The echoes of the defeated guardian's fall still reverberated throughout the chamber, the dust settling slowly around Franco and his crew. They stood in a circle, panting and surveying the damage they had caused. The artifact, now firmly in Franco's grasp, seemed to pulse with a life of its own, as if it were acknowledging its new master. Its light flickered, casting strange shadows across the chamber, but for now, the immediate danger was over.
Franco stood tall, his hammer now resting on his shoulder, his eyes scanning the remnants of the battle. He could feel the weight of the relic in his hand—its power surging, tempting him to draw more from it. Yet, despite the allure, he knew they had to remain focused. The road ahead was long and dangerous, and their enemies would only grow stronger from here.
Kael, always the pragmatic one, sheathed his sword with a sigh of relief. "We need to get out of here. We've drawn too much attention already."
Lynara nodded, wiping the sweat from her brow. "I agree. The longer we stay, the more likely someone else will come to claim the artifact—or worse, the World Government might send someone to finish the job."
Taro, ever the silent powerhouse, glanced at the shattered remnants of the guardian's armor. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his shoulders spoke volumes. "The guardian wasn't the only one guarding this place," he said, his deep voice rumbling in the still air. "There must be more. We're not done yet."
Franco turned to his crew, his mind racing with possibilities. He had known that their actions would draw attention, but the weight of the bounty on their heads was starting to become real. The prospect of dealing with bounty hunters and the World Government no longer seemed like a distant threat—it was here, now, and growing stronger by the day.
"We can't stay here long," Franco said, his tone authoritative. "But we can't leave without learning everything we can from this place. That artifact has power—there's no way we can just leave it behind. We need to uncover its secrets before we leave."
---
New Threats on the Horizon
As the crew moved deeper into the ruins, the unsettling silence was broken only by the distant sounds of rumbling, the vibrations of something moving deep within the earth. Franco's instincts flared—his connection to the Thunder-Thunder Fruit had attuned him to the rhythms of the world around him, and something was coming.
"We've triggered something," Franco muttered, his gaze flicking to the walls of the chamber, where cracks began to form, dark veins spreading across the stone. He could feel it in the air, an energy gathering, pulling the crew's attention. It was unmistakable—someone, or something, was approaching.
Just as the warning settled in his mind, a loud crash shook the entire chamber, and the ground beneath them trembled violently. The ceiling above them cracked, sending debris scattering in all directions. The artifact in Franco's hand pulsed violently, as though reacting to the disturbance.
"What the hell was that?" Kael shouted, his sword drawn in an instant. His senses were on high alert, his eyes scanning every shadow.
Before anyone could respond, a massive form erupted from the rubble, a hulking figure crashing through the stone floor. It was another guardian, but this one was different—more primal, more aggressive. It was larger than the previous one, its body a grotesque fusion of flesh and stone. Its eyes glowed a fierce red, and its mouth opened to reveal rows of jagged teeth.
The crew sprang into action without hesitation. Taro immediately charged forward, his trident aimed at the creature's chest, while Kael moved to flank it. Lynara, agile as ever, darted to the side, positioning herself to strike. Franco raised his hammer, electricity crackling along its surface, preparing for the fight.
But the guardian wasn't alone.
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A Battle for Survival
As the crew engaged the new guardian, a second form appeared from the shadows—a human figure cloaked in a dark, tattered cape. The figure stood motionless at the edge of the chamber, watching the battle unfold with an eerie calm. His face was obscured, but his presence was unmistakable—powerful, chilling, and commanding.
Franco's eyes narrowed as the figure raised his hand, and the ground around them began to shift. The stone beneath their feet seemed to bend and warp, as though it were alive, responding to the figure's will. The figure muttered something under his breath, and suddenly, large, jagged spikes of stone shot up from the ground, forcing the crew to leap out of the way.
"The hell is that?" Lynara shouted, barely evading the attack as one of the stone spikes narrowly missed her.
Franco clenched his jaw. The figure controlling the environment wasn't just a normal human—he was using some form of Geokinesis, the ability to manipulate the earth itself. Franco could feel the pressure mounting. If they didn't deal with this new threat quickly, they would be overwhelmed.
The guardian, meanwhile, swung a massive, stone-encrusted fist at Taro, who barely managed to block it with his trident. The impact sent shockwaves through his body, and Taro grunted in pain, his stance faltering. Franco quickly charged in, swinging his hammer with a crack of thunder, sending the guardian stumbling back.
But the guardian was relentless. With a howl, it swung its enormous fist again, this time aiming for Franco. The strike was fast, and its power was undeniable. Franco barely managed to dodge, the ground beneath him cracking open as the fist collided with it.
"Focus!" Kael shouted, his blade flashing as he slashed at the guardian's exposed side. "We need to take down that one first!"
Franco nodded, signaling for Taro to regroup. They had to deal with the guardian and the mysterious figure controlling the environment. The battle was far from over, and their survival depended on quick thinking and decisive action.
---
The Bounty Soars
As the battle raged on, the World Government's spies had already begun tracking the crew's movements. The news of their escalating power and the destruction they were leaving in their wake spread like wildfire across the seas. The bounty on Franco and his crew's heads had been updated.
Franco's Bounty: 450,000,000 Berries
With the defeat of the first guardian and the destruction they had wrought in the ruins, Franco's bounty had nearly doubled. His power, now fueled by the artifact and his mastery of the Thunder-Thunder Fruit, made him a massive target for bounty hunters and the World Government.
Kael's Bounty: 320,000,000 Berries
Kael's growing reputation as a swordsman and his feats in the heat of battle had earned him an even higher bounty. His deadly precision and ability to think on his feet made him a top target for those looking to profit from the crew's downfall.
Lynara's Bounty: 250,000,000 Berries
Lynara's expertise in stealth, combined with her deadly efficiency in battle, had caught the attention of the World Government. Her bounty reflected her growing infamy, and bounty hunters were sure to be on her tail.
Taro's Bounty: 200,000,000 Berries
Taro's raw strength was no longer a secret, and his bounty had risen as a result. His ability to hold his ground against powerful enemies had made him a dangerous target for those who sought to claim the prize for himself.
The crew was no longer just a group of adventurers—they were pirates on the verge of becoming legends. But with their rising bounties came greater dangers. As they faced new threats, both known and unknown, the cost of their ambitions was beginning to weigh heavily on them.
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End of Chapter 35
In this chapter, the crew faces a new and even more powerful threat—a second guardian and a mysterious figure with the ability to control the earth. As they battle these new enemies, Franco's growing power is recognized, and the bounty on his crew rises accordingly. The crew now has more enemies than ever, and the stakes are higher than before.
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