Chapter 35 – Storm Over the Sky

Sky Island. Last night.

The moment my boots hit the platform, the air still carries the sharp sting of ozone. My chest aches from where lightning nearly tore me apart.

Before I can even breathe—
“Randy!!”
Luna crashes into me, arms tight around my neck. Her tail bristles like an angry cat’s. Her golden eyes tremble as her voice shakes.

“T-that was dangerous…! She’s trying to kill you…!”

Her warmth steadies me more than I’d like to admit. But the others aren’t silent.

“If I get my hands on that woman…” Seraphina growls, gripping her spear so hard the shaft groans under her strength.

Elowen folds her arms, scowling. “Guess your crazy idea of turning this place into a fortress wasn’t so dumb after all.”

Kline adjusts his glasses, his tone sharp. “Aethone Radiance… beautiful, sure. But she’s rotten inside. A poisoned apple wearing perfume.”

“Bad girl! BAD!!” Harmonia flails both hands like she’s swatting flies. “She even tried to fry Randy with lightning!!”

Nyx chuckles from the shadows, her violet eyes glinting with mischief. “Seems like you’re building quite the reputation… almost like me.”

“Nyx,” I sigh, rubbing my forehead, “best you hold the fort. Didn’t you want to research more anyway?”

She smiles thinly. “True. With the wards and security I built, this island’s untouchable. You’ll all sleep soundly here—no blades in your backs.”

“…Can’t argue with that.”

Luna squeezes my arm tighter, her voice low. “I have no words… Randy, dragged into this mess so suddenly…”

Elowen exhales through her nose. “Politics. Always politics.”

The Plan

“So, Randy—where to?” Kline asks, like he already knows I’ll hate the answer.

“Home,” I mutter. “If Aethone’s brainwashing the students, I want them safe.”

“Going home?” Luna tilts her head, her ears flicking.

Instead of answering, I activate the crystal projection. My uncle’s voice echoes, stern and unyielding. “Don’t come back until it’s resolved. This burden’s yours now, Randy.”

Kline whistles. “Damn. He’s more heroic than the fools who parade themselves as heroes.”

Seraphina crosses her arms. “If I can send the students home, at least they won’t be swallowed by this world’s conflict.”

I narrow my eyes. “Then the destination is clear. Eligos. Lord Althaeon pointed us there.”

“…By sea it’d take months—” Elowen

“Oi, dumbass. We have an airship.” Kline smirks.

“Pirates infest the seas anyway,” I adds. “The skies are safer.”

“…Crazy ideas again.” Elowen sigh. “…Fine. But don’t dump crew management on me—”

“Get the members ready! I need to be meet my father I think he has something that could help see ya…you !” Elowen shouts, vanishing into the distance on her bike.

“…She left me the babysitting,” I mutter.

Party Formation

I run through names in my head.

“Harmonia should go,” Nyx cuts in. “Time for her to see the world. And she’s the only one who can track Cleo.”

“YAAAY! Adventure!!” Harmonia spins in circles, nearly toppling a chair.

So the lineup is set:

Five of us. My crazy bunch.

“Yo, take this.” Kline tosses me a scroll.

I catch it. “…A map?”

“World map. From the Great Archive,” he says.

“This’ll help chart Skybreaker’s course…” I grin.

“Leave the Endeavour to me. You’ll need speed if things go south,” Kline warns. Then he smirks. “Oh, and—Pirate King Nu Wa? She’s a woman. Catfolk. Like Luna. Let her handle talks.”

“Sounds… not convincing,” I mutter.

Nyx smirks. “You’ll figure it out. You always do.”

Preparing the Skybreaker

The hangars roar with life. Jet-prop hybrids scream as steam hisses from vents. Ten golem operators march into position, five multitask units clanking after.

Meanwhile—
Luna wanders into the armory Seraphina built. Weapons glitter everywhere: axes, swords, enchanted spears.

“…Impressive,” Luna admits softly.

“Of course,” Seraphina grins. “I was a soldier. Always prepared.”

But then Luna freezes. Her face goes volcanic red.

“…What is THIS?!” She holds up a scandalously tiny bikini.

“Oh, that?” Seraphina smirks, fangs flashing. “That’s for Randy. For when he’s ready to mate with me~.”

BOOM. Luna explodes like a volcano.

“NOT ON MY WATCH!!” she shrieks, lunging at Seraphina.

The armory becomes a storm of sparks, shrieks, and clashing steel. I back out slowly. “…Why me.”

Albius – Father and Daughter

Elowen storms into her father’s forge. “Dad!!”

Without warning, Anduril hurls a massive warhammer at her. She barely catches it, the weight rattling her bones.

“The hell, old man!?”

“You’re going to battle, aren’t ya!?” His grin is wild.

She smacks him in the face with an iron ingot. “Dumbass! We’re going to Eligos, not war!”

Bleeding nose, he chuckles. “Just like your mother… I like it…”

“DUMBASS!!” Elowen roars, twin tails bristling.

Finally, Anduril hands her a sigil-emblem. “This’ll mark you as a friend. Don’t lose it.”

“…Fine,” she mutters, cheeks still hot.

Sky Island, hangar bay.

The fortress hums like a living beast.
Engines purr. Golems march. The air tastes of steel, oil, and ozone.

I stand at the heart of it all, arms folded as my latest paranoia takes shape.

Cargo? Loaded. Weapons? Stocked. Fuel? Brimming.

Everything is ready.

Then the hangar doors hiss open.

Luna steps inside.

She’s shed her noble gowns at last. Now, clad in adventurer’s armor — light steel plates, fitted leather gloves, and a rapier at her hip — she looks every bit the magic knight. The lanterns catch her hair, turning it into a river of molten gold.

My chest tightens. “…Breathtaking.”

Seraphina whistles low. “Well, well. The noble kitty’s gone full magic knight. I like it.”

Luna narrows her eyes but doesn’t rise to the bait. Instead, she stops in front of one of the Shindens.
“This… fighter of yours.” Her tone is cold. “Overkill.”

“It’s insurance.” I answer flatly.

She steps closer, her golden gaze piercing mine. Her tail lashes once. “We’re not going to war. This is just a visit. Get that war-mongering crap out of your head… nya.”

I blink. “Wait—did you just say nya?”

Her entire face erupts crimson. “S-shut up!!”

She swings her staff at me, chasing me around the hangar. Harmonia collapses into laughter while Seraphina smirks knowingly, arms crossed like she’s watching a theater play.

And so, beneath storms, laughter, and an unseen shadow rising in the skies… our journey to Eligos begins.

The Paranoid Captain

At the same time, I finish strapping down two new gadgets — miniature versions of the invisibility and jammer devices. Compact, portable, perfect for hiding even at top speed.

“This paranoia of yours gets more interesting by the second…” Kline mutters, shaking his head.

Nyx smirks. “He’s the only one in this world who could weaponize paranoia this well.”

“Randy…” Luna smiles sweetly. Too sweet. Her tail swishes dangerously. That’s not a good smile. It’s the scary kind.

Seraphina raises a brow. “Honestly? Sometimes it feels like we shouldn’t hide. Let them see us.”

“Like hell I’ll allow that!!” I snap.

Elowen’s Arrival

Engines roar. The Skybreaker gleams. The old airship no longer looks like a ship — more like a spaceship, ready to pierce the stars.

Elowen finally returns, dragging her new war hammer on one shoulder. She looks me over, unimpressed but grudgingly approving.
“As usual, Randy… you never fail to surprise me.”

I glance at Kline. “This island’s yours now. If Elysia, Oswald, Fu Xi, Mina, or Marlisa arrive, tell them we’re heading for Eligos.”

Kline nods. “Got it. Oh, and don’t forget souvenirs.”

“Souvenirs…?” I mutter.

Nyx steps closer, her voice suddenly sharp. “Listen carefully. Those pirates out there? They weren’t always pirates. Fishermen. Sailors. But when Drake, the so-called legendary hero, rose up, they were twisted into raiders. Now the Eastern Sea is the deadliest route alive.”

I rub my temples. “…So basically, think like a pirate?”

“Exactly.” Nyx smirks. “Parley, deception, boldness. It’s their world, Randy. Learn to play it.”

“…Got it.”

The Skybreaker Departs

The crew boards. Systems hum. The golems lock into place.

Kline and Nyx remain on the floating island, watching us from the cliffs as the Skybreaker rises.

“Kline.” Nyx’s voice is low. “I think I found a clue about the teleportation. Back when I was still Lord Xorvath’s apprentice, I glimpsed formulas. Complex, ancient. If I can reconstruct them…”

“Good. Because I’ve found something, too.” Kline’s eyes gleam behind his glasses. “Something about the homunculi. Their origin… doesn’t add up.”

Nyx exhales, smirking faintly. “Looks like we’ve got our own work to do.”

“Yep,” Kline replies. Together, they vanish into the archives.

Aboard the Skybreaker

I spread the updated maps on the chart table. Old lines align with new, a puzzle falling into place.

“…Looks like we’ve got a clear route. But the place isn’t called Eligos.” I tap the parchment. “It’s Corallia.”

“Corallia…” Luna tilts her head. “That name… I’ve heard it before.”

“Corallia—hah! Now I remember!” Seraphina slams her fist into her palm. “Before Drake the Hero Pirate was summoned, that island was home to tribes who worshipped the goddess Sina. A proud people.”

“You sound like a historian,” Luna mutters.

Seraphina shrugs. “What can I say? I read. Plus—Corallia was famous for its seafood. Kraken grilled in spices, shark stew, fish skewers… unbeatable.”

“Food again?” Luna groans.

“No king, though,” Harmonia chimes in, kicking her legs. “The people were led by elders. Tribes covered in tattoos. Strong culture. But when the Luminaris clan came, they called them barbarians. Forced them to convert. Drake was summoned then… and he turned them into rebels. That’s why he clashed with Lilith before uniting with her.”

I lean back, piecing it together. “So… Corallians hate nobles.”

“Exactly.” Elowen smirks at Luna. “Which means they’ll hate you.”

“Hey—!” Luna flusters, tail puffing. “D-don’t look at me like that! The one they should really worry about… is Randy.”

Elowen nods. “Agreed.”

“Oi!!” I protest.

The girls ignore me.

Elowen claps her hands. “At this speed, we’ll reach Corallia by evening. Strap in.”

The Skybreaker’s engines scream, entering the jetstream. Clouds tear apart as we surge forward, leaving Sky Island a distant shadow behind.

Ahead, the Eastern skies churn with promise—
Storms. Pirates. Secrets.
And Corallia, the island of rebellion.

City of Magick, Palace. Fu Xi’s Office.

The sound of brushes scratching against parchment fills the chamber. Fu Xi sits calmly at his desk, his sleeves folded neatly, writing scroll after scroll with the precision of a scholar. Beside him, Mina sorts through reports, her dagger strapped to her thigh glinting faintly under the lamplight.

The quiet is broken by the heavy creak of the palace doors.

Raul enters first, posture stiff and respectful. Behind him, Alfian saunters in, smirking.

“Lord Fu Xi…” Raul bows deeply.

“Hey… fake king.” Alfian sneers, crossing his arms.

Fu Xi exhales softly, barely lifting his gaze. “Sharp tongue as always, Alfian.”

Mina steps forward, voice smooth but cold. “We would like both of you to be involved with the knights’ operations.”

Raul inclines his head. “Very well. I’ll follow your orders.”

But Alfian tilts his head, grin widening. “Heh… before that, answer me this—did Randy die?”

The brush stills in Fu Xi’s hand. His eyes narrow. He knows already—Aethona has been spreading lies, poisoning the students with false news.

“…Yes,” Fu Xi says slowly. “It seems so. But why do you care?”

Alfian shrugs with a hollow laugh. “Whatever. Fine, then what do you want from me?”

Fu Xi leans back. “Simple. Involvement with the knights.”

“Ha! No chance. I only work for myself. I don’t take orders.” Alfian’s laugh echoes arrogantly.

The next instant—flash!

Fu Xi’s body vanishes from his chair, reappearing a breath away from Alfian, face to face. The air crackles with power.

“F-FUCK!!” Alfian stumbles back, eyes wide.

Fu Xi’s calm voice cuts the tension. “If Randy were here, he’d already have tried to knock me down by now.” His gaze sharpens. “You? You’re just a child still green.”

He turns from Alfian and places a hand on Raul’s shoulder. “Raul, welcome to the knights.”

“Yes, my lord.” Raul bows once more and leaves with steady steps.

Alfian, however, remains trembling, fury masked by his sneer.

Fu Xi’s voice lowers, weighty with authority. “Listen, son. I don’t care about your grudge with Randy. But for now, you’re under house arrest. It’s my duty to ensure your safety, whether you like it or not.”

Alfian slams his fist against the wall. “What!? Like hell I’ll listen!!”

Shhhk!

In one swift motion, Mina presses the flat of her dagger against his neck, her voice calm and terrifying.
“Boy. We have our own problems. The students already play their part. Be a good little soldier, return to school… and if you make trouble again, this will be the last time we speak.”

The blade gleams an inch from his skin.

Alfian’s bravado cracks. He swallows, scowls, and finally hisses, “Tch… fine.” He storms out, slamming the door so hard the walls shake.

Silence returns.

Fu Xi exhales. “…I wonder what’s wrong with that boy.”

Mina sheathes her dagger, eyes thoughtful. “From what I’ve heard from Luna… Alfian always bullied Randy. Perhaps something happened between them long ago.”

Fu Xi closes his eyes. “Not our place to pry. That’s for Randy to resolve. For now… the rumor of his death has already spread. Aethona made sure of it.”

“Indeed,” Mina says darkly.

At the Academy

The news spreads like wildfire.

“The teachers already announced it… Randy’s dead…” A student whispers, and the classroom erupts into murmurs.

Elysia slams her hands on the desk, tears brimming. “No! Let me go!! I don’t believe it!”

Oswald grabs her arm firmly. “Ely, listen! Maybe it’s just fake news! We’ll go see Lord Fu Xi ourselves, get the truth!”

“What about Luna!?” Elysia cries out, her voice breaking.

Marian steps forward, placing both hands on Elysia’s shoulders. “Calm down, Ely. Just… breathe. Don’t let panic take you.”

Marlisa crosses her arms, her eyes sharp but her tone reassuring. “It’s Randy we’re talking about. That guy’s tougher than anyone gives him credit for. I’m sure he survived.”

The room falls into uneasy silence.
But the weight of the announcement hangs heavy.

Randy—dead?

At the Academy

The rumor of Randy’s death hangs over the school like a choking fog. Whispers slip through every hallway, every classroom, infecting the hearts of the students. No one wants to believe it. Yet the lie digs deep, planting seeds of doubt that even hope struggles to uproot.

In a dim meditation chamber, Aethona kneels on a silken mat, eyes closed, lips curving faintly. Her aura pulses in rhythm with her breaths.

With these new warriors, the Priestess Luminaris’ prediction will come true… If that’s the case… then maybe… just maybe… my path will finally open.

Her fingers twitch, and the air hums with suppressed lightning.

Palace Hallway

Meanwhile, Raul walks the quiet corridors of the palace, fists clenched at his sides.

“Randy is down…” His voice is barely a whisper. He stares at the polished marble floor, his reflection wavering. “If he’s gone… then I need to step up. I can’t waste time anymore.”

But just around the corner, Alfian leans lazily against a pillar, his grin sharp and cruel.

“Heh. About time you died, Randy,” he mutters under his breath, laughing to himself. “Guess I’ll need a new punching bag. Oswald? Nah… too much of a muscle freak. Maybe that year-one kid. Hah! Nothing beats the good old days when Randy was the perfect target.”

His laughter echoes down the empty hall, callous and hollow.

The Northern Kingdom

Far away, under storm-choked skies, the Northern Kingdom rises again. The rebuilt palace towers higher than before, its spires bristling with Tesla coils that crackle with caged lightning.

Yasuke stands before a sea of soldiers — goblins outfitted with crude but deadly firearms, orcs clad in jagged armor wielding weapons charged with electricity, dark elves armored in black steel with bows that can loose arrows farther than any mortal eye can see.

Rows upon rows. An army not born, but forged.

Beside them, Nikola Tesla adjusts his gloves, his eyes gleaming with feverish genius.
“This—” he gestures proudly at a squat, armored vehicle bristling with coils and a turret— “is a smaller version of the cannon that was destroyed. I call it… the Tesla Tank. A machine that breathes lightning. Mobile firepower, fast enough to crush infantry, strong enough to level fortresses.”

A line of Tesla tanks rumbles forward, arcs of electricity licking across their hulls.

Above, a fleet of zeppelin-like airships casts shadows across the land, their undersides bristling with cannons infused with lightning magic.

“Impressive…” Morwenna murmurs, her crimson cloak swaying in the storm winds. She leans closer to Thorgrim, eyes glinting. “Tell me… will conquering the world be as easy as this?”

Thorgrim grunts, a dangerous smile tugging his lips. “We’ll see soon enough.”

Behind them, Azrael approaches, his cloak billowing, his voice booming like thunder. “This—” he spreads his arms, gesturing to the colossal war machines and the endless legions— “is the dawn of domination.”

Yasuke grips the hilt of his blade, drawing it free with a hiss. The katana gleams a bloody red, its aura seeping into the air like poison.

“Muramasa…” he whispers, the cursed name rolling off his tongue as black mist curls around the blade.

The soldiers nearest him shudder.

Azrael’s voice shakes the ground. “Leave the Kingdom of Mana. Let it rot. Our true target… is Elysium. That thorn is the only one I wish to pluck!”

The warlords laugh as the skies themselves answer.

Tesla raises his hands toward the massive weather-control engine behind him — a towering Tesla coil laced with arcane runes. Bolts of lightning crawl across its surface, spreading into the heavens. Clouds churn and twist, black as ink. A thunderstorm explodes across the land, bolts spearing into the mountains.

“No skyship will ever breach us again,” Tesla declares proudly, his hair wild, his glasses glowing in the storm’s flashes.

“Indeed!” Azrael roars, voice carrying across the armies. “You’ve surpassed my The soldiers chant in unison, their voices like thunder rolling across the plains.
Drums boom. War horns blare.
The Tesla tanks growl as their engines roar to life, spitting sparks. Zeppelins drift like black leviathans in the sky, their lightning cannons glowing ominously.

The soldiers chant in unison, their voices like thunder rolling across the plains.
Drums boom. War horns blare.
The Tesla tanks growl as their engines roar to life, spitting sparks. Zeppelins drift like black leviathans in the sky, their lightning cannons glowing ominously.

A war is coming.
And it will be swift.

Aboard the Skybreaker

Far above, cutting across the jetstream, our ship cleaves through the endless sky. The hum of engines vibrates through the deck as I stare at the horizon.

The Eastern Sea spreads below us, but ahead… a storm looms. A monstrous wall of cloud, towering higher than the eye can follow, its surface boiling like a living barrier. Lightning snakes across it, each strike shaking the heavens.

Everyone gathers at the viewing deck, the tension heavy.

Seraphina grips her spear and scowls. “Tch. That’s no ordinary storm. It’s like the gods themselves built a wall.”

Harmonia presses her face to the glass, voice small. “It’s… alive. I can feel it moving.”

Elowen rests her war hammer on her shoulder, smirking grimly. “Figures. Nothing worth reaching ever comes without a fight.”

Luna steps beside me, her tail stiff, ears twitching uneasily. She whispers, “Randy… are you sure about this?”

My fists clench against the railing, the storm reflected in my eyes.
“No choice. We’ve come too far.”

The Skybreaker shakes as I push the throttle forward. The engines scream, golems working furiously to maintain balance. The ship surges toward the wall of thunder.

The storm towers above us like an ancient titan, daring us to enter.

I take one last breath.
“Well… here goes nothing.”

The SkyBreaker pierces the clouds—
And the world vanishes into blinding light, roaring thunder, and endless shadow.

To be continued…