The three glowing shards streaked through the water like living eels. Each targeted a different crewmate — one for Nami, one for Zoro, and one for Robin.
First Strike
Zoro's swords flashed, cutting his shard in half, but instead of dispersing, it dissolved into a cloud of red light. The moment it touched him, his eyes widened.
"Where… am I?"
He faltered mid-swing, forgetting why he was holding his blades.
Nami swam upward, narrowly dodging her shard as Sanji intercepted it with a flaming kick. The light splashed across his leg, and for an instant, he forgot who Nami was.
Robin's shard was intercepted by Lyra, whose song turned the red light into harmless bubbles — but her voice trembled.
"This is the Herald's power… memory erosion."
The Herald Attacks
The masked man moved like a shadow in the water, each thrust of his harpoon releasing ripples that swallowed memories from anyone they touched.
Arkan charged, flames wrapping around his arms despite the depths.
"You'll have to erase more than my memory to stop me."
They clashed in a whirl of heat and current, each strike sending shockwaves through the coral streets. Schools of fish scattered, and jellyfish lights flickered out.
Thalyra's Command
From the steps of her throne, Thalyra raised her staff. The coral around the city responded, shifting into walls and spears to block the Herald's movement.
"Fight him within the Tide's Breath," she called.
The walls of coral pulsed, breathing currents in and out. Inside them, the water became denser — slowing the Herald's movements but leaving Arkan untouched.
Turning the Tide
Orren froze sections of the current, forcing the Herald into a narrow corridor. Sanji and Jinbe (who dove in from the Sunny) flanked him, driving him toward Arkan.
The Herald spun his harpoon, releasing a final blast of red light. For a moment, Arkan saw nothing — no crew, no city, just an endless dark ocean.
Then a voice cut through the void.
"Brother."
Ace's image appeared, not as an illusion, but as a memory so strong the Herald's power couldn't touch it.
Arkan roared, igniting a wave of flame that didn't burn the water but replaced it with light.
Victory — For Now
The Herald staggered back, armor scorched, and vanished into a whirlpool of black water.His voice echoed as he retreated:
"You can't guard all twelve. The Serpent needs only one."
Thalyra lowered her staff, the coral city relaxing. She looked at Arkan with unreadable eyes.
"You've defended Nerathis. But by doing so, you've marked it. The Veil will draw enemies now."
Final Scene
In the far distance beyond the Veil, Veyron stood aboard his ship, watching the waters churn.
"The next city is already stirring… and it won't wait for them."
Above, another constellation flickered to life.