The group sailed away from the island at dawn.
None of them spoke much.
The events beneath the ruins had left them with more questions than answers.
Leonhardt stood at the front of the ship.
His gaze remained fixed on the horizon.
The words of the statue repeated inside his mind.
"The one who sealed the Eye has failed."
Who had sealed it?
Why?
And what did it mean that the forgotten would return?
Leonhardt had no answers.
But one thing was certain.
His Eye of Destiny wasn't simply a unique ability.
There was a reason he possessed it.
And someone had known that he would eventually awaken it.
—You're thinking again.
Leonhardt turned.
Evelyn stood behind him.
—Is that a crime?
—No.
She smiled.
—But you do it too much.
Leonhardt laughed softly.
—I'll try to stop.
Evelyn looked toward the island.
—Do you think we'll ever find out what that statue meant?
—Yes.
Leonhardt looked at his hand.
—But I don't think I'll like the answer.
Before Evelyn could respond, the ship suddenly shook.
BOOM!
She lost her balance.
Leonhardt caught her.
—Are you okay?
—Yes.
Another explosion shook the ship.
Leonhardt looked toward the ocean.
Something was moving beneath them.
Saya appeared on deck.
—Tell me that's not another monster.
Victoria followed.
—It is.
Saya sighed.
—Of course it is.
The sea exploded.
A massive creature emerged.
It was enormous.
Its body was covered in dark scales.
Several long tentacles surrounded its body.
Its eyes glowed crimson.
Evelyn raised her bow.
—What is that?
Leonhardt activated his Eye.
Immediately, something felt wrong.
The creature had no weak points.
Again.
Just like the guardians beneath the ruins.
Leonhardt's eyes narrowed.
—It's not attacking randomly.
The creature suddenly opened its mouth.
A massive wave of energy formed.
—Everyone, move!
The blast hit the water.
The ship was thrown into the air.
Leonhardt jumped.
He landed on the creature's back.
Fate's Edge flashed.
He struck.
The creature roared.
But the sword didn't penetrate.
Leonhardt activated his Eye.
The world slowed.
He searched.
Nothing.
Then he saw it.
A symbol.
Hidden beneath the creature's scales.
The Eye.
Leonhardt froze.
—Again?
The creature attacked.
Leonhardt jumped.
He landed back on the ship.
—The same symbol is on this creature.
Victoria looked at him.
—Then it may be connected to the ruins.
Leonhardt nodded.
—Or the Eye itself.
The creature attacked again.
Saya moved first.
She jumped onto its body.
—I'll distract it!
Victoria followed.
—Evelyn!
—Already ready!
Arrows flew.
Saya struck its tentacles.
Victoria attacked its head.
Evelyn fired enchanted arrows into its eyes.
Leonhardt watched.
His Eye of Destiny showed him the creature's movements.
But this time…
Something was different.
He could see something behind the creature.
A memory.
A man.
Standing beside the sea.
The same warrior from the statue.
The man placed his hand against the creature.
"Protect the bearer."
Leonhardt's eyes widened.
The vision disappeared.
The creature stopped attacking.
It stared directly at him.
Leonhardt lowered his sword.
—Wait.
The others stopped.
The creature approached.
Its massive head lowered.
Leonhardt felt the Eye of Destiny react.
A voice echoed inside his mind.
"The seal is broken."
Leonhardt froze.
"The bearer has awakened."
The creature disappeared beneath the waves.
Silence returned.
Saya slowly lowered her daggers.
—Did that thing just… leave?
Leonhardt stared at the ocean.
—It wasn't trying to kill us.
Victoria understood.
—It was testing you.
Leonhardt nodded.
—Or protecting me.
Evelyn approached.
—From what?
Leonhardt looked toward the horizon.
—I don't know.
Suddenly…
A sound came from above.
A dark shape flew across the sky.
Leonhardt looked up.
A group of black-winged creatures was approaching.
Victoria immediately drew her sword.
—We're not alone.
The creatures descended.
But before they could attack…
A figure appeared in front of Leonhardt.
Kael.
His dark armor reflected the sunlight.
Saya immediately drew her daggers.
—You again.
Kael smiled.
—It's good to see you too.
Leonhardt raised his sword.
—What do you want?
Kael looked at him.
—To talk.
Saya laughed.
—You attacked us the last time we met.
—And you survived.
—Barely.
Kael's expression became serious.
—That's why I'm here.
Leonhardt didn't lower his sword.
—Explain.
Kael looked toward the island in the distance.
—You awakened something beneath those ruins.
Leonhardt's expression changed.
—You knew about it.
—Of course.
Kael looked back at him.
—I've been searching for it for years.
Victoria stepped forward.
—What is it?
Kael remained silent.
Then he looked directly at Leonhardt.
—The Eye of Destiny.
Leonhardt's grip tightened.
—You said that before.
—Because you still don't understand.
Kael stepped closer.
—Your Eye isn't a weapon.
Leonhardt frowned.
—Then what is it?
Kael smiled.
—A key.
Silence.
Leonhardt felt his heart sink.
—A key to what?
Kael's expression became darker.
—The place where destiny itself was created.
The wind stopped.
Leonhardt stared at him.
—That's impossible.
—Is it?
Kael raised his hand.
Dark energy appeared around him.
—You saw the statue.
Leonhardt froze.
Kael continued.
—You saw the guardian.
Leonhardt's eyes widened.
—How do you know?
Kael smiled.
—Because I was there.
Everyone froze.
—You were there? —Evelyn asked.
Kael nodded.
—Long before you.
Leonhardt stepped forward.
—Tell me everything.
Kael's expression changed.
—Not yet.
Leonhardt's eyes narrowed.
—Why?
Kael looked toward the sky.
The black-winged creatures began to disappear.
—Because they found you.
Leonhardt looked around.
—Who?
Kael's smile disappeared.
—The ones who want the Eye.
A distant roar echoed across the ocean.
Kael turned.
—They're coming.
Then he vanished.
Leonhardt stared at the empty space.
Saya lowered her daggers.
—I hate when he does that.
Victoria looked toward Leonhardt.
—Who was he talking about?
Leonhardt didn't answer.
Because he already knew.
The statue.
The creatures.
The symbol.
Kael.
Everything was connected.
The Eye of Destiny was not simply his power.
It was a key.
And someone was searching for the door.