STICK!

They each turned around to see a man walking out from under the falls.

Davie was the first to react and drew his weapon. Just as he was about to pull the trigger a fruit coincidentally fell on his head stopping him fast enough for Will to hold the gun.

Will looked at Davie and shook his head.

Will had a much more serious look to him. His eyes seemed sharper and alot more focused. These thoughts and more ran through Davie's head. Will then pointed the gun to the floor and returned to his seat.

When Will was in front of him Davie got closer look and noticed that Will's face was slightly bruised and that although looking alot better than they did on the ship both Belle and Apathy had also sustained some injuries.

Davie was so confused at this moment. He did not know what he missed but it must have been alot. He chose not to ask as they would tell him eventually. He instead focused his attention on the man who was slowly walking along water with a long chest on his shoulders.

Each step seemed to be of no struggle. Davie's vision allowed him to see the man's expression from that far out and it was nothing but a slight smirk. He even winked at Davie at one point.

Reaching the shore he tossed the chest on the soft grass causing a small cloud of dust to form. Will was the first to open his mouth.

" What's that?" Rafael smiled at his question and instead looked towards Davie and asked him.

" What is the brightest fish in the world?"

Davie with an odd expression answered. "Sunfish?"

Rafael nodded. Davie looked to the trio infront of him to figure out what's going on. They all shook their heads and Rafael spoke again.

" Why is a fish easy to weigh?"

Davie looked at the man and wondered if he had some sort of mental contusion. He was acting like an old riddle master. Reluctantly he answered.

" Because they come with scales" Rafael nodded again in approval. Belle however began to question the fairness of this debacle as she was the only one who got one wrong.

'I definitely payed the price' she thought while rubbing her abdomen.

Rafael then turned to will and answered his question.

" A parting gift. As an apology for our scuffle yesterday" Will eyes became skeptical and Rafael again smiled and opened the chest.

Inside the chest was a plentitude of items some looked ancient and exotic others looked old and decrepit but this didn't matter as the bottom layer was lined with golden coins. To be exact Sey gold coins.

Just one of them was equal to 10 Riman Silver. Their eyes glistened. Was all of this really for them??

They were so delighted but they were soon disappointed. But their hopes were again raised as rummaged through the stacks of items and gold and pulled out 4 items.

The first was a stack of old yellow paper which seemed to be stained. The edges were slightly curved and they were all attached together by a gold clip.

The second was a small staff. At the edge of the staff was a hollow metallic groove which looked like an item was needed to complete it. On the side of the staff was the name Tyche.

The third item was pouch filled with some of the gold at the bottom of the chest.

The fourth and final item was a map.

He handed Will the staff called Tyche. Will played around with it. He spun it around and behind his head. Oddly it felt like his trusty weapon, Mr. stick. He liked it.

Will asked Rafael what they groove was for but He shook his head and said he didn't know much. It was apparently broken and missing the headpiece of the spear.

Belle received the paper. She silently wondered how he was able to guess what realm she belonged to but chose not to ask to many questions. However she inwardly rejoiced she was now able to make contracts and maybe even communicate with spirits.

Apathy got the gold and let out a small sigh Davie got a map and did the same.

" You'll need that map it shows a 20km area around this island. I don't know how you guys got on this island but it couldn't have been by natural means. " they each thought back to the nightmarish shadow that lurked below the water.

Seeing their reaction Rafael could obviously imagine it wasn't pleasant but still continued on with his speech.

" Anyway once you get out of this 20km area. You'll end up back into whichever ocean you came from. "

" What do you mean?" Davie asked as he looked at the map and he couldn't make out where he was in the world. The island formation and even some of the landforms didnt make sense. This didnt look or feel like a volcanic island but yet there was a dormant one 3km north of them. The sand even seemed to be made of eroded limestone deposits and shells not volcanic rock. This place was so odd.

Seeing Davies confused Rafael told him about this island. They all listened attentively.

" Ok so you might be wondering how this island works and well this island is situated in a small area in the seas called the convergent ocean . This area is where all the different seas mix and mash into one big oceanic soup. Fish and ocean life from all over the world can be found in the waters surrounding this island making it a marine paradise."

Rafael paused to make sure that they were still focused and understanding Belle and Will looked to be dozing off but Belle's back was straight and regal as if she had practiced this act many times before.

He payed those two no mind as his zeroed in on Davie and Apthy who were still attentivly listening.

" However that is only half of the story. It is only a paradise for the fish and aquatic life. They are free to come and go as they please. But by some odd miracle any ships that get caught in this area where the seas of different density , velocity and direction

mix they are ripped apart and dragged down to the bottom of the ocean."

" So wait. How would we be able to get past that "

Davie questioned with his eyebrows raised. Rafael pointed to a small cove on the map.

"Every few days the tide rises in this little cove. The part of the convergent ocean that tide comes from is at calmest when the tide reaches its peak. It still has enough power to rip apart your ship but your chances of success are more likely. That area is also blessed by the sea witch so that any sailors who make it out safely will end up in whatever ocean they came from because if you got here in the first place you are considered extremely lucky."

They both nodded and Then Davie woke Will and Belle up and told them about the ship and how it was on its side in the cove that Rafael mentioned. He didn't forget to mention how the tide was rising and it may end up being underwater before they're able to flip it.

Rafael listened in on their conversation and interrupted.

" I can help you with your ship. Take me to it. "