They reached the shoreline where the land softened into white stone and shallow surf. The sea stretched calm and endless, sunlight scattering across it like broken glass.
Ezra looked around once, then at Kelly."Why the shore?" he asked. "I thought the palace was on this island."
Mellody tilted her head too, curious.
Kelly smiled like she'd been waiting for the question."Because this is Triplet Island," she said."Not an island. Islands."
Ezra frowned slightly."…Plural?"
Kelly gestured toward the water."We need a sailing yacht."
They walked a little farther down the coast.
Moored there was a sailing yacht unlike anything Ezra had seen — its hull carried a muted purple–silver sheen, almost grim in tone, like metal that had aged beneath moonlight. The sails were folded neatly, dark fabric threaded with faint reflective lines.
Mellody ran her fingers along the railing."This doesn't look like a tourist boat."
Kelly laughed."It isn't. But it's safe. And fast."
They boarded.
Inside, the yacht was quiet and elegant — low couches, wooden panels, wide windows framing the open sea. They settled in as the sails unfurled smoothly, catching the wind.
The yacht began to move.
Kelly leaned back, crossing her arms."Since we've got about 20 minutes, I'll give you the short history."
Ezra listened closely.
"The Triplet Islands are three," Kelly said."The one you stayed on, The Main Island is the only one where people live full-time. Cities, homes, markets. Normal life."
She pointed ahead.
"The second is called The Decade Island. That's where we're heading now."
Mellody asked, "Why 'Decade'?"
Kelly smiled faintly."Because everything there is built around cycles. Time. Change. Memory."She shrugged. "Tourism-friendly explanation."
Ezra's brow creased."And the third?"
Kelly's voice lowered just a notch.
"The Drown Island. No permanent visitors. No resorts. No tours."She paused, choosing her words."It exists… but that's all I'll say for now."
Ezra exchanged a glance with Mellody.
"So the palace is on Decade Island," Ezra said.
"Yes," Kelly confirmed."Triplet Palace sits at its center."
Outside, movement caught their eyes.
A pod of dolphins surfaced alongside the yacht, leaping cleanly through the air before disappearing back into the blue. Mellody smiled wide, leaning closer to the window.
"They're following us."
Kelly nodded."They usually do."
Ezra watched the sea pass beneath them — calm, deceptively simple. Something about the division of the islands lingered in his mind.
Three islands.Three purposes.Three rules.
He didn't know why that mattered.
Yet.
"Ten minutes," Kelly said, glancing forward."Decade Island coming up."
In the distance, land began to form — darker cliffs, sharper lines, structures barely visible against the sky.
Ezra felt a quiet pull of curiosity tighten in his chest.
Not fear.
Just the sense that this island would answer questions he hadn't asked yet.
The yacht sailed on, steady and smooth, cutting through the water toward the next piece of Triplet Island.
The yacht slowed and docked gently.
The moment Ezra stepped onto The Decade Island, the air felt different —lighter, cleaner, almost rinsed of weight. The forest ahead was dense but peaceful, sunlight slipping easily between leaves. Birds called from high branches, and laughter drifted through the trees.
Tourists were everywhere — walking, resting, taking photos, breathing deeply like they'd arrived somewhere sacred without being told.
Mellody inhaled slowly."This place feels… calm."
Ezra nodded."Like it doesn't want anything from us."
Kelly motioned ahead."We go right from here."
They followed a wide stone path, winding through forest and low hills. After a short walk, the trail rose into a staircase — broad, old, and carefully maintained.
"Three hundred steps," Kelly said casually. "Nothing serious."
Mellody groaned. "You say that like you're not enjoying this."
Kelly grinned. "I am."
They climbed with the others — couples, families, solo travelers — everyone moving upward together. As they reached the top, the trees parted suddenly.
And the world opened.
Before them stretched a vast expanse of beach sand, pale and endless, shimmering under the sun.
Ezra stopped dead.
"So much sand…" he murmured. "How does anything stand here?"
Mellody followed his gaze.
At the center of the beach stood the palace.
Grand. Immense. Impossible.
Its walls rose directly from the sand — no visible foundation — built from a stone the color of deep green jade, smooth and luminous, yet not jade. Light slid across its surface like water.
Ezra stared, stunned."That shouldn't be possible."
Mellody whispered, "Sand can't hold that kind of weight…"
Kelly nodded, unsurprised."Exactly."
She turned to them.
"Myths say the palace was built by magic. Archaeologists disagree — but they also can't explain it. No foundation. No erosion. No evidence of construction."
Ezra asked quietly, "And the stone?"
Kelly shook her head."Not jade. Not anything we know. Samples taken lose structure within hours."She paused."Rest is mystery."
They walked closer, awe pressing down heavier than fear.
"And yes," Kelly added, "we can go inside."
They crossed the threshold.
The interior stole Ezra's breath.
Walls and pillars shimmered with sapphire-blue and opalescent hues — not true opal, but something stranger, deeper. Light fractured across every surface, shifting with each step.
Mellody turned slowly, eyes wide."I've never seen stone like this. Anywhere."
Kelly's voice echoed softly."Neither has anyone else. Researchers believe it doesn't exist outside this place."
Ezra ran his fingers near the wall — not touching."This shouldn't be real."
Kelly nodded."That's why many believe the magic myth might not be a myth at all."
She looked at them both.
"No tools. No records. No civilization claim. No explanation.""Just shock. And awe."
Ezra stood silently, heart steady but mind racing.
This place didn't feel hostile.It didn't feel holy either.
It felt… old, in a way time didn't measure.
Mellody slipped her hand into his.
Curiosity pulled them deeper into the palace —not because they were brave,but because the mystery itself invited them in.
And for the first time since arriving on the islands,Ezra felt something new settle into him:
Not dread.Not confusion.
But the quiet certaintythat some truths were never meant to be solved — only witnessed.