After a copious amount of weeping, Siquioce finally managed to calm down enough to lay silently on his bed, making the occasional whimper every now and then. "I…" he moaned, "I…can't…I can't believe this…she's gone. She's really gone…" This thought alone caused his sobbing to start up once more, sending the Samanian's face back into his pillow.
Soon, another one of Siquioce's sisters, Vowahe, who was a tiny bit older than him, swam her way to the side of her brother's room, peeking her yellow head out towards the doorframe. "Hey," she said quietly, "Mommy and Daddy told us all to come to the meeting room."
Siquioce kept his face buried and mumbled, "I don't wanna."
Not having the energy to argue, Vowahe simply said, "Okay. If you change your mind, we'll be waiting for you." With that, the young girl swam away.
Siquioce, after some time, lifted his head up from the cushion, his stubby nose smeared with snot. Wiping his nose with the front of his shirt, Siquioce murmured, "Okay, fine. I'll go…" Lifting himself up lazily from his stone slab, Siquioce slowly kicked his feet to retrieve Mr. Blubs from his suspended position in the room before making his way out of his space, through the halls, and south to the meeting room.
Siquioce encountered the rest of his 14-member family sitting in rows of obsidian sheets, with the chief floating atop a pearl stage at the back of the room; he appeared to be in the middle of a presentation. Not caring enough to find a proper seat, Siquioce instead laid himself down at the side of one of his older brothers, Elio, who was too invested to notice his youngest sibling.
"Indeed," continued Chief Kaqiss, "This is a very unfortunate setback, but we must move on; it is part of the Samanian way. Our dear Ulaka lived a good, impactful life, but now she has been integrated into the everlasting cycle of life. This is the inevitable truth. However, simply because this tragedy occurred does not mean that we cannot go on with our tradition. Rather than Ulaka embarking on the Expedition, our 2nd oldest member, Makun, will go instead."
Makun, from his position in the 3rd slab from the bottom, got up, doing a quick wave to draw attention to himself.
"Yes," said Kaqiss, "This will have to be done. Makun, you are not unprepared for this trip, are you?"
Makun shook his head, "No, father. I have been ready for quite some time."
Giving a quick nod, the chief replied, "Very well, then. We shall begin the ceremony as of tomorrow." He did a quick bow, "You are all dismissed."
While everyone else departed fairly quickly, Siquioce's pace was slow and subdued as he clutched his plush with frustrated hands. His look of sadness turned to one of quiet anger as he ambled back to his room, his movements showing a hint of aggression and disdain.
He eventually got back to his room, where he gently set Mr. Blubs on his bed before furiously stomping the ground with his light-blue foot. "It's not fair! It's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair! Why does he get to go?! He doesn't even deserve it!"
He grabbed a sheet of his math homework, which was written on water-resistant paper, and crumpled it up, chewing on the ball with his sharp teeth, an irate look in his eyes. He growled loudly, unable to find words for just how mad he was. After biting the wad of paper multiple times, Siquioce took it out of his mouth, unfurled it, and tore the sheet in half, yelling angrily as he did so.
With his gills flared out, Siquioce took deep breaths as he recovered from his outburst. Once he calmed down enough, his eyes opened wide in realization; he had just destroyed the assignment that was due tomorrow. "Ohh…" he moaned as he fell onto his bed, feeling even worse than before.
Siquioce continued to feel sorry for himself before deciding that he had enough for the day. With that, the Samanian wrapped himself in his covers and went to bed early.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As Siquioce gradually drifted off to sleep, his shifting movements began to slow as his brain initiated the REM cycle. Soon, the young Samanian began to dream. The boy was whisked off to a glimmering, underwater cave filled with crystals and gems over all sizes, shapes and colors.
As Siquioce admired the sight, Mr. Blubs, who was now a large, genuine walmant, swam up to meet his friend, making a happy, deep, bell-like sound.
Siquioce grinned widely, "Mr. Blubs! It's so good to see you again!" He petted the walmant's shaggy brown fur, "Do you want to explore this cave with me?" Mr. Blubs nodded his head and snorted, prompting Siquioce to swim up to the top of the pinniped and grab onto his back. "Okay, let's go!"
Siquioce enjoyed the glimmering scenery as Mr. Blubs propelled him across the giant crevice. The boy spotted refulgent rubies, sparkling sapphires, and effulgent emeralds.
The two continued on their illuminant adventure until they came across the centerpiece of the whole area: A brilliant, house-sized diamond. Enamored by the magnificent sight, Siquioce let go of Mr. Blubs and swam towards the massive treasure, his eyes sparkling almost as much as the gem. "Wow," he breathed, "Look at this, Mr. Blubs! I've never seen anything like it!"
The walmant steadily swam up to the landmark, looking to also be very interested. As the pinniped approached, Siquioce noticed that his reflection was warped on the giant diamond. Siquioce held his hand over his face and laughed, "You look funny!"
Unaware of what was happening, Mr. Blubs turned to look at his friend, causing his reflection to morph into a thin noodle shape.
Laughing even more, Siquioce said, "Hold on, let me try!" The Samanian raised his hands to the ceiling and did a split, causing his reflection to become like that of a wavy, elongated tower. Greatly amused by this, Siquioce tested out a variety of other moves and poses, each one yielding better results than the last. The boy's face turned red with laughter; he was having the time of his life.
As Siquioce continued experimenting with the properties of light, he noticed a new, white reflection in the diamond. This one was even more distorted than the ones that Siquioce and his friend were able to create. Curious as to who this reflection could belong to, Siquioce turned to the right. However, he discovered something unusual; no one was there.
Confused, Siquioce turned back to the gem, finding that the supposed reflection was still there. Furthermore, the image appeared to be getting…closer. Soon, the wavy figure looked to be touching the barrier between the diamond and the water, pushing forward with its pearl-white hands. Eventually, the entity phased through the gem, bringing Siquioce great shock.
The being gradually stabilized into a more believable, slender, Samanian shape as they turned their face towards the boy, revealing a familiar, soft face. "Hello, Siquioce."
Siquioce reeled back in absolute surprise, "U-U-Ulaka?!"
The pure white figure nodded, "It is I. I look different, don't I?"
Taking a minute to process the whole situation, Siquioce decided to just go with his instincts, swimming towards his sister for a hug. Unfortunately, this attempt only resulted in his body passing through nothing. He looked up with his hands trembling, "You're a…a…"
Ulaka nodded, "Yes. I have become a spirit."
Siquioce looked between his shaking hands and his deceased sister, his eyes glazed over as he mumbled wordlessly.
Before her brother could have a breakdown, Ulaka moved over to him, "Do not fret, dear brother. I am still the same Ulaka that you've always known."
Siquioce looked up and whimpered, "But you're a…a… a ghost!"
Ulaka smiled, "That does not matter. Whether I am living or non-living has no effect on my soul." She moved her robed arms like a tentashock's tendrils and floated her way downwards to meet Siquioce at eye level, giving her sibling a loving look. "Listen," she said, "I know that you're devastated to hear that I've passed, and that's okay! We all have our time, and mine has just arrived."
Looking at his sister with tearful eyes, Siquioce retorted, "B-b-but I, I didn't want that time to be now!"
Ulaka nodded, "Neither did I, Siquioce, neither did I. But the great Tomanil says otherwise; he alone knows when we are to return to him and the Magnificent Blue that we came from. So, while I may not be with you anymore, I need you to stay strong for me, okay?"
Siquioce blubbered, "B-but it's so hard! I don't know how to live without you, Ulaka. Everyone else is too mean!"
Ulaka returned, "Don't say that, Siquioce. It may not seem like it, but your siblings care about you. They're just a little rough, that's all. And besides, even if they were too mean, what would it matter? I know you, Siquioce, ever since you were a little fry, you've been very resilient. Despite your setbacks, you've never given trying to become stronger, so why should that change now? Even if it may be difficult, I just know that you will be able to handle my absence. Do you believe that, dear brother?"
Siquioce looked into his sister's green, caring eyes, being calmed by her trustworthy aura. "I…I do." He wiped his face, feeling somewhat better about his loss.
Ulaka smiled, "That is good to hear." Her white gown started to billow out as she ascended into the air, "It is time for me to go. Tomanil is calling me."
Seeing that his sister was on his way out, Siquioce reached out his hands and called, "Wait! Can't you stay for a little bit longer? Please?"
Ulaka's dress stopped moving as she tapped her chin, "Hmm…I do not see why not. Tomanil can wait a few extra seconds." She smiled, "Why don't we make our last moment extra special? Let's sing that song we made together."
Siquioce's face lit up as he smiled widely; this was his favorite pastime. "Yeah!" he cheered, "Let's do it!"
Ulaka laughed, "Okay. Are you ready? On one…two…three!"
When the moon's light shines down,
And still dark is the deep, blue sea,
Never fear, fret, or frown,
Because you know that you've got me.
Together our light shines as bright
As a gem-spotted lampeel.
No creature, no matter their might
Can bring us down, that is real.
So ends this song, but not our journey;
Our story goes on forever, so do not worry.
We will be great, that's the final say,
So we can sing this good song another day.
Siquioce beamed with joy, his eyes closed in deep satisfaction.
Glad to see her brother at peace, Ulaka said, "That was pleasant. I am happy that this is how we ended things." She again started to rise, "Goodbye, Siquioce! And goodbye, Mr. Blubs! It was a pleasure to see you in your true form."
Both the pinniped and Siquioce waved their extensions enthusiastically. "Goodbye!" called the latter, "I'll miss you!"
Ulaka smiled, "I'll miss you, too. Oh, and one more thing: wish Makun good tidings for me, okay?"
Siquioce frowned, "Really? But I don't like him…"
Ulaka put her hands on her hips, "Come now, don't be like that. He's your brother, so show him some respect." She approached the top of the cave, "Be sure to pray for his safety, okay, Siquioce? I don't want him getting eaten by a megafin, too…"
Siquioce's eyes widened, "Wait, what do you mean, 'too'? Ulaka?!" Alas, she was already gone.
Following her departure, the crystals of the cave started to dim out one by one. Siquioce felt the water around him start to rumble as the walls of the crevice shook violently. Dull gems fell all around him, landing on the ground below. Eventually, one rock fell on his head, snapping him back to reality.