The Sunny tore across open water, the volcano-and-river island fading into the mist behind them. The relics of fire and water pulsed faintly in Arkan's hands, still resonating from their unity.
But the sky ahead was already black with storm clouds.
The First Prong
A roar split the air as the sea directly in front of the Sunny exploded upward. From the depths rose a colossal crustacean-like beast, its claws the size of ship masts, barnacles covering its armored hide. Riding atop it was a Herald clad in jagged coral armor, trident in hand.
"Flamebearer!" the Herald's voice boomed over the surf."The Serpent claims what you've stolen."
The crustacean slammed one claw into the water, sending a wall of spray towering over the Sunny. Jinbe braced the bow, redirecting the surge with a heaving push, while Zoro vaulted up the claw, blades flashing.
The Second Prong
On the port side, a sleek black skiff skimmed across the waves at impossible speed, powered by jets of steam. Its pilot — another Herald — wielded a pair of hooked blades that seemed to drink the very light from the air. Each slash sent ripples through the sea, warping space like heat haze.
Sanji intercepted, bouncing across the skiff's hull in a blur of kicks, forcing the Herald back while Franky fired bursts from his shoulder cannons to keep them from boarding.
The Third Prong
From above came the third strike — a massive shadow swooping down through the storm clouds. It was a winged beast made of wind and lightning, its eyes burning violet. On its back, a Herald in feathered armor drew a bow crackling with electricity.
The first arrow struck the water beside the Sunny, exploding into a web of lightning that danced over the waves. Nami whipped her Clima-Tact, catching the current and redirecting it harmlessly into the sky. Robin sprouted arms from the mast to shield the crew from the next shot.
Holding the Line
The deck became a blur of movement. Jinbe held the bow, Sanji darted from hull to hull, Zoro clashed high above on the crustacean's shell, and Nami and Robin kept the ranged attacks at bay. Lyra stayed close to Arkan, singing quietly to keep the verses' rhythms steady — if the relics fell out of sync, their power could fracture.
Arkan's flames burned brighter with each clash, but his eyes stayed fixed on the storm's heart. He could feel the Serpent's presence — not just watching, but pressing in.
Turning the Tide
With a deep breath, Arkan reached into the fire-water relic's resonance, letting the heat and flow merge. The sea beneath the crustacean began to boil in precise pulses, forcing the beast upward, while a wave surged under the skiff, flipping it end over end.
Above, a column of steam erupted into the storm, striking the lightning beast and scattering its form into harmless wind.
The three Heralds regrouped in the distance, their silhouettes barely visible through the sheets of rain.
The Message
One of them raised a hand — not to attack, but to signal. Their voice, amplified unnaturally, carried over the sea:
"Flamebearer, you will not reach the next verse. The Serpent has claimed the path ahead."
The Heralds vanished into the storm, leaving only the rolling thunder behind.
Final Scene
The crew stood in silence for a moment, catching their breath.
Nami checked her chart, her face pale.
"They weren't bluffing. The next constellation point… it's in the middle of the Serpent's own territory."
Arkan closed his fist around the relics.
"Then we go straight through it."