Chapter 13: The Cursed Aetheric Sea
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Preparations for the Journey
Leaving the Arkanis Temple behind, Kano and his team made their way to Ethriel, a small harbor town on the edge of the Aetheric Sea. The town was eerily quiet despite the midday sun. Doors and windows were hastily shut, and the few people they saw quickly avoided their gaze.
"What's going on here?" Reina asked, scanning the nearly deserted streets.
"Looks like fear has taken root here," Dorian muttered, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
At the docks, they encountered an old man with weathered clothes and a gaze as sharp as a blade. He stood by a rickety boat that seemed barely seaworthy, studying them with suspicion.
"You want to cross the Aetheric Sea?" the man rasped.
"Yes," Lyra said. "We need a ship to take us to the island at its center."
The old man chuckled darkly, his laugh devoid of humor. "Nobody goes there and comes back alive. That sea is cursed. The creatures below won't let you pass."
"We have no choice," Kano said firmly. "Name your price, and we'll pay."
The old man shook his head. "It's not about money, boy. But if you're set on going, prepare yourselves for hell."
He gestured to his boat. "I'll take you as far as I dare. After that, you'll be on your own."
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Setting Sail
The first night on the Aetheric Sea was unsettling. A chilling air hung around them, and a dense fog enveloped the boat, limiting their view to just a few meters. Kano stood on the deck, watching the dark, still waters.
"I don't like this place," Reina said as she approached. "It feels… wrong."
"I feel it too," Kano replied. "It's as if we're being watched."
Suddenly, a faint ripple disturbed the water's surface. Kano turned, spotting a massive shadow moving beneath the waves.
"What was that?" he asked sharply.
The old man at the helm paled. "They're here," he whispered. "The creatures of the deep."
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Attack of the Sea Beasts
A monstrous creature burst from the water, its body resembling a colossal octopus with a dragon-like head. Its glowing red eyes pierced through the fog as its massive tentacles reached for the boat.
"Prepare for battle!" Dorian shouted, drawing his sword.
The creature struck with immense force, shaking the boat violently. Lyra summoned a barrier of wind to hold back a tentacle, while Tharn swung his hammer, smashing into the fleshy appendage and eliciting a guttural roar from the beast.
Kano charged forward, his sword glowing with rune energy. With a powerful slash, he severed one of the tentacles, only for two more to rise in its place.
"This thing won't let up!" Reina yelled, firing an enchanted arrow at its glowing eyes. Her shot struck true, but instead of weakening the beast, it only enraged it further.
The old man shouted over the chaos. "You must destroy its core! The creature's energy is concentrated in its chest!"
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Striking the Core
Kano leaped onto the creature's back, scanning for the core. His eyes locked onto a faint blue glow emanating from its chest, obscured by thick, rubbery flesh.
"There!" he called out. "I've found it!"
Dorian and Reina redoubled their efforts to distract the beast, while Lyra conjured a whirlwind to slow its thrashing tentacles. Kano drove his blade into the glowing spot, but the creature's hide was too tough to pierce.
"We need more power!" Kano shouted.
Lyra joined him, channeling her wind magic into his sword. With the added energy, Kano struck again, this time driving his blade deep into the creature's core. A deafening roar echoed across the sea as the beast's body convulsed violently before sinking back into the depths.
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The Mysterious Island
With the sea beast vanquished, the journey resumed. The old man, visibly shaken, regarded them with a mixture of awe and fear. "You actually did it," he said. "But this is only the beginning."
Hours later, the silhouette of an island emerged through the fog. Dark and foreboding, it was shrouded in a thick mist. At its center stood a massive tower, its apex glowing with an unnatural blue light.
"That must be it," Lyra murmured.
The old man brought the boat to a stop near the shore. "This is as far as I'll go," he said grimly. "The rest is up to you. May the gods watch over you."
Kano and his team disembarked, stepping onto the cold, rocky beach. The air was frigid, and eerie sounds echoed from the dense forest ahead.
"Stay close," Dorian warned, gripping his sword tightly. "This island doesn't welcome visitors."
Kano nodded, his hand steady on the hilt of his weapon. "Let's find out what's waiting for us in that tower."
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End of Chapter 13
Narration:
Having braved the cursed waters of the Aetheric Sea and defeated a monstrous guardian, Kano and his companions reach the mysterious island. As they venture into its heart, the ominous glow of the central tower hints at the secrets—and dangers—that await. The journey to uncover the truth of the Primordial Runes grows ever more perilous.