While waiting for Martin to return with Archazia, Shanzay and Venturo watched as the island was overtaken by forceful magic and remade into something dry and barren with marble-and-gold buildings of garish opulence.
<br>"This is so wrong," said Shanzay.
<br>Moments later, Martin returned, breathless and clutching Archazia's inkcaster. "She's... she's..." He leaned over the magical staff, panting and scrubbing sand from his eyes. "She's gone."