The horizon darkened suddenly, though no storm had been forecast. Lightning flickered along Kael's wings, more instinct than warning. "Something's coming," he muttered. Ylva's frost stiffened on the rail, Fjorn circling her shoulder. Loki's sparks flared with agitation. "Master… multiple signatures, chaotic Dajin. This is not a simple duel. They fight for amusement, for desire… not necessity."
From the mist emerged a figure, lithe and laughing, with crimson markings glowing faintly. His eyes were playful, cruel, and infinitely curious. "Storm Dragon!" he called, twirling a dagger that seemed to slice the very light. "I've heard tales of your tricks… let's play!" The ship rocked as he leapt aboard, leaving faint runes on the deck. Kael's smirk appeared instantly. "Play, huh? I'm game. Loki—Alpha formation. Fjorn—Beta. Let's see how entertaining you are."
The Dajin moved unpredictably, illusions and clones appearing across the deck. Each strike was a challenge and a tease, forcing Kael and his companions to anticipate movements that didn't exist. Loki darted ahead, striking phantom enemies while Fjorn created icy walls to block false assaults. Ylva's frost tipped the deck to mislead clones, while Kael weaved midair, partially shifted, sword glowing with lightning ready to pierce through mirages.
"Chaos suits you," Kael said, launching a precise lightning beam that evaporated a clone, revealing the Dajin's laugh as he flicked away unscathed. "You'll have to do better than that." The Dajin grinned, disintegrating part of the railing just to make the ship tilt. "Oh, I am doing better! This is fun—fun for me, fun for you… if you survive." Each trick forced Kael to adapt, switching forms mid-air, wings propelling him as lightning strikes became both shield and weapon. Fjorn and Loki worked in perfect tandem, countering illusions and isolating real threats.
Minutes blurred into hours. Each companion's effort was tangible—sweat, frost, and sparks marking how much they poured into the fight. Kael grinned, feeling the exhilaration. "Almost there… let's finish it." He surged forward, Demidrake half-shifted, lightning swirling along the blade, and struck true. The trickster Dajin laughed one last time, collapsing as the illusions vanished. "You… survived. Impressive… Storm Dragon."
As the Dajin dissolved, a faint pulse echoed across the ship—the leftover essence distributing itself. Loki hovered over Kael, reading the energy. "Master, the residual power is dividing based on contribution. Your companions' systems were recognized—effort, precision, and strategy accounted for." Fjorn hissed in delight. "Ten percent of Ylva's remaining strength combined with tactical maneuvers gained her additional essence." Kael nodded, satisfied. "Good. Everyone's effort counts. That's how we grow together."
The crew felt it immediately—the energy infused into Loki and Fjorn, the familiar systems amplifying alongside Kael's sword and powers. The deck itself hummed faintly, Dajin energy integrated into the ship's structure. Kael flexed the blade. "Not bad. Not bad at all." Ylva smiled faintly, frost shimmering along her hair. "Even at reduced power, I feel stronger." Kael chuckled. "That's how teamwork works. Now, we sail. The next challenge won't wait."
Above, the horizon remained calm—deceptively so. Somewhere in the distance, more Dajin plotted, watching, waiting, knowing the Storm Dragon now commanded both sword and storm.
A faint crimson light flickered far beyond the horizon—another trickster, even higher-tier than the last, had noticed Kael's crew. Their game was about to escalate, and the sea itself would become the playground.