---
The wind howled as the ship sailed through dark waters.
Chirag stood at the bow, his eyes locked on the golden compass in his hand. Its needle pulsed with light, pointing forward—always forward—toward the heart of the Sea of Chains. Around him, waves crashed like beasts. The ocean was not calm. It felt alive, like it was watching them.
Behind him, Siya wrapped her cloak tighter. The cold sea air bit into her skin, but she didn't complain. She had faced demons, rulers, even gods. A little wind wouldn't stop her now.
Kael was at the ship's wheel, holding steady even as the storm rolled in.
"Chirag," he called. "We're almost there. The compass is glowing brighter."
Chirag nodded. "Good. Keep us on course."
The Sea of Chains wasn't on any map. Most sailors feared it. Legends said anyone who entered it was cursed—either they vanished, or they returned… changed. But Chirag wasn't afraid. Not anymore.
He had faced death. He had faced gods.
Now, he would face the Stormmother.
---
Hours passed. The sky grew darker. Lightning flashed across the clouds like veins of fire, and thunder shook the ship's sails. Rain poured down, soaking the deck. Still, the compass pulled them forward.
Suddenly, the storm grew worse.
A giant wave rose in the distance—higher than any mountain. It looked like a wall of water, racing toward them. Kael's eyes widened.
"Brace yourselves!" he shouted.
The ship tilted as the wave crashed down. Chirag raised his hand and summoned a dome of fire, shielding the ship from the brunt of the impact. Steam exploded into the air as the flames met the water.
But something else came with the wave.
Chains.
Massive, glowing chains burst from the ocean, wrapping around the ship like serpents. They wrapped around the mast, the sails, the hull—dragging the vessel toward the heart of the storm.
Chirag slashed at the chains with his flame, but they didn't burn.
"They're magic," Siya said. "Old magic."
"We're being pulled in," Kael growled. "We can't stop it!"
The sea opened before them, revealing a giant whirlpool—a swirling tunnel of water and light. The chains dragged the ship straight into it, spinning faster and faster.
And then, everything went black.
---
When Chirag opened his eyes, he was no longer on the ship.
He stood on a rocky island, surrounded by shattered ships and floating pieces of wood. The sea was calm now, eerily still, like the eye of a storm. The sky above was silver, with no sun, no moon. Just light without a source.
Siya lay beside him, unconscious but breathing. Kael groaned nearby, rubbing his head.
"Where are we?" Kael asked, looking around.
Chirag helped Siya sit up. "I think… we're inside her prison."
A voice echoed from the sky.
"You come seeking power… but are you willing to face the storm?"
The ground shook. From the center of the island, a massive temple rose from the sea—made of coral and metal, shaped like a crown. Thunder rolled as the doors of the temple opened.
Chirag took a deep breath. "She's waiting for us."
---
Inside the temple, the walls hummed with energy. Lightning ran through them like veins. The air was heavy, like a storm waiting to break.
In the center of the chamber stood a throne made of clouds and steel.
And on it sat Elira, the Stormmother.
She looked nothing like Orran. Her skin was pale blue, her hair like flowing water. Her eyes crackled with lightning. Her presence filled the room with pressure.
"I felt your arrival," she said. "The chains obey me. The sea bows to me. And yet… you come to ask for my help?"
Chirag stepped forward. "Yes. The gods are preparing for war. We need your power to stop them."
Elira stood slowly. "You think power will win you this war? Foolish. The gods created the world you walk on. They shaped the skies you breathe. You are a flame… but they are the storm."
"I don't care how big they are," Chirag said, his voice firm. "I'll still fight them. Because they tried to destroy what I love."
Elira raised a hand, and a bolt of lightning struck the floor at his feet.
"You speak of love," she said. "Then let me test it."
She raised her hand again—and suddenly, Siya vanished.
Chirag spun around. "Siya?!"
Kael shouted, "She's gone!"
"She's not gone," Elira said. "She's trapped in the Eye of the Storm. If you truly love her, you'll find her there. But beware—if your love is weak, the storm will tear you apart."
Without another word, Elira vanished in a flash of thunder.
The walls of the temple shifted.
A staircase appeared, leading downward—into the heart of the storm.
---
Chirag didn't hesitate.
He ran down the steps, his flames lighting the path. Kael followed close behind, sword ready. The deeper they went, the louder the wind howled. Lightning flickered around them, and the walls dripped with seawater.
At the bottom, they found a massive door, sealed with glowing symbols.
Chirag touched it—and a voice echoed from within.
"Do you truly love her?"
"Yes," Chirag said.
"Would you die for her?"
"Yes."
"Would you live without her?"
Chirag hesitated.
"…No," he whispered.
The door opened.
Inside was a sphere of water, spinning like a cyclone. At the center, floating, was Siya—eyes closed, trapped in a bubble of lightning.
"Siya!" Chirag shouted.
He stepped forward—but the storm pushed him back. It wasn't just wind. It was emotion. His fears. His doubts. His memories. All thrown back at him like weapons.
"You are not worthy," the storm whispered. "You are just a boy who was left behind."
"No," Chirag growled. "I am more."
He stepped forward again, burning brighter. The storm screamed—but he pushed through it.
"Siya!" he yelled again.
Her eyes opened.
She smiled.
And the storm shattered.
---
They were back in the temple.
Elira stood before them, watching in silence.
"You passed," she said. "Your love is true. Your power is rising."
Chirag reached for Siya's hand. "Will you help us now?"
Elira looked at them both. "I will."
A bolt of lightning struck the floor—and in its place, a shard of glowing crystal remained. Chirag picked it up.
"This holds a piece of my storm," Elira said. "Use it wisely."
The temple began to fade.
And once again, the world shifted.
---
The Sea of Chains released them.
They found themselves back on their ship—floating in calm waters, the storm behind them.
Chirag held the crystal in his hand, the compass now glowing with a new path.
The next forgotten god awaited.
And the war was getting closer.
---