Püf puffed on her pipe as she leaned against her "big boy," Choux. She didn’t have an addiction; she just thought it looked cool, and admittedly, the "Burning" sensation was a nice haptic touch in the simulation.

  She waited for her passengers about two miles south of town. This was the transition zone where the dense forest started to thin out and change. She had needed a clearing large enough for her whale to land, otherwise, her guests would have been forced to climb very long rope ladders to reach the deck. She petted Choux, and the massive creature responded with an echoed, resonant coo.

  "Are the harness attachments too tight, buddy?" she asked.

  Choux cooed again, sounding content.

  Püf knew that adult Sky Whales could host entire forests or towns on their backs without even feeling the weight. The small cabin and deck she had mounted on her boy was nothing to him, but she still worried. He may have evolved to the adolescent stage early, but he was still her baby.

  A group emerged from the sparse trees: the demons, ExpertBunny, Ms. Poffin, KitE, and a few curious players. Noobkitty was notably absent.

  "Where’s little sis?" Püf asked her future sister-in-law.

  "Working on her woodworking skill," ExpertBunny smiled. "That way we can actually build things once we arrive. I’m considering changing the wedding venue to the beach, anyway."

  "Have you talked to [Spoilers]? She’s the best at planning this sort of thing."

  ExpertBunny winked. "Yes, I did. She’s already given confirmation."

  "Well then, beach resort it is." Püf tapped out the remnants of her pipe. "Ready, baby?" she asked her sky whale.

  The whale shimmy-shook his fins, and a rope ladder unrolled from the side of the deck.

  "All aboard!" Püf yelled to the gathering crowd.

  Morlax climbed up first, already sporting his volcano-print Aloha shirt. It had been decided that the Demon Lord would go first "just in case," given his massive hitbox. He made it up safely, followed by over a hundred demon minions dressed in classy butler and maid attire.

  Püf kissed her whale on his side and, once the passengers were loaded, climbed up herself. She checked her compass, then moved to the captain’s station. She piloted Choux by "drawing" on a specific sensitive patch of his skin. She sat on a plush pillow near the open interface, placed her hand down to let him know she was there, and drew a small outward spiral.

  Choux surged upward in a slow, climbing spiral. Once they cleared the canopy, she drew a line toward the west, and Choux turned, gliding well above the treeline. It wasn't as intense as the sky-boats she used to captain, but she wouldn't trade it for anything. The ride was smooth, the wind was bracing, and you couldn't beat the view.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  She had Choux rise higher so the passengers could truly see the world. Coro?en was actually quite small; what they saw wasn't an endless expanse, but the "Void." There were clouds up to a point, and a blue sky that simply stopped miles past the end of the ocean. It was a stark reminder that this world was a crafted space, and most of the passengers were on a first-name basis with the author.

  KitE began to play a calm melody as the whale began the casual flight toward the distant coast. Püf kept her hand on Choux, feeling his warmth against the cold high-altitude air.

  Ms. Poffin approached, offering Püf a fruity drink garnished with a surprising number of cherries. Püf looked past her to see that Morlax had already set up his bar on the deck and was mixing for the crowd. She sniffed her drink; it was alcohol-free.

  "No flying under the influence," Ms. Poffin teased.

  Püf took a sip. it had a delightful fizz and a deep, complex sweetness.

  Spiritless Cherry Bomb

  Lv. 8

  Made of soda, cherries, and secrets. Crafted for those who want an explosion of flavor and plenty of things to chew on.

  "Nice. Thanks," Püf said.

  "So the rumors about your whale were true. What happened to your ship?" Ms. Poffin asked, leaning against the railing.

  "My second-in-command is her captain now."

  "Far less shouting, I imagine," Ms. Poffin observed.

  "Less... everything. I love my boy, but he’s almost too easy to pilot. He practically flies himself," Püf smiled. "My biggest problem is other pirates. I haven't equipped him with cannons yet."

  "Does he even want cannons?"

  "No, but I don't want him getting hurt. Sometimes running isn't an option."

  Ms. Poffin pulled a large, warm blanket from her inventory and sat next to her sister, wrapping it around both of them.

  "You know I don't get cold anymore while I’m in the sky, right?" Püf said.

  "No, but I do, and you're warm," Ms. Poffin replied, snuggling in.

  Püf looked at Ms. Poffin’s drink and noticed it definitely wasn't a "Spiritless" version. She shook her head; some of her fellow downloads were such lightweights.

  The six-hour trip was uneventful and relaxing. When Choux finally descended, sliding into the water and siding up to the white sands of the beach, the passengers were ready to touch land. For Choux, it had been a mere stroll, but it was hilarious watching people who weren't accustomed to sky travel wobble and almost fall as they stepped onto the sand. They didn't have their "Sky Legs" yet.

  The demons disembarked, looking at the palms and the tropical greenery with awe. Morlax stretched, feeling the warm sun on his skin, and let out a long sigh of relief. Veloura did the same. This would work. This was a far cry from the cold forests of Starter.

  "Ah yes, I claim this land to be Soggy Toast." The Demon Lord smiled and pulled up the Builder Interface, but his expression quickly soured.

  "Um... ExpertBunny?" Morlax called out. "It says I need ten thousand wooden logs... and someone with high Woodworking proficiency."

  The Admin put her face in her hands and swore. "Püf... is your whale friend up for more flying? We have to go pick up a few more people."

  Püf, who had just relit her pipe, nodded. "He lives for flying. Where to?"

  "North. We have a fighter with a magic axe who can harvest timber, and then back to Starter to pick up Noobkitty. Hopefully, her woodworking skill is high enough by now."

  Püf yelled over the side to Choux, who was currently playing in the surf, floating happily on the water's surface. "Hey! Ready for another flight?"

  Choux chirped and launched himself into the air with an enthusiastic splash.

  Püf laughed as the ladder swung wildly. "With me, you goober!"