บท 20: Back Home

Swoosh!

Velen and his companions departed.

With the new power granted by Michael, and with palpable enthusiasm, they embarked on their journey back.

"Velen-san," A Shandian approached, "That, that... Is this God Michael really trustworthy? Couldn't it be a trap to lure us?"

Hearing this, Velen remained silent for a moment. Then he turned, his golden eyes shining with determination.

"You have all seen the power of God Michael!"

Velen's voice thundered, filled with contained emotion. "That is the power of a true God, against which we have no hope of fighting. If we don't want our four-hundred-year dream to vanish, this is our only path."

The warriors couldn't help but feel a little sad. Was this the Chief Velen who had always been full of courage, now bowing to fear?

Submitting by force, could this be considered worthy of a warrior?

But they also had to admit that now there was only one option. After all, they weren't alone in this; there was an entire tribe depending on them.

Gulp!

Those who had clearly witnessed Michael's strength knew that the young god definitely had the power to easily conquer the Sky Islands.

"Even if our village is well hidden," one murmured, "How could we hide from someone who has unified the entire White-White Sea and even the White Sea?"

"And we can finally return!"

Velen rose, his voice charged with emotion: "We can return to Jaya Island! Back to the place where our ancestors lived! Our true homeland!"

YES!

The word resonated in their hearts.

They could finally return.

After feeling the initial humiliation, another emotion, like Velen's, took over them: An uncontrollable excitement!

They, who had been away from home for four hundred years, could finally return.

"Let's go back and tell them the whole story!"

Swoosh!

The group began to accelerate.

___

As the Shandians moved away, Gan Fall floated in the sky, his eyes fixed on them.

"God, is it really okay to let them return like this? Your... your benevolence is unexpected."

Their new god was enigmatic; dominant and self-centered, but surprisingly willing to allow Velen and the others to return to their tribe.

"Didn't you hear Velen?" Michael responded, his white wings gently fluttering. "He will bring back the members of his tribe."

"I trust him."

An enigmatic smile appeared on his face. People planted with the seeds of fire would be influenced by the power of his own soul.

Although limited, this influence would incline them towards him, as long as they weren't openly hostile.

What an unpredictable God. But this time, he seems to have a plan.

"Enel."

Michael's voice sounded.

Bzzt!

The thunders instantly gathered next to Michael, materializing Enel, who bowed slightly.

"Follow them and don't let them discover you," he ordered with his gaze fixed where the Shandians had disappeared.

Enel smiled: "Understood. They won't be able to escape my perception."

Michael nodded slightly.

Bzzt!

Enel transformed into lightning and disappeared.

Gan Fall, a silent witness to the whole process, remained quiet.

Truly an unpredictable God.

"Let's go, let's return," Michael announced, turning towards Angel Island. "Let's discuss the development plan for the Holy Land."

For four hundred years, the Holy Land had been the forbidden domain of the gods of Skypiea.

"This island in the sky," he muttered, "The only one made of earth... and its only purpose has been to be the garden of the gods?"

He snorted in disapproval. "What a waste. At the very least it should become a productive farm."

_____

Hidden Cloud Village.

The wind whistled among the clouds that formed this island, located not far from Angel Island.

This is where the Shandia gather.

The hearts of the inhabitants beat with the memory of their exile. 400 years ago, expelled from their homeland by the God of Skypiea, the great warrior Kalgara led them to this refuge, turning it into their base for continued attacks on the Holy Land.

Today, a special day loomed over the people of Shandia.

Dong!

The bell rang, its echo piercing centuries of silence.

Could that be the Golden Bell that their ancestors yearned to recover? The promised bell that the great Kalgara desperately wanted to ring?

With excitement and anticipation, their Warriors launched a search.

The people in the village waited, the air charged with tension and hope.

But soon, the Warriors returned.

Velen, the strongest warrior of the clan, summoned everyone.

"The Holy Land has been occupied by God Michael of Birka. He rang the Golden Bell. His power... can destroy the world, ravage an island with ease."

The crowd held their breath upon hearing this.

"He discovered us, but he didn't destroy us. Instead, he offered us an alliance."

"God Michael will open the Holy Land. He promised me that if we surrender to him, he will allow us to return to our homeland."

SILENCE!

"I... have accepted his offer."

Velen's words burst like thunder, provoking violent reactions.

"Velen! Have you lost your mind?"

"Surrender to the new god of Skypiea? Impossible!"

"It must be a trap!"

"How can he allow us to return? It's absurd!"

"Our homeland is ours and no one else's!"

The crowd roared, outraged.

However...

Thump!

The steps of a gray-haired elder resonated as he emerged from the crowd.

A sudden silence fell over everyone.

"Is what you say true... Velen?"

The elder's voice resonated.

The warriors swallowed, nervous.

Then, they all nodded in unison: "Velen-san is right. God Michael can transform into a golden Dragon. With just one breath, he can open an abyss thousands of meters deep in the White-White Sea."

"..."

A deathly silence fell over everyone.

Velen, with a grave voice, continued: "God Michael will rule all of the White-White Sea and the White Sea, sooner or later. By then... our hiding places will vanish."

"Hmmmm....."

The elder, chief of the Village, meditated in silence. Then, he let out an unexpected laugh: "It doesn't sound so bad. At least we'll be able to see the land of our ancestors."

"Sigh...." Velen exhaled, relieved: "We're leaving immediately! To our homeland, now!"

Shortly after...

At the edge of the Holy Land.

Flap! Flap!

Michael beat his wings, floating majestically in the sky.

In the distance, at sea, ships full of people with expressions of fear and hope approached.

"God Michael!"

Velen's voice thundered from the main ship. Beside him, the white-haired elder observed with wise eyes: "I have brought all my people!"

With solemnity, the elder declared: "From now on, we will follow you."

Thud!

The elder slowly knelt down.

Thud!

Velen and the others followed his example.

"God Michael!"

The unanimous cry resonated.

Certainly impactful, Michael thought.

He nodded slightly: "Go ahead, return to your homeland."

"YES!"

Everyone's faces shone with ecstasy and anticipation.

Finally. The affairs in Skypiea were almost resolved.

Next, the Blue Sea awaited.

________

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