The crew ventured deeper into the jungle, the silence growing more intense with each step. Luffy led the way, his excitement palpable, while the others kept their guard up. The statues along the path were unnerving—tall and imposing, their stone eyes seeming to follow their every move.
"This place gives me the creeps," Usopp muttered, his usual bravado nowhere to be found.
"Quit whining," Luffy shouted back, undeterred by the eerie atmosphere. "We're here for treasure!"
As they pushed through the dense foliage, the ground trembled slightly, sending a wave of tension through the group. Nami paused, feeling the air change. "Something's not right here..." she murmured.
They reached a large clearing, where an enormous, crumbling stone structure stood, half-swallowed by the jungle. In the center, an ancient pedestal was surrounded by a series of carvings, glowing faintly in the dim light. The pedestal itself seemed to be the source of the strange rumbling.
"This is it," Robin said, her eyes shining with curiosity. "This place was once part of an ancient civilization. These carvings... they're in a language that even I can't fully decipher."
Suddenly, a figure appeared from behind the pedestal, cloaked in shadows. A tall, hooded figure stepped forward, their face hidden beneath a tattered cloak.
"Leave this place," the figure warned in a deep, hollow voice. "You have awakened what should remain forgotten."
Luffy, of course, didn't listen. "What's the big deal? We're just here for some treasure!"
The figure's eyes gleamed ominously as they raised a hand. "The island is alive... and it does not welcome intruders."
The ground shook once more, and the statues around the clearing began to crack, their stone forms shifting.
To be continued...
..........................
"Don't miss the chance to get advanced chapters of my novel for FREE! Just copy the link now and start reading!"
https://shorturl.at/3DZhG