The wind howled across the endless clouds, carrying the echoes of their trials as the trio sat in silence on the cold metallic deck of the ship. The storm above rumbled faintly, flickers of lightning illuminating the endless skies.
Nobody had spoken since they passed the trials. It was as if the weight of what they faced still lingered in their hearts. Each of them had seen something that left scars—ones that couldn't be healed with time alone.
Ren leaned against the railing, his face half-hidden beneath his cloak. His mind replayed the image of his mother, her voice calling out to him during the illusion. The hatred in his heart still burned, but something inside him had shifted. The trials had forced him to face that part of himself—the part that was driven by rage alone.
He glanced at the others. Shigan was sharpening his spear, eyes distant. Kaelen sat cross-legged, meditating in silence, while Sakayanagi lay on her back, staring at the swirling clouds.
Raidon stood at the helm, his hands resting on the steering wheel. His eyes never left the storm in front of them. He hadn't said a word about the trials. He simply watched.
Ren finally broke the silence.
"How much longer until we reach the Thunder Skies?"
Raidon didn't answer immediately. His fingers drummed lightly on the wheel.
"Three more days... if the serpent allows us."
Ren's brow furrowed. "Allows us?"
Raidon's lips curled into a small smirk.
"The Thunder Skies isn't a place you simply enter. It's a realm between the realms... hidden from the rest of Tellus."
Sakayanagi sat up, brushing her silver hair back.
"Then how did you leave?"
Raidon's golden eyes flicked toward her. For a moment, he said nothing—then he sighed.
"I had help."
Ren narrowed his eyes.
"From who?"
Raidon's smirk faded. He looked up at the storm swirling above them.
"From the guardian."
The air seemed to grow heavier at the mention of the guardian. Kaelen opened one eye, his voice calm.
"What is the guardian, really?"
Raidon's grip on the wheel tightened.
"A being older than Tellus itself... born from the first lightning that ever struck this world." He paused. "Its name is Zaryon."
The name carried a weight to it—like it had been buried in history long forgotten.
Ren's eyes narrowed.
"You talk like you know it personally."
Raidon's smirk returned, but this time, there was a glint of something deeper—something hidden.
"Maybe I do."
Nobody spoke after that.
That night, they all gathered in the small cabin below deck. The storm outside rumbled faintly, casting flashes of light through the small round window.
Raidon sat by the table, lighting a small blue flame with his fingertips. The mysterious carpet he had brought out earlier from the Thunder Skies lay stretched across the table.
"You guys haven't eaten all day," Raidon muttered. "Call out whatever you want."
Sakayanagi leaned forward, still exhausted from her trial.
"Something sweet... like honeyfruit pie."
The moment she spoke, the carpet glowed faintly, and a perfectly sliced honeyfruit pie materialized on the table, its golden crust steaming.
Kaelen glanced at the carpet curiously.
"That thing is... unnatural."
Raidon smirked.
"Everything from the Thunder Skies is."
Shigan leaned back against the wall, arms crossed.
"Fine... give me Stormleaf Brew."
Another shimmer—this time, a glass filled with electric-blue liquid appeared. It crackled faintly, releasing small sparks.
Ren leaned forward, his eyes locked on the carpet.
"Bloodhound Steak."
A thick cut of red meat seared with golden spices appeared, the scent making his stomach growl.
Raidon grinned.
"Looks like you've got good taste."
They ate in silence for a while, the warmth of the food filling the cold air around them. But eventually, the conversation returned to what was weighing on all their minds.
The trials.
"What do you think they were for?" Sakayanagi asked quietly.
Kaelen set his fork down, his eyes still fixed on the carpet.
"To see if we were worthy."
Shigan scoffed.
"Worthy of what?"
Raidon's voice cut through the tension.
"Worthy of reaching the Thunder Skies."
They all looked at him.
"The serpent doesn't just let anyone in," he continued. "It tests the hearts of those who seek its kingdom."
Ren's fingers clenched slightly against the table.
"Then why didn't it test you?"
Raidon's golden eyes flicked toward him, calm and unwavering.
"Because Zaryon and I go way back."
Ren's heart skipped a beat. He stared at Raidon, the pieces slowly falling into place.
"What are you hiding?"
Raidon leaned back, folding his arms behind his head.
"You'll find out... soon enough."
The next morning, the storm grew heavier. The ship drifted through thick clouds, lightning crackling around them.
Ren stood alone on the deck, watching the horizon. His heart still burned with questions—about his mother, about his powers, about why he was brought to this world in the first place.
Behind him, Raidon approached, his footsteps light.
"You remind me of someone I once knew," he said quietly.
Ren didn't look away from the storm.
"Who?"
Raidon's smirk faded.
"A man who chased the truth... no matter how much it hurt."
Ren's fists tightened at his sides.
"Did he ever find it?"
Raidon's golden eyes glowed.
"Not yet."
To be continued...