The voyage back to Atlantis stretched on for nearly a month. In that time, the sea, with its vast, unbroken expanse, became a silent companion to the two boys. Adlet found himself alone with his thoughts more often than not, the endless horizon pulling his mind into deeper reflection. Somewhere along the way, beneath the eternal glow of the Stars scattered across the stone ceiling of their ship, Adlet turned fifteen.
The crew, though small and rough, celebrated his birthday in the way they knew best — with laughter, songs, and a modest feast shared across the deck. The evening was alive with warmth, voices blending with the creak of the ship's wooden bones. For the first time in a long while, Adlet felt a sense of camaraderie, of belonging — as if, for just that brief moment, the cold, unyielding world outside could be held at bay.
When they finally reached Atlantis, there was no time to savor their arrival. The city, gleaming and magnificent, was as imposing as ever, its white marble streets teeming with activity. Adlet's heart beat faster, his pulse quickening with a mixture of exhilaration and uncertainty. His fingers tightened on the railing as they rushed through the bustling streets toward Niccolo's workshop.
Polo, ever the quiet presence by his side, shared the same determination in his eyes. They were eager to show Niccolo Polo's latest invention — the Shellshot — something that would mark the beginning of their next step.
Niccolo blinked in disbelief as the demonstration ended, the makeshift weapon humming faintly in Polo's hands. Adlet watched the older man's expression shift from shock to awe, a rare sight.
"This is… extraordinary," Niccolo breathed, eyes wide. "You've outdone yourselves, both of you. The Guild will lose their minds over this."
Adlet let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. Niccolo's approval was everything.
He grinned broadly. "You've earned your rest. Leave the negotiations to me — I'll handle the sales and make sure our company's name rises higher than ever."
Weeks passed in the glittering city of Atlantis. The days blurred together, filled with exploration and the weight of possibility. Adlet and Polo spent their days wandering through the sprawling markets, the training arenas where warriors tested their mettle, and the winding canals that cut through the heart of the city like veins.
Then, one bright afternoon, as they relaxed near their company's headquarters, Niccolo arrived, a triumphant smile splitting his face.
"Good news, boys!" he announced, waving an official document above his head. "We've just been promoted — Silver Rank!"
The words hit them like a thunderclap, and for a moment, everything around Adlet seemed to slow. The world seemed to hold its breath. Adlet's chest tightened, a rush of pride, disbelief, and excitement flooding through him as Polo whooped, clapping him on the back.
They cheered, laughing and shouting in pure exhilaration. Niccolo looked on proudly, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. But Adlet's joy was tempered with an underlying tension, the weight of what came next settling in his stomach.
With their new rank, it was time to choose their next destination. Together, they made their way to the Protectors' Guild — a grand marble hall alive with energy and conversation.
Inside, a commotion drew their attention. At the center of the room stood a girl, around sixteen, her wavy blonde hair catching the light that streamed through the high windows. There was something about her — an air of quiet confidence that caught Adlet's attention. Her poise, her stillness amidst the bustle of the hall — it was like she belonged there.
She was flanked by a tall young man clad in gleaming light armor. A bone-crafted spear rested easily in his hand. Even from across the room, Adlet could feel the man's presence — calm, controlled, and immensely powerful. A quiet storm of strength.
Curious, Niccolo stopped a man at the back of the line forming before the pair.
"What's going on here?" he asked, voice curious but casual.
The man responded eagerly, "The lord's daughter is recruiting Silver and Gold-ranked companies for an expedition — to the Forbidden Island."
Niccolo and Polo exchanged stunned looks. Adlet blinked, feeling his pulse quicken.
"The Forbidden Island?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Polo's tone turned almost reverent. "It's the largest island in the Neraid Sea. The most dangerous, too. Even Gold-ranked companies rarely get permission to go there."
Adlet's mind raced, the weight of the words sinking in. A forbidden place. A place where even the strongest dared not tread. The idea stirred something inside him — curiosity, fear, but above all, the thrill of the unknown.
A heavy silence fell between them, broken only by the distant chatter of the hall. Then, Niccolo smiled knowingly. "An opportunity like this doesn't come twice."
Polo nodded, eyes burning with excitement. "It's always been my dream to go there."
Adlet's breath caught in his chest. The Forbidden Island. Every instinct in him told him this was a path he couldn't ignore. He could feel it — this would define him, push him further than he had ever gone.
Decision made, they joined the line. When their turn came, the armored man greeted them warmly. His voice carried both authority and kindness — an odd but reassuring mix.
"Thank you for volunteering," he said. "Will all three of you be joining the expedition?"
Niccolo shook his head. "Just the two young men."
The girl tilted her head slightly, intrigued. "It's rare to see Protectors so young in a Silver company."
Polo smiled sheepishly. "We were only promoted recently, to be honest."
The man chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. "Recent or not, it's an achievement worth respect. You both look like you've earned it."
Adlet and Polo exchanged awkward smiles, both unsure of how to accept the praise.
"May I have your names for the roster?" he asked.
"Adlet and Polo," Polo replied.
"Lucien," said the man, placing a hand over his chest. "Guard of House Neraid. And this," he gestured to the young woman beside him, "is Linoa Neraid, daughter of Lord Neraid."
The words hit Adlet like a wave. Linoa Neraid. He had heard of her, of course. A name tied to the highest echelons of power, a noble who could command armies and speak with the weight of kingdoms behind her. To be standing before her now felt surreal, like they had crossed an invisible boundary into a world they were not meant to inhabit.
The boys stiffened, unsure how to respond, and bowed awkwardly. Linoa laughed softly behind her hand, while Lucien burst out in hearty amusement.
"Well then, my lady," Lucien said between chuckles, "since they're only two, why not have them aboard our own ship? It'll give you a chance to talk with some Protectors closer to your age."
Linoa smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "That sounds wonderful."
"Excellent," Lucien nodded. "We set sail in three days. Meet us at the harbor — and come ready."
Three days later, the harbor buzzed with energy. Ships large and small prepared for departure, their sails catching the rising wind. Among them, one vessel stood apart — the ship of House Neraid, sleek and reinforced, its crew smaller but clearly elite. Adlet's heart pounded as they neared the ship, the weight of their decision settling on him.
Adlet and Polo approached, greeted warmly by Lucien and with a polite nod from Linoa. Adlet caught himself staring at her, unable to shake the feeling that something momentous was about to unfold. As the last ropes were drawn in, Lucien's voice rang out across the docks, commanding and clear:
"Raise the anchor! We sail for the Forbidden Island!"
The fleet began to move, cutting across the Neraid Sea under a sky painted with light. Adlet felt the surge of adrenaline, his Aura humming in the air around him. The ship creaked beneath their feet, the wind tugging at their clothes as the world blurred around them.
Later, as the waves calmed and the ship found its rhythm, Adlet finally asked the question burning in his mind.
"So… why this expedition?"
Linoa looked at him thoughtfully, then smiled. "There's no need to hide it from those who'll risk their lives beside me. I'm going to face the island's Rank 5 species — the Rokh Falcon."
Adlet froze. "A Rank 5? You can take on something that powerful?"
Linoa laughed, her voice bright as the sea breeze. "Of course not! That's why we're gathering so many Protectors. I'm hoping to find a young Rokh — one I can handle. That's where you come in. The island is vast, and the species rare. We'll need every pair of eyes we can get."
Adlet's heart raced. A Rank 5. The challenge of it. His hands tightened on the rail, the pull of the unknown stirring something deeper inside him — a call to prove himself, to grow stronger, to face something that could break him.
Adlet and Polo exchanged determined glances.
"You can count on us," Adlet said firmly.
Polo added, "We'll cover every inch of that island if we have to."
Linoa's smile deepened, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. The wind picked up, filling the sails as the horizon darkened ahead. The sea stretched endlessly toward the unknown.
And for Adlet and Polo, the greatest adventure of their young lives was just beginning.