Urgency gripped the Loto Divers as they rushed back to the village, Kanu's condition deteriorating with each passing moment. The venom from the jungle training had taken a serious toll on him, and they knew they had to get him medical attention immediately. The usually strong and confident Kanu was barely conscious, his breathing shallow and labored.
As they reached Loto Village, the village doctor—a seasoned elder who had treated countless monster injuries—quickly assessed Kanu's state. His expression turned grim as he motioned for the team to bring Kanu into his hut.
"Get him on the table," the doctor instructed, his voice steady but tinged with concern.
Skydancer and Wakka carefully laid Kanu down, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on them. The doctor wasted no time, his hands moving with practiced precision as he examined the swollen, reddened area where the venom had entered Kanu's bloodstream.
"This venom is potent," the doctor murmured as he began mixing herbs and applying salves. "But we've caught it early enough. He'll recover, but it will take time. He needs rest, and he won't be back to full strength for a while."
SkyDancer hovered nearby, anxiety churning in his gut. Seeing Kanu, who had always been their rock, in such a vulnerable state was unnerving. "Is there anything else we can do?" he asked, his voice tight with worry.
The doctor shook his head, not pausing in his work. "Just keep him comfortable and ensure he rests. The antidote will do its job, but the rest is up to him."
With nothing more they could do, Skydancer stepped outside to clear his head. The village was quieter than usual, the news of Kanu's condition spreading quickly and dampening the usual hustle and bustle. The weight of the situation hung heavily in the air, but all Sky could think about was the ticking countdown in the back of his mind.
[System Notification: Countdown - 15 Days Remaining]
The reminder felt like a punch to the gut. The Monster Tide was coming, and time was slipping away. Kanu's strength was crucial to their defense, and with him out of commission, their odds looked even worse. But Skydancer couldn't tell anyone about the impending disaster—the system's rules were clear.
[Remember, Sky, you can't tell anyone about our missions. It's up to you to figure out a way through this.]
Over the next few days, Kanu's condition quickly improved. The antidote worked, but the recovery process was on the way. Meanwhile, the team continued their training, though the looming threat of the Monster Tide was ever-present in Skydancer 's mind.
-- --
The mission countdown had dropped below two weeks—13 days to be exact. The Monster Tide was coming, and Skydancer still had no idea how he was going to save the village. He was stronger now, yes, and closer to the villagers in both skill and camaraderie, but not strong enough to stop a stampede of monsters. Even one monster could easily overwhelm him—just look at how injured Kanu got, and he was at the pro level. Although after a few days of rest, Kanu was nearly recovered.
Nor was Skydancer close enough to the villagers to convince them to evacuate on his word alone, especially without proof.
Over the past weeks, Skydancer had learned much about Monster Tides. Wakka and the others had explained that these catastrophic events could be triggered by natural disasters or by more powerful monsters driving weaker ones out of their territories. But when Sky had asked about the risk to Loto Village, he was assured that numerous sensors had been placed miles into the jungle. These sensors were designed to detect any incoming threats long before they reached the village, giving ample time for evacuation. The sea was also considered safe, as it was regularly culled by the military.
The logic was sound, but it did little to ease Skydancer 's anxiety. The system had been clear—the village and its people would perish in just over a week. If those sensors were so effective, why was the system warning of imminent disaster? It didn't add up, and Skydancer knew he couldn't just sit back and hope for the best.
That night, as the team prepared to turn in, Skydancer approached Wakka, his mind made up. "Wakka, I need to go deeper into the wild. I want to check those monster sensors myself."
Wakka frowned, his eyes narrowing as he studied Skydancer's determined expression. "That's not a small ask, Sky. Going that far out alone… it's suicide. Even a pro-level player would struggle."
Skydancer nodded, fully aware of the risks. "I know, but I can't shake the feeling that something's wrong. My instincts… they're warning me. It's saying the village is in danger, and I can't just ignore that."
The rest of the team, overhearing the conversation, began to gather around. Kavi's face paled as he realized what Skydancer was proposing. "Sky, you can't go out there alone! It's too dangerous—my parents…"
Skydancer knelt down, placing a reassuring hand on Kavi's shoulder. "I know it's risky, Kavi. But I have to do this. I promise I'll be careful, and I'll come back."
Kavi's eyes filled with tears, the fear of losing another loved one overwhelming him. "But what if you don't come back? What if you…?"
Maya stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "Kavi, Sky knows what he's doing. And we have to trust that he'll be okay. We all care about him, but sometimes, you have to let people do what they feel is right."
Wakka, still watching Skydancer closely, saw the conviction in his eyes. "Your spiritual sense… it's telling you this is the right move, isn't it?"
Skydancer nodded. "I don't have all the answers, Wakka. But I feel like I need to go out there. If there's any chance that something's been missed, I have to find it."
Wakka sighed, the weight of his decision clear on his face. "Alright, Sky. But you're not going alone. Your sixth sense is strong, but so is Kanu's determination. Together, you might just have a chance."
Kanu, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward. "I'll go with you, Sky. We'll watch each other's backs."
Skydancer was momentarily taken aback by Kanu's offer but quickly nodded, grateful for the support. "Thanks, Kanu. I'm glad to have you with me."
The rest of the team exchanged glances, their concern evident, but none of them voiced any objections. They knew how serious this was, and they trusted in Skydancer's instincts—even if they didn't fully understand them.
Wakka put a hand on Skydancer's shoulder. "Be careful out there. We'll put the village on yellow caution status, just in case. If anything happens, you need to come back immediately."
Skydancer nodded, his expression serious. "I will. We'll be back before you know it."
Wakka hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Sky, Kanu, I want you to take something with you." He gestured for them to follow him to a nearby clearing. There, standing proudly in the early morning light, was a large, flightless bird with sleek feathers, powerful legs, and, oddly enough, a broad duck-like bill. Its legs were muscular, built for both speed and endurance, and its webbed feet hinted at its aquatic abilities. The creature was clearly designed for both land and water, a versatile mount for the wilds ahead.
"This is a Dukaboo," Wakka explained. "They're fast, strong, and can cover rough terrain better than we ever could on foot. Air travel is too dangerous with the monsters that patrol the skies, but on the ground, the Dukaboo will help you get to those sensors quicker and safer. It'll still take you a few weeks to check all the sensors, but this will give you a better chance."
Skydancer's eyes widened at the sight of the creature. A giant bird with a duck's bill? What is this, some kind of off-brand Chocobo? The thought crossed his mind, and he had to stifle a chuckle. "A Dukaboo? I've heard of these, but I never thought I'd actually ride one."
Kanu nodded in agreement, clearly impressed. "This will definitely help us cover more ground."
Wakka smiled, though the concern never left his eyes. "Take care of her. She's smart and loyal, and she'll get you where you need to go."
Skydancer and Kanu both placed a hand on the Dukaboo, feeling the strength and warmth of the creature beneath their fingers. It nuzzled them gently with its broad beak, a sign of its acceptance.
Skydancer grinned. "Alright, Dukaboo. Let's see if we can outrun certain death, shall we? No pressure."
The rest of the team watched as Skydancer and Kanu mounted the Dukaboo, their expressions a mix of pride and worry. Maya gave Kavi a reassuring hug, though her eyes remained fixed on Sky, silently urging him to stay safe.
As the first light of dawn broke through the trees, Sky and Kanu urged the Dukaboo forward. The creature responded immediately, its powerful legs propelling them smoothly through the underbrush. Sky couldn't help but notice how gracefully the Dukaboo moved, its webbed feet making quick work of the uneven ground.
"Guess I'm riding a giant duck into the jaws of potential doom," Skydancer mused to himself as they moved deeper into the wild. "Just another day in paradise."
As they rode off into the depths of the jungle, Skydancer couldn't help but glance back at the village, the people he had come to care about so deeply. The countdown in his mind continued to tick away, a constant reminder of the stakes.
[System Notification: Countdown - 12 Days Remaining]
With the wind in his hair and the sound of the jungle all around, Skydancer felt a mix of anticipation and dread. The journey ahead would be long and dangerous, but it was a journey they had to make. The fate of Loto Village depended on it.
As they disappeared into the wild, the village behind them grew smaller, and the unknown stretched out before them. Skydancer knew that whatever they faced, they would face it together, riding on the strength of the Dukaboo and the bond they had forged as a team.
The journey had just begun.