The Land of God, Angel Island.
Soldiers were loading supplies onto the warship. The past two days had been harmonious with the residents of Angel Island, and they had exchanged quite a few specialties and shells from the Sky Islands.
After returning in the early morning, Kurik stood on the foredeck, gazing in the direction of the Shandian settlement, lost in thought. Sakazuki, meanwhile, was on the deck conversing with Gan Fall, who had been waiting.
"Your thoughts have been conveyed to the Shandians."
"And they...?"
"Four hundred years of hatred cannot be easily resolved."
"I understand..."
Gan Fall looked towards the direction of Apis, falling into silence.
A moment later, he excused himself to Sakazuki and turned to leave, his back appearing even more stooped.
------------------------
Shandian Settlement, Clouded Village.
Today, unusually, no one was training. Everyone sat in the plaza, their expressions downcast, lost in their own thoughts. They had remained silent since the two departed this morning.
The chieftain stood at a distance, scanning the faces of his tribesmen, especially the children, and sighed inwardly. The great warrior Cricket sat slumped beside the chieftain, his face filled with resentment.
Yet, looking at his tribesmen, he felt a pang of pain. He closed his eyes, and scene after scene flashed through his mind: childhood memories, moments with the chieftain, with his brothers, with his children...
"Cricket, Father will tell you the story of the great warrior Calgara today."
"Four hundred years of humiliation, and he thinks a single word of reconciliation can make everything disappear!!!"
"Cough... cough... Cricket, you must reclaim... reclaim Bais..."
"You must reignite... reignite Shandora..."
"Syd!!!!!!!!!'"
"Lord Cricket, could you tell us the story of the great warrior Calgara?"
After a long while...
Cricket reopened his eyes, his gaze filled with determination. He stood up, slung the Burning Cannon over his shoulder, and walked towards the plaza. The chieftain looked at Cricket with surprise.
"Warriors, arm yourselves and follow me."
Everyone looked at him, bewildered, but they obediently picked up their weapons and followed Cricket's footsteps.
"Cricket!"
The chieftain's voice rang out. Cricket, who was walking away, paused, then resolutely continued forward.
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God's Island, Apis.
Gan Fall, having just returned to the palace, saw a guard rush in.
"God, a large force of Shandians is heading towards the Holy Land."
"What!"
Gan Fall quickly donned his armor, picked up his spear, and mounted a strangely colored, winged horse, flying out.
Upon reaching the battlefield, he discovered that the Shandians did not intend to fight to the death. They were simply rushing, regardless of anything, towards the giant vine in the center of the island.
Gan Fall did not know the Shandians' objective, but he still gave the order:
"Everyone, stop!"
Hearing their God's voice, the guards of the God's Temple instinctively stopped and looked at their God.
"Let them pass."
"This..."
The guards of the God's Temple exchanged glances, unsure of what to do. How could they allow the Shandians to tread upon this sacred land?
"Make way!!!!!"
Gan Fall's shout caused the guards of the God's Temple to reluctantly part, creating a path. The Shandians glanced at Gan Fall and then followed the great warrior Cricket forward.
Gan Fall looked at the people who had rushed into the depths of the island, his expression silent.
The Shandian great warrior Cricket rushed towards the giant vine.
"Four hundred years... Calgara's dying wish... the Lantern of Shandora..."
"Wait for me, Kurik...."
Angel Island, the port.
After numerous supplies were loaded, a detailed chart of the White Sea was purchased, and the location of the island was found. They prepared to set sail.
The soldiers waved goodbye to the angels they had befriended over the past few days. At that moment.
Dong—! Dong—! Dong—!
A beautiful bell chime, like an anthem, seemed to cleanse the soul and spread throughout the entire Land of God.
"What is this?"
"The island's song!"
"It's truly beautiful."
"Do you remember that legend!!!"
"Could it be!!!"
"Wuwuwuwu!!!!"
"This is wonderful!!!!"
Everyone on the ship listened intently to the beautiful chime. Sakazuki looked at God's Island, Apis:
"The Lantern of Shandora, perhaps."
On the giant vine, Cricket, who had lit the Lantern of Shandora, knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, sobbing uncontrollably, and facing the Gate of Heaven:
"Come again, please!!!!!"
As if transcending four hundred years, his form overlapped with Calgara's.
--------------------------------
Four hundred years ago, Jaya Island.
A robust figure ran rapidly through the jungle. His striking, spiky red hair, reaching his knees, and red tattoos on both shoulders were remarkable.
Bare-chested, he held a spear, creating streaks of afterimages as he rushed towards the shore through the jungle.
"What grave sin have I committed?"
"Wait for me, Cricket!!!!"
On the shore, Cricket, who had been staring at Jaya Island for half the day from the deck, finally turned his head and said to his crew:
"Prepare to set sail."
"All hands to your stations."
"We are now returning to the Kingdom of Lubnir."
"Ooooh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
As the sails were lowered, Cricket's bold and rough voice rang out:
"Set sail!"
Dong—! Dong—! Dong—!.....
Cricket looked back at Jaya Island:
"Why is the bell chiming..."
"Captain! Look over there!!!"
A figure clad in fiery red rushed to the shore, stopped in the sea, panting heavily, and then took a deep breath: "Cricket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Cricket gripped the railing tightly, looking at the figure in disbelief: "Cal... gara....."
Calgara looked at the ship that was gradually sailing away, recalling the moments of their meeting and acquaintance, and the resolute parting of sworn brothers. Tears uncontrollably welled up in his eyes:
"Come again, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Cricket....."
After shouting, he seemed to have lost all his strength, kneeling in the sea, his face bathed in tears, his voice choked with sobs.
Calgara suddenly raised his head and roared with all his might:
"I will wait for you on this land!!!"
"I will always ring the bells here!!!"
"So that when you one day return, you will not lose your way at sea!!!"
"So that even in the midst of a storm, you will be able to see this island!!!"
"I will ring the bells, and I will wait for you forever!!!"
"We will meet again someday!!!"
"My sworn brother!!!!!!!!!!"
Dong——!