The morning sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink as Stray Kids awoke, the sounds of the island buzzing around them. After a quick breakfast of instant noodles (a staple of their trip), they gathered around the map, ready to continue their treasure hunt.
"Okay, so according to this," Seungmin said, pointing a finger at a faded section, "the next clue is hidden within the 'Labyrinth of Tides'."
"Labyrinth of Tides? Sounds...ominous," Hyunjin commented, dramatically fanning himself.
Lee Know snorted. "Everything sounds ominous to you, Hyunjin. It probably just means a bunch of tide pools."
"But where is it though?" Jeongin asked, tilting his head.
Bang Chan scanned the map. "It looks like it's on the western side of the island. We'll have to trek through the jungle again, but then we follow the coastline."
The group packed their bags, a mix of excitement and nervousness filling the air. The jungle greeted them with the same dense humidity and cacophony of sounds as the day before. Han, ever the jokester, entertained them with silly impressions of the jungle creatures, earning groans and laughter in equal measure.
After a couple of hours of hiking, the trees began to thin, revealing the sparkling blue ocean. The coastline was rocky and uneven, with shallow pools of water scattered among the rocks.
"This must be it," Felix exclaimed, gazing at the unique landscape. "It's like a natural maze!"
The 'Labyrinth of Tides' was indeed a captivating sight. The tide pools created a network of pathways, some leading to dead ends, others connecting to larger pools. The water was crystal clear, revealing colorful fish and other marine life.
"Alright, team," Bang Chan announced, "Let's spread out and search for any clues. Stay within sight of each other, and shout if you find anything!"
The members split into smaller groups, carefully navigating the slippery rocks and examining the tide pools. Lee Know, Han, and Jeongin teamed up, their playful banter echoing through the air. Changbin, Felix, and Seungmin worked together, Changbin carefully helping Felix over the more challenging rocks. Bang Chan and Hyunjin strolled hand-in-hand, their eyes scanning the surroundings.
Hours passed, and the sun began to dip towards the horizon. Frustration started to creep in. They had searched every nook and cranny, but found nothing.
"Are we sure this map is even real?" Hyunjin whined, collapsing on a large rock.
"Don't lose hope yet," Bang Chan said, patting his back. "We just need to keep looking."
Just then, Jeongin shouted. "Hyungs! I think I found something!"
Everyone rushed towards him. Jeongin was standing near a large tide pool, pointing at a small, intricately carved stone hidden beneath a cluster of seaweed.
"I almost missed it," he said, beaming with pride. "It was covered in seaweed."
Bang Chan carefully picked up the stone. It was smooth and cool to the touch, with symbols etched into its surface.
"This is it!" Seungmin exclaimed, recognizing the symbols from his research. "This stone unlocks the next stage.!
As the sun set, painting the sky in fiery colors, the Stray Kids huddled together, the stone clutched in Bang Chan's hand. They had overcome another challenge, their bond strengthened by their shared adventure. The "Labyrinth of Tides" had tested their patience and resolve, but in the end, it had rewarded their perseverance. They are one step closer to the treasure.