As Astreia cut calmly through the sea, the color of the sky suddenly shifted to a deep, ominous gray. The gentle winds that had carried them moments before turned into a raging tempest, tearing at the sails, while the waves rose like mountains of water crashing down upon them
Nikos (shouting as he clung to the helm):
"Hold on! This is no ordinary storm—the sea itself is boiling!"
Pikos (gripping a barrel of food):
"I told you the fish here weren't normal! I'm going to drown while hungry!"
Suddenly, the ship shuddered violently, its timbers groaning. From the heart of the raging waves emerged a massive creature unlike anything they had ever seen—long tentacles covered in gleaming scales, and a head resembling a dragon's, its eyes glowing with a faint blue light. The beast let out a roar that shook the ship's wooden frame.
Darius (drawing his sword in terror):
"What is that?! Is that dinner, Pikos?"
Romilius:
"Ortynos! Do not attack it head-on—it is a creature from the ancient legends!"
But Ortynos, pouring all his rage into battle, drew his sword and leapt toward one of the tentacles coiling around the mast, severing it with a single, furious strike. The creature screamed and lashed the ship with its tail, causing it to tilt violently, nearly capsizing.
At the height of the battle, just as the monster prepared to swallow the ship and all upon it, the storm split apart. This was no ordinary lightning—instead, a small tear appeared in the fabric of space, rapidly expanding and radiating a blindingly pure white light.
Nikos:
"What in the abyss is that? The wind is pulling us toward the light!"
Pikos:
"Look! The creature—it's fleeing!"
Indeed, the strange beast retreated back into the depths, frightened by the light. But the ship had no such escape; the gravity emanating from the portal was stronger than any oar or sail.
Romilius (in awe):
"This is neither science… nor nature… Hold on to anything you can!"
Ortynos:
"Romilius! Where are we going?!"
Romilius:
"I don't know, my son—"
The ship was hurled forward at an insane speed into the heart of the white gateway. Light slammed into their faces, their bodies felt weightless, as if they were flying. In a single instant, the roar of the storm vanished, Darius's screams disappeared—and the white brilliance swallowed them completely