The ethereal platforms lead into a set of marble steps of the floating island's front. As high as he was, the air howled at his ears, feeling the stronger winds brush against his body. Heights were something he had to become accustomed to as of recent, but glancing down to see the barren land far, far below made his head get fuzzy.
He watched the fearless ball of energy up ahead hop into the fractured, marble steps from the last platform.
"Made it!" Nova called out happily, turning back to wave at those behind.
Seeing how chipper and proud the girl was about making it first, Finn hurriedly arrived at the final platform, though was met with a stomach-churning sight. There was a gap between the last step of light and the steps attached to the island; it was only a few feet at most, though enough for the cloud-faring heights to be felt.
'Man...what the hell did I get into?' He thought when peering down by the fault of his own curiosity.
He was tempted to simply throw his blade forward and use his warp, though it felt like a vast overcomplication, especially when those following behind him didn't have such crutches.
"You can do it!" The encouragement came from Nova, who waited on the steps while clapping her hands.
The support only served to annoy him before he committed to crossing the gap with a light jump. For a brief moment, he felt his legs crossing over the air, feeling the incredible heights below before his boots touched the stable stone.
"--Hah," Finn exhaled as he found himself safe on the steps.
As he caught his breath after his lungs promptly forgot how to welcome air after such a jump, he found himself getting a pat on the arm from the short-statured woman.
Nova gave him a smile as her eyes sparkled, "Good job! Wasn't that fun?"
"Not in the slightest," Finn answered.
As he glanced back, he moved up a few steps as Charlotte made the jump right behind him.
"Ah—" Charlotte stumbled a bit.
Before she could risk slipping off one of the steps, Finn grabbed her wrist, helping her catch her balance.
"Thanks," Charlotte said with a slight flush to her cheeks, looking down.
He let go of her wrist with a small smile, "Mhm. It's a scary jump. I just hope Magnus doesn't barf."
Jasper crossed the gap with a slight sway, though Magnus looked as though he'd seen a ghost as he stood at the crossing point. Just standing there, it looked like the slender cannoneer was about one moment from being swept away by a passing breeze, one glance down from fainting.
"I—urgh, whatever," Finn gave up as he ruffled his own hair before looking back at the others.
The skybound courtyard, overlooked by the upside down landscapes not too far above, was subjected to grumbling winds.
"There's supposed to be a sewer entrance somewhere, right?" Jasper asked, kneeling down to tap the tiles.
"Yeah, Geoffrey said it was near the gate," Finn said, pacing across the courtyard in search of the hidden passage.
They each searched for the particular pathway, though the courtyard was rather spacious, with luscious gardens neighboring the tiles.
"Not seeing anything, mates," Jasper remarked.
"It might be hidden in the bushes," Magnus suggested near the steps.
Charlotte called out from near the nestle of bushes, "Over her—!"
Just as Finn heard the spellblade call out, the wind flexed as though something of grand force descended. He looked up, grabbing the sleeve of the eccentric girl while jumping back.
"Hey!—" Nova shouted as she was suddenly pulled back.
The assassin's quick thinking proved correct as a weight crashed down where they once stood.
A gust of wind pushed outward along with chunks of shattered stone from the tiles landed on. What stood there amidst the settling dust resembled a knight in bulky, gilded armor with a winged helmet.
"I was wondering if it'd stay quiet..." Jasper said while readying his sword and shield.
"I'm surprised it took this long for us unwelcome guests to be greeted," Magnus responded, pulling up his cannon.
What put into question the origins of the knightly figure was their stature, towering over three meters in height with a battle-axe in his hands large enough to bring down redwood in a single slash.
["Sleuth Status"]
[...Assessing information about [???]...]
[BOSS Identified: "Storm Knight, Alexander"] [Level: 37]