The ship swayed in the pelting wind of the sea. Even on a day so clear he could see the shores from miles, there were a few times where Tycon was convinced that the ship would capsize. The crew, however, seemed as if they'd manned a thousand waves more fierce than the ones they found themselves on. Nobody seemed phased by the violent seas, nobody but he and Sylaina who held on to the railings of the quarter-deck for dear life.

After their brief but brutal fight with the now-former captain Daenor, Sylaina and Tycon spent the next few hours freeing and feeding the slaves that remained within the brig. Many of them chose to leave the ship behind as it harkened to bad memories for them, whereas others remained on the ship; knowing they didn't have much else. He was surprised at how many no longer remembered their families or didn't have any at all. He couldn't imagine what they'd been through and the sight of them made his heart sink.

At least there's a better chance for them now. They have a future and that's a lot more than they had before.

When the one's who chose to leave were safely taken ashore, they set out for the volcanic isles. The closer they made it to the isles, the thicker the air became and they soon found themselves under a blanket of smoke and ash looming high above them like storm clouds. Tycon hoped that Valin would keep some distance from the volcano, he didn't like the idea of being sunk by a loose rock that had fallen from the top or worse.

"It's... Looking a little... More active than I thought," Tycon shouted over the wind as he held the railing tightly.

"Indeed it is," Valin called back, fighting against the wheel, "Maneuvering around the isles is going to be risky with the violent waves and jagged rocks lying beneath the surface."

"Maybe we should turn back," Sylaina shot Tycon a concerned look.

Tycon shook his head, "We don't have time," He insisted, "Just get us in there and move the ship outside of the volcanoes range. I'll signal you for pick up when we're done."

"We still don't know what we're looking for. We don't have time to figure it out with all this... Damn chaos."

Tycon frowned, he knew she was right. They were getting closer and coming in hot, he had to think on his feet; he'd been taught that when becoming a bounty hunter but this was something he didn't entirely understand. He shifted his gaze to the deck, his mind moving as if he were flicking pages on a book.

C'mon, think, think, think.

He scanned his eyes across the horizon hoping to find something but saw nothing.

"Shit," He spat quietly.

"Tycon, your coat!" Sylaina exclaimed pointing at his pocket.

Tycon looked to his pocket where the gem was located and through the fabric was a faint blue light. The gem was glowing, he didn't know why but it had to be a good sign. He reached in and pulled the small gemstone out then held it between his thumb and index finger, studying it once again. The entire gemstone glowed a luminescent blue and he could no longer see the coiling stars within - Just endless light.

"We must be close," Tycon said softly to himself then turned his attention out towards the horizon again, "Valin, drop us on the Isle closest to us."

"Sure thing," He said through clenched teeth and violently pulled the wheel leftwards, catching speed with the waves that moved towards the shoreline.

Tycon waited in anticipation as they approached the shoreline quickly, the waves and wind boosting their speed tenfold directly at the beach. It was going to be quite a maneuver for Valin as he needed to turn the ship before they hit the shore and with no time to drop the rowboat, something told him that they were in for a rough swim.

"We're going to have to swim aren't we?" Sylaina said as if reading his thoughts.

He gave her a solemn nod, he'd been through so much already and he was sure he could handle a swim, although the brigandine he wore certainly didn't fill him with confidence. The metal plates layered within the fabric would surely cause him to sink, not to mention his sword and daggers. Going in armorless made the most sense for him, though he was reluctant to settle on that fact. Sylaina didn't need to worry as much as she didn't wear armor, preferring her loose blouse than anything that fit tight around her chest. It made him worry, yet envious that she cared so little about armor.

Tycon placed the gem in the pocket of his pants and threw off his coat then began unbuckling the belts across his chest that held the brigandine closed.

"You really are slow to act aren't you?" Sylaina teased and nodded her head towards her bow and quiver that had already been placed on the deck.

"Yeah, well I wasn't expecting the wind of a fucking cyclone. I intended on taking the rowboat."

Sylaina glanced at the isle and then back at him, "Well you better hurry up, I think Valin is about to do his grandiose maneuver.

He fiddled with the straps a little longer until the brigandine fell from his body with a large thud upon the deck. He reached into his pocket and pulled the gem back out, holding it tightly in a balled fist, not wanting to lose it to the abyss of the ocean.

"Get ready!" Valin called.

Sylaina and Tycon held the railing together then crouched down, preparing to leap over it and into the ocean.

"On my signal," Valin called once more.

Suddenly the ship veered a sharp left, turning the bow from the isle and back towards the ocean. The momentum almost threw them overboard anyway.

"Go!"

With the gem in hand, the two Elves threw themselves over and it felt like seconds until he felt the warm shadow of the water envelop itself around him. Beneath the surface, it was silent and calm as the torrenting waves crashed overhead. He swam upwards quickly, feeling lighter than he ever had before and soon broke the surface, looking wildly for any sight of Sylaina. After a few moments of scanning, he saw her head rise from the water and he waved then shouted, catching her attention. Then the two began the slow swim towards the shore.

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The waves helped drag him in further but at the same time their violence would periodically pull him under but he persevered, always rising and pushing onward until he felt the soft sand beneath his feet and the waves pelting his shins. Sylaina dragged herself upon the sand and Tycon ran over quickly to help her up.

"I think I would have preferred the rowboat," She said wearily.

"You and me both," Tycon agreed.

He opened his hand and looked at the gem, its light still blinding then looked into the Isle they stood upon. Surrounding the Titanic volcano was a thick jungle, the trees on the canopy swayed forcefully in the vigorous wind. If he was going to search for the mysterious light, he'd start there. He could use the volcano for direction, though he had a doubt that he'd even be able to see it from beneath the trees. All he knew was that the further he was from the volcano, the closer he was to the beach.

"I hope Valin is willing to wait around for a good while because I don't think we'll be finding whatever it is we're looking for any time soon," Tycon said with a sigh as he leaned on one of the palm trees that dotted the beach, gazing into the jungle before them.

"Best get started immediately then," Sylaina replied.

"Who knows, maybe we'll see the light again. It would certainly halve the time we'll be spending here."

With that, the two Elves ventured forth into the jungle. The shadow of the trees took hold the moment they stepped within the canopy, outstretched arms of greenery ready to embrace and consume them inside. Tycon intended for them both to come out alive, he had his sword strapped to his hip and that's all he needed to face whatever was within. He soon found himself hacking at the vines that were stretched between the many trees, it was to be expected within a jungle that had no beaten path.

As they moved further in, the air around them began to chill and a hint of concern ran through Tycon.

"You feel that?" He asked.

Sylaina nodded, "Yeah, isn't it supposed to be hot in the jungle?"

"Somethings not right here," He said, "At least we know we're heading in the right direction. Keep your sword-arm at the ready, we don't know what could jump out at us from the trees."

Sylaina frowned, "I'm more concerned about the spiders."

"They'll be the least of worries. At least it's gotta beat rats right?"

Sylaina forced a laugh, "Rats aren't venomous and I think I've had my fair share of venom related near-death experiences."

"Well, hopefully, we don't get a blood-loss related death experience," He smiled grimly, "Just keep an eye out on the webs."

There was a pause as Tycon began hacking at yet another vine that blocked their path.

"Do you think we'll make it out by nightfall?" Sylaina asked, filling the silence.

"I hope. We'll have a hard time getting out of here in the dark. I don't think even the volcano would help us."

----------------------------------------

An hour had passed and the fatigue was beginning to set in but the chill kept him moving in an effort to keep himself warm. Tycon could see his breath in the air and the further they made it in, the colder it became. As he cut the last vine between two trees, he saw sunlight beam through the hanging leaves. At first, he thought he'd reached the other side of the isle but soon realized, as he stepped out from within the trees, that he was in a small clearing with a lake in the middle. Flowing from the lake, there was a thin river that was obscured by trees and lead into the ocean. There was no way he could have seen it from the ship.

They walked to the water's edge and sat for a moment. He noticed a small island in the middle of the lake about two hundred meters out that was perfectly circular to the point where it looked unnatural. There were no trees of any kind upon it; Only a single stone pedestal stood on its lonesome coiled in vines from the ages long past. He couldn't make out the finer details from where he sat but he guessed it was worth investigating.

"You see that?" Tycon pointed towards the pedestal on the lake.

Sylaina followed his finger and squinted in the general direction, "That's got to be something useful right?"

"We'll have to see," Tycon replied, "I hope you fancy another swim, it doesn't look like we're getting there any other way."

Sylaina was silent for a moment as she scanned her eyes along the lake then sat back with her arms for support, "This place feels so far removed from the world, almost as if we're in a different plane of existence."

"Perhaps it has been left mostly untouched for a reason. We should keep moving, I don't think Valin will wait forever."

He took a deep breath and went to take his first step into the lake when the water began rippling as if something were boiling beneath the surface. Tycon lunged backward and they both swiftly drew their blades. He watched as the ripples got bigger and the bubbling grew louder, waiting to strike whatever may jump out from the water. A few moments passed and there was nothing but Tycon didn't drop his guard, he kept his muscles tensed and ready to move a moment's notice. Unexpectedly the head of a human suddenly popped out from beneath the water, it was a woman and she had a scowl on her face.

Tycon lowered his sword slightly and took a cautious step towards the lake. The woman didn't react, she stared at them with large eyes, too large to be human and continued scowling.

"Uh, who and what are you?" Tycon asked, trying his best to sound polite.

Her pupils grew larger and her scowl disappeared from her small mouth, "You carry one, elf," She said, her voice monotone.

"One of what? This?" He opened his hand to reveal the gem.

"Yes," She replied, "What do you hope to find here?"

"I was hoping you could tell us."

"Do you seek power?" Her voice came out like a cold whisper that brought a chill down his spine.

"We do," Sylaina cut in, "Let's not be so cryptic and get to the point."

"Sylaina!" Tycon shook his head.

The woman in the water frowned, "Your companion should watch her tongue, I could have her torn to pieces in a flash."

Sylaina stepped forward, about to snap but hesitated and eventually settled on clenching her jaw.

"She's right, I do seek power," Tycon said, "Will I find it here?"

"You will," She nodded, "But what is your purpose with this power?"

Tycon didn't hesitate, "To kill someone before they gain the same power to destroy Sciolyn and the world."

She closed her large eyes and rose further from the water, her wet dark hair flowed down to cover her bare breasts and he noticed that there were scales where her hips were. She was truly a magical creature, who knew how long she'd been there.

A mermaid.

"I am the keeper. I feel the conviction in your tone and I will let you pass but just know that you will be tested within. Should you fail, you will be deemed unworthy of the power and perish," She paused and lowered her head, her tone growing grim, "There is no turning back from here. You either win or you die."

"What's in there?" Tycon asked.

The mermaid shook her head, "I cannot tell you that."

"Why?"

"I do not help nor hinder. I am a spectator."

Tycon thought for a moment as a bit of doubt grew in his mind but he pushed it away. He'd been through this before in Meliora, if anything he was more prepared than anyone else who had tried and failed before him.

"I accept," Tycon declared then glanced at Sylaina, "Do you?"

"Of course," she replied.

The mermaid lifted her hands from the water and the ground beneath them began to tremble, "So be it," She said.

The water began splashing and shimmering with the rumbling vibrations and the two elves watched seaweed-covered stone pillars rise from beneath the water to form a bridge across to the island in the middle. There were human bones stuck within the seaweed and Tycon shuddered, glad he hadn't taken a swim.

"Go," The mermaid said, "Come out victorious."

"We will," Tycon said clenching his fist, "We have to."

"Don't worry, Tycon," Sylaina said confidently and pulled the bow from her back, winking at him, "Whatever we find in there doesn't stand a chance."

"I hope you're right."

I really do.