The night had been a rare sanctuary of absolute stillness, enveloping the weary travelers in a profound, uninterrupted sleep. When the first light of morning finally broke, the group awoke refreshed but acutely aware of the grueling task ahead. To reach their next destination, they had to navigate a precise 180^\circ semi-circular trajectory, tracing the jagged coastline from one distant tip of the island straight to the other. Working in unison, they put their weight behind the vessel, pushing the heavy boat off the shoreline and into the breaking waves. The rowing was arduous and tiring, demanding steady, synchronized strokes against the current, but they pushed through until the task was successfully completed.
Upon landing on the new stretch of coast, survival took precedence. This territory was notoriously dangerous, yet it was remarkably abundant in wild resources. All kinds of vibrant tropical fruits hung from the dense canopy, offering a much-needed chance to replenish their rations. The group quickly converged around a particularly large grapefruit tree. Showcasing his agility, Jack volunteered to scale the trunk, climbing high into the branches to pluck the ripe fruit and toss them down to the waiting team below.
The temporary peace was shattered in an instant. From his vantage point on a lower branch, the companion known as Hero spotted a sudden, terrifying movement. A massive python—the very same menace they had encountered before—had materialized from the dense foliage. The reptile was visibly agitated, its scales glistening with tension as it locked its gaze onto Jack.
Sensing the imminent danger and feeling physically run down from the morning's exertions, Lucious knew he had to act immediately. He threw out a sharp, decisive signal to his loyal dog to coordinate their defense. In one fluid motion, Lucious drew his sword, the blade catching the dim jungle light. High above, trapped on his branch, Jack could do nothing but watch as a helpless audience member while Lucious initiated a desperate attack against the giant snake.
Lucious wielded his weapon like a long knife, whipping it forward with immense speed toward the python's chest. The massive reptile lashed out in retaliation, but Lucious skillfully dodged the strike, shifting his weight and pivoting swiftly to target the creature's neck. He managed to connect, delivering a sharp scratch across its scales. However, the wound was shallow, failing to incapacitate the aggressive predator.
The python, infuriated by the pain, redirected its malice. It whipped around to launch a surprise attack from behind, targeting Hero. The brave dog had been relentlessly barking and executing swift, agile biting feints, doing everything in its power to distract the monster and draw its attention away from Lucious. The snake lunged forward, jaws wide, attempting to sink its fangs into the canine. Showing incredible reflexes, Hero anticipated the trajectory and narrowly avoided the venomous bite.
This desperate distraction provided the exact opening Lucious needed. Seeing the perfect opportunity while the python was overextended, Lucious lunged forward with a swift, powerful strike directed right at the creature's underbelly. The blade sliced clean through, cutting into its little stomach.
Defeated and severely wounded, the python barely managed to escape a fatal blow. It turned and fled into the thick undergrowth of the jungle. A heavy silence fell over the clearing as everyone finally relaxed, the adrenaline slowly leaving their systems. Jack, still trembling in the tree, let out a frantic scream and began desperately checking his own body for injuries. To his immense relief, he realized that the sharp pain he felt was not a snake bite at all, but merely a superficial scratch from a sharp branch during the chaos. Seeing Jack panic over a twig, Lucious burst out giggling, leaving Jack looking incredibly embarrassed as the tension dissolved into collective laughter.
"Okay, now let's collect the remaining salmon and fruits and enjoy our meal," someone called out, lifting the group's spirits. They gathered around, enjoying a hearty, hard-earned feast in the shadow of the jungle. While Snake Island had certainly tested their limits, it was time to look toward the horizon. Their next destination was Mushroom Island, located far to the southwest.
"We have to be very careful today," they reminded one another, knowing the seas could be just as treacherous as the land. Working efficiently, they packed their remaining fruits, fresh coconuts, and preserved salmon tightly into the vessel. Pushing off from the shore, they left the horrors of Snake Island behind and steered toward the red track that would guide them straight to Mushroom Island.
At last, they were clear of that dangerous place. As they moved into open water, Hero sat contentedly in the bow, while Lucious finally stretched out to relax. With Jack handling the oars and rowing steady, Lucious cast a line into the water, passing the time by fishing. Their harrowing journey on Snake Island had officially come to an end.