The morning was quiet, light filtering through the trees, as the crew continued their training inside the bunker. Romulus sat near a crumbling wall, contemplating the ancient inscriptions.
Romulus said quietly, "Linus... come and look at this."
Linus approached and, staring at the wall, said, "A symbol? It looks like a wave... but inside it's a small circle."
Morir approached, saying, "This is the emblem of the Blue Gem."
*
"Does that mean she was here?" Nikos asked, examining the inscription.
"No," Morir replied. "This is just a guide... pointing her direction."
"Direction? To where?" Kallias narrowed his eyes.
"To an island called Arthallon. It lies beyond an uninhabited chain of islands."
*
Darius said, laughing, "Arthalon? Nice name... I hope its inhabitants are kind!"
Callias said sharply, "No one in this world would place a powerful gem in a kind place."
Romulus touched the inscription, "Look here... there are engraved words: Water can only be resisted by stillness."
Linus said, "It's like advice... or a warning."
*
Nikus said, thinking, "If the Blue Gem releases enormous waters... perhaps the place is full of waterways, or even sea creatures."
Morrer replied, "That's true. Arthalon is protected by enormous sea creatures, which can only be entered through an underwater tunnel."
Darius said, laughing, "An underwater tunnel? Wonderful! A new adventure!"
Callias said sarcastically, "You rejoice in anything that involves danger."
*
Linus said, rising, "So our plan is clear: we hide the Black Jewel here and begin moving toward Arthalon."
Romulus said calmly, "But before that... we must study the route. We don't want to enter a tunnel whose end we don't know."
Nikus said, "Do we have a map?"
Morrer replied, "I have part of it... but the rest is hidden in an ancient book inside an abandoned library on the island of Eralis."
*
Darius said, laughing, "A library? That's easier than fighting!"
Callias said sharply, "Don't get too excited. Abandoned libraries in this world don't open easily."
Linus said, "Then we go to Eralis first... we get the map, then we head to Arthalon."
Romulus smiled, "A good plan. But we need preparations... and calm in execution."
*
"I'll bury it here, inside a symbolic circle, so it won't be discovered," Morir said, looking at the Black Jewel.
"Can your family track it?" Nikos said.
"Not if I shut down its power completely," Morir replied.
"Do it now," Linus said. "We don't want to leave a trace."
*
As Morir buried the jewel, Romulus stood beside Linus and said quietly, "Your journey began as a journey of survival… now it's a quest for power."
"Power isn't the goal… it's the ability to protect those with me," Linus said, staring into the distance.
"And that's what makes you a true leader," Romulus smiled.