Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

Baga Island.

The heart of Sea God Raashim's faith.

This grand-sized island was located in the deepest part of the Labh Salem's expansive sea domain, far from any major continents.

It was an isolated paradise, where the salty sea breeze and the rhythmic crashing of waves created a serene backdrop to the grand festivities taking place.

The island's capital city was abuzz with excitement for the annual celebration of God Raashim's faith.

Colorful banners emblazoned with Raashim's symbol fluttered in the wind, adorning every building and street corner. The scent of roasted seafood and exotic spices filled the air, as vendors sold a variety of treats to the bustling crowd.

Marches and communal prayers were in full swing, with people of all ages joining in, their voices rising in a harmonious chorus that echoed through the city.

At the heart of the city stood Raashim's grand main temple, an architectural marvel with its towering spires and intricate carvings depicting legendary sea creatures and epic battles.

This year, the temple grounds were the focal point of the celebrations, and the atmosphere was electric.

A battle competition had been the highlight of the festivities, lasting for seven days and six nights. It was a grueling test of skill, strength, and strategy, with participants facing off in a series of intense matches.

Now, after days of fierce combat, the top ten participants had been chosen, each one proving their might over their peers.

A grand platform hovered motionlessly in the air above the temple courtyard, an awe-inspiring sight that drew the attention of everyone below.

The platform was adorned with golden ornaments and glowing sea gems that reflected the sunlight, casting dazzling patterns on the ground. On this platform, the ten winners stood proudly, flanked by a group of Raashim's priests in their ceremonial robes.

"Look at Goran up there! He's definitely going to be one of the chosen ones. Did you see how he handled that sea serpent in the final round?"

"Yeah, but don't underestimate Lira. She took down three opponents at once with that whirlpool technique. She's got the skills that the God Raashim's temple values."

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"I'm just glad we get to witness this. My father told me stories about this ceremony that happens after every 100 years. But I never thought I'd see it myself."

"When do you think God Raashim's incarnation will appear in his full glory? They say that he weilds the god's powers well."

"I heard the same. And those priests, even the weakest among them is a B-Ranked Sentinel. The temple is not leaving any stone unturned it seems. They must be feeling the weight of this moment too."

"Who do you think will get the Blessings? My money's on Kaito. His spear techniques were flawless, like he was born in the water."

"Hmm. I don't know. Jara has been a dark horse throughout the competition. She might just surprise us all."

"Shhh, the priests are moving. I think the ceremony is about to begin. God Raashim blesses us all, this is the moment we've been waiting for. Hahaha."

"I can't wait to see who gets the blessing. Imagine the honor of being blessed by God Raashim himself. Their lives will never be the same."

Below the platform, a sea of Raashim's worshippers had gathered. The talks were endless. The discussions and arguments were going on everywhere.

Some chanted the winners' names, their voices rising in a rhythmic cheer.

Others sang prayers to their beloved god Raashim, their tones reverent and hopeful.

Groups of friends and families discussed the competition, debating who among the ten winners would be the three lucky ones to receive Raashim's blessings.

The atmosphere was charged with energy. Children ran around, waving miniature banners, while vendors shouted out their goods, adding to the cacophony of sounds. The crowd surged forward as they tried to get a better view of the platform, their eyes glued to the ten participants standing in all their glory.

The ten winners themselves were a diverse group, each one representing a different facet of combat prowess. Some bore the scars of their battles proudly, while others stood with a calm and composed demeanor.

They exchanged glances and nodded to one another, acknowledging the camaraderie that had formed among them during the competition.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over Baga Island, the excitement reached its peak. The crowd's chatter grew louder.

The suddenly…

A sea conch was blown off somewhere and the air itself grew thicker, weighting on the worshippers by creating a subtle form of pressure.

From the horizon, a colossal ship emerged, sailing smoothly through the sky as if it were gliding on sea waves. This was the envoy of God Raashim's incarnation, a grand spectacle that captured everyone's attention.

The ship itself was a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship. Its hull shimmered with iridescent scales, reflecting the colors of the ocean and the sky.

The figurehead at the prow was a majestic sea dragon, its eyes glowing with an ethereal light that pierced through the sky. Along the sides, glowing runes pulsed with power, making the ship seem alive.

Circling the grand ship were six sea wyverns, each one a fearsome yet magnificent creature.

Their scales ranged from deep blue to shamrock green, mirroring the colors of the ocean.

They had long, serpentine bodies with powerful wings that beat rhythmically, keeping them in a tight formation around the ship.

Each wyvern had piercing eyes that seemed to look straight into the souls of those below, and their mouths occasionally emitted streams of flames and water jets, adding to the spectacle.

As the ship approached, the coastal region around Baga Island erupted with activity. Giant sea creatures surfaced, their massive forms breaking the waves.

There were krakens with tentacles stretching high, leviathans whose roars sounded like thunder, and enormous sea turtles that glided gracefully. Their ancient-sounding noises created a symphony that echoed around the island, adding to the divine atmosphere.

"RAAAAASHIM!"

"MY GOD!"

"MY SAVIOR!"

The crowd went wild.

Chanting prayers for God Raashim, their voices rose in unison, a powerful testament to their faith. Some lifted their arms towards the sky, while others fell to their knees, tears streaming down their faces in reverence and awe.

"Raashim! Raashim! Bless us, mighty god of the sea!" The chants grew louder and more fervent, a wave of devotion sweeping through the masses.

Nine out of the ten participants on the platform gazed at the approaching envoy with zealous expressions. For some reason, one participant among them had a smirk on his face as he looked at the envoy.

The nine participants' hearts pounded with excitement and anticipation. This was the moment they had fought for, the chance to receive a blessing from Raashim's incarnation that would transform their lives forever.

Eldrin, a tall warrior with a fierce gaze, clenched his fists. "This is it. I've been waiting for this moment all my life."

Lira, her eyes sparkling with determination, whispered a prayer under her breath. "Raashim, guide me. Let me be worthy of your blessing."

Jara, the dark horse of the competition, felt a surge of confidence. "I've come this far. I know I can do this."

As the ship hovered above the platform, a powerful aura descended upon the island.

The wyverns roared in unison, and the sea creatures below answered with their own calls. The priests on the platform began their ceremonial chants.

The ship's gangplank lowered, and from the depths of the ship, the envoy of Raashim's incarnation appeared. Cloaked in robes that shimmered like liquid silver, the envoy carried an air of authority and grace. Behind him, a bunch of acolytes followed, each bearing symbols of Raashim's power.

The crowd fell silent, their collective breath held in anticipation. The moment of judgment was at hand.

The crowd below held their breath as the figure of Sea God Raashim's incarnation stepped forward from the ship.

He looked like a man in his 70s, but his presence was anything but frail. Standing at an impressive 21 feet tall, he was a mini-giant with an imposing presence that commanded respect.

Raashim's incarnation had a long face, lined with the marks of advanced age, including slight wrinkles around his piercing yellow eyes. His white hair was tied back in a ponytail, adding a touch of regality to his rugged appearance. Two thick mustaches framed his mouth, giving him a distinguished look.

His chest and arms bore numerous scars, each one a testament to countless battles fought and won. His muscular physique was evident beneath his unbuttoned robe, revealing powerful biceps that seemed to swell even larger whenever he lifted his weapon.

A mysterious sea creature, intricately tattooed on his back, moved slightly with each flex of his muscles, adding to his enigmatic aura.

He wore long, flowing pants that allowed him to move with agility and grace, despite his enormous size.

His robe, though unbuttoned, draped around him with an air of casual authority, a symbol of his dominance over the seas.

'Damn. It's going to be a bit of a challenge to take this old pops down,' a certain participant among the 10 lucky winners thought to himself as he looked at the sea god's incarnation for the first time.

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AN: Who remembers the Marineford Arc from a certain series? ;)