Beyond The System
Chapter 170: The Journey

Things are bigger, Luna warned as we drifted quickly across the ocean’s surface.

I eased back on the propulsion, letting the spiritual current slow, and sent my sense down below the craft. The moment it touched the water, something shifted. My perception dulled to blurred edges, but it wasn't too sharp, just enough to notice. A soft filter pulled over what I could see.

My domain didn’t show anything, so I was forced to push further. The deeper I reached, the more muted the world became. Still clearer than if I’d opened my actual eyes underwater… but nothing like watching the surface above.

They don’t seem to be bothering us, I told Luna. Just swimming around.

And they were, far below. Massive shapes, slow and steady. One drifted just beneath, its silhouette vast and muscled. A dozen meters down, it glided through the water like some relic from an ancient ocean. Its hide was heavy and armored, thick plates of mossy green scale overlapping each other.

Smaller fish clustered around it, flicking and darting across its surface. Cleaning it, maybe. Probably some sort of symbiosis or something close.

No, Luna agreed, her tone less tense. It’s not even hunting, I think.

My brow tightened. It wasn’t that this thing was acting aggressive. It wasn’t. But the problem I felt was the fact that the first island had harmless fish too, until night fell. Until the Goldmanes came from somewhere below. These calm seas could be hiding anything.

I took a slow breath and tried to shake the unease.

To my left, Thea sat in one canoe, eyes closed, perfectly still. She had told me earlier she wanted to focus on her Spiritual Refinement, and see if she could push it further. She hadn’t moved since.

Still, she wasn’t flushed like a boiled lobster, so I wasn’t worried.

Elric, sprawled across the other side, had his eyes shut as well. I thought it was a bit reckless, and that’s coming from me. But he figured the best way to face the next island was to be finished with his Harmonic Foundation.

Griffith... well, he didn’t like it either, but he’d let it pass.

The man must have felt me watching, because he turned from his post at the front of the ship.

“Something wrong, Peter?”

I shook my head. “No. Just the things in the water. They’re getting bigger. And they look more like predators.”

Griffith scanned the waves, thoughtful. “If they show interest, let me know.”

I gave a nod and looked back up, following the Dragon Vein energy as it twisted and shimmered high above. Wild and untethered, pointing the way.

Peter, what is that? Luna’s voice cut in.

I glanced around. What, the water?

Her veins flickered a faint orange, then purple, then a quick flash of blue. But considering the situation, I figured the flash of various color wasn't excitement, but apprehension.

Maybe you can’t see it yet. Our Spiritual Senses probably work differently since we don't see the same.

That caught me off guard. I hadn’t really thought about that before.

So it’s far ahead?

She tightened her grip on my wrist. The water changes up ahead. I don’t know how to explain it, but it does. Just be ready. It’s coming in a few minutes.

I slowed our speed and cast a glance toward the front of the boat.

“Something’s about to change,” I warned Griffith. “Be ready.”

I pushed my eyesight to its limit, straining toward the horizon, but it was only the ocean. Endlessly blue and empty.

But Luna had been right. The change came after just a few more minutes.

“Dear gods… such beauty,” Griffith whispered. His eyes widened to the point where they may fall out, breath caught somewhere in his throat.

I turned toward Thea just as the sea’s rhythm shifted. A slow, synchronized rise and fall like something beneath the surface was breathing.

“Thea!” I called. “You have to see this.”

She cracked one eye open, groggy at first then alert as her gaze followed mine.

Around the boat, the water shimmered. Not everywhere at first, just along the wake and ridges. Faint light laced the crests, glowing in scattered pulses.

Then, farther ahead, glimmering flecks began to surface like summer fireflies caught underwater. Tunnels of liquid light shot upward in arcs and spirals, bursting from below like beautiful fountains.

They glowed pale green at first, then shifted to violets, oranges, and brilliant sapphire. Each pulse changed color in time with the ocean’s breath. Every ripple made the dance wilder.

“H—how could something like this exist?” Thea whispered, leaning forward.

I’d read about creatures invisible to the naked eye, giving off bioluminescent light, but this wasn’t natural. It wasn’t just biological. We all felt it. Luna and I even more.

Beneath the glow, I could see them. Dozens of long, armored creatures undulating through the water. Their tails flicked sharply, launching jets of compressed water toward the sky in perfect sync.

But it wasn't violent, instead appearing as if some performance or ritual.

Silver-streaked bodies spun and twisted in formation, each movement releasing a pulse of visible World Force into the ocean and sky.

With my True Sight, I could see so much more.

Golden spirals of energy curled around their bodies. With a single flick, they shattered those halos like glass, exploding them into threads of violet light. The fragments floated upward, catching the sun and glowing like amethyst.

They moved like a dance, absorbing and releasing the force around them, masters in manipulations of the world around them.

Why? I had no idea. Maybe mating considering the colorful attractions.

The worlds are truly filled with majestic wonders, Wyrem mused, his voice coming whimsically through my mind. Above and below. Seen and unseen. But to see it all, you must adventure.

“Yeah,” I breathed.

Then he added, softer, Just imagine what you could see with the power of that woman.

Thea leaned over the edge, her fingers trailing through the glowing surface. Light curled up around her hand in a fountain of color. “Wow.”

She turned to Griffith. “What is this? I’ve never sensed power like this before… but it doesn’t feel powerful. Not really.”

Griffith didn’t answer. He just shook his head slowly, lips parted in wonder.

“It’s some creature under us,” I offered quietly.

He nodded. “An ability, maybe. But how are these creatures doing this…” He trailed off, scribbling something furiously into a small journal from his shirt pocket.

Whatever it was, it wasn’t something the mainland seemed to have taught them.

It seemed like the expanse was full of new information.

And somehow, the sight was only intensifying as we moved.

The ocean’s glow spread wide, casting light in every direction. Despite the sun still high above, we lost all shadows. The waters outshining the sky above.

Thea eventually closed her eyes again and slipped back into her spiritual focus. Griffith kept writing, page after page.

But me? I just kept staring at the horizon, a small speck appearing.

No one’s ever come back from there, right? Luna asked. Her glow had turned a soft, curious orange.

I smirked. According to Marcus. Why? You ready to become a legendary blade of grass?

A legendary flower, she corrected with dignity. One who traveled the world and returned, petals pristine. I’ll show all those wilted weeds what greatness really looks like. Even a dragon took me as an apprentice, remember?

I smiled at the ridiculous image, even as something trembled inside me. 

I knew Luna’s brag was just that, a future tall-tale in the making. But when I sent my senses inward, I could feel Wyrem trembling.

Not in fear. No, this was pure joy.

If energy-bound, dragon-claiming worms could cry tears of unadulterated joy, he was doing it right now.

He didn’t even speak. Too stunned, I guess.

Up ahead, Griffith finally spotted the approaching landmass too. He squinted at the sky. “Slow down a bit, Peter. We’ve got time before we make landfall. Let’s see if Elric’s going to wake.”

I eased the energy feed, letting the boat coast toward the broad shoreline without pressing further.

It was an island, but one definitely bigger than the first, or at least from this side it was. From here, the coast stretched wide.

Though, with our speed, we could explore a huge swath in no time. I wasn’t quite at car-on-a-highway velocity yet, but I felt that I was getting close. Then again… I’d never tried fusing Precursor Energy with Swift Stride. Something to experiment with later.

Above us, the Dragon Vein’s thread still rolled inland, just like before. Coiling through the sky, toward something hidden.

I wanted to join Thea in cultivation. She looked so calm, so focused, and I was bored. But I forced myself to stay alert. The light was fading, and this time, I wanted to be ready.

I can’t see anything different below, I told Luna, still watching the glowing spectacle under the surface. You?

Nope, she answered lazily. Some stuff’s eating other stuff. But that’s normal, right?

As long as none of it wants to eat us, I muttered.

Time crawled. Griffith would occasionally pipe up with his usual, 'Status update?' or 'Any new shifts?'

Each time, I gave the same answer. “Nothing yet.”

It was… excruciating. I actually considered tuning in to Luna and Wyrem’s endless commentary again, but after just a few minutes, I remembered that one kind of torment doesn’t cancel out another.

Still, Luna’s reports stayed consistent. The larger fish picked off the smaller ones. The magical species, though—whatever they were—danced through the chaos untouched. Slipping through danger like ghosts. Too quick to be consumed. I mentioned it to Griffith. He appreciated the note, scribbling something into his book.

But eventually, the large man turned to me as we both heard the sound of movement coming from the raven-haired beauty of the boat.

Griffith turned, eyes sharp. “Let’s land,” he said, voice suddenly grounded. “And keep your wits about you.”