The sea was calm, but an invisible tension hung over the ships sailing toward the island. Edmund stood at the bow of his vessel, his eyes fixed on the horizon. He knew that this return was not just another expedition; it was a challenge, a test of his courage and that of his men.
— Captain, we've spotted the island! — announced one of the lookouts from the main mast.
Edmund's heart quickened. The mist surrounding the coast gave the island a ghostly appearance. He turned to Voss and Kieza, who stood beside him.
— This time, we'll be ready — he said, tightening his grip on the hilt of his sword.
The crew was armed with newly forged silver weapons, crafted specifically to combat the creatures that inhabited that inhospitable land. Each soldier wore reinforced armor, and the archers carried arrows with silver-tipped heads. Additionally, spears and crossbows had been prepared for long-range combat, ensuring that the creatures would not come too close without resistance.
As they neared the shore, memories of their first encounter with the beasts resurfaced in Edmund's mind. They were fast, lethal, and, above all, intelligent. But now, he and his men were no longer the unprepared fools who had landed last time.
The moment they set foot on the beach, they immediately formed a defensive formation. Voss led the scouts to explore the surroundings, while Kieza and his archers took strategic positions in the tallest trees. The ground was damp and covered in deformed footprints—clear signs of the creatures' presence.
— Stay alert — Voss murmured, examining the tracks in the soil. — Something passed through here not long ago.
The dense forest concealed unknown dangers. The eerie silence was unsettling, as if the island itself were holding its breath, waiting for the invasion. Edmund moved forward cautiously, his senses on high alert.
Suddenly, a guttural growl echoed through the trees, followed by the snapping of branches. Shadows darted swiftly between the vegetation. The first attack was about to begin.
The soldiers raised their weapons, forming a shield wall. Archers nocked their arrows, aiming into the dark void of the forest. The sound of heavy breathing and the putrid stench in the air signaled that the creatures were near. Edmund gripped his sword tightly, feeling adrenaline surge through his veins.
— Hold the line! — he commanded, his eyes scanning the darkness.
Then, from the depths of the forest, the first grotesque silhouettes emerged, their eyes glowing like embers in the night. The final confrontation was about to begin.
Suddenly, a howl echoed through the woods—distinct from the sounds of the creatures they knew. It was deep, guttural, and accompanied by a faint tremor in the ground. The men exchanged uneasy glances.
— That was different — Kieza murmured, his eyes wide.
Voss narrowed his gaze and stepped closer to Edmund.
— Captain, I think we're not just facing those beasts this time. Something bigger is watching us.
A shiver ran down Edmund's spine. The forest, once merely hostile, now felt alive, as if something lurked beyond the usual creatures. The creaking of trees in the wind and the metallic scent in the air hinted that they were stepping into unknown territory.
— Stay together. If this is a new threat, we need to find out what it is… and be ready to fight it. — Edmund said, his voice steady.
The tension was palpable. The island held even darker secrets than they had imagined, and whatever awaited them in the depths of the forest could change everything.