The crew stood in the middle of the stone courtyard of the obliterated city, contemplating the faded inscriptions on the walls. The symbols were clear: a straight line with a white circle in the middle.
"This symbol is repeated everywhere," Romulus said, touching the inscription. "On the columns, on the walls, even on those men's clothing."
"A symbol of authority… or a family crest," Callias replied, narrowing his eyes.
"Or just an ancient decoration," Darius said sarcastically. "You always try to make everything seem more profound than it is."
"No, Darius," Linus said sternly. "This isn't just an inscription. It's a key."
Nikos approached and pointed to another inscription beside the symbol.
"Look… here are ancient words. I can't read them all, but I make out one: Guardians."
"Guardians? So those we encountered… aren't just residents, but guardians of this place." Linus stared at the inscription. "Guardians… but guardians of what?"
"Maybe they guard this same symbol," said Callias, smiling sarcastically.
"Imagine someone spending their whole life guarding a circle and a line!" Darius replied, laughing.
"Shut up, Darius," said Linus sharply. "Sometimes one symbol is worth a lifetime."
The crew sat around the inscriptions, discussing it.
"Do you think this symbol is related to the scroll we found?" said Romulus.
"Yes," replied Linus. "The scroll spoke of three flags and an ancient conflict. Perhaps this symbol is one of those flags."
"But why would people hide it here? Why doesn't it appear on any map or record?" said Nikos, shaking his head.
"Because whoever owns this symbol… has a secret they don't want anyone to know," said Linus.
Suddenly, they heard a voice behind them.
"You are approaching what must not be touched," a mysterious voice said.
The crew quickly turned, and there stood an islander standing in the shadows, his eyes shining.
"They're back!" Darius raised his sword.
"Wait," Linus said, raising his hand. "Let's hear what he has to say."
"This symbol… is not yours," the mysterious man said. "It's the emblem of Mercor."
"Marcor? Who are they?" Romulus asked in surprise.
"The family that rules the island," the man replied. "The family that has guarded the secret for centuries."
"Then the island wasn't without masters," Callias said, smiling bitterly.
"And where would we find this family?" Linus asked, staring at the man.
"They'll find you… not you," the man replied with a mysterious smile.
"Markor… so these are the ones behind everything," Nikos whispered.
"So we haven't reached the heart of the island yet… only its threshold," Linus said, narrowing his eyes.