The first rays of sunlight broke through the trees as Nigel, Eldric, and Vandon packed their belongings. The night's rest had restored most of their strength, and the atmosphere around the camp felt lighter than it had the day before. The wounds left by the dragon had nearly disappeared, leaving only faint scars as reminders of the battle.
Vandon stood at the edge of the camp, staring toward the eastern horizon.
"It is time," he said quietly.
Nigel adjusted the sword hanging from his waist and walked beside him.
"Where are we headed?"
Vandon took a deep breath before answering.
"To the Human World."
Nigel and Eldric exchanged confused glances.
"The Human World?" Eldric asked.
Vandon nodded.
"I never told you everything about myself."
The three began walking along a narrow forest path as Vandon continued his story.
"I was born in the Human World, in a city called New York. My parents raised me there until the day a demon attacked our home."
His voice remained calm, but the sadness behind it was impossible to hide.
"The demon killed my parents while I escaped with my life. For weeks, I wandered alone with nowhere to go. One evening, I reached the shore of the ocean."
Nigel listened silently.
"There... I saw a strange blue light floating above the sea. It was beautiful... almost alive. When I reached out to touch it, the light entered my body."
Vandon raised his right hand.
A sphere of crystal-clear water slowly formed above his palm before circling around his arm.
"That was the day I gained my water magic."
Eldric watched in amazement.
"So your magic didn't come from studying?"
Vandon shook his head.
"No. It chose me."
He closed his hand, causing the water to disappear.
"After that, I searched for the demon that murdered my parents. But before I could find it..."
His expression darkened.
"...I was kidnapped."
Nigel frowned.
"Kidnapped?"
"I don't know who they were. They wore black cloaks and masks. They ambushed me one night. When I woke up..."
He looked around at the endless forest surrounding them.
"...I was no longer in the Human World."
"So that's how you ended up here," Eldric said softly.
Vandon nodded.
"I spent years trying to survive in this world. I searched for a way home, but I never found one."
Nigel smiled.
"Until now."
Vandon returned the smile.
"Yes."
After several hours of traveling, the forest slowly gave way to rocky cliffs overlooking an endless blue sea.
Standing alone near the edge of the cliff was a weathered wooden house.
Although vines covered parts of its walls, the structure remained standing against the passing years.
Vandon stopped walking.
"We're here."
Nigel looked around.
"This is your house?"
"It belonged to my parents."
The words came out almost as a whisper.
Vandon slowly walked toward the front door and pushed it open.
The room inside was silent.
Dust covered the furniture, and thin spider webs stretched across the ceiling.
Family portraits still hung on the walls.
One picture caught Vandon's attention.
It showed a younger version of himself standing between his smiling mother and father.
For several moments, nobody spoke.
Vandon carefully picked up the frame and brushed away the dust.
"I finally came home..."
Eldric placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sure they'd be proud of the person you've become."
Vandon smiled sadly before placing the picture back where it belonged.
"Thank you."
The three searched the house for useful supplies.
Inside a storage room they found preserved food, ropes, lanterns, extra clothing, maps, and several unopened crates.
Vandon also discovered a large wooden chest hidden beneath the stairs.
Inside were several bags filled with gold coins.
"My father always prepared for emergencies," Vandon explained.
Nigel laughed.
"I wish my father prepared like that."
After gathering everything they needed, Vandon led them behind the house toward the shoreline.
Waiting beside an old wooden dock was a magnificent ship.
Its white sails were folded neatly, while its polished wooden hull remained in surprisingly good condition despite years of neglect.
Across its side was carved a single name.
Azure Wave.
Nigel stared in amazement.
"This ship survived all these years?"
Vandon gently ran his hand along the railing.
"My father built it himself."
He stepped aboard and inspected the deck.
"The wood is still strong."
After checking the ropes, sails, and steering wheel, Vandon smiled.
"She's ready."
The three loaded their supplies before raising the sails.
As the wind filled the canvas, the Azure Wave slowly left the dock.
The Fantasy World gradually disappeared behind them.
For two peaceful days, they sailed across the endless ocean.
During the journey, Nigel trained every morning, practicing his sword techniques against wooden posts fixed to the deck.
Eldric spent hours studying support spells while occasionally helping Vandon control the wind using simple enchantments.
Vandon, meanwhile, stood at the ship's wheel.
For the first time in years...
He was finally sailing home.
On the morning of the third day, land appeared on the horizon.
Tall buildings stretched into the sky beyond the harbor.
Ships far larger than the Azure Wave filled the sea.
Smoke rose from factories, while countless people moved through the busy docks.
Nigel's jaw dropped.
"I've... never seen anything like this."
Eldric could only stare.
"So many people..."
Vandon smiled.
"Welcome..."
He paused for a moment before finishing.
"...to the Human World."
As soon as they tied the ship to the harbor, they noticed something unusual.
People weren't walking peacefully.
They were running.
Police officers sped through the streets.
Sirens echoed across the city.
Helicopters circled above the skyline.
A young newspaper vendor rushed through the docks, shouting loudly.
"Emergency edition!"
"New York City under attack!"
"Masked assassins have invaded the city!"
Vandon quickly stopped him.
"What happened?"
The boy handed him a newspaper.
Across the front page, large black letters read:
ASSASSINS LAUNCH ATTACK ON NEW YORK — AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THEY SEEK THE GEM OF THE DEATHS
Vandon's eyes widened.
"The Gem of the Deaths..."
Nigel looked over his shoulder.
"Do you know what that is?"
Before Vandon could answer, a deafening explosion echoed across the city.
The ground shook violently.
A massive cloud of smoke rose into the sky several blocks away.
People screamed and fled in every direction.
Police cars raced toward the explosion as another blast followed only seconds later.
Vandon slowly folded the newspaper.
His expression became cold and determined.
"I finally returned home..."
He looked toward the burning skyline.
"...and it's under attack."
Nigel rested a hand on the hilt of his sword.
"You stood beside us when we needed help."
Eldric nodded firmly.
"Now it's our turn."
Vandon looked at his two companions before giving a determined smile.
"Then let's protect my home."
Without another word, the three heroes ran toward the heart of New York City, where smoke filled the sky and the battle for the mysterious Gem of the Deaths had already begun.