Eli had touched the Airship when he boarded and it was far removed from the airship they were on with Venya.
?? [HUD Scan Activated]
→ Object Identified: The Stormchaser
Classification: Mid-Tier Trade & Passenger Airship – Independent Ownership
Authorization Level: General Clearance – Open Boarding
Status: Docked – Final Preparations for Departure
Specifications
- Model: Stormchaser – Mana-Fueled Sky Freighter (Passenger Retrofit)
? Primary Use: Merchant Transport / Civilian Passenger Ferry
? Maximum Capacity: 75 Passengers + Limited Cargo Hold
? Dimensions: 160 meters in length | 50 meters wide | 3 decks
? Flight Method: Mana-Levitation Core (56 Years Old, Efficiency at 73%)
? Maximum Speed: 280 Kilometers Per Hour
Defensive Systems
- Mana-Reinforced Hull – Can withstand minor projectile impacts.
? Basic Mana Barrier – Shields against standard turbulence and weak magical interference.
? Security Measures:
? Mana Flare Beacons – Used to signal distress.
? Deployable Paraglider Pods – Personal escape units.
Passenger Accommodations
- Stabilization Runes – Reduces turbulence.
? Shared Sleeping Quarters – Bunks available.
? Mess Hall / Common Area – Single meal rotation.
? Open Cargo Bay Seating – Additional space for travelers.
Additional Notes:
- Engine diagnostics show periodic mana fluctuations.
? Crew maintains vessel with regular rune recalibrations.
?Pilot reports steady performance on recent flights.
[Threat Assessment: LOW]
??Warning: This vessel operates under standard civilian protocols.
??Warning: Routine inspections recommended before long-distance travel.
Eli blinked as the HUD scan faded from his vision.
“Uh… Alira?” he muttered, glancing at her.
She shook her head before he could say more.
“But remember when we talked about falling out of the sky?” he asked hesitantly.
“You’re a Silver-Tier now,” Alira said, weaving through the other passengers. “You’ll bounce.”
Eli’s stomach twisted. He leaned in closer and whispered, “Wait, what? Is that actually true?”
She didn’t answer and kept walking.
“Alira, I am about to freak out,” he muttered, rubbing his forehead.
“We’ll be fine, Eli. People fly on these every day,” she said, though her voice carried a hint of impatience.
“If they saw what I saw, I don’t think they would,” he grumbled.
Rythen led them into a room that seemed that was originally a meeting room, though instead of tables, there were rows of chairs and a few structures that looked like bunk beds. None of it seemed particularly comfortable. Worse, it was clear the space wasn’t built to accommodate someone of Rythen or Erynn’s size.
Erynn guided her children to the back of the room while Rythen sat a few rows ahead, gesturing for Dainen to join him.
Eli took a seat by the window, staring out as Alira walked past. She leaned in and whispered, 'Everything is going to be fine.”
“Famous last words,” he muttered under his breath.
Alira took a seat in the back with Erynn and the children.
As the ship lifted off, Eli felt the entire structure groan against the wind. His grip tightened on the armrest.
“Oh, great,” he thought. “If this is how I die on this stupid planet, I swear I’m going to be pissed.”
As the ship steadied, a woman in a uniform—one that Eli could only assume she had been forced to wear—stepped into the room and asked if anyone wanted to place a drink order.
Then, without missing a beat, she informed them that the kitchen was temporarily closed.
Eli sighed and shot a look back at Alira, his expression clearly saying, This is not getting better.
Leaning against the window, Eli watched the world drift by outside. No matter how long he stared, he still couldn’t quite believe he was sitting aboard an airship held aloft by magic.
After a while, he decided to meditate—not out of necessity, but more to make the time pass faster than anything else.
A couple of hours later, he stood, feeling refreshed but restless. He needed to stretch his legs.
Glancing up, he caught Dainen’s eye and gestured that he was going for a walk.
“Don’t be long, and don’t get into trouble,” Dainen said before turning back to his conversation with Rythen.
Eli made his way through the Stormchaser’s narrow, creaking corridors, the dim lighting flickering as if the ship itself couldn’t decide whether it wanted to function.
His plan was simple—walk, stretch, clear his head.
Instead, he found himself at a staircase leading downward, curiosity tugging him deeper into the ship’s lower levels.
At the bottom, the hallway opened into a small, dimly lit chamber where a group of people in white robes sat in a loose circle.
Priests? Monks? Cultists? Eli wasn’t sure, but every single one of them turned to look at him the moment he stepped inside.
A human male—older, with kind eyes and neatly combed silver hair—stood and approached.
“Are you searching for someone, traveler?” the man asked, his voice smooth and warm.
Eli hesitated. Not the reaction he had expected. “Uh, no. Sorry to interrupt.”
There was no hostility, no tension—just a calm, welcoming presence that made Eli’s nerves ease slightly.
The older man gestured toward the circle. “Come, join us. I am Priest Kalordian, but most just call me Priest Kal. We have rolls—freshly made. I baked them myself.”
Eli’s stomach made the decision for him.
He sat down and, before taking a bite, his HUD pinged.
? Item: Freshly Baked Rolls
? Ingredients: Flour, Water, Mana-Infused Yeast, Salt, Butter
? Potentially Harmful: No unknown or known toxins detected.
? No known effects.
Eli nodded to himself. Not going to kill me, he thought.
He took a bite of the roll, pleasantly surprised by how soft and warm it was. “Okay, you’re going to have to give me this recipe,” he said, savoring each bite.
One of the other priests smiled. “So, young man, where are you from?”
“I’m from very far away,” Eli said vaguely.
As he spoke, his gaze flicked toward the back of the room, where one of the priests was mumbling to himself, eyes unfocused.
“Well, you speak incredibly well for someone not from this region,” the priest noted.
Eli forced himself to look away from the mumbling priest and shrugged. “I get around.”
“So, what exactly are you priests of?” he asked, steering the conversation elsewhere.
Priest Kal responded, “We come from different regions with different beliefs, but we are all on a pilgrimage to the Temple of Stromspire. It’s a yearly tradition.” He gestured at the others. “Each year, we visit one of the capitals to pray at the main temple. It helps us stay grounded and gives us a chance to discuss current events.”
Eli and the priests continued their light conversation, never straying into anything too serious.
Their discussion was interrupted when the same woman from earlier—the one who had taken drink orders—walked into the room.
“We’ll be arriving in about an hour,” she informed them.
Eli stretched, about to ask if the kitchen was open yet, when the ship suddenly lurched.
His heart stopped.
Oh gods, we’re falling.
Before he could think, he dived to the ground, bracing for impact.
Silence.
Everyone stared at him.
The woman sighed. “Sir? Are you okay? That was just the landing engines starting up.”
Eli cleared his throat and slowly pushed himself up. “Yeah, I figured that was the case.” He dusted himself off. “Been working on my cardio—and what better time to get a workout in than when the entire ship sounds like it’s falling out of the sky?”
A few priests snickered.
Just as Eli was standing back up, he caught sight of the same mumbling priest, now sweaty and nervous, his eyes darting around the room.
Their gazes met.
The priest scowled.
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Then, suddenly, he jumped to his feet, raising his hands.
“For the Spire!” he shouted, and light flared from his palms.
Eli’s HUD flashed purple.
?? [HUD Alert]
→ Warning: Dimensional Portal Detected
→ Portal Activation in Enclosed Space is Unstable
?? Risk of Structural Damage: HIGH
Oh, hell no, Eli thought.
Eli barely had time to move before a swirling void of energy ripped open beneath him.
The airship groaned violently, the force of the portal tearing through the floor.
For a split second, Eli saw a rocky ground on the other side of portal—then he was falling towards the rocky ground.
Several of the priests fell with him.
Eli hit the ground hard, rolling as he absorbed the impact. Stone. Sharp rocks.
Eli pushed himself up, blinking.
Through the still-open portal above, he saw the Stormchaser continuing on its course—now with a gaping hole in its lower decks.
Around him, the priests who had fallen through the portal were scrambling to their feet, groaning in confusion.
Eli’s HUD pinged.
?? [HUD Alert]
? Map updated. New location detected.
? The Nexus Star location updated.
? Traveler’s Stone connected to location.
Frowning, Eli pulled up his map. His marker was now on the complete other side of Draegonreach from where he’d been just seconds ago.
He glanced around at the scattered priests—some still lying on the rough, jagged rocks, others unsteadily getting to their feet. One wasn’t moving.
A man lay at an awkward angle, his neck twisted unnaturally.
Eli walked over and reached out to check for a pulse, but his HUD handled it before he could.
?? [HUD Scan Activated]
? Subject Identified: Priest Valtren Oris
? Race: Human
? Mana Tier: Copper
? Affinity: Spiritual
? Mana Type: Light
? Status: ? Deceased (Fatal Cervical Fracture – Cause: High-Impact Fall Through Unstable Portal)
? Note: Subject’s body shows signs of residual Light Mana discharge, indicating attempted divine protection upon impact. Ineffective. No signs of external interference.
Eli exhaled sharply and shook his head.
A priest stepped up behind him.
“He’s dead,” Eli said, his tone flat.
He wasn’t sure who, if anyone, he could trust in this group.
“What the hell is ‘The Spire’?” he asked, turning to face the priest.
The man hesitated, then shook his head. “I’m not sure. The only ‘Spire’ I know of refers to a small group of zealots that died out thousands of years ago.”
Eli narrowed his eyes. “If they died thousands of years ago, why do you know about them?”
The priest met his gaze without flinching. “I study a lot of old zealot groups. I’m a historian.”
Eli didn’t respond right away. He wasn’t about to trust someone who conveniently had answers.
Instead, he extended his hand. “I’m Eli.”
The priest hesitated for a moment before shaking it. “I am Priest Eldrin.”
Eli’s HUD pinged again.
?? [HUD Scan Activated]
? Subject Identified: Priest Eldrin Voss
? Race: Human
? Mana Tier: Copper
? Affinity: Life
? Mana Type: Restoration
? Occupation: Historian, Scholar of Divine Records
? Status: Active
? Note: Subject specializes in ancient texts and lost Celestial doctrines. Extensive knowledge of pre-war religious structures and early mana theory. No recorded combat experience.
Eli scanned the information quickly, relaxing just a little. At least his HUD confirmed what the priest had said.
“Okay, Eldrin,” Eli said.
“Priest Eldrin,” Eldrin corrected, quickly.
“Right. Priest Eldrin.”
Eli glanced at the other priests, who were now gathering around them. “I don’t suppose any of you can portal us back?”
They all shook their heads.
“Great,” Eli muttered, rubbing his face.
He exhaled, looking around at their surroundings. Nothing but dried dirt and jagged rocks stretched out in every direction. They were perched on a ridgeline in the eastern mountains.
To the west, toward Stormspire, the ground was cracked and broken, scattered with massive rock formations. The northern horizon was dominated by an imposing mountain range.
Eli checked his map again. Two unfamiliar names appeared as markers: Hollow’s Ascent and Cloudmere. No additional information.
However, to the northeast, the Traveler’s Stone’s guide pulsed softly, marking a small circle.
He turned to the priests. “Any of you know anything about Hollow’s Ascent or Cloudmere?”
Two of the priests, tending to minor injuries, glanced up.
“Yes, who doesn’t know about Cloudmere?” a priest said in a mocking, nasally voice.
Eli raised an eyebrow. “Me. That’s why I asked the question.”
The priest scoffed. “And who are you?”
“Eli.” He stuck out his hand.
The priest shook it with clear reluctance. “Priest Seraphis.” His tone carried an air of annoyance, as if shaking Eli’s hand was an inconvenience.
?? [HUD Scan Activated]
? Subject Identified: Priest Seraphis Dain
? Race: Human
? Mana Tier: Silver
? Affinity: Life
? Mana Type: Restoration & Vital Binding
? Occupation: High Cleric of Renewal, Keeper of Ancestral Rites
? Status: Active
? Note: Subject is a noted scholar in ancient healing practices and forbidden restoration techniques. Recorded use of Vital Binding, a rare ability that links one’s life force to another—either to heal or to transfer wounds. Known to have opposed certain Celestial doctrines regarding mana purity.
Eli quickly skimmed the information but didn’t react.
“Alright, so does anyone actually have a plan for getting to Stormspire?” he asked.
A few priests opened their mouths, but before they could answer, he added, “And aside from just telling me the direction.”
Their mouths promptly closed.
Eli sighed. “Here’s the deal—I’m heading north-northeast.”
Priest Eldrin frowned. “Why? There’s nothing that way for kilometers.”
Eli smirked. “Because I needed to go that way eventually, and since some nice zealot decided to drop me here, I might as well take advantage.”
“What do you mean, zealot?” one of the priests asked.
Eli pointed to Eldrin. “Ask him.”
As the priests turned to discuss the situation among themselves, Eli returned to his map, sorting through his plan.
He hadn’t intended to go after the Nexus Star without Alira, but he also didn’t want to backtrack when he was already this close to the artifact.
He also hoped the priests would go their separate ways. The last thing he needed was to drag them into whatever mess he was tangled up in.
Sitting down, Eli closed his eyes and meditated, focusing his mana, calming his body, and sharpening his mind.
When he opened his eyes, the priests were all sitting around him.
Eli blinked. “Uh… what’s up?”
One of the priests tilted his head. “What do you mean? Is this a riddle?”
“What? No.” Eli frowned. “I meant, what are you doing?”
“We didn’t want to disturb your meditative state,” Eldrin explained.
“But we’ve decided to join you on your journey,” he added, glancing around as the other priests nodded in agreement. “We aren’t confident in our ability to travel long distances alone or defend ourselves against anything aggressive.”
Eli exhaled slowly.
Of course they did.
“Look, I can’t tell you what to do or where to go, but I’m not babysitting you the entire time,” Eli said, standing up.
“If we get attacked, I expect you to help.” Without waiting for a response, he started making his way off the rock formation.
The group set off northeast.
An hour into their walk, the clouds shifted, and the wind picked up, roaring eastward.
Eli glanced at Eldrin, raising his voice over the wind. “Is this normal?”
Eldrin gave him a look. “You really don’t know anything about Draegonreach?”
“No. Nothing.”
Eldrin sighed. “Then yes, this is normal. The winds here are… almost alive. Storms come and go all across Draegonreach.”
Eli didn’t respond. He just kept his eyes on the sky, watching as thick, dark clouds churned above, lightning crackling between them.
Minutes later, the rain hit.
Torrential.
Eli threw a glance over his shoulder, making sure none of the priests were getting blown off the ridge.
They pressed forward, the storm raging for another hour before vanishing as suddenly as it had come.
The clouds rolled away, the sun blazed down, and the temperature soared.
Eli barely noticed. His quick-drying gear handled the water, and his waterproof boots were still solid.
They kept walking. Storms came. Storms went. Eli lost track of how many times it rained on them.
Then, finally—
“I need to stop.”
It was Priest Orwen, one of the older men in the group. He looked exhausted.
Eli pulled up his HUD.
?? [HUD Inquiry - Time]
? Travel time: 6 hours, 39 minutes.
They had only made it a quarter of the way.
Eli checked his stamina. 91%. Still good.
Fine. A break wouldn’t hurt. He sat down on a flat rock and sighed. “I’ll meditate for a bit.”
The world faded as he focused on his breathing, allowing the steady pulse of his mana to settle.
After everything—the portal, the fall, the unfamiliar land—meditation was the only way to keep his thoughts from spiraling.
His HUD dimmed, as if recognizing his attempt at peace.
For the first time in hours, his mind felt still.
Then—
A scream shattered the silence.
Eli’s eyes snapped open.
Footsteps scrambled over loose gravel.
A younger priest—barely out of his teens—was stumbling backward, his face frozen in sheer terror.
Beyond him, something dropped from the sky.
Eli’s instincts kicked in before his HUD even reacted.
He was on his feet in an instant, shifting into a defensive stance.
Dark shapes landed around them, limbs snapping outward to absorb the impact, then curling back like coiled springs.
The creatures were about the size of large dogs, but that’s where the resemblance ended.
Their long, sinewy bodies were covered in scale-like plating, their limbs unnaturally flexible, ending in hooked talons made for gripping rock and flesh alike.
Their heads were narrow, their elongated snouts lined with rows of serrated teeth. Their eyes glowed faintly, pulsing with an eerie blue bioluminescence.
Then—
?? [HUD Scan Activated]
? Sky-Wolves
? Entity Identified: Sky-Wolf Pack
? Tier: Silver
? Affinity: Elemental (Wind)
? Size: Large canine-equivalent
? Mana Signature: Active (Wind-based acceleration, gliding capability)
? Threat Level: Moderate-High
? Notes:
? Sky-Wolves use gliding membranes between their limbs to descend silently from cliffs.
? Their bite force is significantly higher than expected—capable of puncturing reinforced leather.
? Pack Tactics Observed: Will attempt to isolate weaker prey.
?? Abilities:
? Wind Sprint – Brief bursts of speed enhanced by Wind mana.
? Aerial Pounce – Can adjust trajectory mid-jump for surprise attacks.
? Glide-Stalkers – Can ride wind currents for brief aerial movement.
? Chance of Success in Engagement: 62%
? Pack Detected: 6 creatures in proximity
? Recommendation: Avoid prolonged airborne combat—Sky-Wolves excel in midair agility. Engage on stable ground if possible.
Eli exhaled sharply, eyes locked on the creatures.
Sky-Wolves? he thought. Who is responsible for naming these things?
They hadn’t attacked yet.
They were testing the group. Waiting.
The priest who had screamed was still frozen in place, his breath ragged.
Eldrin was edging toward him, moving slowly, trying to pull him away without drawing attention.
Eli took a single step forward, raising his hands to get the creatures’ focus on him instead.
“Hey!” he called out, locking eyes with the wolf stalking the young priest.
It turned its glowing blue gaze toward him.
Shit.
The sky-wolf let out a low, chuffing sound—
A signal.
And the pack moved.
Eli closed his left hand and Sables, The Veilbound Oath shimmered into reality. The blade had a purple glow to it with ruins running down each side of the blade. It had a slight curve towards the end.
Seraphis looked in awe of the sword, but Eli didn’t have the time to talk to him about it. They were under attack.
Eli’s vision slowed as he sped up, he was used to the feeling by now. He made the first strike at the sky-wolf closest to the young priests.
Eli moved with ease and in two steps had come within striking distance. He made a quick slash as the creature tried to jump out of the way, but Eli was too fast.
Its head fell from its body.
Eli didn’t have time to stop, he flowed through the creatures, avoiding bites and stepping through the priests who ended up being more of an obstacle to bound between.
He felt two trying to strike from his flank. He pivoted as the two jumped, their attack was perfectly timed together, both creatures striking the other.
Eli’s pivot put him within striking distance of what he assumed was the alpha of the pact. It tried to leap into the air but Eli was too quick, one quick thrust and it was impaled on his blade.
The two that had collided were getting to their feet.
Eli in one fluid movement, dematerialized Sables, causing the dead alpha to fall, recalled the saber again and sliced in a windmill arc killing the two-remaining sky-wolves.
After what felt like 20 minutes of fighting. All the creatures were dead.
HUD Ping: Combat XP Gained
? Entity Defeated: Sky-Wolf (Silver-Tier) x6
? Fight Duration: 78 Seconds
? Base XP Gained: +2 XP per enemy (Total: + 12XP)
? Silver vs. Silver (No Tier Bonus Applied)
? Final XP Earned: +12 XP
? Ability XP Distribution:
?? Titan Form: +0.12 XP (1%)
?? Herculean Strength: +0 XP (Max Level)
?? Reinforced Ligaments: +0 XP (Max Level)
?? Adamant Heart: +1.2 XP (10%)
?? Meteor Dash: +2.04 XP (17%)
?? Fusion Punch: +0 XP (Not Used)
HUD Ping: Stamina & Mana Status
? Ability Usage: Veilbound Oath Saber Strikes (Multiple)
? Mana Spent: -18 Mana (Current: 130 / 148)
? Stamina Spent: -24 Stamina (Current: 157 / 175)
? Estimated Recovery: Passive Regeneration: +1.5 Mana/sec | +2 Stamina/sec
? Full Recovery in ~12 Seconds
? Loot Sky-Wolves [ Yes / No ]
Eli quickly selected ‘Yes’
HUD Ping: Loot Acquired
? Entities Defeated: Sky-Wolf (Silver-Tier) x6
? Loot Collected:
?? Sky-Wolf Talons (x6) – Razor-sharp, wind-infused claws. Used for crafting light armor or mana-imbued weapons.
?? Wind-Touched Hide (x3) – Durable, flexible leather-like hide. Can be reinforced for protective gear.
?? Silver-Tier Mana Core (x6) – Contains residual Wind mana. Can be sold or refined for affinity-enhanced equipment.
?? Sky-Wolf Fang (x2) – A rare material used in specialized enchantments.
?? 36 Silver Mana Coins – Standard Silver-tier creature drop.
? Loot Automatically Stored in Inventory.
The blood and gore that had sprayed all over the Priests, dissolved away as Eli’s inventory icon blinked.