Little Blue travelled at an incredible speed, but since the flight wasn't artificially shortened – contrary to the time Silver Blade's team crossed the ocean by ship – it continued for a few minutes.
Yet except for Radiant Shield no one complained, feeling their souls cleansed from the view.
Although Falva Star had an ocean not everyone could just go there. Thus, most of the party members would never grow tired from watching the toiling waves.
But all good times come to an end. Soon a group of islands enlarged in everyone's vision. They were extremely conspicuous with menacing black ships circling them. A dark cloud hung over the islands, forming a stark contrast to the bright ocean. People would instinctively avoid these islands; one's heart freezing just from looking at them.
"And we... are supposed to go there?", asked Cyclone uneasily.
"Right! The more horrifying it looks, the more we, the Black Hand, feel compelled to act!", stated Seytor with conviction.
Silver Blade eyed the dwarf strangely, confused by the Black Hand's way of conduct, curious to dive deeper into the history of this organization.
On one hand they advocate freedom for everyone but simultaneously they manage to instil such conviction into their members, making them willing to risk their own lives to uphold the freedom of others.
Yet this seemed only natural for Seytor. The dwarf showed no hesitation as he prepared himself for the fight.
As the party came closer to the islands the dreagles soon split up. Little Blue headed for the biggest island where the dark cloud was densest.
Gradually slowing down, the massive beast began to circle above the island. A chill ran down everyone's spines as they surveyed the land below. Even the steadfast Repha took a deep breath before speaking loudly:
"We are in position. Little Blue won't get any closer. You can jump when you are ready!"
Afterwards the two NPCs fell silent looking at the players who stood up and slowly approached the edge. The rattling of metal could be heard. Glancing over his shoulder Bloody Edge could see that Radiant Shield hadn't moved an inch, shivering in his seat.
The thief let out a sigh. On one hand he empathized with his friend but on the other this was only a game. There was no real danger of dying.
Liam glanced at the tank as well before slowly averting his eyes, capturing his friends' various emotions. He saw a mix of excitement and fear on most faces.
Pondering briefly the veteran decided to set an example, proving to everyone that there was no need to be afraid.
"Guys, just follow behind me. No need to be anxious. You only need to remember to activate the featherfall scroll as close to the floor as possible or else the guards will be able to target you!"
Seeing everyone nod Liam was confident that his friends would heed his warning. With a carefree laugh he waved at his friends as his body slowly toppled over, his eyes capturing the bright sky above.
A moment later he felt the merciless pull of gravity. With a skilled movement he turned his body, facing the black cloud below. The air tore on his clothes and skin forcing his body to tense up to keep the control.
Stretching his limbs from his body Liam made sure not to veer from the path. If he landed in the water, he would be forced to swim back. Should a monster discover him in the meantime he might even return to Little Blue's back, which worked as a temporary graveyard.
Yet out of everyone Liam was the least concerned as apart from the featherfall scroll he had another method to break his flight, namely Refresnim's Dark Orb of Flight.
Watching Liam steadily descending, his friends felt motivated as well.
Cyclone and Balm laughed excitedly as they grabbed each other by the hand, jumping in tandem. Their mage robes billowed in the wind, flapping like the wings of a bird. The girls' excited laughter barely reached the people on Little Blue's back.
[Cyclone: Guys, guys! Come, it's amazing!!!]
[Balm: So much fun!]
[Quickstep: Haha, coming!]
The friends began jumping one by one. Even Radiant Shield, reading the messages in the group chat and knowing there was no escape, slowly approached the edge with trembling legs.
Suddenly Cyclone and Balm perceived a whistling noise. They looked to the side only to see Silver Blade pass them like a cannonball.
Clad in heavy armor the young woman took a nosedive, advancing as if trying to break all speed records.
Balm showed a confused expression, questioning Cyclone:
"What is Silver Blade doing?"
"WHAT?"
"What is Silver Blade doing?", repeated Balm, shouting.
"Oh, she has always been a fan of high speeds! When Silver Blade was younger her family even took her for space flights!"
Since talking was quite straining Cyclone only continued in her head, complaining on Silver Blade's behalf at how she didn't have enough time since taking her position in the company.
Meanwhile Balm's thoughts drifted as she heard the word space flight. She remembered the only time in her life she travelled to space. She was only a few years old at that time when her family was moving to Falva Star. Back then there were still the three of them...
Cyclone noticed Balm's grip tightening subtly. Looking to the side she realized her friend's mood had turned sour.
Pondering briefly, she tried to think of a way to raise Balm's spirits.
"Mel, let's see who can do the most turns!"
"What?"
Balm was just brought back to reality by Cyclone's shout when she felt her friend retracting her hand. She glanced to the side watching Cyclone suddenly hold her limbs close to her body and tumble forward, doing turns in the air.
Understanding her friend's considerations Balm chuckled faintly and copied Cyclone. Together they tumbled through the air with no consideration for the approaching black cloud, laughing cheerfully as and increasing dizziness assaulted their heads.
Up above only Radiant Shield, Bloody Edge, and the two NPCs remained on Little Blue's head. The burly tank almost had to throw up just from watching Cyclone and Balm.
"Come on, one jump and you're done. Close your eyes and go."
Bloody Edge tried to convince his friend, but Radiant Shield remained reluctant. The latter took a few deep breaths, as if he would jump any moment but in the end his legs refused to move.
"This... is there no other way?"
"Not as far as I know."
Bloody Edge calmly talked to Radiant Shield preparing him step by step. Eventually the tank nodded, closed his eyes and spoke with a shivering voice:
"I... will jump at zero. Ten, nine, eight..., seveen, siiiiiiaahh!"
Suddenly Bloody Edge gathered strength in his foot and powerfully kicked his friend's butt.
Radiant Shield's eyes shot opened, emitting a feeling of betrayal and fear as he stumbled from Little Blue's back.
Meanwhile Bloody Edge inhaled sharply moving his pained toes.
"Damn metal ass!"
Hissing a curse the thief jumped after Radiant Shield who tumbled through the air, unable to stabilize his flight.
All the way down Bloody Edge tried to stay close to Radiant Shield and demonstrate how to position one's body but to no avail.
Bloody Edge sighed. He couldn't get angry at his friend noticing that the tank tried to heed his words a few times. But Radiant Shield just couldn't focus, his mind turning blank from time to time as if all the information was just wiped away.
Meanwhile Repha and Seytor soon caught up to the players, descending with the fastest possible speed, competing with Silver Blade.
Liam threw one last glance above before sinking into the dark cloud. His vision was obscured by a thin veil, seeming as if all colours dimmed faintly.
The air was cold and permeated with a mouldy smell. Suddenly a whistling sound reached his ears. Arrows shot in his direction. But unable to keep up with his speed they missed miserably.
Liam turned his head in the direction they came from, spotting a tall, gloomy castle with black walls and sharp spiers. It appeared that the black cloud tainting the sky was emitted by the castle.
Luckily it didn't take long until Liam was at the height of the treetops, hidden from the defenders' view. Keeping a leisurely attitude, he took out Seytor's scroll, activating it with a thought.
Suddenly Liam's body turned light as a feather. His speed reduced gently as if sinking into a soft, cottony cloud. The feeling would be quite peaceful if it weren't for the ominous atmosphere.
Notching something Liam glanced at a place just a few meters above him. He found Silver Blade, who had just used her scroll as well.
Liam threw the young woman a surprised glance noticing the unusually radiant smile on her face.
"Would you like to jump again?", asked Liam with a hint of mirth.
Yet Silver Blade's eyes lit up brightly.
"Can we?"
"Well... for you as a tank it might be difficult. But if you die you will respawn on top of Little Blue's back."
Silver Blade rolled her eyes.
"Let's tell this Radiant Shield and he will become the best tank in the world!"
"Haha, perhaps."