After days of intense travel and trials, the group finally arrived in Stratos Haven, the floating capital of the Thunder Skies. The moment they stepped out onto the land, they could feel the static in the air—a constant hum of electricity that buzzed against their skin. Towering structures made of cloudstone and charged metal stood against the sky, some floating independently while connected by shimmering bridges of condensed lightning. The streets were alive with flying creatures, sky carts propelled by wind energy, and people dressed in elegant yet functional garments infused with thunder sigils.
The first thing on their list was finding a home. Since they would be staying for a while—at least until the Thunder Tournament—they needed a proper base. Raidon, who knew the city well, led them through the winding roads, avoiding overly crowded districts where merchants loudly advertised enchanted gear and rare storm beasts for sale. Eventually, they found a large sky lodge with enough space for all of them. It was suspended by four levitating crystal anchors, giving it a floating island feel. The walls were made of stormwood, a rare material that absorbed static energy, making the interior constantly warm.
Each of them had their own personalized rooms:
Ren's room had darkened walls with dim, blue lights embedded into them, giving a quiet, mysterious aura. The floor had a shadow-infused carpet that subtly shifted as he walked. Sakayanagi's room had a window that overlooked the rolling clouds and electric storms in the distance. It had a heat-regulating feature, allowing her to train without worrying about overloading the environment with her flames. Shigan's room was simple but well-balanced, with a meditation zone and an area designed for ki-enhancing exercises. The room adjusted to his energy, making it the perfect place to rest and train. Kaelen's room was infused with eco-energy, meaning plants could grow inside, despite the floating altitude. He had a mini-greenhouse set up, where he could grow herbs and test their properties.
Once they were settled, Raidon pulled out a rolled-up parchment—the tournament schedule. It was etched with golden lightning, showing the official date:
"The Thunder Tournament will commence in 21 days."
A silence filled the room. Three weeks. That meant they had time to prepare, but they had to use it wisely.
The First Meal in Stratos Haven
After settling in, they gathered in the main hall, where Raidon spread out his mystical table carpet. This enchanted artifact could produce any dish called upon, but only from places the owner had visited before. Since Raidon had traveled across many realms, the selection was vast.
They each ordered different meals:
Ren picked Grimleaf Stew, a dish from an ancient sky temple. It was a deep green soup with floating golden grains that shimmered, boosting mental clarity. Sakayanagi chose Ember-Grilled Astrafin, a rare fish found in high-altitude lakes. It had a spicy, crackling aftertaste, almost as if tiny sparks danced on her tongue. Shigan opted for Skyroot Rice & Thunder Peppers, a balanced meal rich in energy-enhancing nutrients, perfect for ki users. The peppers had a zesty kick that made his ki tingle. Kaelen requested Verdant Cloud Noodles, a meal originally from Nature Kingdom nomads. It had a delicate, herbal broth that revitalized his stamina. Raidon, being used to high-energy foods, went for Storm-Baked Sable Beast, a roasted meat dish that had absorbed the essence of a storm, giving it a zesty and electrifying taste.
For dessert, they shared Zephyr Puff Pastries, which were light as air yet rich with vanilla essence, and drank Breezewhisper Nectar, a mildly fizzy, refreshing drink made from condensed morning mist.
The group sat together, finally relaxing for the first time in a while. The journey had been exhausting, but now, they had time to plan, train, and enjoy themselves before the upcoming battle.
To be continued…