36. Masterpiece of the Eternal City

There stood a massive stone structure, crafted with exquisite precision by a master architect. The colossal stone was adorned with intricate carvings, and within it lay a miniature city—buildings and alleyways arranged with the care of a long-forgotten civilization.

In the center of this stone metropolis rose a magnificent palace, its turrets aglow with a steady, red light that pulsed like a heartbeat in the darkness. A soft voice broke the silence.

"This is one of the masterpiece works of the great architect Sam," Ruchi declared, her eyes glistening with pride as she surveyed the marvel before them.

Sambh, his face etched with both wonder and pain, asked in a low, troubled tone, "My whole body feels as if it is draining my blood. And how did you manage to use the fire from your own body to forge such wonders?"

Ruchi's expression softened, her voice carrying memories from a bygone era. "I learned from the ancient dragons when I was a child. I grew up with them, learning their secrets and absorbing their mystic power.

But those mini dinosaurs—they are highly poisonous, and you have been bitten by them. You may die at any moment unless treated properly. Perhaps these ants know of a remedy."

Without missing a beat, Ruchi bent low and began speaking to the ants in their own language. Their tiny chirps and scurrying movements created a curious symphony as they exchanged words.

Her eyes filled with tears as the conversation unfolded, and noticing her distress, Sambh gently asked, "Why are you crying?"

Ruchi paused, her voice trembling with sorrow as she recounted an old tale. "When Sam built this stone city, he was bitten by these very creatures. The poison was so potent that no one could save him.

But then they heard of the pirate queen—a sorceress of unparalleled skill—whose powers, combined with the healing dew drops of Pirate Island, could cure any disease. Desperate and in agony, he journeyed there.

Although he was saved by their magic, he never returned to us. Instead, he joined the pirate army and became one with them."

Her voice trailed off as a low rumble echoed from the ground. A tunnel had opened near their stone house, its entrance framed by flickering green flames that danced ominously along the rocky wall.

"I will discover the treatment and learn what truly happened to Sam on Pirate Island,"Ruchi vowed, her tone resolute.

"If you can show us the path, perhaps we will find the truth about him."

A small, cheerful voice interjected from behind. "Once you pass through this tunnel, you will find yourself near the seashore," said Dolly, a diminutive ant with a surprisingly insightful nature.

"There, near a colossal tree, you can ask and it will tell you the way to the island."

Intrigued and desperate for answers, Sambh, Ruchi, and their unlikely companions ventured into the tunnel. The air grew thick with heat and the smell of burning foliage as they emerged on the other side.

The setting sun cast an amber glow over the horizon, and far out in the ocean floated an island that shone with an almost magical radiance.

"That," Ruchi said softly, pointing toward the glowing silhouette, "is the island bathed in the light of the sunset." As they drew closer, the scene before them was nothing short of fantastical.

Elegant unicorns roamed freely, their horns catching the last rays of the dying sun, while vivid dragons soared overhead, their scales reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors. The trees on the island were unlike any they had seen—each one bloomed in hues of blue, gold, and violet, reaching high into the sky as if to touch the eternal heavens.

Sambh's eyes widened with a mixture of awe and longing. "Hey trees," he called out softly, "we have come for you."

To his astonishment, a deep, sonorous voice resonated from within one of the ancient trees. "I have witnessed how you have nurtured my offspring in your garden. I am blessed by your care. Now, I shall grant you a ride across the ocean."

The tree's bark shimmered as it continued, "But heed my warning: once the sun sets, you will board the boat I create with my blossoms. You must return before sunrise. Do not touch the water, and let not your image be reflected therein."

Before their eyes, the tree began a marvelous transformation. Its branches stretched and intertwined, forming a graceful boat adorned with delicate, vibrant flowers. The water around the boat shimmered and shifted, its surface alive with a soft, enchanting melody as fishes swam by in graceful arcs.

With hesitant excitement, Sambh and Ruchi stepped into the floral craft. The gentle motion of the boat, propelled by the playful movement of the fishes, lent an ethereal quality to their journey.

Yet as they glided along the serene ocean, a lingering unease stirred in Sambh's heart. He recalled Ruchi's earlier words, the promise of healing and the mysteries of Pirate Island, and a question began to form in his mind.

"What sacrifices must be made to unlock the Mirror of Fate and reveal the truth about Sam—and perhaps even my father?" he whispered to himself, his eyes fixed on the horizon where the sky kissed the sea.

Ruchi, sensing his inner turmoil, leaned closer. "We will uncover these secrets together, Sambh," she murmured.

"Our journey is far from over. The path ahead is fraught with peril and mystery, but it may also lead us to the answers we so desperately seek."

The soft, melodic hum of the water, the rhythmic sway of the boat, and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures provided a soothing backdrop to their tense conversation. As the boat continued its gentle voyage, the island loomed closer, its vibrant beauty both a promise and a threat.

In that quiet, transient moment, as the sun's final rays faded into the twilight, Sambh and Ruchi exchanged a look of steely resolve and fragile hope. The road ahead was uncertain, and the stakes were higher than ever before.

And so, as the boat glided steadily across the enchanted ocean, the two travelers braced themselves for the trials that lay ahead.

With hearts pounding and minds filled with questions, they prepared to confront the destiny that awaited them on the mysterious island—a destiny that would either shatter their world or grant them the power to reshape it.

The boat rocked gently, and the melodious water whispered its secrets as they neared the island.