The storm was congregated at one spot, forming a tower reaching for the heavens. Normally, clouds would spread out and cover the lands or drift about as balls of fluff. This cloud was forming a cyclone that reached for the stars and what lied beyond. A spectacle that could be seen from miles away just revealed now by the rays of dawn. A sight to behold or more likely one to fear. The humans were left awestruck and incapable of doing anything but stare. Events far beyond their understanding were starting to unfold.

A blade of wind, running afoul from the storm, struck the side of the ship, nearly flipping it onto its side. The humans finally snapped out of it. One of them, appearing to be the leader, took control of the ship. While another took cover while hugging the side of the ship. Meanwhile, the final one remained seated upon the tortoise but took advantage of the situation to grab onto the straps keeping the luggage down. This action happened to also secure the tortoise nicely, not that it appreciated it.

They began shouting at each other and the one controlling the boat steered it to the left, trying to turn the situation around. Alas, the wind grew stronger and caught the boat, driving it in a curved path to the storm. Had the boat stayed straight, ironically it would have had a better chance of resisting the storm's whims. All of the forces of nature combined their might at the heart of the storm and the humans were about to experience it in full.

At this moment, the sky bled and a crimson red coated the skies. The sun marched over the horizon with its sights set upon the tower. The last thing the humans and tortoise saw of this godly being was it lifting up a spear made of pure lightning. The storm swallowed them up and walls of dust were kicked up, eliminating all visibility to the outside world other than straight up. Above, as opposed to the stark red that tinted the world, was darkness decorated by a smattering of stars and planets shining brightly. Unpolluted and pure.

Part of the cyclone collesquied into a figure that climbed up and reached its hand towards the sky. Only to fall back down with a flash. A literal flash as something passed through the storm at speeds faster than the eye. It left behind a hole that only showed red as if the clouds themselves were bleeding. In response, the storm howled at the sky angrily, shaking the world twice over. The humans cowered and covered their ears while the tortoise was tempted to join in but could only let out a low hiss.

The portal to another realm at the top of the tower of clouds collapsed inward, ruined by this sudden assault. Another flash seared through the area, whizzing by with a crackle, exploding just on the other side of the wall of dirt. It was getting closer to the being within and consequently the boat containing the humans and tortoise. Like artillery, these attacks were nonstop yet highly inaccurate. Constantly being adjusted and coming closer every few minutes. A direct hit was inevitable but the humans were unable to escape and the demon of the storm refused to budge, simply roaring like thunder whenever an attack passed.

At one point, the attacks paused and the storm demon approached the humans out of curiousity. It had long noticed them yet had little attention to spare beforehand. Now, it had a respite and even noticed the tortoise demon within their possession. Before the humans was a being they did not understand and were not sure how to react to. Should they worship it or reject it? Those were the only options for something so strong and above them.

Their leader took this decision upon themself, grabbing a spear from the bow of the ship. They made the decision to reject this being because of how dangerous it was. It must die. They took a step forward with the spear raised over their shoulder ready to throw. The hurricane force winds disappated around this human as their entire body flexed in anticipation of throwing the spear. Kinetic energy gathered as their entire body became a spring with only one way of releasing this pent up energy.

Before the throw could be completed, the demon did a casual backhand slap and the human leader disappeared. Both them and their spear were nowhere to be found. The only thing left of their existence here was a few drops of blood that fell to the deck of the boat. A few drops landed on the other humans and tortoise. This faint dampness and warmth was unnerving and struck fear into the depths of their souls. At least, the human's souls while it was doubtful the demon tortoise even had one at this point.

Next, the storm demon's attention was drawn to the other humans. Both of which immediately prostrated themselves before the demon. Opposition meant death. Resistance was futile. Like that, the tortoise was freed as the human that sat upon it laid before it. It bit into the leg of the human, drawing blood and causing immense pain yet it evoked no reaction. The human did not dare move an inch with the demon hovering directly above them. While the tortoise recognized the storm as a temporary ally due to their shared demonic origins.

Then, the storm demon turned around. A sensation ran up the spine of the tortoise, a feeling it thought it had abandoned. Fear. An overwhelming feeling that if it stayed in this spot, it would die. The world within the clouds started to light up as the dark clouds became white and then yellow. The ground beneath them stopped being carried in a circle by the wind and started to slowly drift upwards.