A cold mist hung over the northern mountain slopes. The wind carried the acrid scent of dry blood and burnt magic. Amidst the steep rocks, Fulguran stood with a sharp gaze, looking at the scattered shattered bones and torn flesh on the ground.
"Hmm… what could this be?" he murmured softly, bending down to pick up a fragment of black bone.
Slow footsteps sounded from another direction. Spectralis returned from the western side of the slope, his eyes glowing a dim red.
"Lord. The bone energy trail leads that way," he said, pointing to a giant rock hollow on the side of the cliff.
"Good," Fulguran nodded. "Wait a moment, before we continue…"
WHOOOSH!!
A large gust of wind suddenly swirled. The sound of dragon wings split the sky, a massive shadow passing over them.
A red dragon landed heavily beside them, kicking up dust. From its back, Rex Ossium lightly leaped to the ground. The dragon slowly transformed into Riftbreaker, now standing upright in his human form, though his expression seemed… sullen.
"Lord Fulguran," Rex said, saluting. "You called for me?"
"Yes. I need you to analyze this," Fulguran replied, pointing to the shattered bones around them.
Rex approached, knelt, and placed his hand on a large skull fragment. His eyes closed, channeling a little energy.
"This… is the remains of a Class Three Karkaros," he whispered. "About ten meters tall. But… its death is strange. These cracks—"
He pointed to a part of the skull that looked like it had been crushed from within.
"—are not bite marks or magic. This is due to energy pressure from within the body… like an explosion from its very core."
Fulguran squinted. "Whoever did it… is not only strong, but also understands the anatomy of this creature."
Spectralis walked slowly closer. "That's no ordinary ability."
Suddenly, Riftbreaker raised a hand slightly.
"Uhm… Lord… could I… follow Umbranox and Veyron to the bay? Hehe… just want to make sure they're okay…"
Fulguran turned. His face was flat, full of authority.
"No, Riftbreaker. We still need you here. Besides, they will return to report to me. Be patient."
"…Yes, Lord," Riftbreaker replied, bowing weakly like a heartbroken teenager.
Spectralis sighed, then scoffed softly. "Lord… may I speak frankly?"
"Go ahead."
"That person can turn into a giant dragon… but his mentality is like a teenager who just got dumped."
Rex held back a laugh. "But… that's the funny part. Even a skeleton understands love, Spectralis. The problem is he's fallen for someone who can give a colder stare than death itself."
Fulguran only sighed.
"Enough joking. We still have a trail to follow."
He began to walk towards the rocky valley, passing through the ruins of bones and magic.
Spectralis followed with light steps.
"Rex, follow behind."
"Understood, Lord."
Riftbreaker was still silent. But finally, he slowly followed them—with an unconcealed heartbroken expression.
"I'll just walk behind, Lord… to keep an eye out. Hehe…"
Spectralis whispered to Rex, "He says he's keeping an eye out, but it's clear he's busy with inner drama."
Rex chuckled, patting his own shoulder bone. "Poor guy… love is indeed a poison that cannot be unraveled by magic."
And under the shadows of the mountain mist, the four powerful beings followed the mysterious trail… tracing a destruction too neat to be a coincidence.
They didn't know yet…
Someone—or something—that destroyed the Class Three Karkaros, might still be watching them from behind the mist.
Farewell to the Tapai
The midday sun began to climb high. The ocean reflected a golden light, calm but still deep and full of mystery.
On the left side of the ship's deck, Captain Dargo and Altair stood side by side. Before them were five open wooden chests—each full of tapai that had turned grayish and emitted an aroma of… death.
"If we don't throw this away now, this ship will become a kitchen of hell," the Captain mumbled, covering his nose with a cloth.
Altair nodded. "Come on, one by one. Don't get it on your hands."
They began lifting the chests, one by one, and throwing them into the sea. Each time the tapai touched the water, a "PSSSTT-KRAAKK" sound like a small explosion emerged, followed by strange bubbles rising from beneath the surface.
On the other side of the deck, Feran stood silently. His arms were crossed. His gaze was empty, staring out at the sea—at the slowly sinking chests.
A soft voice escaped his lips.
"Forgive me… for not being able to eat you…"
A moment of silence. The sea breeze blew gently.
Near the mast, Quartzis, Lazric, and several crew members were fishing while snacking on dried fruit. They all stopped their activities. Their heads collectively turned to Feran.
Their faces showed the same expression:
Not pity for the tapai…
But pity because Feran… was truly strange.
"He's talking to the tapai…" Quartzis whispered.
"And the tapai… is already rotten," Lazric added softly.
One of the crew members glanced at Feran from behind a straw blind.
"I thought he was serious when they said he was a cold-blooded warrior… turns out he's a heartbroken fermentation god…"
"Let's hope he doesn't start his own tapai cult," another crew member whispered.
Feran still stood in place. Unblinking. As if he was paying his last respects.
"You are fragrant… but do not last…"
"See you at the next fermentation…"
Altair, who was still discarding the last remains into the sea, turned quickly.
"FERAN! NO CEREMONY NEEDED!"
"…Sorry."
Captain Dargo just shook his head, pinching his temples. "This ship… gets crazier by the day."
After all the tapai was discarded, Altair sat on the edge of the deck and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Finally… no more fermentation threats."
"Don't be so sure yet," Quartzis said, lifting a small jar from his pocket. "Lazric has a liquid tapai experiment in the cabin below."
Altair turned quickly. "Lazric?!"
Lazric shrugged innocently. "Just in case… who knows, it could be an explosive or… a drink ingredient."
Altair buried his face in his hands.
"Captain… if this ship explodes again, please throw me into the sea first."
Captain Dargo just nodded. "With pleasure."
Back to Our Villains…
East Cliff – In Front of a Large Cave
They climbed a bit higher. The mist thinned, and a heavy sound emerged from behind the rocks.
A gigantic figure slowly exited the cave: a massive Yeti, almost as tall as a standing blue whale. Its eyes glowed fiery red. Its white fur was stained with dried blood.
Rex pointed.
"There's the culprit."
The Yeti roared, realizing it had been discovered.
"RaaAAAAAGHH!!"
The creature slammed the ground with its giant arm, making the earth tremble.
BOOOOMMM!!
Rex quickly raised his hand. A large bone shield appeared before him, deflecting the creature's blow.
"Heh… is this all? Pretty weak for such a big creature."
The Yeti grew more enraged.
Fulguran sighed, clearly exhausted.
"Finish it. I don't have time to play today."
"Yes, Lord," Spectralis answered flatly.
Suddenly, two giant ghostly hands emerged from Spectralis's back. The hands swept through the air then struck the Yeti's stomach.
GROOOOAAARRR!!
The creature was thrown back, slamming hard against the side of the cliff.
"Finish it, Riftbreaker," Spectralis commanded, without turning.
Riftbreaker, still sulking, slowly began to walk forward.
He took a deep breath.
BUUUUUUSSSSSHHH!!
A tongue of red flame burst from his mouth. A large fire enveloped the Yeti's body like hell exploding in the mountains.
The creature screamed in pain… then fell silent. Completely incinerated.
"HAHAHA! Look at that! Ready-made meal!" Rex exclaimed.
"Indeed," Spectralis chuckled faintly.
Fulguran massaged his temples. "Enough, Rex. Just this one creature?"
Rex looked towards the valley.
"Uhm… it seems… there are hundreds more below."
"HUH WHAT? HUNDREDS?! INSANE!!" Riftbreaker almost jumped in surprise.
"If I have to burn all of them, my tongue will get dry!" he grumbled angrily.
Fulguran looked at the Yeti carcass.
"Let's make use of this one first. Riftbreaker, pick up Nocturnus. Now."
"Eee… since I can fly, I'm the designated pickup and drop-off guy now?"
"Consider it so."
"HAHAHA! Dragon taxi service!" Rex burst out laughing.
"Premium dragon transport!" Spectralis chimed in.
"ENOUGH!" Fulguran snapped. "Go quickly, Riftbreaker!"
"Yes, Lord…" Riftbreaker replied resignedly, transforming back into his dragon form and flying off.
A Few Minutes Later – Overcast Sky
WHOOSH!
Another dragon descended from the sky. Disembarking from its back: Veyron, followed by: Umbranox.
As soon as he landed, Umbranox immediately returned to his human form, standing as coldly as ever.
Veyron knelt before Fulguran.
"Report, Lord."
"Explain."
"We monitored a ship approaching the bay. They are… the Valerian children I met before. Estimated arrival: tonight."
"What?!"
Fulguran was surprised.
"They were busy on the ship. We observed safely."
"Good heavens… one problem comes, another immediately follows."
"So… next command, Lord?"
"Let them be in the bay. Do not disturb them. We'll deal with the Yeti situation first."
"Yeti, Lord?" Veyron was confused.
"Rex, explain," Fulguran said lazily.
Rex immediately explained at length, pointing to the remnants of the battle.
Meanwhile…
Spectralis glanced at the newly arrived Umbranox.
"Oi, Umbranox," he whispered.
"What?"
"You'll have to persuade Riftbreaker later. He's sad he couldn't follow you."
"...HUH? HE'S ALREADY BACK?!"
Umbranox's voice suddenly rose sharply. Everyone turned.
Rex looked at him with a smirk.
"See? This lovesick one. Acts cold in front of us, but melts instantly in front of Rift. Aren't you embarrassed, huh?"
Umbranox turned her face away, a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Eeh… where is he now?"
"Picking up Nocturnus. Should be here within an hour, at the latest."
Umbranox's cold face… slowly smiled. Her eyes shone a little.
Fulguran hugged his own forehead and let out a long sigh.
"…Why are all these kids like a festival of broken characters…"