Rudy smiled as the ship cut through the misty sea.
"Well," he said softly, "we'll see whether you can climb to the top."
The clouds parted.
Noctharis Isle rose before them like a dream pulled from the depths of the ocean. Black cliffs towered above the water, waterfalls poured into glowing blue coves, and silver mist drifted between ancient stone spires. Floating lanterns circled the harbor while enormous chains disappeared into the sea below.
Katsa stepped closer to the railing, her eyes reflecting the island's blue light.
"Wow… this place is beautiful. It looks like it came straight out of a fantasy novel."
Michael nodded quietly.
"I'd agree."
The sea breeze carried the scent of salt and rain. For a brief moment, even the Devil Horns forgot they were sailing toward a battlefield.
Michael sat alone near the stern, staring at the dark water. Memories of Olivia, the wedding ring, Uncle Sam's revelation, and the days of silence weighed heavily on him.
Mil walked over and sat beside him.
"Hey, Michael. What's going on?"
Michael sighed.
"I don't know. I keep thinking about everything that happened with me and Olivia… all that mess."
Mil leaned back against the railing.
"I understand. But at the end of the day, what matters is whether you still care."
Michael looked at him.
"I do."
"Then that means the story isn't over yet."
A small smile appeared on Michael's face.
"Thanks, Mil. I think I'm okay. Maybe I always was."
Junyu suddenly pointed toward the horizon.
"Hey! Look at that!"
Everyone turned.
More than a hundred ships surrounded Noctharis Isle. Warships, merchant vessels, royal cruisers, and floating fortresses crowded the harbor. Flags from countless nations snapped in the wind.
"This is bigger than I expected," Ikiro muttered.
Ton flexed his clawed fingers beneath his gloves and adjusted his sleeves.
"Good. I was getting bored."
Rudy floated toward the edge of the ship.
"Time to disembark. Welcome to the Black Meeting."
Junyu grinned.
"Finally."
He leapt from the ship and landed on the harbor stones with a heavy thud, dust rising around his boots.
"I'm excited for this."
The rest of the crew followed him onto the dock.
Across the harbor stood the Black Fang Order, their black banners whipping in the wind. At their center stood Volt Blackfang, towering and silent.
Volt glanced toward Junyu.
"Who are those people?" he asked his messenger.
The messenger bowed.
"The Dogs of the Black Meeting, my lord. The crew known as Devil Horns."
Junyu walked straight toward Volt.
The sky darkened.
A gigantic wave rose behind the harbor, casting a shadow over the island. People screamed and pointed upward.
Just before the wave crashed down, Volt turned his head slightly.
The ocean froze.
The wave stopped in midair.
With a single glance, Volt forced the sea backward.
Junyu's eyes widened.
"Whoa…"
Volt extended his hand.
"Lacod Junyu. A familiar name."
Junyu shook it firmly.
"Yeah. I defeated your sons. Are they here?"
Behind Volt, Kael and Orin Blackfang stared at Junyu with murderous eyes.
Junyu laughed.
"Still looking like two scaredy-cats."
Kael stepped forward angrily.
"Still the same weak kid."
Junyu smiled.
"Then hit me."
Kael lunged.
Junyu sidestepped effortlessly, grabbed him, and slammed him into the stone.
CRACK!
Kael screamed.
"MY BACK, YOU BASTARD!"
Junyu shrugged.
"Sorry. I forgot I got stronger."
Volt raised a hand calmly.
"That's enough."
His gaze rested on Junyu.
"We'll meet again someday, boy."
Junyu grinned.
"I'll be waiting."
Suddenly Michael stiffened.
His eyes turned pure emerald.
A familiar aura approached from behind.
"Hello, brother."
Michael spun around.
"THORNE!"
Thorne smiled.
"How are you, Michael?"
"Fine. You?"
"Still alive."
Volt called out,
"Thorne, over here."
Mil frowned as two overwhelming presences entered the harbor.
One aura was pure white.
The other was dark as night.
"Who are they?" he whispered.
Volt answered,
"Silas Vantor, leader of the Skyveil Order."
A tall man in white robes stepped forward, silver feathers drifting around him.
"And Raizen Dravik, leader of the Obsidian Crown."
A black-armored figure emerged from the shadows, his eyes glowing faintly.
Volt smirked at Junyu.
"The two crews you never infiltrated."
Junyu smiled back.
"Good. I was starting to run out of targets."
Before anyone could react, the air became impossibly heavy.
Every conversation stopped.
Cups shattered.
Flags dropped.
One by one, people fell to their knees.
Not from respect.
From power.
Junyu struggled to remain standing, his muscles trembling.
"W-WHO IS THIS?!"
Rudy immediately knelt.
All officials formed a perfect line along the harbor.
The sea itself seemed to bow.
A golden ship approached through the mist, surrounded by floating crowns of light.
A voice echoed across Noctharis Isle.
"Make way."
The harbor shook.
Rudy lowered his head.
"The King of Paraben… one of the Eleven Major Areas…"
Golden footsteps touched the dock.
A man in royal black-and-gold armor emerged from the light.
His presence felt like a mountain pressing upon the world.
"AUREX VALDREN."