The hippocampus continues to swim faster and faster when there are no obstacles in its way. In the middle of the open ocean, the creature can move freely and agile. Past all the real beauty of the underwater world. But there is something that looks scary when you witness the underwater part that stretches down there.
Kai explains that the ocean is vast and mysterious. Full of all kinds of sea creatures. From beautiful to scary. From the smallest to the biggest. The Mermaid who had confronted them was a creature to watch out for. They are cunning and full of tricks.
But the most frightening thing about this ocean is of course the monsters that are hidden and live under there. No one can touch their world at all. They live to protect the ocean from those who want to destroy its beauty.
But, those monsters also have Masters. So far, Poseidon is their ruler and who can control these monsters?
Hippocampus continues to swim up to meet the incoming bright light that illuminates the surface of the sea. A moment later, the Hippocampus popped its upper body into the air, bounced high, and dropped back into the water. Instantly the bubble protecting the three passengers burst.
Open air began to enter the breathing cavity of Kai and the others. Even though they can breathe in the water, the oxygen they get is not the same as free air.
By this time they had arrived at the port of Agora. The hippocampus swam to shore, carrying its three passengers toward the pier. There were two other Hippocampus relaxing, like a vehicle waiting for its passengers.
Agora Harbor looks like an ancient city. The ancient city with all the amazing things is there. But this port stands on a small island in the shape of a full circle. Where seven entrances connect the magical world of Amalthea with other parts of the world, including Earth.
Shops with ancient building types are lined up around the wharf. Sells various items to wizards and residents of Amalthea.
The activities that took place at the port were very pleasing to the eye. Where shop owners are arranging and clean their shops with the help of magic. The sweeper and the speeder took their respective tasks, moving nimbly to clean the floor and window panes.
Large billboards float in the air where the face of a beautiful woman with a beautiful crown moves to greet, like watching television.
Lights and lanterns floated in the air, changing colors every second, illuminating every shop around the Agora harbor which was dark because of the overcast sky. Signposts are in every aisle, moving every time someone reads the directions.
What those eyes saw was awe-inspiring and seemed impossible, especially to Isla. The girl had been enchanted by witnessing a life that she never thought was real. But now she's stuck in it.
"Impossible," she muttered as she pinched her cheek. Convinced that she wasn't dreaming.
"Watch your way, miss. Don't fall for the spell."
Isla heard the greeting coming from a boy who was now standing beside her. Reached out to help Isla off the Hippocampus's back. Isla is confused as to where this cute, gray-haired boy, wearing a beret and European aristocrats from the 19th century, came from.
"It's me, Miss. Rex. But you can call me Reymond."
Isla's eyes widened, surprised, stunned, and yet unaccustomed. What she had gone through since teleporting to the Kaala Lake was too shocking. And now she sees a magical cat named Rex who has changed his form into a sweet boy named Reymond.
"How could that be?" asked Isla. She took Reymond's tiny hand, which tugged at it carefully.
"This is our advantage, Miss. We can change our form into anything, resembling the figure or object we want."
Once again Isla could only gape. "That's amazing, but I'm not used to this yet. Sorry, I feel like everything here is impossible. This feels like a dream and an imagination."
"It's alright, Miss. You will get used to this scene. Of course, as an ordinary human, you have never witnessed such things on Earth."
"Not really, except in movies of course."
"Ah, I know. The people of Earth are geniuses. They can make masterpieces that almost resemble our world using only a computer. But I'm not surprised, they get the reference directly from the inhabitants themselves."
"You mean?"
"We, Amalthea witches often travel to other parts of the world, one of which is Earth. Usually, we have missions and stay there for a long time. I've heard that our people have helped those who want to find out about magical lands or places from other dimensions. They think it's all fantasy, but to be honest they get information from the inhabitants directly. The point is, you all don't believe we exist. But our existence is always listed in the fairy tale books and movies in your world."
"Well, with that even they can create a better version of the wizarding country's picture."
Kai, who had just descended from Hippocampus' back, chimed in. The man has now changed his appearance. He who was only wearing jeans and a long-sleeved shirt changed into a fairly formal dark dress. Has many attributes in it, but it is not very visible because it is covered in a long purple robe.
What he was wearing made him look like a prince. His red-brown hair was neatly styled. Kai immediately pulled up the hood of his robe, covering his entire head and face so it wouldn't be too visible. He stroked the purple-sheathed sword hanging from his right waist while looking around at the shops around him.
Isla has bewitched again, trying to remember how long ago the man had changed his appearance. Well, he turned out to be quite sweet and handsome.
The girl immediately shook her head and thought about her appearance. Since leaving Nita's house, Isla has only been wearing green pajamas with a cropped pattern. Isla even thought that this different appearance wouldn't stand out too much.
"You guys change looks so quickly, I didn't even get to see how."
"With magic everything is easy," answered Kai.
"Then what about me? Isn't this too flashy?" Isla asked, pointing at her clothes.
Without answering, Kai touched Isla's shoulder with his hand. Like the Fairy Godmother who had just bewitched Cinderella, Isla's pajamas changed slowly into a long green dress with a matching long robe.
The dress wrapped beautifully and fit Isla's body. Making the girl chuckle again in awe and want to see her reflection in the mirror. This was the first time she was wearing a pretty dress, even her hair which she had only tied in a ponytail earlier had turned neatly. Isla felt herself appearing like a princess. Especially when she saw Reymond's fascinated face as if she wanted to say that she was beautiful.
"This magic only lasts for a short time, around two hours at the very least. You can buy some clothes around here, but we don't have time. We have to get to the border bridge soon before Hugo's men find us in this place."
"Have you contacted Miss Hilma?" Rex asked.
Kai nodded. "She'll pick you up at the bridge in an hour. We'd better move now." Kai turned to look at Isla. "Put on your hood and don't separate from Rex. His body odor will cover your own. Because wizards and Guides can detect the presence of anything foreign."
Isla nodded in understanding and immediately put on her hood. Rex, who at that time disguised himself as Reymond, immediately took Isla's hand. The two of them immediately followed Kai who took the lead down the alleys of the shops.
They blend in naturally and don't walk hastily so as not to attract attention. Because Hugo's men might have intercepted them in this port. Moreover, at this time Agora seemed quite lonely than usual. Maybe it's because Amalthea is in a precarious state, so the residents are prohibited from leaving West Amalthea.
While walking, Rex explained many things about Agora. This place is a small island that is divided into seven stops, where not all entrances are the same way.
The hippocampus is the vehicle that connects the Agora with Lake Kaala. Meanwhile, other stops have different ways and vehicles. But all the entrances will meet at this port. It's just that the time and distance are different.
Since then, Isla has been curious about the figures that have crossed paths with her. Likewise, shopkeepers have unique and foreign body shapes.
"The shopkeepers in this harbor are Goblins. One of the races that are permanent residents of Amalthea. There aren't many of them, but you have to be careful dealing with them."
"Why?"
"They are cunning and evil. As shop owners, they can influence you to spend lots of gold and coins. That is our currency. They like gold and things that sparkle. That's why you have to be careful when shopping here. Don't fall poor on return."
Isla glanced inside one of the stores that sold weapons. A small goblin wearing slightly tattered clothing was seen sharpening a knife. The goblin glanced just as Isla passed by his shop. Those sharp and sly eyes made Isla uncomfortable, especially when his gaze seemed to be following her.
Rex again explained that apart from Goblins, Amalthea is inhabited by the Elf race which is the second highest rate after magicians. There are several types of elves, but those closest to magicians are moon elves and star elves. In addition, forest elves live in the interior of the Amalthea forest.
"And the last race to inhabit Amalthea is the Lumis. They are the people of Amalthea who do not have any power. Their lives depend on the protection of the Witches and Elves. Their physical characteristics are almost the same as humans, but their skin is pale white with bright orange hair. You'd be hard-pressed to tell their faces apart. They are very sensitive to the hot sun, that's why Amalthea always has almost cloudy weather every day."
Isla spontaneously looked up at the sky which did look dark. The sun is barely visible, the air is also cold and damp. At that time, Isla saw two male figures with the physical characteristics Rex had just described in a shop.
They were dressed very privately, wearing dark robes and pointed hats of the same color. His appearance is exactly like the wizard described in a fairy tale book. But Rex explains that they are Lumis. Isla could see the two of them looked almost exactly like twins.
When Rex and Isla were engrossed in telling stories, Kai, who was walking in front, suddenly turned into a shop without warning. Rex immediately pulled Isla in following Kai.
"Did you see anything?" asked Rex, realizing something was wrong.
"Someone's been tailing us the whole time. I think they're Hugo's men."
Continued...