Chapter 160: Lights
**Avery**
Once our night ended in the cathedral in the realm of eternal light, we ventured toward our next unknown destination. I know we are getting closer to Altima, because I can feel it. I can feel the weight of secrets, heavy and unspoken, pressing against my mind.
We hear a melodic voice say, “You’re close,” she whispers, her voice barely audible over the rustling leaves, “But we need to be careful. The path to the island is guarded, and not just by the shapeshifters.” Her words send a chill down my spine. Guarded? By what? I exchange a glance with Cassius, his piercing blue eyes meeting mine with a silent understanding. We’ve faced worse, but the unknown always gnaws at me.
The trees begin to thin, and ahead, I see the faint glow of water. The ocean. My heart quickens as we emerge from the forest, the moonlight casting an ethereal glow over the shoreline. And there, rising from the waves like a mirage, is Altima Island. It’s more beautiful than I imagined—a jagged outcrop of rock and lush greenery, crowned by a towering spire of obsidian that glints like a shard of night. But as we approach the water’s edge, the air grows heavy, almost oppressive. The waves crash against the shore with a rhythmic fury, as if warning us to turn back. Vincent stops abruptly, his hand raising to signal us to halt.
“The tide is our ally,” he says, his voice steady but strained. “But the crossing is treacherous. The waters are alive with… things. They’ll sense our magic, our power. We need to move quickly and stay together.”
I nod, my hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of my dagger. The others fan out around me, their bodies tense, their eyes scanning the water. Vincent steps forward, his tattoos glowing faintly in the moonlight. “I’ll go first,” he says, his voice low and commanding. “My abilities will mask our presence, at least for a while.”
Without waiting for a response, he strides into the water, his tall frame cutting through the waves with ease. The rest of us follow, our footsteps synchronized, our hearts pounding in unison. The water is cold, biting at my skin, but I push through the discomfort, focusing on the island ahead. Regina tries to warm me from within, puffing her flame.
Suddenly, the water around us churns, dark shapes swirling beneath the surface. I hear a low growl, and then—pain. Sharp, searing pain as something clamps onto my leg. I cry out, my vision blurring as I struggle to break free. Hands grab me, pulling me upward—Cassius and Clint, their faces grim as they haul me out of the water. “What was that?” I gasp, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
“Sea wraiths,” Vincent snarls, his eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. “They’re drawn to power. We need to keep moving.”
We press on, the water now a battleground. The wraiths attack in waves, their bony fingers clawing at us, their wails piercing the night. James transforms partially, his scales shimmering as he slashes through the creatures with his claws. Conner summons a wall of water, shielding us from their advance. Donn appears and disappears, his magic porting him from one wraith to another, reaping their souls with ruthless efficiency.
I focus on my own power, Regina roaring to life within me. Flames erupt from my hands, scorching the wraiths as they approach. But for every one we destroy, two more take their place. The crossing feels endless, the water a never-ending abyss of terror.
Finally, we reach the shore, collapsing onto the sandy beach, gasping for breath. My sister stands over us, her expression unreadable. “Welcome to he gateway to Altima Island,” she says, her voice devoid of emotion. “Now the real danger begins.”
I look up at her, my mind racing. What does she mean? Before I can ask, she turns and begins walking inland, her figure disappearing into the shadows of the forest. We exchange weary glances, then follow, our bodies bruised and battered but our resolve unshaken.
The forest here is different—older, wilder. The trees seem to watch us, their branches twisting into grotesque shapes. The air is heavy with the scent of decay, and the ground beneath our feet feels… alive. I shiver, my skin prickling with unease.
“Something’s wrong,” Clint murmurs, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “I can feel it.”
I nod, my own instincts screaming at me to turn back. But we’ve come too far to stop now. We press on, the forest growing denser, the shadows deepening. And then, we see it—a clearing, bathed in an eerie, silver light.
In the center stands a massive tree, its trunk gnarled and ancient, its branches reaching skyward like skeletal fingers. But it’s not the tree that captures my attention. It’s the figures gathered around it—the shapeshifters.
They’re unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Their forms shift and change, their bodies morphing into creatures both beautiful and terrifying. Some have the wings of birds, others the tails of serpents. Their eyes glow with an otherworldly light, and their voices are a chorus of whispers that seem to echo in my mind.
My sister steps forward, her voice cutting through the whispers. “They’ve been waiting for you, Avery. For all of us.”
I frown, my confusion deepening. “Waiting? For what?”
Before she can answer, the shapeshifters part, revealing a figure standing at the base of the tree. A man—no, a creature. His form is humanoid, but his skin shimmers like liquid silver, and his eyes are pools of darkness. He regards us with a smile that sends a shiver down my spine.
“Welcome, Queen of Dragons,” he says, his voice a melodic purr. “We’ve been expecting you.”
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