Hope a world divided, p.9
Hope--A World Divided, page 9
"Don't think like that," Zale said, trying to be positive. "Toru is a strong swimmer. He can take care of himself."
But despite their reassurances, the five of them couldn't shake the feeling of worry that hung over them like a cloud. They continued their search for Toru, determined to bring him back home safe and sound.
"We need to keep searching," Nixie said, "We can't give up until we find him."
Roka was at the front of the search, using her navigational skills to push them forward in their hunt for Toru.
As they swam deeper and further out, they stumbled across a cave system they had never seen before. It looked mysterious, dark and a little creepy. The entrance was covered in markings that could only have been made by a massive creature, and they wondered what sort of creature could have made them.
They were cared of what could be within the cave system but determined to find Toru, so the group swam inside the caves. They explored the twisting, narrow tunnels trying their hardest to remember the route they had taken so they wouldn’t become lost inside. After several twist and turns through the narrow cave system they stumbled upon what looked like an air pocket. They approached with caution readying themselves for the worst. They slowly emerged from the water. Roka could not believe her eyes. Inside, they found Toru huddled up in a ball.
"Toru!" Roka cried, relief flooding over her. "We found you!"
Toru looked up at them, a weak smile on his face. "I'm so glad you found me," he said, his voice shaking and tears rolling down his face. The group embraced each other for a moment until Triton interrupted the moment. “We need to make our way back, it is dark and we don’t know if we are alone in these caves.”
As they swam back to Postis, they talked about the mysterious caves they had found. They were amazed by the intricate markings and couldn't help but wonder what kind of creature could have created them.
"Who or what lives in those caves," Triton said.
The group shuddered at the thought in silence. They then returned to Postis, grateful to have found Toru safe and sound. They knew that there were still many mysteries to uncover in the ocean, but for now, they were just happy to be reunited with their friend.
Chapter 38
Gobulir's Adventure
Gobulir was in deep thought as he sat with his friends, Ash and Kalt, discussing their next move. They needed to acquire the rare gems from the Aquanauts and Gobulir had a plan.
"We need to sneak into Sadeck's workshop and take the heat proof clothing and underwater gear," Gobulir declared. "We'll use that to venture through the desert and in the ocean."
"That's risky," Ash warned. "Sadeck will notice if his gear is missing."
"Not if we're careful," Gobulir replied confidently. "We'll leave no traces."
Kalt beamed in agreement, eager for the adventure. "I'm in, let's do it."
Later that night, Gobulir sneaked into Sadeck's workshop and gathered the gear as planned. He quickly returned to the small group that were waiting for him in anticipation.
"We're all set," Gobulir whispered as he handed out the gear. "Let's go."
Gobulir, Ash, and Kalt made their way through the scorching hot desert, their eyes fixed on the distant horizon where they could just make out the glimmer of the ocean. Their journey had been a long one, filled with danger and uncertainty, but they were determined to reach their goal and claim the gems from the Aquanauts.
As they trudged through the sand, the three friends chatted about their mission and the obstacles they might face along the way. Gobulir, the boldest of the three, was confident that they would succeed. "We've come this far," he said, "We can make it the rest of the way."
Ash, ever the sceptic, wasn't so sure. "What if the Aquanauts have already claimed the gems?" she asked.
Kalt, the quietest of the group, simply shrugged and replied, "Then we'll find another way to get what we want."
The three friends continued on, the hot sun beating down on their backs. They took turns carrying the heavy gear and supplies, pausing every so often to take a drink from their water skins.
As they approached the ocean, the scenery changed from barren desert to beautiful blue waters. The air grew cooler and the sound of crashing waves filled their ears. They quickened their pace, eager to finally reach the ocean and begin their search for the gems.
Upon reaching the shore, they stood in awe at the vast expanse of water stretching out before them. Gobulir turned to his friends and said, "We are half way there! Half way to getting those gems."
Ash and Kalt smiled in agreement, and the three friends put on their underwater equipment on and stepped into the water, ready to begin their search. They were filled with excitement and determination, knowing that their journey was far from over, but that the reward would be worth it in the end.
Gobulir stood at the edge of the water, the waves lapping at his feet. He gazed out at the endless expanse of blue, memories of his last journey here flooding his mind. He had been attacked from behind when he was deep at the bottom of the ocean and he didn't want the same fate to befall his friends.
He turned to Ash and Kalt, who were eagerly waiting to dive in. Gobulir took a deep breath and spoke in a serious tone, "Be careful, this is where I was attacked last time. Be vigilant and stay close."
Ash looked at Gobulir with concern, "What happened again?"
"I encountered a group of sea monsters that were unlike anything in existence. I barely escaped with my life." Gobulir replied exaggerating, his voice still haunted by the experience.
Kalt looked sceptical, "Are you sure it's safe for us to go in?"
Gobulir nodded firmly, "We have to. We need those gems. We'll be fine as long as we stick together and watch each other's backs."
Ash and Kalt exchanged a look, and then signalled their agreement. They knew the importance of their mission and they were willing to face any danger to complete it.
"Let's do this," Ash said, determination in his voice.
The three friends splashed into the water, their gear making them feel heavy. Gobulir led the way, his eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of danger. They swam deeper into the ocean, the water growing colder and darker.
"Stay alert," Gobulir warned, his voice echoing through the water. "We don't know what's down here."
Ash and Kalt scanning too, their hearts beating fast with anticipation and fear. They continued to swim, each of them keeping a watchful eye out for any threats. They didn't know what dangers lay ahead, but they were determined to see their mission through to the end.
Gobulir led Ash and Kalt through the dark waters of the ocean. He knew this area well, as it was where he had encountered a dangerous creature during his previous trip. He cautiously made his way towards the large coral formations that rose up from the ocean floor.
"That's it! That's where I saw the gems," Gobulir exclaimed, pointing to a group of rocks.
Ash and Kalt followed his gaze and saw various gems glistening in the sunlight that filtered down through the water. They marvelled at the beauty of the gems and the way they seemed to glow in the ocean's light.
"Gobulir, I've never seen anything like this before," Kalt said in amazement.
"Me neither," Ash added.
Gobulir smiled, happy to have shared this wondrous sight with his friends. "We need to be careful though. This area is known to be inhabited by the Aquanauts that guard the gems," he warned.
"What do we do?" asked Kalt.
"We'll have to be quick and quiet," Gobulir replied. "We can collect as many gems as we can carry, but we have to be mindful of our surroundings at all times."
The three friends made their way towards the rocks, their eyes fixed on the glistening gems. They picked their way through the coral, disturbing all of the fish that lived among the rocks.
"Look! Over there!" Ash pointed to a large cave that was hidden behind the rocks.
"That's where the gems must be coming from," Gobulir said, excitement in his voice.
The three of them approached the cave, their hearts racing with excitement. They peered inside and saw a large chamber filled with glittering gems of all shapes and sizes.
"We did it! We found the gems!" Gobulir shouted, a wide smile spreading across his face.
"We're rich!" Ash exclaimed, grabbing as many gems as he could carry.
"But we have to be careful," Kalt warned. "We don't want to anger the Aquanauts that live here."
The three friends quickly gathered as many gems as they could carry, carefully making their way back to the surface. They emerged from the water, grinning from ear to ear, their bags filled with the valuable gems.
"Let's go back to Cravmod and show everyone our haul," Gobulir said, starting to lead the group back.
Ash and Kalt followed, their hearts filled with excitement at the thought of all the riches that lay ahead of them. They had successfully found the gems, and now, their future was filled with endless possibilities.
They were suddenly interrupted by the Aquanaut Naia.
"What are you doing here?" Naia demanded, swimming over to them.
"We're here for the gems," Gobulir answered, pushing Naia out of the way.
"You can't just take what's not yours!" Naia yelled, trying to grab Gobulir.
As Naia lunged forward trying to grab Gobulir, Gobulir pushed forward and pushed her backwards. Naia fell and hit her head on the solid rock behind her.
"Go, go, go!" Gobulir shouted to Ash and Kalt, and the three of them quickly swam away, leaving Naia behind.
"She's injured, we need to help her," Ash said, looking back at Naia who was struggling to make it back out of the waters.
"We can't risk getting caught," Gobulir replied, his voice firm. "We need to get out of here and get these gems back to Cravmod. We've come too far to turn back now."
Kalt did not disapprove, and the three of them continued to swim away, leaving Naia behind. They were focused on their mission.
As they swam back to the surface, they could hear Naia shouting for help, but they ignored it and continued on their way.
Ash and Kalt, their faces showing their excitement. They had achieved what they set out to do, and they were proud of themselves. But as they looked at each other, they couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for leaving Naia behind.
Chapter 39
The Hard Reality
Alberad, the leader of the Elvians, was sitting in Earnoche’s main hall deep in thought. The recent events with the Wyvinites and their failed negotiation with Nozos weighed heavily on his mind. He was joined by Bari, Cutter and Alvin. They had gathered to discuss the situation at hand.
"We cannot defend against Kraken on our own," Alberad stated sombrely. "We need the strength of the Wyvinites."
Bari nodded with verification. "I saw it in my vision. We will need their help to defeat anything that comes our way."
Cutter looked down, disappointment etched on his face. "But I thought our offer of wood would be enough. Why did Nozos ask for so much?"
Alvin sighed. "Nozos's people have been through a lot. They need to fortify their land and they see our offer of wood as valuable. I can understand where he's coming from."
Alberad leaned back in his chair. "Unfortunately, if we accept the offer we don’t know how long we stand by that offer!"
The group fell into a heavy silence, each lost in their own thoughts. They knew that the road ahead would be a difficult one, but they also knew that they couldn't give up. They needed to find a way to protect their land and their people from the wrath of Kraken.
"We have to accept Nozos's offer," Alberad said finally after a minute of thought and silence. "We cannot defend against Kraken on our own. We need their strength."
Bari, Cutter, and Alvin showed agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation. They all knew that this was their only option, but it wouldn't be an easy one. They would need to find a way to get the wood to Nozos.
"We will do what we must to protect our land and our people," Alberad declared resolutely. "We will find the way."
The group stood, ready to face the challenges ahead and work towards a solution that would ensure the safety of their people. They knew it wouldn't be easy, but they were determined to do what was necessary to protect their home.
Alberad continued his conversation with Bari, Cutter and Alvin, discussing the best way to transport the wood to Wyvinite. "I don't think our arms and backs would be able to handle such a heavy load, all that way!" Alberad said, stroking his beard.
"Agreed," Cutter chimed in. "We'll need to find a way to transport it over the river and through the forest."
Just then, Bari jolted back in her seat, her eyes going wild. She was in a trance, and the others watched as she muttered to herself.
"What's happening to her?" Alvin asked, concerned.
"She's having a vision," Alberad replied, his voice hushed.
A few moments later, Bari's eyes cleared, and she took a deep breath. "I've seen it," she said, her voice shaking. "We need to take a boat to transport the wood to Wyvinite."
"A boat?" Cutter asked, surprised. "But we've never sailed before. How would we know how to do it?"
"I don't know," Bari replied, still a bit shaken. "But that's what I saw in my vision. We must take a boat."
Alberad stood up, his expression serious. "Then we must start preparing. We'll need to find a way to get our hands on a boat and make sure it's seaworthy."
"And we'll need a crew to man it," Alvin added.
"I'll start making inquiries," Cutter said, already heading for the door. "We'll make this work, no matter what."
"Agreed," Alberad said, determination in his voice. "We must succeed in our mission, for the good of our people."
They continued to discuss their plans, the uncertainty of the journey ahead hanging in the air. But they were determined to make it work, for the sake of their land and their people.
Cutter was now on a mission. He was now marching around Earnoche. He had been asking everyone in sight about a boat but no one seemed to have one or even know where to find one. The idea of transporting the wood to Wyvinite by sea was their only option, but they needed a vessel to make it happen.
As he walked through the village, still determined, he approached Elegast, a seasoned woodworker. Cutter asked him “Do you have any ideas on where we could find a boat?”
"I've been working on a small, handcrafted Teak boat," Elegast replied. "It's not much, but it should be seaworthy."
Cutter's eyes lit up. "Can I take a look at it?"
Elegast led Cutter to the outskirts of the village where he had been working on the boat. It was a small but sturdy vessel, perfect for the task at hand. Cutter ran his hand along the smooth, polished wood and admired Elegast's handiwork.
"This is exactly what we need," Cutter said, looking at Elegast with appreciation. "What do you need from us to get it out to the river?"
"Just a few supplies and a few strong hands to help me move it," Elegast replied.
Cutter grinned, grateful for Elegast's help. "I'll gather the supplies and find some volunteers to help us. We'll have this boat ready and on the river in no time."
Elegast smiled, “happy to be of assistance.” He said.
Cutter thanked Elegast and set off to gather the necessary supplies and volunteers. With Elegast's boat, they now had a way to transport the wood to Wyvinite. The task ahead of them was still daunting, but with each step forward, they were one step closer to their goal.
Cutter was filled with excitement as he ran as fast as he could to find Alberad, Bari, and Alvin. He knew he had to tell them about the small boat Elegast had made by hand. The news could be the solution to their problem of how to transport the wood to Wyvinite.
"Alberad, Bari, Alvin!" Cutter called out, panting from his run. "I have some good news!"
Alberad turned to Cutter, a look of hope in his eyes. "What good news?"
"Elegast has a small boat!" Cutter exclaimed. "He's been working on it for some time now. It's a handcrafted wooden boat and it's ready for us to use."
Bari's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's amazing news, Cutter! It's exactly what we needed."
Alberad agreed, a determined look in his eyes. "We'll leave right away. We don't have any time to waste."
Cutter smiled, relieved that his discovery had been met with such enthusiasm. "Elegast is waiting for us in his workshop at the edge of Earnoche. We can go see it now."
Alberad turned to Bari and Alvin. "Let's gather Keijo, Albwin and what we need and head down there. The sooner we leave, the better."
Cutter interrupted “The boat is small and we only have a small amount of space to transport the wood, I think it will only hold four of us.”
Alberad sighed, knowing that the larger number of them the safer they would be. “Why must there always be obstacles!” He said with frustration. “We must leave now, us four. Let’s go.”
As they made their way there, Cutter couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. He had found the solution to their problem, and he had done it by listening and searching for answers. When they arrived, Elegast was waiting for them with the small wooden boat.
"It's not the biggest boat," Elegast said as they approached, "but it's sturdy and seaworthy. It should be able to transport the wood to Wyvinite without any issues."
Alberad, looking impressed. "It's perfect, Elegast. Thank you for your hard work."
Elegast smiled, happy to have been able to help. "I'm glad I could be of assistance. Let's get ready to set sail."
Alberad looked at Elegast, with sorrow “You’re not coming with us, there is not enough room and we have already been to Wyvinite, I’m not risking you on this journey.”
Elegast devastated at this news but trying to play it off, stepped backed waving his hand in the air “no worries Sir I will see you all soon.”
