The doors of the Storm Shrine burst open with a thunderous crash.
Wind roared through the ruined temple as lightning streaked across the dark sky above the lagoon. The storm that had gathered overhead now felt alive, angrier than before.
At the entrance, Kuro and Timi both turned sharply as a surge of blue light flooded the stone bridge.
Preye stepped out.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Electricity coiled around her arms like living serpents. Small arcs of lightning crackled across the air around her body, illuminating the rain that fell through the clearing.
Timi blinked twice.
"…Okay."
He slowly pointed at her glowing hands, that's new.
Preye flexed her fingers.
The lightning responded instantly, dancing between her knuckles with a sharp crackling sound.
Her entire body felt lighter.
Stronger.
Like the storm itself had been waiting for her to understand it.
She inhaled deeply, feeling the charged air fill her lungs.
"I feel… different," she admitted.
Kuro studied her carefully, the shrine accepted you.
Preye nodded slowly.
"It didn't just accept me."
She raised her hand.
A concentrated spark of lightning formed in her palm.
I think it taught me something.
Timi leaned forward curiously, Oh?"
Preye smirked.
Turns out lightning listens better when you stop yelling at it.
Timi scratched his head.
That sounds like advice my mother used to give.
Kuro stepped closer.
Your Ori energy has stabilized.
Preye shrugged.
Good.
She glanced toward the dark mangrove forest behind them, and said, I'm pretty sure we're about to need it.
Kuro followed her gaze.
The river had gone quiet again.
Too quiet.
The wind slowed.
The birds had disappeared.
A ripple spread slowly across the lagoon.
Kuro's expression hardened.
They found us.
Timi groaned, of course they did.
Mist parted across the river's surface as several dark boats emerged from the mangrove shadows.
Black armored warriors stood inside them.
Tide Reapers.
More than before.
At least twenty.
And standing at the front of the leading boat—Commander Barator.
He stepped onto the ruined stone bridge with slow, confident steps, his curved blade resting across his shoulder.
Rain dripped from the edges of his black cloak.
His sharp eyes immediately locked onto Preye.
For the first time since meeting her, he paused.
The lightning surrounding her was different now.
Controlled.
Focused.
Stronger.
"…So," Barator said quietly, you survived the trial.
Preye tilted her head slightly, disappointed?
Barator's expression didn't change.
"No."
He slowly lowered his blade.
But, Interested.
Behind him, the Tide Reapers spread across the ruined bridges and platforms surrounding the shrine.
They moved with military precision, cutting off every escape route.
Timi counted nervously.
…One… two… three…
He swallowed,
"Twenty-two."
He looked at Preye, you're feeling strong today, right?
Preye rolled her shoulders, lightning crackling across her arms.
I feel fantastic.
Kuro stepped forward beside her, planting the tip of his spear against the stone.
This is a mistake, Barator.
Barator glanced at him briefly.
Kuro.
His voice carried faint recognition.
So you survived as well.
Timi blinked, you two know each other?
Kuro didn't answer.
Barator continued calmly, you were a promising student once, before you chose to betray the Order.
Preye raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
She glanced sideways at Kuro, this sounds like a conversation we should've had earlier."
Kuro remained silent.
Barator's gaze returned to Preye.
The girl comes with us.
His voice carried quiet authority.
"Alive."
The Reapers tightened their formation.
Preye sighed.
You know…
She cracked her neck slowly.
This whole kidnapping thing is starting to get repetitive.
Timi stepped back.
Just saying, if there's a peaceful negotiation option, now might be a good time.
Preye raised her hand.
Lightning burst from her palm.
CRACK!
The blast struck the stone bridge in front of the Reapers, forcing several of them to jump backward.
Timi nodded approvingly.
Okay.
Negotiation phase is over.
Barator's eyes narrowed slightly.
So the shrine strengthened you.
Preye shrugged.
Guess you'll have to find out.
Barator lifted his blade.
Take her.
The Reapers attacked instantly.
Two of them dashed forward, their feet gliding across the wet stone like skimming water.
Kuro moved first.
His spear flashed.
CLANG!
Steel met steel as he blocked one attacker's blade and countered with a swift strike that knocked the man backward.
Preye faced the other one.
The Reaper slashed toward her chest.
Preye didn't dodge.
Instead she stepped forward.
Lightning exploded around her fist.
BOOM!
Her punch connected with the warrior's chest armor.
The electric blast launched him off the bridge and into the lagoon with a massive splash.
Timi's eyes widened.
Oh!.
He turned to Kuro.
She definitely leveled up.
Three more Reapers rushed forward.
Preye moved faster now.
Her body flowed with the storm's rhythm.
One attacker swung low.
She jumped over the blade.
Another struck from behind.
Preye spun midair.
Lightning burst from her kick.
CRACK!
The blast sent both attackers flying backward.
Water erupted from the lagoon as the fallen Reaper tried to stand again.
But Preye was already moving.
She pointed her hand forward.
Electricity shot across the water's surface.
The shockwave slammed into the rising warrior, sending him crashing back down.
Timi stared.
That's terrifying.
Kuro fought nearby, his spear moving like a silver blur as he clashed with two Reapers at once.
The rain intensified.
Lightning illuminated the battlefield again and again.
But Barator remained still.
Watching.
Studying.
Preye knocked another attacker aside and glanced toward him.
When are you planning to join the fight?
Barator finally moved.
He stepped onto the center of the bridge.
His blade gleamed as he raised one hand.
The lagoon responded instantly.
Water surged upward.
A massive wave rose behind him like a living wall.
Timi screamed.
THAT'S NOT FAIR!
Barator swung his blade downward.
The wave crashed toward them.
Kuro shouted.
Preye!
But she was already moving.
Preye stepped forward.
Lightning spiraled around her arms.
The storm above answered her call.
Thunder exploded across the sky.
She thrust both hands forward.
THUNDER STEP
Blue lightning burst outward.
The electric blast tore straight through the crashing wave, splitting the water apart before it could reach them.
Steam erupted as electricity collided with the river.
The explosion shook the entire shrine.
Timi slowly lowered his hands from his head, and thought within him, (I take back everything I said about lightning powers).
Barator watched the fading energy with calm interest.
So, his voice was thoughtful, you learned something useful.
Preye smirked.
"You could say that."
Barator's eyes darkened slightly.
Then I will stop observing.
He lifted his blade again.
The river began to swirl violently around the ruins.
Reapers regrouped behind him.
Kuro stepped beside Preye.
We cannot win this battle.
Preye glanced at him.
You say that a lot.
Barator's voice echoed across the bridge.
The tide always wins.
Preye smiled slowly.
Lightning sparked across her eyes.
Funny thing about storms.
Thunder exploded above them.
They don't follow tides.
She launched forward again, lightning blazing around her like a living weapon.
The battle for the Storm Shrine had truly begun.