At the outset, when the abnormality was noticed, it was merely a jarring splash in the sky.
It was a cloud of disordered hues, akin to a child's careless scribble on a masterpiece by a grand master, abruptly surfacing against the firmament, tiny yet conspicuously eye-catching.
Soon, that scribble seemed to possess intent and life force, like an endless blot of ink that cannot be diluted, silently spreading in the sky, tainting everything around with its tint.
Before the Chocobo's feathers bristled, the urgent and bewildered cries of the Hero and Demon Hunter echoed through the caravan.
Then, within mere seconds, a vortex of clouds akin to a fierce storm engulfed the entire sky.
Simultaneously, whether magic creatures or ordinary birds and beasts, these sensitive beings of nature scattered madly. They no longer cherished their former huts, seeking only to flee this land where they once thrived, even if just a second swifter, desperately to escape this domain they once fought to protect.
For this time, what they faced was neither an enemy nor a hunter but nature itself that nurtured them.
Amidst the howling gales, the trees emitted strained groans, and then tornadoes like pillars of storm arose, uprooting these towering trees.
Among them, a tree trunk suddenly opened a grotesque mouth, unleashing a roar of terror. Yet, even the beast-catching giant tree could not escape being torn and swallowed by the storm.
Pink hair danced wildly in the hurricane, tugging painfully at her scalp. The Fourteenth Princess's pupils quivered violently, unable to hide her fear as she witnessed everything before her.
Though she had traversed many places and gained rich experience, those journeys took place between cities and towns, along paths paved by predecessors, always well-protected. Even when danger arose, never before had she faced a catastrophe so tangible!
And inches away was not only the catastrophe but also death.
The wind seemed conscious, chasing after them. It first swept from behind, overtaking the Chocobo caravan moving at its fastest, then blew from the front and sides, abruptly halting the caravan's advance, and the Chocobo nearly lost balance, the carriage almost toppling.
In such a critical moment, their feathers clung tightly to their bodies instead. The faint gleam of Magic Power flowed over them. These not-so-mighty Chocobos desperately exerted their innate ability, softening the violent storm slightly, allowing the carriage to regain its steadiness.
Collapsing in the carriage, the Fourteenth Princess no longer cared about her disheveled state. Forcing herself to suppress her trembling body amidst the violent jolts that the shock absorption magic couldn't entirely nullify, she struggled to her feet.
At that moment, her gaze inadvertently swept over the empty seat behind her, an ominous premonition instantly flickered through her heart.
She realized something, turning her head in alarm:
However, only an empty seat met her eyes.
The Hero, who originally sat opposite her, had vanished. The window was wide open, the storm whistling, the scenery outside swept past like a torrent, revealing a truth that made the Fourteenth Princess's pupils suddenly contract.
In that instant, she disregarded balance and the storm's sweep, her ordinary body erupting with agility that surprised even herself. She lunged onto the seat, leaning out, her pink locks instantly becoming disheveled in the wind.
"Your Highness!" The Demon Hunter exclaimed, forming a Dharma Seal with one hand, pushing the Fourteenth Princess, who almost lost balance in the strong wind, back into the carriage.
But looking up at the sky, the Fourteenth Princess had already seen the silhouette she least wished to see.
Sorrowful cries couldn't pierce the storm, drowned in an instant.
"No——! Come back quickly!"
[Take the Gleaming Scale Serpent with you?]
The eruption of the Magic Cloud Undercurrent came without warning.
Magic light enveloped the entire caravan. The Hero knew it was a buff spell from the accompanying mages, but these spells hadn't taken full effect before being shredded like mist in the storm.
Despite the chaos outside the carriage, she heard a few mages groaning in pain.
This wasn't just a strong wind; the Magic Cloud Undercurrent disrupted the atmosphere and deteriorated the magic environment. The turbulent and chaotic magic element interfered with their spirit, resulting in spellcasting failures, and this backlash would cause them severe headaches in a short period.
The Hero recalled the Sergeant's once grave recount: An ordinary person breathing this air would feel severe discomfort within ten seconds.
Even though these mages were outstanding in their second transformation, without reaching the legendary realm, professionals were as powerless as ordinary people in the face of such a catastrophe.
And although the caravan had abandoned most of its cargo, its speed was still suppressed by the turbulence, slowing down further. The Demon Hunter repeatedly released Rune Seals, shattering incoming flying rocks and debris, while several Chocobos rolled their eyes, running desperately driven by survival instinct.
The Hero turned, glancing at the Fourteenth Princess who had fallen to the carriage floor.
Then, without hesitation, she leaped out of the carriage.
As she left the window, the girl's posture transformed into a Green Snake, undulating like a dragon through the gale. She then transformed into a young maiden, her delicate skin decorated with jade-colored snake scales, her dark crystal battle robe showcasing alluring curves.