The Great Treasure: The Brave Hero of the Seas /Chapter 2: The Sea of Whispers (EN)

The Great Treasure: The Brave Hero of the SeasChapter 2: The Sea of WhispersThe Red Wind sliced through the early morning fog as the golden sun peeked over the horizon. Harry stood at the helm, steering with both hands as Ariel studied the map. Her blue eyes flickered between the compass and the ancient paper."We’re entering the Sea of Whispers," she said in a hushed voice. "They say the winds here talk, and if you listen closely, you can hear secrets from the deep."Leo, perched on the edge of the wheel, squeaked nervously. "Squeak... I don’t like talking winds."As they sailed forward, a strange stillness filled the air. The sea grew calm, almost too calm. Not a single wave. The sails stopped flapping.Then they heard it.A soft, whispering sound."...Turn back... Danger awaits..."The crew froze."It’s just wind," Harry said bravely. "Or... something pretending to be wind."Suddenly, the water around them began to swirl, forming a whirlpool. Out of the center rose a creature none of them had seen before—a silver-scaled sea serpent with glowing green eyes and shimmering fins."That’s Whisperfang!" Ariel gasped. "A mythological sea creature. It's said to guard the passage to ancient treasure paths."Whisperfang coiled around the Red Wind but did not attack.Instead, it spoke."To pass, you must answer the Riddle of the Deep. Fail... and be swallowed."The three looked at each other, hearts pounding."What’s the riddle?" Harry called.The serpent’s eyes glowed."I have no doors, but I open. I have no teeth, but I bite. I hold no water, but I drown. What am I?"They all thought hard. Leo tapped his tiny foot."Ariel, do you know?""Wait... I think it’s... a trap! No... A hole? No... Oh! It’s a mouth! No..."Harry’s eyes widened. "A whirlpool!"The sea serpent let out a long, eerie hiss... then slowly uncoiled."Correct... You may pass."The waters calmed, the sails caught wind again, and the Red Wind continued forward."That was close," Leo whispered, trembling.Harry smiled. "That’s just the beginning. The real adventure is only starting."(To be continued in Chapter 3...)