The wind carried a faint scent of salt as the tundra began to give way to rolling plains and distant coastline. Caius, Elara, and the stranger moved with purpose, their steps lighter than they had been in the Frostspire Tundra but still weighed down by the trials behind them.
"The Verdant Isles," Elara said, glancing toward the horizon where faint green patches were visible beyond the sea. "It feels surreal to finally be heading there."
Caius nodded, his blue eyes distant. The shards within him pulsed faintly, their whispers a dull hum in the back of his mind. The Verdant Isles were said to be a haven of natural beauty, untouched by the corruption that had spread through much of the world. But he knew better than to trust appearances. The shard there would be as dangerous as the others, if not more so.
"The druids won't welcome us," the stranger said, their silver runes glowing faintly as they led the group. "They've spent centuries guarding the shard. They'll see us as a threat."
"Then we'll convince them we're not," Caius said, his voice firm.
Elara glanced at him, her expression skeptical. "And how exactly do we do that? Show up and ask nicely?"
The stranger smirked, though their tone remained serious. "The druids respect strength and balance. If we can prove our intentions are true, they might listen. But it won't be easy."
"It never is," Caius muttered, his hand brushing against the satchel that held the shards he'd already claimed. The weight of their power was a constant reminder of the stakes.
The group reached a small fishing village nestled along the coast, its wooden houses weathered by the salty air. The villagers eyed them warily as they approached, their gazes lingering on Caius's black flames and the stranger's glowing runes.
"We need a boat," Elara said, addressing an older man who stood near the docks. His face was lined with age, and his eyes were sharp with suspicion.
"A boat to where?" the man asked, his voice rough.
"The Verdant Isles," Caius replied.
The man's expression darkened. "No one goes to the isles. Not anymore."
"Why not?" Elara asked, her tone sharp.
"Because the druids don't want us there," the man said. "They've made it clear anyone who sets foot on their land isn't welcome. Boats have gone missing, and those who return speak of... things in the water."
"We're not afraid of the druids," Caius said, his flames flaring slightly. "We need to get to the isles. Name your price."
The man studied him for a long moment before sighing. "If you're that determined, there's an old boat at the end of the dock. Take it. But don't say I didn't warn you."
The boat was small and weathered, its sails patched and its hull creaking with every wave. It wasn't much, but it was enough to get them to the isles. The group loaded their supplies and set sail as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sea in shades of orange and gold.
The journey was eerily quiet, the only sounds the creaking of the boat and the gentle lapping of waves. Caius stood at the bow, his gaze fixed on the distant silhouette of the isles. The closer they got, the stronger the shards' whispers became, their voices blending with the sound of the wind.
"They're waiting for us," he said, his voice barely audible.
Elara stepped beside him, her emerald eyes scanning the horizon. "The druids?"
"The shard," Caius replied. "It knows we're coming."
The stranger joined them, their expression unreadable. "Then we'd better be ready. The Verdant Isles are more than just a sanctuary—they're a proving ground. If the shard is there, it won't let us take it easily."
As night fell, the sea grew darker, its surface reflecting the stars above. But the calm was short-lived. A sudden chill swept through the air, and the boat rocked violently as waves rose out of nowhere.
"What's happening?" Elara shouted, gripping the side of the boat for support.
The stranger's runes flared brightly, their eyes scanning the water. "It's not natural. Something's here."
Caius ignited his flames, their black glow cutting through the darkness. He peered into the water, his heart pounding. Shadows moved beneath the surface, too fast and too large to be normal sea creatures.
"They're trying to stop us," he said, his voice tense.
The water exploded as a massive shape burst from the depths—a serpent-like creature with glowing blue eyes and scales that shimmered like glass. It let out a deafening roar, its body coiling around the boat.
"Shadowborn!" the stranger yelled, drawing their daggers.
The serpent struck, its massive jaws snapping toward the group. Caius raised his hand, sending a burst of flames toward its face. The fire struck its scales, but the creature barely flinched, its eyes locking onto him with deadly intent.
Elara moved quickly, her sword slashing at the serpent's coiled body. The blade bit into its flesh, but the wound closed almost instantly, the creature hissing in anger.
"We can't fight this thing in the water!" she shouted. "We need to get to the isles!"
Caius nodded, his flames flaring as he launched another attack to distract the creature. "Keep it busy! I'll steer us closer!"
The stranger moved to the side of the boat, their runes glowing brightly as they summoned a barrier of light to deflect the serpent's next strike. "Hurry up! This thing isn't going to let us go without a fight!"
The battle raged as the boat drew closer to the Verdant Isles. The serpent thrashed and roared, its attacks growing more desperate as the group fought to keep it at bay. Caius's flames burned brighter than ever, but he could feel the shards within him straining under the effort.
Finally, the isles came into view—a lush expanse of greenery surrounded by jagged cliffs. The serpent let out one final roar before retreating into the depths, its glowing eyes disappearing beneath the waves.
The boat scraped against the rocky shore, and the group stumbled onto solid ground, their breaths ragged and their bodies aching.
"We made it," Elara said, her voice filled with relief.
"Barely," the stranger muttered, their runes dimming as they sheathed their daggers.
Caius looked around, his flames flickering as he surveyed the dense forest ahead. The Verdant Isles were beautiful, but there was an underlying tension in the air, as if the land itself was watching them.
"The shard is here," he said, his voice resolute. "Let's finish this."