Having weathered the north wind, the crew needed a place to rest and repair their remaining sails. On the old map Antigone had given them, there was a small harbor on an uninhabited island, with the faint words "Ghost Harbor" written next to it.
Old Nikos said, staring at the map, "I never thought we'd pass through here... This harbor was abandoned decades ago. They said the sea swallowed its inhabitants."
Linos smiled steadily. "Whether it's a harbor for ghosts or for humans, we need a place to anchor. The sea is merciless to the weary."
They approached the island at sunset. The harbor was eerily silent. Broken wooden docks, old half-sunken ships, abandoned stone houses, their doors open as if their occupants had left in a hurry.
"It's as if time has stopped here," Darius said, his voice trembling. Romulus answered, observing the place with keen eyes:
"Nothing stops… everything leaves a trace. The question is: what left this devastation?"
The crew disembarked cautiously, carrying their torches. They entered among the houses, finding broken tools, empty barrels, and even some scattered furniture. But there were no bodies, nor any signs of life.
"I don't like this place," Callias said, raising his sword. "I feel like eyes are watching us."
Linus gave a small smile: "Fear creates more ghosts than death."
As they inspected the port, Darius found an old warehouse locked with rusty chains. With much effort, they broke the lock and entered.
Inside, they found large boxes sealed with a strange emblem: a wolf's head carved into the wood.
"This is no ordinary emblem," Romulus said, touching the emblem. "It's the Trunks emblem."
A heavy silence fell.
They opened one of the crates and found new weapons, carefully crafted arrows, and even modern nautical charts.
"So this harbor isn't as deserted as it seems," Linus said sharply. "It's Trunks's secret storehouse."
Suddenly, they heard footsteps outside the storehouse. They hurried to the windows and saw men entering the harbor, dressed in dark clothing and bearing wolf emblems on their arms. They spoke quietly, but their words carried through:
"The Commander wants these weapons moved north before anyone finds out."
Linus and his men retreated into the shadows. "If we're discovered here, we won't get out alive," Romulus whispered.
"We won't hide," Linus replied resolutely. "This is our chance to learn how Trunks moves."
They waited while the men busied themselves moving the crates, then Linus strode out, sword in hand.
"Tell your Commander that Linus now knows Ghost Harbor is his," he said loudly.
The men were surprised, and a fight broke out. The crew was exhausted, but they fought fiercely. Callias felled two with his axe, Darius fired swift arrows, and Romulus fought with calm expertise.
Linus, the leader of the group, faced a huge man wielding an iron hammer. They exchanged blows in the darkness, sparks flying with each impact.
"You'll never reach Athens," the man said, laughing. "Tronix knows your every move."
"Let him know what he wants… he won't stop me," Linus replied, parrying a powerful blow.
With a decisive blow, he brought him down. But before the man could breathe a breath, he said in a trembling voice, "Tronix… awaits you in the north…" Then he fell motionless.
After the battle, the crew stood in the middle of the harbor, panting with exhaustion.
Romulus looked at the crates, saying, "Now we know that Trunks is preparing for a war greater than we imagined." Linus answered, staring into the distance, "Which means our time is short. We must be faster, and stronger."
Raising his sword, he said to his men, "Ghost Harbor will no longer be Trunks's storehouse. Tonight, we let the sea know this land is ours."
They set the crates on fire, and flames rose into the sky. The smoke rose as a signal, as if to declare to the world that Trunks' reign would not pass without resistance.