Chapter 64: Sea of Clouds

The morning air was crisp as Abel tightened the straps of his tall, overstuffed bag. The pack rested on his shoulders with surprising ease, the weight barely registering—a side effect of his transformation, no doubt. Though not as physically powerful as Sena, Abel had noticed subtle changes in his strength over the past weeks. His movements felt lighter, his steps quicker. Even the adrenaline coursing through him seemed to bring something new—his fingertips occasionally glowing with a faint, starry light whenever he tapped into his stellar power. It had become something of a curious phenomenon for him.

As he stepped out of his room, adjusting the straps of his bag, he saw Ronald approaching from down the hall. Ronald, too, was ready, his own bag slung over his shoulder, though not nearly as stuffed.

"You ready?" Ronald asked, giving Abel a quick nod of acknowledgment.

"Yeah," Abel replied, the slight tremor of anticipation making his heart race. He hadn’t been on such an extensive journey since his arrival at the Tower, and the idea of venturing into unknown ruins filled him with excitement—and no small amount of nervousness.

They descended the tower’s spiraling stairs together, the distant hum of activity growing louder with each step. When they finally reached the ground floor and stepped outside, the sight before them was something to behold. Dozens of recruits were already gathering in clusters, their hushed conversations blending into a low murmur. The mood was tense but charged with energy.

"Looks like everyone’s getting ready to leave," Ronald observed, his eyes scanning the crowd of recruits.

Abel nodded, noting the different groups forming outside the tower, each gathering before the apostles who would lead their respective expeditions. Dark, flowing black robes of the apostles stood out against the recruits’ simpler attire, their presence commanding attention even from a distance. There was a clear sense of hierarchy here—the apostles were at the top, and the recruits, both gifted and non-gifted alike, were preparing to follow their lead.

As they weaved through the crowd, Abel spotted the familiar faces of his companions from Room Eighty. Sena stood tall, his imposing frame unmistakable as he prepared for his mission. Isabella was nearby, her green Katar strapped to her side, her familiar, the snake, coiled loosely around her wrist. Nando was his usual bipolar self, alternating between a scowl and an amused grin, clearly brooding over his assigned task. Abel caught Sena’s eye, and they exchanged a nod—silent understanding between old comrades.

"They’ve got their own mission with another apostle," Ronald muttered, glancing at the group. "We’ll be heading out soon too."

Abel and Ronald continued walking until they reached Gravedigger, their assigned apostle leader. Gravedigger, with his dark, brooding presence, stood tall and quiet, his eyes scanning the recruits as they gathered before him. Abel noticed a few other familiar faces among their group: Gerald, a non-gifted he had sparred with once, and Tina, standing next to another gifted recruit, Jane, who Ronald seemed to recognize.

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As they waited, Abel could feel the eyes of several recruits on him. Some nodded in acknowledgment, a silent respect growing for the "Stargazer"—the nickname Abel had earned. His strange abilities had not gone unnoticed, and the recruits' recognition filled him with a quiet sense of pride, though he remained humble. Gravedigger’s gaze lingered on Abel for a moment longer than on the others, a subtle nod of approval passed between them. Perhaps Gravedigger still remembered how Abel had supported him during his breakthrough. Abel had earned his respect, and that was no small feat.

Gravedigger finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through the murmur of the crowd. "This journey will take hours. We’ll head to our transportation vessel first. Stick together, and stay alert."

Without further delay, Gravedigger began leading them into the Stone Forest, the massive trees looming above them as they made their way through the familiar yet eerie woods. The other groups of recruits were heading in different directions, each following their respective apostle. The forest, usually quiet and foreboding, seemed alive with the buzz of activity. The air felt charged, and Abel couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement as they ventured deeper.

After what felt like thirty minutes of steady walking, they arrived at an open clearing in the forest. There, waiting for them, was a creature Abel had never seen before—an enormous, floating manta ray. The sight of it took his breath away. Its massive wings were like sails, gently rippling as if caught in an unseen breeze. A large, intricately crafted wooden carriage rested on its back, complete with a roof and padded seats. The creature emanated a soft, magical glow, its body hovering effortlessly above the ground.

Abel’s eyes widened in awe. "Is this...?"

Gravedigger chuckled softly, breaking his usually stern demeanor. "Surprised? I was too the first time I saw this thing. One of the Tower Lord’s companions. It’ll take us to our destination."

The recruits stared in wonder, some exchanging excited whispers. Even Ronald, who rarely showed much emotion, was visibly impressed. Abel couldn’t tear his eyes away from the manta ray as they climbed aboard. The interior of the carriage was cozy, with cushioned benches and enough room for all of them to sit comfortably. It reminded Abel of a luxurious traveling cart, though far more magical.

Once everyone was seated, the manta ray slowly began to rise. The sensation of lifting off the ground was exhilarating. Abel felt his stomach drop slightly as they ascended, the ground beneath them shrinking as the creature carried them into the sky. The forest, once towering and intimidating, became a sea of green below them. The wind rushed past, cool and refreshing, as they soared higher and higher, breaking through the thick canopy and into the open air.

As they climbed above the clouds, the sight was nothing short of breathtaking. A vast expanse of white, fluffy clouds stretched out in every direction, like a sea gently rolling beneath them. The sunlight above the clouds cast a warm, golden glow, illuminating the scene in a soft, ethereal light.

"I’ve never seen anything like this," Abel whispered, his voice filled with wonder.

"Neither have I," Ronald admitted, his tone replaced with genuine awe. "This is... incredible."

Around them, the other recruits were equally mesmerized. Even the gifted recruits, often so composed and arrogant, couldn’t hide their amazement at the spectacle unfolding around them. For a brief moment, all the tension and rivalry seemed to melt away, replaced by a shared sense of awe and unity.

Gravedigger, sitting near the front, allowed them a moment to take it all in before speaking again. "Enjoy the view while you can," he said with a slight smile. "Once we reach the ruins, things won’t be this peaceful."

The words hung in the air, a reminder of the danger that awaited them. But for now, as they sailed above the clouds, Abel let himself savor the moment—the calm before the storm. The expedition had begun.