The events at the platform and the strange weather had out a damper on the festival, everyone concerned about the cloud approaching the harbor. The adventurers had all finished their jobs, the shift in the air plainly obvious to them.
Angelo stood with Octavius and Aila with the guild members carrying Mateo behind them. The three had their eyes to the sky, Angelo smiled bitterly. "The clan blessed by God huh such an ironic title for the devils."
Aila and Octavius didn't understand what he meant, but chose to keep their eyes on the moving cloud.
"I can tell that whatever that cloud produces will be heavy," Aila said. "God help the person that comes in contact with it."
Not too far from the harbor, Aline and William were on a roof. She sighed, leaning her head back with her legs dangling at the side of the roof. "I'm glad we could buy them time to get to their ship."
William smiled, placing his hand on his hip where he stood beside her. "It was a good thing I had those gas bombs, best way to slow them down. Luckily, we escaped before they caught us. We'd be in serious trouble for attacking navy officers."
She smiled too, her brown hair moving with the wind. "Thanks for the help Willy."
"No problem, Ally."
As everyone felt the melancholy in the air, the Dragon Scale Pirates ran for their ship with Arata and Alek on a smoke cloud with Aiya hot on their tail.
"They're really persistent," Botan shouted over the heavy wind.
"Should we stop and fight?" Elias questioned.
"Don't be stupid, there's a vice-admiral there and we need to get to the ship before this terrible storm begins," Genki said. "Plus, I don't want another scuffle with Arata, he was annoying the first time."
"Elias G. Fritz, get back here!"
The pirates picked up speed at the sound of Arata's voice, the clouds above rumbling. Alek followed with a smile on his face, turning to Aiya.
"Something is going to happen, I can feel it."
She narrowed her eyes. "I'm starting to doubt your validity as a navy officer."
Arata down below suddenly created a large sword, the object hovering over Elias and his crew. Their eyes widened at the large weapon, shadows casting over them.
"Say goodbye, Elias G. Fritz."
Alek's theory became a reality, the heavens anger coming in the form a giant storm. A giant wind picked up the members of the Dragon Scale Pirates, sending them crashing into the harbor. But that was not the only gift it left behind, a large bolt of lightning crashing down on the unsuspecting Arata.
Alek stared wide eyed at the spot the pirates body had been, the lightning leaving no trace of the man formerly known at the strongest Manu Pirate. Aiya's binoculars crashed to the ground, the storm not ceasing and rain pelting them harshly.
Elias and his crew mates didn't question what happened, thanking the heavens as they got to their ship. A rainbow colored dragon hung at the forefront, Aika and Noel waving at them.
"Hurry," Aika shouted over the rain. "The storm might blow us away."
The crew hurriedly made their way to the ship, Noel forcing the anchor out of the water and Genki pulling open the sails. In no time, the wind carried them away from the Analus Island.
The rain splashed on them, the five members not caring for the terrible wind. Elias placed his foot at the front of the ship, pointing to the horizon.
"To Alba."
As if satisfied with their departure, the skies cleared and all the citizens of Analus Island lifted their head to stare at it. The events of the day would only remain in the minds of a few, the significance heavily burnt into their minds later in the future.
Analus Island. The island that had ended an era had now begun a new one. The flags of a new beginning raised again by the clan blessed by God.
.....
Angelo had thanked the adventurers for their services, paying their reward money. He waved them goodbye as they walked away, frowning once they were out of sight.
"You'll get wrinkles, Angelo."
Angelo paid no mind to Alek who had slipped beside him, adjusting the cuffs of his suit. "I didn't know you were in town. Then again you are a God Clan fan boy."
Alek snickered. "And you're still so spiteful."
"That clan has thwarted the effort of our clan for ages, I'm not ever going to like them."
"You saw it didn't you. It was the same."
"I won't make assumptions because something similar happened before," Angelo said stiffly. "But if what you're thinking is true then there are only two possibilities. The world will be made or be broken."
...
The Blue Dawn Adventurers and the Cross Heart Adventurers prepared to leave the island, Aline and William not wanting to be apart by hugging fiercely.
"When did those two become so close?" Luna asked Shinzo, the vice-captain counting cash.
"They probably bonded over their perversion," Shinzo answered. "But forget about them, look at this cash Octavius racked up from Mateo's bounty."
Octavius grinned smugly, lifting up his chin. "Praise me." Shinzo ruffled his hair, placing a piece of candy in his palm. "Nice doing business with you."
"William, get your ass over here," Luca snapped from inside the Golden Jubilee.
William let go of Aline, blowing his nose into a handkerchief. "I'll miss you, bestie."
Aline smiled through her tears. "Me too."
Luca rolled his eyes, stomping to meet his swordsman and grabbing him by the collar. William yelped, his bottom being dragged on the floor before he got flung into the ship.
"Luca!"
Luca turned to face Paolo. "What?"
Paolo grinned from his spot in front of his ship. "We'll see you at the exams. I pray we meet at the same Centre."
Red brushed Luca's cheek, his face turning the other direction. "Don't say nonsense, I wouldn't want to see you so soon."
"Captain, you're not very honest," William said from the ground.
Luca landed a hefty kick to his behind, his yelp music to his ears. "Shut up."
William laughed, rubbing his back side. "You're so cute."
"Alright captain," Vernon said, patting his shoulder. "Shall we leave?"
He sighed. "Yeah."
Without a goodbye, the Golden Jubilee revved into gear and sailed forward. Octavius ran to the side of the ship to handle the anchor while Aline and Shinzo prepared the sails.
"You guys, we're leaving our home country," Luna said, staring at her map. "In just a few hours, we'll reach the border and our journey will truly begin."
Excitement and anxiety sparked in the hearts of the adventurers, a soft wind blowing at the hairs of their head.
Aline laughed as if out of breath, a smile settling in as she stared at the Manu sky for the last time. "We're really doing this."
"We've done this before, but how about another affirmation," Paolo said. "To start our real beginning."
Aline placed her foot at the front of the ship. "To make and create dishes from around the world."
Paolo joined in. "To become the greatest adventurer."
Shinzo placed his foot beside Aline's. "To become the greatest martial artist."
Luna took a chug from her alcohol bottle, joining her crew mates. "To make maps for all the islands of the world."
Octavius beamed, his blue eyes gleaming as he did his. "To become the greatest engineer."
"To Alba!"
Their cheers resounded through the sky above, the dreamboat rocking with excitement at the journey to come. No one knew of the things to come or what lay ahead, but the one thing they knew is that there was no going back.