<div>
<div>
The endless speculation about the future and the past continued, but the journey by sea did not stop.
<div>
<div>
The journey to Sky Island was long, and Noir''s ship sailed for a long time...
<div>
<div>
Noir docked the ship near closest Island''s harbour, and both he and Robin disembarked.
<div>
<div>
In this world, if you want to find out something, the best place to do it is usually a down-to-earth tavern.
<div>
<div>
Such places are teeming with all sorts of people, and the comings and goings of countless individuals can provide a lot of hidden and important information.
<div>
<div>
So Noir headed straight for a tavern!
<div>
<div>
Standing at the door, they could hear the noisy chatter from outside, but when they pushed the door open, the conversations stopped abruptly.
<div>
<div>
Inside the tavern, everyone who was drinking fell silent, staring menacingly at the two strangers with suspicious expressions on their faces.
<div>
<div>
Noir and Robin, seasoned by many adventures, weren''t uncomfortable in such situations. They calmly ordered a drink and found a seat.
<div>
<div>
The patrons subtly judged their attire, trying to determine their origins.
<div>
<div>
The woman was a delicate and sexy beauty, probably just the man''s mistress, probably without any fighting skills.
<div>
<div>
As for the man, he was tall but looked like a young, inexperienced child.
<div>
<div>
He even wore a sword at his waist, as if to put on a show.
<div>
<div>
A child, could he really know how to use a sword?
<div>
<div>
After watching for a while, the seasoned veterans felt that they had quickly figured out the duo''s abilities.
<div>
<div>
At a few tables behind Noir, a couple of burly men exchanged glances. Then a man with a face full of scars stood up and swaggered over with his drink.
<div>
<div>
As he passed Noir, he suddenly tilted his hand and the drink ''accidentally'' spilled onto the floor.
<div>
<div>
The man "angrily" shouted, "You little punk! Are you looking for trouble? You spilled my drink!"
<div>
<div>
At this the men at the two tables behind him stood up and surrounded Noir and Robin menacingly.
<div>
<div>
"Hey kid, you spilled my friend''s drink. How are you going to make it up to me?" they threatened.
<div>
<div>
Noir and Robin remained calm, looking at them as if they were watching clowns.
<div>
<div>
"A bunch of barking wild dogs," Noir said contemptuously.
Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
<div>
<div>
Robin, showing no emotion, said, "Are you going to twist their heads off?"
<div>
<div>
Noir''s face twitched and he said, "How can you say something so horrible with such a straight face?"
<div>
<div>
"You little punk! Y..."
<div>
<div>
The man, furious at being ignored, suddenly found his face covered by a large hand.
<div>
<div>
Noir pressed his hand against the man''s face and said softly, "Sandification..."
<div>
<div>
With that, the man''s expression changed to one of horror. He struggled to speak, but no words came out.
<div>
<div>
His skin gradually dried up, and in no time at all, a living person turned into a desiccated corpse.
<div>
<div>
Seeing this horrifying scene, the men who had surrounded them fell to the ground in fear, trembling and pointing at Noir as if they had seen a ghost.
<div>
<div>
Those who had not joined the confrontation felt lucky to have stayed out of it.
<div>
<div>
Noir looked at the group of cowards retreating frantically and said, "I want to ask you something. Can you answer?"
<div>
<div>
The men on the ground nodded frantically, "Ask anything, Sir! We know everything!"
<div>
<div>
"Do you know the way to Sky Island?" Noir asked.
<div>
<div>
Hearing this, they exchanged glances, unsure of how to answer.
<div>
<div>
Noir frowned and asked, "What are you thinking? Yes or no?"
<div>
<div>
Startled, the guests pushed a clever-looking man forward, who said with a pained expression, "Sir, you see, Sky Island is just a legend."
<div>
<div>
"Near the Island, there''s a powerful sea vortex. Occasionally, a strong current shoots up into the sky. It''s said to lead to a heavenly sea where Sky Island can be found."
<div>
<div>
Noir raised an eyebrow. "You seem to know a lot. Then why do you call it a legend?"
<div>
<div>
The man explained, "Every year many pirates come here in search of Sky Island. But those who ride the current never return alive."
<div>
<div>
"No one knows if they have reached Sky Island, or if it even exists."
<div>
<div>
Noir nodded and pointed to the man. "You, lead the way to the top of the sky."
<div>
<div>
The man''s face turned pale, shaking as he shouted, "No way! I''d rather die than go there. Who knows how many have already died there!"
<div>
<div>
Noir, growing impatient, grabbed the fleeing man by the collar. "Just take me there. You don''t have to stay."
<div>
<div>
"Don''t worry, I''ll protect you."
<div>
<div>
The man reluctantly agreed.
<div>
<div>
Noir didn''t stay long and turned to leave.
<div>
<div>
The patrons watched in silent sympathy as the man was sent away...
<div>
<div>
Noir and Robin stood on the deck of their ship while the guide rowed a small boat in front of them.
<div>
<div>
After a while, Noir''s keen sense of the weather alerted him to something. The guide called nervously, "Sir, madam, we''re here!"
<div>
<div>
Robin frowned in confusion. "This place doesn''t look any different from anywhere else."
<div>
<div>
The guide quickly explained, "The vortex appears periodically. Any moment a strong current will surge up!"
<div>
<div>
Noir nodded and waved at the guide. "All right, you can go back now."
<div>
<div>
Relieved, the guide gratefully rowed away.
<div>
<div>
But before he got far, Noir''s ship suddenly began to shake violently.
<div>
<div>
A whirlpool began to form on the sea. The previously calm sea became a growing whirlpool.
<div>
<div>
Soon the whirlpool was expanding rapidly, like a deep black hole.
<div>
<div>
"Robin! Hold on!"
<div>
<div>
Noir stood at the bow while Robin clung to the mast, ready for anything.
<div>
<div>
Like the calm before the storm, a terrifying force gathered beneath the ship.
<div>
<div>
Suddenly, a powerful surge from below lifted the ship, throwing Noir and Robin off balance.
<div>
<div>
With a massive push, the ship was propelled skywards by a huge column of water.
<div>
<div>
Beside them, the guide''s small boat was caught up.
<div>
<div>
Thrown into the air, the guide cried out in despair, "Why am I still caught in this?!"
<div>
<div>
His boat was torn apart and he fell into the distant sea.
<div>
<div>
It didn''t look dangerous, but he might have to swim a day to get home...