The roar of the raging wind and the deafening thunder of rushing water seemed to be muted in an instant.
The Eclipse came to a steady stop atop a vast sea of pristine white clouds.
Sunlight poured down unobstructed, bathing the enormous cotton-candy-like clouds around them in a dreamlike, gentle glow. The salty, damp tang of the Blue Sea was gone, replaced by an exceptionally pure, slightly chilly air that felt thin.
"This is incredible. The clouds can actually support a heavy warship built of Black Steel and Iron Pine."
Sabo walked to the railing and gently prodded the sea of clouds below with the Alloy Staff in his hand. The sensation at its tip wasn't the insubstantial touch of water vapor, but a peculiar resistance with astonishing buoyancy and elasticity.
Buggy pulled his disassembled body back together and regained his energy. He started bouncing around and bragging to the others about what he'd seen the last time he'd been to Sky Island.
Jeno held a large wrench. Paying no attention to the mythic scenery around him, he immediately leaned over the railing to carefully inspect the outer paddle wheels on either side of the ship and its Starfall Black Steel ram.
"Click, click..."
After confirming that there were no cracks or structural deformations, the mechanical fanatic let out a long breath. Beneath his goggles, his gaze brimmed with pride.
"My workmanship really is the best in the world! Even that kind of force of nature couldn't shake a single screw loose!"
Jeno patted the hard Black Steel plating and turned to the others on deck, announcing loudly, "The power system is all working perfectly. We can set sail again at any time!"
Ace stood at the bow, looking down at the ocean of clouds and taking in the thin