Astrid and her group were sailing down the Milky Road and Gabriel instructing them on how they did battle up here in the clouds.
"When we first met, I acted as a soldier for hire to protect you because you Blue Sea dwellers unfamiliar the ways of sky warfare," Gabriel explained.
Astrid frowned. "Sky warfare? What do you mean?"
"Can you bring that barrel over here?" Gable asked.
Ragnar moved the barrel towards the centre of the upper deck and then placed a dial in the centre of the barrel.
"Now observe," said Gabriel.
"Mind explaining to me why we're doing this?" Fishlegs frowned.
"All will be clear," Gabriel assured him he then turned and looked at Ragnar who was holding a large hammer. "Now strike that shell with all your might young man."
"Take it easy Ragnar, if you put a hole in my deck I'll put enough holes on you to make a Swiss cheese jealous," Snotlout warned.
"He did with all the strength you've got," said Gabriel.
Astrid looked at Ragnar. "You heard the man."
"Does anyone listen to me?" Snotlout yelled.
"No, not really," said Tuffnut.
"We just ignore half the stuff you spat out," said Ruffnut.
Snotlout glared at them and looked as if he was going to strangle them.
"You wanted you got it," said Ragnar as he gripped the hammer firmly.
"Don't you dare!" Snotlout yelled.
Ragnar then swung the hammer with all his might write down on top of the barrel, but nothing happened.
"Okay, that was just sad," said Snotlout smirking. "I know I said take it easy, but you didn't have to be that pathetic, you didn't even put a ding in the barrel."
Ragnar removed the hammer and looked at the show curiously. "I assure you I strong that hammer will all I've got. This might sound crazy, but it's like this shell absorbed all the force of the impact."
Everyone stared at him.
"Now if you would be so good to turn the shell holes towards the barrel and gently press the tip on the back," Gabriel instructed. "You are familiar with the operation of dial power, yes?"
Ragnar did what he was told and placed it against the barrel. "Right here?"
He then pressed down on the tip and then suddenly the entire barrel exploded and sent Ragnar flying backwards. Astrid and the others just stared in shock as the barrel had blown up into hundreds of different pieces.
"That my friends is an impact dial," Gabriel explained. "It absorbs any impact it receives and then releases the energy when it's pressed. It is frequently fixed to the palm of the hand with a glove or a bandage. A direct hit from one of these has more than enough power to kill an average person easily."
Ragnar, Snotlout and the twins had recognised this kind of firepower before. During their battle with Selhen, he had struck them with powerful impacts, and now they knew how he did it.
"I know," said Ragnar. "Snotlout, Ruff, Tuff…"
"Yeah, you're right," said Snotlout. "That was what that bloated Gothar was using."
Ragnar looked at Gabriel. "A warning would have been nice, that thing scared the hell are me."
"I have heard in ancient times, in other Sky Islands, existed dial is even more powerful than this one," said Gabriel. "The so-called reject dial is said to be capable of magnifying the energy stored and released ten times the mere power of an impact dial. But that incredible power was a double-edged sword, for it threatened the life of the attacker as well as his opponent. As a result, it was rarely used."
"These little shells of that dangerous?" Astrid stared bewildered. "They're worse than any weapon I know."
"Yeah, I for dials were used for common everyday objects?" Fishlegs frowned.
"So they are, but it would seem as if man has found a talent of using deadly uses for beneficial discovery no matter how mundane they may seem to be," said Gabriel. "In order depends on the user. Dials are very useful, but when applied in battle, their powerful destruction could be awesome. For example, the heat down used for cooking, can be placed inside a lance and used to generate thermal energy creating the deadly weapon known as the heat javelin. Or the flame dial, which stores fire, can be placed in the mouth of a bird, creating a creature that seems to breathe fire."
"Yeah, Chopper mentioned something like that," said Snotlout.
"So that sky warfare," said Astrid beginning to understand.
"It is," Gabriel nodded. "Blue Sea dwellers, who know nothing of dials, have no way of seeing through these tricks. The same holds true for many types of artificial clouds; the Gothars have forged these into forms that they can control; if you don't understand them, you'll be helpless against them."
"But what about this mantra thing that Tubby talked about that allowed him to predict moves?" Ragnar asked curiously.
"Yes, Mantra," Gabriel nodded. "Unfortunately I myself are not able to use it, so it's rather difficult for me to explain. Mantra is described as an ability to hear; the idea is as long as a person lives his or her body admits their own voice."
"A voice?" Ragnar frowned.
"Yes, by listening to the voice you're supposed to be able to know your opponent's next move," Gabriel explained. "With practice and training, you can hear these voices over a huge area. The Gothars can hear over all of the Upper Yard, Enel's power extender this entire land. The exact nature of those powers remain a mystery, but because of them, the people of this land can never know a moment ease."
Enel was sitting in his temple, enjoying the little game he was playing on the Upper Yard.
"I wonder they made it down yet," Enel pondered.
"Yes, Lord," said one of attendance who had a thick beard. "They're lying in wait as we speak. The three Gothars have placed their ordeals, and commander Yama has taken 50 divine warriors with him. My lord, it looks as though this is becoming an all-out war, is it really necessary to go to such extremes? The vanir and a few Blue Sea dwellers hardly seem worth it."
Enel laughed. "Calm now, the more players there are more fun the game. You, my hairy friend, underestimate the power of sky warfare."
"Sky warfare, my lord?"
"That's right, you'll see soon enough," he said and then turned towards a serving girl and then pointed a banana. "He'll that for me, would you?"
The serving girl nodded and began peeling the banana.
"Now let's see, we have the 50 divine warriors at our disposal plus our three surly Gothars, including me that's 54," he said. "There are 20 vanir heading towards the island, the four Blue Sea dwellers in the forest and the seven escaping down the Milky Road… no, wait that's only six the old man can't fight anymore. Altogether, that makes 84 this battle will determine who shall remain standing."
He then laughed. "Shall we guess how many after three hours' time?"
"Pardon, my lord?" His attendant frowned. "You wish for us to make a game out of death?"
"Why don't you lighten up," said Enel as he bit into the banana. He then turned towards one of the serving girls. "You take a guess."
The girl looked at him, astonished. "What? Are you talking to me, my lord? But I don't know anything about it; I'm just a humble servant girl."
Enel rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, what's wrong with you people? You're no fun! Just take a guess, any guess at all!" He then turned to one of his attendance. "All right then you try it, go ahead and guess."
"Well, uh…" said the attendance looking slightly nervous. "The three Gothars are all very strong, of course, and those divine warriors are all mighty as well. I doubt many of them would be defeated, but the enemy has shown that their power rivals the Gothars so in three hours time I think 30 will fall leaving… let's see, 84 minus 30… Leaving 54 alive, how's that?"
Enel looked at him and then burst out laughing. "54, ah? That's your best guess? Don't you think you would be just a little optimism, or are you just squeamish? I think you're underestimating the results of this battle."
Everyone looked at one another, not sure how to respond.
"Then what do you think my lord if I may ask?" the attendant asked.
"Well, it's obvious if you gave it a little thought," said Enel with a small smile. "In three hours the 84 fighters now on this island all that will be left are six."
The vanir had just entered into Upper Yard and were now swarming the place skating around on the Milky Roads. However, as they got deeper, they suddenly started to discover their movements became sluggish until they finally came to complete stop.
"What the?"
"I can't move," said Branham.
"What's happening?" said Kappo. "Why did I stop moving?"
"Greetings my vanir friends, you're looking well," said a voice.
They looked up and saw sitting on a walk was Selan and sitting next to him was his dying bird Blaze.
"I'm glad you could come to my party," said Selan and Blaze shot out some flames from his mouth.
"Selan!" the vanir yelled.
"Now, now, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but honestly I know my own name," Selan smirked. "I'm afraid I've got some very bad news, there have been a few changes made here on Upper Yard since last night. Can't move, can you? Too bad, you only have a 3% chance of surviving the Ordeal of String."
"No, not the Ordeal of String!" Kappo stared.
"I thought about warning you, but then I thought 'Why ruin the surprise for them?'" Selan smiled.
Kappo squinted, and indeed he saw very thin layers of string in front of them, he then looked down and saw that he was completely wrapped in the stuff along with everyone else.
"It string cloud," he said.
"Oh, very good," Selan smirked. "I'm impressed; it spread throughout my area. Too thin to be seen, but so tough that even the strongest man can't break free once entangled. My mighty string cloud, you fools have been wrapping yourselves up in it the moment you step foot in this forest."
That wasn't entirely true, as Wyper was still free and now was sitting on a branch directly above Selan.
"Take a look around," Selan continued. "Your bodies are covered in string; you've all become my puppets mere playthings at my disposal." He then laughed as Wyper aimed with his bazooka, but then Selan looked up towards him. "Yes, all of you except for one!"
Wyper then jumped down, and Selan quickly mounted Blaze.
"Fly Blaze!" Selan commanded, and then he took off.
"Wyper!" Genbo yelled.
Wyper then fired his bazooka aiming a cannonball directly at Selan, but he missed entirely as Selan flew out of the way.
"You can't beat me in the air, you fool," said Selan as he raised his lance.
"Look out that the heat javelin!" Kappo yelled.
Wyper then pulled out his shield, but then, to everyone's surprise, he tosses aside along with his bazooka. Selan was momentarily shocked, but then he quickly thrust his lance and struck Wyper's left shoulder.
"Why did you throw away your shielding weapon?" Selan demanded. "Are you insane?"
Kappo realised what he planned to do. "No, he wouldn't dare!"
Wyper then grabbed Selan's shoulder with his left hand, and the heat javelin began to ignite, burning of his flesh.
"Take it," said Wyper. "If all you want is as shoulder, it's yours."
Wyper then placed his bandaged right hand against Selan's chest.
"An impact dial, but that can't kill me?" Selan assumed.
Wyper laughed. "No… ten times that power!" Selan eyes widened as he realised what was about to happen. "Reject dial!"
A massive impact then shot right through Selan's body messing up his insides, but the result had also sent massive vibrations through Wyper's right arm damaging it. Still, Selan receive the worst blow, and he fell off Blaze and struck the ground.
Enel was completely aware of the battle and then looked as servants.
"And the Upper Yard survival game has its first casualty, now only 83 remain," he said calmly. "So the first battle has ended in a stunning upset, Selan is finished."
"What?" said one of his attendants. "But how?"
"Like you, Selan underestimated the power of sky warfare, the fool," he laughed.
"But surely this is a disaster, no Gothars has been defeated in six years, and now suddenly two have fallen in as many days."
"Nonsense, so they were defeated so what?" said Enel calmly as he leaned back on his throne. "Perhaps they like divine protection."
He then laughed.
Down on Upper Yard, Commander Yama, who was the same man that escorted the Gothars before Enel, was now commanding all the divine soldiers. All the divine soldiers were dressed like monks and were completely bald.
"Listen up, men," he said in his big booming voice. "We're up against 20 vanir and 10 Blue Sea dwellers. They pose no threat; we don't need trouble the Gothars with them, destroy them without mercy."
Rachel was still at the rendezvous point; she was looking directly at Upper Yard, remembering what Wyper had said before they left. She then began scraping what vearth she could back into the bag.
Wyper had just taken down Selan, and the vanir were utterly stunned by how he accomplished it.
"Wyper, what were you thinking?" Kappo yelled. "Just try new that reject dial again, and you blow your body to pieces!"
Wyper then picked up his bazooka. "It's my body, isn't it? I warned you that we would have to take risks if we wanted victory. We'll never beat them if we aren't willing to make sacrifices, understand?"
He then fired shooting at the place where all the string cloud met as a result of the vanir were now free. When the dust began to clear, they found that Wyper had vanished, clearly deciding to set off on his own.
"Damn fool," said Kappo.
"What are you all standing around for?" Branham asked.
Kappo turned on him. "What's that?"
"We're in the middle of enemy territory selects split up," he suggested. "There are still two Gothars out there left to deal with; it looks like they've changed the location of their ordeals. We can't have everyone getting caught in the same ordeal again; we have to be smarter than that. I'm going ahead."
He then took off.
"Fine then," said Kappo knowing better than to argue. "Do whatever you want, just don't forget to pray for safety!"
He then took off.
"Okay men, but be careful, we'll meet at All-Father Shrine," said Genbo as he took off.
Then the vanir began to pair up and then went in all different directions.
Two of them were making their way down the Milky Road when suddenly a divine soldier appeared out of nowhere, striking one of them off his board.
"Hey, you! Are you mad?" said the other vanir, and then he noticed that he was a divine warrior. "A divine soldier."
"Correct, by order of Almighty Enel we have been commanded to purge all enemies within Upper Yard," he said. "We are Lord Enel's elite; there is no place for you to hide. We possess the power of the axe dial, which is not found in Skypiea."
The vanir then pulled his rifle. "Out of my way!"
He then immediately fired, but the warrior dodged his attack and then quickly jumped into the air.
"Your efforts are futile! Your shot useless!" he said as he headed towards him. "Axe Dial!" The vanir quickly pulled out his shield to protect himself. "Your shield won't help you!"
He then thrust his hand towards him and even before it struck the shield it's split into and then something painful greatest side. The vanir then fell unconscious before falling off the Milky Road and onto the ground below. The warrior then landed on the ground as he quickly taken down to vanir warriors without any effort.
Hiccup meanwhile was making his way south on foot; while it would be quicker to fly there, it wouldn't have been easier. He had no idea about the powers of the other Gothars and then came Enel's power; he figured it would be safe within the trees.
"I hope the others are doing all right," he said to himself. "I'm willing to bet that those gorillas have launched another offensive and they've made it clear that they consider as the enemy as well. Besides, who knows what Enel has up his sleeves is just too many unknowns here."
One of the divine Warriors had spotted him and decided to try and sneak up on him, but Hiccup had heard his approach. He quickly transformed into his hybrid form and then fired a plasma blast straight at him, it had so much force that he bounced around on the trees and branches before hitting the ground.
Hiccup looked at him. "Judging from his outfit, I have to say that he's probably with Enel. Very keep moving, soon we find that gold the better."
Hiccup then continued making his way south it wasn't too long that he ran into Wyper.
"It's you again," said Hiccup.
"That's right," said Wyper looking down at him. "And just what are you doing here? I warned you to leave this island."
"You can't tell me what to do, and I can go wherever I want," said Hiccup.
"No, you can't, this island belongs to us vanir," said Wyper.
Hiccup looked at him curiously. "I thought it belonged to the All-Father. Though I suppose this does explain why you're fighting over it, but alas I'm not going anywhere."
"I'm through wasting words on you," said Wyper as he aimed his bazooka at him. "So I'm going to destroy you."
"You're welcome to try," said Hiccup as he took up a fighting stance.