The crew entered through a massive stone gateway, leading to a palace built of black stone, surrounded by tall columns and ancient carvings. The atmosphere was eerily quiet, and the air was cool despite the heat of the day.
"This place… is unlike anything I've seen before," Nikos said, looking around.
"It's as if the walls are watching us," Kallias replied, touching an engraved wall.
"Let them watch," Darius said sarcastically. "If they try to attack, I'll destroy them."
"Be careful with your words," Linus said solemnly. "We're in the heart of their land."
*
They were greeted by Marker, the family's leader, a tall, gray-haired man with a stone-like face. He stood on the steps of the great hall, flanked by his sons, each with stern expressions and cold eyes.
"Welcome to the Palace of Marker," Marker said in a deep voice. "You are our guests… until we decide your fate." Romulus whispered to Linus, "Guests... or prisoners?"
Linus replied in a low voice, "Both, probably."
*
Phaler, the eldest son, approached, "Father, shall we allow them into the inner hall?"
Markir replied without looking at him, "Let them see what we want them to see... nothing more."
Darius whispered to Callias, "Did you hear? It's like we're in a play."
Callias replied, "In an elegant trap."
*
Elmar, one of the sons, led them into a large room with a long table on which oddly-shaped foods were laid out.
"Shall we... eat?" Nikos hesitated.
"Eat with caution," Linus said. "Trust nothing."
"If this is a trap... it's delicious," Darius said, devouring a piece of meat.
*
Morrer sat in the corner, watching silently. Then he approached Linus and whispered:
"Why did you come here?"
"We are searching for the truth… the secret of this island," Linus said, staring at him.
"Then you are different," Morrer said in a low voice. "You are not like those who came before you."
"Who came before us?" Linus said.
"Many… entered and never came out," Morrer replied.
*
"Each one of them carries something… as if they were not brothers, but tools," Romulus said, observing the sons of Mercor.
"Look at their eyes… there is no warmth in them," Callias said.
"And Morrer? He is different," Nikos said.
"Yes… his eyes have something else in them. Sadness… or regret."
*
Marker approached the crew and said in a calm voice,
"You're tired. Rest tonight, and tomorrow… we'll decide if you deserve to stay."
"We're not asking for permission to stay," Linus said firmly. "We're looking for the truth, and we'll find it."
Marker gave a cold smile and said,
"The truth… isn't always what you think."
*
At night, while the crew was asleep, Maurer slipped into Linus's room.
"Linus… I need to talk to you," he said in a low voice.
Linus opened his eyes immediately and said,
"I knew you'd come."
"I want to tell you something… something that could change everything," Maurer said, looking at the floor.