The sky turned slowly above the storm tower. Waves of air pressed down the atmosphere, making the air feel heavy. Clouds rolled like a giant, sleepless vortex, and from the center of that swirl, three figures descended slowly, stepping on the wind as if walking down invisible stairs.
No screams. No threats. Only a silence that, strangely, felt more menacing than a war cry.
The first figure glided down with the grace of a bird. Her hair was tied high, her slim body wrapped in a long coat fluttering like wings. Her face was hidden behind a bird-beak-shaped mask. She landed on the edge of the Grand Fortuna's deck, as light as if she weighed nothing.
Her name was Vanta Gale.
The second came down like a boulder falling from the sky. His body was tall and broad—around 3 meters—making Ravi, who stood at the back, look like a child. His bulging muscles looked like they were carved by giants, and his large hands gripped a chunk of metal shaped like a small cannon, heavy and solid. He stood firm, silent like a mountain waiting for a storm.
His name was Durak Ventus.
The last figure leapt down while spinning a glowing, round-headed weapon. Much smaller than the other two, his movements were like fleeting gusts of wind. He landed on a spare mast, then glided to the deck with ease. Every step created a small whirlwind around him.
His name was Sillo Spin.
The Freebone crew stared silently.
Air pressure rose as their breaths caught in their throats. It felt like the sea itself was watching, holding its breath for what was to come.
Bastien gripped the ship's railing, his jaw clenched.
"Who are they?" Juno whispered, eyes narrowing, trying to gauge the angles of attack from the wind's direction.
"Not your average crew," Mia answered, stepping forward. "Did you see how they came down? It's like they're one with the wind."
Arthur shrugged, eyeing the masked figure with a small grin. "Why are the cool enemies always into masks? Is it like a trend? Do they sell those in some secret store?"
Nara shook her head. "Maybe they're just ashamed of their faces after seeing your hair."
Arthur turned sharply. "What's wrong with natural curls?"
"Not the curls," Nara said with a satisfied smirk, "but the smell."
"Hey!" Arthur protested. "I washed my hair just last week!"
Juno covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Even Mia cracked a small smile. But Ravi remained silent, standing tall like a stone sentinel. He stared at the enemy without blinking, as if waiting for the right moment to move. His body was broad and firm, more like a fortress than an ordinary man. His arms were crossed, but the muscles were tense like coiled steel.
From the enemy's side, a sound like the whisper of night wind reached their ears.
"You are not part of this vortex," the masked figure said, voice calm and sharp like highland air. "The wind does not call to you."
Bastien stepped forward, his voice calm yet firm. "We didn't come to disturb anyone's territory. We're just passing through. But you're blocking our path."
The small figure with the vortex weapon chuckled, spinning lightly on his feet. "Passing through, you say. Yet you nearly sank one of our ships. The Storm Heralds don't see that as 'passing.' You are a distortion."
The large figure remained silent. But his broad shoulders shifted slightly, as if agreeing with his comrade's words.
Juno activated her wind pressure gauge. The needle shook violently, then bounced into the red zone.
"Bastien… the air pressure is spiking. This is… worse than before."
"Combat ready," Bastien said softly. "Defensive formation. Don't attack yet. We—"
Arthur stepped forward, patting Bastien's shoulder. "If they say we're a disturbance… maybe we should make sure we're a really annoying one."
Nara glared. "Arthur, SERIOUSLY. Not the time—"
But it was already in motion.
The small figure with the vortex weapon struck first. He jumped high, spinning his weapon like a miniature storm. Bastien raised his sword to block, but the wind pressure deflected his slash. A spare mast behind him collapsed under the vortex.
"He's fast…!" Mia hissed.
Mia fired a wind bullet at the masked figure. But when it exploded, the figure was gone. He appeared behind her, swinging a thin spear that shimmered faintly.
Mia blocked quickly, but her arm was cut. "He... split the air."
"Wind illusion!" she shouted, leaping back.
Meanwhile, the large figure and Ravi stared at each other. No words. Only a simple motion: Ravi stepped forward, and the giant followed.
Two fists the size of barrels collided mid-air.
A loud crack shattered the silence. The ship trembled, several floorboards cracked. But Ravi didn't back down. He fought head-on—no fancy techniques, just raw power and will.
Bastien dueled the whirlwind, trying to break the spin pattern of the enemy's weapon. Every clash sparked stinging bursts of air.
Juno and Nara stabilized the ship from the side pressure. Nara swung her sickle chain skyward to counter the wind's force, while Juno read the pressure patterns and adjusted the backup sails.
The masked figure finally stepped back, observing everything from behind his mask.
"You're more trained than we expected," he said.
"Thanks?" Nara replied, panting.
The small figure stopped spinning his weapon. "What a shame. If only you knew what you've trespassed on."
Bastien stepped forward. "If you're going to explain, now's the time."
Finally, the large one spoke. Deep. Heavy. Like an echo from the ocean floor.
"You have stepped on the line of fate. This territory... filters those worthy to proceed. And those who are cast out."
Bastien looked at each of his enemies, then gazed at the sky. The vortex of clouds continued to swirl, and the wind began blowing from all directions.
"Alright," he said, slowly drawing his sword. "If this is a filter… then we'll prove we don't belong in the trash."
The three enemy figures exchanged looks, then slowly retreated, vanishing into the wind. They would fight separately.
Bastien looked at his crew. "Get ready. This isn't just a battle. It's a test. And we will pass."