On the shore, they are greeted by the sounds of a singing crew and the warm ocean breeze. They all let out a sigh of relief making their way to where the crew had set up. A portion of them had gathered further up the coast. The group met up with Captain Ben who was ordering the crew around.
'Ah, you're back. That was fast.' Captain Ben said.
'Here's the wood.' Oran said as he tossed the wood on the sand.
'What happened to him? Wait why's there blood on your shirt?' Captain Ben said pointing at Marco.
'Long story Cap' Aaron said. Aaron, Marco, and Oran then made their way to a shady area under a tree where they just lay on the sand.
'Here's your water.' Hilo said handing over the rock.
'A loch stone. Where'd you get this?' Captain Ben said as he tightened his grip on the stone and water began flowing out of it.
'This is too much kid. We can't just use this for free especially one of that size.' Captain Ben said returning the stone.
'It's fine I have a bunch more just like this one.' Hilo said.
Captain Ben stared at the boy not sure if Hilo was messing with him or not. 'Kid you shouldn't be telling people things like that. What if I decided to rob you? Considering how much this would fetch in the central plains… If it was anyone else they wouldn't hesitate. Lucky for you it's good old me.' Captain Ben said.
'That's why I told you, I can tell you're a good person.' Hilo said.
'Good person huh? I haven't been called that in a while…' Captain Ben said rubbing the scar on his neck.
'Captain! We've caught a big one.' one of the crewmates said.
'Great! Bring it on over.' Captain Ben said.
'What'd they catch?' Hilo said.
'Oh yeah, when y'all left we decided to start fishing.' Captain Ben said.
'Wait what? Did you ask Mahina or Kahakai first?' Hilo said.
'Who?' Captain Ben said.
Deafening screams of some of the men rang throughout the beach. 'Captain!' one of the men said. Captain Ben and Hilo ran to see what happened. A giant white scaled drake peered over the surface of the water.
'Kahakai, she's the shore's guardian you have to ask before fishing' Hilo said. The drake snarled at the few who were trying to gather some fish before running. A piercing growl came from the drake as boiling hot water shot out of its mouth scorching all the fishermen that dared to touch a fish in her sight. Hilo ran towards the drake waving his hands frantically. 'Kahakai it's me Hilo. Please stop they didn't mean the disrespect.' Hilo said.
Kahakai snaked her head down towards Hilo letting out a huff of steam. 'Boy, Mahina may tolerate your antics but I will not.'
'I am sorry they really didn't know. Forgive them this once please.' Hilo said.
Kahakai let out a humming noise as the ocean rose up. 'Ignorance is not something they can afford. Out of respect for Kalena, I will not kill you. They on the other hand won't receive such mercy.' Hilo's eyes darted around not sure what to do. He then noticed Captain Ben who now stood next to him staring the Kahakai in the eyes as if her being didn't impress him.
'Would you reconsider if I personally apologies?' Captain Ben said.
'What use is your apology to me?' Kahakai said.
A wide grin grew on Captain Ben's face as he started stroking his beard. 'What if we gave an offering as a sign of our sincerity?'
Kahakai puffed steam into the captain's face. 'For your bravery, I'll humor you mortal. What can you offer?'
'We'll give you a barrel of Codamer wine. Excellently brewed by their master brewers. I can personally vouch for those damned Halflings. They're stingy and annoying but they know what they're doing. It took a sense to get some off of those damned Mercanta bastards.' Captain Ben said.
'Captain? You can't be serious.' A red-haired man with a monkey on his back said. The monkey on his back nodded its head as if agreeing.
'Sir no, we won't survive without it and think about what Irene will do to us.' Another man said. This time it was a silver-scaled lizardman with blood-red eyes. A tattoo went down his face, it was the exact same one Marco had on his body.
'Do you chaps want to fight a drake?' Captain Ben said.
The two looked at each other and then turned to Kahakai trying to stare her down. With a single puff, Kahakai sent down a gust of steam not even phasing the two men.
'Stop you idiots I'm not going to give it all away it's just one barrel.' The two men and monkey grinned before walking away as if they had accomplished some unimaginable feat. 'Damned idiots.' Captain Ben said.
Kahakai let out the same humming noise as before and the ocean lowered back to normal. 'What is this wine you talk about?' Kahakai said.
'It's a… wait let me show you instead, Boys! Bring me a barrel.' Captain Ben said.
After a short while, a woman with short brown hair and a tattoo on her arm came down the ship. Her tattoo was the exact same as the one on Captain Ben's chest. 'Thanks, Jules but didn't I ask the scrubs to go get it?' Captain Ben said.
'They were too scared of Irene so I had to go.' Jules said.
'We weren't scared. We were just being cautious.' The man with the monkey said.
'Shut up, Leon. Since you volunteered why don't you and Vince go get another two? And you can explain to Irene why 3 barrels are missing.' Captain Ben said.
'But captain I didn't say anything.' Vince said.
'I wasn't asking!' Captain Ben said as an intense pressure began emitting from him. Vince's eyes went from a blood-red to a light orange. The monkey on Leon's shoulder jumped off and ran to Aaron who was still lying on the sand.
'Clint!?' Leon said.
Clint just shook his head before lying next to Aaron. The two hung their heads as they began grumbling on their way into the ship while dragging their feet. Captain Ben let out a sigh before opening the barrel.
'Here, you drink it.' Captain Ben said.
Kahakai slipped her tongue into the barrel. A roaring growl came from her chest as gusts of boiling water shot from the ocean into the sky.
'So, is this enough?' Captain Ben said.
'Yes, this will suffice.' Kahakai said.
'I could give you two more if you help us catch more fish.' Captain Ben said.
Kahakai stared the captain down not sure what went through this mortal's mind. She could easily crush him yet instead of fear his eyes had a fierce glare. A smile slipped onto Kahakai's scaly lips. She snaked her neck closer to the captain before morphing into a white-haired woman with scales on her arms and legs. With one hand she lifted the ocean and with another, she pulled out a large bubble containing dozens of fish. 'Is this enough?'
'Yeah.' Captain Ben said.
She moved the bubble over the sand popping it. Leon and Vincent made it back carrying a barrel each. They placed them near Kahakai who whistled and a small group of turtles wobbled out of the raised ocean. They took the wine onto their backs and wobbled back into the ocean. 'With that our business is complete.' Kahakai said.
'Unfortunately, it is.' Kahakai moved in close to Captain Ben.
'You're interesting for a mortal.' Kahakai whispered.
'I can't say I get that a lot.' Captain Ben said as Kahakai turned back to the ocean.
'Say hello to Mahina for me.' Hilo said.
Kahakai gave a nod and walked back into the ocean before it came crashing down.
'What'd she whisper to you?' Jules said.
'Nothing, just that I still got it.' Captain Ben chuckled.
'Dad!' Jules said.
Captain Ben broke into laughter. Trying to catch his breath his eyes met with Vince and Leon who were nodding their heads with giant grins on their faces. 'What are you lot gawking at? Get to making dinner or do you want me to make it.'
'No Captain!' the crew said as they all started gathering the fish.
'Wait my cooking isn't that bad is it?' Captain Ben said looking at Hilo and Jules who were trying to hold back their laughter. Hilo and Jules shrugged.
'I don't know why you're asking me I thought you said 'I still got it'.' Jules said.
-
Later that night they gathered around different small fires. The beach was filled with the sounds of laughter, shouting, and some horrible singing. Hilo was sitting next to Oran.
'Stop, just stop I'll read your damn book.' Oran said while standing up.
'Tell me when you're done so we can talk about it.' Hilo said but Oran had already moved away. He went to lie under a tree far away from the fires. After a short while Captain Ben sat next to Hilo interrupting his questioning of why Leon's stories weren't adding up.
'Aaron told me about your situation.' Captain Ben said.
Hilo took a bite out of his fish. '
So what do you think about coming with us?' Captain Ben said.
'What?' Hilo said.
'Look kid, it's not right for someone your age to be here alone. Surrounded by beings who'll outlive you. You need to interact with people your age who can help you grow as a person. People who understand your mortality.' Captain Ben said.
'Kalena and the others may be different from me but they are still my family. I can't just leave them and what if gramps comes back and I'm not here.' Hilo said.
'Hilo, have you ever seen a beastman before today. How about a lizardman?' Captain Ben said.
'…No' Hilo said.
Captain Ben let out a sigh before taking a sip of his drink. 'Kid, we don't have long in this realm. You need to start living your life before it ends. I don't think your grandfather would have wanted you to wait for him like this.' Hilo stared at the captain as the sound of crackling wood and horrible singing got louder. 'Look if you really want to see your grandfather again then you'll have better luck looking for him yourself.' Captain Ben said.
'But…'
'I understand it's a scary decision but at the end of the day, it's yours. Whether you take it or not it's all up to you.' Captain Ben said.
Hilo sat there as all the sounds around him became muffled until only the crackling wood was left. The night ended and the crew began packing up and heading back to the ship.
'Kid we're leaving at sunrise tomorrow. We'll wait for you until then.' Captain Ben said carrying a passed-out Oran on his back.
After everyone left Hilo sat there in front of the only lit fire on the beach staring at the ship as the smell of burnt wood from the extinguished fires felt soothing. The crackling of the wood and crashing of the waves echoed throughout the beach. Hilo had spent many nights on the shore before but today was different. Maybe the captain was right Hilo thought. A chilling wind blew through making Hilo shiver for a while. He looked down only to realize that the fire had already burnt itself out a while ago.
Rising to his feet Hilo turned to the forest and walked home. The normally comforting chirping of the birds made Hilo feel disorientated as he started stumbling over the roots. His walk back felt like an eternity as he tried to get his mind off of what the captain said. Leaving now meant abandoning everything he's ever known and if he left and didn't find his grandpa then what? Even if he did what would he say or do? Although he didn't want to admit it Kalena had a point. No matter what the reason it doesn't change the fact grandpa abandoned him. Kalena, after all, he said Hilo wasn't sure how he was going to look her in the eyes again. No, this is my home and I can't leave it Hilo thought. After a few more steps he found himself humming one of the songs the crew was singing. Stopping for a moment he slapped himself. They're leaving tomorrow.
I should stop thinking about this and focus on getting some sleep for tomorrow's training with Kalena Hilo told himself. He then tried clearing his mind but no matter how much he tried his face couldn't stop smiling and his mouth couldn't stop humming that song. He didn't know the lyrics but that didn't matter he knew the feeling behind it.
Finally arriving at his destroyed cabin Hilo rummaged under the debris looking for his painting only to find it was torn. He pulled out his papers and tools placing them on his bed.
He then turned to the bookshelf. Letting out a sigh of relief as he pulled out his book which was somehow without a scratch.
Hilo lunged himself into bed or at least what remained of it staring at the stars past his nonexistent roof. He blinked once and dawn had already arrived. Looking at the sky he realized that yesterday wasn't a dream. Hilo turned to his side to find his book and equipment were gone.
Leaping to his feet he searched throughout the cabin's ruins for his stuff but couldn't find them. Maybe this was a sign he thought before jumping back into bed and the thoughts he didn't want to think about came flooding back.
While trying to fight these thoughts back he is interrupted by Kai and Kalena who walk out of the forest.
'You're going to be late at this rate.' Kai said.
'Sorry… I got distracted.'
'Heh, the same old excuse?' Kai said.
'We had a talk with Apela and the others and we think you should leave with them. Those outsiders, Kahakai vouched for them saying they could take care of you.' Kalena said.
'What? I can't just leave.' Hilo said
'Hilo…it's fine. Go and live your life if you don't leave now who knows when you'll ever get the chance again. When you're tired and need a place to come back home to we'll be here for you.' Kalena said staring at Hilo's hazel-dyed eyes. 'You look just like him. Those eyes never looking at the now…I guess it runs in the family.' Kalena said.
Kai knelt down and handed Hilo a sack. 'I put your tools, book, some water stones and something special in there don't open it until you've sailed away.' Kai said tying Hilo's jet-black hair up. Hilo stared at the floor as Kai went on. '
This is… here.' Kalena said giving Hilo a sword.
Hilo took the sword and unsheathed it. It felt alive as the sun hit its raven blade.
'Lehu.' Kalena said.
'Huh?' Hilo said.
'That's its name Apela and I worked on it hopefully it can keep you safe.' Kalena said.
Hilo leaped at them holding them tight.
'I-I'll miss you' Hilo said.
'We'll miss you too Hilo.' they said holding him tight for a moment before letting go.
'Make sure you get some reading done. You need to try something other than that adventure book.' Kai said.
'Yeah.' Hilo said.
'Make sure you keep warm. The weather is different out there. There are places that have cold sands that reach the horizon.' Kalena said.
'It's called snow.' Kai said.
Kalena's hair began flaring up before returning to its coal-like color. The sun's rays began peering through the trees.
'Hurry up or you'll be late.' Kai said.
Hilo grabbed the sword and sack. 'Bye! I'll be back with both gifts and stories.' Hilo said as he is swallowed up by the forest. The two stood there as the birds chirping began.
'Let's go back.' Kai said.
'Go on ahead I… I'll be there soon.' Kalena said staring at the ruined cabin.
'I'll wait it's not like I have anything interesting going on anyway.' Kai said.
Hilo flew through the forest as the birds chirping began but today they were surprisingly louder than normal. He arrived on the beach to the crew who were all waiting for him.
'Ha, he came.' Aaron said.
'Told you.' Oran said as he pulled his hand out and Leon flicked two silver coins over to him.
'You made it kid.' Captain Ben said.
'Sorry I'm late.' Hilo said. They then boarded the ship and it began to sail away. As they were leaving Hilo took a long look back as the volcano erupted an ash cloud came out and towers of ocean shot up into the sky.
'Bye' Hilo whispered to himself.
The choice to move forward or to stay in place is a difficult one but only when you choose one or the other only then does your story begin.