"I don't acknowledge Enel as a God!"
Conis, blood flowing from her forehead, shouted with all her strength.
Her voice wasn't loud, yet it carried like thunder through the Sky Island square, leaving the crowd in shock.
"She's insane! To say that when God is watching…"
"She'll be struck down! Run, before the punishment comes!"
"God's Judgment is coming! Don't stay near her!"
The Sky Islanders panicked, retreating in fear from the trembling young woman.
Zzz!
As expected, violent lightning condensed in the sky. Within moments, a massive pillar of thunder roared down.
Boom!
The golden lightning engulfed Conis completely, blinding the terrified crowd.
"It's God's Punishment! Enel is furious!"
A child who had earlier thrown a toy at her forehead now laughed cruelly.
"To insult God Enel, she deserved this!"
The adults around him said nothing, though many lowered their heads in silent grief. They had seen countless fall to God's Punishment. To defy Enel was to invite certain death.
"Foolish girl," muttered Mckinley, captain of the White Berets, his fists trembling. "Why throw away your life? We cannot defy God Enel…"
But when the pillar of lightning faded, Mckinley's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Impossible!"
There, still standing, was Conis. Smoke curled around her, but her body was completely unharmed.
The onlookers gasped.
"She survived… again!"
"No one survives God's Punishment!"
"How… how is she still alive?"
The shock was absolute. God's Punishment had always been an instant, inescapable execution. Thousands had perished under Enel's lightning. Yet Conis, twice now, stood untouched.
Biting her lip, anger burning in her eyes, she raised her voice.
"Just as I've said! Enel intends to destroy all of Sky Island!"
The crowd recoiled in disbelief, fear still choking them.
"But why should we believe you?" one White Beret soldier demanded. "Maybe you're different from us. We don't have whatever power protects you…"
Conis shook her head, staring at the sea of clouds below.
"A righteous power is protecting us. I don't know what it is, but it shields us from Enel's judgment. Please, you must believe me. We have little time left—gather everyone and flee to the Cloud's End!"
But her words were drowned by scorn.
"What nonsense!"
"You blaspheme and expect us to follow?"
"Even if you're unharmed, we won't risk our families!"
"Leave! Angel Island has no place for you!"
Desperate, Conis tried again.
"This is not a lie! These words were passed to me by a former God's Squad soldier, who risked his life to warn us! Please, wake the others before dawn or Sky Island will fall!"
Her pleas went unheard until, finally—
"Enough!"
Mckinley's deep voice cut through the noise. The square fell silent. Even now, the White Berets captain commanded respect.
"Everyone," he shouted, "I believe God will not destroy this world!"
Relief swept through the people.
"Yes! That's right! Enel won't destroy us!"
"See? Even Captain Mckinley says so!"
But Mackinley turned toward Conis, his expression heavy.
"Pagaya's daughter… I once held you when you were little. Your father and I are old friends."
Tears welled in Conis's eyes. "Please, Mckinley San, believe me! Enel truly means to destroy Sky Island!"
Looking at her bloodied but resolute face, Mckinley smiled faintly, nostalgia in his eyes.
"You look so much like your mother… just as strong."
Conis gasped. "You… knew my mother?"
"Yes. I was the one who processed her Sky Island resident papers. But I knew the truth—she was of the Shandia Tribe."
Conis froze, stunned into silence.
Then Mckinley's eyes sharpened. "Tell me again. That injured God Squad soldier told you Enel plans to erase Sky Island?"
"Yes!" Conis nodded firmly. "And it's true—a mysterious power protects us. My father and that soldier both survived Enel's lightning as well. We can't ignore this."
Mckinley lowered his head, silent for a long moment. When he looked up again, there was fire in his eyes.
"I believe you."
The Sky Islanders gasped as Mckinley suddenly roared to the heavens, his voice echoing with fury.
"Enel! You bastard! If you dare, strike me down!"
_____
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