The constellation's newest point burned red — brighter than the others. Even Lyra, who had grown used to their strange glow, couldn't look at it for long without feeling her skin prickle.
Aboard the Sunny
Nami traced their course on the map.
"This point lines up with a volcanic chain in the Grand Line — but the last charted eruption was a decade ago."
Orren shook his head.
"The island isn't dormant. It's waking."
Robin's gaze lingered on the glowing star above.
"And whatever lives there… is already singing."
Approach to the Island
The Sunny sailed into a haze of black smoke. Ash fell in slow spirals onto the deck, and the water steamed where it touched.
The island rose from the sea like a jagged spear — rivers of molten rock glowing along its sides, and deep fissures breathing bursts of flame into the sky.
Lyra shivered.
"The Song is loud here. Too loud."
The Flameborne's Domain
As they reached the shore, the ground trembled violently. A column of magma shot upward, hardening into a jagged bridge across a lava chasm.
At the other side stood a massive figure, skin like obsidian streaked with glowing cracks. His eyes burned with the same red as the constellation point above. He carried no weapon — only the molten earth itself shifting to his will.
"Flamebearer," his voice rumbled like an earthquake, "you walk into my chorus uninvited."
Arkan stepped forward.
"Then invite me properly."
The Song's First Verse
The Flameborne struck the ground, and the lava around them formed into shapes — flaming statues of warriors long gone. They moved with perfect coordination, attacking without hesitation.
As Arkan fought through them, the air vibrated with a low hum, growing into a rhythm. Lyra gasped.
"That's… part of the Song. One verse."
Robin began noting the cadence.
"It's not just music — it's an instruction. A warning."
A Sudden Eruption
Before the battle could end, the volcano roared. From its heart emerged a shadowed form — not a Herald, but something older. Its body was serpentine, but incomplete, molten edges hissing as it moved.
The Flameborne's expression shifted to anger.
"The Serpent dares to reach into my domain."
Final Scene
The ground beneath them began to crack, lava flooding the battlefield.Arkan stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Flameborne, both facing the emerging creature.
"We finish this together," Arkan said.
The Flameborne's molten grin widened.
"Then hear the rest of my verse."