SKYBOUND REBELS

Skybound Odyssey – Chapter 3: Skybound Rebels

The Stormchaser soared into the endless blue, leaving the chaos of Windmere behind. Ryo gripped the helm, wind whipping through his red hair as he whooped with excitement.

"We did it! We actually stole a skyship!"

Lyra, still catching her breath, collapsed onto a nearby crate. "Correction: I stole the skyship. You just picked a fight with an imperial captain and somehow didn't die."

Ryo chuckled. "You worry too much."

Lyra shot him a glare. "And you don't worry enough."

As they climbed higher, the massive floating islands of Aerion came into view. Towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and sprawling cities perched on the skylands, each one a kingdom of its own. But no sight compared to the infinite expanse of sky stretching beyond them.

Ryo clenched his fists, his golden eyes gleaming.

One step closer to Skyspire.

Then, a loud BANG shook the ship.

Lyra's head snapped up. "Please tell me that wasn't the engine."

Ryo checked the gauges. "It wasn't the engine."

A second explosion rocked the ship, followed by a streak of fire cutting through the clouds.

Lyra's face paled. "Oh no. Ryo, we've got company."

Emerging from the clouds, a fleet of sleek, black skyships closed in, their red banners marking them as the Crimson Talons—sky pirates infamous for hunting down lone ships and stealing everything onboard.

At the lead was a monstrous vessel, its sails tattered but its cannons primed. A tall, lanky figure stood at the bow, a mechanical eyepiece scanning the Stormchaser like a predator sizing up its prey.

"Ahoy there, runaways!" the man bellowed, his voice dripping with amusement. "You've got a fine ship, and I hate to break it to you, but it's ours now."

Ryo's grin didn't waver. "Not a chance."

The pirate captain chuckled. "Oh? And who might you be?"

Ryo cracked his knuckles. "I'm Ryo Stormheart, and if you want this ship… you'll have to take it from me."

The pirate captain smirked. "I was hoping you'd say that."

With a wave of his hand, his crew leaped from their ships, using grappling hooks to swing onto the Stormchaser's deck.

Lyra groaned. "Of course. More fights."

Ryo clenched his fists, lightning crackling around them. "Good. I was just getting warmed up."

The battle for the Stormchaser had begun.