Naval Battle Open Sea (New World)

[Kaka]

The metal ship that they had boarded days ago was still sailing through the seas of the New World. The days went by relatively unchanged. Gabriel meditated, ate, drank beer. Cyla battle danced across the open deck, using various props to practice her use of the Ito Ito no Mi. Various plates, wooden logs and other things were seen cut up across the open deck, and even the metallic deck had some cuts on it. Sephiroth had not gotten out of his room in days. He slept through most of those days, and the time that he did not sleep, he spent awake in bed, thinking about the future.

His power had been awakening rapidly. Not long ago, he was on an island that housed the Cipher Pol 2 base. There, he was still weak, at least comparatively speaking. Enough to dismantle a group of bandits, but any notable fighter would have brought him down. There, he had met Cyla and Gabriel. From there onwards, Sephiroth recollected about the time in Sabaody. There, his Haki had already strongly awakened, and he defeated two Vice Admirals, while even managing to get away from a Buster Call with three Admirals onboard. There, Sephiroth had made a name for himself, after he had abducted and roughed up a Celestial Dragon. But it was on Raijin Island that Sephiroth shot to the top of the world. There, he had fought and defeated one of the Navy's greatest powers. Admiral Fujitora. Sephiroth's Haki had completely awakened, and he came to learn that within him, was the strongest form of Conqueror's Haki. He also inherited Admiral Fujitora's Devil's Fruit - the Zushi Zushi no Mi. And with it, came the great power to control gravity and summon meteors from space. Sephiroth was at an all time high. That is, until he came across Admiral Aokiji - an even more experienced Admiral, and one of the strongest. Backed up by two Vice Admirals, Admiral Aokiji managed to push off Sephiroth, making him retreat. Now, Sephiroth was at an impasse. Where to go from here?

Sephiroth finally elevated into a sitting position atop his bed, pushing the sheets off of himself. He stood up and left the room, making his way up toward open deck.

Sephiroth...!

Cyla was quick to notice him, ceasing her training and making her way toward him.

I see you've been busy.

Sephiroth said, looking around the wrecked open deck. By this point, Gabriel noticed Sephiroth as well, making his way toward him.

Finally, you're up.

Gabriel said, Sephiroth nodding.

It's time for us to get back to action. We'll be taking a break from going after the Navy for now. There is something else I want to do...

Sephiroth said, Cyla and Gabriel slightly surprised by his words. They had been all about confronting the Navy for a good few months now, so seeing a change in direction was undoubtedly unnerving.

So, where to now?

Cyla asked. Sephiroth had an answer.

There's an island in the New World that should have all the answers to our questions. All the secrets of our histories. And a man that should be able to help us realize our dreams.

We will be going to Egghead Island.

 

[Kaka]

Multiple days and nights went by as the metallic ship that carried Sephiroth's group, sailed the waters of the New World. They knew which way to go, but there was a long path in front of them. The New World was a big place, and Egghead Island was one of its mysteries. In the days past, Sephiroth's group had been subject to it all. Treacherous weather, attacks from Sea Kings, even an unfortunate crew of pirates that tried to ransack them, but were all sunk to the bottom of the ocean by Cyla. In comparison, today was a calm day. The sun was out, there were no signs of bad weather, and as far as the eye could see, there were no beasts, or pirates, or Marines. It was smooth sailing.

That is, until it happened. This time, it was not weather coming from above. It was not a Sea King or pirate attack from the front, the back, the left or the right. This time, it came from below. Suddenly, an absolutely enormous shadow appeared under the surface of the water. At first, the shadow was unnoticed. Then it became five times as big as the ship itself. Then it was ten times, and then fifty times. Before long, it was a hundred times bigger than the ship itself, and the shadow beneath the surface continued to get bigger. Much bigger. Their Kenbun-shoku no Hakis had picked the creature up before their eyes did. An enormous aura lurked beneath them.

Sephiroth, what in the world is this... do you feel it?!

Cyla asked, worry in her eyes. This thing was too big. Even Sephiroth himself had a look of worry on his face. A man that could fight a Marine Admiral - and yet, this thing beneath them, flabbergasted him. He had never felt anything like it. And then, the water underneath them started to rise. In a matter of seconds, they would find themselves atop a massive body of water, rising hundreds of feet into the air. The metallic body of the ship started to creak, the vessel was going nowhere but up. The water started to flow back into the sea, and in a minute or so, it would happen. The water would be gone, and the ship, with Sephiroth and the group still onboard, would find itself grounded. They were...

In the middle of a forest.

What the hell? Did an island just appear from underneath us? What is this?

Gabriel asked, Sephiroth and Cyla equally confused.

Why did it feel like a living creature earlier?

Sephiroth asked, referring to what their Kenbun-shoku no Hakis had picked up earlier.

Could it be that we felt all the creatures of this island as one big aura?

That's the only explanation for now. Though I had never felt like that before.

Gabriel said. Normally, their Hakis were mastered to a point where they would differentiate between different living beings, and wouldn't feel a forest or an island as one whole. Nonetheless, it was a mystery. For now, they would explore.

 

[Kaka]

Sephiroth and the group had disembarked their ship and had started exploring the forest... island... whatever it was that they were on. There seemed to be no immediate danger involved - their Kenbun-shoku no Hakis were alert, and while the forest was full with life, there seemed to be nothing else here but animals. As they walked, exploring the forest, Cyla noticed something strange.

This is a weird forest. There's no deer. There's no foxes. There's no bears. There's no animals that live on land. There's also no fish or other animals that only live in water. But, there's plenty of animals that can live both on land and in water. Crabs... frogs... ducks... penguins... there was even a hippo earlier.

Cyla said, before continuing.

It appears this really is an island that spends time underwater, and then on the surface. But I've never seen an island like that before.

Cyla said. Her analysis was logical and perceptive. Gabriel was looking at her weird, perhaps surprised by her sharp deductions. Cyla was incredibly smart no doubt, but she seemed to have a knack for animals.

Oddly enough... no Fishmen or Mermaids. You'd think they'd love an island like this.

Gabriel added. He, too, had a point. The group continued to walk, exploring, until suddenly, Sephiroth collapsed on one knee.

Hngh...! What the hell...!

Sephiroth exclaimed, Cyla and Gabriel quick to hear Sephiroth in pain behind them. Cyla ran over, kneeling down next to Sephiroth and grabbing his shoulder.

Hey, you ok?!

Cyla shouted, clearly worried about Sephiroth. Sephiroth grith his teeth and clenched his right fist, dealing with the pain. It was a severe headache. But, after a good minute or so, it went away. And then, a voice. A booming, infinitely large voice spoke.

Finally... we meet, the Chosen Lunarian!

The booming, majestic voice said, Sephiroth's eyes widened in shock.

Who are you?!

Sephiroth exclaimed, Cyla and Gabriel looking at him strangely.

My name is hundreds of years of age... you would not know it. But I will give it to you. My name... is Reiki.

The heavenly voice said. To Sephiroth, it felt like the voice was so large the whole island would be able to hear it.

Reiki? Good. Where are you, and what is this place?!

Sephiroth conversed, Cyla looking at him ever stranger.

What are you talking about, Sephiroth? Or more importantly, who are you talking to?

Cyla asked, Sephiroth's eyes widening in surprise. He looked at Cyla, before looking at Gabriel. Gabriel shrugged as well. He, too, had no idea who Sephiroth was talking to.

What are you talking about, Cyla? Are you deaf or something?

Sephiroth said, a nerve striking out on Cyla's temple. She did not appreciate the sarcastic remark.

What are YOU talking about Sephiroth... there's no one around. Who are you talking to?

At this point, it was clear. Cyla and Gabriel could not hear the voice, unlike Sephiroth. Sephiroth's headache subsided and he stood up, walking away. Cyla ran up to Sephiroth, catching up to him, while Gabriel walked behind them. Something mysterious was happening to the group.

 

[Kaka]

Hours passed, the camera switching between scenes of the forest and the group's explorations. And then, the scene suddenly wooshed up toward the sky, where the wind was blowing powerfully. Sephiroth was high up in the sky, looking down. In his eyes, there was disbelief and shock.

What in the world... is that..!

A scene grander than any other. An ancient, living turtle of absolutely massive proportions, as big as a large island - and on its back, a massive ecosystem that could rival an island in size as well.

Cyla, Gabriel...! Get over here!!!

Sephiroth shouted, his booming voice reaching the two below. They looked up, flapping their wings and ascending up toward the sky. Once they joined Sephiroth, they turned around. And with their eyes, they saw the scene that Sephiroth had seen just then. And much like him, they were in disbelief. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through Sephiroth's head again and he grimaced in pain. And with the pain, came that booming voice. A voice so large you'd think it could be heard kilometers away. Yet, only Sephiroth could hear it. The turtle spoke to him.

Finally we meet, the Chosen Lunarian...!

The grand being spoke, repeating the words from earlier. As booming and kingly as the voice was, one could not help but feel like there was some happiness in the voice. Sephiroth, still wincing in pain, spoke.

It's talking to me. That turtle...!

Sephiroth said, Cyla's and Gabriel's eyes widening in shock. That means... what happened earlier was true as well. Sephiroth really could hear this grand being's words, and yet no one else could.

What the hell is it saying??

Cyla inquired.

It's saying it's been waiting to meet me...

Sephiroth said, the pain disappearing. And with it, the voice. The turtle kept moving, and the group descended on it once again. A being hundreds of years old, this was the day when Sephiroth's, Cyla's and Gabriel's lives would change, though they didn't know it. With it, the grand being of old was bringing fate. A new story. A new mission. New secrets. And new purpose. With it, the grand being was bringing the history of the Lunarians, a race that Sephiroth and the group belonged to, a race they wished to revive and bring to its former glory. Something to protect. Sephiroth would not know this grand being's connection to him, or to his race, just yet - but meeting such a being in itself was something unparalleled. Sephiroth could feel it. They had to stick together. This grand being would bring them where they needed to go.

Once back on the island, Sephiroth spoke.

It's that way. We'll go towards its head. Let's see where this being is going. It must not be going blindly.

Sephiroth said. For now, he was not ready to leave this being behind. Meeting it, was fate. They had to follow it. Where it would take them, was anyone's guess. But nothing else was important right now. It couldn't be, not more than this.