Kellan
The sun hangs high, scorching my flesh like a huge element in the sky. Zion, my golden
retriever, stands at the bo with his tail wagging wildly with excitement.
"Easy boy," I call out, adjusting the sails for a much-needed rest. "We'll explore soon
enough."
The ocean stretches endlessly in front of us like a majestically glittering blue drape, yet
the lushness of an island on the horizon steals my attention. How have I never seen this
before? I'm here almost every weekend.
Zion can barely contain himself, sprinting up and down the boat. "It calls to me too, boy.
Just give it a few minutes."
My attempts to reassure him that he will be delivered to the place of adventure fail
miserably as he grows more anxious. Out of nowhere, he barks more excitedly than
before, and before I can even react, he leaps off the boat and into the water.
Panic sweeps over me as I rush to the edge to scan the waters for my beloved boy.
"Zion! Zion!"
The sound of my heart pounding drowns out all the surrounding sounds, like a horror
scene from a movie, and I can no longer tell if the boat is on or off.
I don't care; I have no choice.
I dive in to get a better look, and the crisp water shocks my system into hyper-alertness
as I continue my frantic search. Minutes feel like hours as I call out, my throat scratching
and my voice cracking; even so, there's no response.
He can't just have vanished. "Fuck!" I say, pulling myself back onto the boat.
My chest heaves as I struggle to catch my breath. Refusing to give up on my rescue
dog, I head toward the island, hoping against hope that he made it to shore. The
island's beauty is even more marvellous up close, with vibrant flowers scattered across
the landscape and the hypnotic scent of exotic blooms filling the air.
My feet sink into the velvet sand as I make my way inland, still calling out for Zion. The
dense forest seems to swallow the echoes of my voice instantly. As I push my way
through the thick undergrowth, a sudden rustling stops me in my tracks. Frozen, I
inspect the greenery, fearing the worst.
What the heck is that? A breathtaking creature emerges from the foliage; her presence
is both ethereal and commanding. She has delicate wings that shimmer like a thousand
tiny mirrors, reflecting the speckled sunlight filtering through the trees. Her striking white
hair cascades like waves down her slender back. In a second, her icy blue eyes lock
onto mine with an intensity that momentarily knocks my breath away. She cradles Zion
in her arms.
"You—found him," I say, stuttering. "Thank you."
"Your friend is safe," she says with a smile that lights up the forest. "He is quite the
adventurer."
Reaching out to take an overjoyed Zion, I continue, "I don't know how to thank you." My
eyes never leaving hers. "I'm Kellan. Who are you?"
She folds her wings gracefully behind her and introduces herself. "My name is Adri."
Her beauty compels me to stare, but fearing I might scare her off, I quickly look the
other way. I had heard legends of the mythical beings that roam the waters near the
coast of Brazil but never imagined meeting one.
"It's an honor to meet you, Adri. I've never seen anyone like you before."
Her eyes sparkle with amusement, and her lips curl into a smile. "Few have. Our kind
prefer to remain hidden from the world of men."
My curiosity is piqued. How many more like her are there? Are they dangerous? Get a
grip, Kellan; just look at her; of course she's harmless.
"May I ask what exactly 'your kind' is?"
Her melodious chuckles resonate in the air. "I am of the Zephyrs, a race bound to both
sea and sky."
Walking together, with Zion trotting happily beside us, I continue my inquest, eager to
learn more about her and her mysterious race. She speaks of their adaptability to both
the sea and sky, of their secluded lives, and of the balance they maintain between their
dual natures.
"So, you live in the ocean and in the sky?" I ask, trying to wrap my head around it.
Nodding, she continues, "Well, we draw our strength from the ocean, which is why most
Zephyrs choose to reside under water, but since we are connected to both realms, there
are those who prefer the skies. The nomads of our kind, one could say."
"Sounds amazing," I blurt out as I glance at her wings. "Must be something—flying and
swimming like that. I can't even imagine the magnificent places you've seen."
Her head drops for a moment, and a hint of sadness appears on her face. Brushing it
off, she asks softly, "But tell me about you, Kellan. What brings you here?"
Shrugging as I try to find the right words, I reply, "I grew up in the slums of a place
nearby, Piaui. I'm the product of a one-night stand my mom had with an English
traveler, and here I am, see? Nothing special."
Slightly perplexed, she responds. "I have no idea what is meant by 'one-night stand,' but
you have a wanderer's spirit, and that's something to be proud of."
I have always dreamed of exploring and finding something more in life; perhaps I've
finally found it.
Noticing my mind wander, she gently touches my hand, her eyes fixed on mine. The
sun climbs higher as we continue chatting away about anything and everything. She
listens intently to my stories, and I listen in amazement to hers. Her stories leave me
fascinated, and the existence of the Zephyrs sparks a curiosity within me like never
before.
She tells me of a place deep in the ocean where no creatures but the Zephyrs dare to
dwell, protected by a three-headed snake-like beast that is commanded by the Zephyr
kingdom.
"But why stay hidden?" I ask, genuinely curious.
"It's safer," she explains. "Humans can be...unpredictable. Our way of life is fragile."
I nod, understanding. "Yeah, humans can be a mess. But we're not all bad, see?"
She smiles warmly. "I believe that. It's why I revealed myself to you. It's not every day
that I get to witness a human stop at nothing in such a remote and unfamiliar place to
rescue his furry friend."
The day wears on, and I find myself captivated not just by her beauty but also by her
wisdom and gentle strength. There is an undeniable chemistry between us, a
connection that feels both ancient and new.
The sun has started setting, casting the island in hues of orange and pink. I have found
something truly extraordinary. As I look over at Adri, her silhouette framed by the dying
light, I feel a pull I can't contest.
"Will I see you again?" I ask, hopefully.
She smiles, her wings unfurling slightly. "Perhaps. The ides and winds are ever-
changing, Kellan. For now, farewell."
She takes a step back, and with a powerful beat of her wings, she soars into the sky,
then plunges into the depths, leaving me standing on the shore. My heart races with the
promise of new adventures and the memory of a day unlike any other. I turn to Zion,
who looks up at me with giant, trusting eyes.
"Looks like we found something special, huh, boy?"
He wags his tail excitedly and barks in agreement. "We'll be back," I say, stroking his
fur, and finally set sail back home.
My thoughts are consumed with Adri and the adventures that lie ahead.