"Burst of Clouds" (006)

- Hawai'i, Wednesday, 2:00 pm -

Unlike everyone else, our two Heroines appeared to be trapped in a more welcoming environment.

And by that, we mean... a very welcoming environment. Iva had been lying on the deck chair in her swimming suit, drinking lemonade and wearing sunglasses. "There's nothing better than a day at the beach." Iva had continued to sunbathe by slurping on the straw until someone came by.

"OK, girl... this isn't what we agreed to..." After a while, Kylin appeared to have joined Iva, at which point Iva slowly swiped her glasses aside and expressed amusement.

"You know... A lady has to spend some time relaxing, and unlike you, who has no taste for the beach and dresses like a cowboy, I at least understand lovely days..."

"Iva! I've already explained why I don't enjoy going swimming in my bathing suit."

"Then you should work on your chest size... That way, you won't be watched as much by men..."

"It's not my fault that I ended up like this! Besides, there was nothing I could do to stop it."

"You've overworked yourself, all that in and out, fighting Demons and cruising through areas causes your body to smooth out. Be grateful that you have something to show... In any case, you are free to continue looking for them on your own... Goodbye, I'll stay and enjoy my time in Hawaii for as long as I can."

"... Okay, then... I'll go by myself!" Finally, our heroine, Kylin, decided to go out on her own, leaving Iva behind, until her friend called. "Wait! No! Come on, let's go! Please don't abandon me!" Iva hurled up her clothes and dressed by quickly standing up, even spilling the lemonade on the sand.

"You haven't even dried yourself!"

She grabbed Kylin's arm as she approached her. "Who cares, let's go..."

"But what about your purse?"

- Hawai'i, Wednesday, 2:30 pm -

The two Heroines continued their journey, but their conversation stalled.

"So, how do you intend to track down Tim and the others? What if they've already been killed?" Iva paused, clutching her purse, as Kylin sighed and turned around.

"Do you really expect a Duelist like him to vanish into oblivion due to death or an unnatural cause? Iva, you must have eaten something to brainwash yourself..."

"However, it is a possibility. Did you not hear? So many people had been killed or dispersed as a result of the Black Storm. Plus, we're both stranded in Hawaii by ourselves. There's no sign of Ayuka, and especially no sign of Tim."

"I'm more frustrated with the situation we're in right now... We've gotten younger. That's the main question I'd like to have answered... But I realize that finding them is more important than dealing with this. There will be responses in the future..."

"Concerned about her age? Shouldn't you be content? Young girls have a firmer body than those elderly ladies..."

"You're only saying that because you're the same age as me. Of course, adults and teenagers have different tastes."

"You're not even up for a few small jokes... I guess you're really focused on finding Tim and the others."

"Yes, of course, I am. And it doesn't have to be Tim. Any of our previous allies could do it."

"Kylin, pay attention. I know you like our lovely Hero. However, you are not required to conceal it."

"What are you talking about? I've never liked him like that..."

"All the girls say that, but they're clear in their presentation of true love."

"Iva... You're doing nothing to help. I had no idea you acted like this as a teenager..." Kylin sighed and grabbed her brow.

"What exactly do you want me to do? Be as serious as I used to be as an adult? I no longer even have a weapon..."

Kylin noticed that Iva was irritated and enraged about losing the suitcase, but Kylin reminded her that there was an open space for a Spiritual Blade that she could use.

- Conson Alps, Wednesday, 3:00 pm -

Standing at the very top of the highest peak of the Conson Alps, Codey witnessed beauty he had never imagined seeing.

The snow-covered peaks of the mountains, mountainous paths that wind their way around the Alps' construction, and breathing in the most refreshing air.

"... You call them 'Cloudburst Knives'? What is the source of its name? Do you know anything about its history, Raira?"

"Without a doubt. The name was given to them as a result of their most unexpected event. Five years ago, a massive typhoon arose from its dormant state. With its appearance, an unknown warrior arose, who was known as 'The Warrior of the Clouds.' The knives exploded from the misty clouds, striking the ground like lightning, causing a windstorm that endangered many lives and killed many."

"Many people believe that 'The Warrior of Clouds' is one of the Wind Gods who emerged by chance. People on the second side of our civilization regard him as an immortal human who has lived for centuries inside the Clouds."

"Following the appearance of that warrior, those Knives began to absorb his Soul, sabotaging his own Wielder and killing him in an instant. But, while the Warrior was fleeing the battlefield of being absorbed alive, those blades had fallen and reached a state of calm. Since that time, those knives have been kept in a cavern near the top of one's mountain cavern, lying on a crystalized rock known to keep sealed, the Warrior's erased Soul."

"The name was given to it as a result of the earlier mentioned event. Striking the ground from the clouds, and now, as a new Spiritual Duelist rose to new heights, a new era was born. As a result, you may be able to become the next Wielder of the 'Cloudburst' religion and its history."

"A one-of-a-kind pair of knives, as lethal and disastrous as a one-of-a-kind thunderclap. That appears to be a very dependable Spiritual Blade to wield... You also stated that it is hidden within the domain of mountain caverns. That sounds like a task I should take on..." Finally, Codey made his decision and the two had ventured out to the mountain's highest point in the hopes of discovering the secret cavern, which is said to house a Spiritual Blade of incredible history.

- Conson Alps, Wednesday, 3:50 pm -

Finally, they arrived, standing in front of an opened cavern with its interiors lit up with the incredible shine of the crystals, and just a few meters before their position, Raira and Codey came into view of the legendary knives, which had been trapped inside of a crystal, glowing and ready to wield.

"Those knives were never meant to be wielded. The crystal's body is tougher, and not even the most powerful blade could shatter it."

Codey, on the other hand, took a step forward and looked down at the crystal. "Perhaps it's not a blade that has to shatter it; perhaps it's only unlocked by the Aero's release..."

"It's worth a shot. We've never seen a man or a woman use an Aero skill on the bright crystal. If that's what you think the crystal-cracking spell is, I won't stop you. Proceed with caution."

"I see what you're saying, Raira." Soon after, our Hero placed his palm over the top of the crystal's spike, a beginning to summon a cast of wind had started piecing together onto the crystal, and only seconds later, there appeared to be a reaction.

Our Hero was still encircled by the wind. The unbreakable crystal exploded into orange particles that began to gust around his body, while the knife stuck inside the crystal floated high up in the air, through the cavern's opened room, creating a beam that blasted through the clouds, spreading them and shaping a rounded hole.

The cavern began to dislocate and create a fascinating whirlwind soon after. It sucked in the crystal's particles, causing the mountainous peak to curl up, opening up the entire section of the mountain, and with the unexpected disorder, the light, yet strong wind continued to surge around, creating a typhoon, but without harm.

People at the bottom of the Conson Alps sought the intrigue of the distant event, which made them feel strange, surprised, and amazed, especially when they saw the 'Cloudbursting' Knives floating around Codey's body, spinning, and then automatically attaching themselves to his belt, proving that the new 'Windborn' had awoken.

And now, with the appearance of the new user, people's worry has subsided, and the return of the 'Windborn' - a new warrior, a new breed that can help people survive for centuries - has reawakened people's confidence, their trust, and those people within the Conson Alps region are looking for their future of life.

"Finally, the knives gave their pity to a new human, who appears to be you. Although the title that people will give you is not your name, it goes by the title of 'Windborn.'"

Codey gazed down with his face against the scabbards, which were connected to the new Spiritual Blade, the 'Cloudbursting Knives,' also known as 'Sekai Haku.'

"The... 'Windborn'?" He remained silent without a proper introduction to who or what the title 'Windborn' meant, accepting the people's trust and giving them hope.

- Conson Alps, Wednesday, 3:30 pm -

"It's all still a bit perplexing... To think that I'm wielding a Spiritual Blade other than the one my mother exerted... It's strange, yet insane, to consider..."

"I'm confident that you'll be able to locate your mother's blade soon, assuming it hasn't been destroyed... But it's very likely that it has. At the very least, you have something to take their place."

"I understand that replacement is sometimes necessary, and while one side of my blade was destroyed, I don't believe it's the same to hold a new Blade that hasn't been wielded by my mother."

"I completely understand the difference between wielding your parent's blade and your own. But that shouldn't stop you from pursuing your goals."

"Yeah... The only thing I wish for is to find Tim or to be directed toward him in some way." And right then, Codey's knives glowed as his body created an illumination, startling him as it began to summon dispersion right away. "Whoa! What the hell is going on?! What is going on with me?!"

But, unanswered, Codey's body dispersed into the air, and, while it appeared that he'd be alone, Raira's body dispersed as well, and they soon vanished from the scene without a trace, leaving the public in the dark.

- Antarctica, Wednesday, 3:31 pm -

The snowstorm had subsided, allowing the girl to continue wandering, still without the answers to the elder's question or an understanding of the 'Black Storm.'

"I'm running out of options, but I'm still hoping to find something that will help me out. Except for the snowstorms, no one knows what dangers are lurking around here."

"And, come to think of it, I'm still looking for my Spiritual Blade, which is a little nerve-wracking, but do not worry. You'll be able to come up with something to talk about."

The girl who had finally exited the cavern a few hours before had come into view of a snow-covered town with thin but long streets, and for once in her life, there were people who appeared to have been living there, and not just a few, but quite a few.

"Perhaps they could help me."

- Sangan Kingdom, Wednesday, 3:31 pm -

But, unlike Tim's allies who were scattered around the globe, our Hero appeared to be bored by something while also trying to comprehend the events of the day before.

He sat behind Mathis's table, his chin propped up. "You know, if you're concerned about something, you should let me know."

But, just as Mathis finished speaking, two bodies emerged from the mist, causing our hero to look up.

"Keep an eye out! I'm not 'that' light!" When both Codey smacked his bottom on Tim's face, knocking him to the ground, and Raira landed behind them in a crouch, Codey screamed.

"Where the hell are we now, man?" Codey sat on Tim's face, scratching the back of his head, and wondered. When Codey realized he was suffocating someone's face, he finally dressed his look down and blinked several times.

"Oh! Please accept my heartfelt apologies!" When Tim opened his eyes, Codey hopped up to the side. "Who are you and how did you get here-" But it was only then that they exchanged viewpoints.

"Tim?! Codey?!"

"What in the World's Arches are you doing here, and why are you so young?!" Both yelled simultaneously.

To be continued...