Mamir, Runya, Ener, and Necor sailed across the waves on their small boat. After a long day of silence, the evening breeze brushed gently against their faces.
Ener suddenly spoke in his booming voice:
Ener: "This boat rocks too much… do you think we'll get seasick?"
Necor (mocking): "You? Your stomach is made of stone. But don't worry, if you fall, I'll catch you. Well… if you can even make it back up from the water."
Ener: "Ha! I can swim just fine! I may not be the master of dark blades like you, but I won't sink that easily."
Runya laughed and shushed them both.
Runya: "Stop bickering like children. Who knows—creatures of the sea might hear us."
Mamir: "Runya's right. This is no place for careless jokes. Everyone stay sharp."
Silence followed for a while until Necor glanced at Mamir.
Necor: "Mamir… aren't you afraid to go without your army? We don't even know what awaits us."
Mamir: "Of course I'm afraid. But I cannot risk losing soldiers against Ostomas's pawns. We're here because we chose to carry this burden."
Ener nodded firmly.
Ener: "Then we choose to stand beside you. No matter what comes."
Runya's eyes glimmered with resolve.
Runya: "You can't defeat Ostomas—not without us."
As the boat pressed on, Erak Island came into view. Its rocky shores loomed quiet and foreboding, like a sentinel of darkness itself.
When they set foot on the sand, the silence was broken by the sight of a wounded figure on the shore. A pale-skinned mermaid with black hair and eyes as blue as the sea lay bleeding on the sand.
Mamir and Ener drew their swords, scanning the surroundings, while Runya rushed forward. The enchanted stone on her wrist shone, golden light flowing from her hands as the mermaid's wounds began to close.
Necor tilted his head with a faint smirk.
Necor: "Every time, it's like watching a miracle, Runya."
The mermaid slowly opened her eyes, her voice trembling with both fear and hope:
Mermaid: "You… you're not of the sea. Why would you help me?"
Mamir: "Because we don't stand with tyrants. What happened to your people?"
Tears rolled down the mermaid's cheeks.
Mermaid: "Our caverns… they were seized by shadow creatures of the darkness. My people are in danger. Please… help us."
Runya gently took her hand.
Runya: "You're not alone anymore. We're here."
The mermaid tried to sit up, determination flickering in her eyes:
Mermaid: "Then follow me. I'll take you to my people."
Mamir glanced at his companions. He tightened his grip on his sword hilt in silence.
Mamir: "It seems our journey leads us straight into the heart of battle."
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