Over the vast and boundless sea, wild winds gathered the dark clouds. Between the clouds and the sea, a petrel flew proudly like black lightning. With sharp eyes, it looked down on the tiny ships adrift upon the ocean. Then the storm swept in, swallowing the petrel and the fleet together!
"Main God! It was clear skies for ten thousand miles just now—how did a storm suddenly rise?! Could it be my curse?"
Grey Earth Puapu wore leather armor, his eyes wide with terror as he stared at the black clouds attacking from the horizon. The clouds gathered into a mass, carrying a howling roar as they came on, seeming slow, yet rushing in with terrifying speed. In mere moments, the rolling cloudbank completely swallowed the kingdom's expedition fleet. The sky instantly dimmed without light, the sea waves suddenly surged and roared, and even the double-decked Longships spun among the waves like toys!
"May the Main God bless the fleet! We have already sailed east all the way for nine days in safety, at least more than seven hundred li! Eastern Cuba Snake Island cannot be far; it must be around the fleet. This is the final trial. As long as we endure this storm, we will reach the sacred land of prophecy!"
Priest Tomatl wore a short robe, holding the Main God's emblem high as he stumbled about, loudly encouraging the crew. Though even he had never seen such sudden, violent wind and waves, devout faith had given him a fearless heart, and courage that did not fear death.
"Praise the Main God! He will grant us sacred blessing, and carry us past this blocking wind and thunder!"
"Boom! Boom!"
Deafening thunder tore through the gloomy sky and lit up the wave-tossed sea. A shadow tall as a wall