Arisa enjoyed the cool breeze that blew past her as the motorboat took her and her companions to the Mother Island. As chatter filled the atmosphere, she lost herself in her thoughts, gazing at the stream the boat left behind the green-blue water.
After meeting Tausa in the plaza, Rangi suggested returning to the inn to gather with her companions. Having a feeling that Tausa would agree to enchant them, Rangi told them to grab their belongings, in case they would need to use an item during their exploration in the ocean.
As Tam wasn't there to take them to the Mother Island, Rangi decided to rent a boat and take them there personally. In the end, Vina fought to convince Rangi to let Aleki join them on their trip. Arisa later found out that Vina's son was there to watch his uncle in case he decided to explore the ocean too. Arisa moved away strands of her dark hair that fell over her face, thinking that Vina was sure overprotective of her brother.
"So does this lady have an ability to see who people are just by looking at them?" teased a cheerful voice in the background. "That could explain why she knew who Arisa was right before you introduced her."
Arisa shifted her view from the blue see and focused on the people sitting around the boat. She noticed that this motorboat was a bit more spacious compared to Tam's.
"You think that power exists?" asked Kazuya, looking at Thelma by his side. "Since you made up that ability to fool your cousin."
As Thelma chuckled, Arisa remembered that moment in London Wall. She gazed at the floor, still feeling a bit embarrassed for believing Thelma's lie.
"Well," said Aleki, "we sort of have that ability. Since we can read auras, we can see who people are."
As realization took over the atmosphere, Arisa gazed at the built boy standing not far from them, controlling the boat's wheel. She remembered the first time she met Caris. The Oceanian had called her Aries, telling her that her aura was similar to the star.
"My nephew is right," said Rangi, sitting by Kazuya's side. "Grandmother Tausa might have recognized Arisa thanks to our ability. But then, she could have met her before to really know who she actually is. We can only recognize a person's identity through their aura only after meeting them or have seen them somewhere before."
Arisa's brows touched. "But we never met before. That was the first time we actually saw each other."
"Then, maybe she compared your aura to your parents'," said Rangi, rubbing his jaw. "She might have met them before and saw part of their aura in you."
Arisa blinked, her heart speeding at the mention of her parents. She shifted a bit from the cream-colored seat, wondering how fate took them to the wise woman.
"Arisa's parents were Guardians," said Kazuya, his tone thoughtful. "My mother once told me that their last activity was nineteen years ago. Maybe they passed by Oceana during their time as Guardians."
Arisa gazed at the boy sitting small steps away in front of her, a little pride flowing in her blood.
Rangi's brown eyes brightened as he looked at Arisa. "Your parents were also Guardians? What a blessed bloodline. Which star did they represent?"
"Erm," said Arisa, fidgeting on her shorts. "Libra and Aries."
"Oh," said Rangi, his brows rising. "I don't remember seeing those Guardians around here and believe me, during my youth, I would do anything to see a real Guardian."
As chuckles filled the air. Arisa exhaled, telling herself that there were many worlds out there. It wouldn't be possible for her parents to protect them all.
"Grandmother Tausa used to be a Sage," said Aleki, still focusing on the path in front of him. "Maybe she met them in that mystical world. What was that world's name again?"
Arisa's eyes widened as gasps took over the atmosphere. She couldn't believe that she had met one of the Sages. She blinked repeatedly, speechless.
"Really?" asked Garoh, his tone surprised. "That lady was a Sage?"
Rangi nodded. "Yes. She's the pride of the islanders. She was the first being from this world to become a Sage and she became one at such a young age. She's definitely a gifted individual."
"Incredible," said Garoh, fascinated. "I thought that all the Sages died in the war, protecting the world of light. It's great to see that some survived."
Before anyone could say anything, Aleki told the team to prepare themselves as they were approaching their destination. Arisa peeked by the boat's side and saw a large green land not far from them. As she admired the scenery, she noticed a few more islands that looked too small compared to the island their boat was approaching.
Admiring her surroundings, she saw various boats. Some were small and seemed that were used for fishing. Others were medium size and Arisa noticed that a few of them were transporting crops and vegetables.
A few minutes passed and as their transportation slowly approached the shore, Arisa saw some islanders swimming in an area not far from them. The motorboat abandoned the water. Arisa supported herself on the boat's bright surface as it trembled a bit before it completely stopped on the sandy soil.
"We're finally here." Rangi stood up. "Let's go. We'll have to walk a bit to reach Tausa's residence."
Arisa nodded and quickly followed Rangi, who had already dropped off from the boat.
"I'll be right there," said Aleki as the others dropped off their transportation. "Just a sec."
As Arisa hopped off the boat, her slippers allowing the warm pale sand to meet her feet, she heard chatter and laughter filling the background. Looking around, she saw a group of young people enjoying their time at the beach.
"It's a shame that we're in a hurry," teased Kazuya, standing by her right side. "We would join those people and have fun in these beautiful waters."
Arisa smiled at him and examined her surroundings. The green-blue sea sparkled under the afternoon sun, bathing the pale shore with calm foamy waves. She fought the temptation to dive into those calm waters.
"At least you spent part of the day at the beach back in the town," she said, sighing. "You couldn't even wait for me to finish eating to join you."
Kazuya chuckled and patted Arisa's dark head. "Sorry about that. My excitement was too much. It was my first time swimming in the ocean. I was having so much fun that I couldn't wait to go back."
"Just like a child who won a new toy," teased Arisa.
Kazuya glared at her. Arisa laughed, remembering how usually he was the one calling her a child since he was a year older. Despite that, she understood his excitement. She would have acted the same since they never saw the Ocean before they started their journey around the worlds.
"Everything is set," said Rangi behind them. "We can go now."
"Just a moment, please," said a cheerful voice not far from them.
Arisa glanced by her left side and saw Thelma taking pictures of their surroundings. She took a surprise photo of them before she approached them with Garoh by her side.
"It's too bad that once we collect all the Elements, we won't be seeing such beautiful sceneries," said Thelma, taking another picture as they slowly walked away from the beach. "I would visit Oceana every year."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that," said Garoh with realization. "The portals connecting the worlds will close once the Thirteenth Star wakes up."
"Thirteenth Star," whispered Arisa.
Somehow mentioning that star brought feelings of missing someone with a mixture of sadness. She frowned, touching her chest.
"Closing portals," said Aleki, his tone amazed. "I never thought that would be possible. Even though that will make things better for the people, it will be sad since we won't be able to travel around the worlds anymore. If there are other ways to travel, I wonder how long it would take us to reach them."
"Hm," said Thelma thoughtfully. "Probably thousands of years if worlds with life are located in different star systems or even worse, in different galaxies."
Aleki gazed at Thelma, his forehead wrinkling.
"Sorry," said Thelma. "My world has studied the skies for years. What I mumbled is what our people know so far."
As they completely left the beach and entered an area full of flora, Arisa noticed that there were a small number of houses randomly filling the colorful area.
"So I'm guessing what you want to talk to my daughter is that quest," said Rangi.
"Yes," said Garoh. "It's a special mission that was assigned to every Guardian generations ago."
"Interesting," said Rangi, his tone intrigued. "I see that my Little Guardian has a chance to be remembered as a legend. I'm so proud of her."
Arisa gazed at Rangi in time to see his warm smile. Hearing him mention that his daughter had a chance to become a legend, Arisa couldn't help but try to imagine how their stories would be told if they succeeded with their mission.
As they explored the land for several minutes, crossing paths with people walking by, they finally found themselves in a large village. Simple houses of gray and brown color filled the area surrounded by various types of vegetation. Several people filled the area, most of them being busy doing an activity.
As they strolled down the village, Garoh wondered why the island was called Mother Island. Aleki was the one to offer himself to explain. He told them that the reason was that the island was the largest of the five natural islands of Oceana. It was on this island where they found and cultivated most of their food and it was the only place that had fresh water.
Arisa's brows arched at that explanation, understanding how the citizens living in the artificial islands had fresh vegetables and fruits.
"Ah, we're almost there," said Rangi as they passed by a small market. "The Ancients live a few blocks away."
"I've been wondering," said Arisa. "What are the Ancients?"
Arisa remembered Tausa mentioning that before leaving the town.
"The Ancients are sort of like the sages of the Wimbi Islands," replied Rangi. "They are our living libraries who bless us with their knowledge and help us take the right path with their wise words. We don't have a president or a king. According to them, the Wimbi People have always been their own leaders, their role as Ancients is to help the community to keep things flow peacefully in the islands."
Thelma touched her chin. "A country without a leader. Now you don't see that every day."
As the group kept exploring the village, Arisa was amazed of how the community of the Wimbi Islands was able to live peacefully for many years without a leader guiding them.
The number of simple-looking buildings kept dropping as they walked further until they reached an open area with several large trunks. Arisa's chin dropped, noticing that some of those trunks were carved to become shelters.
Looking around she saw a variety of elders in robes spread in the spacious zone. She spotted some, sitting in a corner, talking to a group of townspeople.
"Ah, there is Grandmother Tausa," said Rangi, rushing to the other side of the area.
The team followed him. As they approached a large gray-colored trunk, that had windows and a door, Arisa noticed that the elderly lady with a single braided hair was talking to a man who seemed to have a certain age as well. Judging by their expression, they seemed worried.
"Grandmother Tausa," called Rangi as they finally reached her. "I never thought that we would see you so soon. I thought the interrogation with that merman would take most of your time."
"Ah, you're already here, Rangi Linteum," said Tausa, glancing over her shoulder.
When the woman turned around, Arisa noticed that the eyes of the man that stood by Tausa's side were similar to Caris'. They didn't have the white part.
"We used that man's aura to try finding the truth," said Tausa. "He cooperated afterward since he thought there was no point staying silent. That's why we didn't take long."
Arisa's brows rose. "You can find the truth using auras?"
"Yes." Tausa nodded lightly. "It's a long and consuming process, but it's useful in critical situations like these. The aura can tell us more than who a person actually is and what their current emotions are. If we dig deeper into it, we can see that individual's memories."
Gasps filled the atmosphere as everyone looked at Tausa, amazed.
"So what did he tell you?" asked Rangi curiously.
Tausa exhaled. "Your daughter will give up her powers and pass them to the crown prince."
"What?!" protested Rangi. "That can't be. Why would my daughter do that?"
Aleki walked to his uncle's side and patted his back in an attempt to tell him to calm down. Arisa stared at Tausa shocked, wondering if it was possible to pass their inherited powers to a person of their choice.
"They promised that they would free the children of the sea and the kidnapped islanders," said Tausa, looking sideways. "If she didn't, they would kill them as they always wanted to."
Rangi clenched his fists. "My little girl. How can they have the courage to threaten a fourteen-year-old girl like that?"
Arisa gazed at Rangi, who looked as if he would explode of anger. She curled her fingers, remembering that the first time she met Caris, she was trying to survive the hunting of some members of the sea. She couldn't imagine how Rangi would feel if he found out what happened in the Forbidden Lands.
"Those coldblooded monsters must be embarrassed because a half breed became a Guardian," said Aleki. "Now they want to steal her powers to feel better. Cowards."
"And that is what is worrying us," said the man standing by Tausa's side. "If the royal family receives Pisces' powers, they'll have the ability to control the sea. We fear that they'll use that power to finally get rid of us and the Wimbi People for good."
Everyone gazed at the man in horror.
"I think there's nothing to worry about," said Garoh, folding his arms. "I never heard of Guardians giving up their powers before. Usually they remain with those powers until their body reaches a certain age. So I think the idea of passing powers to others must have been a rumor they swallowed easily."
Aleki chuckled quickly. "They must be so desperate to believe that rumor then."
"Actually there have been rare times where Guardians gave up their powers," said Tausa, exhaling. "The first one begged the stars to take away his powers as the life of a Guardian wasn't for him. Since the powers were already part of him, he had to pass them to someone of his trust."
Arisa blinked a few times, amazed by what she was hearing. She thought that maybe that Guardian couldn't handle the horrors of a battle and gave up his title.
"If an individual has been a Guardian for less than six months," continued Tausa, folding her arms, " they can pass on their powers, otherwise they would have to deal with them until their body weakens with age. Only the Sages and Guardians of the past knew about this. I wonder how the royal family found out."
"It doesn't matter," said Rangi, his tone irritated. "We have to do something before those cruel people steal my daughter's powers."
"Don't let anger control your heart, Rangi Linteum," said Tausa, patting his shoulder. "Have faith that everything will be alright."
Rangi rubbed his forehead, sighing. As he calmed down, Tausa gazed at the team.
"Ever since the Oracle told me to return in the islands and wait for Ky's and Lucinda's daughter, I have always wondered when that day would come," said Tausa, smiling. "He teased me, saying that I had an important role to help the future generation find the next Master."
Arisa's eyes widened upon hearing that. She couldn't believe that they were steps closer to find the next Master.
"I never understood what he meant by that and since he didn't look serious, I never believed what he said," said Tausa, chuckling a bit. "That man was an enigmatic individual yet he could find a little space to tease us."
Arisa remembered the man with really short hair from the time she met her mother. From his appearance, Arisa couldn't imagine him having a teasing personality. He looked like a calm and kind man.
"He looked serious about your arrival, though," said Tausa. "He told me that you would come to me and ask a favor to find a friend. I'm assuming that friend is Rangi's daughter."
"Yes," said Arisa quickly.
As the lady smiled, Arisa was amazed by the Oracle's ability. Even though she thought that seeing the future could be also a curse, she couldn't help but be amazed.
"Then my real role is to give you the ability to breathe underwater," said Tausa, walking a few steps by her side. "Come with me. I've prepared everything to enchant you in the Water Temple."
Before she walked away, Tausa spoke to the man by her side, excusing herself. As the team followed the lady with colorful robes, Arisa took a deep breath, looking forward to seeing how she would perform the enchantment.