Pillar of Yita

Tremors after tremors were emanating from the deep center of Fenris Isle, as mountains and rivers shifted upon the earth, and the Cloud Sea poured in reverse.

Chasms were being born from the rising mountain ranges and extending southward into the plains, the entire landmass was breaking apart. The northern landmass was being torn from the main body of the island, and amid a deep, thunderous roar, this behemoth slowly sank into the Cloud Sea.

Everyone at the command center silently watched this unfold, and half an hour earlier, the message from Tarun’s direction—the storm enveloping Rainbow Bay had unexpectedly calmed, also gave in to this mighty force.

The last image from the screen showed the slowly dissipating storm circle, within which several lost boats were being thrown out of the clouds.

But around Fenris Isle, the currents had undergone drastic changes, and the land that sank into the Abyssal Sea had forever altered the airflow of the area. Those unfortunate souls were dragged into the shear winds and pulled down into the Abyssal Sea by the descending currents.

Though they struggled to break free from what the sailors called ’the Hand of the Abyss,’ a collapsing mountain range crushed their last hopes, like a dry leaf in a whirlpool, spinning a few times before completely vanishing from sight.

A moment later, the screen flickered a few times and then went dark.

Silence fell upon the hall.

”Fenris’s northern observatory has gone silent.”

”The currents near Fenris are undergoing huge changes; our fleet cannot approach for now.”

”There are at least several hundred thousand people on that island!”

”But aren’t our warriors also people?”

”At least they have a chance to survive,” the Commander paused and replied, ”Have the natives sign the papers immediately and leave the vessel—”

”Hear my command, fleets seven, nine, and twelve above the Cloud Sea are to cease all missions and head to Fenris at all costs to enter the currents.”

”But that will greatly weaken our Strength!”

But the former turned around sternly, his eyes flashing with intensity, and answered resolutely, ”Our Strength comes from the glorious tradition and sense of honor of our military.”

”Carry out the order.”

Only then did everyone fall silent, nodding and then turning to leave.

The Commander turned back, and from a distance, Liao Tianhua nodded respectfully to his colleague.

”I think you made the right decision.”

”It’s just a soldier’s duty.”

”So how are things below?”

”A last resort.”

However, the ambassador raised his head, his gaze fixed upon the screen.

He answered softly, ”Fortunately, we have a group of young heroes—”

Through the radio came static-filled noise: ”Zzz... This is Blacksmith Port Base, communication has been re-established... we’re ready to go...”

”This is Silver Bastion... Mr. Ambassador... the communication is severely disrupted, zzz... we’ll be ready to fire in ten minutes...”

”This is the ship Green Fire, responding to the call, repeat please...”

”This is Sidewind Port Base, the first launch has been completed...”

In the hills of Green Dragon Mountain Range’s southern foothills—

Amidst screams, Tianlan almost fell off Mr. Greyrock’s back if not for the Big Cat People who caught her from behind.

In two days, the group had left the northern mountains, but the sudden earthquake rolled over the hills like waves, causing the massive Beasts of Burden to stumble and fall, nearly everyone was slammed against the side of a wooden wall at the same time.

The whole platform was in chaos.

Atira was the first to climb up from the Saddle Bridge, looking northwards with a premonition and unease.

”Look to the south!” Gita suddenly cried out.

Everyone couldn’t help but turn in that direction.

At the edge of their Vision, land from Fenris was sinking from east to west, forming a brand new Great Rift Valley—the earth was splitting and collapsing, the Cloud Sea was intruding, creating new straits and boundaries between land and sea.

Everything within sight was vanishing, the Forests, mountains, dotted homesteads, and fields atop the plains.

And the dust raised by the fracturing land turned into clouds of brown several kilometers high, obscuring the sun.

Everyone stood agape, incredulous at the scene unfolding before them.

”What... what’s happening?” Tianlan, rubbing the bruise on her forehead, muttered, ”Brother Ade and the others won’t be in trouble, right?”

Gita also closed her eyes, brought her hands together, and began to pray silently.

Ati gently touched the Amulet on her chest, frowning without a word.

Reed was pulling Luo Yu up from beneath the platform, replying, ”Ade and them will be fine, did you forget that troublemaker Parker is with them? That guy always has the knack for turning misfortune into fortune; don’t forget his previous escapades.”

”That was just his luck,” Tianlan replied, ”But his luck is bad now.”

”That’s not necessarily true.” The Lion People clapped their hands, raised their heads, took their pipe in their mouth and squinted their eyes, ”The wind, is already telling the answer.”

”The wind?”

Tianlan hadn’t finished speaking.

Suddenly, she felt something and looked up.

Amid the sky-blocking clouds of dust and even above the higher expanse of the heavens, behind the veiled blue of the sky, a faintly discernible starlight was coming from the distant south, moving slowly...

That dazzling light... was streaking across the sky.

South of Fenris.

In the land where Colin Main Continent lied.

The heart of the Kingdom, within Golande Harbor of the Royal Capital—