Josec, Harry and Buern had finally awakened from their slumber. It was a bright clear day and they stood on the deck of the ship they had boarded from the Continent Of Deserts. Master Andrea stood beside them. They all stared at the sea.
"Where are we headed?" Estelle suddenly asked.
"Right now, we're headed to an uninhabited island in the middle of the ocean. However, that is not our destination. It is merely the gateway to our destination" Master Andrea said.
"I see" Jason said.
"Hey, Josec, Harry, Buern, why don't you tell us all about your dream last night?" Estelle asked.
"Sure thing" Harry laughed as Josec, Harry and Buern began to tell Jason, Estelle and Master Andrea about their dream the previous night.
They however left out the details concerning the information Ryu had given them about Master Pheisl's second journey into the Ark and their future encounter with Reis because they still couldn't shake from their minds, the serious expression on Ryu's face as he told them all this.
"How is this uninhabited island a gateway to our destination?" Buern asked curiously.
"Hmm, how do I put it…?" Master Andrea thought deeply. "Oh, I know, why don't you take a look at the map sent to us by the leaders of the Phoenix Village? I think that could serve as the basis of your understanding" Master Andrea said as she removed a sheet of paper from her pocket and showed it to the Students.
"Seven Canons
Seven Masters
Seven Stones
The Seven Canons and Seven Masters
Are One and the same
If this mountain is my home;
Then each have their own
The mountains are separate
But only Geographically
They are tied together
By the same History
But that is not all for there are Seven Stones
What is it that makes these Masters unique?
Seven Canons may be Seven Weapons
But a Canon can also be the realm within which a story occurs
Seven Masters are the Seven Masters of Jo-lan
Across the Seven Canons
Seven Stones are the Seven Virtues
Each Tale and Master personifies.
All the Masters share the same mountain
If you refer to Jo-lan's Common History
However they each have a mountain
If you refer to Jo-lan's Unique History
Personal to the Masters
That is why they are not connected Geographically
But have the same History
The land you seek is not a land;
The land you seek is the aggregation of all Canons
The Book Of Jo-lan is the key
An island in the midst of the Ocean
Is the doorway"
The letter read.
"It just says everything the Masters told us concerning the riddle that describes the Legacy Of Life" Buern said.
"It even contains my observations from Master Fencer's cave" Josec noted.
"Looks like your observations were right then weren't they Jo?" Harry laughed.
"It even contains extra details;
The land you seek is not a land;
The land you seek is the aggregation of all Canons
The Book Of Jo-lan is the key
An island in the midst of the Ocean is the doorway?"
Jason noted.
"What's that supposed to mean Master Andrea?" Estelle asked.
Master Andrea laughed.
"The letter that came with the map said only a Successor Of The Phoenix Clan could read it" Master Andrea said.
"But this map clearly contains the riddle of the Seven Masters Of Jo-lan and you Masters clearly have more knowledge concerning the Legacy Of Life than we do" Buern protested.
"You're right Buern. I think Master Andrea knows what all of this means but I don't think she is going to tell us" Josec said.
"Why not?!" Buern protested.
"Because this is clearly a test for us Buern. That's what you were going to say Josec isn't it?" Harry asked.
Josec nodded.
"I think the Phoenix Clan is currently testing our ability to find their Hidden Village. I cannot tell what the reason behind their test is though" Josec said.
"I suggest you listen closely to the riddle. Everything you've learnt so far is equally important but you should pay close attention to the final part of the riddle" Master Andrea said.
"Hey Josec, Harry, from the final part of the map, we know that the Book Of Jo-lan is the key and an island in the midst of the Ocean is the doorway. Does that mean, the key to the Phoenix Clan's Hidden Village will be revealed once we find the island?" Buern asked.
"If you ask me, something about all of this is off. I think the key to figuring all of this out is to first find out whether or not we actually have a geographical map to this island" Harry suggested.
"And how exactly do we do this?" Jason asked.
"First, we see the Captain of the ship" Harry said.
The five students headed to the Captain's cabin and knocked. He was currently resting so they were allowed in.
"What is it you want?" the Captain asked.
"We'd like to know where we're headed" Harry said.
"Well I'd like to know where you're headed" the Captain said.
"What do you mean?" Buern asked.
"The lady whom you boarded this ship with told us to keep sailing till we found an island that was not on any of our maps" the Captain said.
"W-Wow, that's really Spartan of Master Andrea" Buern said with an impressed look on her face.
"Don't look so impressed Buern. That just means we've been sailing the entire ocean without an actual map to our destination" Harry said.
"The land you seek is not a land;
The land you seek is the aggregation of all Canons
The Book Of Jo-lan is the key
An island in the midst of the Ocean is the doorway…"
Josec mused once they were out of the Captain's Cabin.
"What are you thinking Josec?" Jason asked.
"The Book Of Jo-lan is the key;
Seven Canons may be Seven Weapons
But a Canon can also be the realm within which a story occurs…
"Wait a minute…!" Josec realized and opened his Book Of Jo-lan.
He stared at it in awe. The other students stared at him in concern.
"What is it Josec?" Estelle asked.
"Master Kyem once told me when we were in Master Pheisl's Cave, during my trial under Master Pheisl to master the Eye Of Heart that there are blank pages in the Book Of Jo-lan that fill up with each unique experience" Josec explained.
"Yeah, I know, I've seen those pages" Estelle said.
"Take a look at where we're standing now in your Books Of Jo-lan" Josec said.
The Students took out their Books Of Jo-lan and found what looked like a map. They found themselves standing in an island with countless other people who were going about their business.
"This doesn't make sense. Our current geographical location is aboard a ship in the middle of the ocean" Buern stared in awe and confusion.
"According to this map in the Book Of Jo-lan and its details are always flawless and accurate, we're already in the Phoenix Clan's Village however our current geographical location doesn't tally" Estelle noted.
"The land you seek is not a land. I'm beginning to understand why the Phoenix Clan's Village is called a 'Hidden' Village. It is not a place. It is a reality" Josec noted. "Recall that our first encounter with Jo-lan was actually in the Book Of Jo-lan. I believe we need to journey into the Book Of Jo-lan".
"I see, makes sense. If the Phoenix Clan's Village is actually a reality and not a place, it may be overlapping with our current geographical location within our current reality" Harry noted.
"Well, it looks like you're all ready to depart now" Master Andrea said with a laugh as she approached them.
She took out her Book Of Jo-lan and opened it. The Students focused on their Books Of Jo-lan and eventually they were sucked into its pages. When they opened their eyes, they found themselves on an island. It was a very colourful land rich in vegetation and ornamental plants. There were many dwellings as well and at the centre of the island was what appeared to be a Temple.
"That's our destination" Master Andrea said.