Skybound Odyssey

393 AC - The pillar of light. Over there, pinned to the horizon like a tower that goes up forever, beyond this new atoll and much bigger than the others we've encountered. It's lit up like a beacon, visible in almost every situation. Thankfully, even though there have been a few hazards, the journey has been easier than expected. The water spheres provide us with drinking water, and the archipelagos have all the nourishment we need so we don't have to dip into our food stocks… And as for morale, the floating islands break up the monotony of the sea of clouds and allow us to take some beneficial breaks on their surfaces. Even so, this blazing column is a haunting presence. It's always there in our peripheral vision, except when the high clouds occasionally hide it. And at night, it almost conceals the light of certain stars…

Who turned on this signal? Why? What will we find when we get there? There are so many questions, and I imagine every member of the Expeditionary Corps is eager for answers, not just me. But our odyssey keeps moving forward at a steady pace. Zephyr trumpets, and I start to slalom between the watery bubbles. Yes, we have a mission. Danger is constantly lurking. I signal to my Raptors, and we change formation to cover more ground. The Mandjet, which is following behind us, needs its scouts. It needs our full concentration. I'll have plenty of time to continue my investigations once we get back home.

ZHEN