"Go, Empress!" the elder shouted with the last of his strength. "Fulfill the mission entrusted to us by our ancestors!"
Tearfully, Hancock turned and rushed toward the shore with Emporio Ivankov. The Revolutionary Army submarine had already sent a small boat to receive them. Under the cover of intense fire, they finally boarded the submarine.
The submarine quickly dived, evading pursuit. Through the periscope, Hancock gazed upon Amazon Lily one last time—her homeland, the Holy Land she had protected all her life. It was now engulfed in thick smoke, the temple's golden dome collapsing amid the flames as more and more enemies occupied every inch of the island.
"I swear," Hancock said, clenching her fists, her voice firmer than ever before, "I will repair the Dimensional Barrier at any cost, then return to liberate my people. This is not the end. It is the beginning."
Emporio Ivankov stood beside her, unusually silent. After a moment, he took out a sealed letter. "Dragon gave this to you. All the key holders have been summoned to one location—a secret base in the Calm Belt. There isn't much time, Hancock."
Hancock gave the receding Amazon Lily one final look, then turned to face the future. "Then let's go. To the Calm Belt. The gears of fate have begun to turn. We have no choice but to move forward."
The waters of the Calm Belt were usually deathly silent, devoid of wind and currents, making them one of the most feared regions of the sea. Yet today, one hidden stretch of water presented an unusual sight. A massive sea turtle floated on the surface, its shell covered in an orderly cluster of buildings. Wisps of white smoke rose from chimneys, antennas and signal towers stretched toward the sky, and figures hurried busily across the