CHAPTER 23
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The island appeared on the horizon like a mirage.
Kael stood at the bow of the small ship they'd borrowed—stolen, really—his eyes fixed on the distant landmass. The water around them was calm, clear, reflecting the sky like glass.
Beside him, Alkeos leaned against the railing, his arms crossed. "That's it?"
"That's it," Rynn said from behind them. She was steering, her hands steady on the wheel. "Dream Land."
Liora stepped forward, shading her eyes against the sun. "It's beautiful."
It was.
The island rose from the water like something out of a painting—lush green forests, cascading waterfalls, cliffs covered in vibrant flowers. The air smelled clean, untouched. Even from a distance, Kael could hear birds singing.
"Doesn't look dangerous," Alkeos muttered.
"It is," Rynn said. "Trust me."
They sailed closer. The island grew larger, more detailed. Kael could see the thick canopy of trees, the rocky shoreline, the faint shimmer of mist rising from somewhere deep within the forest.
"There." Rynn pointed toward a small cove sheltered by cliffs. "We'll anchor there."
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They parked the ship in the cove, securing it to a rocky outcrop. The water here was shallow, clear enough to see the sand beneath.
Kael was the first to step off. His boots hit solid ground, and for a moment, he just stood there, staring at the island.
It was quiet. Peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Alkeos jumped down beside him, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Feels wrong."
"It does," Kael agreed.
Liora and Rynn joined them, both scanning the treeline.
"We should scout the area," Liora said. "Find water. Shelter."
Rynn nodded. "Stay close. Don't wander off."
They moved into the forest.
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The beauty didn't fade as they walked deeper.
Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting patterns of gold and green across the ground. Flowers bloomed in every direction—reds, blues, purples Kael had never seen before. The air was thick with the scent of earth and moss.
"It's like nothing's ever touched this place," Liora said quietly.
Alkeos glanced around. "Yeah. That's what worries me."
They walked for another ten minutes, following a narrow path through the undergrowth.
Then they heard it.
A low growl.
Everyone stopped.
Kael's hand moved to his sword. Alkeos drew his blade. Rynn and Liora stepped back, their eyes scanning the trees.
The growl came again—closer this time.
Then something moved in the shadows.
It was fast.
A creature burst from the undergrowth—massive, covered in black fur, its eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. Its jaws were lined with teeth like daggers.
Kael barely had time to raise his sword before it lunged.
He blocked the first strike, the impact sending vibrations up his arms. The creature snarled and swung again, its claws cutting through the air.
Kael dodged, barely. He swung his sword, aiming for its neck.
The blade bounced off its hide.
*What—*
The creature turned and slammed into him, sending him crashing into a tree. Pain exploded through his ribs.
Alkeos charged in, his sword flashing. He struck the creature's side, and this time, the blade cut through.
The creature roared and turned on him.
Alkeos raised his sword to block, but the creature was faster. It knocked the blade aside and drove its claws into his shoulder.
Alkeos gasped, stumbling back.
Rynn moved in from the side, driving her fist into the creature's ribs. It barely flinched. She struck again, harder this time, but the creature swung its arm and caught her across the chest.
She flew backward, hitting the ground hard.
Liora's eyes widened. "Wha—"
The creature lunged at her.
Kael forced himself to his feet and threw himself between them. His sword came up, catching the creature's claws. The force drove him to his knees.
Alkeos appeared beside him, his shoulder bleeding, his sword raised. Together, they drove the creature back—one strike, then another, then another.
Finally, Alkeos's blade found its throat.
The creature collapsed.
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Silence.
Kael stood there, breathing hard, his entire body aching. Blood dripped from a cut on his forehead. His ribs screamed with every breath.
Alkeos was leaning against a tree, clutching his shoulder. His face was pale.
Rynn pushed herself to her feet, wincing. "What the hell was that?"
"Just a monster," Liora said quietly. She was staring at the creature's body, her hands still glowing faintly. "A basic one."
Kael looked at her. "Basic?"
"Yes." Liora's voice was tight. "That was one of the weakest creatures on this island."
Everyone went silent.
Kael stared at the dead creature. Then he looked at his hands—shaking, bloodied.
*We almost died.*
*To a basic monster.*
Alkeos laughed—bitter, hollow. "We're pathetic."
Rynn wiped blood from her mouth. "Yeah. We are."
Kael sheathed his sword slowly. His chest felt tight, his breathing uneven.
*We can't keep doing this.*
*We can't keep running.*
*We can't keep losing.*
He looked at the others. "We stay here."
Alkeos looked up. "What?"
"We stay here," Kael repeated. "We train. We get stronger."
Liora stared at him. "Kael, this place is—"
"Dangerous. I know." Kael's voice was steady now. "But that's exactly why we need to be here. We can't fight the Elite Force or kings like this. We can't even fight a basic monster."
Alkeos straightened, his jaw tight. "He's right."
Rynn exhaled slowly. "So we train here. Until we're strong enough."
Kael nodded. "Until we're strong enough to win."
Liora looked at each of them, then at the creature's body. Then she nodded. "Okay."
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They stood in the forest, bruised and bloodied, surrounded by beauty and danger.
And for the first time since Lumeria, they weren't running.
They were preparing.
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**END OF CHAPTER 23**