As soon as the trio—Shanthi, Kalev, and Allana—began their journey to Birka, Kalev, who was being carried by the other two, looked in Shanthi's direction.
Kalev:"Hey, Shanthi! Could you tell us a bit about what we're going to find in Birka?"
Hearing Kalev's question, Shanthi slowed his flight speed slightly and created a wind platform so they could converse face-to-face
Shanthi:"Hmm... well... how should I put this... Birka is an island where religion is deeply embedded in its essence. So... Kalev... please keep yourself in check, okay?"
Kalev turned his head slightly. Even with his stoic expression, it was clear he was confused.
Kalev:"What do you mean by that, Shanthi?"
Allana:"Kalev... how do we tell you..."
Shanthi:"Let's just say... you..."
Shanthi/Allana:"...have a serious problem dealing with other people's religions."
Kalev's stoic expression cracked slightly, replaced by genuine curiosity.
Kalev:"Wait... you think I have a problem with pagan religions?"
Allana:"Don't you? I've seen you arguing with Dami about religions... and I have to say... you seemed a little... hmm... affected, let's say."
As Kalev remembered that unfortunate argument, he blushed with embarrassment and turned his face away from the two.
Kalev:"Please... that was just a slip-up..."
Shanthi:"Slip-up or not... it's better it doesn't happen when we arrive... ok?"
Even while blushing, Kalev tried his best to look serious.
Kalev:"As long as your people don't speak nonsense..."
Allana:"What was that... anyway, Shanthi, tell us a bit more about Birka."
Shanthi:"Sure thing, All. Well... I think this might be interesting for you two to know, especially you, All."
Shanthi extended his wings as far as he could, stretching them to a length of 1.75 meters.
Shanthi:"In Birka, the larger your wings, the more respected you are. This is due to the belief that the larger the wings, the greater Fujin's blessing you possess."
Allana:"Wow... with the size of your wings... you were like, super blessed?"
As she spoke, Allana's eyes sparkled. She extended her own wings as far as she could, reaching about one meter in length.
Shanthi:"To be honest? I'd say when I left... I was at most... sixth or seventh place for the largest wings."
Allana:"Seriously? Wow... and me?"
Shanthi:"Well... it depends, actually. If we only consider this form of yours... given your age... I think you could be considered above average blessed, maybe tenth place."
Allana:"Seriously? Well... it could be better... but tenth place is pretty good!"
After this small interaction, Kalev remained thoughtful for a while before speaking to Shanthi again.
Kalev:"I don't think I've ever asked... but why did you leave Birka? I'm sure that being one of the most 'blessed' people in the region, you would have been chosen to be a... what? A Monk?"
Shanthi:"You're talking about the Priests... and yes, you are right, Kalev... I was called for Priest training, but I refused for personal reasons... let's say it was between a friend of mine going or me... and I wanted him to go."
Kalev:"I see..."
After this revelation, Shanthi and Allana grabbed Kalev again, returning him to his previous position, and resumed maximum speed to reach Birka.
As soon as the trio arrived in a region southeast of an island called Jaya, they ascended until they were hovering just below 7,000 meters above sea level.
Shanthi:"Hmm... I think it's around here... All, come here and don't stray from my side. I don't know how the White Sea affects Devil Fruit users."
As Allana approached Shanthi, he began flapping his wings faster than normal. Sweat started to drip from his forehead, and his breathing became slightly labored. But with all this effort, the air around the three began to spin, forming a kind of air funnel. When it touched the White Sea, it caused the clouds around them to begin spiraling.
After a while, the air funnel finally opened a path, and the trio shot into the White Sea. Since it was much less dense than seawater, the air funnel was strong enough to carve a clear path for everyone to pass through easily. Revealed on the other side was a completely white sea. Shanthi led them to a cloud denser than the others, resembling a trampoline due to its elasticity. Upon reaching this cloud island, the three sat down to rest.
Shanthi:"Ah... that was more tiring than usual... well, at least we managed to pass through easily..."
Allana:"That was so cool! Is it like this inside a breaking wave?"
Shanthi:"I don't know, All. I was never much of a fan of swimming in the Blue Sea. What do you think, Kalev?"
With the question thrown into the air, Kalev's gaze seemed to lose focus for a moment, as if he were remembering something... but as quickly as it happened, he returned to normal.
Kalev:"Well... from my experience... I can say it's not as cool as it seems, Allana. Especially if it's during a storm."
Allana:"I'm sorry if that brought up some bad memories, Kalev. It wasn't my intention..."
Kalev:"It's nothing... just an old memory. Shall we get going?"
Having rested enough, Shanthi stood up and stretched.
Shanthi:"Let's go. I just needed to rest a little bit. But we're almost there, we just need to find a Heaven's Gate now."
Then Allana and Shanthi resumed carrying Kalev.
Kalev:"Heaven's Gate?"
Allana:"Seriously, Kalev? You're starting already?"
Kalev:"What are you talking about? I just asked a question."
Allana:"Ah."
Shanthi:"Well... to answer you, the Heaven's Gate is just a form of toll, and besides, it's one of the easy and safe ways to pass through the White-White Sea."
Kalev:"Interesting."
Allana:"Wait... why don't we do the same thing as before?"
Shanthi:"Because it's against the law and also a bit dangerous. If we do it at the wrong time, we might end up hurting someone up there."
Allana:"Got it... then let's go find this Heaven's Gate!"
As they stepped onto the deck of the gate, a beautiful woman around 32 years old and 1.50m tall, with long light green hair that almost looked white, gray eyes, and wearing a simple white dress, approached the trio with a camera in hand. This contrasted with her small dark wings that barely passed her waist (which didn't seem naturally small). Behind her was the "Lobster Express". A path of Clouds forming a spiral that rose at least as far as the eye could see.
???: "Halt—"
She was prepared to take a photo of the intruders, but as soon as she recognized Shanthi, her expression lit up. She lowered the camera and then gave him a hug.
???:"My Gods! I thought I would never see you again, Shanthi!"
Shanthi:"Please, Dame... I said I'd come visit every now and then. But—"
Hearing this, Dame hardened her expression, and a vein appeared on her forehead.
Dame:"Yes, you said that... three years ago!"
While shouting this, Dame changed the way she was hugging Shanthi and then... with a quick movement, she performed a German Suplex that buried Shanthi's face into the cloud island floor.
Dame:"Three years!! You haven't come to visit the damn woman who raised you in three years!! I took you off the streets and this is what I get?!"
Pulling his head out of the cloud island, Shanthi wiped his bleeding nose and then knelt before Dame.
Shanthi:"Sorry... I know I did wrong... but work in the Marines barely gives me time off to come here... but I prom—"
Hearing the sincerity in Shanthi's voice, Dame cut him off mid-sentence, crouched beside him, and ruffled his hair.
Dame:"I know, Shanthi... but see if you can resolve that soon, it gets a bit lonely when you and that problematic one aren't here with me. But putting that aside..."
She stood up and turned to Allana and Kalev.
Dame:"Who are your little friends?"
Standing up, Shanthi positioned himself between the three and raised his hand, pointing to Allana and Kalev.
Shanthi:"These two are my friends from the Marines. Now... Dame—"
Before he could start asking his questions, Allana cut him off mid-sentence.
Allana:"You can call me Allana! And this annoying one here is..."
Kalev:"Kalev. It's a pleasure, ma'am."
Giving a small smile, Dame turned back to Shanthi.
Dame:"What interesting people you've brought, Shanthi. A grumpy human and a... one of ours? I didn't know there were Birkans in the Blue Sea."
Shanthi:"Well... she isn't Birkan, but that's not important right now... Dame! Where is Enel?!"
Dame's smile and friendly expression vanished, replaced by one of slight irritation. And Allana's usual happy expression also cracked into one of fear.
Allana:'Enel... he... is here?'
Dame:"So that's why you came back? I should have known..."
Shanthi:"Do you know where he is? It's important... he sent me a message saying he needed help..."
Dame:"I know. He must be with his new little gang..."
Shanthi:"Gang? He left the Priests?"
Dame:"Officially? No. He isn't that much of an idiot yet. Enel knows very well the consequences of abandoning the Temple."
Shanthi:"And where is this gang of his?"
Dame:"No idea... Enel never told me, but I think it's in Yomi (黄泉 or Underworld)."
Shanthi:"The Yomi... thank you, Dame. Is my boat still here?"
Without speaking a single word, Dame walked to a kind of dock and from there, she pulled a rope that was connected to a small boat that barely fit 4 people.
Shanthi:"It remains the same... thank you very much, Dame."
Dame:"Hmph... go already! And don't forget to visit me more, Shanthi!"
Shanthi:"I will!"
Then the three boarded the little boat, waved goodbye to Dame, and followed the "Lobster Express".
Dame:'Those two friends of Shanthi's... they were pretty quiet, right? Well... they both seem nice at least.'
Already in the boat, the speed was so high that they ascended 3,000 meters in a few seconds. And as soon as they reached the end point of the "Lobster Express", the boat jumped due to the velocity, rising for another 200 meters before starting to fall. But before falling... the three managed to see the view of Birka in its entirety.
Allana & Kalev:"WOW...!"
**To Be Continued**