The morning sun broke gently over the horizon, painting the sky in soft oranges and deep purples. A dense fog lingered above the calm ocean waters, slowly giving way as land came into view—a thick, sprawling jungle known as the Verdant Expanse.
Lucio stood at the ship's bow, eyes narrowed as he scanned the approaching shoreline. "There it is."
Nathan peered over Lucio's shoulder, whistling softly. "Looks welcoming."
Rhea, finally free from seasickness, groaned dramatically. "Anything's better than this boat. My stomach has had enough adventure."
Jalen chuckled, adjusting his gear as he joined them. His glyphs had settled into a subdued gold, the previous night's events now just a troubling memory he had pushed to the back of his mind. "Just wait until we're waist-deep in jungle vines and bugs."
Rhea shuddered, glaring playfully. "Don't even joke about that."
The boat drifted slowly toward the shoreline, the jungle growing clearer. Towering trees with emerald canopies stretched endlessly along the coast, vines dangling like curtains hiding unknown secrets. The air was heavy, filled with the rich, dense scent of life.
As the boat docked against the crude pier at the edge of the jungle, Lucio stepped ashore first, scanning the thick greenery cautiously. "Well, here we are—the Verdant Expanse."
Nathan hopped onto solid ground, stretching dramatically. "You think there's anything fun in there, or just more elementals waiting to smack Jalen around?"
"Hey, that was one time!" Jalen shot back, rolling his eyes. "And I won."
"After it threw you around like a skipping stone," Lucio corrected dryly, earning a laugh from Rhea.
Rhea gently stroked Ember, who had taken a liking to curling comfortably around her shoulder. "Whatever's in there, we'll handle it. Right, little guy?"
Ember flickered excitedly, flames glowing brighter.
"Careful," Nathan teased. "It might burn the jungle down."
Lucio pinched the bridge of his nose. "Please don't joke about that."
Nathan ignored him, stepping boldly onto the pier and heading toward the trees. "Alright, let's see what we're dealing with."
As the group moved into the jungle, they instantly felt the oppressive heat and humidity. Sweat beaded on their foreheads, and the dense foliage forced them into a tight formation.
"So," Nathan asked casually, slicing away a stubborn branch blocking their path. "What exactly do we know about this jungle?"
Lucio shrugged. "According to the villagers, people rarely come out. Either it's cursed, infested with monsters, or both."
"Sounds fun," Jalen mused, smiling faintly. "At least it's not elementals."
Nathan scoffed. "Yeah, now watch there be jungle elementals."
Rhea shuddered. "Please, no more."
A few hours passed as they trudged through thick vines and dense underbrush. The deeper they traveled, the stranger the jungle became. Trees twisted in impossible shapes, flowers glowed softly even in the daylight, and vibrant animals darted just out of sight, observing them cautiously from a distance.
Suddenly, Lucio stopped, raising a hand. "Wait. Did you hear that?"
Everyone froze.
From somewhere deep within the jungle came a distant rumbling—a low, rhythmic vibration beneath their feet.
Nathan frowned, wary. "Is that… drums?"
"Sounds like it," Lucio murmured, straining to listen.
The distant drumbeats grew louder, pulsing with an almost hypnotic rhythm. Jalen glanced at the others, tension creeping into his stance. "We should check it out, carefully."
Lucio nodded in agreement. "Quietly. We don't know who's here."
The group crept forward, moving silently as possible toward the source of the sound. After a short trek, they arrived at the edge of a cliff, overlooking a clearing below. Hidden among towering jungle trees was a village, vibrant and bustling with life.
People dressed in vivid tribal attire danced energetically around a towering statue at the village's center—a figure of stone carved in the shape of an elemental, covered in intricate runes glowing softly with elemental energy.
Nathan sighed deeply. "I swear, if that statue comes to life..."
Lucio elbowed him sharply. "Don't jinx it."
As they watched, a woman stepped forward, adorned in ceremonial garb, clearly the village's leader. Her voice echoed with authority, carrying clearly even from their hidden spot.
"We honor the guardian who protects our village! Let our offering be acceptable, and may the jungle spirits grant us their favor!"
Rhea leaned in closer to Jalen, whispering quietly. "Did she say 'guardian'?"
"Yeah," Jalen replied quietly, eyes locked onto the glowing runes. "Something tells me we're about to meet another elemental."
Nathan groaned. "Fantastic."
Just as they prepared to approach, a rustling in the brush startled them. They turned sharply, weapons at the ready.
Emerging calmly from the foliage, a hooded figure stepped forward, raising their hands to signal peace. Their voice was soft yet commanding, filled with cautious curiosity. "You're outsiders. You shouldn't be here."
Jalen tensed, his glyphs faintly pulsing. "Who are you?"
The figure stepped into view, pushing back their hood to reveal a striking face—vivid green eyes glimmered brightly beneath hair woven with flowers and vines. A warm yet cautious smile tugged at their lips.
"My name is Kaelin," they introduced softly. "And you've entered a sacred place."
Rhea exchanged a curious glance with Lucio, then back at Kaelin. "We didn't mean to intrude, but we need passage to Everlock."
Kaelin's eyes narrowed slightly, thoughtful yet wary. "Everlock? Then your path is more perilous than you realize."
"Why's that?" Lucio questioned cautiously.
Kaelin's expression turned grave. "Because the jungle itself does not want you to reach Everlock."
Nathan sighed dramatically. "Why can't we ever catch a break?"
Kaelin smiled softly, motioning them forward. "Come. We have much to discuss, and not much time."
Exchanging uncertain glances, the group followed Kaelin deeper into the village, unaware that the Verdant Expanse held secrets far darker—and more dangerous—than they'd imagined.
Kaelin guided the group down the narrow path toward the village, where the drumbeats continued their rhythmic pulse. Curious gazes from the villagers followed their every step, suspicion evident in their guarded stares. Rhea edged closer to Jalen, clearly uneasy.
As they moved through the bustling village, Nathan eyed the vibrant surroundings with skepticism. "Nice little place you've got here," he quipped dryly, "if you ignore the creepy elemental worship."
Kaelin glanced at him, expression unreadable. "We respect the spirits who guard this land. It's because of their blessings that we've survived."
Lucio eyed the villagers cautiously, noting their subtle movements and wary glances. "So, what's your connection to Everlock?"
Kaelin paused, turning slowly. Her green eyes flickered with something complex—regret, perhaps. "Everlock provides protection in exchange for loyalty. Our arrangement keeps our village safe."
Jalen tensed visibly, his glyphs shimmering faintly beneath his clothing. "You mean Everlock controls this village?"
Kaelin's gaze hardened slightly. "We serve willingly. King Kullen promised us security and prosperity. In exchange, we keep outsiders away."
Rhea gasped. "Kullen is your king?"
Kaelin nodded, though her voice betrayed uncertainty. "He appeared from nowhere, built Everlock in days, and offered us safety in a land where we've known nothing but suffering. But lately..." She hesitated, her gaze falling away. "Lately, things have changed."
"Changed how?" Jalen pressed gently.
Kaelin glanced toward the statue at the village center. "We are ordered to stop anyone from reaching Everlock, no exceptions. Kullen says that he hasn't had enough time to Jalen proof his city."
Lucio frowned deeply. "Jalen proof?"
Nathan laughed uncontrollably with Rhea grinning behind him.
The villagers' movements shifted subtly around them. They quietly encircled the group and blocked off exits without obvious aggression. The atmosphere grew tense, and the drumming abruptly stopped, replaced by an uneasy silence.
Jalen's grip tightened on his dagger, trying to contain his laughter. "Kaelin, you don't do this."
She shook her head regretfully. "I'm sorry, but we have our orders."
The villagers suddenly charged forward, wielding blunt weapons and nets, clearly intending capture rather than harm.
"Don't kill them!" Jalen ordered firmly, his glyphs flaring red and green as he dodged a net thrown toward him. "Use non-lethal force!"
Rhea moved quickly, sweeping a man's legs from beneath him before flipping him onto his back with ease. "Easy enough!"
Lucio, true to his defensive nature, simply absorbed blows, shoving attackers aside gently but effectively. "Please, stop this!" he called out. "We aren't your enemies!"
Nathan slowed time momentarily, smoothly stepping around attackers and knocking them unconscious with swift, precise strikes. "They're persistent," he grumbled, "but weak."
Rhea danced through the villagers, dodging easily with her enhanced agility. Even Ember flickered playfully on her shoulder, as though amused by the chaos.
Kaelin watched her people fall, her expression revealing regret. Her fists clenched, and her gaze was desperate. "You've left me no choice!"
She raised both hands skyward, chanting rapidly in an ancient tongue, her eyes glowing brightly. The jungle quaked violently as a powerful energy surged through the earth beneath their feet.
"Guys!" Lucio shouted in warning. "She's summoning something!"
From the statue at the village's center, energy erupted in brilliant arcs of elemental force, illuminating the clearing in shades of emerald and gold. A massive, humanoid elemental emerged from the statue, towering above them all. Its body shifted constantly, vines, stone, fire, and water cycling chaotically around its core—a core that moved unpredictably, never settling into one place for long.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding," Nathan groaned loudly. "We literally can't escape these things."
Kaelin stepped back, clearly shaken yet resolute. "I'm sorry it came to this. But you will not reach Everlock."