THE STORMCHASER'S FLIGHT

Skybound Odyssey – Chapter 2: The Stormchaser's Flight

Ryo sprinted toward the skyship, weaving through the chaos as imperial soldiers rounded up sailors and dockworkers. Lyra hesitated for a split second before cursing under her breath and running after him.

"You are absolutely insane, you know that?!" she hissed.

Ryo just grinned. "Yeah, but that's why you like me."

The Stormchaser was a mid-sized skyship, its hull weathered but sturdy, with a sleek design meant for speed. It had twin sails, powered by a glowing azure crystal embedded in its core—an ancient Aerostone, capable of keeping it afloat even in the strongest winds.

Two guards stood at the gangplank, but before they could react, Ryo launched himself forward.

With a swift spin, he drove his fist into the first guard's stomach, sending him flying into the water below. The second raised his rifle, but Lyra yanked a wrench from her belt and slammed it against the soldier's helmet, knocking him out cold.

"You're way too good at that," Ryo chuckled.

"Shut up and get on the ship!"

They dashed aboard, and Lyra bolted toward the engine room while Ryo ran for the helm. The controls were unfamiliar, but that didn't bother him. Steering a skyship couldn't be that different from sailing a regular ship… right?

Then, from the imperial airship above, a deep voice rang out.

"HALT, THIEVES!"

A tall man in a black officer's coat landed on the deck with a thunderous crash. He had piercing blue eyes and a greatsword strapped to his back. His presence alone made the air feel heavier.

Ryo's grin faltered for the first time.

Lyra peeked from below deck. "Uh… who's that?"

The man unsheathed his sword, its blade crackling with energy. "I am Captain Darius Vale of the Skyborn Empire. You have ten seconds to surrender."

Ryo cracked his knuckles. "Yeah, that's not happening."

Darius sighed. "Then you leave me no choice."

With a single step, he crossed the distance between them and swung his sword with enough force to split the deck in two.

Ryo barely dodged, rolling across the planks. "Lyra, get this thing moving NOW!"

"I'm working on it!" she yelled, frantically flipping switches and pulling levers. The Stormchaser's engine roared to life, its Aerostone flaring with blue light.

Darius lunged again, but this time, Ryo met him head-on, blocking the strike with his forearm. Sparks flew as the force of the attack sent shockwaves through the ship.

Darius's eyes narrowed. "That… should have cut you in half."

Ryo smirked, clenching his fists. "Yeah? Well, I'm not your average sky pirate."

His body crackled with energy, his golden eyes glowing faintly. Something was different about him—something even he didn't fully understand.

But he had no time to figure it out now.

The ship jolted as the Stormchaser lifted off, rising into the sky just as imperial reinforcements arrived.

"Hang on!" Lyra shouted.

With a mighty roar, the skyship shot forward, breaking through the clouds and into open air.

They had escaped.

For now.