Chapter 749: Chapter 749: The Shattered Isles

Dawn broke over the Shattered Isles with an eerie calm. The sun's rays pierced through a veil of mist that clung to the jagged, shadowy outlines of the islands. The sea around them was still, but a profound silence enveloped the ship as if the waters themselves were holding their breath.

Elara stood at the bow, her eyes scanning the fractured coastline that loomed closer with every passing moment. The Shattered Isles were just as the legends had described—an archipelago of fractured landmasses, some barely visible above the surface, others rising sharply from the ocean like the remnants of some ancient cataclysm.

The crew moved with a tense purpose, their faces reflecting both awe and apprehension. The island formations were irregular and foreboding, their edges worn and battered by countless storms. It was clear that this was a place where few ships had ever ventured and even fewer had returned.