The Thousand Sunny was swallowed by the vortex, spun through a tunnel of glowing runes before emerging into an immense underwater cavern. Towers of coral, bridges of pearl, and walls carved from seashell stone stretched in every direction — a city alive, yet eerily silent.
The First Trial — Breath of the Deep
The serpent woman from before circled above them, her tail cutting through the water like a blade.
"First," her voice echoed in their minds, "you must prove you can endure the Deep without drowning."
Without warning, the Sunny was engulfed in a sudden wave of crushing pressure. The crew gasped as their lungs felt starved of air. Chopper collapsed, Nami clutched her chest, and even Luffy's grin faded.
Arkan closed his eyes, releasing a controlled pulse of his Flame. Heat bloomed through the ship, forming a protective envelope of breathable air. The crew staggered upright, catching their breath.
The serpent narrowed her eyes.
"You endure… but endurance is not enough."
The Second Trial — Illusions of the Tide
The water around them shimmered, and suddenly each crew member stood alone on the deck — no shipmates in sight.
Sanji found himself face to face with Zeff, telling him to give up his dream.Nami saw Bell-mère, chained and sinking.Zoro faced Kuina, her back turned, walking away into darkness.
They each fought the pull of the visions, voices taunting them, trying to anchor them in regret.
Arkan's illusion was different. He saw Ace — not in Marineford, but on a small fishing boat, smiling, waving, and sailing away into a fog he could never cross.
He clenched his fists.
"You're not him. And I won't lose him twice."
Flames burst from his form, shattering the illusions across the ship.
The Third Trial — The Current's Choice
The serpent descended before them once more.
"Last… the city must want you."
The gates of Nerathis began to open, releasing streams of golden fish that swam in intricate spirals. The patterns shifted, forming symbols only Robin could read.
"It's… a question," she realized. "They're asking why we've come."
Lyra stepped forward.
"We came because the song needs its missing note. Without it, the Serpent will rise."
The currents stilled. Then, slowly, the golden fish circled the Sunny, and the gates opened fully.
First Glimpse of Thalyra
From within the city, a figure emerged — a woman of flowing silver hair and a gown woven from living coral, eyes deep as the ocean floor. She held a staff of bone and pearl, its tip glowing with an inner tide.
She looked at Arkan, her voice carrying like a slow wave:
"You seek the song. But every note you find brings the chorus closer… and the chorus is not mercy."
Final Scene
High above Nerathis, in the shadows of the Veil, Veyron's Herald watched through the water, his form distorted by the currents.
"She won't refuse him. But she might destroy him."