The ship continued its slow voyage, gliding gracefully over the sea, a deep, almost unreal violet. It had now been two hours since we had set sail, and an absolute silence reigned among the crew. Not a shout, not a whisper; only the faint rustling of ropes caressed by the breeze. Yet, a strange sensation hung in the air — a heaviness almost palpable that chilled even the most seasoned young sailors to the bone.
Marco, a young and sturdy sailor used to long journeys, broke the oppressive silence as he leaned against the railing. He frowned, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
"Hey... isn't it strange that there are no seagulls out there?" he asked in a low voice, as if afraid of something.
His crewmate, the young sailor Shin, still full of enthusiasm though already marked by the hardships of the trade, rubbed his chin, intrigued.
"You're right," he said. "We've been sailing for a while now without seeing or hearing anything in the sky. At least the waters are calm. Imagine if we had to reach Sakuraggio in the middle of a storm..."
Marco nodded gravely.
"Y-you're right," he mumbled.
A smile spread across Shin's face as he added:
"Well, we might end up like the Megizor."
Marco swallowed hard, his fingers gripping the wood beneath his hands.
"Stop that nonsense. It's just a story to scare young sailors," he said, trying to convince himself.
But Shin, still smiling, replied with a mysterious air:
"Yes, but they often say legends are based on real events."
He leaned against the railing, his gaze lost in the endless blue.
About 500 years ago, long before the unification of the Ednian islands, a ship left the province we now call Lucenzhou, bound for the empire of Katakiel. The ship, named Megizor, was a majestic three-masted vessel, famed for its perilous crossings. As it neared the Ednian coast, a storm suddenly erupted, unleashing torrents of rain and violent winds. The ferocity of the weather prevented the ship from reaching land, as if it were being pulled backward.
"As if it was being drawn by a mysterious force," Marco murmured.
"Exactly. Several witnesses at the port at that time claimed to have seen the ship vanish into a strange fog, a sort of opaque veil over the sea. When the storm cleared, there was no trace of the wreck. No bodies."
The two sailors fell silent again, the quiet now even heavier than before.
"Since then, this unexplained disappearance has been known as the Megizor Incident. A legend was born among sailors," Shin continued, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"They say that if you get lost at sea, you might hear the cries of the Megizor's crew, their cursed souls doomed to wander the oceans, never finding peace."
As Shin recounted the story, a loud and authoritative voice suddenly rang out.
"Enough of this nonsense!"
The two young sailors turned to face the man who had interrupted their conversation — a robust man with features marked by years at sea. He wore an admiral's uniform and a bright red hat on his head, a symbol of high rank.
His stern gaze swept over the crew.
"We're on a mission for Ednia, not on some ghost story treasure hunt."
"Commander!" the two young sailors said in unison, standing straight out of respect for their superior.
Before they could say more, a figure approached. Both sailors began to kneel before the face that now stood before them, filled with respect and a hint of unease.
"King Jonady," Shin said in a trembling voice.
Commander Smith raised a stern eyebrow.
"How dare you speak so casually before His Majesty?"
The commander's gaze turned to me, as I had just stepped onto the deck, drawn by the commotion.
"Your Majesty, please forgive their poor conduct," Smith said, his cheeks red with embarrassment.
Marco quickly added:
"I also beg your forgiveness, Majesty. It was just a moment."
I raised my hand to indicate that it wasn't necessary.
"No need to apologize. I understand that the sea and its mysteries fuel many superstitions. Soon, we will see the island. I ask all of you to remain vigilant. Check your stations, inspect your equipment, and prepare for any eventuality."
"Yes, Majesty!" the two sailors replied, quickly rising to their feet.
Jonady departed.
Smith cast one final look at the two sailors.
"What are you waiting for? Back to your posts! Stop staring into the void with that vacant look. We're on a mission!"
"Yes, Commander!" they said in unison.
The order was executed with discipline. The ship seemed to come alive again under the renewed sense of authority.
I took my place near the helm, watching the horizon where the mist was beginning to thicken, distorting the silhouette of the approaching islands. The violet of the sea seemed to deepen, as if the water itself held an ancient secret.
The minutes passed slowly, paced by the commander's orders and the work songs of the sailors.
Suddenly, in the distance, a vague shape emerged from the fog. A jagged peak gradually appeared, rising sharply above the ocean. The island of Sakuraggio was approaching.
Tension grew among the crew. Some still murmured legends, while others focused on their duties.
"Majesty," said Halnor, the captain with the faded blue hat, approaching.
"The winds remain favorable. We should be able to dock before nightfall."
I nodded.
"Very well. Make sure everyone stays alert. I want a full inspection of all quarters, especially the hold. We don't know what awaits us on this island."
Halnor nodded and quickly moved away, efficiently coordinating the preparations.
The ship drew closer, the coastline slowly revealing itself: steep cliffs covered in dense, dark vegetation. The sand appeared almost black under the fading light.
The sea, strangely calm, barely moved. An almost supernatural silence enveloped the scene.
I remained still for a moment, my gaze lost in that wild landscape, wondering what mysteries Sakuraggio held — and what forces were about to reveal themselves to us.