But one island stood out above the others:

Far in the distance, rising like a wound in the sky, was a castle.

Black stone. Twisted spires. Storm clouds swirled around it,

untouched by the sun that bathed the rest of the sky in gold.

Robin felt dread settle into his bones.

A voice beside him broke the silence. “You’ve seen it, haven’t you?”

Robin turned. A sailor stood nearby—hooded and quiet, unlike the others.

His eyes were sharp, his voice low and steady.

“The Dark Tower,” the sailor said.“Home of Lord Malthus

the Dream Killer.”

Robin swallowed. “Who is he?”

“The one who hunts dreamers. He and his dragon, Black Ember."

They patrol the islands, searching for those who seek the

Land of Time Freedom. When they find you…”

The sailor made a slicing motion across his throat.

“They burn away your hope. Or lock you

in the dungeon beneath the tower.”

Robin stared at the distant spires. “How do I avoid them?”

But before the sailor has a chance to finish, a cry goes out:

"All hands on deck!"

Robin grips the rope as the ship descends toward the floating island.

The wind howls, and the crew shouts commands.

"Belay the sheet!" the mate barks. Robin doesn't understand but he does what

everyone else is doing and ties off the rope in his hands to the nearest cleat.

Robin scrambles with the others, tying off the ropes. Then, with a cry, the

crew leaps overboard, pulling the ship down like a kite.

Robin jumps too, heart pounding. The wind screams past him, the

rope burning in his hands.

The ship touches down with a jolt, skidding across the grass.

Villagers emerge, wide-eyed but welcoming.

The crew cheers. Villagers emerge from the trees,

wide-eyed but welcoming. Soon, Robin wakes up Ariana and they are

led into a great hall carved from stone and wood. Hammocks swing from beams.

Fires crackle. The scent of roasted meat fills the air.

Robin sat near the hearth, chewing on dried venison and warm root mash.

Ariana was still getting her food.

Across from Robin sat the hooded sailor—now revealed as a woman.

She pulls back her hood.

“Lyra,” she says simply.

Robin blinked. “You were the one who warned me.”

“I was,” she says.

They ate in silence for a moment. Then Lyra spoke again.

“I used to serve him,” she said, voice low. “The Dark Lord.

I was one of his Seers. I helped him hunt dreamers. Until I saw what he

did to them. What he did to me.”

Robin looked at her, stunned.

“I escaped,” she said. “Barely. But he never forgets. "And no doubt

he will come for us."

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