In the sea, the crew persevered with their voyage. The ocean was tranquil as they smoothly navigated aboard their old ship. After more days of sailing, they found themselves enveloped by a dark ooze in the water, seemingly trapped without an escape route. They searched for a way out but were overwhelmed by the substance that spread rapidly.
Suddenly, there was a thunderous roar from above and fire rained down from the sky, burning away the darkened waters. The sea boiled with intense heat, revealing a shadowy figure resembling a dragon on its surface.
A commanding voice spoke: “To cleanse both water and land, you must locate four objects – the staff of eons, the scroll of purification, the bowl of chaos, and the water of divinity.” The voice fell silent, and the shadow vanished as the seawater cooled down once more.
Jaleka was once a thriving port city teeming with people from all corners of the world. Now, it lay in ruins and despair, its few remaining inhabitants recounting tales of an ominous cloud that had passed over the land. Anyone who touched this dark entity perished instantly, while others barely survived, appearing as if they'd been ill for years.
The crew was horrified by what they witnessed but were powerless to intervene. Supposedly aid was coming from the capital – food, water, and medical experts were promised to arrive soon. However, Erik knew there were no supplies for them here. “I believe our only option is to seek supplies elsewhere,” he said with determination.
Ella inquired about their destination, seeking answers. Erik replied confidently: “The next port city is Matalen. It's just an eight-hour journey from here.” Ella nodded and the group returned to their ship. Tom was silent but his eyes were filled with sorrow; he longed for home and his family more than ever before.