The air was thick with salt and mist.
The underground lake glowed an eerie shade of blue, reflecting the carved runes along the cavern walls. The bridge ahead of them shimmered like glass, suspended over water that seemed alive, rippling in unnatural patterns.
Sayos whistled under his breath. "So this is it—the way to the Forbidden Island. Looks… inviting."
Lucy growled low, her fur bristling. "Something's moving beneath us."
"Stay sharp," Mizu said, stepping cautiously onto the glowing bridge. His blue crystal pulsed faster with every step.
The others followed. Rika walked beside Mizu, her flames dim but ready. "This bridge feels wrong. It's too easy."
"Yeah," Sayos muttered, wind swirling around his hands. "Nothing about this trip has been easy. This is a trap."
As if on cue, the water below rippled violently.
Then it rose.
A massive shape broke through the surface, sending waves crashing against the cavern walls. A serpent—larger than any they'd seen before—coiled around the bridge, its scales carved with glowing runes that pulsed like a heartbeat. Its eyes burned violet, ancient and intelligent.
"Guardian," Honkai said, his tone grim. "And not just any. This one's ancient."
The serpent lowered its massive head until its burning eyes locked directly onto Mizu.
A deep voice echoed—not spoken aloud, but inside their minds.
> **"So… you are the one who carries the stolen flame."**
Mizu stiffened. "What?"
> **"You're not worthy of it,"** the serpent hissed. **"And I will tear it from you myself."**
---
The serpent lunged.
Mizu dove to the side as the creature's jaws snapped down, shattering part of the bridge. Sayos launched a gust of wind, trying to push it back, but the serpent barely flinched.
"Hit the runes!" Honkai shouted. "They're channeling its power!"
Rika hurled a stream of flames at one of the glowing scales, causing the rune to flicker, but the serpent retaliated instantly, swinging its tail and smashing through another section of the bridge.
Chunks of the glowing glass fell into the water, dissolving like sugar.
"Mizu, we can't fight here!" Sayos yelled, dodging another tail swipe.
"We don't have a choice!" Mizu countered, water spiraling around his arms. "If we don't stop it, the bridge will collapse completely!"
---
Lucy leapt onto the serpent's back, tearing into the glowing runes with her fangs. The serpent roared, thrashing violently, nearly throwing her off.
"Lucy!" Rika shouted, her flames sparking brighter. "Hold on!"
Mizu dashed forward, climbing onto one of the serpent's coils. He drove a concentrated spiral of water into one of the brightest runes, cracking it. The serpent shrieked, its body convulsing.
Sayos used the opening to leap high, spinning with wind-enhanced speed, slicing another rune clean off.
The serpent roared, the runes flickering wildly.
For a moment, they thought they had it.
Then the serpent's eyes glowed brighter.
Its runes turned crimson.
And the bridge beneath them began to **collapse entirely**.
"Mizu!" Rika shouted. "It's destroying the bridge!"
The serpent hissed, its voice echoing through the cavern.
> **"If you want to reach the island… you'll do it over your own corpses."**
The bridge cracked apart, sending them all falling toward the glowing water below.
---
** End of Chapter 39**