The Challenge of the Masters

⊱⊰ 53: Two Worlds ⊱⊰

Arisa gazed at her, blinking a few times. Despite having heard that things weren't going well in Oceana, she wondered why Lani's people would need protection from the people sharing the same world as them.

"No," said Arisa, shaking her head. "We're here to see Caris, there's something we need to tell her."

"I see," said Lani, looking sideways, disappointed.

Arisa raised a brow, her curiosity growing stronger.

"Why do you need protection from the People of the Sea?" she asked. "You two share the same world. There shouldn't be trouble between the two people."

"We may share the same world," said Lani, "but we're two different people."

Arisa couldn't help but feel a bit down upon hearing those words. No matter how many worlds were out there, there were always differences between the people that inhabited them.

"The People of the Sea are just evil," said Lani, breaking the brief silence. "Besides having us as their food, they look down on us just because the majority of our world is water. Animals."

Arisa's brows arched. "Is that true? The People of the Sea eat people?"

"Yes." Lani nodded. "They attract their prey by singing. There's something in their voices that is hypnotizing."

Arisa looked at her almost empty plate, gulping. She remembered the time Caris warned her to cover her years in case she would be forced to use her voice. Caris had told her that usually, the People of the Sea used their voices to catch their prey. Knowing that people were their prey, Arisa couldn't help but worry since they would have to explore the ocean soon. She breathed in, trying to tell herself that maybe it was just a rumor.

"It's sad to see two people hating one another," said Arisa, changing the subject. "You share the same world, the same sky. You should accept each other and live in peace."

"If that ever happens, it will be a sign of the world ending," said Lani, her tone calm. "Even though monsters from other worlds are the ones mostly causing chaos around the worlds, I have never heard of countries getting along in most worlds. What to do? We may share the same world, but we live in different worlds."

We live in two different worlds. Arisa's heart tightened upon hearing those words. Remembering the conflicts between Celestia and Eteria and seeing how things were going in Oceana, she wondered why mortals had to be so imperfect. Even though she knew that everyone had their own flaws, she thought that at least the mortals could try avoiding hatred caused by their differences.

"Lani," called a female voice, "Lani."

The girls looked by their side. Not far from them, a strong girl with long wavy hair that covered most of her back was rushing towards them.

"Hi, Issa," said Lani, tilting her head. "What's up?"

"News," said Issa, recovering her breath. "Big news."

Lani looked at the tanned girl, her brown eyes widening with curiosity. Arisa had a cup of her drink, wondering what kind of news that girl had for running around like that.

"Remember that person of the sea that was captured last week?" asked Issa, her tone excited.

Lani replied with a quick nod.

"It seems the authorities failed to interrogate it," said Issa. "Protesting people have taken it to the plaza so it can spill some beans. I thought you would be interested to see the show."

"You thought right," said Lani walking a few steps forward. "There's no way I'll miss this."

Issa chuckled as they walked together.