The crew began to take a slight liking to Avelina. Which, to Alexander, was a big surprise. Avelina asked crew mates if they fought monsters or if they ever got scared. All of them replied, "We're adventures under General Alexander! I don't get scared!" they all said. Of course, Alexander laughed at their replies. He can name several times they all cried like babies, and he, along with Dalton and Veronica, had to rescue them. Avelina talked the most with Veronica. Avelina spent the remainder of the cruise hanging out with her. Veronica would even let Avelina hold her curved sword and show her how to use it properly. "Curved blades aren't like regular swords," Veronica would explain. "They're slimmer and more fragile. So you have to be quick when you're facing your opponent." The only one onboard that was annoyed by all of this was Dalton. The whole cruise, he was scowling at how distracted everyone was. Avelina looked over at Dalton and pointed at him. "Is he a vampire?" She asked. Veronica and a few other crewmates snickered. "No, he's not a Vampire," Veronica replied. "Although he could pull off a good one if he tried!" Avelina gasped. "We should get a casket for him!" She said excitedly. The whole crew burst into laughter which further annoyed Dalton. It wasn't long before the Navigator spotted their destination. "LAND HOOOOO!" He called out. Dalton hopped straight to his feet. "It's about damn time...." He grumbled.

The ship arrived onshore, and two crewmates dropped Anker. Everyone exited the boat and began to walk around. Alexander stepped onto the land, slowly staring into the wilderness. A couple of crew mates stepped forward to stand with Alexander. They looked at him and looked out into the wilderness ahead of him. "Umm...General..." One of them said. "Is there something wrong?" Alexander didn't reply at that moment. But it wasn't long before all the crewmates began looking into the wilderness like Alexander. "Hey...I don't know if it's just me, but does anyone feel that?" One crewmate asked. "Doesn't anyone feel...off?" Everyone looked at each other. "Yeah...something is wrong..." Another crewmate said. Dalton spits on the ground. "What the hell is wrong with everyone?" He asked aggressively. "What do you mean something is off?" Avelina felt it too. This odd feeling that she and everyone else felt. It was the same feeling she'd get when she was in the room with all of the portraits of her old family members. But...why was this odd feeling here on this island? She thought.

"Well, General?" said Veronica, looking over at Alexander. "Are we going in?"

"Yes," Alexander nods. She would turn to Avelina. "Stay here with the Navigator."

Avelina's jaw dropped. "What? But you said I could come!"

"This is where I draw the line. Stay here and do not go into the forest,"

"But-"

"That's final! And do not fake cry on me!"

"UGH!" Avelina groaned as she stomped her feet and ran to the boat.

Dalton scoffed. "Why not let her come, Alexander? She seems to take a lot after you even though she's not your blood child," He said, sounding smug. Alexander would cut him a glare and order his men to move forward.

An hour passed as Avelina walked around the boat bored out of her mind. The Navigator occasionally tried to converse, but Avelina was too busy moping to reply. The Navigator would sigh softly and say, "You know he's only looking out for you." He said as he handed her an apple. Avelina looked at the apple and gently took it from his hand. "Yeah...I know..." She replied sadly as she took a bite. The Navigator smiled at her. "You know...I've never seen such a gentle side of Alexander. He's always so...well..." He rubbed his chin softly. Avelina looked over at him. "He's so what?" She asked curiously.

"Well...let's say he's not like he usually is around you!" He said, smiling nervously. "You mean the world to him, you know. You're like...his shining light in the darkness!" Hearing this placed a big smile on Avelina's face. But that smile would soon turn back into a frown. "I feel the same way..." She replied in a soft tone. "That's why I always want to be around him. I know Alex is strong, but...I feel like..." Avelina paused for a moment. She gets to her feet and looks out into the wilderness the crew entered. "I feel like...there will be a time when he won't be in my life anymore. I don't want that to happen..."

The Navigator frowned. "I see..." He gets to his feet and looks out into the distance. "But believe me...wait until you're older before you decide to be brave. You're just a child, after all. I'm sure the General has plans for you. Just be patient till then!" He said, smiling at Avelina. Avelina lowered her head. "Hey! I got some sweets in the cabin! I'll go get you some!" Avelina looked up at the Navigator and smiled. "That sounds great," She said. The Navigator hurried to the cabin, grabbed some chocolate, and returned to the deck. "Here you go, kid! I got you some-Oh no...." But the deck was empty. Avelina was gone. "Oh god, no..."

...

"It's here...Is it? I can...I can feel it somehow..." said Alexander.

Veronica and a few other crewmates looked at him, confused by what he meant. Alexander kneeled to the ground and touched the ground beneath him. Alexander closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then exhaled. "Yes...it's been here...or...is it here? But..." He continued to murmur to himself. Dalton stepped forward and asked, "Why in the hell are you talking about Alexander? You're not making any sense!" He vented. Alexander stands up, his back facing his men. "It was here...the lost sword of Maru..." Everyone began to whisper to each other. Dalton didn't seem too convinced."How do you know that? Just by touching the grass?" He asked, skeptical as always. Alexander turned to stare at Dalton. He was about to reply till he heard his name in the distance. They all turned to where the yelling voice came was heard. The Navigator arrived at the group, panting with his hands on his knees. "Navigator, what the hell are you doing here? Why are you not at the ship with Avelina?!" He asked, sounding furious. "She's gone!" Alexander's eyes widen. "WHAT?" The Navigator continued, "I-I went to get food for her, and when I returned to the deck...She was gone!" Alexander glared at the Navigator and cursed him. Alexander looked as though he was going to strangle the Navigator before Veronica interrupted him. "General...you should see this..." She called out to him.

Alexander turned around and walked over to Veronica. "What the hell is it—" Alexander looked down at the mangled dead body. His chest had deep claw marks that went downward, and his face was unrecognizable. "Something is on the island...." She said to Alexander.

Alexander's eyes widened. "Oh no...Lina!"

...

"Ok, Avelina... you're all alone in the forest of the possibly dangerous island...you got this...." She told herself. Avelina looked up at the tall trees that towered over her. All sorts of different animal noises were coming from different directions. Some of them Avelina recognized as she read about them. Avelina would continue through the forest. Every so often, a sound would make her jump and turn to see where it came. "Where are you, Alex?" She said to herself. Avelina was walking for an hour so far. And there was no sign of Alex or his crew mates anywhere. Avelina sighed. "What am I doing? I should've stayed on the boat..." She said, slapping the palm of her hand onto her forehead. "He's going to be even more upset at me now..." Avelina began to feel terrible. She began to show Alexander's worried face as she began to hold herself. "Darn it..." She whispered as she turned around and started walking As Avelina walked, she noticed something on the ground a few feet away from her. It was silver and gleaming slightly. She walked over to the gleaming item and saw that it was some bracelet. She kneeled and grasped it with her hand.

At that moment, everything flashed suddenly. Somebody was running and panting. She sounded scared, and tears were streaming down her face. She was suddenly pinned against a tree. Three cloaked figures walked forward, holding the same crown she saw in her family's painting. The Cloaked figure raised the crown and placed it on her head, and she let out a blood-curdling scream.

Avelina dropped the necklace and stumbled back, falling to the ground. She was shaking violently, holding her hand close to her chest. "W-What j-just happened? What the heck was that?" She whispered in a shaky tone. "Oh my god...what in the world..." Avelina would get to her feet and stare down at the bracelet. She was confused about what had just happened. Was that item enchanted? Or...did she do that?

She stood there and listened to the forest. It was quiet. All of the animals had gone silent. Avelina knew what this meant. If the forest is silent...a more dangerous threat is nearby.

Hghahhhhhh....

Avelina gasped. She slowly turned around and stared forward. Staring back at her was a tall 8-foot man with bright yellow eyes and sharp teeth. Its arms were long, and its nails were covered in blood. Avelina stared at the creature with fear in her eyes. She was so scared to move. The creature just stared at her. Growling. Then...Avelina turned around and ran. As soon as she did, she could hear the heavy footsteps of the creature chasing Avelina. The creature leaps into the air to try and plunge at Avelina, but she trips, causing the beast to miss entirely and roll on the ground. Avelina backed away from the creature till her back was against a tree. The beast would get to his feet and slowly walk over to Avelina. Tears began to stream down her cheeks as the beast got closer and closer. "A-Alex...help me...." The beast bared its sharp teeth as he prepared to pounce. "ALEX!" She screamed. The beast leaped forward. Avelina closed her eyes and held out her hands. There was a loud cracking sound, and she felt a sharp pain suddenly come to her hands.

Avelina opened her eyes slowly. She looked at her shaking hands as the pain suddenly disappeared. She then looked forward at the beast as it lay across the ground with black and pink electricity surging around its body. "W-What...huh?" she whispered. "LINA! LINAAAA!" Alexander called out to her. Avelina looked to the right and saw Alexander rush over to her. "ALEX!" She called out to him as she got to her feet and hopped into his arms. "Lina, are you ok? Are you hurt?" He asked as he checked her arms and legs. "N-No, I'm not! Alex, I'm so sorry! I just...I just..." She didn't know what to say. Avelina knew that what she did was stupid and careless and her reason for leaving the ship was utterly foolish. The crew had caught up to Alexander, and they all stared at the creature in shock.

"What in the world happened here?" asked Dalton as he looked down at the dead creature. "How was it killed?" He asked, looking over at Avelina. They all looked at Avelina, who was shaking badly. She looked at Alexander with tears still streaming down her cheeks. She explained in her shaky voice, "I...I held my hands out..., and sparks flew out and hit that monster..."

Alexander stared at Avelina in disbelief. "Did...you just say sparks flew out of your hands?" He asked. Avelina nodded and then buried her face into Alexander's chest. Alexander would look over at the creature. He could see the surge of electricity appear off and on through the monster's body. "That...can't be...you're too young..."

"General..." said Veronica. "I think we should leave...I don't believe there's anything else for us here..."

Alexander looked at Veronica and nodded. He picked up Avelina, holding her carefully in his arms as they returned to the ship.

Avelina kept her grasp around Alexanders neck through the whole voyage home.