“Pop quiz time!” A cheerful teacher announces to her class.

“”Uuughhh…!”” A collective groan of misery echoes from all the kids in class.

“If anyone can answer these questions, I’ll let you all leave early for tonight's Grand Event.” The teacher’s warm smile brought back hope to the crestfallen children. They all quietly settled down for her to speak. “Now let’s see, who can tell me what the event is called?” A bunch of hands shot up after asking her question.

“The Storm Run!” A kid with glasses shouts out loud when called on.

“Correct!” The teacher claps her hands for the kid before asking her next question. “When does the Storm Run happen?” The teacher looks around at the waving arms before pointing at a girl in the back.

“Every decade! Because the full moons weaken the StormWall.” The young girl speaks her answer proudly, even giving extra information.

“Excellent answer. Now, why is this Storm Run even special?” The teacher smiles while watching the hands go up and down as the classroom looks on with confusion. “Anyone want to try and guess?” She smiles softly as the kids struggle to think of something. One little boy in the front raises his hand slowly.

“Um, uh, a-airships?” He fumbles for an answer due to his growing embarrassment of being put on the spot.

“Good answer, but airships were used the last two runs, and while they were mostly used as support roles, they were still part of the Trinity Fleet.” The class listens intently with glowing eyes as the teacher explains this. “Now, does anyone else want to try and guess? Or will we be here all day?” She gives a playful pout as their little arms start to shoot up.

“New recording crystals!” The boy with glasses yells out after being chosen.

“That’s right! If I understand correctly, the crystal orbs will record the Storm Run and let us see it happening before any editing is done.” The teacher, an aspiring magical device engineer, was brimming with excitement. “Now, class, the final question!” The class’ focus increases by leaps and bonds, hoping to get out before lunchtime. “What do you think is on the other side of the StormWall?” She asks with a devious smirk.

““Not fair!!”’ A chorus of complaints echoes in the classroom, protesting the unfair question. The teacher's smile fades as she claps her hands together loud enough for the children to feel the shockwave.

“That’s your homework for the weekend. Now enjoy the Grand Event. I expect a written three-page answer on my desk by mid-next week.” The teacher glances over the students once more before gathering her things. “Dismissed!” She shouts while nearly running from the classroom.

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“Are you sure this is going to work?” A young teen-looking girl asks with a skeptical stare at an old man with a bushy beard hunching over a glowing crystal ball.

“Everything is connected and powered. Just doing some last-minute checks…” The wizardly man says, his bushy white bread moving as he speaks. “There, we should be set.” He stands up with the help of a luxurious-looking cane. Which has many glowing magic stones embedded into the wood; as he moves it, an ethereal glow is left in its wake.

“Finally!” A short man with a patch over his eye cries out. He waves a glowing hand over the mess of documents before him as they all glow before magically flying into a small pouch on his belt. “My peg is itching! The hunt is almost here!” He cackles out madly as he stomps his right-pegged leg up and down on the metallic flooring.

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“If you Explorers just let us Adventures handle the beasts, your leg would be itching instead.” The girl humps as she mocks the short pirate-dressed man.

“At least we Explorers don’t need the help of the Mages to keep us looking pretty!” The short man full of old scars slaps his better knee while laughing at the fuming girl.

“Enough, you two, behave like adults, or I’ll let the world see how childish you can be.” The wizard strikes his cane on the floor, causing a resounding echo before a wave of pressure from his gaze stops the others from bickering further.

“Tsk, no fun.” The short man turns his head in defeat.

“Old bastard.” The girl turns her heated glare towards the older-looking man.

“We’re supposed to be working together here…” The mage sighs as he turns to face the crystal ball. The other two come and stand by his side. “Can we play nice, just for today?” The old wizard lets out a stress-filled sigh as he mumbles a spell in an inhuman tone.

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All across the world of Celestia, large crystalline balls, complete with delicate and complex etchings in their interior, begin to glow in unison. Stadiums, Arenas, and the Plains around the Magic Towers were full of the populace. Everyone gathers around these magical devices, brimming with excitement as the magical light gathers above them. A deafening hush fell over the crowd as they wait patiently for something to happen.

With a brilliant flash of light, the night sky is filled with an image of a trio made of light standing tall in the sky. The wizardly man with a curly white bushy beard taps his cane once. A wave of light rushes over the crowds; watching the magical spectacle, they all fall silent.

“Celestia, I bid you a good evening.” All watching his image in the sky hear the wizard's words. “I am Arch Mage Nicolas.” The old wizard gives a short bow with his head. “I am the Guildmaster of the Magic Towers.” His cane lets off magical flares to the delight of the masses.

“I am Yue, the Adventure Guildmaster.” The young-looking girl steps forth with grace before giving a warrior’s greeting.

“Y’all know me, Jack, Explorer Guildmaster!” The short pirate look-alike steps up, his peg leg echoing on the floor.

“We, the leaders of the Trinity Union, are happy to announce the start of the Centennial Event of the Third Storm Run!” Nicolas says with a big smile on his bushy face. “With the completion of the Seer Orb and Protection Crystal Ball, let us enjoy this Grand Event!”

“For all ye simpler ones, the magical balls let you not just record shit but show it off live.” Jack crosses his arms with a proud smirk on his face. “So you get to see the full raw Storm Run!” He shouts out.

“While the last two Storm Runs were recorded for everyone to witness, this time will be a first.” Yue explains while trying to suppress a growing smile on her face.

“Let us see how our Trinity Fleet handles this year’s Storm Run.” Nicolas says while his cane begins to glow again. The crowd cheers as the image of the guild master trio fades and is replaced with an aerial overview of a fleet of sleek warships sailing to battle under the colorful, bright light of the full moons. “As a special treat, all those wearing the Grand Event Connection Necklace, I recommend you sit down, close your eyes, and hold it tightly.” As Nicolas speaks, the unique magical necklaces sold to the populace for the Grand Event glow with a green light.

“What does this do?” The voice of an interested-sounding Yue speaks out as the Trinity Fleet is surrounded by a vast hazy mist covering miles of open water before the StormWall.

“Holy hells! I’m flying!” Jack yells excitedly and receives a heavy sigh from the other guild masters. “I can see the fleet!” His giddy voice stirs the interest of the masses.

“This special necklace lets you see from the view of the Seer Orbs themselves.” Nicolas informs everyone. The crowds begin to follow the instructions as they let out a loud cheer, but the world goes silent a moment later. “What are they-?!” Nicolas frantically starts to shout as the view from the Seer Orb shifts from the fleet to staring at the water directly below. “Pull up, you fools!” He shouts with worry as the view they all witness starts to fall towards the waiting waves; the crowds scream in terror as the ghastly, colorful waters rush to meet them.