When the blinding light faded, the group found themselves standing at the edge of a floating platform.
Beneath them was nothing but clouds.
Above them, in the vast sky, enormous islands drifted—some chained together with ancient vines, others glowing with mysterious runes. Strange flying beasts with crystal wings passed overhead, letting out ethereal cries.
"Are we… in another world?" Rel whispered.
No one answered. Even the loudest among them had fallen silent, overwhelmed by the breathtaking view.
The key in Neen's hand disintegrated into golden light and vanished.
Suddenly, a staircase of wind and light appeared before them, leading upward toward the largest of the sky islands.
"Is this the way?" Hana asked, her voice barely audible.
"Only one way to find out," Neen replied.
They began to ascend—each step hovering in the air, forming just in time beneath their feet.
As they reached the island's surface, they were greeted by a surreal world: glowing plants, floating stones, and winds that sang soft melodies.
The air felt different—thin but energizing, as if filled with ancient magic.
"Guys…" Neen said slowly. "I think we've crossed into a place that no one has stepped into for hundreds of years."
Suddenly, a stone giant emerged from the mist ahead.
It was enormous, shaped like a swan, yet entirely sculpted from white marble, with eyes that glowed blue.
The group froze.
"I think it's guarding something," Shion said.
"Or testing us," Neen added.
The giant raised its hand and pounded its chest once—BOOM—then pointed behind them, and then at itself.
They understood. It was giving them a choice.
"We either fight… or find a way around," Hana interpreted.
"Or solve its puzzle," Shion suggested. "I've read about guardians like these. Not all are violent."
The stone swan slowly stepped aside, revealing two ancient paths:
One led to a broken coliseum filled with glowing runes.
The other led deep into a forest of floating trees, where whispers echoed unnaturally.
The group looked at one another.
"Whichever path we choose… it starts now," said Neen.
And with that, they stepped forward, into the unknown.