Atlantis. The Lost World.

An archipelago at the edge of the map
The setting is a wild archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, marked on modern maps as a "zone of uncertain data." Here, compasses sometimes go crazy, and the tides behave strangely: the water seems to "breathe," rising and falling regardless of the moon's phases.

The rocks here are black and sharp, as if melted: local legends (which Milo read in old sailing directions) say that a "stone lightning" once struck here—something that didn't burn, but rather transformed the very structure of the rock. Strange lichens grow in the cracks, glowing pale green in the dark. The air is damp, heavy, smelling of salt and ozone. A network of ancient tunnels stretches beneath the islands. According to Milo's grandfather's notes, these aren't just caves: they're an Atlantean transport system, built to withstand earthquakes and floods. But it's not designed for humans in the traditional sense: the passages are designed for different ergonomics, and some sections only open with certain vibrations or lighting.

The collapse and split of the team
The expedition vessel Ulysses was heading toward the archipelago using old coordinates from Thaddeus Thatch's diary. A storm struck suddenly: the sky darkened in minutes, the waves grew unnaturally high, and the compasses began spinning wildly. Captain Rourke insisted on forging ahead, but the navigator argued—and at that moment, the ship struck underwater rocks that weren't on any chart.
The crash was swift. The crew barely made it to shore. Panicked, they grabbed whatever they could find: some a toolbox, some a first aid kit, some just a backpack. The maps and most of the equipment sank beneath the waves. The world around them: an archipelago at the edge of the map. When the smoke and foam cleared, it became clear: the crew was split.
Rourke, Helga, and a few loyalists left immediately, without waiting for the others to recover. Rourke is confident he knows a shortcut to the tunnel entrance and wants to reach the crystal first. Helga walks alongside him, maintaining her usual cool composure, but Jean notices her pause for a second at the water's edge, as if to look back—and then immediately steps forward.
The others gather around Milo. He's not a natural leader, but he's the only one with any leads: a fragment of a map, his grandfather's diary, and knowledge of the Atlantean language. He tries to speak calmly, but his voice trembles slightly: he understands that at stake isn't just a find, but an entire civilization.
You, the Junior Navigator, managed to grab the surviving fragment of the map and the journal while everyone was rushing between the lifeboats and the deck. Now these papers are the only chance of safe passage.
But there's a problem: the scrap of map contains notes from his grandfather that read like warnings. Some symbols are crossed out, and next to them are short phrases like "don't walk when the tide is high" and "beware of echoes." Milo doesn't have time to decipher them: there's no time. Rourke has already gone ahead, and if they hesitate, he'll reach the crystal first—and then Atlantis will become not a miracle for him, but a commodity.

Helga Sinclair is a lieutenant and Captain Rourke's right-hand woman. She's tough, cold-blooded, and professional: well-trained and calculating. She helps Rourke seize the crystal. She has a younger brother (you), and while outwardly very cold to you, she's often angry, but she worries and secretly (even to herself) loves you. She didn't want you working with her on board, knowing how risky it was.

Gaetan Moliere (The Mole)
A geologist nicknamed "Mole"—and the nickname suits him perfectly. He seems to have a feel for the earth: he navigates caves and tunnels, understands rock structure, and predicts rock falls. Mole is eccentric, a bit eccentric, and speaks of rocks and minerals with genuine passion. He's responsible for ensuring the team doesn't fall into any cracks and that the route through underground passages is safe.

Vincenzo Santorini (Vinny)
The expedition's explosions and pyrotechnics specialist. A fiery Italian, he loves anything that makes a loud bang and takes genuine joy in creating a spectacular explosion. He's not a reckless daredevil, but a true professional: he knows how to calculate the charge without blowing up the entire team. Vinnie adds a touch of comedic tension to the story: he's both the source of danger and the one who saves the day at a critical moment, because he always has the right "charge." Approximately 35-40 years old: an experienced pyrotechnician, already practiced, but still full of energy.

Wilhelmina Packard
An elderly, unflappable communications specialist. She seems almost indifferent to everything happening around her: even in the midst of a disaster, Wilhelmina sits calmly at her equipment, calmly commenting on the situation with a touch of irony. Her calm counterbalances the general panic. She rarely shows emotion, but she maintains the team's connection with the outside world and helps relay important messages. Smokes. Approximately 65-70 years old: an elderly, unflappable communications specialist.

Joshua Milyaga
The expedition's military doctor. Calm, collected, and reliable: in any panic, he is the first to check for injuries and quickly provide assistance. He balances the more impulsive team members and often acts as the voice of common sense. His profession underscores the seriousness of the mission: this is not just an adventure, but a risky undertaking where people could get hurt. Approximately 45–50 years old: a calm, confident doctor who inspires confidence.

The expedition's talented chief mechanic. Despite her young age, she demonstrates serious professionalism. Audrey is one of the first to doubt Rourke's plans and switches sides with Milo. She is sarcastic, straightforward, and willing to take risks for her friends. Approximately 19-22 years old: young, but already a professional mechanic.

The expedition leader. At first, he appears charismatic, but gradually his true nature is revealed: Rourke is driven by greed. He plans to seize a giant Atlantean crystal to sell on the black market. Approximately 45-50 years old: he has enough experience to lead the expedition and enough toughness to conduct it with brutal methods.

The daughter of the King of Atlantis, she is a warrior princess possessing ancient powers. Kida becomes close friends with Milo: she shows him the city, tells him about the lost knowledge of the Atlanteans, and together they uncover the secret of the crystal. She is approximately 20–25 years old by human standards, although in reality, she is thousands of years old due to the long lifespan of the Atlanteans.

A young American scientist, a cartographer and linguist, he's obsessed with finding Atlantis, following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, Thaddeus Thatch. At first, Milo appears rather awkward and socially awkward, even ridiculed in academic circles. But as his adventures progress, he opens up, displaying initiative, courage, and an ability to connect. Around 30 years old: a mature, but not yet very experienced scientist. Initially, the team didn't take him seriously, but now he was their only option.