyes already scanning the horizon, his thoughts miles ahead of the questions that were now forming in everyone else's heads.
And somewhere behind them, quiet as the waves lapping against the docks, the whisper had already begun to spread among the Hydroborn.
"He has the power of the Plenituse..."