"Don't panic! Stay balanced, hold each other!" someone shouted, reciting the flying gate transmission guide.
Bang!
Another muffled sound. Xiong returned via bear paw bubbles, his body bloodied but a satisfied smile on his face. He'd completed his "rescue."
Per the plan, if Xiong's team failed, they'd teleport. If successful, they'd use the fruit's power to send disposable positioning markers to an outer island.
The black ship, the operation's core, supported the makeshift Hextech flying gate. Rough compared to Piltover's, it still worked.
The core charged, beacons set, and dazzling light flashed in the canyon.
This otherworldly gate, a futuristic marvel, hummed to life, distorting the air.
Light beams danced like ribbons, accompanied by a low, powerful buzz, heralding a pivotal moment.
The canyon's people turned into blue light spots.
"My benefactor! I'll remember your words and repay you!" one cried.
"You're our hero! We'll never forget, even without your name!" another shouted.
Most didn't know Orlan's name or face beneath the mask. The gate's roar drowned their voices. Orlan, indifferent to their words, merged into the blue light, teleporting with them.
He never saw himself as a hero.
As the blue light soared, the canyon emptied, leaving only the humming Hextech core.
On the battlefield, pirates and navy paused, drawn to the Valley of the Gods' center.
"Is this Rocks' treasure? It's not what the rumors said," a pirate mused.
"Whatever it is, Rocks is busy—grab it!" another urged.
Swish! Swish!
Blades sliced their necks.
"Untouchables, that's not for you," Gringo snarled, arriving at the canyon, eyes blazing. Eladin was last seen here.
The navy struggled, but Roger's Pirates unexpectedly joined Garp against Rocks, shifting the battle and freeing Gringo to investigate.
The canyon was empty. Eladin's headless body hung on the rack, eyes open on the ground.
"These scum," Gringo growled, trembling with rage, not fear.
"Saint Satan, why are you here?" Gringo asked as a figure appeared.
Celestial Dragons rarely used "Saint" among themselves, reserved for formalities. Gringo's status was high, but paled before the Five Elder Stars.
The man in a black suit, holding a cane, was Jaygolucia Satan, God of Science and Defense.
"The noise drew me," Satan said, scanning the unknown technology. Even his experience couldn't identify it. Eladin's death required investigation.
His pupils contracted. He yanked Gringo behind him.
BOOM!
A devastating force erupted from the core, engulfing the canyon like a savage beast.
Trees and rocks turned to dust, the ground quaked, threatening to split.
Orlan's design guided the energy like a blade, cleaving the Valley of the Gods in two.
Clouds tore apart, the sky wailing.
Satan's body, the sea's strongest shield, protected Gringo. Scars marred Satan, but he recovered swiftly—a Five Elders' trait. Even decapitation couldn't kill them easily.
"This was to understand the power," Satan said calmly.
Orlan's final gift ensured the ship and gate wouldn't fall to the Celestial Dragons. The self-destruct obliterated everything, sinking the explosion's center into the sea.
Satan, grim-faced, led Gringo back to the Celestial Dragons' gathering point, his heart uneasy.
On another island's beach, Orlan gazed at the sea.
"It's time. Hope you liked the gift. If not, it's just the beginning."