The City of Fos, A city where humans, vasks, and elves coexist.
Cobblestone streets wind through a bustling marketplace filled with stalls. With the sounds of merchants hawking their wares, children laughing, and the clinking of metal from a nearby blacksmith.
At the center of the city stands a statue carved from stone, depicting the God Heselftv. The god of all gods, stands tall and majestic, facing the clear crystal blue sky.
Before the statue stands a young man in his early twenties. His long black hair catches the light, and his white eyes reflect his determination. He wears only a simple traveler's cloak, and a dull sword at his side.
As the young man stands blankly, the city around him bustles with life.
Humans haggle over prices, their voices rising and falling in lively debate, and children darting between the stalls, laughing and playing games.
While vasks are carrying heavy loads of metal and stone, with their faces focused on their work.
And the elves move gracefully through the crowd, with their robes billowing as they go about their business.
Suddenly, the young man's thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the approaching footsteps.
A woman around the same age, with flowing black hair and beautiful dark brown eyes, steps up beside him. She wears a simple yet elegant dress.
"Are you really going?" she asks, her voice soft yet filled with worry.
The young man turns to her, his gaze shifting from the statue to her face. "I have to," he replies, his voice gentle and reassuring. "Don't worry, I'll come back."
The woman steps closer, her eyes searching his face for any sign of hesitation. "I know you're strong, but the Lawless Island is different, not only disaster monsters are there—there's also notorious criminals that are thrown there."
A warm, encouraging smile spreads across his face. "Hey, don't worry," he says. "I'll be fine. Remember, I got luck on my side. Besides, the Lawless Island is nothing compared to the great Zhylax."
She smiles, her worries easing slightly at his words. "You always know how to make me feel better," she says softly.
As they stand before the statue of the god, the city continues to buzz around them, with each people absorbed in their own lives.
...
The huge, tranquil, and turbulent surface of the Sea of Tolaw. Waves rise and fall in an endless rhythm—at times they are calm, at other times they are furious. Its a threatening sea, where a kraken resides underneath.
This is the treacherous sea that Zhylax's group must cross in order to reach the infamous Lawless Island.
In the middle of this dangerous sea, there shown a boask boat, an advance boat that is crafted from a refined wood and equipped with advanced vask technologies, had been speeding in the turbulent waters, evading the relentless pursuit of the Kraken. Its sails, infused with mana, flared brightly as the boat darted through the ocean, narrowly avoiding the monstrous tentacles of the colossal beast.
Zhylax stood at the bow, his cloak whipping in the wind. His face was covered with determination, and his eyes, though weary, remained sharp and focused. Beside him, a group of human worked tirelessly, their faces showing signs of exhaustion yet filled with a fierce resolve. With the captain that has black hair and piercing blue eyes, stood at the helm, with his commands cutting through the noise of the storm and the Kraken's roars.
"Vasks Turbus, now!" he shouted.
Zhylax clung to the railing, gripping it tightly as the boat made a sharp turn. The boat swerve just in time to avoid a massive tentacle crashing down where they had been moments before.
"We can't keep this up forever," muttered by a man in his mid-50s, his grip tight on a weathered axe. "How much longer until we reach the island?"
"Soon," a woman replied, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "We just need to hold on a little longer."
The boat swerve sharply to the left, narrowly avoiding another tentacle that crashed down into the water with a thunderous splash.
After suffering for hours.
Through the mist and crashing waves, the shadowy outline of an island emerged. Tall trees and mountains loomed in the distance, shrouded in a thick fog that seemed to absorb all light.
"There it is!" a woman with auburn hair exclaimed, pointing towards the island. "We've made it!"
The boask boat made a last-ditch effort and raced ahead, pushing the Kraken aside. The crew finally escaped, the terrible beast let out a tremendous cry of frustration and disappeared into the depths.
The boat sailed into the calm waters surrounding the island, and the crew let out a collective sigh of relief. They had reached their destination—a mysterious, foggy island with nothing but trees and mountains as far as the eye could see.
Zhylax turned to the captain, with a smile on his face. "We did it," he said, his voice filled with relief and happiness.
The captain nodded, his expression grave yet resolute. "Yes, but our journey is far from over. Remember, this is not just some island—its the infamous Lawless Island, We must continue carefully."
As they get off from the boat, the dense fog closed in around them, and the sounds of the boask boat fade into the distance.
Finally, The crew stepped onto the unknown land.
The crew looked around, weary but determined, ready to make camp for the night.
Zhylax, rubbing his sore arms, turned to the captain. "Should we set up camp here or move further?"
The captain, glancing around with a tired expression, said, "We're too exhausted to go any farther. This spot looks as good as any. Set up the tents and get the fire started."
Elen, a woman with auburn hair and brown eyes, had been scanning the dense trees carefully, added, "I'll gather some branches. We'll need a strong fire to keep the chill and any lurking creatures at bay."
Dun, a man on his mid-50s with gray hair, grumbling as he unburdened himself of a heavy pack, said, "I'll help with the tents. These old bones could use a rest."
Zhylax started unpacking their supplies and began setting up a tent. "At least we're safe for now. I hope we can get some rest tonight."
The captain nodded, joining him in the tent setup. "We'll need all the rest we can get. Tomorrow, we'll head into the forest and find out what this island has in store for us."
As Elen returned with a pile of dry wood, she smiled at Zhylax. "It's good to see you're keeping your spirits up. We've made it through worse."
Zhylax smiled back, though his eyes betrayed his fatigue. "True, but let's hope this is the last time we have to deal with anything like that."
The captain chuckled, though it was tinged with weariness. "Let's just focus on tonight. We'll have a warm meal and rest. We've earned it."
The crew worked together to set up the camp, their movements a blend of cooperation and exhaustion. They built a fire, and the warmth and light began to push back the thick fog. Zhylax, huddled near the fire, looked around at his comrades, a mixture of relief and hope in his eyes.
"Once we're settled, we should all get some sleep," Rakazar, the captain advised. "Tomorrow, we face whatever lies beyond these trees."
As they finished setting up their camp and settled in for the night, the conversations turned to lighter topics.
Dun took a hearty sip from his mug of ale and sighed. "It's good to finally have a moment to breathe. Though, I wonder if that arrogant prince even appreciates what we're doing for him."
"I wonder if he's still alive. That worthless prince," Elen spat angrily.
Zhylax chuckled, shaking his head. "I hope he is, if not then all we did was for nothing. Still, I can't believe he went after some treasures without even considering the dangers of this island. It's like he thinks nothing can touch him."
Dun grumbled, "He better have a change of heart after this."
Elen ladled out the stew into bowls and handed them around. "We're not doing this for him, though. We're doing it for the reward. King Fraye offered a fortune to get his son back."
Zhylax took his bowl gratefully. "True. I really need that money, then perhaps—I could retire as a mercenary and live with Mera in Non Sceneria."
Dun, Elen, and Rakazar smiled brightly and said. "Make sure to invite us on your wedding, Zhylax."
Rakazar then raised his bowl in a silent toast.
"To our mission and for Zhylax's wedding, also to that arrogant prince, Let's hope we can knock some sense into him while we're at it."
They all clinked their bowls together. For a brief moment, the weight of their task seemed lighter.
As the night grew darker, the conversations quieted, and one by one, they had fallen asleep.
...
With the quest to rescue Prince Lian, the Prince from Tor city that was driven by arrogance and the lure of treasure, had ventured to this dangerous island without understanding its dangerous nature. King Fraye had dispatched a mercenary to rescue him, fearing for his safety. The prince's impulsive quest for greed had put not only his life but also the life of others at risk.
The first light of dawn filtered through the trees, the crew woke up from their sleep. The fire had burned down to embers, and the chill of the morning clung to their bones.
Rakazar stretched and yawned. "Morning everyone, let's get moving. We've got a prince to find."
Zhylax rubbed his eyes and began packing up his bedroll. "Do you think he's still alive out there?"
Dun grumbled as he tightened his boots replied. "For our sakes. he better be. I'm not going back empty-handed."
Elen who had taken the first watch approached with a grim expression. "I don't like this place, It's too quiet."
As they packed up their camp and continued to venture deeper into the forest, Zhylax suddenly paused—sniffing the air. "Do you smell that?"
Rakazar looked at him curiously. "Smell what?"
"It smells like something rotting." Zhylax replied with a worry face.
Elen's keen senses picked it up next. "He's right, It's coming from that direction." She pointed towards a dense part of the forest.
Cautiously, they followed the scent with their steps growing more carefully as the stench grew stronger.
Eventually, they came upon a shattered carriage. Its once-grand form is now broken and splintered, around the shattered carriage were lifeless bodies, the remnants of what looked like an ambushed convoy.
"These must have been the prince's guards, what happened here?" Elen said with a pale face.
Before anyone could respond, a footsteps approached them. As they turned around, a figure of an old man was emerging from the shadows, with his eyes crackling with malevolent energy.
"Welcome," he said with a grin on his face.
Rakazar took a step back, with his eyes wide with fear. "Who are you?"
"You don't have the qualifications to ask me a question." the old man replied with a smile.
He then raised his hand with a ring on it.
"With this aura of mine, may you hear my command—Lightning bolts of Cavuso." The old man muttered with a grinning face.
Lightning crackled on his fingers before he unleashed a bolts of lightning.
A bolt of lightning struck Dun first, his body convulsing as he fell to the ground lifeless.
Elen tried to scream. but another bolt silenced her, leaving her crumpled on the ground.
Zhylax could only watch in horror as Rakazar was struck next, his body twitching violently before he fell. Zhylax's heart pounded in his chest, paralyzing him with fear.
He could feel the searing pain as the lightning struck him, sending him to his knees.
"Why..?" he choked out, his voice was barely hearable over the crackling energy.
The old man stepped closer, with his cruel smile widening. "Because I can."
As Zhylax vision began to fade, he saw his party lying lifeless around him. With his last thought of a fleeting wish that they shouldn't had taken on this doomed quest.
The island fell silent once more, the fog closing in around the fallen mercenaries.
In that moment.
Their journey finally ended.