"We need to move. Now."
Sunny's voice cut through the rising wind as he turned to Nephis, his face paler than usual and panic creeping into his expression.
"No shit, Sherlock," Miguel muttered, already grabbing Cassie. With a quick leap, he landed on top of the carapace Echo and secured her with the golden rope so she wouldn't fall. A small squeak escaped her lips as he tied the last knot.
Cassie looked around, disoriented and confused. Her grip tightened on the makeshift reins as she turned to Nephis.
"Neph? What's going on?"
Changing Star glanced at her, her voice grim when she finally answered.
"A storm is approaching."
Meanwhile, Sunny had sent his shadow to climb one of the coral pillars. From that vantage point, he tried to estimate how far the cliffs were. The bad news? They were still a long way off.
Sunny turned back, his face tense. "We're about three or four kilometers from the cliffs. Do you think we can make it?"
Nephis frowned, studying the horizon. "If we take the most direct route... maybe."
Sunny hesitated, then asked, "And the monsters?"
She gritted her teeth. "We'll have to cut through."
Just as Sunny tried to think of a clever workaround, Nephis gave him a sharp look.
"What are you waiting for? Run!"
Miguel stretched his arms and cracked his neck. "No need to tell me twice."
Then, the race began.
As they darted forward, heavy raindrops started falling. Wind howled through the coral maze, tearing bits of seaweed and mud from the ground. The sunlight vanished, replaced by a dim, cold twilight.
Sunny led the group, his shadow scouting ahead while he ran like his life depended on it—because it did.
Nephis kept pace behind him, blade in hand, her white armor stained and soaked. Miguel ran beside the carapace Echo, keeping an eye on Cassie. The creature stomped through the thickening mud with all eight legs, carrying her swiftly but steadily.
Side paths flashed past in a blur. There was no time to think or plan—they had to go all in. If they were late by even a minute, they'd drown.
But the storm was faster.
Rain turned to a violent downpour. Wind slammed against their bodies with enough force to knock them off-balance. Visibility dropped to nearly nothing.
A bolt of lightning sliced the sky, followed by a deafening crack of thunder. The ground trembled beneath Sunny's feet—he slipped in the mud and fell hard. Trying to stand, he stumbled again, but an arm reached out and hauled him upright.
In the chaos, he saw Nephis's face, rain streaming down her cheeks.
"Don't stop! Run!"
Her voice barely carried over the roaring wind and crashing rain.
Sunny pushed forward, gritting his teeth as dark, salty water surged up to his shins... then his knees... then his waist.
The sea was coming back.
No one said it, but they all knew: they were running out of time.
Then, through a flash of lightning, they saw it—a mass of dark stone ahead.
The cliffs.
Miguel, still calm despite the chaos, glanced at the others. He grabbed Cassie by the waist, touched Sunny's arm, and bumped Nephis's face with the scabbard of Yamato—clenched awkwardly in his teeth.
He muttered, "Hold on."
The four of them shimmered like smoke—and vanished.
They reappeared at the top of the cliffs.
Miguel staggered, his breathing ragged. His muscles felt like they'd been torn apart, and even his soul felt drained.
Sunny dropped to his knees, dizzy and overwhelmed. Nephis stood steady, her usual stoicism untouched. Cassie was still wrapped in Miguel's arms, wide-eyed and pale.
Sunny looked up at Miguel in disbelief. "How... how did you do that?"
Miguel chuckled, though he sounded exhausted. "Let's just say it was a gamble. I've never tested teleporting others before. Figured if you stayed close enough, we'd all move together. Looks like it worked."
Nephis exhaled slowly. "Since you saved us, I'll let it slide. But don't gamble with our lives again."
Miguel nodded. "Fair."
Cassie shifted a bit. "Um... you can put me down now."
"Oh, right." Miguel gently lowered her to the ground.
Then he gave them all a tired grin. "If you don't mind..."
He took two steps, his knees felt weak and he fall unconscious.