the vorrick curse: chapter 5

Title: The Black Eagle

Time passed slowly in the cave, the air heavy with silence and the scent of damp stone. Aria's eyes fluttered open. Her legs no longer throbbed with pain — miraculously, she could stand. She glanced around. Everyone else was asleep, exhausted and unconscious from their earlier struggles.

Her throat burned. She needed water.

But they had none.

As she tried to distract herself from the thirst, a memory stirred. The door — she had seen ancient scriptures carved around it before collapsing. Back then, she was too weak to care. But now, curiosity pushed her forward.

She gently shook Rook. "Rook, wake up… please. I want to see something."

Groaning, Rook opened his eyes. "Can't even get proper rest here… alright, let's go."

Quietly, they made their way to the stone gate. Shadows of monsters loomed beyond the cave walls, watching but not attacking. When they reached the gate, Aria leaned in, examining the inscriptions.

"They're in an ancient language," she muttered. "Luckily… I can read it."

Rook yawned behind her. "You done yet?"

"Almost." She squinted, deciphering a riddle carved into the stone:

"Only one of royal blood, from the Shark Kingdom, bearing the tattoo on their neck, can open this gate with the key… and summon the Black Eagle of the Ocean."

Aria stepped back, confused. "What's the Black Eagle? And why can't we open it ourselves?"

Then she turned to Rook, staring at his neck. "Wait… you have that tattoo."

He froze. "What?"

"That shark-shaped mark on your neck. It matches the description."

Rook touched his neck, silent for a moment. "I… don't know where it came from."

"We need to tell the others."

By the time they returned, the others had begun to stir. Lyra saw Aria and Rook walking in from the far side of the cave and rushed over, anger in her eyes. Without a word, she slapped Rook across the face.

"Where were you? What the hell were you two doing?" she snapped.

"Nothing like that," Rook said, rubbing his cheek. "We found something."

Everyone gathered as Aria explained the scripture on the gate. Tyson, still weak, listened intently. When she mentioned the royal tattoo and Rook's mark, Rook hesitated.

"I… I think I have that mark too," he finally admitted. "Maybe… I can open it."

Tyson's voice was low but firm. "Then we have to try. If we don't, we'll be trapped here forever."

"But what about the key?" Eliah asked.

Aria spoke up. "The inscription said the key is a special sword."

All eyes turned to Rook's katana.

"If that's the case," Rook said, drawing his blade, "then let's try. I don't want to die here… and maybe I'll finally learn who I really am."

Everyone followed Rook to the gate. Taking a deep breath, he inserted his katana into the narrow slot carved in the stone. Suddenly, the ground trembled. Dust fell from the ceiling. Slowly, the gate creaked open.

They cheered — but the joy was short-lived.

Inside, curled around the cavern, was a massive sea monster. Its body shimmered like wet stone, eyes shut in deep sleep.

"Quiet," Tyson whispered. "No sound. Move slowly."

They crept ahead. After a while, they saw it — a majestic black ship shaped like an eagle, resting in a secret dock.

"So this is the Black Eagle," Eliah whispered.

But one question remained — how would they move the ship without waking the beast?

They climbed aboard, but as they began checking the anchor, Lyra sneezed — the dust was too thick.

The monster stirred.

Everyone froze.

Rook hissed, "Don't move. If we're lucky, it won't see us."

"We need a plan," Tyson said. "I have one."

"What plan?" Lyra asked.

"Rook and I will distract the monster. The rest of you get the ship moving. Raise the anchor, prepare to escape."

Everyone nodded. It was risky — but it was their only hope.

Rook struck first, slashing the monster from behind — but its hide was hard as diamond. Not a scratch.

Tyson charged in with a punch — still no effect. The monster roared, its cry shaking the entire cavern. Rocks began to fall from above. Time was running out.

"We need to hit its eyes!" Rook shouted. "Its body's too tough!"

Rook twirled his katana. A strange energy surged from the blade — a glowing aura wrapped around him. He leapt. Tyson followed.

Together, they struck — Tyson smashed one of the monster's eyes with a powerful punch. Rook's blade shot through the other, slicing deep into its skull.

With a final roar, the sea monster collapsed.

Meanwhile, the others managed to push the ship through the alternate exit of the cave. Water splashed as the Black Eagle emerged from the shadows into open sea.

Another day had passed. They had survived.

But Zara's condition was worsening. Her skin was pale, her breath faint.

Tyson stared at her, determination hardening in his eyes.

"I have to find the secret… the way to break this curse," he whispered. "No matter what it takes."

To be continued...