The boat swayed gently on the waves as Raiden and Ash sat motionless, their stomachs growling with hunger. Three days had passed since they left the ninja island, but they hadn't eaten a single bite. Raiden's face looked pale and drained, while Ash's condition had worsened from the venom still coursing through his body.
The thick fog covering the sea ahead gave way to the silhouette of an island, neither too large nor too small. Raiden squinted and nudged Ash, who lay weakly on the boat's floor. "Ash, look. An island... maybe we can find food there."
Ash groaned in response, his voice barely a whisper. "Food or not, I don't think I can last much longer... Just get us there already."
With renewed determination, Raiden paddled toward the fog-shrouded island. As they reached the shore, the scene that greeted them was unlike anything they had ever seen. The island was alive with people bustling about, using magic for their daily tasks—lifting crates with glowing hands, conjuring water from thin air, and even repairing broken tools with a wave of their fingers.
Raiden stepped out of the boat, carrying Ash on his back, his legs trembling from exhaustion. He called out to the townspeople, "Please, can someone help us? My friend is injured!"
But the people merely glanced at him and turned away, muttering under their breaths. It was as if his words fell on deaf ears.
Before he could call out again, a group of guards in strange, ornate armor approached, their swords drawn and pointed at Raiden. One of them, a stern-faced man, barked, "What brings you to this hidden island, intruders?"
Raiden staggered but held his ground, his voice strained. "We mean no harm. I came to ask for help, but your people ignored us. My friend... he needs healing."
The guards exchanged glances, their expressions unchanging. Without a word, they handcuffed Raiden and Ash. Raiden didn't resist—he had no strength to fight back.
Raiden sat on the cold, damp floor, while Ash lay bandaged, his abdomen and neck wrapped tightly. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by Raiden's frustrated muttering. They were in a prison
"What's wrong with this island? We just came here asking for help, and now we're prisoners," he said, clenching his fists.
Ash groaned, his voice weak but laced with sarcasm. "Maybe they have a strict 'no visitors' policy. Or maybe they just don't like the way you look."
Raiden rolled his eyes. "You're not exactly a sight for sore eyes right now either."
Before Ash could retort, the sound of soft footsteps echoed through the corridor. A young woman appeared before their cell, her beauty striking. She had long, flowing hair, shimmering like silver under the dim light, and her emerald-green eyes sparkled with a kind yet curious expression.
"So, you're the newcomers, huh?" she said, her voice melodic and soothing.
Ash looked up, blinking in surprise. "What a lovely present. A hot chick coming to kill us now."
The woman chuckled lightly. "Aww, thanks for the compliment. My name is Astrid. Just Astrid. I'm 17, and I'm the princess of this island."
Ash groaned, rolling his eyes. "Wonderful. We have the princess of the island in front of us. Just wonderful."
Raiden cut in, his tone serious. "Don't mind him. Anyway, can you help us? We came to heal him. He was poisoned with some kind of snake venom."
Astrid tilted her head thoughtfully. "Snake venom, you say?" She raised her hand, and the cell door swung open with a faint shimmer, though it had no visible lock. She stepped inside gracefully, her gaze shifting between the two. "What are your names?"
"Raiden," he replied, before gesturing to his companion. "And that's Ash."
Astrid smiled. "Raiden, huh? And Ash... what exactly is wrong with you?"
Ash sighed. "Like he said, I was poisoned with a deadly snake venom back on my island. Raiden here rescued me."
"What kind of snake?" Astrid asked.
Ash named it, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
Astrid's expression softened. "Oh, that's not a big deal." She opened her palm toward Ash and began to chant softly. Her voice was like a gentle melody, and her hand started to glow with a soft, golden light.
Ash flinched as a warm sensation washed over him. He felt as if something heavy had been lifted from his chest. The aches in his body disappeared, and the pounding pain in his head faded away.
Ash stared at her, wide-eyed. "What... what did you do?"
"I healed you. No big deal," Astrid said with a shrug, her tone lighthearted.
Raiden furrowed his brow. "Why would you heal a stranger you don't know?"
Astrid smiled softly. "Because I can. And because you needed help."
She glanced at their pale faces. "By the way, you both look like you haven't eaten in days. Are you hungry?"