Page 34 of Shinji Takahashi: Into the Heart of the Storm

“Man, we got lucky. Look how shallow it is here. This whole island is surrounded by reefs.” He blew out a breath in amazement. “We might’ve found the one place where the ship could pass through without scraping the rocks.”

Was it luck? Shinji wondered. Or was it the Storm Boar guiding them, leading them through the mist, through the reefs and the shoals, to this hidden cove? What would they find on the island? The remnants of an unknown civilization, maybe the Natia people themselves? Or an angry Storm Boar wanting to drive them out of its territory? But that didn’t make sense—the Storm Boar wanted Shinji to find the island. It needed him to do something.

“Dr. Grant is getting a team ready to disembark,” Mano said, joining them at the railing. “She’s bringing a group of scientists and researchers along, in case we find anything belonging to the Natia. This could very well be the island the Natia people originated from, and they don’t want to take any chances. They’re planning to set up a base camp once we reach a suitable location. Depending on what they find, we might be here a few days.”

“Sounds good to me,” Oliver said. “I have no problems staying on a beautiful tropical island with my own private beach. If only we could somehow find a swim-up bar.”

Once they were in the cove, Mano anchored theSeas the Daywhile they were still in deeper water, announcing they would all have to take a Zodiac up to the beach. The Zodiacs, a pair of motorized, inflatable rafts, were both fast and light, and had room for everyone going to the island. Shinji, Lucy, and Roux piled into one raft with Oliver, Mano, and Phoebe, while Dr. Grant and a group of six scientists took the other.

“Here we go,” Phoebe called as the motors roared to life. She had her red umbrella once more, Shinji saw, and for this trip, it might actually be useful. “Last one to the island is a nuckelavee!”

Shinji had no idea whatthatwas, but he wasn’t going to ask.

The wind whipped at Shinji’s hair as the Zodiac flew across the water, barely seeming to touch the surface as it zipped along. Below them, the ocean was so clear he could see colorful schools of fish swirling about, and the Zodiac’s own shadow gliding over the seafloor. Across from him, both Lucy and Roux were grinning, their hair and clothes flying about as the raft zoomed toward the island.

The island where the Storm Boar waited.

Shinji’s heart continued to pound as the Zodiac reached the edge of the beach. As Mano and Oliver dragged the raft out of the water, Shinji gazed past the sand, staring at the thick tangle of trees and vegetation that crowded the edge of the beach. He could suddenly feel the island watching them.

There was a tickle in the back of his mind, the faintest hint of warning, and Shinji caught his breath. The Coatl. What was it trying to tell him? Did it want him to find the Storm Boar, or was it trying to warn him of danger?

Something brushed his arm, making him flinch and spin around. “Okay, someone’s jumpy,” Roux said, smirking as he and Lucy joined him, Lucy with her “emergency bag”

over her shoulder. “Did you think I was a land octopus or something?”

“You’re sneaky, you’re always grabbing things, and you can get into places you’re not supposed to be,” Shinji returned. “Sounds pretty spot-on.”

Roux shrugged. “I’ve been called worse.”

Lucy gazed at Shinji in concern. So did Tinker, peering down from the top of her bag. “You okay?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Shinji muttered. Guilt gnawed at him. If therewassomething dangerous in their midst, he really should be warning his friends, at least. He glanced quickly at the adults and lowered his voice. “I think there could be something on the island,” he said, making Lucy’s brows arch. “I feel like it’s watching us. That it knows we’re here.”

“What is it?” asked Lucy.

“Maybe it’s a volcano god, and it’s angry that we’re trespassing,” Roux said before Shinji could answer, using a spooky tone and making no attempt to speak quietly. “And maybe the only way to appease it is to throw someone into the volcano.”

“Hey, now, none of that,” Oliver said, stepping in. “There will be no volcanic sacrifices on this trip. Priya would absolutely kill me. Besides, don’t forget why we’re here—to find signs of a lost people.”

“Of course we won’t be making any sacrifices,” Phoebe said, appearing beside him. “But a mysterious hidden island

with a lost culture and a volcano?” Shielding her eyes, she peered up at the ominous black mountain looming above the canopy. “It justbegsfor a volcano deity of some kind.”

“Volcano deities tend to be very hotheaded,” Oliver told her. “And easily offended. I would like to avoid having to flee the island as it’s erupting with molten-hot lava.”

Mano joined them at the edge of the beach, followed closely by Dr. Grant. “The team is ready,” Dr. Grant announced, gazing at Mano and Oliver. Behind her, a group of six scientists and researchers approached carrying rucksacks and backpacks, but also hard black cases filled with scientific equipment. At least, that’s what Shinji thought they held. “We’ll follow you, until we find a good spot to set up camp.”

“All right,” Mano grunted. “Let’s get this expedition started. Hopefully without running into any ghosts, curses, or angry island gods.” He rapped his knuckles on a nearby palm, then shoved the hilt of a large machete at Oliver. “Let’s go. Ocean, you’re with me.”

“Oh great.” Oliver sighed, hefting the knife in his hand. “Hacking through a mosquito-infested rain forest. My favorite thing.”

For several minutes, they pressed into the rain forest, pausing as the two men up front sliced away tangles of vines and branches to clear a trail. After a few minutes of hacking away at knots of vegetation, Oliver suddenly paused and

straightened. “Hold on,” he said, his voice slightly breathless, “there’s a path here. Not a game trail, an actual path.”

“A path?” Mano repeated behind him. “Are you sure?”

“Well, I’m pretty certain animals don’t stack up rocks to make a wall, or build tiny bridges over streams. So…yeah, pretty sure.”

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