The vessel of rock that carried Emery and Grand Magus Soltz plummeted toward the ground like a falling star, its descent marked by streaks of fire against the emerald sky. When it finally made contact with the stony terrain, the impact was cataclysmic.
A thunderous explosion echoed across the land, cracks spread for nearly a mile in every direction, jagged scars upon the pristine landscape.
Yet, neither Emery nor Soltz were caught in the destruction. A flicker of space magic enveloped them, whisking them safely away from the blast radius just in time. The precaution was not just for survival—it was also a deliberate attempt to keep their arrival unnoticed.
As dust and debris settled around them, Soltz straightened his robes and looked around warily. “What do you plan to do next?”
Emery didn’t waste a moment. Closing his eyes, he extended his divine sense, reaching out across the vast land before him. His consciousness moved like an ethereal wave, tuning itself to the familiar energies he sought. Within seconds, he found them.
“Three hundred miles that way,” Emery declared, his voice firm as he pointed toward the distant horizon. “Let’s go.”
Emery had the ability to create a spatial gate directly to their destination, but he knew better than to rush blindly into an unknown land. Instead, he chose to observe and understand the planet they had arrived on.
With a silent nod to Soltz, the two ascended, gliding just above the treetops to minimize their presence. As they gained altitude, the breathtaking sight of the Fey Planet unfolded before them. It was a world of wonder, teeming with raw, unfiltered nature. The land stretched endlessly below, dominated by sprawling forests so dense that they seemed like an emerald sea. Towering trees pulsed with vitality, their leaves shimmering with hues of gold and silver, hinting at an innate magical essence.
Above this landscape, dozens of floating islands hovered effortlessly, as if the laws of gravity had been rewritten in this realm. Some of these landmasses were no larger than a village, while others rivaled mountains in sheer size. Rivers of liquid mana carved through the sky, defying logic as they twisted and branched like celestial pathways.
His divine sense reached out further, mapping out the life forms in their vicinity. Tens of thousands of energy signatures flooded his perception, most of them in the Magus realm. But among them were several beings that radiated immense power—Cosmic level.
“Do you know which part of the planet are we?” Emery asked, still processing the staggering magnitude of life on this planet.
Soltz folded his arms, deep in thought. “I’ve only been here once.. a hundred years ago,” he admitted. “I don’t recognize this region.”
The minutes passed quickly as they neared their destination.
Before them loomed a floating landmass—one of the largest Emery had seen so far. Unlike the lush and verdant floating islands they had encountered earlier, a fortress-like structure rested at the center of the island, built directly into the rock itself. Jagged rock formations jutted out like fangs, their surfaces carved with strange, ancient symbols.
His senses sharpened as he pinpointed the exact location of his students. They were being held captive. Emery’s jaw tightened. He could feel their energy restrained, locked within some kind of magical confinement deep within the rock.
However, before Emery could act, a sudden shift in the air made his instincts flare. From the massive floating landmass ahead, hundreds of figures erupted into the sky, their forms darkening the sunlight as they surged forward in synchronized flight. Their approach was swift, almost unnervingly so.
“They found us this fast?” Emery murmured, both surprised and impressed by their efficiency.
Soltz, however, showed no such admiration. His expression tensed as he exhaled sharply. “What did you expect? This is their domain.”
The figures closed in with impeccable formation—beings of varying sizes but all sharing distinct traits. Their forms were avian in nature, with feathery wings and talon-like limbs. Their sharp, piercing gazes were filled with authority and aggression. It was clear—this was not just any ordinary patrol.
Within moments, his divine sense filtered through the approaching force, identifying the strongest among them. Eight stood out immediately—Cosmic-level experts. Six were at the lower end, likely at the second or third stage of the Cosmic Realm, but two radiated an undeniable dominance, exuding strength that felt far beyond their peers.
One of them was particularly striking—a warrior whose feathers gleamed like polished metal, each one appearing as sharp as blades, crackling with latent energy. His presence was commanding, exuding an aura of unshakable authority. The second was a female, her four glowing eyes giving her a piercing, almost otherworldly gaze. Her spiritual force extended outward like invisible threads, probing into the surroundings, reaching even for Emery.
Despite the overwhelming force gathering before them, Emery remained composed, studying them carefully. Soltz, on the other hand, was visibly unsettled, his brow furrowing as his fingers twitched. He leaned closer, his voice low but urgent.
“This isn’t good…”
Emery turned to him. “You recognize them?”
Soltz nodded grimly. “This is not just any bird race. They are the Royal Feathers Clan. Guardians of the Fey Sanctuaries.”
Before Emery could respond, the metal bird warrior spoke in a heavy tone.
“Intruders! How dare you set foot upon our sacred land?!”
Emery narrowed his eyes at the accusatory tone. His instincts urged him to respond in kind, to assert his strength, to test his newfound power against such formidable warriors. But he held back. His daughter’s safety came first.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke calmly, “We have no ill intention. I—”
Before he could finish, a surge of energy brushed against his mind.
His gaze snapped toward a particular figure among them—the female with four glowing eyes. Her divine sense pushed against his consciousness, probing aggressively, attempting to unravel his power and secrets.
With an irritated scowl, Emery instantly repelled her attempt, sending a subtle but firm shockwave back at her.
The four-eyed woman recoiled slightly, eyes narrowing. “This one is a beastman… merely stage one… but I have never seen darkness run so deep…” She turned her gaze toward Soltz. “And the human… he hides his power well”
The steel-feathered leader took a step forward, his aura swelling, exuding raw battle intent. A domain began to form around him—one meant for war.
“You two definitely came with bad intentions! Surrender now, or face the wrath of our clan!”
Soltz, still composed, turned his head slightly toward Emery. “Just a reminder,” he said flatly, “I am merely your guide. Do not expect me to fight your battles.”
Emery exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. He had hoped to avoid unnecessary conflict, but he had no intention of simply surrendering either.
His voice rang with quiet authority. “I am here for my two students. Release them, and we will leave.”
A murmur ran through the avian warriors, and the steel-feathered leader’s eyes gleamed with recognition.
“So, you are the master of those two little thieves!” he sneered. “That explains much.”
At his signal, the warriors shifted, preparing for battle.
“Capture them!” the order rang out.
x x x x x x x
