Abyss

CHAPTER 25

As the sun shined bright on the horizon, the skies clear of clouds, the wind picking up and letting the sails flow continuously in the vast ocean. Darius' crew stood on the deck, their gaze never leaving the sight of Gryndale in the distance. The island appeared uninhabited, its hill-like shape can be seen at large. It did not seem to resemble any other islands with sharp-edged mountains or volcanoes. 

Aloysius approached Darius, his brows furrowed, arms crossed as his eyes were fixated on the calm ocean waters which were deceptively moving in a soft gentle rhythm that was lulling them in a false sense of security.

"Darius, I don't like this. Something's wrong and I know it."

The deep, cautious tone of Aloysius immediately caught Darius' attention, sending a shiver down his spine. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was indeed wrong. The silence between them created this eerie atmosphere that just made Darius sigh in hopelessness.

Darius nodded, his eyes fixed on the island, jaw tightened before he took a deep breath. "You're right, Aloysius. I feel it too. But turning back now is not an option. We just have to be careful and remain vigilant."

With the map in hand, carrying their wits with them, the crew finally set course for Gryndale. The tension with each mile they covered, and their hearts beat in a fast rhythm as the ship managed to carry itself near the rocky shores of Gryndale.

They then had taken over control of the sails to slow down the ship and immediately tried to drop the anchor. It took a while for them to come to a halt, the ship almost hitting a rocky part of the island. Instead of sand on the shore, rocks seem to have been all over the place and replaced the hot sand fully with its hard uneven surface.

Dense forests and vibrant foliage, no birds chirping around. Vines twisted around trees, and flowers emitted a soft glow, adding to the eerie aura of Gryndale.

The island seemed surprisingly silent. 

"This is as far as we could go, captain," one of the members had yelled back as Darius closed his eyes for a brief moment. That would mean that they would have to find another way.

"We'll take the smaller boat from here," Darius announced, his voice steady despite the nervousness of the crew. "Keep your senses sharp, and remember not to attract any unwanted attention. Stay close and be ready for anything."

The ship's crew finally scrambled to prepare a small boat. The eerie silence of the island almost sent shivers down their spines.

With the small boat lowered into the water, Darius, Aloysius, Calista, and a selected few of the crew went with them while the rest stayed to guard the ship.

When the boat touched Gryndale's rocky shore, the crew members immediately felt a shift in the air around them.

The dense forests and vibrant foliage beckoned them forward, but there was an undeniable sense of dread in the air. The haunting stillness weighed heavily on their minds. It was as if there were prying eyes silently watching the intruders who had dared to set foot upon its territory.

Their footsteps on the rocky ground echoed softly as they ventured further into the heart of Gryndale. Each step was measured and cautious, the crew on high alert for any signs of danger.

Darius took the lead, walking in front with his eyes scanning the surroundings — searching for any signs of danger or clues that might help them. The silence remained unbroken, and the tension only grew with every step they took.

When the captain had found no traces of life so far, he then faced his crew. 

"Let's split into groups. Record everything you can and if someone faces danger, do not hesitate to go back and call out. Is that clear?" Darius had ordered and the crew nods at this.