Chapter 28 – Revelation of the Sky Island

The Skybreaker slices through the night like a phantom, its engines humming low under the blanket of fireworks. The stars scatter across the sky, and beneath them, clouds roll like a silver ocean.

Luna presses her hands against the glass, her eyes sparkling in awe.
“This ship… it’s amazing. It feels alive.”

Randy leans back in his seat, exhausted but proud. “Yeah. She flies fast, too.”

Nyx leans over the control console, her crimson eyes narrowing as she studies the polished steel and glowing mana circuits. “This… This ship reminds me of our old war vessels. The design, the coloring, even the mana core placement. Did you build this?”

Randy hesitates, scratching his cheek. “…Yeah.”

Nyx lets out a low whistle. “So this is the airship that knocked down the Gungnir.”

Both Randy and Luna freeze.
“Gungnir?” they echo.

Nyx smirks, tapping her finger against the console. “Don’t play dumb. That colossal weapon… it was destroyed by this ship. Or…” she glances sharply at Randy, “was it you who pulled the trigger?”

Randy stiffens. “…Uh…”

Luna’s eyes widen in horror. She grabs Randy’s shirt and shakes him. “Randy…!”

He flinches as tears well in her eyes.
“You’ve gotten yourself killed!!! Do you realize what you’ve done?! Not just yourself—everyone around you!! How could you be so reckless!?”

Randy looks away, his jaw tight. “…Look. If my scanner detects a threat beyond safe limits, I won’t hesitate. I’ll take it down. I didn’t do it because I wanted to… I did it because that thing was dangerous.”

“Scanner?” Nyx tilts her head, intrigued.

Randy gestures toward the navigation plot, a strange machine embedded into the dashboard. The crystalline panels pulse with faint light, constantly updating with shifting data.

“This thing,” he explains. “I use it to navigate, find anomalies, and… predict dangers.”

Nyx’s eyes widen, her voice trembling between awe and fear. “This… This is state-of-the-art. Even our kingdom doesn’t have this level of tech. If Lord Azrael ever saw this, he’d label you a greater threat than a thousand armies.” She smirks bitterly. “Good thing I ran away. Otherwise, I’d be locked up as his guinea pig—forced to recreate your designs.”

Luna frowns. “…So, the Gungnir… you built that too?”

Nyx laughs darkly. “Hah! As if. The Gungnir is an ancient relic—an Alchemist Kingdom superweapon, buried during the Great War. They placed it near the capital for its strategic advantage. Long before Azrael, long before even my time, it waited like a sleeping beast.”

Randy rubs his neck awkwardly. “Well… its design was flawed. But impressive.”

Nyx leans closer, fascinated. “And the weapon you used to destroy it… what was that?”

Randy’s lips twitch into a faint smile. “It wouldn’t work in my world. But here, with mana stones and a ship reactor? It’s possible. A railgun.”

“Rail… gun?” Nyx repeats the word like it’s forbidden.

“An energy-based weapon,” Randy explains. “Accelerates a projectile using mana-reactive energy. Fires at insane velocity. The mana stone fuels it, and the reactor amplifies it. I didn’t expect it to generate that much power, honestly…”

Luna stares blankly. “You… lost me after ‘gun.’”

Nyx, however, looks utterly spellbound. Her lips curl into a mischievous grin. “Fascinating. Truly fascinating. Randy, you’re dangerous. Not because you fight with strength—but because you create. You’re not just a warrior… you’re an alchemist.”

Randy scoffs, folding his arms. “Do I look like the type who makes potions and powders?”

Nyx chuckles softly, her eyes glimmering in the glow of the console. “Nope. You don’t brew flasks… you build worlds. And that makes you far scarier than you realize.”

Luna stiffens at her words, casting Randy a worried glance. She clutches the hem of her skirt tightly, as if afraid she might lose him to forces far beyond her reach.

Outside, the clouds part. And at last, the ruins of the Sky Island appear—floating, fractured, bathed in ghostly moonlight.

A heavy silence falls over the cabin, the only sound the faint hum of the airship’s engines.
Randy’s hands tighten around the controls, knuckles pale. His lips curl into a sharp breath.

“…Welcome to Sky Island.”

The words hang in the air like a prophecy.

The airship lurches as it descends, its metal frame groaning against the wind. With a hiss of steam, we touch down on a floating dock carved from pale, crystalline stone.

The hatch creaks open.

The first thing to greet us isn’t the sky, nor the endless horizon, but a hulking golem — its eyes glowing like molten gems, its stone fists flexing as if it remembers war.

But then—

Its gaze snaps onto Nyx.

“—Ms. Nyx!!! You have returned!!” the golem bellows, its stone voice echoing across the sky pier.

Nyx blinks, then smirks with a laugh that’s half mischief, half madness.
“You know me? Hahaha! Of course you do!”

Me and Luna exchange a quick look.
Her brow furrows, my jaw tightens.

“…Well,” Luna mutters, crossing her arms, “your gamble paid off.”

I grit my teeth. “Tch… I really hope it doesn’t go this way. But… I’ve got a feeling we can trust her.”

Luna sighs, lowering her voice so only I can hear.
“…You do realize, by doing this, I’m basically committing treason.”

“Yep.” I answer flatly. “Both of us are.”

Nyx suddenly spins on her heel, her coat flaring out dramatically like a stage actress.
“Look on the bright side! You’ve got me!!”

“As if!!” Luna and I snap at the exact same time.

Nyx gasps, clutching her chest in exaggerated betrayal.
“Ouch! That’s cold! I’m your savior, your wild card, your miracle in a bottle!”

Her grin is too wide, her eyes too alive.
She’s an alchemist. A chaotic one.

I mutter under my breath—
“…Do all alchemists act like this…?”

But then—her expression shifts. The playfulness fades.
Nyx slows her steps, gazing at the familiar floating pathways of crystal and stone.

“…Never expected to see this place again.” Her voice trembles. Tears glimmer in her eyes, trailing down her cheek.

“Did my uncle say anything…?” she asks quietly.

I hesitate. “…Nothing of the sort.”

“I see…” she whispers, forcing a smile, but it’s fragile—like glass about to crack.

We continue down the path. Luna walks beside me, her eyes wide with awe at every detail of the island.

When we pass by a small, modest house built into the cliffside, Nyx stops in her tracks.
“…This is new. Nothing like what we used to have.”

I raise my hand toward it.
“Yeah. That’s my house.”

Nyx freezes. “What!?”

“So… this is your base?” Luna tilts her head, her gaze curious but warm.

“Yeah. Elowen and I decided this would be our HQ for the party.”

Nyx lets out a sigh, smiling faintly. “Well… at least it’s in safe hands. Better yours than the others.”

Without waiting for permission, Nyx strolls straight into my house.
“Oi—hey! Don’t just—”

Luna follows right after, curiosity in her eyes.

Inside, they stop at the entrance.

“Shoes off,” I say, pointing at their boots.

“Eh? Oh—sorry.” Nyx sheepishly kicks hers off.
“Sorry, Randy,” Luna adds softly, slipping hers off neatly.

The moment they step in, their eyes widen.

“…This looks nothing like any house I’ve seen,” Luna whispers.

It’s a simple home. Wooden floors. Clean walls. A table, a kitchen counter, shelves. Almost modern. Almost too normal in this world.

“Yep. That’s the kitchen. Where I cook.” I scratch my cheek.

“Fascinating design,” Nyx mutters, already snooping.

Luna peeks into my room and whispers to herself.
“…So this is how Randy lived… like what his world used to be.”
She smiles softly.

“What?” I ask.

She shakes her head, smiling. “At least you’ve carved out a moment of home, haven’t you?”

“Eh, not really. My real home’s way messier. But… if I had graduated high school, this is how I imagined my place would look.”

“Pretty simple, huh? I like it,” Nyx says, smirking. “Though maybe it needs a bit more flair.”

“Maybe… a painting?” Luna suggests.

“Nah. I like it this way. Everything has a function.”

We all laugh, the tension fading for a moment.

“Well… since you’re both here, I’ll make tea and snacks,” I say, heading into the kitchen.

“Tea?” Nyx tilts her head. “Never heard of it, but sounds fun.”
“Strange word…” Luna mutters, but her eyes sparkle with curiosity.

“Just wait.”

I pull out a small box I’ve built into the counter. It hums faintly with enchantments — my improvised fridge. Inside, jars of marmalade made from Dragon Oranges glow faintly in the light.

I brew the tea with the jam, the citrus fragrance filling the room. At the same time, I lay out butter cookies — yes, butter exists here, and I’ve never been so grateful.

The two girls sit at the table as I place the cups and plates down.

They take a sip.

Nyx’s eyes widen. “This taste… it’s like drinking summer!”

“Mm… it’s refreshing,” Luna murmurs, holding the cup delicately.

“Yeah. That’s tea.” I grin.

“This is what you usually drink in your world?” Luna asks softly.

“Mostly, yeah.”

For a moment… just a moment… it feels like the war, the prophecy, the bloodshed—none of it exists.
Just three people sharing tea on an island floating above the clouds.

“Since we’re all here… might as well I ask about your home, then?”

Nyx suddenly pointed ahead, her voice trembling between hope and disbelief.

“Th–there… ai? It’s still intact!?”

Her eyes widened. The next second, she darted forward like a little kid who just spotted a long-lost treasure.

“W-wait—Nyx!” Luna called, startled by the sudden burst of energy.

But Nyx didn’t stop. Her tiny frame dashed across the cracked stone streets, hair bouncing as she ran. Despite being an adult in mind, her body—cursed into the form of a child—only amplified the rawness of her emotions.

Because of Elowen’s handiwork, the golems had repaired much of the ruins, restoring buildings to the likeness of what they remembered. To Nyx, it wasn’t just stone and timber—
—it was memory.

In her eyes, the ruined city transformed. She saw the vision of a bustling metropolis: merchants shouting, children laughing, women carrying baskets of fruit, soldiers patrolling the cobblestone roads. The warmth of life she once knew.

And there it was.

Her home.

Nyx stopped right before the doorway, her breathing uneven.

“…Mama!! Papa!!”

Her voice cracked, echoing through the hollow streets as she ran inside.

But—

Silence.

The air was stale, and the house was empty. Just furniture without warmth. Walls without laughter. A shell of what once was.

“…huh.” Nyx’s lips trembled before curling into a fragile smile. A smile so forced it hurt to look at. “Well… at least I hoped…”

The smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Luna, still standing at the threshold, felt something sharp pierce her chest. She didn’t need magic to sense it—the crushing loneliness radiated so strongly it was suffocating.

And me… I felt it too. That heavy, unbearable silence of a child left behind by the world.

It wasn’t just her grief. It was the kind of pain that carved itself deep into the soul—the kind of loneliness that words could never mend.

Nyx turned, placing her small hand gently on the wall, her voice quivering.

“Heh… this is where… I used to sit with my parents. This is where I belonged.”

Her words were fragile—like the notes of a forgotten lullaby.

For the first time, the air around us isn’t just ruins.
It’s grief made visible.

Nyx kneels down, hands clasped in prayer, her small frame trembling. The posture—foreign, devout—reminds me of Zosimos before he turned into that… thing.

“Thanks… Randy,” she whispers, her voice frail yet genuine. “I really appreciate it. I… am…”

Her words break into silence, tears hidden behind her lashes.

I open my mouth, but before she can finish, I cut in.
“Hey. I told you before, didn’t I? If you need a home… then this place will be it.”

Luna places her hand on my sleeve, her tone softer than I’ve ever heard it.
“Randy… yes. Nyx… I know. Even if it’s just a memory, at least now you have a place you can call home.”

Nyx’s lips twitch into a shaky smile. She looks away, muttering—
“Stop… don’t say it. I hate it. Hate the silence… hate that no one’s around…”

She swallows, then suddenly blurts out:
“Oh yeah… do you know a Lyristrix called herself Harmonia—”

The moment the name leaves my lips, Nyx’s expression snaps.

“WHAT!?” Her voice shakes like lightning. “She’s alive!? Where is she!?”

Before we can answer, a loud thud-thud-thud and shouting come from outside.

“OI!! WHY THE HECK DID YOU LEAVE US ALL BEHIND!?” Elowen storms in, her braid swishing like a whip.

“Yo, what the hell is going on—?” Kline’s voice follows.

Then Seraphina drops from above, spear aimed straight at Nyx. Her eyes blaze.
“Why is she here!?”

“Wait—!” I step between them.

“Why are you protecting the enemy!?” Seraphina’s grip tightens on her spear.

“Cool down. Just listen!” I plead.

Elowen eyes me suspiciously.
“…So, what is going on here, Randy?”

Kline’s gaze falls on Nyx, and his face twists into something… unexpected.
“…Nyx?”

“Kline?” Nyx blinks, stunned.

Then, without warning, Kline rushes forward—
—and hugs her.

“Kline!?” Everyone shouts in unison.

Nyx freezes, her wide eyes trembling. “You’ve… grown. So you’re the one cutting down most of the enemies…”

“You dumbass.” Kline’s voice cracks. “In her last breath, Master Iris gave me a mission… to find you.”

Seraphina falters, her spear lowering. “…What happened here?”

I quickly explain—the airship, the defection, the truth about Sky Island. By the end, Seraphina exhales sharply, her weapon clattering against the stone.
“…Never expected the enemy to once belong here.”

Elowen turns to Nyx. “Well? What do you think?”

Nyx suddenly lunges forward and hugs her. “It’s everything… thank you.”

Before anyone can react, another shadow leaps down from the sky golems.

“Hey! Why’d you leave me all alon—eh?”

Harmonia freezes mid-sentence, staring at Nyx.

Nyx’s face crumples, tears spilling freely.
“Harmonia!! Is that really you!?”

“Yes!! Yes!! Waaah!! I knew you were alive, Professor!!” Harmonia clings to her, crying like a child.

“Eh!?” Everyone stares—except Kline, who only nods knowingly.

Kline clears his throat. “Since we’re all here… I’ll explain. Nyx… Moonblade. But her true name—Asteria Flynn. That’s what my master used to call her. ‘Ast.’ She never forgot you.”

Nyx wipes her eyes, scoffing. “Good memory. But I prefer Nyx.”

“Fine,” Kline shrugs. “Then let’s settle this—what’s going on here?”

I glance at Luna, then back at the group. “…We worried you wouldn’t accept her.”

“Huh? That’s poppycock!” Elowen smacks me on the head.

“Bro, you’ve got the wrong party to assume that,” Kline smirks. “Not like we’re sworn dogs to Luna’s kingdom. We’re here because we each have a purpose. That’s why we formed this party.”

“…Yeah. I agree.” I let out a small laugh.

Seraphina spins her spear and rests it on her shoulder. “…Well, at least now I’ve got a sparring partner.”

“Will do~” Nyx grins mischievously.

Meanwhile, Harmonia and Nyx are glued together, their bond undeniable.

“By the way,” Nyx adds, “Harmonia isn’t just anyone. She’s a homunculus.”

“What!?” Everyone gasps.

Nyx smirks. “Surprised? It’s an alchemy secret Lord Xorvath uncovered—later banned by Arcantus. Xorvath wanted to… create something beyond humans.”

“That’s… heavy,” Elowen mutters.

Harmonia looks up at Nyx with pleading eyes. “Professor… where’s Cleo?”

Nyx’s smile fades. “…I’m looking too. After the island rose, I think she escaped. Disappeared.”

“I see…” Harmonia lowers her gaze.

Nyx turns to me, determination blazing in her eyes.
“Randy… now that I’ve reunited with Harmonia, I can’t afford a ‘no.’ I’m joining your party.”

Luna frowns. “Randy…”

“I agree,” Seraphina adds cautiously. “This isn’t something to decide lightly.”

But Harmonia suddenly bows deeply.
“Please! She’s a good professor. I’ll guarantee it with my life!”

Kline steps forward too. “I vouch for her. 100%.”

Elowen crosses her arms. “Not that simple, Randy…”

“…Then follow me,” I say, my voice firmer than I expected.

They trail after me to a familiar spot—the place where Harmonia and I first linked.

I stand still, close my eyes. A memory resurfaces—my mother’s voice.

“Randy… that’s what I’ll call you. Don’t cry… Mama will sing this song for you. If you want to connect… sing it, and all doubts will vanish.”

The air shifts.

“Here goes,” Kline whispers. “Master Nyx… Randy’s not ordinary.”

Harmonia begins to hum, her body glowing faintly. Her voice rises into a song, soft but powerful.

Nyx stares. “Anti-magic… is that why…?”

Luna grips her chest. “…Is that why he has that affinity? Because of this bond?”

“Yeah…” Kline murmurs.

Harmonia’s melody entwines with me. And then, one by one, the others join.

Elowen clasps Kline’s hand. Seraphina grips Nyx’s. Nyx clasps Harmonia’s, who takes Luna’s trembling fingers. Luna hesitates, then takes my hand. Elowen links the circle, closing it around me.

A pulse of mana surges through the circle, brighter than anything I’ve seen.

The island itself responds—light racing across its veins, a tower erupting in radiant brilliance.

Nyx closes her eyes and adds her voice. “Thank you…”

When the glow fades, we open our eyes.

I inhale, steadying myself.
“…Like I said before. This island isn’t for everyone. It’s ours to protect—its secrets, its knowledge, its heart. That’s our oath.”

The words hang in the air like a vow written in starlight.

Everyone nods in unison.

Luna squeezes my hand, her eyes shining.
“Yes.”

“Good.” I exhale, a weight lifted from my chest. I turn to Nyx. “…Welcome to the party.”

Nyx smiles, her eyes wet with relief. “…Finally… I belong again.”

Kline steps forward, rubbing the back of his neck. “So… Master Nyx… want to see my workshop?”

Nyx tilts her head, a curious smile tugging at her lips. “Is that so? Interesting. What about Harmonia?”

Harmonia’s eyes sparkle like a child offered candy.

For a fleeting moment, as I look at them all, I realize something:
This is what I’ve built. A bond. A family, even.

And right next to me—Luna.

She notices my smile. “Seems like you’re really happy about this…”

“Yep. So… now…” I stretch, exhaustion finally crashing down on me. “I’m going home.”

I shuffle past them all, heading to my house. At the door, I slap a wooden noticeboard that says DO NOT DISTURB – DEAD TIRED before collapsing against the frame.

Only for Luna to follow and mutter, “Me too… huuwwaaa…” She yawns loudly, clutching her cloak around her like a blanket.

Before I can react, Kline suddenly grabs my shoulder.
“Oi.” 💢

I glare at him, veins popping. “Huh…?” 💢

“Why the hell do you get to sleep first!?” Kline’s voice cracks in disbelief.

“Nighty night,” I snap back, waving lazily. “Since these two ladies disturbed my beauty sleep earlier, I’m reclaiming it now—in my perfectly comfortable bed.”

Luna crosses her arms, pouting. “I’m really sleepy too… with all that commotion, I need my beauty sleep.”

Before she can step past, Seraphina yanks Luna’s shoulder.
“Oi.” 💢

Luna narrows her eyes at her. “I’m not being seductive, okay? I am sleepy. And I need a bed.”

Elowen watches the bickering and chuckles under her breath. “Jeez… they really are peas in a pod.”

Before it can escalate further, Nyx steps in like a schoolteacher breaking up a fight. She hooks Seraphina and Kline by their collars and glares at Harmonia, who’s tiptoeing toward my door.

“Oh no you don’t, Harmonia! You three—extra class. With me.”

Her voice is sweet. Her eyes, however, glow like a death laser.

The three freeze, pale as chalk.

“W-wait, why me!?” Harmonia squeaks.

“You’re too eager to sneak into Randy’s bed.” Nyx’s glare sharpens.

“Eh!? I wasn’t—” Harmonia sputters, face red.

Kline groans. “Master, why me…?”

Nyx crosses her arms. “Don’t ‘why’ me. I heard reports you’ve been pissing off the Wind Spirit again.”

“Eh—ehhh!? Hahahaha… you heard about that, huh?” Kline scratches his head nervously.

Nyx smacks him on the head without hesitation. Bonk.

“More training for you.”

Kline yelps, clutching his skull.

“And you, Seraphina!” Nyx’s voice turns sharp.

Seraphina stiffens, eyes darting toward my house. “Wh-what!?”

Nyx smirks knowingly. “Your movements are sloppy.”

“Eh!?”

Finally, she turns to Harmonia. “And as for you—why am I even lecturing a homunculus in this trope?”

Harmonia’s shoulders slump. “…Unfair…”

In perfect unison, the three howl in agony.
“NOOOOOOO!!!” 😱😱😱

Meanwhile, Elowen waves casually. “I’m heading back to my workshop. Good luck, guys.”

“Go on ahead,” Nyx replies sweetly. “I’ll whip these three into shape.” 🥰

Elowen snickers, disappearing into the shadows.

As for me and Luna—we slip into my house at last.

I offer her the bed while I take the sofa, but Luna crosses her arms and huffs. “I prefer… closer.”

“Oi. I really need rest,” I grumble, dropping onto the couch.

“Shut up… huaa…” Her eyelids droop, her body already swaying toward sleep. 😖😪

And so, while Luna curls beside me, soft breathing filling the silence, the others endure Nyx’s merciless midnight lecture.

The circle of bonds has been formed.
But for some… it begins with motherly wrath.

“To be continued.”