Kael's hands were tight on the controls as he approached the island. His heart pounded louder than the engine. The floating landmass hovered in the sky like a dream, surrounded by slow _spinning lights glowed from cracks in the rocks.
He brought The Emberwing down carefully, landing on a flat stretch of stone near the edge. The wheels touched down with a jolt, and the engine let out a tired sigh before going quiet.
Kael stepped out, the wind tugging at his jacket, The ground felt old,,, ancient. Moss grew between the stones, and carvings ran along the pathway they led to the tower.
"The place .... It's real," he whispered.
The tower stood tall in the center, built from black stone. Vines crawled up its sides, and parts of it were cracked and broken. Yet, at the top, a golden symbol shine ------ matching the one on kael's map.
He climbed the stone steps, each one colder than the last. The door was half---- open, cracking as the wind moved it. Inside, the air was still.
Dust floated like tiny stars. Symbols lined the wall -------- some glowing faintly. And at the center of the room, on a stone table, sat a box. Silver. Locked. Untouched by time.
Kael reached for it, heart racing.
But a voice stopped him cold,
"I wouldn't touch that If I were you."
He turned sharply.
Captain Vex stood in the doorway, cloak flapping, gun aimed.
Kael clenched his fists. "You followed me."
Vex grinned under his mask. " Your father followed the map too look where it got him."
Kael didn't speak. He stepped between Vex and the box.
"I'm not him," he said. "I'll finish what he started."
Vex laughed "Then let's see if you can survive what he couldn't,"
Suddenly, the tower shook. Lights flashed along the walls. The box clicked open by itself....and a glowing orb rose into the air.
Kael and Vex both stared at it ------frozen.
The treasure ... wasn't gold. It was something else.
SOMETHING ALIVE......