The morning arrived wrapped in a heavy fog that clung to the forest like a second skin. Athisa woke before the others, his senses already alert. Something felt wrong—like the wind itself was warning him
When he stepped outside their temporary shelter, he saw Kai, Jian, and two other survivors staring toward the distant shoreline with stiff, pale faces.
Athisa followed their gaze.
Far out beyond the rocks, three long black boats glided across the water like shadows. No flags. No lights. Just dark armor and silent oars cutting through the waves. At the front of each boat, a metal lantern glowed with an eerie blue flame.
Kai whispered, "The Black Patrol…"
The name alone filled the air with fear. Everyone on the islands knew the stories—mercenaries who served the tyrant of the Western Kingdom, sent to hunt down escaped survivors and magical runaways. They didn't take prisoners. They erased evidence.
Athisa's heart tightened. "How did they find this island?"
"They shouldn't be able to," Jian said. "This island was forgotten… cursed in old maps… invisible to most ships."
Athisa swallowed hard. Invisible to most ships.Not all.
The sea mist thickened, rolling toward land. That was good—it might hide them. But the boats were already turning, scanning the coastline as if searching for something specific.
Athisa turned to Kai. "Wake everyone quietly. No fire. No noise. We move deeper into the forest."
Kai nodded and rushed off.
The survivors quickly gathered what little supplies they had. Children were lifted onto backs, bags tightened, weapons drawn. The fear in their eyes was fresh—but Athisa saw something else too. They trusted him. Somehow, they believed he could protect them.
As they moved, Jian walked close to him. "You feel it too, don't you?" he murmured.
"What?"
"That they're not just searching… They're searching for you."
Athisa didn't answer. The truth was there, sharp and cold inside his chest.His dreams—the coma visions—had shown him pieces of a world filled with magic, of monsters and protectors, of ancient secrets tied to his bloodline. If he could return to that place, even for a moment, he could learn how to shield the island… hide it… make it safe for these people.
But right now, the patrol boats were approaching the western cliffs.
A women named Mira hurried to Athisa, holding her baby close. "What will they do if they find us?"
Athisa placed a steady hand on her shoulder. "They won't."
"How can you be so sure?"
Because Athisa was no longer running.He was choosing.
As the group moved deeper, Athisa paused, breathing in the forest's magic—the quiet energy running through the stones and old trees.
"Kai," she called softly.
He stepped beside her.
"I'm going to try something," she said. "Something from… the other world."
He frowned. "You mean the magic place you see when you're unconscious?"
"Yes. If I can go back there—just for a moment—I might learn how to build a barrier. Something that hides the island. Something only people in real need can find."
Kai's expression shifted from confusion… to fear… to trust.
"I'll stay with you," he said firmly. "Whatever happens."
Jian nodded. "Me too."
"No," Athisa said gently. "If anything goes wrong, you need to protect the others. Keep them safe. That's an order."
The forest trembled. Not from magic—From the distant sound of boots hitting rock.
The Black Patrol had landed.
Athisa knelt, touching the ground with his fingertips. "Watch over them," he whispered.
Then, slowly, he let his consciousness drop—like falling into sleepwithout closing his eyes.
The world blurred.The forest spun.His heartbeat became distant.
And then—
A flash of light swallowed him.
He slipped into the magic world once more, his spirit drifting toward the ancient realm where answers waited.
Behind him, Kai and Jian stared in awe as a faint silver glow wrapped his body, pulsing softly like a shield.
The Black Patrol moved closer, their shadows creeping through the fog.
But Athisa…Athisa was finally stepping into his destiny.