Outside of Flood Dragon Manor a golden titan and an azure flood dragon stared at each other. The players watched with bated breaths, eager for a spectacle. But suddenly they noticed something.
"Hey, is the giant carrying something in his hand?"
"Is it a ship? Did it catch some unlucky sailors?"
"Watch me, I'm a giant! You angered me and now I will carry you along and force you to watch as I destroy your home!"
"But look, I don't think those are NPCs. They seem to be players."
While the players were discussing, the titan and the flood dragon communicated silently. For beings like them their voice alone could overwhelm some weaker creatures. Thus, they often developed ways to communicate through magic. Just knowing such a method was already a sign of a benevolent heart, proving that the strong being didn't want to harm innocent creatures. Thus, a conversation started this way more often than not was rather harmonious. However, this was not something the large crowd of players were privy to.
As the players were still waiting for a show, the titan finally moved his arm. However, the expected collision didn't occur. Instead, the flood dragon moved to the side and even signalled the disciples to give way.
With no one blocking his path the titan finally lowered his arm. Everyone got a better look at his outstretched palm. He was indeed holding a ship and a few players! And as the palm came closer and closer to the island, some sharp-sighted players were able to make out even more.
"Isn't this…"
"It's Hotpot!"
"Damn, Bleary Mirage, Fortune, what are they all doing there?"
"Did they get kidnapped by that giant?"
"No, it doesn't feel like it…"
Cyclone watched from high up as the crowd of players erupted into chaos. She was filled with a mix of emotions. As Zelgor brought them closer to the ground, she could hear people calling her name. She happily waved her hand while talking to her friends:
"Wow, I feel like a queen right now!"
"Ouh!"
Suddenly Cyclone flinched. She turned around and glared at Fortune who had just hit the back of her head. However, the gorgeous mage didn't apologize and instead reprimanded her friend:
"Don't get carried away!"
Honestly, this was not only warning for Cyclone but also the others, including herself. In the situation right now one's mindset could indeed change towards an unhealthy direction. Fortune had heard related stories more than once. She reminded herself not to take it for granted as she recorded everything for a future video. In fact, the entire journey being carried by Zelgor was a unique experience and Fortune didn't forget to record even a single moment of it.
"Hotpot! Hotpot!"
"Silver Blade! Look here! Please!"
"Ahh, Fortune smiled at me!"
"I wasn't a fan so far, but seeing them like this it's difficult to remain unimpressed…"
"Tsk. Show-offs. While others are busy questing they are putting on such a show. How is such a group worthy of admiration?"
The occasional discordant voice was drowned out by the fervent fans. Although some were disappointed that the flood dragon and the titan didn't start to fight, getting to see their stars from up close was at least the second-best outcome.
As the voices of hundreds of players rang through the air the titan's hand finally reached the ground. Liam and his friends looked ahead in a straight line and quickly found the people they were looking for. Not far away, Serena, Dark Hammer, Red Sparkle, and Riala stood with dumbfounded expressions, only separated from Liam's group by a row of manor disciples.
"Serena! What are you guys standing around for? Come on up!"
"Dark Hammer, Red Sparkle! Here!"
"Riala!"
Cyclone and Balm shouted and waved their hands, finally waking up the stupefied young girls. As soon as the latter comprehended the situation, their eyes lit up brightly. They cautiously approached the manor disciples. Seeing that those didn't move to stop them, Serena's group sped up. In a flash they arrived in front of the titan's palm.
Just the palm was so massive that it wasn't easy to climb up. But with some help from Liam and his friends they quickly succeeded. Watching all of this happening, some overeager friends also tried to rush up but they were stopped by the manor disciples, almost causing a fight to break out. Only when Zelgor lifted his palm did the players accept that they had no chance to join their stars.
"Wow…"
Serena and her friends watched the ground below them in amazement. After Liam's group found Zelgor and convinced him to join the upcoming war, the titan decided to return to the continent. For this purpose, he didn't fly, teleport, or anything else. Instead, he used his innate ability to enlarge his body. The giant titan easily dwarfed most mountains. He offered Liam's group to carry them home and the friends were naturally eager for the novel experience. Therefore, this situation ensued where they were carried in the titan's palm, overlooking the land from hundreds of meters in the sky.
At first the friends were still somewhat concerned. Could the titan easily cross the ocean? And what about the dangers in the Domain of the End? However, after Zelgor broke through the strange space maze with brute force as if there was nothing in his way, their worries greatly diminished.
And now Serena and her friends were also able to share this unique experience. They stared in awe at Flood Dragon Manor below and heroic feelings welled in their chest. Only Riala appeared somewhat afraid. She didn't dare to approach the edge, stating that she was too old for so much excitement. Of course, everyone quickly assured her that she wasn't that old yet.
While the group of twelve was joking around Zelgor finally continued on his way. With mighty strides he moved through the ocean. Each step sent tremors along the ocean floor and caused all the surroundings creatures to escape in terror. And this was already Zelgor being cautious. The mighty titan had impressive control over his strength. Otherwise, he would cause much more damage.
Liam and his friends watched in awe as the landscape flew past them. From a distance Zelgor's movements might seem slow but each step could bridge a vast distance. Additionally, he was supported by the game just like ships were, which allowed the group to cross the Western Ocean in record time. They rushed past various islands, which had all prepared defences against the tumultuous waves.
Soon, a massive island came into view. It was the core of the Xia Dynasty where Heavenly Pearl City was located. Liam and his friends could see the enormous crowd of players which was still growing. At this point the news that Hotpot were riding a titan had already spread. Knowing that there was no danger even more players arrived to join the fun.
Unfortunately, there was not much interaction between the two groups. Zelgor passed the island and with a few more steps soon disappeared behind the horizon. Only a faint golden light could be seen shining through the light fog which spread above the ocean.
After leaving Heavenly Pearl City behind there were only a few major forces which the friends observed from the distance. About three minutes later the main continent finally came into view. Zelgor arrived at a rather deserted area. Coincidentally it was the cliff where Liam and his friends recruited Zeuerch, the Arachne. Zelgor lowered his palm again and the friends understood even without him saying anything. They jumped off, ending the unique journey.
"Bye! Bye!"
Cyclone waved her hand as Zelgor turned around and walked away. He wouldn't come with the friends right away. It was enough for the titan to appear as trump card during the war.
There was already a giant distance between the friends and the large titan when Quickstep suddenly remembered something:
"Wait, what about our ship?!"
As if he heard her, Zelgor suddenly turned his palm around. A black dot fell down and crashed into the water. The friends could barely see it, but they could imagine the state of the ship after crashing into the water from such a height.
"No! Why? This ship was so good to us…"
Silent Acacia patted his girlfriend's shoulder. Quickstep put her hand against her forehead, giving a salute in farewell. Her friends were amused as they followed her example. Serena, Dark Hammer, and Red Sparkle needed a moment to understand what was going on before they also followed. However, their light giggles were rather detrimental to the atmosphere.
The adults tried to remain serious but after a while snorts escaped their mouths, and they stopped saluting. Even Quickstep couldn't help herself.
Afterwards Cyclone began to urge her friends. The ten million points needed for the event were almost completely collected. If the friends didn't hurry up, they might not receive any rewards for their quest. Thus, the two groups split up as Liam and his friends rushed to return to Lewriova.