The silence didn't last long.
A distant sound cut through the air.
Wings.
Heavy wings.
Stefan stopped instantly.
His grip tightened on the gun.
Nami raised her rod, flames slowly forming around it.
Rex growled.
The sound grew louder.
Then—
A shadow passed over them.
Both of them looked up.
A massive bird circled above.
Its wings were huge, easily larger than a car. Its feathers were dark, almost metallic, and its eyes glowed faintly.
And on its back—
A man.
Stefan immediately raised his gun.
Stefan: "Stay ready."
The bird descended quickly.
It didn't attack.
It landed a few meters away.
Dust rose as its claws hit the ground.
The man jumped down smoothly.
He held a sword.
The bird stayed behind him.
Alert.
Ready to strike.
For a moment—
No one moved.
Tension filled the air.
Then—
The man spoke.
Andrew: "Relax. I'm not here to fight."
Stefan didn't lower his gun.
Stefan: "Then why are you here?"
Andrew looked at him calmly.
Andrew: "Gunshots. Haven't heard those in days."
Nami stepped slightly forward, flames growing stronger.
Nami: "That doesn't answer the question."
Andrew sighed lightly.
Then rested his sword on his shoulder.
Andrew: "Name's Andrew."
He glanced at Rex.
Then back at them.
Andrew: "I came to check who's still alive."
Silence followed.
Stefan studied him carefully.
No panic.
No aggression.
Just confidence.
That made him dangerous.
Stefan: "Where did you come from?"
Andrew pointed behind him.
Toward the island.
Andrew: "Not from here."
He paused.
Then said something unexpected—
Andrew: "This isn't the mainland."
Nami's eyes narrowed.
Nami: "What do you mean?"
Andrew gave a small, tired smile.
Andrew: "You're on another island."
Silence.
Stefan lowered his gun slightly.
Stefan: "…Explain."
Andrew leaned slightly against his bird.
Andrew: "Two days ago, I escaped."
He tapped the bird lightly.
Andrew: "Rode this guy here."
Nami frowned.
Nami: "From where?"
Andrew's expression changed.
Darker.
Serious.
Andrew: "Mainland."
A pause.
Then—
Andrew: "…It's hell."
The word stayed in the air.
Heavy.
Real.
Stefan and Nami exchanged a look.
That confirmed it.
They weren't safe.
Not even close.