FWOOSH.
The air trembled and rippled, compressing before expanding again, revealing three silhouettes atop the cloud-covered elevation. The space settled back to normal, silent, almost still.
Robin immediately looked around, her brown eyes glinting with quiet fascination at the sight before her.
In front of them, the colossal Poneglyph stood in all its imposing grandeur, an ancient monolith of dark stone that sharply contrasted with the celestial whiteness around it.
Her eyes traced the characters deeply etched into its polished surface, her heart quickening with a restrained but palpable emotion.
'I'm finally here…'
Robin took a step forward, but before she could get closer, Riser raised a hand.
"Wait."
Alvida and Robin froze in place, their attention instantly sharpened by the alert tone in his voice.
"What is it?" Alvida narrowed her eyes, activating her Observation Haki again, trying to sense anything unusual.
But there was nothing. Just silence.
Yet Riser stood motionless, his golden eyes fixed on the sky above.
"Someone's coming."
Robin felt her muscles tense, instinctively bracing for the worst. She subtly flexed her fingers, maintaining a calm posture but inwardly alert.
Alvida smirked, her lips curling into a silent challenge. She kept a relaxed stance, but her senses were heightened to the maximum.
"Guess we're getting some action after all."
A rumble echoed on the horizon, abruptly shattering the sky's serenity.
CRACK!
A bolt of lightning tore through the sky, leaving a trail of bluish light that briefly illuminated the scene. The flash was followed by a deep, menacing rumble that vibrated through the thin air, spreading like distant thunder.
And then—
ZAAAP!
Another bolt sliced the sky, closer this time, exploding violently atop the elevation beside them. The clouds quaked with the impact, releasing vaporous particles that quickly dispersed into the air.
"Who's that…?" Alvida squinted, shielding her eyes from the intense light still burning in her retinas.
Riser kept his gaze locked on the direction of the flash, utterly unfazed by the dramatic display of power. His lips curved into a cold smile.
"It's the self-proclaimed God of the Sky."
The air grew heavy, thick with electricity that now pulsed tangibly. Their hair lifted slightly, prickled by the static energy building around them.
Another bolt streaked through the air, exploding with force just a few meters ahead.
BOOOM!
A figure emerged slowly, surrounded by small sparks that lazily snaked around his body. A bluish aura glowed softly over his skin, reflecting off the golden earrings that swayed gently with the movement of his head.
Enel landed softly on the cloud ground, his body erect, an expression of absolute arrogance etched on his face.
"You dare invade my island…"
He raised an eyebrow, sizing up the three visitors with utter contempt.
"Without my permission."
Robin felt her heart race at the imposing presence, but she remained perfectly composed on the surface. She could clearly sense the mortal danger emanating from this man.
Alvida took a step forward, her eyes gleaming with defiance.
"What kind of idiot thinks he owns the sky?"
Enel slowly raised a hand, electric sparks dancing between his fingers as he smiled coldly, almost disinterestedly.
"The only kind that matters."
An arc of electricity pulsed around him, lighting the air in a momentary burst of intense light.
ZAAAP!
But before he could advance, Riser's calm, impassive voice cut through the space between them.
"You talk too much, Enel."
The self-proclaimed god turned slowly, his gaze narrowing with curiosity and restrained irritation.
"How do you know my name, insignificant creature?"
Riser smiled faintly, his golden eyes fixed on him, completely indifferent to the threat.
"I know many things about you. Your power, your arrogance, your weaknesses."
Enel's brow furrowed, his expression slowly twisting into evident but contained irritation.
"I have no weaknesses. I am God."
Riser tilted his head slightly, the cold smile lingering on his lips.
"Are you?"
The air between them seemed to freeze for an instant, tense and charged with anticipation.
Robin felt her breathing slow, her body still, completely focused on the unfolding interaction.
Alvida chuckled softly, watching the exchange with a mix of amusement and curiosity. She recognized that tone in Riser's voice.
It was the tone of someone who knew they were in absolute control of the situation.
Enel took a step forward, sparks dancing intensely around his body, electricity crackling dangerously in the air.
"You'll regret that insolence."
Riser remained perfectly still, his hands relaxed in his pockets.
"I highly doubt that."
Robin felt the tension reach an almost unbearable peak. Her mind was torn between her intense desire to decipher the Poneglyph and her survival instinct in the face of this mortal threat.
'There's no room for mistakes now.'
She slowly positioned herself beside Alvida, both ready to act at the first sign.
Enel's body now pulsed with deadly energy, the celestial drums on his back vibrating to the rhythm of the electricity that furiously snaked around him.
"You think you can challenge a God?"
Riser slowly raised a hand, his fingers spreading in a nonchalant, almost bored gesture.
"You're not a God. You're just a mortal with slightly flashier powers."
Enel's eyes blazed with uncontained fury, the air around him exploding in a violent, powerful electric flash.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
His laughter reverberated like successive thunderclaps, deep and unhinged, echoing through the clouds around the plateau.
HAHAHAHAHA!
Enel brought a hand to his forehead, as if needing to contain his own laughter.
"Incredible… absolutely incredible."
The blue glow of his skin shimmered like blades under the sun. His eyes were wide, but not with fear—with ecstasy.
"It's been so long since I heard such blasphemy. An insect… daring to mock the divinity before him!"
Alvida narrowed her eyes.
"This guy's seriously out of touch with reality…"
Robin said nothing. Her eyes were on Riser.
He stood motionless.
No fear. No hesitation.
Just… anticipation.
Enel took a step forward, his bare feet hovering millimeters above the cloud ground, sparks dancing lazily around him.
"You wish to prove your words, mortal? Very well. As an act of mercy… I'll give you three chances."
He raised three fingers with calculated slowness.
"Three attacks. Three opportunities to strike this divine body. I won't use my power. I won't move. I'll even grant you that."
Laughter still lingered in his throat, laced with disdain.
"Surprise me."
Riser laughed.
"You just signed your death warrant."
Enel's smile widened.
"Begin whenever you're ready."
Robin let out a soft gasp.
Alvida gave a slow whistle.
"This is gonna be good…"
Riser slowly pulled his hands from his pockets. His golden eyes gleamed like molten metal under the sky's light.
Bonus Chapter Available!
If you're enjoying the story and want access to an exclusive bonus chapter, consider supporting me on Patreon!
Your support helps me keep creating more content like this.
Check it out here: p atreon.com/22Mirko22
Thank you so much for your support!