Chapter Forty

The island 

"Are you all seeing this?" I inquired, the sheer awe evident in my voice. In a harmonious chorus, they responded in unison, each voice resonating with disbelief and delight. "This is beyond anything I could have imagined. I've never laid eyes on a beach so enchanting."

At the water's edge, where the sea met the shore, a breathtaking display unfolded. The crystalline waves caught the moonlight and refracted it into a symphony of colors, a celestial dance of pinks and peaches that painted the coastline with an ethereal glow. Beneath the surface, mysterious lights shimmered, creating an otherworldly spectacle within the depths of the sea.

On the sandy expanse, a meticulously orchestrated arrangement of colors awaited our discovery. It was a natural masterpiece, as if an artist's palette had been spilled onto the beach. Sequences of yellow, green, blue, and purple glistened like sequins scattered with deliberate artistry along the shoreline, leading us further into this mesmerizing dreamscape.

And the treasures didn't stop at the water's edge. Strewn across the sand were seashells and stones, each a unique testament to nature's craftsmanship. Some appeared as if crafted from crystal or glass, refracting the moonlight into dazzling patterns that seemed almost celestial.

Unable to resist the allure, we descended upon this magical beach, our senses heightened by the sheer beauty surrounding us. Kneeling down, we collected every type of stone, each one a gem in its own right, filling our bags with the kaleidoscopic treasures bestowed upon this extraordinary stretch of coast.

As the night sky embraced the spectacle, casting its celestial tapestry overhead, our hands and bags became vessels of wonder, holding the brilliance of the beach's treasures. The air was charged with an unspoken understanding—the rarity of such beauty demanded reverence, and we, in our silent communion with nature's artistry, became humble custodians of this ethereal sanctuary.

As I continued gathering stones, I caught sight of Grandpa methodically gathering sticks, the fading sunlight casting a warm glow on his weathered features. Drawn by an unspoken curiosity, I approached, the crackling anticipation of a forthcoming fire permeating the air. A momentary pause in his task revealed a contemplative expression etched across his face as he gazed into the depths of the woodland expanse.

"I sense an unsettling aura about that forest," he uttered, his voice a whisper that seemed to harmonize with the rustling leaves. "But our path must thread through its enigmatic corridors if we are to discover a haven akin to the village you and your kin have built. The safety of my grandchildren compels me forward."

In that hushed moment, the forest seemed not merely as a collection of trees but as a sentient entity, its ancient whispers urging caution and respect. Grandpa's words carried a weight that transcended the immediate journey—they encapsulated a lifetime's worth of wisdom and an unwavering commitment to kinship.

"I agree. But let's rest here for tonight," I suggested, the weight of our journey urging us to seek refuge near the forest to get enough rest. A fire flickered to life, its flames dancing with newfound purpose as we settled into a makeshift camp. Yuweh, the bearer of a unique power, had proven himself capable of weaving barriers and shields using his nova force.

Inspired by the elemental dance around us, I approached Yuweh with a new challenge. "Craft two shields for us, but this time, shape it like two bottles connected with a long tubing," I requested. Without hesitation, he materialized a translucent barrier in the form of a bottle. My vision expanded as I envisioned a series of interconnected bottles, each a conduit for an intricate dance of elements.

"Good good, connect the tube now," I instructed, outlining a plan that transcended the limits of our immediate needs. Yuweh, though initially puzzled, channeled his powers to forge the interconnected bottles, their design defying the conventional bounds of the forest.

With the translucent bottles before us connected with the translucent tube, we filled one with saltwater sourced from the sea. Positioned near the fire, it became the crucible for an alchemical transformation. As the flames licked the air, the water within the bottle began its metamorphosis into steam, rising like ethereal tendrils through the connecting tube.

Laylah, her curiosity piqued, questioned our endeavor. "What are you doing?" she asked, her eyes reflecting the dancing firelight.

"You'll see," I replied, a mysterious smile playing on my lips.

Turning to Yuweh, I inquired about the sustainability of our creation. "How long can you keep this up?" I questioned, aware that the success of our venture depended on his focus.

"It's manageable. I can sustain it for a while as long as I stay focused and have enough energy," he assured.

To expedite the process, I enlisted Grandpa's assistance. "Grandpa, transfer some of my nova force to Yuweh. Let's give him as much nova force as possible" I directed. Grandpa, with a knowing nod, facilitated the transfer, infusing Yuweh with renewed energy.

As minutes ticked by, the night sky bearing witness to our unconventional alchemy, the filled barrier bottle emerged as a vessel of promise. Pouring the water into stone cups, and tasting it, we marveled at the outcome of our collaborative effort.

Durato, ever pragmatic, questioned the method. "Why didn't you have him create a single bottle with tubing and then heat the stone bottle?" he inquired.

"To be honest, I might be clever, but I'm not the smartest," I confessed, a self-deprecating grin accompanying my words.

"He would have used less energy to maintain just one bottle and the tube." said Durato.

"Well, that's true indeed. Can we repeat the process?" I proposed to Yuweh after I replied to Durato, eager to harness the forest's energies once more.

"Not yet. Let me rest first; it's quite taxing," Yuweh replied, his fatigue a testament to the extraordinary feats his abilities could achieve. As we settled into a night of rest, the forest cradled our inventive endeavor, a testament to the resilience that flourished in the heart of collaboration and the extraordinary potential harbored within our midst.

We all took sips from the cups once more and ate some more fish.

Later in the night, I saw Durato and the old guy staring into the forest. I walked over to them. They were worried. Durato couldn't sense any energy from the forest and said it had a mysterious but scary vibe. But we had to go through it the next day.

"Are you seeing anything with those eyes of yours Rome?" asked Durato.

"It's feint but I can see all different types of colors floating about wildly. The energy in this forest might just be very powerful." I replied.

"I have a very bad feeling about it." said Durato.

"Yea, both grandpa and I share the same sentiment." I replied

The long-awaited day arrived for our venture into the mysterious forest. As we prepared, our belongings amounted to little more than a sword and plant-based bags—one filled with precious stones and a few bottles. Grandpa took the lead, stepping into the forest's depths. As he advanced, an odd occurrence unfolded—he vanished into thin air. Panic seized the others, and without hesitation, they sprinted after him. My instincts kicked in, propelling me forward in pursuit.