The sea ahead was unnaturally still, the water reflecting the sky so perfectly it was impossible to tell where one ended and the other began. Above, the sun hung frozen just above the horizon, casting a perpetual twilight over the ocean.
The gold constellation point glowed brighter here, its light rippling like liquid fire across the clouds.
Entering the Cycle
As the Sunny crossed the invisible boundary into the Dawn's domain, a strange sensation washed over the crew. The air was warm yet carried a faint chill, as though sunrise and sunset were happening at once.
Robin looked up, brow furrowed.
"The sun hasn't moved an inch since we entered."
Lyra's voice was hushed.
"It won't… not until the Flameborne of Dawn chooses."
The Keeper of Dawn
A small island rose from the endless twilight sea — a ring of white sand around a single marble tower. At the top of the tower stood a figure in gold and ivory, their cloak flowing like sunlight through mist.
Their face was calm, but their eyes were like twin sunrises, glowing with a soft, unending light.
"Flamebearer," they called, their voice warm but resonating with authority, "dawn belongs to all. Why should I give you its verse?"
Arkan stepped forward on the sand.
"Because if the Serpent claims it, there will be no dawn left to share."
The Serpent's Shadow
Before the Flameborne could respond, the sea around the island darkened. Massive ripples spread outward as something moved just beneath the surface. From the water rose a serpentine shape of pure shadow, its eyes burning with gold light — a mockery of dawn's glow.
The Flameborne's expression hardened.
"The Serpent has already found me."
Battle in the Twilight
The shadow-serpent struck first, lunging for the tower. Zoro and Sanji intercepted it mid-surge, blades and kicks clashing with its shifting, smoke-like body. Jinbe drove it back with surging tides, while Nami's Clima-Tact redirected bursts of blinding light to disorient it.
On the shore, Arkan locked eyes with the Dawn Flameborne.
"If you give me the verse, I can drive it out."
"If I give it to you untested," the Flameborne said, "it will burn you from within. Prove you can balance night and day."
The Trial of Balance
Light flared from the Flameborne's staff, splitting the battlefield into two zones — one drenched in searing sunlight, the other in deep, freezing shadow. Arkan had to cross back and forth between them, adjusting his flame each time: too bright in the dark, it consumed him; too weak in the light, it faded instantly.
Lyra sang softly, shifting her tone with each step he took, helping him maintain the balance.
With one final surge, Arkan crossed the boundary perfectly — and unleashed a controlled burst of golden fire that struck the shadow-serpent's core. The creature shrieked, dissolving into the sea like mist in the morning.
The Golden Verse
The Flameborne descended from the tower, holding a small orb of light that pulsed in perfect harmony with both day and night.
"You walk the line between flame and void well, Flamebearer. Take the Dawn — and keep it safe until the Song is whole."
Arkan accepted the orb, feeling its warmth merge with the other verses.
Final Scene
As they sailed away, the twilight began to fade, the sun resuming its climb into the sky. But far behind them, in the retreating shadow, two glowing eyes watched — and vanished beneath the waves.
"The Serpent's not retreating," Robin murmured."It's following."