Morning mist drifted slowly over the rivers surrounding Opundi City.
From the mangrove swamp where they stood, the wooden towers and river bridges of the city looked distant and quiet, as if nothing unusual had happened the night before. Fishermen were already rowing their canoes through narrow channels, their voices echoing faintly across the water.
But for Preye, everything had changed.
The blue flicker of Ori energy still danced faintly across her fingers.
She flexed her hand slowly.
The storm was awake.
A few meters away, Kuro leaned against a mangrove tree with his spear resting across his shoulders, watching her like a teacher studying a stubborn student.
Beside them, Timi was busy trying to squeeze water out of his shirt.
"This swamp is trying to ruin my fashion," he complained.
Preye glanced at him; "You don't have fashion."
Timi gasped dramatically.
That hurts.
Kuro ignored both of them.
"The hunters you defeated yesterday were only scouts," he said calmly.
Preye turned to him. So the real problem hasn't arrived yet.
No.
His eyes sharpened slightly.
The Order of the Silent Tide does not send its strongest fighters first.
Timi groaned.
I hate organizations with dramatic names.
Preye crossed her arms. And they want me because of the storm power?
"Yes."
Kuro stepped forward.
"The storm was thought to be extinct. Your existence threatens their control."
Preye looked toward the distant towers of Opundi City.
That city had taken everything from her.
Her job.
Her reputation.
Her belief in fairness.
Yet strangely… she didn't feel anger anymore.
Only clarity.
"Then I'll become stronger before they arrive," she said simply.
Kuro nodded.
"That is the correct answer."
Timi raised his hand, I also have an answer.
They both looked at him.
We run very far away and start a peaceful coconut farm.
Preye shook her head. Denied.
Kuro pointed his spear toward the winding rivers beyond the swamp.
"There is a place where you can learn control."
"A place hidden long before Opundi City was built."
Preye frowned. A training ground?
Kuro nodded.
"The Storm Shrine."
The wind suddenly stirred the river surface.
Even the birds grew quiet.
Timi blinked.
That sounds dangerous.
Kuro gave him a flat look.
"It is."
Fantastic!.
Preye raised an eyebrow.
Explain.
Kuro rested the spear on his shoulder again.
"Long ago, before the Orders hunted Storm wielders, warriors trained in hidden temples across Tamunoara."
The Storm Shrine was one of them.
Preye looked down at the faint blue glow on her hand. And you know the way there?
Yes.
Why?
Kuro paused briefly. I trained there once.
Timi slowly nodded.
Ah.
"That explains why you fight like an angry thundercloud."
Kuro ignored the comment.
The shrine lies deep within the mangrove river.
He pointed toward the horizon. A two-day journey from here.
Preye considered the idea.
Two days away from Opundi City.
Two days to start something new.
Her old life had already ended.
Maybe this was the beginning of another one.
Timi suddenly spoke again.
"Before we go… small question."
Preye sighed.
What now?
He pointed toward the unconscious Storm Hunters lying in the mud nearby, what do we do with them?
Preye looked at the hunters.
Then she shrugged.
They'll wake up.
And then?
They'll tell their masters they failed.
Timi grinned.
That's actually very satisfying.
Kuro stepped closer to the river.
We should move now.
Preye nodded.
Alright.
She turned to follow him
Then suddenly froze.
Her Ori energy flickered violently.
Blue lightning sparked around her fingers.
Kuro noticed instantly.
What is it?
Preye stared toward the river.
The water had stopped moving.
No current.
No ripples.
Just stillness.
Timi whispered nervously.
I don't like that.
The river surface suddenly bubbled.
A deep ripple spread outward.
Then
A massive canoe emerged from the mist.
Dark.
Silent.
Three figures stood inside it.
Each wore black armor carved with the same spiral symbol as the hunters from yesterday.
But these warriors felt different.
Stronger.
More dangerous.
Kuro's eyes hardened.
Too late.
Preye looked at him.
What?
He lowered his spear slowly.
"The Tide Reapers."
Timi's face drained of color.
That name is even worse than the last one.
The canoe drifted closer.
One of the warriors stepped forward.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
A long curved blade rested in his hand.
His voice was calm and cold.
We finally found you.
His eyes fixed on Preye.
The Storm bearer.
Preye stepped forward slowly.
Blue lightning danced around her hands again.
You people really don't know how to give up.
The warrior smiled slightly.
"No."
We are the ones who end storms.
The river wind picked up.
The mangrove leaves rustled violently.
Kuro stepped beside Preye, spear ready.
You're not ready to face them yet.
Preye smiled slightly.
Probably not.
Timi backed away slowly. I'm definitely not ready.
The Tide Reaper raised his blade.
Capture her.
The other two warriors leapt from the canoe.
Water exploded beneath their feet as they landed.
The swamp trembled with their power.
Preye clenched her glowing fist.
Her voice was calm.
Looks like training starts early.
Lightning burst across the mangrove swamp.
The storm had begun again.