Lira moved swiftly through the darkened streets of the port city, carrying the unconscious Rodensky on her back, The shadow beast now just a memory of the past. Emmanuel trudged beside her, barely keeping pace, his injuries forcing him to lean on his cane for support. The city's gates loomed ahead, lit by the warm glow of lanterns. The faint sound of crashing waves in the distance blended with the hum of life inside the port, a stark contrast to the violent battle they had just endured.
As they approached the gates, a figure darted out from the shadows. It was a girl with striking red hair, her delicate features mirroring Lira's in an uncanny way, though her frame was lean and less muscular. Her voice broke the quiet night as she called out, "Lira!"
The girl, Samira, practically launched herself at Lira, wrapping her arms around her older sister. "Don't scare me like that!" Samira scolded, her words muffled against Lira's shoulder. She pulled back to inspect her sister, her green eyes scanning for injuries. "Are you hurt? Did you run into trouble?"
"I'm fine, Samira," Lira said, her voice steady as she patted her sister's head.
Samira's gaze shifted to the unconscious figure on Lira's back, her brows furrowing. "Who's that?" she asked, her tone suddenly sharp. She crossed her arms, an edge of jealousy creeping into her voice. "You've never carried me on your back like that."
"They're our guests," Lira replied firmly. "You'll treat them with respect, Samira. They fought valiantly and need our help." She turned to Emmanuel, gesturing to him. "This is Emmanuel, and the one I'm carrying is Rodensky. They've been through hell to get here."
Samira's expression softened as she looked at Emmanuel, her curiosity quickly turning into an enthusiastic friendliness. "Emmanuel, huh?" she said with a smile, her tone suddenly warm and inviting. "It's nice to meet you. Welcome to our port."
Emmanuel managed a tired nod, offering a weak smile in return. Despite his exhaustion, he couldn't help but notice how easily Samira's demeanor had shifted. Within moments, she was chatting with him as if they were old friends, her laughter cutting through the tension of the evening.
Lira sighed, shaking her head. "Samira, don't overwhelm him. He needs rest, just like Rodensky."
Over the next three days, the guild took in the duo, offering them food, shelter, and medical care. Lira personally saw to their recovery, ensuring they were given the best the port could provide. Rodensky remained unconscious during this time, his body and mind exhausted from the ordeal. Emmanuel, on the other hand, found himself spending more time with Samira, who seemed determined to make him feel at home.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Rodensky finally stirred. His eyes fluttered open, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. The room was modest yet comfortable, the wooden walls adorned with simple decorations. He sat up slowly, wincing as a dull ache spread through his body.
The dream he had during his slumber lingered in his mind. It was vivid, almost too real to be dismissed. He remembered standing in a vast, desolate landscape, the sky above him a swirling mixture of darkness and light. A voice had called to him, a deep, resonant sound that seemed to echo from within his very soul.
"The third continent…" he murmured to himself, the words feeling foreign yet familiar.
As he tried to piece together the meaning of the dream, Rodensky failed to notice the crane perched silently in the corner of the room. Hikaru's intelligent black eyes watched him intently, its posture one of quiet vigilance. The bird seemed almost protective, as if guarding something of great value.
In front of the bed, Rodensky's companions rested. The Fanglord and Arcturus lay curled up together, their breathing steady and peaceful. Rokura, ever the sentinel, stood watch at the door, his sharp eyes scanning for any signs of danger.
Rodensky rubbed his temples, the weight of the dream pressing heavily on his mind. "What does it mean?" he wondered aloud.
At that moment, the door creaked open, and Emmanuel stepped inside. His injuries were mostly healed, though he still moved with a slight limp. "You're awake," he said, relief evident in his voice.
Rodensky managed a small smile. "Barely," he replied, his voice hoarse.
"How are you feeling?" Emmanuel asked, pulling up a chair to sit beside him.
"Tired," Rodensky admitted. "But… there's something else."
He recounted the dream to Emmanuel, describing the mysterious voice and the pull he felt toward the third continent. Emmanuel listened intently, his expression growing serious.
"Do you think it's connected to the Black Snake Guild?" Emmanuel asked.
Rodensky shook his head. "I don't know. It felt… different. Like something ancient and powerful was calling me."
Before they could delve further into the discussion, the door opened again, this time revealing Lira and Samira. Lira carried a tray of food, while Samira followed closely behind, her face lighting up at the sight of Rodensky awake.
"You're finally up," Lira said, setting the tray down on the bedside table. "Good. You've got a lot of explaining to do."
Rodensky raised an eyebrow. "Explaining?"
"You collapsed in the middle of a fight," Lira said, her tone teasing but firm. "And now you're dreaming about mysterious voices? Sounds like there's more going on here than you're letting on."
Samira chimed in, her tone playful. "He's probably just dramatic. Right, Emmanuel?"
Emmanuel smirked, shaking his head. "You've got no idea."
As the group shared a brief moment of levity, a sudden knock at the door broke the mood. One of Lira's guild members stepped in, his face pale.
"Captain," he said, addressing Lira, "we've received word from the docks. A ship just arrived from the second continent. They're requesting an audience with you immediately."
Lira's expression darkened, the weight of her leadership settling on her shoulders. "I'll handle it," she said, turning to Rodensky and Emmanuel. "You two rest. We'll talk more later."
But Rodensky, despite his weakened state, felt a surge of urgency. "Wait," he said, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "I need to go with you."
"Rodensky, you're in no condition to—" Lira began, but he cut her off.
"If this is connected to the third continent, I need to know," he said firmly.
Lira studied him for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But if you collapse again, I'm leaving you behind."
With that, the group prepared to head to the docks, unaware of the storm that awaited them.
---
At the docks, the ship was unlike anything they had seen before—its sails were tattered, and its hull bore scorch marks as if it had been through a battle. The crew, a ragged group of survivors, looked shaken.
Their leader stepped forward, his voice trembling as he spoke. "We bring news from the third continent. The Black Snake Guild… they've unleashed something. Something we couldn't stop."
Rodensky's heart sank as the man continued. "It's coming this way."
The weight of his dream returned, more oppressive than ever. Whatever awaited them on the third continent was no longer just a distant threat—it was heading straight for them.