After the White Ship left the Gulf of Secrets, the crew thought the sea would offer them some respite. But the sea, as usual, leaves no one untested.
On the horizon, a small island appeared, covered in dense trees. But what caught the eye wasn't the island itself, but a strange glow rising from above it, as if the sky were on fire.
"Do you see that?" Darius asked, staring in amazement. "It's like fire is coming from the heart of the island!"
Old Nikos answered, his face pale. "It's not just any fire... It's the Firebird. I've heard about it in sailor tales. A huge creature, its wings shining like embers, and it's said to have protected this island for centuries."
A heavy silence fell, but Linus didn't back down. He said firmly, "If this bird really exists, we'll only know its true nature by encountering it. We'll approach with caution."
The ship drew closer to the island, and the closer they got, the more vivid the glow became. Suddenly, a sharp scream rose from the sky, like the whistle of a fire. The bird appeared: enormous, its wings spread like clouds, its feathers glowing red and orange, each feather a burning ember. Its eyes were a brilliant blue, and its voice shook the sea.
"He's coming for us!" shouted Callias, raising his shield.
The bird swooped down from the sky, flapping its wings and stirring up a burning wind. The ship shook, and some of the sailors nearly fell into the water.
Linus grabbed his sword and shouted, "Hold on! Don't let fear overwhelm you!"
The bird charged toward the ship, and Linus raised his sword and struck the air in front of him. He missed the bird, but he demonstrated his resolve.
Romulus watched with keen eyes. "You won't defeat him with force alone… The bird only attacks those who approach its nest. We must drive it away, not kill it."
Linus thought quickly, then shouted:
"Darius! Light the fire arrows! Aim for the sky, not the bird!"
The sailors lit fire arrows and shot them into the air. They rose like columns of flame, and the bird turned to them and began to move away, as if it thought its nest was in danger.
"Hurry!" said Linus. "Get the ship away from the island!"
Callias and the men rowed with all their might, while the bird hovered above them, screaming loudly. With each scream, the waves rose, but the white ship held firm.
Finally, when they were far enough from the island, the bird stopped at its edge, flew high, and then returned to its nest.
The sailors sat on the deck, panting with exhaustion, while smoke still rose from their arrows.
Darius laughed, despite his fear, "I thought we'd be killed by a bird!"
Callias answered, wiping the sweat from his brow, "We almost turned to ash!"
Linus remained standing on the prow, watching the island they had just moved away from. He said in a deep voice, "The bird was protecting his territory... He wasn't evil, but a defender. Today I learned that strength isn't always in fighting, but in knowing when to retreat."
Romulus approached and said with a small smile, "Well done, Linus. A leader doesn't seek battles without reason; he chooses his battles wisely."
Linus raised his head toward the horizon, where the sea stretched endlessly, and said, "The road is still long... and every day we learn a new lesson."