The submersible slammed onto the shore with a sickening crunch of tearing metal, finally stilling, half-buried in volcanic black sand. Inside, Nihil and Elara were thrown forward. After a moment of silence, only the hiss of dying systems and waves hitting the breached hull remained.
"We're here," Elara whispered, voice hoarse with exhaustion. She stared at the now-dead navigation monitor. "Or at least, our journey ends here."
They forced open the main hatch. The air that hit them felt unnaturally pure, rich with ancient pine and damp earth, yet carrying a strange chill. They stood on a narrow beach wedged between the storm-tossed ocean behind them and an imposing primeval forest ahead. Trees so massive their canopies blotted the sky, creating eternal twilight below.
"Silverwood Forest," Elara said, sharp eyes scanning. "Legends say the Elves haven't permitted humans entry for over five hundred years."
