A row of empty beach houses greeted the distraught travelers with their creaky doors and windows. They smashed against moss-covered walls whenever a gust of ocean air blew through. And with the wind came the faint smell of fish. The dark skies above the island let out low groaning sounds, as if a giant pushed a sofa atop the clouds.

Eila took three steps into the coarse, damp sand. After one quick look at the gray scenery, she ranked it as the least fun beach she had ever visited. Already she missed the fine, golden sands of Aegean City, plus the cooling winds, the sun's warmth on her skin, the view from the hotel, and Marco's pastries. She found it difficult to explain, but the lonely scene before her gave her this sinking feeling in her stomach.

Seeing red-snouted pelicans and lavender-tailed albatrosses scattered around the beach brought some comfort to the twins, however. They weren't completely alone, at least. The pelicans' honks helped lighten up the mood with their silly tunes, enough for Ari and Nino's heads to perk up.

Queen Suilah and the man in green took the lead, ambling towards the beach houses. "To think my abode could fall to such a state in a mere year," the man in green mused, as he regarded his home with a touch of sadness. "If this is what the Nether Oracle desires for this world... I must stop him at any cost."

Tomas, Eila, and Nino, who sat upon his "noble steed", Ari, trudged up the sand. Behind them were their parents, who chatted with Joanne in a near-whisper. The twins paid little attention to their talk, but they sounded a bit worried. Further behind them, Levias called to his queen one last time before the twins heard a loud splash.

Chills ran down their back. No turning back till their trip was over, they thought. Or until Suilah called the Mysticetan.

Although the travelers tried keeping a casual mood around them, they couldn't ignore the island's claws creeping up on them. Even as the twins looked up at the Ilenes in the distance with wonder, their hearts whispered at them to turn back. Both exchanged knowing glances; the monsters could already be waiting for them at the top. After all, the final shard was on the island, according to Narciso.

Tomas skipped ahead toward the man in green and lightly tugged his coat. "Say, where's the last piece? Did Narciso say anything about it?"

The man put a finger up to his chin and furrowed his eyebrows. "They did not give any other details on our last conversation, only that it was certainly on the island." The two stopped as the wind howled past them. "Let us find a more comfortable place, then we may contact Narciso about it. I pray they have gathered more clues by now."

Tomas nodded and returned to Eila. After repeating Mr. Green's words, Eila crossed her arms and looked up to the Ilenes.

"So, we just explore a bit and find somewhere to stay for now?" she asked. "This place gives me the heebie-jeebies, but it'd be fun to catch some photos of those birds, and maybe some other critters wandering around this town."

Tomas squinted his eyes at her. "We're stuck on a spooky island. Those cloaked monsters are probably hiding or looking for the crystal piece, and you're thinking about taking photos of animals?" He tilted his head to one side and huffed. "What about bugs?"

The twins argued about animals versus insects as the group went past the empty beach houses. For a moment, they felt as though they were back in Cherub Woods, imagining the sort of wildlife they wanted to find.

Meanwhile, Ari kept her snout to the sky, nostrils flaring as she took in the island's scents. The fishy smell grew weaker as they strolled down a dirt road leading into the island's insides. Palm trees arched over the road, looking like a gaping mouth that bobbed up and down with the wind. A mass of trees in the distance reminded the twins of the dark forest back in Zephyr Town. Combined with the Ilenes' peaks behind the swishing trees, the island seemed like a sleeping dragon with brown spikes. Completing the image was the thundering, resembling Ari's snoring growls when she slept. These snores were more menacing than cute, however.

The sound of snapping branches froze Ari in place. Her pupils turned into needles as she vibrated her frills and tail. Nino pointed his ears toward the sound, which seemed to come from some bushes beside the road. Ari blew hot air out of her snout, which drew the twins' attention.

"What's wrong? Did you hear something, Ari?" Tomas pet Ari's back and peered at the bushes.

"I see Ari grows restless as well." The man raised his head as the wind howled again, blowing his hair to the side. Leafy trees around them lightly swung as if to cover them with their branches. "The island may be warning us. It is best we make haste and find shelter," he murmured. "I recall the homes in this town's center plaza being much sturdier. Perhaps we may find this town's denizens there as well."

The twins simply nodded, glancing behind them to meet their parents' silent nods. Mr. Diderot kept his arms crossed, yet gave them a small, reassuring grin. Mrs. Diderot also gave a weak smile, though her eyes were full of doubt. Mr. Diderot and Joanne's confident faces seemed to comfort her, as it did the twins.

"To the town then!" Eila proclaimed, dramatically pointing at the opening at the end of the road. The soft, yellow lights peeking from the trees in the distance brought much needed relief to the group. Ari glanced one more time at the bushes, letting out a soft growl as a tiny jackalope hopped out of them.

Though she remained on edge, Ari felt content. At least some friendly faces lurked within the island.

♦♦♦♦♦

"Such a dreary day," Narciso sighed as they contemplated the gray skies. "It's almost enough to make me cry. Simply beautiful."

The flower demon shook their head, curled their upper lip, and groaned in disgust. "My little ones and I wake up for some morning sunlight and end up with unwelcome visitors and clouds that won't leave. Hmph, the nerve!"

Narciso glanced at a small group of cloaked creatures lying on the grass by the river. They all snored and twitched like sleeping dogs. "At least they're getting some much-needed rest." Narciso gently bent down and caressed the surrounding lilies, plucking one off. "I must confess, I pity them somewhat. So willing to follow that loon. They could do so much better than that. Why, if they were my followers, I'd teach them all the wonders and simplicities of nature!"

Narciso cackled while holding one hand in front of their mouth. Mere seconds later, they went quiet and placed the flower in their hair. They sighed, "Goodness, Xybelios would think me mad if he heard me speak to none but myself like this. Then again, maybe I've always been a little crazy." Narciso curled their petals over their head as their gaze fell to the ground. "And lonely. Not much beauty in that."

After a brief gust blew by, one lily near Narciso began glowing with its usual silver colors. Narciso jerked upward and pulled their eyes wide open. They took a few deep breaths, assuming their usual calm and proud attitude before leaning over the flower. They put their palms together and said, "Why, hello there. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking to on this fine day?"

A familiar deep voice emerged from inside the flower's petals. The voice cordially spoke in a quiet tone, "Greetings, Narciso. I am afraid today is far from pleasant, for the isle of Trusa lays in deplorable condition. Fortunately, we are safe in this coastal village."

"Oh dear, sounds rather dire over there. I assume two certain human children and a blue dragon accompany you as well?" A smile flashed across Narciso's mouth, remembering the short, yet sweet moments spent with the curious trio. Far better company than Xybelios, though his overly eloquent manners made for wonderful entertainment for the flower demon.

"Yes, they are all well. Their parents and a human woman have joined our group as of late. The ocean guardian has graciously aided us in our cause as well. Between you and me, her presence brings me some relief. The family and the woman have surprised me repeatedly with their strength, their limitless resilience. But, I digress. Have your lilies discovered the precise location of the final shard? I am afraid time runs thin the longer we remain here."

Narciso drew their face away from the lily and let out a hushed squeal. With a grin that stretched from ear to ear, they blurted out, "Now wait just a moment! The ocean guardian is with you? Suilah? You should've mentioned that first! Did you get to hear her performance? What is she like? Is she as beautiful and serene as her voice is?"

The man in green groaned. "I implore you to save those questions for later, my friend. I am sure you can speak with her once we deal with the Nether Oracle. Now then, about the shard..."

"Alright, alright." Narciso sighed and focused on the swirling clouds above. "There's been less of his followers around this forest these past few days. Rather quiet if you don't count the partying goblins and imps. They seem happy to have less of them lurking around."

The man in green cleared his throat; a sign for Narciso to re-focus. "Right. I overheard the Nether Oracle speaking to one of his underlings about returning to their first conquest. Correct me if I'm wrong, but your island was the first place they attacked, yes?"

The man dryly responded, "Correct."

"Now, just a few hours ago I got some real juicy news from, ahem, chatting with some followers. It appears they're targeting the temple atop the Ilenes. Some are 'checking out' Suilah's kingdom too. So... I'd recommend she keep an eye on that if she's still with you."

The man in green mumbled something Narciso couldn't quite understand. They heard a feminine voice in the distance respond to the man, one that carried a soothing yet firm tone.

"Like the cooling waves of the ocean," Narciso mused.

After a short while, the man in green droned on with details of their situation at the island and possible plans. Narciso got lost in their thoughts, improvising poems about the ocean. It did not take long for them to return to reality, as two curious voices chimed in.

"Hi Narciso!" The bolder and more enthusiastic voice chattered at a dizzying speed. "How's the lilies? And the sprites? Is it still sunny and warm there? It's kinda cold here."

"Sis, Mister Green's still talking," the soft, boyish voice complained.

The man in greed let out a short huff. "It is alright, children. I have all the information I require to proceed."

Narciso felt a little warmth in their heart. "If it isn't Mister Green's precious little troublemakers. I've heard quite a lot happened since I last saw you two."

Eila continued, "Yeah... good news is, we're all together now. So, what's the plan, Mister Gr — ah, Xee-belios?"

Narciso raised an eyebrow, then smiled. "T'was only a matter of time before they found out, heh."

"I believe it is obvious. Suilah and I shall ascend the mountains and recover the final shard, while you remain here with your parents and Joanne. If the cloaked ones seek to find the shard before us, their efforts will be focused on getting to the temple. That is, if the Nether Oracle has not already created a portal near it, which troubles me... Narciso, you are better versed in portal magic than I, surely there are limits to it."

A strong gust blew by Narciso, threatening to yank the lily from his hand. They brushed their hair off their face with a scoff. "Every type of magic does. Portal magic mainly needs two things: incense made from plants native to the Netherworld, and the caster's knowledge of the location they wish to go."

"Tch. And the Nether Oracle's been to the temple before," the man hissed, "I'll have to depart at once. Stay safe, my friend."

The twins sneaked in their goodbyes before the lily went silent. Just as Narciso loosened their hold on the flower, it shimmered again.

"Hey, um, Narciso," Tomas whispered, "by 'Netherworld' plants, you mean normal plants or plant demons like you?"

Narciso blinked twice, astonished that the boy dared to ask. "I'd hardly call Netherworld plants 'normal', but yes, I meant those. Being honest, it's a little insulting to imply they'd use sentient, not to mention beautiful, creatures like —"

A cold, thin object wrapped over Narciso's neck. A low hiss and puffs of warm, damp air touched their back. Narciso slowly let go of the lily, letting it glide to the ground as Tomas kept calling them, his voice rising to a yell. The lily soon touched the grass, splitting into two in a flash.

Narciso narrowed their eyes as the claw touched their skin. "So, your master's looking for emergency supplies, hmm?" A wicked grin grew on their face as their nails grew into claws, oozing with a purple liquid at their ends.

Their noble chuckle became a sinister, chilling cackle as yellowed roots snapped out of the ground. One root slapped away the cloaked creature into the river, but not without leaving a cut on Narciso's flawless face. The creatures' companions shrieked and charged at the annoyed demon.

Their eye twitched as they ran a finger on the cut. Seeing the pale green liquid on their hand, Narciso spread out his claws at them. "I think your time in this realm's made you too bold, dears. Perhaps I ought to remind you who's in charge in this forest."