The wind howled along the coast as the Pogues—Nate, Ava, Ryuji, and Kaito—stood silently before a hidden entrance carved into the base of a weathered cliff. Waves crashed nearby, spraying mist into the air. The ocean was unforgiving, but what lay beyond the stone door seemed even more so.
"This place... it's older than anything I've ever seen," Kaito muttered, his hand gliding across the cryptic markings engraved into the entrance.
Ryuji raised an eyebrow. "You sure this is it?"
Nate nodded, eyes narrowed. "The map led us here. And the piece from the shipwreck—it fits the center slot."
Ava stepped forward, brushing damp hair from her face. "Then let's see what secrets it's hiding."
As Nate slotted the relic into the center emblem, the door rumbled, slowly pulling apart. The scent of ancient earth and salt filled the air as the hidden chamber revealed itself. They descended into the dim tunnel, torches illuminating cracked stone walls.
Inside, they found remnants of a lost world—statues of forgotten gods, murals depicting wars long past, and treasure chests filled with rusted weapons. But what truly caught their eyes was a worn tapestry, barely clinging to the far wall.
Nate approached it. The faded cloth showed a familiar figure standing atop a mountain of fire, sword in hand, facing off against a monstrous being cloaked in shadow. Ava noticed the figure's resemblance to Nate immediately.
"Nate… that looks like—"
"—Me," he finished, not turning to look. "I've been having visions of this place. Since I woke up in that forest. I didn't understand why, but now…"
He reached out to the tapestry. A strange warmth pulsed beneath his fingers.
"It's like this was calling me."
Suddenly, the chamber shook. Dust rained from above as the entrance began to collapse. Kaito turned with wide eyes. "We need to move!"
They sprinted through the narrow passages, barely escaping as the tunnel caved in behind them. Outside, gasping for air, Nate clenched his fists.
"This isn't just treasure," he said. "It's connected to me. To my past… maybe to the man who killed my parents."
Ryuji stepped forward. "Then we follow the trail. No matter where it leads."
As they walked away from the ruins, Ava fell into step beside Nate. She didn't say anything—just looked at him quietly.
"What?" he asked, noticing her gaze.
"I've never seen you so certain," she replied softly. "It suits you."
He gave her a faint smile. "I don't have a choice anymore."
Above them, clouds gathered. Far across the sea, in a throne room of obsidian and silver, a man cloaked in royal armor stood before a glowing mirror. His hair was long and silver, his eyes cruel and distant. Watching Nate through the mirror, he let out a cold, bitter chuckle.
"So… the boy survived."