Floating Island - Triple S Talent

"These kids..." Haikal could only shake his head, chuckling. Their funny and childish behavior often provided some amusement amidst the seriousness of war. However, he wouldn't join in showing off his actions, let alone take pictures of himself killing enemies. That would be too strange, he thought.

After scrolling through the messages with mild curiosity, Haikal closed his communication device and carefully stored it away. He looked up at the sky, the scorching sun directly overhead. Yes, it was already midday. With one smooth movement, he jumped onto the Vortex Plate hovering beneath his feet.

The wind rushed past as the Vortex Plate shot away, carrying Haikal toward Athar Island—the island that needed to be saved immediately.

***

Japan Alliance Island – Kyoto City

Kyoto City lay in ruins. The once-towering buildings that stood proudly had crumbled, reduced to scattered debris. However, this destruction seemed to have a boundary; only the city center was in complete ruin, while the surrounding buildings still stood tall. A hastily constructed half-meter-high emergency wall encircled the city center, built by Japanese soldiers trying to contain further damage.

Behind this wall, observation posts stood. Soldiers kept vigilant watch, their eyes tense as they stared at the distant battle. Silently, they pinned their hopes on those fighting for their island.

In the heart of the city, three figures were locked in a fierce battle. Two women faced off against a massive golden griffin, towering at 35 meters. Despite its large size, the griffin's movements were anything but slow. Each flap of its wings caused massive tremors in the ground, forcing the two women to retreat momentarily before resuming their assault.

The first woman, dressed in purple, moved swiftly with her long hair flowing in the wind. Purple lightning crackled from her palms, unleashing relentless attacks toward the griffin's body. Her magic struck wildly, splitting the air with a roaring sound.

On the other side, the second woman moved more gracefully, hovering in the air with calm composure. Several magic circles appeared around her body, spinning like clock hands before shooting toward the griffin. Each time a circle hit the griffin, the affected part instantly froze, though only for a few seconds.

The combination of lightning and time magic began to overwhelm the griffin. However, the giant creature didn't remain passive. With one powerful flap of its wings, a fierce gust of wind swept over the two women, forcing them to momentarily retreat to avoid the dangerous sweep.

Behind the wall, far from the heart of the battle, a female soldier turned around, her eyes full of hope as she looked at the middle-aged man standing nearby. The golden badge on his chest signified his authority—Captain Kaito. "Captain Kaito, are we just going to watch?" she asked, her voice filled with anxiety.

Kaito kept his gaze fixed on the distant battle, his eyes narrowing as the ongoing attacks made little impact on the griffin. His face showed an unspoken weariness, and he occasionally sighed, as if he knew the answer to the question long before it was asked.

After a moment, he slowly turned, his eyes meeting the female soldier's. "What do you think we can do?" he asked, his voice tired and flat, almost emotionless.

The question hung in the air, leaving the female soldier silent. She quickly realized the foolishness of her own question. What could they do? Fight a creature that large? All they could do was hope and watch.

Kaito said no more. His eyes returned to the battle. He understood the anxiety of the soldier beside him, but the reality before them couldn't be changed. They were too weak to intervene. "Come on, President…" he muttered softly, "you can do it."

In the midst of the battle, Ayumi—the woman in purple—quickly glanced at Elen, who hovered not far from her. "Elen, is your time magic ready?" she asked, her voice calm despite the chaos around her.

Elen, floating in the air, lowered her head slightly, her trembling voice answering, "Y-yes, Princess Ayumi… you can move at any time." Her face flushed red, shy as usual. Even so, the hands holding her magic staff didn't tremble at all.

Ayumi gave a faint smile, understanding Elen's timid nature. Although Elen seemed young and often filled with doubt, her power was terrifying. It was no wonder the girl had become one of the core members of the World Market Trade Alliance.

Ayumi stood tall in the air, her arms spread wide as if challenging the sky. Purple lightning began to gather between her palms, wild yet controlled, forming a vortex of energy that spun faster and faster. The air around her body vibrated, emitting subtle electric waves that caused her long hair to rise slowly, as if dancing with the power she summoned.

A deep purple light illuminated the clear Kyoto sky, with wild lightning crackling across the heavens, enveloping the ruined cityscape in an aura that was both terrifying and beautiful.

"Come," Ayumi whispered softly, as though speaking to an old friend. The lightning in her hands responded, crackling louder, wild yet obedient under her control.

In the distance, the golden griffin ceased flapping its wings. Its massive wings jolted, lifting dust and shards of stone that scattered around its feet. The sharp eyes of the monster locked onto Ayumi, glowing red, filled with rage. Its deafening roar echoed, shattering what remained of the crumbling buildings. Yet beneath its ferocity, there was a hint of unease in its movements.

Its primal instincts sensed the danger emanating from the wild lightning in Ayumi's hands, a power not to be underestimated.