There is a discord for this fic. It has Live Updates about chapter progress and when they are completed, pictures for characters, lots of tidbits about the story, among other things. I'm also very active there and am likely to respond to any message sent there. Join at discord.gg/aWZ9qX9mAW
Glory to my chief Proofreader: Solare. For he is the one who points out mistakes and acts as my favourite wall to bounce ideas off of.
I know i said not to expect much till I finish my finals, but leaving y'all high and dry for a month seemed like a dick move…
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Cricket ran out of the Pub at full speed, swinging the front doors of the establishment open harshly against the wall in the process. As soon as he got out of the Pub, he immediately spotted Adam walking down the street at the end of the horizon and sprinted down the street towards him.
"Oi! Adam, wait!" He shouted, causing the Lunarian to slow down slightly and turn to look at him over his shoulder. Cricket noticed a satisfied smirk covering the white haired man's face, which made him feel a sense of understated dread.
Nonetheless, he continued onwards with determination; if Adam really had the lead he claimed he had, Cricket would never forgive himself for not trying his absolute hardest to get it. He would uncover the truth behind his ancestors' humiliation, even if he had to walk through the gates of hell itself to find it.
"So you finally got your shit together and gathered enough balls to come chasing your Dreams?" Adam questioned slyly, drawing an annoyed groan from Cricket.
"Ya really know how to make a guy feel special, don't ya?" Cricket replied sarcastically, only getting that same sly smirk in return which somehow felt even more smug than usual.
"Oh? Why do you say that, Mongrel?" The Lunarian said as he placed his hands into his coat and began leading him towards the harbour of Mock Town, they walked past several dozens of people, each of which looked between the two of them with a mixture of surprise, horror and confusion.
First, it was the recognition of who they were looking at, then the sheer terror of said realization, and finally, the utter confusion of why Adam was walking and speaking side by side with some random no-name pirate who barely registered on their radar. Conversations erupted all around as people whispered, pointed, and tried to make sense of the bizarre sight.
Nearby, a group of rough-looking pirates leaned against a stack of crates, their tankards of grog forgotten as they stared slack-jawed at the pair. One of them, a burly man with a scruffy beard and a missing tooth, spat on the ground and muttered, "Scurvy dogs, I'm not insane, be I? Be that there Adam D. Valentine?"
His friend, a lanky man with an eyepatch and a shirt stained with rum, squinted toward the two figures and responded, "You're right, matey! Why the hell is he walking with that guy? Doesn't he hate other humans? Also, why are you talking like that?"
"Talkin' like what?" The scruffy pirate shot back defensively.
"Nevermind." The lanky man replied with an irritated wave of his hand.
Nearby, a group of dockworkers paused mid-task, their crates and barrels momentarily abandoned as they gawked at Adam and Cricket.
"Back to your question." One of the pirates muttered to his friend, "I think that's Mont Blanc Cricket! Doesn't he have a bounty of 20 million berries?"
"Yeah," One of the dockworkers chimed in, scratching his head as he balanced a barrel precariously on one shoulder. "He's got his own crew too! But I saw them heading off to their ship without him just a few minutes ago. What gives?"
"Does this mean they're joining forces or something?" Another worker called out, his brow furrowing as he squatted on the edge of the dock, dangling his legs over the water. His fishing pole lay forgotten beside him as he scratched his head in confusion.
Across the bustling square, two merchants arguing over prices froze mid-shout, their faces slowly contorting in surprise as they turned toward the commotion. A sailor sharpening his cutlass on a whetstone near a stack of cargo paused, his blade catching the light as his jaw dropped open.
In the middle of all the speculation, the scruffy pirate raised his clenched fist dramatically and declared, "Who cares! All I care about be gettin' that there treasure. Let's 'ead aft to sea already!"
"Stop talking like that!" The lanky pirate snapped, his voice rising above the murmurs of the crowd.
"Talkin' like what?" The scruffy one retorted in confusion.
"DAMNIT!" The lanky pirate yelled, throwing his hands in the air and stomping away.
Adam and Cricket both shook their heads collectively in exasperation. Adam, in particular, couldn't tell if they were genuinely stupid or just putting on an act. He let out a quiet sigh of annoyance as the two continued onward, the crowds behind them gradually dissipating.
The two of them stood on the creaking wooden dock, the salty sea breeze brushing against their faces as the distant laughter and shouting of Mock Town's streets faded into the background. Cricket's eyes lingered on the ship carrying his former crew, its tattered sails catching the wind as it grew smaller on the horizon.
He noticed the rotund man, his longtime crewmate, standing at the edge of the ship, glancing back one last time. Their eyes met briefly, and for a moment, Cricket thought he saw hesitation – perhaps regret. But the man turned away, his shoulders slumping as he disappeared below deck.
'I told them to leave,' Cricket thought, tightening his arms across his chest. 'Still doesn't make it easier watching them go…' The heavy feeling settled deeper in his chest, but he forced himself to shove it aside. He turned back to Adam, his chestnut hair shifting slightly in the breeze, and squared his shoulders with renewed resolve.
"Well?" Cricket asked, his voice carrying a sharp edge as he crossed his arms. "What's this lead you have, Flameborne?"
Adam, leaning lazily against a nearby wooden post, reached into his satchel with practiced ease. The dull clink of metal accompanied his movements, and within moments, he pulled out his Log Pose. Holding it up with two fingers, he tilted it slightly so the glinting orb caught the sun.
"Well~..." Adam began, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, "it's not so much a lead as it is a hunch."
Cricket blinked at him, visibly unimpressed, before pinching the bridge of his nose with a sigh. "A hunch?" he repeated, his voice thick with skepticism.
"A hunch." Adam confirmed without an ounce of shame, the smirk on his face growing as he tilted his head ever so slightly.
Cricket groaned, lowering his hand and fixing Adam with an incredulous look. "Alright then." He said with resignation, waving a hand for Adam to continue, "I'll bite. What's this hunch?"
Adam's grin widened slightly as he gestured toward the Log Pose, the needle within spinning wildly for a brief moment before snapping back toward the sky. He turned it slightly, watching Cricket's expression as the realization began to sink in.
"It's pointing up." The Lunarian said simply, flicking the glass orb lightly with his finger for emphasis. "Which means, your so-called 'Land of Gold'? Might just be there."
"B-But… How?! How and why would it be there, of all places?!" Cricket asked, his voice rising with disbelief as he gestured wildly toward the Log Pose. "What could've sent an entire island into the damn sky?"
Adam rolled his eyes with a low chuckle, tucking the Log Pose back into his satchel. He leaned against the dock post again, his arms crossing casually. "You've seen how 'wondrous' this world of ours is, haven't you? Giant Sea Kings, Monkeys flying around while firing lasers, and other Mongrels thinking themselves Gods because they have slightly more money than the other Mongrels?
"Your.. Creative commentary aside, yeah." Cricket muttered, his brow furrowing as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Still doesn't mean I expect an island to just... Float off into the clouds!"
Adam raised a hand, palm up, as if presenting an invisible gift. "So tell me," He continued, his voice holding a hint of amusement, "Have you ever heard of a 'Knock-Up Stream'?"
Cricket's confusion deepened, his eyebrows lifting slightly. "A 'Knock-Up Stream'? Never heard of it, no. The hell is that?"
"I don't blame you." Adam admitted, brushing his fingers through his white hair. "I didn't know about it either until I saw one just yesterday. According to my… partner, they're massive underwater geysers. Imagine an explosion of seawater so powerful it blasts straight up into the sky. And I'm not talking a few feet – I mean thousands of meters, straight into the heavens."
Cricket's jaw slackened slightly as he processed the white haired man's words. "Wait, wait." He said, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're telling me there are giant water jets that shoot entire islands into the sky?"
"Exactly." Adam replied, his tone as nonchalant as if he were describing the weather. "When the conditions are just right, those streams can launch anything in their path – ships, islands, even debris from the ocean floor. It's rare, sure, but when it happens? It's catastrophic."
"That's… insane." Cricket muttered, staring down at the wooden planks of the dock as he tried to wrap his head around the concept. "How do they even work? What makes them happen?"
Adam smirked, glad to see he had piqued the man's interest. "From what I understand, it's all about pressure." He began, gesturing with his hands as if mimicking the movement of the ocean.
"Imagine a massive underwater cave – one big enough to build up an absurd amount of water and air pressure. Over time, the pressure becomes so extreme that it forces everything out in one violent eruption. When that happens, anything above it is launched straight up."
Cricket blinked, his mind racing as he absorbed the information. "And you're saying one of these things could've hit Jaya centuries ago? That it might've sent the 'Land of Gold' into the sky?"
"Exactly." Adam said with a nod. "If the timing lined up and a Knock-Up Stream hit the island just right, it's entirely possible. That would explain why the island suddenly 'disappeared' from the ocean. It wasn't destroyed – it was relocated."
The chestnut-haired man paced a few steps, his boots clunking against the dock. He stopped and stared at Adam, his expression a mixture of hope and skepticism. "Alright, fine. Let's say you're right about this. How the hell do you find something that high up? It's not like I've got wings like you."
Adam snorted, his crimson eyes glinting mischievously. "Lucky for you, you don't need wings. You just need to ride the next Knock-Up Stream."
"Ride it?!" Cricket's voice cracked, his eyes widening in alarm. "You're saying I should just let myself get shot into the sky like a damn cannonball?!"
"Pretty much." Adam replied, completely unfazed by the other man's panic. "If the island's really up there, then the stream will take you straight to it. Of course, you'd better have a damn sturdy ship. Otherwise, well... Let's just say you'll be seeing the ocean floor sooner than the sky."
Cricket groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You're out of your damn mind, Flameborne. That sounds like a death sentence."
"Maybe," Adam said with a shrug, his smirk never fading. "But then again, isn't chasing the impossible what makes you Mongrels what you are? Or are you going to let your ancestor's legacy stay buried forever?"
Cricket fell silent, his fists clenching at his sides. Adam's words struck a chord deep within him, reigniting the fire of determination he had felt when he first set out to uncover the truth. Finally, he let out a long sigh and met Adam's gaze.
"Alright," He said, his voice steady despite the anxiety simmering beneath. "If there's even a chance you're right about this, I'll do it. I'll ride the damn stream."
"Good." Adam replied, pushing off the dock post and stretching his wings slightly. "Then I suggest we start preparing. The next Knock-Up Stream could happen at any time, and when it does, we'll need to be ready to move."
"Wait." Cricket said, holding up a hand. "We? You're coming with me?"
Adam's smirk widened. "Of course." He said, his tone dripping with arrogance. "I wouldn't miss the chance to see this so-called 'Land of Gold' for myself. Besides, if there really is an island in the sky, it sounds like the perfect place to set up shop in the future."
"After all, what better spot for someone of my calibre to settle down, than the Heavens themselves?"
The man stared at him for a moment before chuckling dryly while shaking his head. "You're a special kind of lunatic, Flameborne… But I guess I can't do this alone. Alright then – let's get to it."
Adam watched as Cricket began walking away towards where assumed to be the shipwright district, he then thought back to the annoying gruel of waiting for a ship to reach their destination and suddenly got another idea.
"Wait." He called out, drawing the chestnut haired man's attention again. Cricket stopped and turned around with a weary sigh, somehow he could tell that Adam would soon say something very, very insane.
"I have a better idea." Adam said suddenly, his crimson eyes gleaming with mischief as a grin spread across his face.
Cricket immediately tensed, already regretting what was about to follow. "Oh god… What now?"
"Shut it, you're lucky I'm even offering this." Adam shot back, crossing his arms.
The chestnut-haired man pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply, as if bracing himself for inevitable chaos. "I know I'm gonna regret even asking, but… Hah… What is it, Flameborne?"
Adam's grin widened, his fiery aura flickering faintly behind him like a predator ready to pounce. "Simple. I'm just going to fly us both to the sky island. Should be far faster than finding a ship, waiting around, and then praying to whatever Gods you Monkeys believe in for a Knock-Up Stream. I'm intrigued by what we might find, but I don't care enough to waste that much time."
Cricket stared at him, his jaw slightly agape. "You… What? You want to fly there?"
"That's right," Adam replied smugly, giving his wings a slow, deliberate flap to emphasize his point. The chestnut-haired man blinked a few times at that, then groaned, running a hand through his spiked hair.
"I…" He hesitated, his skepticism battling against the glimmer of hope Adam's offer had sparked.
"Listen." Adam interrupted, leaning forward slightly with an impatient scowl. "Do you trust me or not?"
"Not in the slightest." Cricket said flatly.
"Well." Adam drawled, raising an eyebrow. "Do you at least trust me not to kill you?"
The man hesitated again, biting his lip before muttering reluctantly, "I… I guess, I do?"
"Good." Adam said, a manic smirk returning to his face. Without another word, he reached forward and grabbed Cricket tightly, hoisting him off the ground with ease.
"W-Wait-!" Cricket began, but before he could finish, Adam's wings flared wide, and with an explosive burst of fire and wind, they shot into the sky.
The sheer speed of the ascent forced the air from Cricket's lungs, and his wide eyes stared down in horror as Mock Town and the surrounding ocean shrank rapidly beneath them.
"AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"BE QUIET, MONGREL!" Adam shouted over the roaring wind, his voice carrying the same cocky edge as always. "YOU'RE DISTRACTING ME! YOU WOULDN'T WANT ME TO ACCIDENTALLY DROP YOU FROM ALL THE WAY UP HERE, WOULD YOU? YOUR FEEBLE MONKEY BIOLOGY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT!"
"I FUCKING HATE YOU!" Cricket screamed, his grip tightening around Adam's arm like a vice.
"KUHAHAHAHA! THAT'S THE SPIRIT, MONKEY!" Adam cackled, tilting his wings to adjust their trajectory as they soared higher and higher.
The air grew thinner and colder as they climbed, the wind whipping past their faces like knives. Below them, the once-massive sea now looked like a shimmering blue disk dotted with toy-like ships. Wisps of cloud began to gather around them, cool and damp against their skin as Adam's powerful wings propelled them through the sky.
Cricket gritted his teeth, his eyes squinting against the stinging wind. He dared a glance downward and immediately regretted it. The ocean was now nothing more than a distant speck, and the very idea of falling from such a height sent a shiver down his spine.
"Y-YOU'RE INSANE!" He yelled, his voice barely carrying over the howling wind.
"THANK YOU FOR NOTICING!" Adam shouted back, grinning wildly. "I PREFER TO THINK OF IT AS BEING FREE! KUHAHAHAHA!!"
As they ascended further, the clouds thickened into an endless expanse of white. Adam's flames began to grow brighter, their heat pushing back the chill of the upper atmosphere. The two of them sliced through the dense clouds, leaving behind a trail of evaporated mist in their wake.
The white abyss stretched on endlessly until, suddenly, they broke through the top of the cloud layer. Cricket gasped audibly at the sight before them.
An endless white sea stretched out like an ocean of cotton, glistening under the golden light of the sun. The horizon was painted in shades of pink and orange, and above them, a second layer of clouds towered like mountain ranges.
"What the… What is this?!" Cricket stammered, his voice filled with awe as he stared at the breathtaking sight.
"No clue. But whatever it is, I couldn't think of a better place for a 'Sky Island' to be." Adam replied smugly, though even he couldn't deny the beauty of the view. "We're almost there, Monkey. Try not to piss yourself in excitement, I don't want you to dirty my clothing."
Cricket glared at him but quickly turned his attention back to the surreal landscape. They flew over the White Sea for what felt like hours, Adam's wings carrying them effortlessly through the serene expanse.
Finally, a massive structure came into view on the horizon. It was a massive gate of white stone, carved with intricate patterns and symbols that glowed faintly in the sunlight.
A sign hung above the gate, written in bold letters: "HEAVEN'S GATE."
"We're here." Adam announced, his wings beating steadily as they approached the imposing structure.
Cricket stared at the gate in stunned silence, his mind racing with questions. He glanced at Adam, who wore his usual smug expression, as if this entire journey had been nothing more than a casual stroll.
"What now?" Cricket finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Now?" He repeated as his smirk widened as he slowed their flight, bringing them to a hover just before the gate with his Crimson eyes glinting with excitement. "Now we see what lies beyond the clouds, Chestnut."
"I'm sorry, Chestnut?" Cricket yelled, glaring at the back of Adam's head as they cut through the sky at breakneck speeds.
"Yes, Chestnut," Adam replied nonchalantly, as though it were the most natural thing in the world, although his tone carried the slightest hint of amusement.
"How would you like it if I called you… I dunno, White Mop or Wings?!" Cricket barked.
Adam clicked his tongue in irritation before casting a side-eye glance toward his unwilling passenger. "I'd drop you right now and let you discover firsthand whether or not swimming in this Sea of Clouds is possible. If you survive the fall, perhaps you can also confirm if there are any Sea Kings lurking up here."
Cricket stiffened in his grip. "...Point taken." He muttered begrudgingly, deciding not to push his luck further.
"I thought so." Adam said with a smug grin. "You should be grateful, Chestnut. I took time out of my valuable day to think up such a creative name for you. Not every Mongrel gets such a wonderful privilege."
"Oh, yeah, so creative." Cricket shot back, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "You just looked at my hair and called me Chestnut! That's not creativity, that's laziness!" He groaned, rubbing his temples as if he could physically ease the migraine Adam had become. "...What the hell have I gotten myself into?"
"You should be asking yourself that, Chestnut." Adam retorted coolly, his voice taking on an almost patronizing lilt.
Finally, Adam spotted the famed Heaven's Gate looming ahead, a structure that seemed to float on the soft surface of the White Sea. The moment Adam landed and set Cricket down, the older man collapsed onto the solid cloud ground with tears in his eyes.
"Oh, sweet, merciful ground!" Cricket cried, planting his lips on the fluffy white surface as though he had just been reunited with a long-lost lover. "I'll never take you for granted again!"
Adam grimaced at the sight, recoiling in visible disgust. "Have some dignity, you filthy Mongrel." he muttered with a scoff, stepping over Cricket as though he were a piece of trash in his path. His sharp crimson eyes scanned the surroundings until he noticed a figure approaching them.
The figure was a striking woman with flowing platinum blonde hair and elegant, feathered wings on her back – though they were small and clearly non-functional. She had a natural, ethereal beauty, with soft features and a warm smile that gave her the appearance of an angel. Her body was toned yet feminine, her curves accentuated by the fitted white robes she wore.
"Welcome to Skypiea, Home of the Gods!" She said, her voice smooth and melodious. "I am Amazon, your humble guide to the White Sea."
Cricket immediately stood to his feet, his face turning bright red at the sight of her. "Oh, wow… Uh… H-Hi there!" He stammered, clearly taken aback by her beauty.
Adam stared at him with a deadpan expression before elbowing him in the ribs. "You're embarrassing me by association, Chestnut." He muttered coldly, his disgust palpable.
Cricket doubled over from the force of the blow, coughing and clutching his side. Amazon, on the other hand, giggled softly, her golden eyes sparkling with amusement.
"You're quite the lively pair, aren't you?" She teased, her smile widening. Turning her gaze toward Adam, she added while covering his mouth slightly with her right hand. "I must say, I'm impressed. I've never seen someone reach this high up to the White Sea using only their wings."
Adam raised an eyebrow at her comment but said nothing, waiting for her to continue.
Amazon tilted her head slightly, her curiosity evident. "Though… I must admit, I've never seen anyone with Black wings before."
Cricket, having finally recovered from Adam's elbow, looked up at her with confusion. "Wait, what about your wings?" He asked, gesturing toward the feathery appendages on her back.
"Oh, these?" Amazon chuckled, giving her wings a slight flutter. "I'm a Skypiean. We're all born with wings, but they don't actually work. They're just… For show, I suppose."
Adam immediately burst into laughter, his mocking voice echoing through the air. "For show? You mean to tell me your entire race has wings but can't even fly? That's beyond pathetic – What's the point of having them if they're completely useless?"
Amazon's mouth opened slightly as if to retort, but no words came out. She simply stood there, blinking in stunned silence at Adam's blunt ridicule.
Cricket groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Oh, for cryin' out loud…"
After a moment, Amazon finally spoke, her voice soft and almost sheepish. "I… I suppose you have a point. I've never thought of it that way."
Adam smirked, clearly satisfied with her agreement. "Half-breeds." He muttered under his breath before his expression hardened again. "Speaking of your kind, you mentioned 'Gods'. What's the deal with that?"
"Oh, right!" Amazon perked up, her demeanor returning to its earlier cheerfulness. "Our current God is Kami Ganfall. He's the ruler of Skypiea and oversees-"
Adam didn't even wait for her to finish. His expression twisted into one of disdain, and he immediately began walking past her. "I've heard enough." He growled, grabbing Cricket by the arm and dragging him along.
"Hey! Wait a second!" Amazon called out, her voice tinged with alarm. "You can't just leave without paying the entrance fee! If you don't, you'll be labeled an intruder!"
Adam stopped in his tracks and slowly turned to face her, his crimson eyes narrowing into an irritated glare. Without a word, a wave of his Conqueror's Haki exploded outward, its invisible force crashing into Amazon like a tidal wave. Her body tensed for a brief moment before she collapsed unconscious onto the clouds.
Cricket stared at her fallen form, his mouth agape. "...Did you really have to do that?" he asked, exasperated.
Adam shrugged, turning back toward the path ahead. "She was annoying me." He said simply, continuing forward without a second thought.
With no other choice, Cricket sighed and followed after him, muttering under his breath about his own questionable life choices.
Eventually, the two came across a tunnel of clouds with a sign above it reading 'The Milky Road.' Adam stopped and stared at it for a moment, his lips curling into a mischievous grin.
Cricket noticed the look and immediately took a step back. "Oh, no, no, no! Flameborne, you better not-"
Before he could finish, Adam grabbed him by the collar and launched them both into the tunnel at top speed. The sheer velocity sent Cricket into a spiral of nausea, his face turning green as Adam swerved and twisted through the winding path.
"YOU'RE GONNA KILL US BOTH!" Cricket screamed, his voice echoing off the walls of the cloud tunnel.
"IF YOU DIE, IT'S YOUR FAULT FOR BEING SO WEAK!" Adam shot back, his grin widening.
As they neared the end of the Milky Road, Adam spotted a sign in the distance that read 'Godland, Skypiea.' His expression darkened at the implication that someone else dared to call themselves a God.
"Oh, we'll see about that," he muttered under his breath, flapping his wings harder and pushing their speed to the limit.
Bursting from the tunnel, Adam and Cricket were greeted by an otherworldly sight. A sprawling island of soft, glowing clouds stretched out before them, dotted with patches of greenery and elegant golden structures. Towering domes and spires shimmered in the sunlight, their intricate designs giving the place an almost divine aura.
At the island's center stood a grand temple atop a hill of clouds, its gilded peaks gleaming like a beacon. Massive vines twisted skyward, while waterfalls poured from the clouds into unseen depths below.
Cricket, still dangling from Adam's grasp, could barely process the sight as his nausea took hold. "I… Hate… You…" he groaned weakly at the end of a long sigh.
"And yet, you must cling onto my Greatness to have even an inkling of a chance to achieve your Dreams. Isn't that hilarious?" Adam replied, his smug tone dripping with mockery as he soared higher.
"...Just shut up, man. Fuckin' prick…"
Adam finally descended, landing on the soft clouds that formed the island. As soon as they touched down, he dropped Cricket unceremoniously, watching with mild amusement as the man crumpled to the ground and immediately began vomiting. Cricket dry-heaved for a good minute before slumping over, utterly spent.
"You're pathetic." Adam said, rolling his eyes as he walked past him, his hands tucked into the pockets of his long coat. "Weaklings like you should stay on the ground where you belong."
Cricket groaned and forced himself upright, wiping his mouth. "Not all of us can be nigh-invincible pirates who can fight entire Marine bases alone and walk off the fight after a couple of days of rest!" he shot back, staggering after him.
Adam let out a booming laugh. "Kuhahaha! You're right about that much." He said without looking back.
Cricket sighed heavily, shaking his head as he trailed behind. "Why am I even following you?"
"Because you need me, you ingrate."
"Right…"
The two walked along the pristine, cloud-covered beach until Adam spotted a cluster of buildings in the distance. Without waiting for Cricket, he set off toward them, forcing the chestnut-haired man to jog to catch up.
The closer they got, the stranger the area seemed. The streets were oddly silent, lined with colorful but abandoned buildings, their signs swinging gently in the breeze. A worn signpost labeled the area Lovely Street, though there wasn't a single soul in sight.
"Tch." Adam scoffed, his fiery gaze fixed on the massive palace in the distance. "Godland? Who the hell decided to give this cesspool such a lofty name? Calling this place 'Godland' is as ridiculous as a Mongrel calling themselves royalty."
Cricket gave him a sideways glance and shook his head. "Y'know, for someone who just flew into a literal paradise, you sure find a way to be pissed off about it."
"I'm not pissed, Chestnut. I'm insulted." Adam corrected, sneering at the empty street as if its very existence offended him.
Cricket sighed again, hands on his hips as he scanned the eerily quiet surroundings. "Anyways, where the hell is everyone? You'd think we'd see at least one person here."
Adam nodded silently, his expression growing sharper as he closed his eyes and activated his Observation Haki. Without a word, he turned and began walking in another direction.
"Where are you going?" Cricket called after him, but Adam didn't respond. The man just sighed in exasperation and followed, grumbling to himself about the lunatic he'd partnered up with.
After a few minutes, they came across an old man walking leisurely down the street, carrying a sack of rice over one shoulder. He spotted them and gave a wide, cheerful wave and called out to them with a warm voice. "Oh, heso! You're Blue Sea outsiders, correct?"
Adam and Cricket exchanged confused glances before realization dawned. "Uh… Yeah." Cricket replied. "We came from down below. You guessed that just from looking at us?"
"That's right! Especially you." He said with a nod, gesturing to Adam. "Those black wings of yours are a dead giveaway, never seen anyone with those before. And you Chestnut haired man, I've never seen anyone with the same ridiculous hair, and I'd recognise any of my own people."
Adam snickered snidely at the old man's indirect insult on Cricket. The Chestnut haired man himself just gritted his teeth and ignored him, turning to the old man and asking. "Thanks for your insightful comments, but anyways; where is everyone? This place is empty."
The old man's smile faltered, replaced by a grim expression. "Ah… Yes, I apologize for the lack of hospitality." He said, his voice growing heavy. "Unfortunately, we're currently at war."
Cricket blinked in surprise. "At war? With who?! You're in the sky! Who could possibly attack you this high up?"
The old man's jaw tightened as his grip on the sack of rice shifted. "Those damn Shandorians." He muttered bitterly. "They're trying to steal our Holy Land, Upper Yard, once again!"
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Author's Note:
Bit of a yap fest, my apologies. Some action starts again in the next chapter.
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