Rhys pointed forward.

"There. To the next island — the Island of Pearls."

The girls' eyes lit up instantly.

Aria leaned over the railing. "Pearl Island? THE Pearl Island?"

Sophia's brows rose. "The one where craftsmen trade enchanted rings and rare artifacts?"

Caria actually smiled. "They say if you need a gathering tool, a forging material, or any kind of magic accessory… Pearl Island is the place to go."

Lyra tilted her head. "It's been centuries since I last saw it. I wonder if it's still as lively."

Aria grabbed Rhys's shoulders dramatically. "WE ARE GOING THERE RIGHT NOW."

Rhys laughed. "We're already headed in that direction."

Sophia nodded. "It'll be good to rest somewhere civilized for once."

Caria added, "And replenish supplies. After the Labyrinth, we're running low."

Lyra stepped beside Rhys, her silver hair catching the sunlight. "Pearl Island is safe, mostly. But its marketplace is… chaotic."

Aria grinned wide. "Chaos AND shopping? Perfect!"

Puddle poked her tiny projection out of Rhys's shoulder. "I want a shiny thing!"

Rhys patted her head. "We'll see."

Lyra watched the horizon as the ship sailed forward, the wind picking up. "The Island of Pearls lies beyond those waters. A hub of traders, wanderers… and secrets."

Caria clasped her hands behind her back. "Good. Maybe we'll find some information there too — especially about those seal disturbances."

Sophia nodded thoughtfully. "And a place like Pearl Island always has rumors."

Aria was already imagining treasures. "I'm getting at least ten rings."

Rhys sighed. "We'll try not to go bankrupt."

Lyra smiled softly. "Don't worry. I'll help keep her under control."

"Hey!" Aria protested.

The ship turned slightly as the wind shifted, and ahead, the faint outline of an island with shimmering white beaches and tall pearl-colored trees slowly came into view.

Rhys gripped the wheel."Alright. Next stop — Pearl Island."

The sea sparkled around them as they sailed toward their next destination.

The Aurora Wind cut smoothly through the waves as Pearl Island grew closer day by day. The air smelled sweeter the farther they sailed — warm breezes carrying traces of tropical fruit and sea blossoms that only grew around that region.

Aria sprawled on the deck like a sunbathing cat. "Ahhh… this is the life. No monsters. No illusions. No screaming fog-gremlins."

Sophia was polishing her new Warden Blade. "Enjoy the peace while it lasts. Something always happens."

Caria, writing notes in her book, nodded. "Statistically speaking, she's right."

Puddle floated around with a shell on her head. "I am now Captain Puddle!"

Rhys snorted. "Captain of what? Being adorable?"

"Yes," Puddle said proudly.

Lyra stood at the bow, her hair dancing with the breeze, eyes thoughtful as she looked over the water. "The sea feels calm... but something underneath is stirring."

Aria peeked over her sunglasses. "Do NOT say ominous things on a beautiful morning."

But she said it too late.

Because on the second day—

Just past noon, under a bright sky—

The ocean shifted.

Not the waves.

Not the wind.

The sea floor itself trembled.

Sophia gripped the railing. "Did… the water just drop for a second?"

Caria looked around sharply. "No. The ship rose."

Puddle's ears drooped. "Um… Master? I don't like this feeling."

Then—

BUUUUUUUURM—!!

A deep, whale-like roar echoed from the depths.

Not from one direction.

From everywhere beneath them.

Rhys's grip tightened on the wheel. "Everyone get ready!"

Aria leaped up. "You've gotta be kidding—ALREADY?!"

The water bulged.

Swelled.

Lifted.

A massive shadow rose from the ocean like a black mountain pushing through the waves.

Sophia's eyes widened. "That's— that's not a monster. That's—"

Lyra's expression sharpened, voice low and calm:

"An Abyssal Seafarer."

The creature breached fully — a colossal whale-like beast covered in jagged blue crystals, its mouth wide with rows of blade-like teeth, its eyes glowing bright cyan.

It wasn't attacking.

It was running.

From something deeper.

Rhys coldly exhaled, lifting Runius. "If there's a Seafarer fleeing the deep…"

The ocean split behind it—

A new shadow rose.

Bigger.

Sharper.

Hungrier.

Lyra whispered:

"Something is chasing it."

Aria screamed: "NOPE—NO—NO—WHY IS IT ALWAYS SOMETHING WORSE—?!"

The calm journey was officially over.

Their first sea battle had begun.

The ocean behind the fleeing whale-like creature suddenly rose, lifting a huge column of water into the sky.

Then something big came out.

A massive sea beast — longer than three ships — burst from the waves. Its skin was black and rough like stone, and long sharp fins ran down its body like blades. Its mouth opened sideways, showing rows of glowing blue teeth that did not look natural.

Caria's voice shook. "T-that thing is way too big…"

Sophia tightened her grip on her sword. "It's not normal. That's for sure."

Lyra stepped forward, her eyes focused on the creature. "It's a deep-sea predator. They sometimes come to the surface when disturbed."

Aria pointed at it, panicking. "WHY IS IT LOOKING AT US?!"

Puddle peeked out of Rhys's shoulder, trembling. "Master… it looks angry!"

Rhys pulled the wheel with force. "Hold on! This won't be easy!"

The sea beast swung its giant tail—

WHOOSH—!!

A huge wave rose behind the Aurora Wind.

"RHYS!" Sophia yelled.

He turned the wheel sharply. "Brace!"

The wave hit the left side of the ship and tilted it hard. Loose barrels rolled across the deck.

Aria grabbed a rope. "I AM GOING TO HATE THE OCEAN AFTER THIS!"

The whale-like creature that was fleeing swam past them, letting out a deep cry. It was obviously trying to escape.

But the beast ignored it.

Its glowing eyes locked onto their ship.

Caria's face went pale. "Why us?!"

Lyra answered quietly. "We were in its way."

Aria shouted, "THEN WE MOVE OUT OF ITS WAY!"

The creature dove under the water—

Everything went silent.

One… two…

Then—

The water behind them exploded upward as the beast launched itself straight for the ship.

Rhys shouted, "MOVE!"

He turned the wheel hard again.

The beast's giant jaws bit down right where the ship had been a second before, splashing white foam all over the deck.

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