The sky was overcast, and the sea grew darker as the White Ship advanced southward. Suddenly, a thick shadow appeared on the horizon, a mysterious island shrouded in mist, like a piece of night falling into the sea.
Linus stood on the prow of the ship, staring into the distance. He said in a low voice, "There it is… the Black Island."
Romulus approached him and, narrowing his eyes, said, "I've never seen anything like it. The rocks are black, and the trees look like they've been burned."
Darius, clenching his sword, replied, "It could be a refuge… or a trap."
"What's strange is that this island doesn't appear on any map," said Callias, examining the maps. "How come it's never been mentioned before?"
"Because it didn't want to be mentioned," replied Linus.
"An island that doesn't want to be mentioned?"
"Yes. Some places choose to remain in the shadows."
Nikos, the old sailor, approached and said in a trembling voice, "I've heard about it before... They called it the 'Eye of the Sea.' They say that whoever lands there never returns."
Darius laughed sarcastically. "Sailor's stories. We're not children afraid of ghosts."
But Nikos replied seriously, "Ghosts are sometimes easier than the truth."
"Shall we go in?" Romulus said, placing his hand on Linus's shoulder.
"Yes," Linus replied firmly. "The sea didn't lead us there in vain."
"But we don't know what's inside."
"So we'll go in... to find out."
As the ship approached the shore, they noticed that the sand was black, like volcanic ash. The trees were twisted, and strange sounds echoed among the rocks.
"This place is unlike any other island," Callias said, placing his hand on his dagger.
Darius replied, "It's more like a big trap waiting for us."
Linus said, "The trap doesn't scare me... What scares me is that we might return without knowing."
They went down to the shore and began wandering among the black rocks. Suddenly, they came across the remains of a wrecked ship, half-buried in the sand.
"This isn't very old," Romulus said, touching the burnt wood. "It probably sank months ago."
Darius replied, "Or days ago."
Linus said, "Look at the mark on the wood... It's Trunks's banner."
Everyone froze.
"So Trunks was here," said Callias.
"Or he's still here."
"Then we won't get out of here without a fight," said Darius, raising his sword.
As they examined the wreckage, they found a small box covered in ash. Linus opened it and found a torn map inside, indicating secret sea lanes.
Romulus said, "This is no ordinary map... These are routes known only to pirates."
Linus replied, "Then the island isn't mysterious... It's a key."
Darius stared into the mist, "But why was the map left here?"
Callias replied, "Perhaps they wanted us to find it."
Linus said, "Or perhaps the one carrying it didn't survive."
Suddenly, they heard footsteps among the trees. Everyone turned around, raising their weapons.
Linus said sharply, "Who's there? Show yourself!"
A thin man stepped out, his clothes torn, his face pale, and his eyes flashing madly.
The man said, his voice breaking, "You... you're not the first... and you won't be the last."
Romulus approached him, "Who are you?"
– "I was a sailor… on the Trunks. They left us here… to die."
"Why?" said Linus.
– "Because the island… takes whoever enters it."
"Enough with the riddles!" said Darius, waving his sword. "What do you mean?"
The man laughed maniacally. "You'll know… when you hear the voices at night."
Then he fell unconscious.
"Shall we take it with us?" said Callias, staring at his body.
"Yes," replied Linus. "It might be a key to understanding what's happening here."
"Or a burden." said Darius.
"Every key seems a burden at first."
As they prepared to return to the ship, Romulus, staring into the mist, said:
– "Linus… I feel the island is watching us."
"And I feel like she's waiting for us," Linus replied, holding up the map.