The hum of the airship thrummed softly beneath Zane's boots as he leaned against the railing. The skies above Lumina Academy were clear, and the golden horizon cast a tranquil glow. Inside the cabin, laughter and idle chatter filled the air. The academy tournament was over. Obsidian Crest had claimed victory, and now, the students were finally heading home.
Of course, things hadn't been quiet for long.
A flirtatious second-year girl with golden curls and mischievous green eyes, Lyra, had latched onto Zane earlier. "You know," she said, twirling a strand of her hair, "for someone who nearly broke the tournament stage, you're surprisingly gentle."
Zane blinked. "Uh... thanks?"
Across the lounge, a tall, silver-haired boy named Kai slid closer to Sera with a grin. "Wind magic, huh? Mind showing me a breeze or two?"
Sera raised a brow. "Mind not being annoying?"
Zane snorted. Sera elbowed him playfully. Lyra pouted.
Everything was perfect.
Suddenly, the ship shook. The humming turned into a tremor. Glasses shattered, students screamed.
"Attention, passengers. This is your hijacker speaking."
A deafening boom split the air as a figure tore through the barrier shielding the upper deck. In a blur of vibrating energy, he appeared in front of them.
He was tall, with wild silver dreadlocks whipping in the air, wearing a torn black coat and metal gauntlets lined with sound emitters.
"Name's Decibel," he said, his voice unnaturally clear over the chaos, "and I'll be your nightmare tonight."
A massive shockwave erupted from his hands. The blast knocked half the students off their feet. Some were unconscious. Others screamed, clutching their ears.
Decibel took a step forward, boots vibrating against the metal. "You kids brought too much attention. That reward? It belongs to me."
Instructors tried to form shields, but Decibel unleashed a Piercing Howl. The scream ripped through spells like paper. Even Zane stumbled.
Sera shouted over the ringing, "He's disrupting mana flow with sound!"
Zane growled. "Nyx?! Suggestions?!"
"Rip his vocal cords out?"
Zane's Shadow Armor ignited to life, absorbing the weaker vibrations. Sera summoned twin wind blades, encircling her with gale-forged momentum.
Decibel grinned, eyes glinting. "Ohhh, you're not ordinary."
He Sound-Dashed forward, striking with a boom. Zane blocked with a blade of condensed void. Their weapons collided, causing a sonic burst that shattered nearby windows.
Sera struck from behind, but Decibel twisted and unleashed Resonance Pulse. The ship's floor vibrated violently. Plates rattled. Wood cracked. People screamed.
"Let's crash this bird," Decibel laughed.
He drew in his breath, the Void pulsing around him. "Sera."
She nodded, swirling her winds.
Together, they leapt. Shadow and wind intertwined, forming a drill-like spear cloaked in black and silver.
Decibel screamed and tried to counter with a final wall of sound—but it shattered.
The spear pierced through.
He flew backward, skidding across the deck and crashing through the barrier. One last echoing shriek filled the air.
And then, a small metallic coin clinked onto the deck.
It was dark, etched with a musical rune glowing red.
Nyx whispered, "That symbol... isn't just a signature. It's a warning."