After three days, Duman's expedition finally reached its destination after skirting the Gerda mountain range. Fortunately, the number of beasts they encountered on their path was minimal, making the perilous journey a little more pleasant than they had expected.

The mist began to fade as the warm rays of the morning sun peeked through the treetops, clearing the landscape in front of them. The foliage diminished as they approached the center of the rainforest until the ground completely disappeared. Imposing cliffs surrounded a large lake. If it weren't for the fact that the whitish tops of the banyan trees could be seen in the distance, they would have mistaken it for the sea. 

A huge rocky island floated in the distance, from which came an intimidating amount of aether. This island had a unique structure, like an inverted triangle rising several meters above the water level. 

The upper level was relatively flat, but it abruptly terminated at a steep escarpment, creating a noticeable change in the landscape. Thick white roots hung from the edges, drooping to the lower levels and clinging to the walls. Small white trees could be seen peeking out from among the greenish vegetation. Streams of water poured down the blocks of earth of different sizes until they once again joined the lake below. 

The fierce waves crashed against the shores of the cliff where they stood, as well as the shores of the island, creating a thick foam. As Duman and Samael devised a way to cross the lake, the overwhelming aether dissipated, catching everyone off guard.

“Let's hurry,” Duman urged them, invoking his elemental powers.

A shimmering green runic crest appeared on the surface of the water. Inside was a pentagon filled with runes and, in the center of it, the lines traced the outline of a large water lily, the emblematic flower of House Vikram. The circle expanded gradually until it was big enough for everyone to fit on top of it.

The water beneath it became noticeably still as if that area were isolated from the rest of the liquid body. Duman imbued more aether into the crest, mouthing a few words in anatta. Suddenly, the area where the glowing circle was began to rise, creating a large column. It was even possible to see some fish swimming inside, trying to escape towards the lake.

“Be very careful, it will be difficult for me to rescue you if you fall,” he warned them.

The column was a little far from the cliff, a few meters below them, so they had to jump to get there. Duman spurred his mount but, to his surprise, it disobeyed his orders and remained motionless. He spurred it again, but the helmi's reaction was worse. 

The beast began to retreat, frightened, refusing to go beyond that point. Duman turned to his companions to check if the problem was just his mount, but the others reacted in the same way. In the end, the group had to choose to leave the helmis behind and continue on foot.

Duman then had to use his other elemental power, controlling the thick reddish roots of the banyan trees that were attached to the walls of the cliff, thus creating a path towards the column, since it was risky for a person to jump that distance.

He was the first to run along the roots until he reached the surface of the green blazon. Once he confirmed that it was safe, the others climbed after him. Samael took Elisha in his arms and crossed with great dexterity despite carrying a person. Zagan had to help Mara, who reluctantly climbed on his back.

When everyone crossed safely, Duman recited something in a low voice and the runic crest began to move, dragging the column of water with it. It felt like they were in a boat, but without the rocking and dizziness that a real one caused. 

The closer they got to the center of the lake, the more they were buffeted by the strong gusts. Elisha hid behind the general's broad back, and with a gesture ordered Mara to use her wind elemental powers, or else they would all end up being thrown into the water before reaching their destination.

Mara panicked when she was pressured and looked anxiously at Elisha, however, the only response she received was a threatening look from Samael. Afraid that he would retaliate if she went against the apostle's will, she was forced to use the little aether she had accumulated in her body to erect a windshield in front of them.

Being a commoner without lineage, the runic crest that was formed had an empty triangle, with no emblem as its center. Mara's aether was consumed at breakneck speed. After ten minutes, beads of sweat began to slide down her forehead and drip down her chin. 

Elisha knew that, as much as Mara was a skilled maid when it came to her daily duties in the temple, her ability to control aether was far below her expectations. However, this did not affect her standing as she was one of the few elementalists affiliated with the Sacred Creed. For this reason, she had been assigned as the exclusive servant of the apostle alongside Zagan.

Both runic incantations and elemental control are divided into five levels, and both require good control and aether assimilation. Maintaining a windshield for more than twenty minutes required at least an intermediate level in elemental control and a beginner level in runecasting, but Mara only had a beginner level in both. That meant that she would reach her limit soon, but it would still give them enough time to approach the island.

Just as Elisha—and the others—predicted, less than a kilometer from the shore, Mara fell to her knees and the windshield vanished. The gusts hit again, but this time with less force, so they didn't have to worry about falling like before.

Seeing the island up close, gave the impression of a fortress. Colossal rocky cliffs surrounded the island, making it impossible for boats to dock. These were covered in moss and ivy, so climbing them was very risky.

The group then circled the island in search of an alternative. The turquoise water under their feet was so clear that it was possible to see different types of schools of fish swimming in circles around the unexpected visitors.

After half an hour, when they believed they would have no choice but to climb, a possible entrance appeared.

Duman, who was able to perceive the movement of water within a certain perimeter thanks to his mastery over the element, was able to notice that a few meters ahead the current divided into two.

‘I have already consumed almost half of my aether, I must hurry,’ he thought, making the column of water speed up to the fork.

A narrow zigzagging passage wound its way through a crack in the cliff. At the end of it was a narrow beach where they could alight. Duman hastened to the shore and ushered everyone down before undoing the runic crest.

The beach was a few meters wide, and the golden sand glistened in the sunlight. As the shape of the island extended upwards, it created the impression that the place where they were standing was the entrance to a huge cave. However, sunlight streamed in through several cracks and crevices, casting an ethereal glow inside. White trees flourished all around, sprouting from the bulky roots of the same color that wrapped the walls like spider webs.

The cavern in front of them exuded a palpable menacing feeling even though the strong energy from before had disappeared.

“Should we go in there?” Elisha asked the hilmir, chills running over her skin.

Duman fumbled with the collar of his uniform and pulled out a thin black chain. At the end of it hung a mysterious pendant. He placed the valuable necklace on the palm of his hand while everyone watched him carefully.

The detailed design of the outer frame was shaped like an eye, surrounding a glass bead that served as the center of the pendant. Small spheres were embedded in certain points of the frame, indicating the different cardinal points. 

At the top end was an oval glass ornament, wrapped like a bud by two leaves made of the same black metal. Two tiny stingers protruded from above, like a pair of tweezers. 

Duman pricked his thumb with the stingers until a few drops of blood gushed out, which were sucked up and inserted into the oval ornament. Suddenly, a shimmering golden liquid began to surge inside the central glass bead, filling it halfway.

One of the small spheres embedded in the frame lit up like a light, pointing forward. 

“Let's go straight,” Duman pointed toward the cave. “No, wait,” he added almost immediately.

Before he took a step, the small sphere went out, and one on the right lit up. Duman stood still, scrutinizing the pendant. Then, the sphere on the right went off and the one on the front came back on. After a second it went off again and the sphere on the left turned on. This pattern kept repeating endlessly.

‘Has the compass gone crazy?’ Duman thought as he saw how the ornaments turned on and off as if his target was running back and forth.

He had never seen his pendant react in such a way, and until now it had worked without any problem, leading them here. However, they could not stop at this place for long.

“This is the only path anyway, so let's go straight,” he concluded, stepping into the cave, and the rest followed him without hesitation.

Noticing that Mara did not have the strength to walk, Zagan decided to continue carrying her on his back until she recovered. The maid pressed her lips, swallowing her claims, and looked surreptitiously at the apostle, fearful of her reaction. Between her being left alone on a desert island with unknown dangers lurking and being carried on the paladin's back, it was obvious which one to choose. But she feared that Elisha would leave her behind in one of her outbursts.

Elisha frowned disapprovingly. If something were to happen, Zagan would have his hands full with her servant, and this could leave her exposed to any risk. Luckily, she now had the help of Samael and Duman, so she decided to turn a blind eye this time. Mara, on the other hand, sighed in relief as she noticed that Elisha ignored them.

Once the route was decided, the group cautiously entered the mysterious island.