One Piece: The Saiyan Pirate

Chapter 82: Prince Loki

The icy wind howled as Ria and Fullbody materialized in the Underworld of Elbaf, the lowest and most desolate layer of the Adam Tree. The air was bitterly cold, biting at their skin with each gust. Snowflakes swirled in an endless dance, carried by the unforgiving winds that seemed to whisper the secrets of a thousand long-lost souls.

They stood on a vast, frozen wasteland, the ground beneath their feet hardened with centuries of compacted snow and ice. The landscape stretched endlessly, broken only by the jagged peaks of blackened rocks that jutted from the earth like the ribs of a long-dead beast. Bones, massive and weathered, littered the terrain—testaments to the countless giants and creatures who had perished here.

Fullbody pulled his coat tighter around himself, his breath escaping in visible puffs. His boots crunched against the snow, each step sinking slightly into the icy surface. "Charming place," he muttered, his tone laced with sarcasm as he surveyed the eerie expanse.

Ria, unfazed by the cold, stood tall beside him, her long hair whipping around her face like a dark halo. Her crimson dress seemed almost out of place against the stark white backdrop, yet she carried herself with the same poise and confidence as if she were standing in a royal court. Her piercing emerald eyes scanned the wasteland with a practiced gaze, taking in every detail.

Ahead of them, a massive skeleton loomed—a giant's ribcage, partially buried in the snow. The bones were bleached white and cracked with age, their sheer size dwarfing even the largest ships. Beyond it, the remains of other creatures could be seen: mammoth skulls, the twisted frames of colossal serpents, and the shattered remains of what might have once been an ancient fortress.

"This is the Underworld," Ria said, her voice steady but tinged with a somber edge. "The lowest and coldest part of Elbaf. It's where they send those who've defied their way of life—traitors, criminals, and even some unlucky outsiders. They die here, forgotten."

Fullbody swallowed hard, his earlier bravado faltering. "I can see why. This place feels… wrong."

"It's not just the cold," Ria replied, kneeling to inspect a shard of bone protruding from the snow. "The giants say this is where the dead linger. They believe the spirits of the dishonored are trapped here, bound to the ice and snow, unable to move on."

A sudden gust of wind carried with it a low, mournful wail, and Fullbody instinctively reached for the sword at his side. His eyes darted around, scanning the wasteland for movement, but there was nothing—just the endless expanse of white and gray.

"Relax," Ria said, standing and brushing the snow from her hands. "The real danger here isn't the dead. It's what Fero is looking for."

"And what exactly is that?" Fullbody asked, his voice trembling slightly despite his attempt to appear composed.

Ria's lips pressed into a thin line. "One of them," she said cryptically. "Something ancient. Something powerful. And if Goku's close to finding one too, then things are about to get very complicated."

They walked forward, their figures dwarfed by the immense bones that surrounded them. The snow continued to fall, and the shadows of the jagged rocks seemed to shift and move in the dim light. Ahead, a faint glow broke through the storm, emanating from the base of a massive tree root that pierced through the frozen earth.

"That's where we'll find Fero," Ria said, pointing toward the light. "And hopefully, some answers."

Fullbody nodded, his resolve hardening despite the unease that clung to him. Together, they pressed onward into the frozen abyss, their breaths mingling with the cold air as they prepared to face whatever lay ahead in the depths of Elbaf's most forsaken layer.

As they trudged through the biting winds and unrelenting cold of the frozen wasteland, Fullbody's boots crunched heavily against the snow. The eerie quiet of the Underworld was broken only by the occasional groan of shifting ice or the distant howl of the wind. Shadows loomed in the swirling frost, and for a moment, Fullbody thought he saw movement.

"Ria," he called out cautiously, his breath visible in the frigid air. "Are we sure this is the right way? It feels like we're walking in circles."

"We're close," Ria replied, her voice steady despite the cold. "The energy here is different. Can't you feel it?"

Fullbody raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Suddenly, a low, metallic creak broke through the wind, followed by a sound like a heavy chain being dragged across the ground. They froze, their eyes scanning the icy expanse.

Ahead, emerging from the swirling snow, was a sight that made even Ria falter for a moment. A massive figure, bound in thick iron chains, was slumped against a jagged rock formation. The chains, each link larger than a man, wrapped tightly around the giant's body, pinning his arms and legs. His enormous hands were tied behind his back, and his feet were bound with reinforced shackles driven deep into the frozen earth.

The giant's head was bowed, a thick blindfold of dark fabric covering his eyes. His long, wild hair, white as the snow around him, fell in tangled locks over his shoulders. His skin, pale and weathered, bore countless scars—marks of battles fought and wounds endured. Even in his restrained state, the sheer size and presence of the giant were overwhelming.

"Who dares disturb my solitude?" the giant rumbled, his deep voice reverberating through the frozen air. He tilted his head slightly, as though listening for their movements. "Well, this is surprising. It's been a long time since anyone has come here willingly."

Fullbody instinctively stepped back, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "What the hell is this? Who ties down a giant like this?"

Ria didn't answer immediately. She stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as recognition dawned on her. "That's not just any giant," she said quietly, her voice carrying a note of caution. "That's Prince Loki, heir to the throne of Elbaf."

"Prince?" Fullbody repeated, his tone incredulous. "You mean the ruler of the giants? What's he doing chained up here?"

"The old Giant Warrior Pirates did this," Ria explained, her gaze fixed on the massive figure. "Loki broke the sacred laws of Elbaf. His own people turned on him, binding him here as punishment. It's said he'll remain in chains until he redeems his honor—or dies trying."

The giant let out a low chuckle, the sound like distant thunder. "You speak as though you know me, little one," he said, turning his head slightly in Ria's direction. "But I do not know your scent. Who are you, and what business do you have in the Underworld of my home?"

Ria stepped closer, unflinching despite the giant's imposing presence. "We're looking for someone," she said plainly. "A man named Fero. He's supposed to be here."

"Fero?" Loki repeated, his tone curious. "Ah, yes. The one who comes here to dig through the ice and snow, searching for what does not belong to him. He is… resourceful, I'll give him that. But he lacks the strength to uncover what he seeks."

"Do you know where he is?" Fullbody interjected, trying to keep his voice steady.

Loki tilted his head, as though considering the question. "Perhaps I do," he said slowly. "But tell me this—why do you seek him? Are you allies? Enemies? Or merely pawns in his game?"

Ria's eyes narrowed. "That's none of your concern."

The giant let out another chuckle, this one tinged with bitterness. "Ah, but it is. You see, those who meddle in the affairs of Elbaf rarely leave unscathed. Fero has been playing with forces he cannot control, and if you're here to aid him, then you are as foolish as he is."

"Enough with the cryptic talk," Fullbody snapped, stepping forward despite himself. "Just tell us where he is."

Loki's expression shifted, a sly smile creeping across his face. "You have fire, little one," he said. "Very well. Fero is at the base of the Adam Tree, near the largest root. But be warned—what he seeks may not be what he finds. And if you value your lives, you'll turn back now."

Ria's gaze remained steady. "Thanks for the warning, Prince Loki. But we don't have the luxury of turning back."

The giant chuckled once more, leaning his head back against the rock. "Fools," he muttered, his voice carrying a strange mix of amusement and pity. "Then go. And when your folly brings you to ruin, remember my words."

Ria turned to Fullbody, her expression unreadable. "Let's move," she said simply.

Fullbody hesitated, casting one last glance at the chained giant before following her. As they walked away, Loki's laughter echoed behind them, carried by the icy winds of the frozen wasteland.

The frozen wasteland stretched endlessly before them, its silence broken only by the crunch of snow beneath their boots and the occasional whistle of the icy wind. Fullbody pulled his coat tighter, his breath forming clouds in the frigid air. Ria, ever composed, walked a step ahead, her crimson dress fluttering like a flame against the white expanse.

After what felt like an eternity, the landscape began to change. The snow thinned slightly, and the ground turned to frost-covered ice. Towering above them was one of the colossal roots of the Adam Tree, its sheer size dwarfing even the most massive structures Fullbody had ever seen. The bark was dark and gnarled, its surface etched with grooves that seemed to pulse faintly, as though the tree itself were alive and breathing.

"There," Ria said, pointing toward the base of the root.

In the distance, silhouetted against the faint glow of the icy horizon, was a wooden shack. It stood in stark contrast to the natural majesty of the Adam Tree, a crude and modest structure that seemed out of place in the vastness of the Underworld. Smoke curled lazily from a crooked chimney, the only sign of life in the desolate landscape.

"That's it?" Fullbody asked, his voice tinged with skepticism. "That's where we're supposed to find him?"

Ria nodded, her emerald eyes fixed on the shack. "Fero's inside," she said simply.

Fullbody exhaled sharply, his breath visible in the freezing air. "Doesn't look like much," he muttered, though his tone carried more unease than dismissal.

"It's not the shack you should be worried about," Ria replied, her tone cold. "It's what Fero's been doing here—and what he's found."

With that, she began to move forward, her steps deliberate and unyielding. Fullbody hesitated for a moment, his instincts screaming at him to turn back, but he steeled himself and followed.

As they trudged closer, the details of the shack became clearer. The wood was rough and weathered, its planks held together by iron nails that had long since rusted. A faint glow emanated from the cracks between the boards, suggesting a fire burning inside. The door hung slightly ajar, creaking softly as the wind pushed against it.

The air grew heavier as they approached, charged with an unspoken tension. Fullbody could feel it, a pressure that seemed to weigh on his chest with every step. Even the winds seemed to quiet, as though the Underworld itself was holding its breath.

Ria stopped a few paces from the shack, her gaze unwavering. "This is it," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the silence.

Fullbody glanced at her, then back at the shack. "Alright," he said, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. "Let's get this over with."

Together, they closed the remaining distance, their shadows stretching long across the frost-covered ground as they approached the door. Whatever awaited them inside, they knew it would bring them one step closer to unraveling the mysteries of Elbaf, Fero's search, and the larger forces at play.

[A/N: Can't wait to see what happens next? Get exclusive early access on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels. If you enjoyed this chapter and want to see more, don't forget to drop a power stone! Your support helps this story reach more readers!]