Chapter 18: The Island of Healing
Chapter 18: The Island of Healing
The Grand Line stretched endlessly before them, a vast, unpredictable sea of dangers and wonders. The Wave Strider sailed steadily, its crew somber and tense. Ryu lay unconscious in the lower deck, his wounds wrapped tightly in bandages. Sweat glistened on his brow as he muttered incoherently in his sleep, his fists clenched even in unconsciousness.
Ren stood at the bow, fists clenched around the railing as he stared ahead. The encounter with Mihawk replayed in his mind — Ryu's desperate struggle, Mihawk's cold indifference, and the sheer gap in strength. His jaw tightened. "I was right there," he muttered. "And I couldn't do a thing."
"You couldn't have," Nadia said, approaching him. Her eyes were fixed on the log pose strapped to her wrist, the needle now pointing unwaveringly in a new direction. "We need to focus on getting Ryu help. The log pose is locked onto the nearest island."
"What's it called?" Ren asked, glancing over.
Nadia shook her head. "I've never heard of it. It's not on any of the maps my grandfather gave us."
"That's fine," Ren said, pushing away from the railing. "If there's a doctor there, that's all we need."
---
Hours passed as they sailed, the air growing warmer and more humid. Seraphina brought a damp cloth to Ryu's forehead, her expression tense. "His fever's getting worse."
Ren clenched his fists, the dull ache of frustration burning through him. He wanted to hit something, to let out the pent-up rage he felt after Mihawk had completely dominated Ryu. But he knew that wouldn't help. They needed a doctor — now.
"Land ho!" Nadia shouted from the crow's nest.
Ren sprinted to the deck, his eyes widening as the island came into view. It was a lush, sprawling landmass with dense forests, towering cliffs, and cascading waterfalls. The shoreline was rocky, with a small port village nestled at the base of a mountain. Despite its natural beauty, an eerie fog clung to the island, swirling like ghostly tendrils.
"What is this place?" Seraphina asked, her brow furrowing. "It doesn't look like a typical Grand Line island."
Ren's eyes narrowed. "It doesn't matter. We're going in."
---
The Wave Strider docked at the rickety pier, and the crew quickly disembarked. Ren and Nadia carried Ryu, who remained unconscious, his breathing shallow. The port was surprisingly empty, with only a few wary eyes peeking out from shuttered windows.
"Hey!" Ren shouted to a nearby shopkeeper. "We need a doctor!"
The shopkeeper eyed them nervously. "A doctor? There's one up in the mountain village. But… it's risky."
"Risky?" Nadia asked, her eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"
"Strange things have been happening up there," the man said, lowering his voice. "People have been disappearing. And those who come back… they're not the same."
Ren grit his teeth. "We don't have a choice."
The crew set off toward the mountain village, the path winding through dense jungle and steep cliffs. The air grew colder as they ascended, and the eerie fog thickened, reducing visibility to mere feet.
As they trudged forward, Seraphina pulled her knives closer, her eyes darting around. "Something's not right here."
Nadia nodded. "I can feel it too. It's too quiet."
Finally, they reached the village — a small cluster of wooden huts surrounding a larger, temple-like structure carved into the mountain itself. Despite the mist, a single light flickered in one of the windows.
Ren approached the structure, his heart pounding. "This must be it."
Before he could knock, the door swung open, revealing a young woman with long, dark hair tied in a loose ponytail. Her eyes were sharp, almost hawk-like, and she wore a white coat stained with blood. "You're looking for a doctor?" she asked, her voice cool but firm.
"Yes!" Ren said, stepping forward. "Our friend — he's badly injured."
The woman's eyes flicked to Ryu, and her expression softened. "Bring him inside. Quickly."
---
Inside, the room was dimly lit, with shelves filled with jars of strange herbs and medical supplies. The woman gestured for them to lay Ryu down on a wooden table. She pulled back the bandages, her brow furrowing as she examined the wounds.
"These are deep," she said, grabbing a vial of clear liquid and pouring it over the gashes. Ryu groaned, his eyes fluttering open briefly before falling unconscious again.
"What's your name?" Ren asked, his gaze fixed on the doctor.
"Lyra," she said, not looking up. "I'll do what I can, but it'll take time."
Seraphina hovered nearby, her fists clenched. "Is he going to be okay?"
Lyra didn't answer immediately. Instead, she wiped her hands clean and stood, her sharp eyes meeting Ren's. "Who did this to him?"
Ren's jaw tightened. "Dracule Mihawk."
Lyra's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she schooled her expression. "Mihawk, huh? Well, your friend is lucky to be alive."
Ren frowned. "You know him?"
Lyra smirked. "Everyone in the Grand Line knows him. But right now, you need to focus on recovering. And if you want your friend to survive, you're going to need to trust me."
Ren nodded, his expression determined. "Then we're counting on you, Lyra."
---
Outside, as the fog thickened and the wind howled through the mountain village, Nadia stood watch, her eyes scanning the shadows. Something about this place felt off — like they were being watched.
And from the dense jungle surrounding the village, unseen eyes gleamed in the darkness, watching every move they made.
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