Above the clouds casting shadows over a speeding Ascendant ship slicing through the sky. Inside the ship was, Kenji and Olorun.
Olorun stood behind him, arms crossed, his brows furrowed in doubt.
"Kenji... do you even know how to drive this thing?"
Kenji didn't even flinch. "Of course not."
Olorun blinked. "Wait, what—?"
Kenji added coolly, "But I'm not stupid enough not to figure it out."
"...Huh? That sounds like the exact same thing." Olorun scratched the back of his head. "So you do or you don't know how to fly this thing?"
Kenji's tone stayed deadpan. "I don't. But I also do."
Olorun stared at him, baffled. "Bro, what does that even mean?"
Kenji didn't answer. Instead, he gestured out the front window. "See? The BOOM-GO ship, it was heading straight right."
Olorun nodded. "Right."
Kenji smirked faintly. "And this ship? Was headed in the same direction. That means—"
"We're heading the right way," Olorun finished.
"Exactly."
For a moment, they sat in silence. The engine hummed, the clouds stretched endlessly, and the wind whispered against the glass. Then—
VROOOM.
A blur flew past the ship—fast enough to make the metal shake.
Olorun's eyes widened. "What the—?!"
He dashed over to the rail, peering down at the side of the ship just as a small, fast-moving figure darted past. His jaw dropped. "KENJI!"
Kenji glanced over, still focused on the controls. "What?"
"Did you see that?!"
"See what?"
Olorun turned, nearly tripping over himself. "It was Eleo—or at least looked like him! But his left ear was missing, and there was an X over his right eye, and his whole aura was... it was dark, like—like shadow wrapped around him."
Kenji frowned, skeptical. "Right. Because that sounds completely normal."
"I'm serious! Why the hell would I make that up?!"
Kenji shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe you're bored. Maybe you're trying to prank me. Or maybe you just want to one-up me."
Olorun put a hand to his chest in mock offense. "Well—duh. Normally I would. But not right now!"
Kenji didn't break his blank stare. "Uh-huh. Sure."
"Watch! Once we get to Kimyōna Island, you'll see I'm right!" Olorun huffed.
Then—BOOOOOM.
A massive explosion lit up the sky ahead. The entire ship shook violently. Warning sirens blared.
Kenji immediately grabbed the controls tighter. "What the hell was that?!"
Olorun ran to the edge again, squinting through the smoke. "All I see is clouds—WAIT! Kenji! Lower the ship! Now!"
Kenji didn't hesitate. He yanked the lever and the ship dove through the clouds like a hawk. Wind screamed past the hull as they descended fast, the metal groaning under pressure.
And then—there it was.
The island.
Olorun's eyes lit up. "I see it…"
Kenji's fingers stayed locked on the controls. "You see the island?"
Olorun shook his head slowly, face full of awe. "I see it."
Kenji whipped his head toward him. "SEE WHAT?"
Olorun's voice went dramatic, like he was narrating a sacred prophecy. "Oh my God... it's... it's so beautiful…"
Kenji leaned closer, tense. "WHAT IS IT, OLORUN?!"
Olorun pointed straight ahead with sparkly eyes. "It's just… our ship. I'm just appreciating it."
Kenji slammed his forehead into the control panel with a loud CLUNK.
"WHY do I even talk to you?!"
Olorun laughed like a kid who just got away with licking all the icing off the cake. "Because you love me."
Kenji muttered under his breath. "I'm gonna toss you off this ship one day."
"Sure sure. But not today, buddy. We've got a mystery island to crash into."
The two flew forward—toward Kimyōna Island, and toward something far stranger than either of them expected.
The wind swept across the beach as the Ascendant ship touched down, steam hissing from its hull.
Olorun didn't wait—he leapt off the side before the ship fully landed, boots skidding against the frost-laced wood of the BOOM-GO. His eyes narrowed instantly.
There—standing tall and snarling—four vampires.
One licked his lips slowly, baring long, blackened fangs.
Olorun cracked his knuckles and stepped forward, smirking. "What the hell are you bloodsuckers doing on our ship?"
The vampire in front took a step closer, hissing, "We sensed power here. And blood. So much blood…"
Before they could pounce, Kenji dropped down beside Olorun like a silent shadow. His twin swords were already drawn. He gave a rare, toothy grin. "Man... I've always wanted to slice open a vampire."
Without another word, two vampires lunged at Kenji while the other two darted toward Olorun with a feral screech.
Kenji crossed his two blades, their metallic edges ringing. "Ken-X!"
A crackle of aura pulsed through the air. Kenji blurred forward with a sonic boom, becoming a flash of motion. His swords arced through the air in an X-shape across one vampire's chest—both blades cutting diagonally as he spun. The force of the strike slammed the vampire into the deck, blood spraying across the boards. The second one didn't even react fast enough before Kenji whipped around and sliced through its torso with a clean strike, flipping his blade mid-swing.
Olorun ducked under a claw swipe, slid backward on one foot, then yelled, "Lightning Spear!"
With a snap of his wrist, a bolt of blue lightning surged from his palm. It struck both vampires dead-on, electrocuting them in a burst of sparks and agony. Their bodies spasmed violently before crumpling in smoke, twitching.
Kenji exhaled and wiped blood from his blade with a cloth. "That was... disappointingly easy."
Olorun laughed, tossing the smoking vampire off the side with his foot. "Man, I thought vampires were supposed to be scary."
They headed below deck, footsteps echoing as they moved through the steel-lined hallway. The scent of tea wafted through the air—oddly calming.
Kenji opened the cabin door.
Inside, Amai sat with perfect posture, sipping her tea from a porcelain cup. Across from her, Kawai sat cross-legged with a tiny cup in his oversized paws, looking content.
"Meep," Kawai squeaked softly.
Amai looked up, mildly surprised. "Oh, you two are still alive."
Olorun cocked a brow. "You say that like you wished we weren't."
She smiled behind her cup. "Of course not."
Kenji, already annoyed, asked bluntly, "Did Eleo and the others leave the ship?"
Amai nodded, setting her cup down. "Yes. They went to explore the island not long ago. They were... excited."
Kenji sighed. "Figures."
Olorun waved lazily. "Alright, Amai. Try not to die or something."
She tilted her head. "Don't worry. I won't. You two take care."
They stepped out and hopped back onto the snowy shore, cold air biting at their cheeks.
Olorun glanced back at the BOOM-GO's wing, his expression falling. "Oh... yikes."
Kenji looked over and groaned. "Damn it. The wing's busted."
Olorun shrugged. "Don't worry. All we need is some duct tape, a little spit, and—bam! Good as new."
Kenji looked at him like he was observing a rare species of idiot. "Are you stupid or just naturally gifted in dumbassery?"
"I'm neither, asshole," Olorun said proudly, puffing out his chest. "I'm just resourceful."
Kenji muttered, "Remind me to punch you when this is over."
He looked at the landscape in front of them—an endless forest. some Crystals poked through the frost like jagged ice flowers, and twisted trees shimmered with a mysterious glow.
"This island is... hella huge," Kenji muttered.
Olorun gave a low whistle. "Yeah... and spooky."
He looked over. "So, you leading the way?"
Kenji blinked. "Why the hell do I have to lead?"
Olorun shrugged casually. "Because you're smaller than me. And you got swords. Also, I don't want to."
Kenji groaned and rubbed his temples. "Fine. But if we get attacked by some damn ice demons or snow leopards with wings, it's your fault."
"Deal."
Together, they stepped into the forest—Olorun trailing slightly behind, humming a song to himself while Kenji remained alert, hand hovering near his blade.