The steamship tore through the open ocean, its metal hull crashing against rolling waves as white water smashed over the bow. Steam plumed relentlessly from the rear vents, hissing and churning as the engine pushed forward with stubborn determination. Ahead, land rose from the horizon, dark and solid, growing closer with every thundering surge of water.

  Samantha leaned forward from the cockpit and knocked Tyron’s boots off the console with a sharp tap.“Come on, we are nearly there.”

  His feet slipped free and he jolted awake with a startled gasp.“Great,” he muttered, blinking groggily. “Didn’t take long.”

  She shook her head, lips curling with amusement.“How would you know? You slept the whole way.”

  The steamship slowed as it scraped gently onto a small crescent of sand. Samantha pressed a button on the console, and with a low mechanical hum the hatch began to open. Cold sea air rushed in, carrying the scent of salt and distant land. They both rose to their feet and moved toward the door.

  Tyron stepped out first, boots sinking slightly into the damp sand. He turned instinctively, only to find Samantha still standing inside the ship.

  “Aren’t you coming?” he asked, hope creeping into his voice despite himself.

  She shook her head slowly.“I cannot. This is your mission, not mine. I’ve done mine, and we failed. This is all you now.”

  Tyron looked down at the sand beneath his feet, letting the waves wash over his ankles.“So… is this goodbye?”

  Samantha stepped forward after all, just enough to take his hand.“It’s not goodbye,” she said gently. “It’s an I’ll see you later.”

  Before he could respond, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

  “What was that?” he asked, stunned, his mind scrambling to catch up.

  “Sorry,” she said quickly, cheeks flushing as she stepped backward into the ship. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

  The door began to close.

  “Samantha!” Tyron shouted, taking a few hurried steps into the water, but the hatch sealed with a hiss and the steamship pulled away from shore. Waves swallowed the sound of its engines as it disappeared into the mist.

  Tyron stood there, soaked to the knees, staring after it.“What was that?” he murmured, shaking his head. Confusion twisted in his chest. yet beneath it, something warm lingered. “I don’t even know where I’m going.”

  He turned away from the surf and trudged back onto the sand. The land ahead stretched wide and empty, silent and daunting. After a moment’s hesitation, he spotted a narrow path winding along a river that fed back into the sea. With no better option, he followed it.

  The path carried him into solitude. With only the sound of running water and distant wind for company, Tyron found a rare moment of peace. It had only been days since everything changed, yet it felt like weeks, weeks of movement, danger, and uncertainty. The trail curved alongside a deep chasm, trees clinging to its edges, a thin river threading through the bottom far below.

  Then he heard it.

  A low hum, like crackling energy, distant yet insistent.

  He stepped closer to the edge and kicked a few loose stones into the chasm. They didn’t fall. Instead, they struck something unseen, sliding down as if bouncing off invisible glass.

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  “Wait… what was that?” he muttered.

  At the end of the chasm, a waterfall thundered downward, sunlight breaking through the mist and scattering rainbows across the air. Tyron carefully climbed down beside it, water soaking his clothes as he descended. When he reached the bottom, he looked across the chasm.

  Nothing.

  Intrigued, he followed the narrow path deeper between the rock walls. The hum returned, louder now, echoing through the valley until it pressed against his ears. Then, suddenly, he couldn’t move forward.

  Something blocked him.

  He pushed, but his hands met resistance, smooth, unseen, unyielding. Drawing his sword, Tyron pressed the blade against the invisible barrier. The air shimmered. Energy surged and crackled, vibrating through the steel as the wall bent but did not break.

  With a final shove, the barrier fractured like glass.

  Tyron stumbled forward and crashed onto hard ground. As he falls the invisible wall behind him crackles an joins back in to a dome.

  Pain flared as he rolled onto his back. When his vision cleared, he found himself staring up at a circle of armed men, weapons drawn and pointed directly at him.

  He raised his hands slightly.“Sorry,” he said awkwardly. “Didn’t mean to intrude.”

  “Get on your feet!” one of them barked.

  “Okay, okay,” Tyron said, pushing himself upright.

  They marched him forward, and as he looked around, amazement stole his breath. A village sprawled before him, alive, vibrant, hidden moments ago from the world. Children ran laughing between buildings, families talked openly in the streets, and warm life filled every corner.

  “Where am I?” he asked.

  “No questions,” a guard snapped, shoving him. “How did you find this place?”

  “No questions,” Tyron echoed dryly.

  Another guard scoffed. “Fine. You’ll explain yourself to our leader.”

  They stopped before a small stone building draped in moss. Tyron was shoved to his knees outside.

  “Tiff!” one guard called proudly. “We brought the intruder.”

  “You sun-damned blazet!” Tiff snapped as she turned. Her expression shifted instantly when she saw Tyron. “Intruder? Oh no, come here, my dear. Stand up. Let me dust you off. You must be exhausted.”

  She helped him to his feet and guided him inside.

  “Thank you,” Tyron said, lowering himself into a chair.

  “Who is this?” a guard asked suspiciously.

  “This,” Tiff replied firmly, “is Tyron of the Chosen. He’s here to help me find Zara, obviously.”

  “Find her?” the guard repeated, shocked.

  Tiff went quiet, slowly turning to Tyron. The guards, sensing the change, slipped away one by one.

  “You’d better come in,” she said softly. “Emberbrew?”

  “Yes,” Tyron replied grimly. “Make it a large one.”

  The hut was warm and lived-in, its walls cluttered with trinkets and memories of long adventures. Tiff soon returned with a brimming mug, steam curling up into Tyron’s face.

  “So…” he said after a long sip. “Zara?”

  “She left,” Tiff admitted. “Training was going well, then she just… disappeared. Took all her things.”

  Tyron listened, dread settling deeper with every word.

  “She feels weak,” Tiff continued. “Compared to the rest of you.”

  Silence stretched between them. Tyron knew what the future might hold if he failed.

  “She was learning abilities,” he said at last. “Did anyone here have visions of the future?”

  “Sierra,” Tiff said slowly. “But only her own.”

  Tyron stood abruptly. “Then Zara may have seen hers.”

  Minutes later, Sierra confirmed it, whispers of a palace, a name.

  “Melnock,” Tyron said firmly. “That’s my lead.”

  He turned to Tiff. “I’ll find her. I promise.”

  And with that, he stepped back into the hidden village, already moving toward the path that would take him south, toward answers, and whatever fate awaited him there.

  Thanks for reading!

  Every time someone spends a few minutes in the world of Shahero, it honestly means more than I can properly put into words. Seeing people follow the journey of Tyron, Samantha, Lazarus, Freya, Cid, and Zara makes all the hours of writing worth it.

  If you enjoyed the chapter, feel free to leave a comment or follow the story. I read every comment, and it genuinely helps the story reach more readers here on Royal Road.

  A few people have also asked how they can support the project as I work toward eventually publishing the book. If that’s something you’d like to help with, there’s a support link below that goes toward editing and preparing the story for print.

  No pressure at all though—reading the story is already huge support.

  Question for readers:What moment in this chapter stood out to you the most?

  See you in the next chapter.

  — Matthew Cooke-Sumner