The platform wobbled beneath their feet as the group gathered their bearings. The ley line energy surged in erratic pulses, sending ripples through the floating islands. The horizon ahead was a mess of fragmented platforms, spiraling wind tunnels, and glimmers of hostile constructs forming in the distance.

“This place really leans into its whole ‘chaotic freedom’ theme,” Aeris said, grinning as she adjusted her scarf. “I love it.”

“Good for you,” Vera said dryly, hefting her shield. “But I’d rather not die falling into the void, so let’s stay focused.”

“Calia,” Koina said softly, her chakrams spinning idly in her hands. “What do you see?”

Calia Ardent stood at the edge of the platform, her crystalline rapier glowing faintly as she studied the shifting winds. Her analytical gaze darted between the patterns, her lips tightening as she calculated their next move. “The platforms are rotating in a predictable rhythm. If we jump at the right moments, the wind will carry us to stable sections.”

“Sounds risky,” Kael said, gripping his axes with anticipation. “But I like risky.”

Vera rolled her eyes. “We stick together. No one runs off. Aeris—”

“Yeah, yeah,” Aeris said, waving her hand dismissively. “I’ll behave. Mostly.”

Calia pointed toward a cluster of platforms ahead. “The currents shift every twenty seconds. We need to move quickly but carefully.”

The group nodded, their movements synchronized as they leapt from platform to platform. The winds tugged at their clothes and threatened their footing, but they managed to advance steadily.

A sudden gust hit, stronger than the rest, and Aeris stumbled. She flailed for balance, her foot slipping dangerously close to the edge.

“Aeris!” Koina shouted, her chakrams already spinning in preparation.

Before anyone could react, Kael lunged forward, grabbing Aeris by the arm and pulling her back to safety. “Gotta work on your landings,” he said with a grin.

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Aeris let out a breathless laugh. “Noted. Thanks, Kael.”

They pressed onward, the wind constructs becoming more aggressive. Serpentine shapes formed from the air, their bodies undulating as they darted toward the group.

“They’re getting faster,” Vera said, raising her shield. A construct slammed into it, dissipating into a burst of wind but nearly knocking her off balance.

“They’re tied to the ley line surges,” Calia said sharply. “We need to disrupt their energy cores or they’ll keep regenerating.”

Kael charged forward, his axes swinging in wide arcs. He shattered one of the constructs, the winds scattering briefly before reforming. “Yeah, they’re stubborn!” he called.

Koina moved with precision, her chakrams slicing through smaller constructs as she provided cover for Calia and Vera. Aeris darted around the battlefield, her bolts ricocheting off the swirling forms.

In the midst of the chaos, Koina felt something… off. A sudden gust of wind surged toward her, more forceful and deliberate than the chaos around it. She braced herself instinctively, chakram spinning in defense—but just before it reached her, the gust veered sharply, dissipating harmlessly to the side.

Her brow furrowed. She scanned the area, her eyes narrowing as she tried to understand what had happened. Another surge of wind, carrying debris from a nearby platform, hurtled toward her. This time, the debris shattered mid-air, scattering into harmless fragments.

“Koina, move!” Vera’s voice jolted her from her thoughts, and she leapt to the next platform just as the one behind her collapsed. Her heart pounded, but her mind raced even faster.

When they regrouped on a larger, sturdier platform, Koina hesitated. She glanced back at the stormy expanse behind them, her chakrams spinning absently in her hands. “Did anyone else… feel that?”

“Feel what?” Kael asked, tilting his head as he adjusted his grip on his axes.

“The wind,” Koina murmured. “It changed. Twice. Like it… missed.”

Calia frowned, stepping closer. “The winds are unpredictable, but patterns like that don’t just happen. If you noticed something, it’s worth paying attention to.”

Aeris leaned on her crossbow, smirking. “Maybe Zephyros likes you, Koina. Wind spirits playing favorites?”

Koina didn’t respond, her eyes still scanning the storm around them. There was something deliberate about what had happened. Something—or someone—had interfered.

“Let’s keep moving,” Vera said, her tone firm. “We can’t stop now.”

Koina nodded, though her thoughts lingered on the feeling. We’re not alone, she thought. I’m sure of it.

The group continued, their resolve unshaken but their steps more cautious. Ahead, the ley line core loomed closer, its chaotic energy casting an eerie glow across the fragmented platforms. The storm’s intensity grew, but so did the group’s determination.