The wind grew still.
Even Aira—the colossal Kunpeng whose wings could stir storms—hovered motionless in the air, its vast feathers trembling as if hesitant to go any closer.
Everyone stood in silence upon its back, gazing ahead into a wall of nothingness.
At first glance, there was only the forest—an endless sea of emerald crowns swaying under sunlight. But the longer they stared, the more they realized something was wrong. The air itself shimmered strangely, light bending and rippling as if a veil covered the entire land.
An invisible wall—so subtle it seemed part of the sky—spread endlessly across the horizon.
The faint hum that came from it wasn't sound, but vibration, like mana itself was being compressed to the limit.
Then a calm voice broke the silence.
"Let me handle it."
Luca turned, recognizing the tone instantly.
