The journey pressed on as Team E and their client travelled by boat toward the outlying islands of the Lightning Kingdom.
As they drew closer, the sky began to darken beneath a thick blanket of clouds. Rain fell steadily against the surface of the water, while distant thunder rumbled across the horizon.
The islands were surrounded by vast swamps and dense forests. Dark, murky water stretched between patches of land, with wooden bridges and narrow walkways connecting the scattered villages. Tall trees rose from the wetlands, their branches disappearing into the mist.
Every so often, a flash of lightning illuminated the clouds, followed moments later by a deafening crack of thunder.
Iroh: "Welcome to the Lightning Kingdom. It's not exactly as pretty as your sweet oasis, Camelot."
Sieg: "Wow, it's huge!"
Aturia: "It reeks of rotten fish"
Captain Baka: "Mr. Iroh, I want to ask you something before we arrive at the pier. Who are your assailants, and why are they after you? If you don't tell us everything, our mission ends the moment we hit land."
Iroh let out a sigh
Iroh: "Alright, I'll tell you. Just as you said, this may be beyond the scope of your mission. I'm targeted by a certain man—a shipping magnate named Mr Moss Head."
Captain Baka: "Mr Moss Head? One of the world's best business tycoons."
Iroh: "Yes. On the surface, he's the chief executive of a shipping company. But underneath he's corrupt. About a year ago, he came to the Lightning Kingdom and used his wealth and violence to seize control of the island's maritime transport.
"We pay him huge amounts of money just to receive a small amount of food because our supplies are so limited."
"The one thing Mr Moss fear is this bridge. If it's completed, people will have direct access to the mainland and won't need to rely on his ships for food. His economic reign over this island will come to an end."
Miki: "I see… Since you're building the bridge, you've become a hindrance to his selfish ambitions."
Captain Baka: "Well, after that explanation i guess we have no choice. Let's continue as bodyguards. The sooner we wrap this up, the better."
They landed at the kingdom's island port—an eerily quiet, desolate expanse of abandoned ships and empty docks.
As they walked through the streets, they noticed hungry civilians sitting along the roadside, their faces tired and worn.
The atmosphere was depressing, a stark contrast to the lively streets of Camelot.
They walked forward into the fog, dim streetlights flickering along wet, puddle-strewn stone roads. Thunder echoed sporadically in the distance.
The city felt like a ghost capital. Whenever the citizens spotted them, they quickly fled indoors and locked their doors, afraid of the foreigners.
Baka: "I won't lie—this kingdom gives me the creeps. Right, Miki?"
He suddenly patted her on the back.
Miki flinched. "Please don't scare me like that, Captain! I thought you were a ghost for a second!"
Baka mumbled, grinning, "Oh, sorry. Just having a little fun scaring you."
Sieg glanced at Aturia striding ahead without a care.
Sieg thought "I know what she's trying to do, she's going to show off and make me look like a fool." I'm not gonna let her outdo me
Sieg grinned inwardly.
A rustle in the alley caught his attention. Sieg created a small fireball in his hand and hurled it into the alley, triggering a small burst of flames.
Captain Baka: "What is it, Sieg? An enemy?"
Miki: "Umm... Why did you set a trash can on fire?" she glanced into the alley.
A small mouse came running out of the alley.
Sieg: "Oh, don't worry. It's just a mouse. My bad."
Boink!!!
Baka knocked him hard on the head.
Aturia: "Idiot."
Iroh: "Hey, brat—don't pull stupid stunts! You almost gave me a heart attack."
Sieg winced in pain.
Sieg: "Yeah, old man, whatever. I said I'm sorry, sheesh."
Miki: "Stop playing around, Sieg. We need to stay focused."
Aturia: "Miki's right, Sieg. When are you going to grow up and stop acting like a toddler?"
Sieg: "Who are you calling a toddler, you dweeb?!"
Aturia: "You doofus."
Sieg and Aturia locked eyes, bickering fiercely.
Meanwhile unseen in the shadows, a mysterious figure loomed above them watching cautiously.
He drew out his massive executioner blade and hurled it through the air aiming straight for Iroh.
Baka sensed it immediately and shouted, "Duck!"
The blade spun through the air before crashing into the floor.
The mysterious man revealed himself as he walked toward them. His most noticeable feature was the mask covering his nose.
He retrieved his sword and glared at them.
Baka: "Well, well… isn't it the infamous rogue knight of the Lightning Kingdom, Green Phoenix."
Sieg: "Rogue knight? What the hell does that mean?"
Aturia: "It means people who've gone against their kingdom, doofus. Seriously, what did you even learn at the academy?"
Captain Baka: "Get back, kids! He's on a different level from anyone you've faced before."
Baka firmly placed his hand on the hilt of his katana.
Baka: "Having him as an opponent means things just got tricky."
Green Phoenix: "I believe you're Baka a Magic knight in Camelot, it's an honor to see you in person I've heard so much about you..... well enough chit-chat. I ask that you hand over the old man.
Captain Baka: "And why do you want the old Man?"
Phoenix: "Mr Moss Head paid me to kill him, he promised me lots of money and power as a reward. Nothing grand really.
Miki: "I feel a very strange, eerie presence coming from him." She said nervously
Baka: "The three of you should just focus on protecting Iroh. Don't join the fight unless things get dire."
Baka slowly unsheathes his katana as the blade glimmered.
Aturia: "This is the first time we've seen him unsheathe his katana."
Sieg: "Come to think of it... We don't even know our captain's magic affinity?"
Miki: "I wonder what kind of magic he has?"
Green Phoenix smirked
Phoenix "Behaving cocky aren't you? Well pride comes before a fall."
He shifted his nose mask down slightly
Phoenix: "Mist magic Obscuring clouds."
He inhaled deeply before breathing out a thick mist that spread across the area, severely reducing the team's visibility.
Sieg: "Aww crap i can't see a thing."
Aturia: "Don't let your guard down."
She formed two ice daggers in her hands.
Baka: "Honestly, dying here wouldn't be so bad. It's pretty peaceful." (grins)
Aturia: "How can you still be joking at a time like this, Captain? This cloud fog is getting thicker!"
Baka "Well excuse me for trying to lighten the mood."
A shrill voice echoed from the mist
Phoenix: "Three spots heart, throat, lungs. Which one should I pick uhh... it's just so hard to decide."
Baka "Alright we're done playing your creepy game."
Suddenly, a dark aura coated his blade. The surrounding mist was sucked toward it, swirling violently as it was absorbed into the blade like a vacuum.
Miki "Where did he go?"
Baka: "Tch... He's concealing his magic energy presence so I won't find him."
Phoenix: "Correct."
Lightning flashed and thunder boomed from the storm as Phoenix suddenly appeared behind the kids and Iroh, raising his executioner's blade into the air.
Phoenix: "Bye Bye."
He swung his executioner's blade downward, but Baka reacted on instinct, blocking the blade with his katana. Steel clashed, sending sparks flying.
Phoenix's smile widens, eyes gleaming with sadistic amusement.
Phoenix: "Not bad, Baka… but don't think this is over. I'm just starting to have fun."
Baka: "You made a mistake underestimating me. I don't hesitate to kill my enemies."
Phoenix: "Heh… you really are amusing.