Land of Gods, Angel Island.
The soldiers were carrying supplies aboard the warship.
Over the past two days, they had gotten along well with the residents of Angel Island, trading for plenty of Sky Island specialties and shells.
After returning that morning, Cricket stood on the bow deck, gazing absently toward the Shandia settlement.
Meanwhile, Sakazuki spoke on deck with Gan Fall, who had been waiting for him.
"I've passed your proposal on to the Shandia People."
"Then they..."
"Four hundred years of hatred won't be easily resolved."
"I understand..."
Gan Fall gazed toward Upper Yard in silence.
After a moment, he excused himself to Sakazuki and turned to leave, his back seeming a little more stooped.
The Shandia settlement, Hidden Cloud Village.
For once, no one trained that day. Everyone sat in the square, looking dejected, their thoughts unreadable.
They had remained silent ever since the two visitors left that morning.
Standing some distance away, the Chief studied his people's faces one by one, especially the children's, and sighed inwardly.
Great Warrior Kulen sat slouched beside the Chief, his face full of resentment.
Yet when he looked at his people, he could not bear it. He closed his eyes, and scene after scene flashed through his mind.
His childhood, the Chief, his brothers, the children...
"Kulen, today Daddy will tell you a story about Great Warrior Kalgara."
"Four hundred years of humiliation, and we're supposed to act like nothing happened just because he says we should reconcile?!!!"
"Cough... cough... Kulen, you must take... take back Vearth..."
"You must... rekindle... the Lamp of Shan..."
"Shido!!!!!!!"
"Lord Kulen, could you tell us a story about Great Warrior Kalgara?"
A long time passed...
When Kulen opened his eyes again, they were filled with resolve. He rose, slung the Burn Bazooka over his back, and walked toward the square.
The Chief looked at Kulen in surprise.
"Combatants, take your weapons and follow me."
Everyone looked at him in confusion, but they obediently picked up their weapons and followed him.
"Kulen!"
The Chief's voice rang out. Kulen paused on his way out, then continued forward with determination.
God's Island, Upper Yard.
Gan Fall had only just returned to the Palace when a Guard rushed inside.
"God, a large force of the Shandia People is charging toward the Holy Land."
"What!"
Gan Fall hurriedly donned his armor, grabbed his spear, and flew out astride a strangely colored horse with wings.
When he reached the battlefield, he found that the Shandia People had no intention of fighting to the death.
They were simply charging toward the Giant Vine at the island's center, ignoring everything else.
Gan Fall did not know what the Shandia People were after, but he still gave an order.
"Everyone, stop!"
At the sound of God's voice, the soldiers of God's Guard instinctively stopped and looked toward him.
"Let them through."
"But..."
The members of God's Guard exchanged uncertain looks, at a loss. How could they let the Shandia People set foot on this sacred land?
"Out of their way!!!!"
At Gan Fall's shout, God's Guard reluctantly cleared a path.
The Shandia People glanced at Gan Fall before hurrying after Great Warrior Kulen up ahead.
Gan Fall watched them charge into the depths of the island without a word.
Great Warrior Kulen of Shandia raced toward the enormous Giant Vine.
Four hundred years... Kalgara's last wish... the Lamp of Shandora...
Wait for me, Cricket...
Angel Island, the harbor.
Once all the supplies had been loaded, they bought a fairly detailed chart of the White Sea, located the island, and prepared to set sail.
The soldiers waved goodbye to the angels they had met over the past two days. Just then-
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The beautiful peals of a bell, like a hymn that could cleanse the soul, spread throughout the Land of Gods.
"What's that?"
"The Island's Song!!!"
"It's beautiful."
"Do you remember that story?!!!"
"Could it be?!!!"
"Boo-hoo-hoo!!!!"
"This is wonderful!!!!"
Everyone aboard listened closely to the beautiful tolling. Sakazuki looked toward God's Island, Upper Yard.
"The Lamp of Shandora, huh."
Atop the Giant Vine, Kulen, who had lit the Lamp of Shandora, knelt on the ground with tears streaming down his face, sobbing too hard to speak. Four hundred years...
He rose and looked toward Heaven's Gate.
"Come back again!!!!!"
It was as though he had crossed four hundred years of time, his figure overlapping with Kalgara's.
Side story-four hundred years ago, Jaya.
A powerfully built figure raced through the jungle.
His striking, spiky red hair reached down his back to his knees, and red tattoos marked both shoulders.
Bare-chested and carrying a spear, he dashed toward the shore, leaving afterimages in the jungle.
"What a terrible sin I've committed."
"Wait for me, Noland!!!!"
By the shore, Noland had stood on deck gazing at Jaya for a long time. At last, he turned back to his crew.
"Prepare to set sail."
"All hands to your stations."
"We're returning to the Lvneel Kingdom."
"Yeah!!!!!!!"
As the sails unfurled, Noland's hearty, booming voice rang out.
"Set sail!"
Dong! Dong! Dong!...
Noland turned to look at Jaya.
"Why is the bell..."
"Admiral! Look over there!!!!"
A fiery-red figure rushed onto the shore.
He charged into the seawater and stopped, panting heavily, then drew a deep breath.
"Noland!!!!!!!"
Noland suddenly gripped the railing, staring at the figure in disbelief.
"Kal... gara..."
Kalgara looked at the ship as it gradually sailed away, remembering every moment of their meeting and friendship.
And how resolutely he had rejected his Sworn Friend over a misunderstanding. Tears spilled uncontrollably from his eyes.
"Come back again!!!!!!!!"
"Noland..."
After that cry, all his strength seemed to leave him. He sank to his knees in the sea, tears streaming down his face, his voice choked with sobs.
Kalgara suddenly raised his head and roared with all his strength.
"I'll wait for you on this land!!!"
"I'll keep ringing the bell here!!!"
"So that when you return here someday, you won't lose your way at sea!!!"
"So that even in a storm, you'll be able to see this island!!!"
"I'll ring the bell and wait for you forever!!!"
"We'll meet again someday!!!"
"My Sworn Friend!!!!!!!"
Dong-!
Before you continue