Death Paradox 💥BAKUDEKU💥

Chapter 12

Part 2

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Chapter 12

The salty breeze of the Mystic Sea swept across Katsuki's face as he stood at the shoreline, his gaze locked on the distant horizon. The sky was a pale blue, unmarred by clouds, but the sea beneath it churned in dark, unsettling waves. The wind carried the unmistakable scent of brine and the distant rumble of waves crashing against jagged rocks.

Katsuki adjusted the straps of the bag slung over his shoulder and on Kirishima, the weight of newly acquired supplies resting heavy against his back. He had stocked up in Darkenshold as best as he could—food, water, and a few basic provisions. It wasn't much, but it would have to do.

He clenched his fists, watching as Kirishima, stretched his wings and rumbled lowly beside him. The red-scaled beast shifted his weight with a focused expression, eyeing the vast sea before them. Even in this strange new world, Katsuki was never one to shy away from a challenge, but the Mystic Sea was notorious for being unpredictable—and dangerous. The stories they'd overheard in town only served to remind them of what awaited in the vast expanse of water.

"Yeah, yeah, hold your horses," Katsuki muttered, his gaze hard as he scanned the horizon. They had two days of non-stop flight ahead of them to reach Quirkbreaker Isle—a small, volcanic island that would serve as their halfway point to the Frostfire Region.

It was the first time they would be trekking this way, usually most people would travel from Grimreach harbor to Valorport. And there were more islands to rest through, but right now Katsuki didn't have that luxury.

Katsuki moved quickly, his hands gripping the familiar ridged scales along the dragon's spine as he settled into place. Finally, he gave a nod. "Let's go."

Kirishima rumbled in response, his massive wings unfurling with a powerful snap. The force of the wind kicked up black sand around them, and with one powerful thrust, the dragon launched them both into the air, leaving the shoreline behind.

The ground disappeared beneath them, and within seconds, they were soaring high above the sea, the shoreline shrinking into the distance behind them. The wind whipped at Katsuki's face, sharp and cold, but he welcomed it. The sky stretched out endlessly before them, and the sea below churned like a restless beast.

They flew in silence for a while, the rhythmic beat of Kirishima's wings steady as they glided over the water. Occasionally, Katsuki would glance down at the sea below, watching as dark shapes moved beneath the waves—sea monsters, too large to be anything else. The creatures stayed far enough away, but their presence served as a reminder of the dangers lurking just beneath the surface.

"Fucking monsters," Katsuki muttered under his breath. "Better keep to themselves."

But as they flew, Katsuki's mind wasn't on the sea below. His thoughts drifted back to the magic he'd been trying to practice since they'd left Darkenshold. In this world, he wasn't just a berserker with explosive quirk powers—he had an affinity for magic, something he hadn't quite mastered yet. But the longer he spent in this new reality, the more his body and mind adapted to the skills that came with it.

He held out his hand, focusing on the air around them. The energy was there—he could feel it, flickering just beneath the surface like the heat of his quirk. Slowly, he willed the air to warm, imagining the way heat rose from the ground on a hot day, creating invisible pockets of rising air.

Katsuki exhaled, his focus sharp. The air beneath them shimmered with warmth, creating a pocket of lift that allowed Kirishima to glide more easily. The dragon let out a low rumble of approval, his wings catching the updraft as they soared higher.