The Fracture Sea wouldn't let them rest. After the storm that had dragged them into its dark waters, a remnant of its fury still roared through the channels of the High Fractures. A colossal wave surged suddenly between the black cliffs, a dark green shadow rising against the bruised gray sky. With a crash that made the air tremble, it slammed into Kain and Lirien's small boat.
The old wood creaked loudly as if it might splinter. Kain gripped the oars with calloused hands, his salt-slick fingers struggling to steady the craft. His brown eyes widened in the gloom, wet hair plastering to his sharp face in rebellious strands. His soaked gray tunic clung to his broad shoulders, dripping cold streams down his legs.
Icy puddles formed in the boat's bottom, mingling with the sloshing salt water. In his pocket, the Ruby pressed hot against his thigh, its red glow pulsing restlessly. It seemed to yearn for something in the surrounding shadows. The boat slipped into a narrow channel, squeezed between black cliffs that loomed like twisted towers.
These were the High Fractures, towering cliffs carved by winds and waves over centuries. Below them roared the Fracture Sea, a wild part of the Tempestamic Ocean. A tangle of deep, dark channels that swallowed ships and defied even the bravest. Twisted trees hung from the edges, their dry branches stretched like fossilized claws.
The wave dissipated as quickly as it had come, the waters calming into a heavy silence. It fell over the High Fractures like a suffocating shroud, stifling everything around. The only sounds were the steady drip of water running off the rocks and the low howl of the wind. It snaked through the channels—a wail that sent shivers down the spine.
Kain pulled the oars hard, his arms burning from the effort. He wiped his face with a wet sleeve, pushing hair off his forehead, and took a deep, shaky breath. "This isn't the ocean I know," he muttered, his hoarse voice cutting through the silence. He tried to sound steady, but a sliver of uncertainty slipped into his words.
The sea had always been his domain, a treacherous but familiar ally—here, though, it felt like a hostile stranger. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the Ruby, lifting it with careful fingers. Its red glow lit the cliffs, brighter than it had in the Tempestamic Ocean. Crimson reflections danced on the wet rocks as he frowned, drumming his thumb on the warm stone.
"I've sailed rough waters, outrun worse storms, but this? This feels wrong." Lirien rose slowly at the bow, her hands gripping the boat's edges so tightly her knuckles whitened. Her blonde hair fluttered in the salty wind, tangled and wild, brushing her face. Her torn blue tunic clung to her slender frame, drenched, and her worn boots left small puddles.
Her green eyes gleamed with curiosity and caution as she stared at the stone labyrinth around them. "No one sails here," she said, her voice firm despite the slight tremble in her hands. She brushed a strand of hair from her eyes and looked at Kain. "It's a lost place, not on any map I've seen or in any story I've heard."
"Fishermen from the Isle of Currents whisper about a hidden sea that swallows the unwary. I thought it was just legend—until now," she added, resolute. Kain let out a short, dry laugh, a crooked grin tugging at his lips. "Wonderful. A weird stone and a chatty girl drag me into a hole that doesn't even exist."
"My day's perfect," he quipped, leaning back on the oars as she flashed a quick, teasing smile. "You picked up that Ruby from a wreck—don't blame me for your thieving habits," she shot back, eyes sparking. "And you talk as much as I do, you idiot," she added with a grin. He laughed, the sharp sound echoing off the cliffs and fading into the oppressive silence.
"Fair," he said, spinning the Ruby between his fingers, its heat spreading like a low fire in his hand. "But you said Yariv wants these Jewels—why am I stuck in this mess because of you?" Lirien hesitated, her face darkening as she recalled Yariv's cruel gaze. She sat on the boat's edge, her boots splashing in the shallow water inside it.
"Yariv believes the Jewels control the sea," she said, her voice quieter, eyes narrowing. "Waves, currents, storms—everything; he already has the Sapphire and won't stop there." She paused, recalling the pale glow of the Rough Diamond. "And that man in the mist—I don't know who he works for, maybe Yariv, maybe someone else."
"But you with the Ruby? That's no coincidence," she insisted as Kain snorted, holding the stone up to his eyes. Its glow blended with the cliffs' shadows as he grumbled, "Control, huh? So far, it's just left me wet and cold." She tilted her head, smirking, "Maybe you need more practice, hero—or maybe you're not as clever as you think."
Before he could retort, a sudden current seized the boat, yanking it hard into an even narrower channel. Cold water sprayed in sharp bursts, stinging their faces like ice needles. Kain gripped the oars with both hands, his arms burning as he fought the force. "Hold on!" he shouted, his hoarse voice rising over the water's roar.
Ahead, a black rock blocked the path, the boat spinning dangerously close to it. The wood creaked, on the verge of crashing, and Kain growled, "This won't work!" Frustration boiled over as he shoved his hand into his pocket, fingers closing around the Ruby. Its red glow flared bright, transforming into the faceted sword.
He leapt onto the rocky ledge beside the channel, power humming through his legs. Super speed pulsed in his veins as he raced to the rock in a blur. The blade sliced the air with a crimson flash, cleaving the stone in two with a swift strike. Dust exploded as the boat broke free of the current.
But the power wavered—his legs buckled, and he dropped to his knees on the ledge. Panting, the sword reverted to stone in his hand as he muttered, "This thing still hates me." Lirien rowed to him, the boat rocking as she leaned over the edge. Her wet blonde hair clung to her face, green eyes sharp with concern.
"Are you crazy or just stupid?" she snapped, grabbing his arm and pulling him back. Her shoulders trembled with the effort as she hauled him aboard, and Kain slumped into the seat. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve, grumbling, "Don't know—this stone's got a mind of its own." Lirien took the oars, guiding the boat to a wider ledge jutting from the cliff.
She tied it to a sharp rock with a quick knot, the rope scraping against the stone. "This place doesn't forgive mistakes," she said, her tone firm but laced with warning. "The Ruby might save us, but you need to understand it—or we're done here." Kain snorted, pushing wet hair back and staring out at the High Fractures.
"If I'd known saving you would drag me into this mess with a stubborn stone, I'd have left you with those mercenaries," he said. She laughed, a short sound that eased the tension, shaking her head. "Too late, rat—you're stuck with me." He stepped onto the ledge, his boots slipping on the wet stone.
He held the Ruby up to the faint light filtering through the clouds, its glow reflecting in the puddles at his feet. Crimson lights danced on the rock as a deep rumble echoed through the cliffs, louder than before. It shook the dark water below, ripples spreading across the surface. For a fleeting instant, Kain swore he saw something—a massive, sinuous shadow beneath the waves.
Larger than any ship, it moved as the Ruby warmed in his hand, pulsing fast. Almost in time with his heartbeat, it drew his eyes to the shadows between the cliffs. His breath caught as Lirien whispered, "That's not the wind," her fists clenching. She stepped closer, green eyes fixed on the horizon where the water stirred.
Silence returned, thick and heavy, carrying a warning neither could ignore. Kain gripped the Ruby tighter, its heat steady against his palm, and looked at Lirien. "Whatever it is, I hope it doesn't swim fast," he murmured as she nodded, her face serious. A faint smile tugged at her lips, "And I hope you master that stone before it gets here."
They stood together on the ledge, the boat creaking softly behind them, watching the dark waters ripple in the distance. The High Fractures stretched ahead, a vast and unknown labyrinth before them. It guarded secrets older than their world—and dangers they might not be ready to face.