Feathered Serpent

Linsey's sleeves snapped in the wind.

Thunder rumbled in the distance amid the churning sea of clouds.

As the storm approached, powerful airflow surged up into the sky from beneath the enormous shadow. The clouds roiled violently, like waves tumbling through the air.

"Roar—"

A deep roar came from above the clouds, like an ancient behemoth awakening from slumber.

Between layer upon layer of torn, rolling black clouds,

eyes like abyssal rubies flashed through the sky. Powerful force erupted without end, as though an entire mountain range were moving through the air.

"..."

In the sky at the heart of the storm, Linsey gradually made out the figure within the dark clouds.

It was a flying magical beast shaped like a serpent, yet possessing enormous wings.

Its body was covered in brilliantly colored feathers, every one gleaming with a metallic sheen like a flowing rainbow. When sunlight spilled through the torn clouds, they seemed inlaid with icy blades.

"Feathered Serpent..."

"Isn't this a bit excessive?"

Linsey muttered under his breath.

His abilities as an Awakened allowed him to make a clear judgment. This was a Seventh Stage magical beast!

Merely passing through the sky, its tail swept across the clouds and set off thunderous explosions, as though it were about to tear the sky apart.

Even Cloud Island, where Linsey and Arona stood,

had become a lone boat upon a black ocean, as if it could be overturned by the surging waves at any moment.

"Lord Linsey!"

Arona stretched out her hands and tightly grabbed Linsey's sleeve.

The Blind Girl was also an Awakened, so naturally she could sense the Feathered Serpent's appearance. She was further shaken by the overwhelming power so close at hand.

But she also feared that her movements might affect Linsey.

So after grabbing him once,