Worse still, the entire Void Fortress began to shake violently. Its energy core grew unstable and could explode at any moment.
"The Storm Stone! We have to take the Storm Stone immediately!" the Skypiea chief shouted.
But a powerful protective barrier surrounded the Storm Stone, and Firmament's condition was growing worse. Void energy began radiating from his body, and purple patterns spread across his once-pure dragon scales.
Watching Firmament suffer, Luffy made a bold decision. "I'm going to help Firmament fight the Lord of Nothingness's control!"
"Luffy, that's too dangerous!" Nami said anxiously. "The Lord of Nothingness's mental attacks can destroy a person's consciousness!"
"It's all right," Luffy said firmly. "Firmament is our friend. I won't abandon a friend!"
He closed his eyes and extended his consciousness into Firmament's mind. There, he witnessed a battle of wills-what remained of Firmament's free will was making its final stand against the controlling will of the Lord of Nothingness.
Three battlefields reached their most critical moments at once. On Aurora Island, the protective barrier was riddled with holes, and void matter was seeping through little by little. Claire and her people were about to exhaust their stellar energy.
At Mary Geoise, the battle among the Five Elders reached a fever pitch. Lin Ye and Kizaru were locked in a fight to the death with the controlled, full-bearded Elder.
At the Undersea Temple, Ace endured the agony of three trials, but his resolve remained unshaken.
On Skypiea, Luffy confronted the Lord of Nothingness's will directly within Firmament's mind.
Time ticked away, and every second could decide the world's fate. Everyone understood that this was their last chance. Everything rested on this one attempt.
If they failed, the Lord of Nothingness would awaken completely, plunging the entire world into eternal darkness.
The doors to the