Chapter 1 - Voyage Above the Clouds

Upon a starry night, I stood aboard a floating dream pirate ship. I know what you're thinking—I laugh softly at the thought. "How can a ship fly in the sky?" Or "Aren't ships meant for the ocean?" Well, it's not impossible. These vessels are rare, built only by those who understand the mechanics and architecture of sky‑sailing ships. And no, despite the name, I'm not a pirate. I'm simply here, twirling slowly around the mast, marveling at the impossible.

"Celeste, come down to the control room," Captain Hollow's voice echoes through the intercom. I hear him clearly, and before he can repeat himself, I shout back, "I'M COMING!" He chuckles as I step inside, where Hollow and Malachi—twenty‑seven, while I'm twenty‑five—are waiting.

"Did you find the map we talked about earlier?" Hollow asks.

I pause, then smile. "Yes—it was in the library's map room." I pull it from my bag and hand it over. His eyes light up as he takes it.

"Perfect. This will guide us to our next destination," he says, turning to Malachi. Then he glances back at me, winking in a way that makes my cheeks warm. "And maybe we'll take a day for vacation there."

I blush, trying to hide it. "Maybe. I'll get back to you on that." With a grin, I add, "You're welcome for the map," before leaving the control room.

Outside, the night air is cool and endless. My room lies across the ship—spacious, not cramped—and soon I'm inside, reading under the glow of my lamp. By 11:30 P.M., November 28, 2023, sleep overtakes me, the book slipping from my hand.

But just before my eyes close, I hear it—a faint hum, like the ship itself whispering secrets through the walls. I tell myself it's nothing, just the engines settling. Still, the sound lingers in my dreams, carrying me toward tomorrow... and whatever waits above the clouds.