The crew reached the shore of Eralis Island after a short sea voyage. The waves were calm, but the atmosphere was charged with something unseen. The island looked deserted, its trees twisted, and its rocks covered in dark moss.
"Land at last!" Darius said, leaping out of the boat. "I would have turned into a fish!"
"Don't get too excited… This island is not for rest," Kallias said, carefully disembarking.
"The tranquility here… is unlike any place we've visited," Nikos said, surveying the place.
"We're searching for an abandoned library," Linus said, steadily staking out his sword. "Let's not forget the target."
*
Morrer led them through narrow paths among the trees until they reached a half-ruined stone building topped with a small dome.
"This is it," Morrer said. "It was used to store ancient books belonging to the Guardian Families."
Romulus stared at the door, "The entrance is locked... but not with chains, but with an inscription."
Linus said, "Can it be opened?"
Morrer replied, "We must first decipher the symbol."
*
They approached the door and found a strange inscription: a wave of water intersected by three dots.
Nikus pondered, "Three dots... do they symbolize jewels?"
Romulus said quietly, "Or three stages... water, understanding, decision."
Darius laughed, "Or three meals I haven't eaten today!"
Callias snapped, "Shut up, Darius!"
*
Linus said, "Let's think. The wave symbolizes the blue jewel... and the dots might be steps to open the door."
Morrer said, "There's a small stone by the door... that can be pressed."
Romulus asked, "But where do we begin?"
Nikos stared.
"Start with the center... then the right... then the left. Balance first, then strength, then wisdom."
*
Morrer tapped the dots in the order Nikos had suggested.
A faint click sounded, and then the door slowly opened.
"Nikos! You're a genius!" Darius clapped.
"Just a logical guess," Nikos said shyly.
"Let's see what this library has to offer," Linus said, entering first.
*
Inside the library, the shelves were covered in dust, and books were scattered.
"This is a real library... not just a storeroom," Romulus said, picking up a book.
"Where's the map?" Callias rummaged.
"We don't want to read the island's history now."
"Look for a book with the blue wave symbol on it," Morrer said.
*
Minutes later, Nikos shouted, "I found it!"
It was a small book, with the same symbol they'd seen on the door.
"Here..." said Linus, opening it. "But it's coded."
"Let me see..." said Romulus, approaching.
"This isn't just a map, it's a test."
"A test? Don't say we'll solve riddles before diving!" said Darius, laughing.
"Better than diving without a direction," said Callias sarcastically.
*
"We'll take the book with us," said Linus, closing the book. "We'll study it in the bunker, then we'll move on."
"But we must leave now... This island isn't safe after sunset."
"I agree," said Romulus. "We're getting cramped."
"To the boat...quickly," said Linus.