aboard the small boat that swayed gently atop the calm sea waves, Hamza, Travis, and Basil sat as they made their way toward their destination. The sun had begun to set beyond the horizon, painting the sky in a warm orange hue, while the water reflected this breathtaking scene.
The three remained silent for a while, each lost in their own thoughts.
At that moment, Hamza broke the silence as he looked at Travis and asked in a serious tone,
"What you did surprised me, Travis… why did you run away at first when the pirates attacked us?"
Travis did not answer immediately. Instead, he pulled a small necklace from his pocket and held it gently between his fingers.
He stared at it, as if memories were beginning to flood his mind, before saying in a calm voice,
"I didn't run away… I was looking for something important that I lost in the sea."
Hamza raised an eyebrow in curiosity, while Travis continued to gaze at the necklace and said in a low voice,
"I was carrying this necklace… it's very important to me. When the pirate ship collided with the merchant vessel, it slipped from my hand and fell into the water. I had to jump into the sea to search for it. Once I retrieved it, I returned to the ship."
Hamza listened carefully without commenting. Basil, who was leaning against the edge of the boat, glanced at the device on Travis's ear and asked curiously,
"The thing you're wearing on your ear… what exactly is it?"
Travis finally lifted his head from the necklace, slipped it back into his pocket, then touched the small metallic device attached to his ear and smiled.
"It's part of the wheel I carry on my back. When I place it on my ear, it wraps around my eyes and grants me unique abilities."
He continued,
"This tool gives me special powers. Through it, I can see distant objects clearly and detect what is hidden, and it greatly enhances my sense of hearing."
Then, in a sudden motion, he detached the metal wheel carrying his weapons from his back, placed the device onto it, and pressed a symbol near a glowing stone at its center.
In an instant, the wheel shrank until it was the size of his palm, causing Basil and Hamza to stare at it in astonishment.
After Travis displayed the wheel and amazed his companions, he grew curious about Hamza, who appeared calm and mysterious. Travis looked at him and asked, "Hamza, what truly drives you to travel to Estlazon Island? What are you searching for there?"
Hamza lifted his eyes to Travis, slowly reached for the wrapped sword on his back, and said, "I am looking for someone… perhaps I will find them on the island. I carry a responsibility entrusted to me, and I have carried it for a long time."
As they exchanged words, suddenly the stone in Basil's pendant glowed with a bright radiance!
From within it, a strange bird appeared, resembling a falcon, but marked by a small crown on its head, giving it a special majesty.
The bird stood steadily on Basil's shoulder and then spoke:
"I am Ziras, your guide on this journey."
The three stood astonished, staring at the bird that had emerged from the stone.
The bird continued: "Your next destination is Estlazon Island, but beware… monsters dwell there. This journey will not be easy."
After finishing its words, it returned to the stone, leaving everyone in shock.
Travis, still trying to comprehend what had happened, asked Basil seriously, "Who is this bird?"
Basil replied with uncertainty, looking at the pendant which was still glowing slightly: "I… I don't know him. I have never seen him in my life."
At that moment, Hamza sensed something suspicious in Basil's words. Without hesitation, he drew his sword and pointed it at Basil, saying sharply, "Tell the truth, Basil. Who are you really?"
Beside him, Travis did not hesitate to draw his weapon as well, frowning with concern:
"Have you been deceiving us all along? Are you truly who you claim to be?"
Basil looked at them with surprise, raising his hands in an attempt to calm them:
"Please, there's no need for this… it's a misunderstanding!"
But doubt had already crept into their hearts, prompting Travis to step closer and speak in a cold voice:
"I always felt there was something mysterious about you. The stone you carry is not ordinary… why didn't you tell us before?"
Basil took a deep breath, realizing there was no escape from the truth. He sighed and said:
"I am searching for the Seven Papryos Stones… these stones possess immense power, capable of destroying kingdoms. I must find them before they fall into the wrong hands, or the world will be engulfed in darkness."
Travis, now more alert, said thoughtfully: "I've heard of these stones… they are said to have supernatural power. But who are those that could plunge the world into darkness?"
Basil answered in a low voice: "There is a secret organization of villains called the 'Liberation Organization'… they are also after these stones. If they obtain them before us, there will be no hope left for this world."
Hamza and Travis exchanged a quick glance, before Hamza stepped forward, eyes fixed on the pendant, and said sharply:
"And what about the stone you carry?"
Basil hesitated for a moment, then raised the pendant slightly and said:
"This is called the Rashid Pendant… through it, I can locate the Papryos Stones, if they truly exist."
Hamza looked at him seriously and said: "Why didn't you tell us from the beginning?"
Basil looked down, as if carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, and said:
"Because I wasn't sure whom I could trust. I should have been honest with you from the start."
After moments of silence, Travis' grip on his weapon relaxed slightly, while thoughtfulness appeared on Hamza's face. He then said:
"So, this is the real reason behind your journey to Estlazon…"
A short silence followed, before Hamza lowered his sword and said:
"It seems you are truthful."
Travis, now more aware of the journey's dangers, said:
"If these stones possess such power, we must expect dangerous encounters."
Basil nodded and said:
"I am ready for whatever comes."
Thus, the three realized that their journey was no longer just an adventure… but the first step into the unknown.