Tales from the edge of reality

"—Pull!—"

A soldier shouted as the villagers of the mountain range and some soldiers from Kingsbury, using tanks, hauled the mother crystal that had fallen in the mountain range along with Kingsbury's ship.

"—Harder!—"

The soldier shouted again. All the villagers pulling on foot tugged with more strength, and the tanks revved their engines. The crystal left a trail on the ground as it was dragged, the disturbed soil marking the path it had taken from the entrance of the castle's hangar. With its doors open and the waterfalls cascading down the sides, Gale and Marie observed the scene with a mix of satisfaction and expectation.

"—You can't be serious when you say you want to leave the crystal here—"

Marie said, turning to look at Gale.

"—Of course, I'm serious. Do you really think I'm going to hand over a mother crystal to my stupid stepfather? Or to my sisters?—"

Gale replied, his gaze fixed on the crystal being dragged.

"—Our orders were clear: seize the mother crystal and the initiator key, and return to Kingsbury—"

Marie said as she watched Gale turn around and walk toward the castle's interior.

"—Orders that weren't fulfilled. Our largest ship couldn't handle the crystal's weight and crashed, with the crystal inside, which was destroyed—"

Marie watched Gale smile slightly as he said this.

"—This crystal will be useful later. For our plan, we need a power source potent enough to fuel an entire city. The mother crystal from Goldwater fits the bill—"

Gale said as they walked.

"—Hehe, well, alright then. I'm just a simple commander; those decisions are beyond my pay grade—"

The two entered the castle's corridors.

"—We'll leave one of the members of the mountain court in charge… if you can even call it a court. When we return from Kingsbury, you'll take command, Marie—"

They spoke as the light streaming through the castle's windows illuminated them.

"—Yesss, sir—"

Marie replied, and silence settled for a moment.

Gale noticed that Marie remained by his side, her posture stiff and professional, though not without a slight smile of satisfaction for the chaos she had helped sow.

"—What you did with King Joohn was insane—" Gale said in a stern tone without turning to look at her. "—It was reckless and dangerous, and I can't allow you to act like that again.—"

Marie let out a soft, sardonic laugh, crossing her arms as she looked at him.

 —Come on, Gale, you know deep down you enjoy my 'recklessness.' After all, someone has to do the dirty work, right?—"

Gale glanced at her from the corner of his eye, clearly irritated.

"—Not when your 'dirty work' jeopardizes our alliances and endangers our objectives—" he replied coldly. "—We need to maintain stability, not provoke upheavals.—"

Marie sighed, as if the matter were trivial to her, but she nodded.

"—Relax, your highness—" she said, her tone bordering on condescension. "—I just hope your plan works. Because let's be honest, Gale, you barely have part of the third division here with you. Doesn't it bother you that your sisters are on the front lines while you're stuck here, dealing with these… villagers?—"

Gale frowned at her words.

"—I don't like the situation, but I'll do whatever is necessary to achieve peace. Besides, I can't just charge alone against the rest of Kingsbury,—" he answered firmly, making it clear his conviction outweighed his personal grievances.

Marie looked at him silently, sensing the tension in his words, but before she could reply, both of them heard a soft, melancholic melody coming from the main hall. It was a sorrowful piece, played with a skill that captured the attention, even of someone as hardened as Gale.

—Go to the hangar and make sure everything is ready for tomorrow, —Gale ordered suddenly, his voice slightly softer. —We leave at dawn.

Without waiting for a response, he turned towards the hall, leaving Marie in the corridor with a surprised expression. After a few seconds, the commander blinked and continued on her way, still bewildered.

Gale walked silently until he reached the threshold of the main hall, where the music filled the space with an enveloping melancholy. Upon entering, he spotted Floppa sitting at the piano, his fingers moving over the keys with surprising precision and grace. Each note seemed laden with emotional weight, and Gale, who was also a musician, recognized the mastery behind every chord.

Floppa played without looking up, but somehow, he knew Gale was watching. The song came to an end, fading into the air, and in the silence that followed, Floppa finally raised his eyes and looked at Gale with an ironic expression.

—I didn't think you were the kind of person to appreciate music, —Floppa said sarcastically, his eyes fixed on Gale with a mix of defiance and disdain. —Who would've thought?

Gale smirked faintly, almost imperceptibly.

—I can surprise, —he replied, with a touch of pride in his voice. —Music has intrinsic value that anyone with ears and a little education can appreciate. And for your information, I play too. I'm a fan of classical pieces.

Floppa was surprised by the response but maintained his reserved attitude. He paused in his playing and looked at Gale with interest, though his eyes reflected a mix of distrust and curiosity.

—Seriously? —he asked, his tone slightly incredulous.

Gale nodded, not taking his eyes off the piano, and reached out to press a single note, letting the sound resonate in the hall before responding.

—Yes. I'm not surprised you find it hard to believe, but it's true. Anyway... I know our first conversation was a bit... tense, —he admitted, his tone controlled and cold, though the hardness in his expression softened slightly. —I want to apologize for today's chaos.

Floppa tilted his head, cautiously observing the apparent change in Gale. Although his cold demeanor remained, his apology sounded, at least, sincere. For a moment, silence stretched between them, and Floppa finally nodded, accepting Gale's words, though not fully lowering his guard.

—I understand... but that doesn't take away how exhausting this is, how... demotivating. We're trapped in this. Or rather, I am. You dragged us into it. I didn't ask for this war, Gale, —he replied with a sigh, his fingers idly gliding over the keys, creating a series of somber notes. —But, as you said, I don't have many options. I want to protect my friends and this place. Unfortunately, it seems that involves accepting whatever you've planned.

Gale watched him, and though his posture remained rigid, there was genuine interest in his gaze. For a moment, the relentless soldier seemed to yield, responding in a voice barely warmer.

—Kingsbury needs reliable allies, and while today was tense... I want this alliance to work, —he said, his tone still firm but with a subtle openness. —Alliances are built on trust, and I want you to know that.

He looked at Floppa, his blue eyes reflecting a hint of vulnerability. It was a minimal change, almost imperceptible, but Floppa noticed and returned a thoughtful gaze, still holding onto some caution.

—Then I hope you can trust me, —Gale added, removing the gloves from his armor and carefully placing them on the piano.

Floppa observed the gesture, surprised by the simplicity of the act, which revealed an unexpected intention—an openness he didn't expect.

—Tell me, Floppa... do you know how to play a duet? —Gale asked, with a casual air, though his gaze held an evaluative glint.

Floppa shrugged, a little surprised by the proposal, but nodded.

—Yeah... although I've never actually done it, —he admitted, a bit wary but with a touch of curiosity.

Gale smiled slightly and placed his hands on the keys.

—There's always a first time, —he said. —Like this alliance. Let's do it.

Positioning his fingers over the keys, Gale warmed up with some exercises, running scales with both hands. Then, he began playing the opening chords of a piece that resonated in Floppa's mind. The melody felt vaguely familiar. Floppa watched Gale, who played with a precision that demonstrated his experience, and Gale whispered the name of the piece.

—It's called "20 Fingers," —he said, without pausing his playing.

Floppa smiled slightly, recognizing it.

—I know it... though, where I'm from, we called it "Quatre mains," —he replied, without looking away from the keys. —It means "Four Hands" in French... I think. Though it was also 3EM21_27, a more technical name, but...

Gale nodded, smiling faintly at the unexpected connection between them.

—I have no idea what French is, but all right. Then, you take the lower scale; I'll handle the higher octaves, —Gale instructed, beginning to set the rhythm with professional calm. —Let's start.

Floppa sighed, preparing himself, and placed his fingers on the lower keys. The first notes were a bit uncoordinated; their rhythms, though similar, didn't quite align. But after a few measures, they adjusted their tempo, allowing the music to flow effortlessly. Gale took care of the higher octaves, while Floppa dominated the bass, each paying close attention to the other without losing focus.

The melody they built together resonated in the grand hall, and nearby soldiers and villagers, still unsettled by the morning's tension, paused for a moment, surprised by the serenity of this unexpected piece. In its notes, there was a sense of peace, contrasting with the harshness of the reality they both faced.

—Ha, this... this is fun, —Floppa said, playing a passing chord to fill a gap in Gale's scale.

—Yes... yes, it is. It's refreshing, —Gale replied, watching Floppa play.

When the final note resonated in the air, they both remained silent, breathing deeply, and for a moment, shared a look of understanding.

—I have to admit, Floppa. You play quite well, —Gale said, maintaining his cold tone but with a hint of respect.

Floppa nodded, and a faint smile crossed his lips.

—You're not so bad yourself, for a soldier, —he replied with a touch of irony, though his words carried a hint of sincerity.

Gale nodded slowly, remaining silent for a moment before looking at Floppa with an expression that, on his usually serious face, seemed close to a smile.

—Then, let our alliance be like this song, —he said firmly, looking at Floppa. —Let it be fluid and harmonious, and together, let's achieve something beyond our expectations.

With those words, Gale took his gloves from the piano and slid them back onto his hands.

—I'll see you tomorrow, —he added, not losing his usual composure.

Floppa watched him in silence as he walked away, taking a deep breath, understanding that while he couldn't escape this situation, perhaps there was a way to make it work. Gale, little by little, seemed less threatening, though he still held his implacable character.

Finally, Floppa rose from the piano bench, remembering he had to oversee his own preparations for the morning.

—I have to find Pope and tell him everything... This keeps getting worse, —Floppa said as he headed toward the hall's exit, determined to find Pope.

. . .

Gale lay stretched out in one of the largest rooms of the Mountain range's castle. Behind him, the flag of Kingsbury had been hung like a banner. The oil lamps in front of him cast a sinister glow as Gale looked at Floppa, Dickson, Arthur, Momox, and Master Joseph. They stared back with a mix of nervous calm, especially after what the young man had just said.

--Let me get this straight--Arthur began, he then pointed at Floppa.

--You want to take the prince... to Kingsbury... along with five other hostages and one of our cargo ships filled with supplies?--

Gale nodded.

--You heard me correctly. I want everything ready by tomorrow morning. I believe the prince already explained what the treaty states, hasn't he?-- he said with satisfaction.

--No, hang on-- Momox interjected.

--The treaty says nothing about supplies. Winter is just around the corner. The mountain range can sustain itself, but not others. This is an unexpected demand.--

Gale turned to him, his piercing gaze sharp.

--I'm not asking you politely; I'm ordering you. An army needs to be fed, especially in winter. Besides, you're a smaller nation. You can manage with less.--

Floppa clenched his fists. He'd gained some sympathy for the Kingsbury prince after their duet, but now Gale was acting like a complete idiot.

--Half,-- Dickson said finally.

--You can take Floppa and the hostages, but only half the supplies. Today was harvest day, but because of all the repairs we had to do yesterday, we couldn't gather the crops. We'll give you half since our reserves will already be strained, and besides, your ships destroyed part of our fields. Take it or leave it.--

Floppa spoke up next.

--Besides, you have more provisions in Kingsbury. Your production capacity is significant, especially with the magma heart spell you activate during winter. On the way to and from Kingsbury, the people here can process the food to make it last longer If one of the four of us stays behind, to coordinate the procedures, you wanted trust, Gale? Then respond in kind.--

Momox intervened again.

--We're trusting you not to attack us while we're away. So have the trust to leave us unsupervised for a while. We'll deliver the remaining supplies later.--

Gale stared at them for a moment.

--Have everything ready by tomorrow-- he said finally, sighing.

The Mountain range's nocturnal winds rattled against the window. Master Joseph glanced at Floppa, lost in thought. Floppa was gazing out the window, and for the first time since arriving at the Mountain Range, the dark green ocean of the valley below seemed unsettled.

. . .

The next day started early in the mountains. The entire morning was spent preparing: packing, goodbyes, and last-minute adjustments. Floppa stood beside Pope, both facing the group of cargo ships stationed in the valley stretching toward Star Lake. The shouts and metallic sounds from Kingsbury's soldiers filled the air as they followed orders. Pope listened as Floppa explained the terms of the treaty with Kingsbury.

--So, according to Gale, once we reach Kingsbury, we'll load up what we need and return for the volunteers-- Floppa said, his voice dull and almost mechanical as if trying to convince himself this was the best option.

--And you're sure about this?-- Pope asked, crossing his arms.

Floppa shook his head, staring at the ground.

--I'm anything but sure. But we don't have a choice, Pope. I hate the thought of war—we had enough of that in the previous world—but it's this or there won't be a mountain range anymore.--

Pope studied him for a moment before nodding, his expression softening.

--Well, it is what it is. We have to take extreme measures if we want peace.--

In front of them, the gunship, its wings folded, was being loaded onto one of the cargo ships. Workers were operating controls and inspecting the ship. Pope winced as the dome-shaped glass of the pilot's cockpit reflected sunlight directly into his eyes. Internally, he was grateful the rest of the ship didn't reflect light thanks to its new matte yellow paint. It didn't reflect during the day and blended into the darkness at night—a double-edged sword. Floppa's voice broke Pope's thoughts.

--I want you to come with me on Gale's flagship.-- The plea in his voice was subtle but present.

Pope raised an eyebrow, surprised.

--Are you sure about that?--

--Yes. Bee, Fossil, Arthur, and Dickson will be on the cargo ship they're towing. They'll be fine, but I need you with me, just in case.--

Pope nodded slowly, agreeing without further questions.

Inside the cargo ship, Bee and Fossil stood near the provisions, inspecting bags and sharing their thoughts.

--This is insane-- Bee muttered, setting a box in place.

--It is-- Fossil agreed, arms crossed and leaning against a metallic wall.--But the alternative would be far worse.--

--That doesn't make it any easier.-- Bee sighed, glancing at 10008, who was perched on a nearby shelf.

The sea cucumber spoke in his usual neutral but logical tone.

--From a logical perspective, this action has a higher chance of success than staying here and risking an attack by Gale himself. Not because I think you can't handle him, but given what Floppa told us, that threat sounded serious. There is no reasonable alternative.--

--That doesn't mean I have to like it.-- Bee shrugged but offered a faint smile at Fossil. --Then again, none of us are here because this is easy.--

Outside, Floppa walked with Pope toward the flagship. He wore his usual outfit but had added pieces: bracers and helmet reinforcement made of chanchopoyo shell, perfectly adjusted to leave room for his goggles. His boots now had protective plating on the front and sides.

''Damn… I saw those armor pieces in his closet almost a week ago. I hoped he wouldn't have to use them'' Pope thought, watching Floppa finish tightening the straps on his goggles and helmet.

--Are you sure you're ready for this?-- Pope asked, watching Floppa as they walked.

Floppa paused at the edge of the field, gazing at the vast expanse.

--I hope so-- He took a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill his lungs. --I haven't even been here two months, and I already feel like it's home.--

--We'll be back-- Pope patted his shoulder, his tone firm and reassuring.--Just like before, in our world. There and back again--

Floppa smiled, though doubt lingered in his expression.

--I hope you're right.--

Bee appeared at the cargo ship's door, wearing her visor, and gave them a thumbs-up. Pope nodded in her direction before following Floppa to the flagship, where Gale was waiting.

Seeing Floppa with the armor pieces, Gale gave him a once-over, nodding in approval.

--You look good. It's wise to be prepared.--

Floppa exchanged a glance with Pope before responding.

--I don't have a choice.--

Before they could continue, a group of children ran toward them, shouting excitedly.

--Prince Floppa!--

Floppa knelt as one of the children handed him a small leather bag.

--These are dragon seeds and magic gummies. We made them in the workshop with Momox and Dickson. Please take them. They'll give you energy if you run out of food or get into trouble.--

Floppa grinned, ruffling the child's hair as he took the small bag. It was full of seeds.

--You gathered all these seeds by yourselves?-- Floppa asked.

The children nodded enthusiastically.

--Uh-huh!--

--That's amazing… Thank you. They'll be very helpful,-- Floppa said, smiling warmly.

The children laughed, but one, with a worried expression, asked:

--Will you come back?--

The other children looked at him, some with tears forming in their eyes. Floppa raised a hand to calm them.

--Don't worry, I'll be back,-- he said firmly yet kindly.--I promise. In the meantime, stay strong and take care of each other. And if anything bad happens, go to the castle, okay?--

The children nodded and ran back toward the villagers, their laughter filling the air. From a distance, they shouted:

--Have a safe trip, Prince Floppa!--

Floppa raised a hand in farewell, his gaze following them until they disappeared into the crowd.

Pope watched him, a small smile on his face.

--You've changed. You used to hate kids.--

Floppa shrugged, still staring at the horizon.

--This place has helped me a lot. That's why I plan to return.--

They boarded the ship and walked down the corridor toward the bridge, which was almost entirely made of reinforced glass—a blend of what Floppa believed to be borosilicate with some other material Arthur had never told him about. Before reaching the bridge, Marie intercepted them with a playful smile.

--Guys, before you settle in, I want to introduce you to someone.--

Beside her stood a woman with a firm posture and calculating gaze. Despite this, her smile seemed kind. Pope recognized her instantly.

--Hilda??--

Pope spoke as he recognized the girl in front of him. Hilda's eyes widened in surprise as she realized who he was.

--Pope?!--

Both of them stepped closer, Hilda noticing the scarf around Pope's neck and the pair of katanas strapped to his back. There was no doubt it was him.

--Pope!-- she exclaimed, hugging him tightly. Pope returned the hug.

--It's been a month-- he said when they separated.

--Yeah… a lot has happened in that month,-- Hilda replied, her smile carrying a strange undertone. Pope sensed something hidden behind it but decided not to press. Seeing one of the girls who had helped him when he first arrived Desolea was uplifting, even if these were unexpected circumstances.

--Where's Galia?-- Pope asked. Hilda's expression darkened; something had clearly happened during the month he had been away.

--I'll tell you later, Pope. Right now, we need to focus on… this,-- Hilda said, gesturing vaguely toward the ship's interior.

Marie rejoined the conversation. Floppa, meanwhile, had been staring at the ship's walls and the mechanisms connecting them. Marie had grabbed the back of his shirt to keep him from wandering off.

--Well, I see you two already know each other. But you, Floppa, don't know her yet. This is Hilda, the major of the Third Division. In the chain of command, she's just below Pope, since he's your commander, right, Floppa?--

Floppa quickly glanced at Pope, who merely shrugged. Floppa was used to working under Pope's command since their time in the previous world, though it seemed now he had to take charge—a role he didn't want.

"Well… I could say yes, but really, he's the leader. I don't think it'll cause any issues" Floppa thought to himself.

--We prefer to call it shared leadership, but yes, I'm his commander,-- Pope replied. Seeing Floppa freeze up, he gave him a reassuring look before turning back to the women.

--Well, talk to her. She's a good strategist and could be useful,-- Marie said.

Floppa gave a small wave, smiling slightly.

--Hi, Hilda. I hope we can all be of help to each other.--

Hilda returned the greeting, her thoughts drifting.

"This prince is peculiar… Now I understand why Pope laughed when we told him about the heir who appeared out of nowhere in the Range. He seems to know him perfectly."

--Yes, I'm sure we can. In the meantime, let's head to the bridge,-- Hilda said.

The group nodded and continued walking.

In the cargo ship, Alex handed Fossil a bag of provisions they had brought from Coral Barrier.

"Take this. I'll be waiting here. Stay safe, alright? When you come back, I'll join you on the front lines."

Fossil smiled.

"Thanks, Alex. But let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Momox appeared, tossing a bag similar to the one the children gave Floppa toward Dickson and Arthur.

"Use it wisely, alright?"

Dickson caught it with ease and grinned.

"Love you, you bastard."

The three laughed as Momox bid them farewell, his tone turning more serious.

"Take care of Floppa. Make sure he doesn't pull any of his usual crap, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, we'll try, but you know it's hard to keep that lunatic still," Arthur said.

The ships began to take off, gaining speed in the valley as they built enough momentum to lift off the ground. Slowly, they rose, climbing to the height of the surrounding mountains as some villagers from the Cordillera ran behind them, waving.

From the castle garden, Master Joseph watched as the ships ascended. The entire Cordillera seemed to hold its breath, the air filled with farewells.

"Good luck," Joseph murmured, arms crossed as he watched the ships disappear into the sky.

The sun, beginning its descent on the horizon, bathed the clouds in golden hues. From her cockpit, Chara adjusted the controls of her gunship. She flew toward the sun, ensuring her shadow wouldn't betray her presence above the clouds. It was a meticulous but critical detail—she couldn't afford mistakes.

The previous day, she had spotted a group of Kingsbury ships crossing this route, and now she was hunting them. Her reasons were twofold. On one hand, she simply wanted to teach them a lesson. Kingsbury, with its strict treaties, had abandoned Goldwater when they needed help the most. They spread false information about the attacks on her kingdom, blaming her family. That betrayal stung more than she'd admit, though what she felt most strongly was anger. Her kingdom had always upheld the treaties and fulfilled every request, yet when the tables turned, Kingsbury did nothing. That fury was further fueled by memories of the constant pressures she'd endured as a princess—the disdainful glances from other royals, the endless demands to meet expectations, and, above all, her interactions with Gale and his sisters. They never missed a chance to remind her of her supposed inferiority. She'd had enough. Despite everything, this chance to take down the prince of Kingsbury felt like a wish come true.

On the other hand, Chara wanted to test her new weapon. After months of perfecting it, she had finally found the missing piece—or, rather, stolen it from the prince of the Wright Range. The Pharo's complete system was now hers, and she was eager to try it in real combat.

Through the reinforced glass, she spotted a formation of four ships advancing above the clouds. One was towing what appeared to be a smaller supply ship. She frowned. Supplies? What's really going on with this war? But she dismissed the thought. It didn't matter. Today, they would pay.

Meanwhile, aboard one of Kingsbury's ships, Floppa sat near a window, watching the toxin-laden clouds below. Occasional lightning illuminated the sky in sickly tones, a grim reminder of the chemical storms caused by the trees of the Corruption Forest. Pope, seated behind him, fiddled idly with an old Game Boy—a relic from their previous world.

"It's so toxic and beautiful down there…" Floppa murmured.

"What'd you say?" Pope asked, catching his words.

"Oh, nothing really. It's just... even after all this time here, I'm still amazed at how something so dangerous can be so magical," Floppa replied.

"Well, the forest is a mysterious place on its own…"

A new voice joined the conversation. Both boys turned to see Hilda, who had joined them uninvited, though neither minded.

"Are you interested in the forest?" Pope asked, intrigued.

"Not exactly. It's a place I prefer to avoid, but I know about it—it's more of a tactical advantage than anything. My father studied it and taught my sister and me what he discovered. That gas mask I gave you last month was his," Hilda explained.

"Oh? What kind of discoveries? From what I've read, the forest is a place that simply appeared one day. It's been here so long that no one remembers where it came from," Floppa added.

"Exactly. No one knows its origin. What's clear is that it wasn't a natural part of Desolea—it became one over time, but initially, it was a plague. It destroyed three ancient kingdoms. Many of the animals down there are variations of creatures from other parts of Desolea, like those in the Forest of Elongated Shadows, the Living Jungle, or Darakia Canyon. Some are even rarer, like those from the Gram Trench in Coral Barrier City. But no one dives into the waters of the Corruption Forest. The only sightings of wolf sharks and necromancer fish from there are of their dead bodies washed ashore," Hilda explained.

Pope glanced at Floppa, who wore an expression mirroring his own. Despite the time he'd spent studying the Corruption Forest, he had only skimmed a few volumes from the castle library. He knew much, but not to Hilda's level.

"You must have some experience in the forest…" Pope said, smiling.

"No, not really. What I know is thanks to my father and the military academy books from Kingsbury," Hilda admitted with modest pride.

"That will be useful. Though I wouldn't want to destroy the forest—it's too fascinating. Taking the war there would be disastrous," Floppa remarked, turning back to the window.

"If I may say so, your highness, you're strange. You're the first person to see such a hostile, volatile place and not want to destroy it," Hilda replied, surprised.

Pope burst into laughter, playfully pulling down Floppa's pilot hat, which bumped his nose.

"Get used to it, Hilda. That's just how he is—strange, but fun. Sometimes he's a fool, but other times his ideas are the craziest and most effective. Of course he'd like the forest," Pope teased.

"Please, just call me Floppa. I don't like being addressed by my title," Floppa said with a smile, adjusting his hat and googles.

"All right," Hilda replied as Pope chuckled.

The conversation ended in comfortable silence. Pope returned to his Game Boy, and Floppa pulled out headphones and a CD player.

Floppa was about to hit play when a glint of light caught his eye. He leaned forward, trying to identify its source.

"Sit down, Floppa. Don't make sudden movements," Hilda cautioned.

He didn't respond, too focused on the light reflecting against the sun. Moments later, the roar of an engine cut through the air. From his vantage point, he saw a beam of energy strike one of the transport ships, exploding it into a shower of debris.

"It's a Goldwater gunship!!" a soldier shouted.

"Goldwater?!" Floppa exclaimed, watching the ship maneuver to attack again. It skimmed past the flagship and fired at the cargo vessel towing the Wright Range cargo ship and another cargo ship. Through the window, he saw the cable detach, likely released by Dickson. The damaged ship, with its frozen engine, would have to glide down. Floppa watched as it disappeared into the clouds.

"Damn… Pope, come on!" Floppa urged, grabbing Pope's shoulder.

"No, stay in your place until I—" Gale began to order, but before he could finish, Floppa and Pope vanished in a flash of light.

"Damn it," Gale muttered, taking the ship's controls. Marie took the pilot's seat, and Hilda manned the gunner's station next to Gale.

"Let's take down that ship," Marie said with a grin.

"Have you flown before?" soldiers asked, skeptical.

"Of course she has. Marie's always flown armored crows. She's one of Kingsbury's best combat pilots," Gale and Hilda replied in unison.

The Goldwater fighter passed close again, and Marie began the pursuit.

Meanwhile, Pope and Floppa were now on top of the ship, both clinging to the iron and graphene parts sticking out of it. Floppa had his ears protected by the cushions of his cap, but Pope didn't, and he couldn't hear a thing.

"FLOPPAA! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING??"

He shouted over the noise. Floppa seemed focused on something Pope couldn't see. Then he noticed Floppa raise a hand and start counting with his fingers. That signal was unmistakable—he was calculating something. The Kingsbury cargo ship, on which the mountain range gunship was still perched, was slowly falling, gliding along the currents. Suddenly, without warning, Floppa let go. The current dragged him, and his body collided with Pope, sending both of them plummeting into the void.

"WHAT THE FUCK, FLOPPA?!"

Pope screamed, but before anything else could happen, Floppa grabbed his hand, and they teleported.

They reappeared inside the cargo ship, in a dark hallway filled with smoke. A suffocating heat engulfed them immediately. The structure groaned under the weight of the damage, and sparks flew from destroyed electrical panels. Both Floppa and Pope instinctively covered their faces, trying not to inhale the toxic air.

"Floppa, what the hell is wrong with you? You could've killed us!" Pope asked between gasps, following Floppa as he moved forward.

Floppa ignored the question.

"We're alive. That's what matters... How bad do you think it is?" Floppa finally asked after a while.

"Bad doesn't even cover it. This thing is falling apart," Pope responded, pushing aside a twisted beam blocking their path.

They ran through the corridors, dodging the remains of fallen soldiers and debris. The sound of flames consuming the compartments filled the air, mixed with the echo of alarms. Finally, they reached the main hangar. Floppa came to a sudden halt upon seeing the gunship, intact but surrounded by flames threatening to cut off their access.

"At least it's in one piece..." Pope commented with some relief.

"For now," Floppa growled, shoving him toward the ship. "Get in the gunner's seat, now!"

In a blink, Floppa teleported to the pilot's seat. Pope quickly climbed into the gunner's position, located near the tail of the ship. Both settled into their places, though the incomplete cabins offered little protection from the chaos outside. Communication was easy thanks to the open structure between the cabins.

"Floppa, how the fuck do you plan to take off?" Pope asked, glancing at the closed hangar doors. "The wings are folded, and those doors won't open with this system fried."

Floppa powered up the ship's systems, ignoring Pope's complaints. His hands moved rapidly over the controls, adjusting the engine and basic configurations.

"Engines online! When I give the signal, fire a flare straight at the hangar doors," he ordered, finishing the preparations.

"You can't be serious," Pope replied, raising an eyebrow but already hovering his finger over the trigger.

"Just do it, Pope. I'm banking on the chanchopoyo armor we put on this thing being as light as I think it is," Floppa muttered, mostly to himself.

Finally, the ship roared to life, its thrusters glowing blue. Floppa took a deep breath and shouted, "Now, fire!"

Pope pressed one of the buttons on his controls. Seconds later, a flare shot toward the hangar doors, exploding with a blast that tore apart the weakened structure. Without hesitation, Floppa accelerated to full throttle. The gunship surged forward, retracting its wheels just in time to clear the hangar. Seconds later, the cargo ship exploded, and the force of the blast propelled the gunship. With its wings still folded, the ship spun out of control.

"Stabilize it, dammit!" Pope shouted, clinging to the controls.

Floppa held onto his own controls and seat tightly. The centrifugal force pushed him against the edge, threatening to throw them both out. Quickly locating the lever to deploy the wings, he yanked it with all his strength. A metallic sound echoed as the wings extended, stabilizing the ship. Both let out a sigh of relief, though there was no time for celebration.

The Goldwater gunship turned to engage another ship, briefly spotting them. Barely a second later, gunfire ripped through the air. Floppa and Pope activated their TA fields to shield the ship. The shots hit the barriers and ricocheted off.

"We're going low. Maybe we'll find the cargo ship and tow it back," Floppa said.

Meanwhile, Chara maneuvered her gunship once more.

"What the hell just happened?"

An invisible field had appeared around the Wright gunship, which had miraculously escaped the cargo ship she had just fired at. Her shots not only bounced off but were neutralized upon hitting the field. It looked like a magical barrier but was unlike any she had ever seen. What was stranger was that the ship seemed unwilling to attack her, flying low among the clouds as if searching for something.

"This is not the time!"

She shouted while dodging shots from the flagship. Whoever was piloting that ship was good. Chara pushed her engine to its limit, the interface changed from red to blue as it indicated the speed she was reaching, weaving through currents and evading fire. Taking advantage of an angle they left exposed, she fired at another cargo ship, which exploded. Chara shielded herself with the debris, forcing Marie to climb higher to avoid colliding with the wreckage.

"Damn, she's good," Marie muttered, gripping her controls tightly. Gale watched through the windows while Hilda focused on firing at the gunship.

"But not good enough," Hilda said, launching a smoke flare—retrieved from the mountain range—toward Chara's ship. Chara was forced into a downward current, and Marie immediately capitalized. She dove, then rapidly ascended, taking Chara by surprise. Hilda fired, her shots grazing Goldwater's ship, damaging its ailerons and punching holes in its wings. However, Chara managed to keep the engine intact and swiftly maneuvered out of Kingsbury's range.

"Damn it!" Chara cursed.

Chara shouted as she adjusted her mask and caught a current to exit behind the ship. The soldiers of Kingsbury cheered when they saw a few bullets hit the vessel.

—Shut up!—

Marie ordered as she resumed her maneuvers.

—I barely scratched it. It's not done yet,— said Hilda as she turned the cannons again. Gale maintained his impassive posture.

—Keep firing, we almost have it.—

Meanwhile, Floppa and Pope flew low, searching for the Cordillera's supply ship. They still couldn't find it, but they were taken by surprise when a cargo ship appeared above them.

—Floppa! Shoot that thing or it's going to crush us!— Pope shouted as he saw the massive piece of ship plummeting toward them.

—You shoot it! I'm focusing on flying!— Floppa replied, maneuvering the ship. He flew straight at the falling wreckage. Pope fired, splitting the chunk in two. The gunship maneuvered effortlessly, while Floppa had to spin the ship as it ascended to avoid the debris. Soldiers and basilisks inside the ship fell into the Forest of Corruption. Their screams were audible, piercing through Floppa and Pope despite their best efforts to block them out. They hadn't cleared the first wreckage when another appeared.

—EVADE, EVADE, EVADE!— Pope screamed. Floppa could no longer dodge, and a flare shot would blind them. He pushed the lever to its limit, sending the Cordillera ship hurtling toward the ground. Just before hitting the toxic clouds, Floppa regained control by pulling his controls up, only for a rain of soldiers and basilisks to fall onto the fighter ship. At the speed they were going, any bodies the ship struck were either torn in half or shattered instantly. Pope ducked to avoid the blood, while Floppa lowered his head slightly, keeping his eyes on the path ahead. He watched as bodies hit the windshield and blood covered the gunship. When the rain ended, Floppa fired a flame flare into the air, incinerating all the blood on contact.

—This is too much,— Pope said as he resumed his position. Floppa quickly ascended.

—Are you going to attack Goldwater's ship?!— Pope yelled over the current. Floppa didn't respond, focusing instead on flying. When they reached the battleground, Goldwater's ship was performing evasive maneuvers to dodge incoming fire. They watched it rise and then drop, its shots landing squarely on the flagship. However, the magical barrier surrounding the flagship absorbed much of the damage. The flagship quickly recovered and pursued Goldwater's ship. Floppa found an air current for the gunship to glide, just like he had done with the sparrow so many times, he raised his arms and began shouting:

—STOP IT!— Floppa yelled, raising his arms.

—WHAT ARE YOU DOING, FLOPPA? ARE YOU STUPID? YOU'LL GET US KILLED!— Pope shouted, but Floppa kept waving his arms despite Pope's protests.

—THAT'S ENOUGH! STOP SHOOTING!—

Pope cursed, deploying his TA field.

—DAMN YOU, FLOPPA!—

Goldwater's ship turned toward them as if it had heard the plea. It maneuvered sharply toward the Wright gunship. Chara crouched over her controls, peering through the external sight. It would be a clean shot, right to the engine. No more gunship, no pilot, no prince of the Wright range, whoever he was. A part of her hesitated; perhaps he could have helped her. Chara leaned in, her glowing eyes focused. A countdown began in her mind. She saw the pilot making frantic gestures. Suddenly, the image in her mind shifted. Instead of the ship, she saw a boy bathed in blue and red light, wearing a white tunic and raising his arms. Behind him, a burning landscape stretched endlessly.

A voice echoed in her head:

—STOP!—

Chara snapped out of her trance, quickly maneuvering and firing at the ship. Pope's TA field protected them. Before Chara could react, two shots from Kingsbury's ship struck near her engine. She immediately felt the pressure in her cabin drop. She cursed as her ship plummeted toward the toxic clouds and the Forest of Corruption.

Floppa watched in horror, stifling a scream as he saw the ship go down. He quickly refocused on his controls, gritting his teeth as he thought of the pilot. So much death... They had to recover the cargo ship and the others.

—Pope, put on your gas mask. We're descending into the forest,— Floppa said as he adjusted his own mask and directed their ship toward Kingsbury's.

Meanwhile, aboard the flagship, the soldiers cheered for the three who had downed the ship. Gale, Marie, and Hilda breathed a mix of pride and relief.

—You're amazing at flying, Commander!— the soldiers shouted.

—The three of you are incredible! Your team is outstanding, Prince!— they said, patting Gale on the back. Gale smiled until a shadow loomed over the cabin.

The mountain range gunship approached Kingsbury's flagship, emerging from the clouds like a predator. In the cabin, Gale and the others stared in astonishment as they identified it. Gale narrowed his eyes at the pilot. Although the front helmet and mask obscured part of his face, the details of his armor pieces and clothing as well as his posture, visible through the cockpit's side glass, were unmistakable.

—It's Floppa…— he murmured, his cold eyes fixed on the fighter ship.

—Floppa? What the hell is he doing here?— Marie asked, surprised.

—Why is he showing up now?— Hilda added, crossing her arms. She glanced at the gunner's seat, where no window revealed the occupant, but the scarf around his neck was enough for her to recognize him.

—Pope is with him,— she noted, watching the scarf flutter in the wind.

Seconds later, Floppa's voice boomed in the cabin, amplified by the flagship's sound systems:

—We're recovering the lost ship and will meet at the rendezvous near Whispering Valley.—

Gale attempted to respond, his authoritative tone resonating:

—Floppa, Pope, you can't go alone. Return now or—

But Floppa was no longer listening. With a roar of its engine, the gunship accelerated, disappearing into the clouds as Gale clenched his fists, clearly irritated.