After a week-long journey, and amidst a dense fog that blanketed the horizon, the small boat continued its slow progress through the calm waters.
Travis watched through his device, staring at the screen where the features of an island were gradually emerging. He narrowed his eyes, trying to focus more, then said calmly, "I think we're close."
But before he could finish his sentence, his ears caught the sudden roar of rushing water. He turned quickly to find a massive ship advancing toward the island on the horizon. A man appeared on the deck of the other ship, waving his hand and shouting enthusiastically, "We've made it, guys!"
It was clear that the ship carried a group of explorers who seemingly shared the same destination.
As they drew closer, a gruesome scene began to unfold before their eyes. Shipwrecks were scattered across the shore—broken wooden planks and shredded sails fluttering in the air like lost ghosts. But the wreckage was not the worst of it; it was what lay among the debris!
Mangled corpses and severed bodies were strewn along the coastline. Some bore marks of savage bites, while others were drenched in blood, their features frozen in expressions of the sheer terror they experienced in their final moments.
Everyone stood in silence, their blood freezing in their veins; the very air felt too heavy to breathe. Then, a terrifying roar echoed from the sea!
One of the adventurers from the other ship screamed, "What is that?!"
From among the wreckage and the corpses, a massive beast with a hideous body emerged. Its face was a grotesque blend of a hippopotamus and a crocodile, covered in thick, leathery skin. Its eyes glowed with a fierce yellow light, and its fangs dripped with blood!
Without hesitation, the beast began its assault on the ship with its colossal teeth. It then leapt onto the deck and began tearing the crew apart without mercy! Some men tried to jump into the sea, but the beast let no one escape. Their screams mingled with the sound of splintering wood and shattering weapons. Some tried to fire at it, but the bullets simply ricocheted off its tough hide.
Having finished its massacre of the ship, the beast turned slowly, staring at the boat carrying Basil, Hamza, and Travis. Its glowing eyes met theirs... then it roared powerfully and lunged toward them with unexpected speed!
At the crucial moment, Basil stepped forward, raising his hand clad in the iron glove. He pushed the bracelet back to ensure extra power, Then he lunged with sudden speed, delivering a punch of immense force to the beast's jaw!
The beast recoiled, staggered by Basil's blow, which was powerful enough to send it reeling back several meters, stumbling for a moment!
Watching from behind, Travis muttered in astonishment, "Impossible... what is this strength?!"
As for Hamza, he took a step back, looking at Basil and saying, "I don't believe it... is this really Basil?!"
Basil gave them no time for wonder. He said firmly, "No time for surprises! I need you both to help me so I can control it!"
Without hesitation, he unwrapped the cloth covering his hand, revealing the glowing mark. He extended his hand, attempting to seize control of the beast. But when he tried to activate it, nothing happened!
Basil recoiled in shock, looking at his hand; the mark was glowing, yet it had no effect on the beast! He said anxiously, "What?!"
In that instant, the beast roared again and pounced toward them with incredible speed! Hamza raised his sword and prepared to strike. When he delivered the blow with all his might, the beast snapped its jaws shut on the blade, shattering it into scattered shards!
Hamza's eyes widened in shock. Before he could process what had happened, the beast lunged directly at him, raising its giant claws!
Basil moved swiftly, intervening with skill. He landed a powerful punch to the side of the beast's head, forcing it to retreat slightly!
In that moment, Travis seized the opportunity. He drew his twin pistols from the wheel on his back, then leapt with acrobatic speed, his body spinning gracefully with his eyes locked on his target. In a split second, he aimed directly at the beast's eye and fired.
The bullet struck the beast's eye. it shrieked in pain and recoiled, but that was not enough—it only grew more enraged. The three were forced to retreat, breathing heavily, while the beast snarled in fury, blood streaming from its wounded eye.
Travis said breathlessly, "This thing won't go down easily... we need a backup plan!"
Basil, wiping the sweat from his brow, studied the beast seriously before saying, "This creature possesses immense strength and unbelievable durability!"
Hamza looked at his broken sword, gripped the hilt tightly, and said in a resolute voice: "We must end this now... or we will be the next victims!"
The three looked at each other with intense focus, then nodded their heads, ready to engage in an even more violent second round!
The beast was snarling, bracing for its most violent attack, while they stepped back slightly to reassess and prepare for the confrontation.
At that moment, a massive card suddenly appeared in the sky. It shot toward the beast with blinding speed, slicing it in half instantly!
Silence reigned for a few moments. The beast remained in place as if it hadn't realized what had happened. Then, suddenly, its body collapsed and fell heavily into the sea with a thunderous splash.
Basil, shock written all over his face, whispered, "What was that?!"
Before they could grasp what had occurred, a man entirely covered in a black cloak appeared above the remains of the beast. The large card he had used was slowly shrinking before returning calmly to his hand.
The man pulled back his hood, revealing a mysterious face. He had long hair of two colors—half black and half white—and eyes of contrasting hues, one black and the other white.
In his right hand, he held a card depicting a hideous creature carrying a torch flaming with blue fire. In his left hand, he held another card showing a statue of a woman whose head was detached and held in her own hands.
With a short, mocking laugh, he spoke in a booming, mysterious voice:
"Welcome to the Islands of the Otherworld."