Zelly couldn't suppress the grin that spread across her face as she peered into the treasure chest. A rolled-up map and a pair of binoculars lay nestled within.

"A map and binoculars?" she mused aloud, her fingers tracing the parchment's edge. "What sort of treasure is this?" Unfurling the map carefully, her eyes took in the intricate details. The beach where she had awoken was etched out, the sand and sea rendered in careful lines. Her gaze was drawn to a small island, not too far from the shore, depicted in the bright colors of bountiful gardens and tall palm trees.

The treasure chest snapped shut with a hollow echo. Clutching the map and binoculars, she took off towards the beach, the trinkets of her newfound treasure jostling in her hands. She navigated the wild forest with an urgency that had her heart pounding against her ribcage. Her feet rustled through the undergrowth, sending a symphony of whispers through the leaves.

Breaking through the last fringe of trees, Zelly found herself back at the beach. The ten moons hung like lanterns in the sky, casting an ethereal glow on the purple-colored sea that danced in tandem with the earth-like sun. The sand, pink under the celestial illumination, crunched under her feet as she slowed to a halt.

Raising the binoculars to her eyes, she scanned the horizon. There, just as the map had promised, was the small island. It was a speck of green against the cerulean expanse, swaying palm trees visible even from this distance.

Zelly's mind raced with the possibilities.

"Could there be food there?" she wondered aloud. "A garden could mean vegetables and fruit, right?" Determination welled up within her. "Okay, I have to go." But then a realization struck her.

"How am I supposed to get to the island? I can't swim that far," she muttered, her gaze falling on the water that lay between her and the island. The fear of water was one she had carried since childhood. And the thought of the unknown creatures lurking beneath the surface made her shudder.

In the midst of her growing despair, a memory flickered at the edge of her mind. Her father, a man of many talents, had once built a canoe. She was just a child then, no older than eight, but the image was etched in her mind. The image of her father shaping the wood, the rhythmic sound of hammering... But how could she possibly replicate it?

"And where am I going to find tools? Dad used hammers, saws, and nails," she grumbled, frustration creeping into her voice.

A moment of silence hung in the air before an idea sparked in her mind. She could use the resources around her. With a renewed sense of hope, she set about her task.

She searched for large, hollow reed-like plants and corkwood trees. They were sturdy and buoyant, perfect for her makeshift boat. She remembered the basic shape of the canoe her father had built and tried to mimic it. She worked tirelessly, using sharp stones to cut the reeds and vines to bind them together.

To make the boat watertight, she used sap from the trees to seal the gaps between the reeds. For a paddle, she found a sturdy branch and flattened one end against a rough stone. With a vine, she made a handle on the other end.

The work was grueling, but as the makeshift boat took shape, Zelly couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. As she pushed her boat into the shallow water for a test, she could only hope it would hold.

Dark clouds began to gather, a storm brewing in the distance. Zelly, aware of the impending tempest, hurriedly hopped into her self-crafted boat. "Gosh. It sure does storm a lot here! Better hurry up!” she murmured, her paddle slicing through the water.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

She felt a sense of pride swell in her chest as she navigated the waters of the strange world. She could picture her father's approving nod, see her mother's beaming smile. Zelly, the boat builder, the height conqueror. She blushed at the thought, her focus returning to the river ahead.

The journey was, surprisingly, serene. The gentle breeze played with her long, dark hair, and her green eyes reflected the sun's radiant glow. She wondered if Zac was having similar experiences, if he too was discovering this world's hidden charm. Her solitude was broken by a chorus of splashes to her right. Yellow dolphins, bright and cheerful, leapt from the water, their playful antics drawing a smile from Zelly.

Then, overhead, a rainbow of colors streaked across the sky. A flock of seagulls, their feathers every color imaginable, soared above her, filling the air with their soft, melodious chirping.

“I’m starting to love this place," she whispered. "If only I could go back and forth from this new world to Earth, it would be perfect. Well, minus the Menacing Pines and other monstrosities. Then, it’s perfect—so beautiful—peaceful.”

Suddenly, a thud jolted her from her thoughts. Her heart hammered in her chest, fear seizing her. "What the hell—. What was that? Probably just fish,” she muttered. But then another thud, stronger, more ominous. It shook the boat, and she felt a wave of terror wash over her. “Please, please, please let it not be monsters, sharks, whales, anything scary—please!” she pleaded, her eyes clenched shut, her hands clasped tightly in prayer.

When calm finally returned, and her boat grazed the sandy shore, relief washed over her. “Phew—that was scary!” She was safe on land, the unknown threat left behind in the water. Wiping her forehead, she looked up, only to gasp in delight at the sight that greeted her.

A lush garden stretched out before her, a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. “Yes yes yes—food!” she yelled, her voice echoing in the quiet world. She sprinted towards the garden, her eyes immediately drawn to a large apple tree. Its branches were heavy with ripe, juicy apples. As she reached out to pluck one, she paused, feeling a prickling sensation at the back of her neck, as if someone - or something - was watching her.

A sudden chill ran down her spine as the prickling sensation intensified. She turned around slowly, her hand still outstretched towards the apple. There, in the shadows, stood an imposing tall figure, draped in an all-black robe, his form barely discernible against the dark backdrop. His black wings spread wide, reminiscent of a bird's but far more ominous, while black horns emerged from the hood of his robe, completing his terrifying visage.

"Leave this place, interloper!" his voice echoed, deep and resonating, his tone menacing. The figure stepped forward, a gust of wind rustling the trees around him, the intensity in his eyes visible even from beneath his hood.

"Who...who are you?" Zelly stammered, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I am Zocketh, the Guardian of this Island. You do not belong here," he replied, his voice booming across the garden. His form seemed to loom even larger now, the shadows dancing around him.

And then, a guttural roar erupted from his abnormally large opened mouth, shaking the ground beneath her. It was a sound unlike anything she'd ever heard, like the growl of a beast and the howling wind combined, a chilling testament of his power and fury. Fear gripped Zelly's heart like a vice, the Guardian's roar echoing in her ears, causing her eardrums to vibrate.

With a scream, she spun on her heels and bolted for the boat, tears streaming down her quivering face. Her heart pounded in her chest as she jumped back into her boat and seized the paddle. She could still feel his piercing gaze on her back, hear the echo of his beastly roar.

"Go, go, go!" She urged herself, her arms furiously rowing against the water. With every stroke, she put more distance between herself and the terrifying figure, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. As the island receded in the distance, she didn't dare look back, her mind consumed by one thought - escape.

As she approached back to her saver haven, a hologram appeared before her:

[Adventurer Level 2!]

[Survivalist Skills Level 1 Obtained!]

[Courage Points +20!]

[Craftsmanship Level 1 Obtained!]

[Navigation Skills Level 1 Obtained!]

[Stamina Boost +20!]

[Skill - Basic Climbing Level 1]

[Skill - Fear Resistance Level 2]

She then saw a ghostly figure fade into view.

“Zac? Is that you?”