The ship hummed silently, barely audible as it cut through the waves of the ocean, nearing the island they began to enter their stealth mode, and a hissing sound came over them as both powerful magecraft and cutting-edge technology mixed in a holy essence of pure symphony, as the boundary field of the ship covered the ship, the ship began to disappear, bending both the the air and light around it. This caused the vessel to be nearly invisible to both magical and mundane senses that only a top-tier Magus or a Caster class servant could detect.

In the medical bay, waver sat near the bedside where Gray lay and rest, unconscious yet stable, Waver crossed his arms as he furrowed his brows in concern, although this was a familiar sight by now, especially with their profession as mages, he wasn't ready to accept seeing any of his students like this—vulnerable, and laid out on a sterile bed with her breathing steady but laboured. The screech from earlier had done a great amount of harm to Gray, for some reason she was the only person truly affected by the sound. He could only think that the sound came from some sort of malicious creature, something dangerous and maybe out for them, and one thing was for sure, it was not just regular kaiju.
Waver sighed, watching Gray's chest softy rise and fall. "You always end up like this, don't you?" he muttered, the corners of his mouth tugging down into a grim line. Standing up from where he was sitting, wallowing would not solve anything and would only make things worse in his professional opinion, He'd have to leave her behind, and though it was for her own safety, it didn't sit well with him.

The door to the medical bay slid open, revealing Amiri Serizawa, holding a clipboard filled with notes. His posture was stiff but determined. "She'll be alright, right?" Amiri asked, his voice low as he approached Waver's side. He cast a glance at Gray before looking away.
"She's stronger than she looks," Waver replied, "she'll recover," though his tone sounded uncertain.

Although he nodded his head, Amiri's mind was already wandering off elsewhere. "We're nearing the island, the others are already getting ready… I suppose we should also do the same." There was a nervous edge to Amiri's tone of voice that was hard to miss, but the flicker of excitement within his eyes was unmistakable. This island, the strange phenomena that surrounded it—there was something here. Something ancient and powerful, and as a researcher, he couldn't help but feel drawn to it.

Giving Gray one last look, Waver took a deep breath before nodding. "Let's go."

Making their way on the corridors of the ship, Waver and Amiri began to have a small talk, about miscellaneous things and magecraft. "So you tell me, you cannot use magecraft at all?" Waver was more than surprised, after all, Amiri is the son of the great Ishirō Serizawa.

"Nope, I was never born with any magic circuits at all, so even if I wanted to, I cannot learn how to use magecraft," Amiri said while scratching the back of his head. "However, my talents in science and all its forms more than makeup for it!" He punctuated his statement with a quick snap of his fingers, a small yet confident gesture that radiated enthusiasm as if igniting an invisible spark of inspiration in the air around him.

"That is quite curious indeed…" Waver replied in a tone that blended intrigue with a hint of sympathy, his eyes narrowing as he considered the implications of Amiri's unique circumstances.

As they neared the armoury, Waver and Amiri decided to split paths, Amiri towards where Rey resides and Waver towards the briefing room where Gordon would be, they would surely be finalizing the plan there.

Within the armoury Denton and D.J. made conversations together and the other soldiers, all while preparing themselves for the upcoming expedition and mission on the ever so nearing island, "So, who do you think's gonna be the first one to piss themselves out there?"
A lot of the other soldiers laughed and made suggestions on who it would be, most said that it would be Denton, despite being one of the toughest of the crew, he has the unfortunate role as the butt of the joke.
A little pissed off, Denton chastised the crew and said, "Focus. This isn't some training exercise."

D.J. raised both his hands in mock surrender, "Fine, fine." He said as he adjusted the straps of his vest, "Just tryna liven the mood before we all get eaten by some giant bird."

"Keep your head on straight," Denton muttered as he checked his rifle one last time.

Further down the hall, in a quieter section of the ship, Amiri caught up with Rey. She was leaning against the wall, tapping her foot with restless energy. When she saw him approach, her expression softened, though she kept it professional in the bustling environment.

"Everything alright?" Amiri asked, leaning in close enough that their hands brushed, though neither reached out. Public displays of affection weren't something they indulged in, especially not when the mission was so delicate. But there was comfort in the small gestures, the familiarity between them that spoke louder than any words could.

"Just... trying not to think too much about it," Rey admitted, casting a glance out the window. The silhouette of the island was just visible in the distance, a dark mass against the brightening sky. "It's different from what we've faced before."

"Yeah," Amiri agreed, his gaze following hers. "But that's what we're here for, right? To study, to understand. We've trained for this."

Rey chuckled softly, her tension easing just slightly. "Always the scientist. You and your curiosity are going to get us into trouble one day."

Amiri smirked, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "And you'll be there to pull me out of it, as always."

Their lighthearted moment was interrupted by a booming voice down the corridor. "Alright, lovebirds, break it up!" D.J. called out, striding toward them with Denton in tow, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "Save it for after the mission."

Amiri flushed slightly but didn't let it show too much. Rey only rolled her eyes. "Don't you have something better to do, D.J.?"

"Not really," D.J. replied with a shrug, unphased by her cool demeanour. "But hey, at least I'm not the one all distracted by—" he gestured dramatically between the two of them "—whatever this is."

"Give it a rest," Denton muttered, his tone as dry as ever. "Let's get serious. We're almost there."

The group fell back into a comfortable camaraderie, lighthearted banter mixing with the underlying tension of the mission ahead. They were all nervous, but it was the kind of nervous energy that came with the unknown. They had each other, and for now, that was enough.

As they reached the command deck, Waver stood waiting, his eyes dark and thoughtful. He glanced at the group, nodding briefly as they gathered. "We make landfall soon. Everyone ready?"

The answers were affirmative, though quiet. Waver's eyes flickered toward the island now looming in the distance, his thoughts heavy with both the mission and Gray's condition. Something about this island was wrong, and he intended to find out what—no matter the cost.

The landing on the island wasn't anything fancy, they simply searched for a secure and obscure location to hide their ship.

As soon as the group touched the sand on the beach, things were made clear to them as a palpable sense of unease entered their minds and hearts. The air was thick, humid, and seemed to pulse with unnatural vitality, they began to walk towards the center of the island, the grass beneath their feet felt…

WRONG

The grass didn't follow the wind, it followed them, wherever they moved the grass seemed to point only at them, "This is just creepy." a soldier said, his voice tinged with a mix of fear and disbelief as he glanced back at the unsettling sight of the grass bending unnaturally in their wake.

This along with the giant remains of a kaiju's skeletal frame fused with the island's cliffside made things even more unsettling, like the sockets of the skull were following them—like a sick form of optical illusion.

"Calling it unsettling is a much better description, either way, we should move on ahead," Denton said as they all went deeper into the jungle analyzing what they could and taking samples by placing them in a jar.

"This place seems to be alive…" Amiri said as he walked around, carefully taking samples of nearby plants and other peculiar specimens. His eyes sparkled with curiosity as he crouched down to examine a vibrant blue flower, its petals pulsating gently as if in sync with the heartbeat of the island itself. He jotted notes in his worn notebook, occasionally glancing up at the towering living trees whose bark seemed to breathe, expanding and contracting with each passing moment.

In the distance, the low rumble of a minor kaiju echoed through the air, sending a shiver down his spine, yet he remained undeterred. He catalogued everything, from the low-level wyverns circling overhead to the warbats fluttering about like oversized snakes, their wing membrane creating a faint hum as they glide above the dense canopy. As he moved, Amiri couldn't help but notice the tentacle-like poisonous vines creeping along the forest floor, their movements almost sentient, weaving through the underbrush. Each detail fueled his scientific fervour, igniting a sense of wonder in this vibrant and potentially perilous ecosystem.

Waver on the other hand seemed to be more astonished than anything else, this was like the Forest of Einnashe, at the very least, on the unsettling factor only, and the fact both forests are sentient in some way. Looking around waver saw a peculiar vine, deciding to check it out, in a safe distance, he observed how the vine moved, swaying from left to right. Checking the wind condition, he can confirm that the vine was not swaying with the wind, as it was unusually windless, he decided to not think of it further.

However, just as he was about to walk away, the vine lunged at him like a snake, wrapping around his arm, it was unusually long and seemed to stretch, he was about to use his magecraft to free himself only to be freed when a bullet went through the vine, a bullet that looked more like a laser if anything, and the one who held the smoking gun was non-other than D.J., despite having a laidback personality he was also the best when it comes to shooting with precision.

"Thanks," Waver said, glancing at D.J. with a mix of relief and gratitude. The weight of the vine's grip began to fade, allowing him to shake off the remnants of its constriction.

D.J. strolled over, his demeanour relaxed but his eyes sharp, betraying the instinctive alertness of a seasoned marksman. He casually holstered his gun, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "No problem, man. Didn't think you'd make friends with the local flora so quickly." Waver couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation, the tension dissipating as he brushed off bits of the vine that clung stubbornly to his clothes.

Scratching the arm that was caught, waver found that said vine was most definitely poisonous, so he took a sample of the vine that got dislodged after being shot, he placed the thing in a jar, "Please tell me the ship has antidotes to help with this."

D.J. simply shrugged and replied, "Probably, maybe you should talk to one of the medics before it gets worse." with that D.J. moved on and guarded the others.

Waver sighed, his fingers starting to tingle from the vine's lingering poison. He pocketed the jar and glanced toward the dense jungle, his mind racing. The island was growing more dangerous with every step, but it was too intriguing to abandon just yet.

"Let's not push our luck," Waver muttered to himself, already heading in the direction of the others. The unsettling atmosphere pressed against him, but the call of discovery outweighed his discomfort. As they ventured deeper, strange animalistic calls echoed through the trees, and the ground beneath them began to feel as if it were shifting subtly, almost alive underfoot.

They then found a graveyard up north of the island, dead kaiju ranging from small kaiju to large kaiju all minor and not as powerful as their titanic counterparts. "Looks like this place belongs to the skull crawlers," Amiri said While analyzing the area at a safe distance.

"Great, just what we needed," D.J. muttered, his voice tinged with sarcasm as he scanned the massive skeletal remains scattered around. "As if the vines and weird grass weren't enough, now we've got Skull Crawlers lurking around. Perfect."

Waver frowned, taking in the sight of the kaiju graveyard. "This explains the tension in the air… It's as if the island itself is a breeding ground for predators like them."

Denton stepped forward cautiously, his eyes narrowed. "Stay sharp. If this is their territory, we're trespassing. And I don't think they'll appreciate it if they find us poking around here."

The group instinctively tightened their formation, the looming threat of Skull Crawlers now weighing heavily on their minds.

As the ground crew explored the island a bit more, a faint buzzing from above caught their attention. Rey's drone hovered overhead, its camera lens glowing faintly in the dimming light. Moments later, her voice crackled through their earpieces.

"Everyone, head back to the ship. It's getting dark, and we don't want to be out here when night falls."

The team exchanged glances, the shadows stretching longer around them as the sunlight quickly faded. The strange pulsing of the island's vitality seemed to intensify with the approaching night, and an uneasy tension settled in their chests.

"Let's move," Denton ordered, his voice firm, as they gathered their gear and samples. They quickened their pace, retracing their steps through the jungle. The once-unsettling vines now seemed more menacing, twitching in the corner of their vision, and the distant growls of unseen creatures grew louder.

Waver kept a close eye on his surroundings, his arm still stinging from the vine's poison. He could feel the island watching them, every step heavy with the weight of something unseen and dangerous lurking just beyond sight.

As they broke through the tree line and the ship came into view, a collective sigh of relief spread through the group. The ship's lights illuminated the beach, a safe beacon in the growing darkness. They wasted no time boarding, eager to leave the eerie presence of the island behind them—at least for now.

Rey met them at the hatch, her eyes scanning each of them with a mixture of concern and impatience. "We'll go over the footage once everyone's settled, but for now, let's lock everything down. I don't like the feel of this place at night."

Once inside the safety of the camouflaged ship, Waver went to the medical bay to cure his arm. Soon after that, they began reviewing footage from their expeditions and began to formulate a plan to lure out the rogue mage using the fauna with drones.

"So I'll be taking on the most important role?" Rey asked, her hands deftly adjusting the controls of her drone, eyes locked on the screen in front of her as she fine-tuned its settings with precision. She barely glanced up from her work, her tone sharp but focused.

"Yes," Gordon replied, his arms crossed and his face set in its usual serious demeanour, watching her with the unflinching gaze of someone who expected nothing less than perfection.

Amiri held her hand in determination, "Yes, and I believe in you, always." He said reassuringly, giving her a soft smile that made her heart feel lighter.

"D.J. and Denton, both of you will be the ones who are tasked to capture the mage, eliminate only when necessary, we still need him alive." Gordon sounded almost disappointed at the fact they must spare the enemy for… for now.

"I will also be supporting the both of you while both of you do your best to capture Blackwood, by handling the more esoteric parts of the battle," Waver said, he stood beside Gordon, his eyes furrowed in annoyance, he seemed to be itching his arm, the one that was caught by the vine from earlier.

"Are you sure you can handle it?" D.J. asked while looking a little worriedly at the clock tower representative. "I mean your hand is still recovering from the poison."

"I should be fine by then," Waver replied coolly, waving with his good arm, this seemed to lessen the worry that the group had.

Denton glanced at D.J., then back at Gordon with a small, determined nod. "Understood. We'll bring him in, alive if possible," he said, his voice calm but carrying a hint of confidence. He adjusted his gear, mentally preparing himself for the mission. "We've dealt with worse."

D.J., on the other hand, gave a half-smirk, casually leaning against the console. "Don't worry, I'll play nice—just as long as he doesn't make me work too hard," he joked, but there was an underlying sharpness to his tone. His hands instinctively hovered near his holster, ready for the task at hand. "Let's just hope Blackwood doesn't mind a little reunion."

Both men shared a brief glance, their silent communication clear—this mission was going to be anything but simple.

Sneaking around the vessel, a young with auburn hair and golden-brown eyes listened in on their conversation, his eyes set on a determined gaze. After listening to the plan set by the gang he decided to walk away before he was discovered by the professor.

Navigating through the halls of the ship he found himself in front of the medical bay, laying inside was a fellow student, Gray. He was worried, after all, Gray is a friend of his, and the fact she has an uncanny resemblance to one of his old acquaintances made things worse for him.

Deciding it was better to let her rest, he walked away, looking for any task to help him clear his mind.

He decided to help the crew on the miscellaneous parts so that the others could focus on the mission, it was a better role for him anyway, he enjoys helping others and fixing and making things.

Finding the kitchen, he smiled with delight, entering the kitchen he asked one of the chefs if he could help in preparing the meals.

Deep within the hidden parts of the island, far from the prying eyes of the Monarch crew, a shadowy figure sat comfortably in a lavish, dimly lit cave. The walls were scarcely adorned with anything, some books here and there about the things within this island, but nothing else, this was just a throw-away workshop to the creature if anything. The room was nothing like the one he had at Monarch nor the one he had in the clock tower. Candles flickered with an unnatural flame, casting long, twisted shadows across the room.

In the centre of it, all was none other than Blackwood himself, the magus who had discovered this island using the files he stole at Monarch, making a fool out of those idiots was practically a walk in the park since they'd just take anyone in. He lounged in a grand, high-backed chair, his long, elegant fingers wrapped around a crystal glass filled with a thick, crimson liquid. His eyes gleamed as he lifted the glass to his lips, the candlelight reflecting off his fangs.

"They think they can hunt me," Blackwood mused, his voice soft but dripping with arrogance. He swirled the liquid in his glass, savouring the rich aroma of blood mixed with fine wine. "Fools. They have no idea what they're up against."

A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he took a slow sip, his fangs briefly visible as they gleamed in the dim light. His gaze shifted to the far corner of the room, where a large, intricate mirror stood. Within the mirror's surface, an image flickered—the Monarch team, setting foot on the island, oblivious to the dangers that awaited them. He could see them preparing, making plans, and thinking they had a chance to bring him down.

"How quaint," he murmured, amused by their efforts. "They've come all this way just to die."

As he continued to watch the mirror, Blackwood felt a presence behind him. He didn't turn around. He didn't need to. He already knew who it was. The scent of old leather and cheap cologne was unmistakable, as was the dry, rasping breath that filled the room.

"Monologuing again, Blackwood?" Asked a raspy and gravelly yet confident voice just behind Blackwood himself. The tone was both mocking and laced with amusement. "I must say, you fit the role quite well, no matter how cliché it has become."

Blackwood's lips curled into a half-smile as he set his glass down on the table beside him. "Ah, Jonah," he drawled, his voice dripping with disdain. "I wondered when you'd crawl out from whatever hole you've been hiding in."

And from the shadows, a figure stepped forward—a man named, Alan Jonah, a former British military officer turned eco-terrorist leader. Has a rugged appearance, with a lean, weathered face that reflects his years of experience in military and terrorist operations. He often dresses in tactical or military-style clothing, blending practicality with an understated sense of authority. His piercing gaze and unflinching resolve make him an intimidating presence.

Jonah chuckled as he approached, his bony fingers clasped behind his back. "I do love our little chats," he said, his tone insincere. "Though I have to say, watching you gloat over those Monarch fools is even more entertaining."

Blackwood's eyes narrowed, but he kept his composure. "Is there a point to your visit, Jonah?" he asked, his voice low and cold. "Or are you simply here to waste my time?"

Jonah shrugged, his grin never fading. "Oh, just checking in," he said casually. "Making sure you haven't gone soft, living in this cosy little fortress of yours."

The Dead Apostle's smile faded, and he leaned forward slightly, his fingers steepled in front of him. "You forget your place, Jonah," he warned, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "I tolerate you because you're useful to me. But don't mistake that for weakness."

Jonah met his gaze, his expression unbothered. "Weakness? No, of course not," he said, his tone mocking once more. "After all, you're the great Blackwood, aren't you? The terror of both the Clock Tower and Church itself, the immortal snake… who spends his days hiding on an island, sipping blood like a bored aristocrat."

Blackwood's fingers twitched, but he remained composed. "You're testing my patience."

"Good," Jonah replied, his grin widening. "Because I don't like being kept in the dark. We had a deal, remember? You get to play with your little magecraft experiments, and I get the resources I need. But lately, it feels like you've been forgetting that."

Blackwood stood slowly, his tall, imposing figure towering over Jonah. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as he took a step closer. "I haven't forgotten," he said, his voice a low growl. "But don't think for a moment that I need you, Jonah. You're nothing but a pawn, a tool I can dispose of when it no longer suits me."

Jonah's smile faltered for a split second, but he quickly regained his composure. "Careful, Blackwood," he warned. "You may be powerful, but you're not invincible. There are forces in this world even you can't control."

Blackwood's expression darkened, and for a moment, the room seemed to grow colder. "Is that a threat?" he asked softly.

Jonah shook his head. "Not a threat," he said calmly. "Just a reminder. We're both in this for our reasons, and we both have something to gain. But if you start thinking you can go it alone, you'll find out just how quickly things can turn against you."

The Dead Apostle's eyes locked with Jonah's, the tension in the room thick and palpable. For a long moment, neither of them spoke, the air between them crackling with unspoken hostility.

As expected the dead apostle made the first move, Jonah didn't even flinch, he kept his smirk up, showing he wasn't afraid even as the dead apostle's claws were mere inches away from his face, "You wouldn't dare hurt an aged man like me, now would you-" just before jonah could utter Blackwood's name, blackwood interrupted him with a snarl.
Blackwood's snarl reverberated through the room, sharp and venomous. "Say my name again, Jonah," he growled, his claws still hovering dangerously close to Jonah's face. The Dead Apostle's eyes glinted with a primal fury, but Jonah remained unfazed, his smirk widening.

"You're quick to temper, Blackwood," Jonah said, his voice smooth, laced with a knowing taunt. "But we both know you need me. Try as you might, I'm the one with the plan." He leaned in slightly, defying the threat. "So go ahead. Finish it. Or let's cut the theatrics and get back to what matters."

For a moment, Blackwood hesitated, his hand trembling as if deciding between violence and restraint, before finally retracting his claws with a frustrated hiss.

"Don't make me regret our arrangement," Blackwood said, his tone final. "Now, get out of my sight before I decide you're more trouble than you're worth.

Jonah gave the dead apostle a mocking bow, before doing as he was told, preferring not to test the patience of the undead being "Very well, your Majesty~" Jonah's voice was mocking and irritating, he slipped back into the shadows much like a serpent.

Blackwood watched Jonah disappear into the shadows, his lips curling into a sneer. "Arrogant fool," he muttered under his breath, his claws twitching as if still itching for a fight. He turned away from the now-empty space where Jonah had stood, pacing the room in irritation.

"'Your Majesty,'" Blackwood spat, mocking Jonah's words with a bitter growl. "The man thinks he's untouchable just because he has a plan. Plans mean nothing when you're dealing with eternity." His eyes glowed faintly in the dim light as he clenched his fists, his frustration simmering beneath the surface.

"Always with that smug grin… One day, I'll wipe it off his face. If he thinks he can outplay me, he'll regret it soon enough." With a huff he decided that enough was enough and stood up, a proper hunt would be able to satisfy his anger.

Gray found herself standing in a vast, twilight sky, suspended in a dreamlike world where two colossal creatures clashed amidst dark clouds and swirling winds. One was a majestic being with iridescent wings, shimmering with soft hues of blue and gold, its presence serene yet powerful, as if it embodied the very essence of nature's beauty. Its wings flapped with grace, creating waves of light that illuminated the stormy skies around them. Opposite it was a darker figure, a looming shadow with jagged, crimson-tinted wings that crackled with energy. Its movements were fierce, and aggressive, as though it sought to bring chaos and destruction to the peaceful sky.

The battle raged on, but for a moment, the iridescent creature seemed to be gaining the upper hand. Its wings shimmered brighter with every strike, beams of radiant energy pushing back the dark-winged beast. The sky glowed with hope as the creature unleashed a torrent of light, temporarily blinding its opponent. Victory seemed close, but then something shifted. The dark force, wounded and enraged, turned its gaze toward the ground—toward Gray. Its crimson eyes locked onto her, and in that instant, the creature abandoned its duel, diving toward her with lethal intent.

Gray's heart raced as she saw the monstrous form hurtling toward her, a whirlwind of shadow and fury. But before it could strike, the iridescent being darted in front of her, shielding her with its wings. The collision of light and dark sent shockwaves through the sky, and though the radiant creature protected her, the distraction was enough for the dark-winged beast to seize the moment. With a brutal slash, it struck, breaking through the shimmering defences. The once-victorious creature faltered, it's light dimming as the darker force capitalized on the opening, delivering the final, devastating blow. As Gray watched in horror, the balance tipped, and the darkness began to consume the sky.

Then, just before things could get worse, the being made of light made a cry, it was words Gray could understand, for some reason this one sounded like the screech from earlier, just, this one was much kinder and much more gentle, it woke grey up, but she knew that—that cry was a call for help.

With a jolt, Gray woke up from her long slumber, sweating and panting.

A/N: Hello my dear readers, first of all, I apologise for the shorter chapter, to be honest, it's just here to advance the plot, nothing more nothing less, although I must say, I am very excited about the next chapter myself, it might update it later this week or next week, just look forward to it.
Review response:
Mastergamer14: I got confused there for a second, but to answer your question, just a cameo.

DBoblivion: I see, thanks for the information, but I wanted to portray Godzilla to be above the beasts, so I thought that counter guardians would be a good enough counter to him since if he is killed in the regular sense, he'd go boom boom, as for them being summoned by the mage's association that was an honest mistake, I just watched some lore about the counter guardians, so I know they aren't summoned by them but it was too late when I noticed I forgot to edit that one out.