Chapter: Shattered Voyage, Road to the Capital
The clash above the deck grew even more violent.
Lightning screamed through the air, ripping apart the dark clouds, while towering waves rose and crashed like living beasts under Ravath Bluefin's control. The ship groaned in agony, its wooden body cracking as if it could no longer bear the weight of two disasters fighting on top of it.
Sabre struggled to stand, gripping a broken beam for balance. His ears rang, his chest felt tight, and every breath burned. He could barely keep his eyes open as flashes of blue and white light blinded him again and again.
In the middle of the chaos, the elder suddenly turned his head.
His eyes met Sabre's.
For a split second, everything else faded.
"Listen carefully," the elder shouted, his voice cutting through thunder and crashing water. "You must leave this place."
Sabre's heart skipped. "What?!"
"There's no time," the elder said, electricity bursting around his body as he blocked another wave attack. "This battle will destroy the ship. You will die if you stay."
Ravath laughed loudly as he raised a massive wall of water. "Talking in the middle of a fight? You really are getting old!"
The elder ignored him. He turned slightly, lightning flickering around his hand. In the next moment, a small metal badge flew toward Sabre.
Sabre caught it instinctively.
The badge was dark, cold, and heavy for its size. On its surface was a strange symbol—black lightning twisting around a sharp crescent mark.
"When you reach the capital," the elder continued, "ask for the Black Lightning Sect. Show them that badge. Do not trust anyone else."
Sabre stared at the badge, his hands trembling. "But—what about you?"
The elder smiled faintly. Not calm. Not relaxed. But firm.
"Run," he said. "Live."
Ravath snarled. "You think I'll let the boy escape?!"
He slammed both palms down, and the sea answered his call. A monstrous wave surged upward, crashing directly onto the ship.
"NOW!" the elder roared.
A violent explosion of lightning burst outward, forcing the wave apart for a brief moment. The deck split. The mast snapped clean in half. The ship screamed as water rushed in from every direction.
Sabre didn't hesitate anymore.
He ran.
Wood shattered beneath his feet as he sprinted toward the edge. Pirates were thrown into the sea, crew members screamed, and fire sparked where lightning struck soaked planks.
Behind him, the battle intensified.
Ravath roared with excitement as he unleashed even greater power, water spiraling wildly around him like an ocean god. The elder answered with thunder that split the sky open, lightning crashing down endlessly.
The ship could no longer endure it.
With one final violent tremor, the vessel broke apart.
Sabre leapt just as the deck collapsed beneath him.
Cold water swallowed him whole.
---
Sabre didn't know how long he drifted.
When he finally woke, his body ached all over. His throat burned with salt, his head throbbed, and his clothes were soaked and torn. He coughed violently, rolling onto his side as seawater poured out of his mouth.
Sand pressed against his cheek.
He opened his eyes slowly.
Land.
He lay there for several minutes, breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling as he tried to gather himself. The badge was still clenched tightly in his hand.
The capital…
Black Lightning Sect…
The elder's words echoed in his mind.
Sabre forced himself to stand. His legs trembled, but he didn't stop. He followed the road that stretched far ahead, leading toward tall walls visible in the distance.
Hours passed.
By the time Sabre reached the capital gates, the sun was already high. His clothes were dirty, torn, and smelled faintly of seawater and smoke. His hair was a mess, and his stomach growled painfully.
The capital was nothing like anything he had seen before.
Massive stone walls towered above him. Crowds moved in every direction. Merchants shouted, cultivators walked proudly with weapons on their backs, and carriages rolled past smoothly.
Sabre stepped forward cautiously, feeling out of place.
The guards at the gate glanced at him briefly, then waved him through without much interest.
As Sabre walked deeper into the city, he became more aware of the stares.
Some were curious.
Some were dismissive.
Some were mocking.
He lowered his head and kept walking.
That was when laughter rang out.
"Hey—look at him."
Sabre froze.
He turned slightly and saw a group of girls standing near a clothing stall. They were well-dressed, clean, and clearly from wealthy families. One of them stepped forward, arms crossed, eyes sharp with amusement.
"Did you crawl out of the jungle or something?" she said, looking him up and down. "What kind of outfit is that?"
Her friends giggled.
Another girl covered her mouth. "He looks like he hasn't eaten in days."
Sabre clenched his fists but stayed silent.
"Maybe he ran all the way here," the first girl continued, smirking. "Barefoot through forests and monsters just to reach the capital."
More laughter followed.
"Careful," one of them added mockingly, "he might faint if he hears food mentioned."
People nearby glanced over, some chuckling, others ignoring it completely.
Sabre felt his face burn.
He wanted to walk away. He wanted to disappear into the crowd. But his legs felt heavy, rooted to the ground.
The girl stepped closer, tilting her head. "So? Are you lost, jungle boy?"
Sabre raised his head slowly.
His eyes were calm—but deep inside, something stirred.
The badge in his pocket felt heavy.
The capital loomed around him, loud and bright, uncaring.
And somewhere within this city…
the Black Lightning Sect awaited.