With Claw Island fortified and the exile community well established, Edmund decided it was time to expand his domain and seek new resources. The western islands, largely unexplored and shrouded in mystery, could hold essential supplies for the colony's growth, as well as potential allies—or unknown threats.The expedition was carefully organized. Edmund would personally lead the mission, accompanied by Voss and a select group of warriors, navigators, and explorers. Small vessels were prepared, loaded with supplies for several days, weapons, and tools to map the new lands.The departure took place at dawn. The boats glided over the calm waters as Claw Island slowly faded into the horizon. The sea was treacherous, and the unpredictable currents demanded skilled navigation. During the journey, the men remained vigilant for any sign of danger, from sudden storms to possible enemy ships.After two days of sailing, they spotted the first of the western islands. It was covered in dense forest, with mountains in the background and dark sandy beaches. The expedition cautiously disembarked, spreading out to explore the terrain. Small streams ran through the island, and traces of old campfires suggested that humans had once been there.The search for resources began immediately. They found sturdy trees, ideal for shipbuilding, as well as rare medicinal plants and fertile soil for cultivation. Small groups ventured deeper inland, mapping the territory and marking strategic locations for future exploration.However, signs of danger soon emerged. Fresh footprints were discovered in the sand, and strange noises came from the forest. The jungle's humid and stifling air seemed to conceal unseen presences, and the feeling of being watched became constant. The silence of the forest was broken by the cracking of branches and shadows moving swiftly between the trees.Tension grew among the men. Along the way, they found deep claw marks on trees and the skeletal remains of animals that appeared to have been torn apart. Some footprints indicated that hunters or unknown inhabitants were nearby, but the lack of direct contact only deepened the mystery and unease of the expedition.At night, the explorers set up a temporary camp, but their security was fragile. The fire cast flickering light on the men's worried faces, and the sounds of the jungle grew louder, as if something lurked in the darkness. Voss assigned sentries around the perimeter, armed and prepared for any surprise.At dawn, a scouting party returned to the camp with disturbing reports: they had found an abandoned village, with shattered huts and signs of struggle. Dried blood and charred remains indicated that a battle had taken place recently. But against whom?The expedition had only just begun, yet it was already proving full of challenges and uncertainties. What would they find deep within these islands? Would they be welcomed or face new dangers? Edmund knew that whatever choice he made could shape the future of his colony—and perhaps even that of the entire archipelago.