Chapter 26
Dance of the Sky and Myth (Part 3)
The battlefield was eerily silent, save for the steady lapping of waves against shattered icebergs. The echoes of the Winter Whale's deafening roar still hung in the air, but now all eyes were on the shadow rising from the sea.
Dynil stood frozen, his breath clouding in the frigid air, his heart hammering against his ribs. The old warrior had returned, defying all odds.
Royce clenched his fists, his usually playful eyes wide with awe. "Did you see that? He just— he's running on the whale!"
"That's impossible," Eliron muttered, though his voice betrayed a hint of admiration. "But… he's doing it anyway."
Perla's purple magic shimmered faintly at her fingertips as she blinked in disbelief. "He's okay. He's really okay."
Nameless, however, said nothing. Her gaze was locked on the chaotic scene ahead, her expression unreadable. Something in her posture, the slight narrowing of her eyes, hinted at unease.
Why does he keep looking this way? Where—
Her thoughts halted, her orange irises reached the end of his gaze.
Ah. Was it a traitor...?
Far ahead, Thermes sprinted along the slick, writhing back of the Winter Whale, his sand-wrapped arms glinting under the pale sunlight. Each step was a battle for balance as the beast twisted and thrashed beneath him, the icy spray stinging his face.
The old warrior's breath came in sharp bursts, clouds of frost curling from his lips. His glowing blue eyes remained fixed ahead, unyielding.
"Let's end this, old friend," he muttered, his voice carried away by the wind.
The Winter Whale roared again, the sound vibrating through the ice and water, as if responding to his challenge. The tension was palpable, the entire battlefield holding its breath.
The great beast, now fully aware of its opponent's resolve, dove abruptly, submerging part of its massive body into the ocean.
Steam hissed as the water churned and froze, forming jagged barriers of ice around it. It wasn't just fighting anymore; it was adapting, learning.
However, Thermes, as if proving that he was the pinnacle of humanity in front of a devastating catastrophe, jumped high.
There is no need to train. I have a job to do.
He reached the heavens in a fraction of a second, not only surprising the audience but also the beast.
As if timing it with the beast's resurface, the ice thinned when the Whale came up the waters just in time for Thermes to hold up his fists and interlock it with each other.
Then he fell with force.
It was such a simple concept. Falling.
But Thermes looked like an asteroid ready to endanger a lifeform. In the air, for a moment he seemed to disappear, and reappeared in front of the beast. It was an instantaneous flicker, a fast approach he'd never shown before.
The beast couldn't judge, his piercing glowing blue eyes were activating another spell. [Blood].
The whale went frigid and Thermes landed a blow to its massive head.
His curled fists on top of each other pummeled onto it, creating shockwaves of physical energy with just force alone.
"Woaah!" The children recoiled, running a bit away from the shoreline.
Dynil was stunned.
The Pinnacle of Humanity has reached an all time high once again...
He stood there dazed.
The Pinnacle of Humanity raised its coiled fists and hammered down on the whale again, it shrieked, making a pained expression.
As if internalizing the pain, the foes, remained that way for a moment.
"Hehe. I won."
Thermes chuckled and the whale sunk down on the ocean, floating on the waters with a frown.He calmed his arms on his side and patted the whale on its head, laughing.
It was a tranquil moment.
Then the whale flipped and Thermes fell.
As if laughing at him, the whale let out a fountain of water, squirting it on top of his head.
"This son of a—"
"Master! Are you okay?!"
Hearing the noise on the shoreline, he whipped his head and climbed the winter whale's back. "Yeah! I won! Haha!"
He slapped the beast's back as if ordering it and the whale groaned before slowly moving towards the shoreline.
Mythical Beasts were beings considered the strongest out of all species, they remain as the indisputable strength and power of nature. However since it is nature, it also comes as a type of gift.
It was a challenge.
"Every now and then, a strong warrior can propose a fight against such beings. However it is still dangerous. While mythical beings can't be killed, the challengers can easily die while fighting them."
Thermes explained. He reached the group in no time and was bathed in question.
Though, the only beings who listened were Nameless, Eliron and Dynil.
The others were amazed at the beast's tameness.
It was right next to the shoreline, in a smaller form just big enough as an iceberg, and the children were poking on it or trying to climb on
"Can you tame this Emman?" Keith asked curiously.
The other boy frowned and wanted to try but was stopped, a hand was placed on his head. It was Dynil.
"Don't try it. It's impossible for us normal beings."
"Why?" Nameless inquired more. It was fascinating, his use of words. "Does that mean not normal beings can tame it?"
Thermes followed them to the beast, patting its side, his fingers tracing the icy ridges along its back. The whale rumbled softly, its massive body rising and falling with a tranquil rhythm.
"That's right," he said, his voice steady. "Defeated beasts can be tamed by anyone, even if they don't have the skill for it. But what Dynil means is that mythical beasts can only be tamed by species stronger than them. Dragons, demons, elves… they all have a chance. Mixed species? It depends. Some can, some can't."
Nameless tilted her head, her orange eyes gleaming with curiosity. "So strength defines who can tame it. But what happens if a weaker being tries?"
Thermes gave a wry chuckle. "If you're lucky, nothing. But if you're not…" He gestured toward the whale's head, where rows of jagged teeth gleamed under the faint sunlight. "Let's just say the beast will remind you who's in charge."
Royce, kneeling beside the creature, brushed his fingers along its icy hide. The whale didn't react, its eyes half-lidded as though resting.
He turned toward Thermes, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "What about you? You defeated it. Why don't you tame it?"
Thermes grinned, shaking his head. "Because I don't need to. The challenge was enough for me. Besides, taming it would tie me down. I'd rather let it roam free—and face more challengers in the future."
As the group absorbed his words, Dynil's expression remained thoughtful.
He glanced at the whale, its immense presence a stark reminder of the danger they'd faced. "Master," he said hesitantly, stepping closer. "Since you've won against the mythical beast is it possible to defeat that being too?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken doubts.
Though Dynil didn't say a name, everyone in the group instantly knew who he was referring to.
Even the children, who had been poking and prodding the whale's icy surface, froze in place. Their hands stilled, and a heavy silence blanketed the air.
The name hung in their minds like a specter.
The Demon King, Gashu.
Perla shifted uncomfortably, her small hands clutching at her cloak. She didn't speak, but her purple mana flickered faintly at her fingertips, betraying her unease.
Royce looked down, his usual carefree demeanor replaced with a quiet tension. His fingers gripped the whale's side as if grounding himself. Eliron's gaze darting to the horizon as though expecting a shadow to emerge.
Nameless, as always, was the exception.
Her expression remained unreadable, but her eyes gleamed with an intensity that betrayed her thoughts.
Thermes exhaled slowly, the sound heavy against the backdrop of the icy sea. He turned to face Dynil fully, his glowing blue eyes meeting the younger man's uncertain gaze. "Dynil," he began, his tone even, "you're asking a question with no simple answer."
"But you beat the Winter Whale," Dynil pressed, his voice wavering slightly. "And the Demon King… he's just one being, isn't he? If anyone can stand against him, it's you."
Thermes's lips twitched into a faint smile, but there was no humor in it. "I'm flattered you think so, but comparing the Demon King to a mythical beast like this is a mistake." He gestured to the whale, now resting calmly by the shoreline.
"Why?" Royce asked softly, his voice trembling despite his best efforts to keep it steady.
Thermes straightened, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Because Gashu isn't just strong. He's smart. He's cunning. And most of all…" His voice dropped, and the weight of his words settled over them like a shroud. "He's ruthless. This whale fought me on instinct. Gashu fights with purpose—and that purpose is destruction."
The children exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier excitement replaced with dread. Perla edged closer to Ynez who unconsciously let out a comforting holy mana, her small fingers gripping her sleeve.
"But Master," Dynil persisted, his desperation evident. "There has to be a way. You've faced impossible odds before. Can't you find a way to defeat him?"
Thermes regarded Dynil for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
Finally, he placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. "If it comes to that, I'll give it everything I've got. But Dynil, don't pin all your hopes on me. Gashu isn't a foe I can defeat alone."
The group absorbed Thermes's words in silence, the reality of the situation sinking in like the biting cold around them.
Nameless, breaking the tension as she often did, tilted her head thoughtfully and said, "Well, that being is truly cunning. And with a scholarly assistant always whispering in his ear, he'd seem unstoppable."
Keith nodded, his expression serious. "Right. And let's not forget the five retainers loyal to him who are still alive—plus their children and armies of minions. If we're going to fight him, we'll need more than just strength. We'll need an army, with personnel just as skilled."
Nameless scoffed, crossing her arms. "Sure, for the children. But I bet love couldn't solve half the problems."
Eliron turned sharply toward her, his expression grave. "Nameless, don't. This isn't something to joke about."
Nameless met his gaze with an unbothered shrug. "I'm not joking. I'm just saying, not all of his children are going to march into battle for his honor. Most of them hate him, right? Except maybe one... but that's a special case."
The group exchanged uneasy glances.
They didn't know who she was referring to, but no one wanted to ask.
"Still," Nameless continued, her tone casual but her words cutting, "if half his army doesn't even respect him, maybe he's not as invincible as we think. Maybe we could take him on someday." She smirked. "Maybe even easily?"
Eliron let out a sigh, "It's not that simple either. Being strong isn't always enough. Sometimes there are things— beings— that are stronger than you, no matter what you do."
Thermes, who had been watching the exchange with quiet amusement, chuckled softly.
He patted Eliron on the back, earning a surprised look from the boy. "You're not wrong, Eliron," he said. "And it's a good lesson to remember. Strength alone won't win against Gashu—or any foe like him. Strategy, courage, and unity will."
Nameless rolled her eyes but said nothing more, though the glint in her orange eyes suggested she wasn't entirely convinced.
Thermes chuckled, the sound breaking the tension slightly. He ruffled Eliron's hair, much to the boy's annoyance. "You're wiser than your years, kid. That's a good lesson to remember."
"I'm 200-something years old..."
When Eliron mumbled back, Thermes laughed aloud.
The group fell quiet again, each lost in their own thoughts about the battle they all knew was inevitable. The mere mention of the Demon King had sent a ripple of unease through their ranks, but beneath the tension, a flicker of determination glimmered.
They would rise to the challenge when the time came.
For now, though, there were more pressing matters to face—farewells to give and futures to step toward. Not all of them would tread the same path, and the weight of that reality hung in the air, unspoken but palpable.
Dynil broke the silence, his voice measured but carrying a sense of importance. "I have news," he began, drawing the group's attention.
Reaching into his coat, he pulled out a crisp parchment, its wax seal already broken. The golden insignia of the Heroes' Association glinted faintly in the sunlight. "Our entry to the continent has been approved," he announced, his words clear and deliberate. "The Heroes' Association ship will be waiting for us at the harbor in two days."
A murmur spread through the group, some faces lighting up with excitement while others darkened with apprehension. The journey to the mainland signified a new chapter—but also the beginning of a much more dangerous one.
Nameless's gaze flicked to the parchment in Dynil's hands, her usual air of nonchalance giving way to something more solemn. She didn't need to ask; she already knew what the letter didn't say.
Dynil turned to her, his expression softening. "Nameless," he said gently, "the ship… you can't board it."
The words, though anticipated, still seemed to weigh heavily. For a moment, Nameless said nothing, her orange eyes unreadable. Then, with a small shrug, she tilted her head toward the whale still resting near the shoreline. "Guess I'll just hitch a ride with him," she quipped, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.
Keith frowned. "You're joking, right?"
Nameless winked. "Maybe."
Royce stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "This isn't funny, Nameless. We're supposed to stick together. What are you going to do if—"
"It's fine, Eliron," Nameless interrupted, her tone calm but firm. "You all go ahead. I'll catch up when I can."
"But..."
The children had a back and forth argument.
However Eliron knew that this was an act.
A few days ago when Nameless came to his room with the idea of having the adults teach them magic, she also decided to tell everyone off her own path. Everyone was just as surprised as he was.
Weirdly so, Ayu was the only one prepared for it and asked the right questions.
Thus because of that, they came up with a plan to tug at the adults' heartstrings especially Thermes.
Because they didn't know who was being kind as an adult and who genuinely cared for each of them. That was why the three other demons weren't here, only Nameless.
Eliron's yellow eyes grazed the form of the biggest man, Thermes.
The one Dynil called Pinnacle of Humanity.
That was a slip-up that should remain on Nameless' direct followers, one that must never be forgotten. Who knows what kind of influence this man had.
Just then, Thermes raised a hand, silencing the budding argument. "She's made her choice," he said, his voice gruff but understanding. "Let her walk her path for now. If she's determined, she'll find her way back to you."
Nameless glanced at Thermes, offering him a subtle nod of gratitude.
Then she turned to the others, her smirk softening into something gentler. "Don't look so down. This isn't goodbye forever. Just… for a little while."
The group exchanged uncertain looks, the bittersweet nature of their parting beginning to settle in.
"We leave in two days," Dynil reminded them, his tone steady. "Make sure you're ready."
The conversation ended with that, leaving the group to their thoughts once more. Yet as the shoreline wind swept past them, the unspoken promise of reunions lingered in the air— just as strong as the resolve they carried to face whatever lay ahead.
Though Thermes had a different plan.