The Sea by CARLA VENICE PEÑA by EIC Training PHL

THE SEA CARLA VENICE PEÃ&#x2018;A

NWP L I T E 1

NWP LITE: An Imprint of the Neo-Writers Project PHL Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines 4217 https://neowritersphl.wordpress.com https://eictrainingconsultancy.com The Sea Taken from Girl Meets Ghost and Other Stories Copyright 2018 © Carla Venice Peña Edited by Carlo Venson B Peña

All rights reserved. No part of this compilation may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner or EIC Training & Consultancy Services.

ePublished in the Philippines Layout & Design by Carlo Venson Peña

THE SEA

s the sea breeze blew, the water splashed on her feet, and the golden sunset reflecting on the sea was sinking deeper into the afternoon sky. Marina Suarez stared at the bright blue waters of Taal lake. She was an attractive, young teenager with smooth curly dark brown cloudlike hair that turned an auburn shade when light hit it. She had a deep set of hazel eyes that glinted under the moonlight, and beautiful brown skin that was tanned from the time she spent by the lake of Taal volcano. Although she was born like this, she hated being the centre of attention as much as she loved the sea. She had only made one friend in her whole 17 years of life: Jane Sanchez. She had met Jane eight years ago. It was that time when Marina’s father was still in contact with the family. Marina had been playing outside, supervised by her mother, when Jane–her then new neighbour–went out with her parents to try to make friends. Marina was not shy then. She had a perfectly happy life. Marina went up to Jane to ask if she wanted to play. Jane happily accepted and the girls chatted till dinner. Since then, they were always together. Marina had other friends too, but they left her when Marina’s father disappeared. Marina decided to go home. It was getting late and her mother must have been looking for her by now. As she passed by the familiar scents of

the street overpowered her, especially the floury, fresh-bread aroma from the bakery that she and her father used to buy pastries from. She used to love that bakery; she even knew who the staff were. But when her father disappeared without a trace, she had never stepped into that bakery again. It felt too painful for her, like a hand was squeezing her already damaged heart. As Marina was turning around the corner, she saw Judie Suarez, her mother–who was like the older version of Marina–waiting by the door of their small yet cozy two-storey house.The house was mostly white, with little waves of different hues of blue lining the bottom of the outside walls. “Hi Mom,” Marina said with her usual tone, which hinted only a glimpse of her sadness. “I made you your favourite soup–tinola!” her mother exclaimed. “Mmmm…. I am hungry…” Marina replied to her mother, laughing. After dinner, she excused herself from her mother, and went straight to her room. Some strings that bore her favourite memories hung by the ocean blue walls that were decorated with hand-drawn dolphins and other sea creatures. She stared at one of the pictures that showed her family on a yacht in one of their family outings. Mum looked so happy… And dad, he looked goofy, with his black curly hair and weird flower tee shirt that matched his shorts. She missed him, her father. She then found herself thinking about him, and the day he disappeared.

IT WAS A bright sunny day on the harbour. The sun was extremely hot, and twelve year-old Marina and her mother waited for her father’s boat to arrive. They had not seen Marlin Suarez in months. Marlin, Marina’s father was a marine biologist who specialised in octopuses, and took trips to explore their natural habitat. As they waited, one of Marlin’s friends called out to Marina’s mother. “Judie!” he called. “I have some news about Marlin!” Judie, who was holding Marina’s hand, rushed towards him gripping

Marina’s hand even tighter. Marina who was getting less, and less excited and getting more and more impatient, tugged on her mother’s shirt. ”Mom, where is dad’s boat?” she asked her. “Not now, honey,” her mother replied sternly, not even looking at her. Now, Marina was a sensible child so she waited for her mother to stop talking before she asked any other question. When Marina’s mom stopped talking, she turned to her daughter. “Marina,” her mother started. She was paler than usual, Marina observed. “You’re father’s boat got lost in a zone that he was not supposed to be.” Her voice was shaking, Marina tried to look like she was not gonna cry. “So...” she whispered softly. “They can’t find him.”

MARINA WOKE UP as she always did, with her long brown locks tangled up, and the usual morning breeze blew through her bedroom window. As she brushed out the tangles, Marina looked into the mirror. Find me… the wind whispered. “It must be my imagination,” she told herself. After eating breakfast and taking a bath, Marina ran out the door shouting a goodbye to her mother, who was also getting ready for her job as a nurse in the local district hospital. RING! RING! RING! The bell sounded for the beginning of classes. “Excuse me, pardon me,” Marina said as she pushed through the crowds. They ignored her though. Like always, she said to herself. She finally made it to her English class where Ms Gwen, her favourite teacher, was already beginning to discuss. Soon after, as the lunch bell rang, all the students ran to the canteen. “Jane!” Marina called, as she spotted Jane within the crowd. “Hey, Marina,” Jane said spotting her. Jane was a teenager who had straight jet black hair that was silky and straight, black eyes that seemed to glint when she smiled, and beautiful dark brown skin that was a shade

lighter than Marina’s. As she and Marina finished their lunch, they sat on the bench, where the usually did. “Hey, it’s the girl who loves water!” one of the girls snarled at Marina. “Well, why don’t we give her some?” another girl said, drenching Marina with ice cold water. “I wish you would stop doing that,” Marina said quietly, trying to hide her tears. “Leave her alone!” Jane shouted as she pulled Marina to the side. Find me… the wind whispered again. “When are you going to tell your mom?” Jane said. “I won’t,” Marina replied. “I’m running away.” When the final bell rang signaling the end of the day, Marina rushed outside with Jane, who was trying to keep up. Find me… Again and again. You can’t just leave,” she said. “Your mom would be heartbroken.” “I’ll send her messages,” Marina replied stubbornly. “You won’t have supplies.” “I’ll buy them.” By this time they were at Marina’s house, in her bedroom. She was packing. “I’ll come with,” Jane said. “You don’t have to,” Marina answered quietly, though she truly wanted Jane to come. “I will.”

THAT NIGHT, THEY decided to leave. They left a note for Judie that explained why they had to go. Jane had no idea how or where they were going to go, but Marina had a plan. A bad one, but at the least she had one. “Why are we at the harbour?” Jane asked. “Shhh,” Marina said sharply. “They’ll hear us.” She then pulled Jane behind a crate.

“–What exactly is your plan?” “–We’re borrowing a boat.” “–That is literally the worst plan ever... What if we get caught?” The thought made her shiver. Find me... “–We won’t.” When they got to the boat they were going to “borrow,” they immediately started loading in their things, which included some clothes, shampoo (they did not want to be completely unhygienic), some food that would possibly last them about a week or so, and some gas. They turned on the speedboat. It was louder than they expected though. Not long after, the guards was running after them. “Drive, Marina! Drive!” Jane screamed. RRRR… The engine roared. They were off the shore in no time. Marina looked back; she was gonna miss this place–the only place she called home. And now they were on a speed boat to find her father who had not been seen or heard of for the last six years. RRRR… The roar of the engine woke Marina up. “Huh?” She thought she was driving. “Mornin’ sunshine... Got a good night’s sleep?” asked Jane. “Yup...but how did you get on the wheel?” Marina asked. “You fainted from exhaustion... I mean, you’ve been driving for the past five hours. So I took over, Jane explained. “Thanks, Jane,” Marina said gratefully. She washed her hair–there were two tubs in the boat, and she used one to get water, and that was where she washed her hair–took out breakfast, ate, and then took over driving the boat, so that Jane could eat. For the past two days, every day became like this. Until they found an island. Meanwhile, at Marina’s household, Mrs Judie Suarez, Mr Erik and Mrs Pheobe Sanchez, were phoning everyone they knew. “Marina left her phone!” Judie exclaimed. “Jane too. Ahhhh!” Pheobe screamed as she slipped on the floor. A

piece of paper was to blame. As they read what was on it, both of them becme more shocked and worried. The letter read: Mom, I’m sorry I had to leave. I can’t take the way society is anymore. Jane is with me, we’re going to look for Dad. Sorry I didn’t tell you, Mom. I was too scared to tell you. I miss you. Jane and I must be at the sea by the time you read this. We love you! ––Marina and Jane

THEY WERE STILL at sea and the clouds were getting darker. Jane was asleep and Marina was driving. What if I can’t find dad? What if he doesn’t want to be found? Her mind kept saying these over and over. Suddenly, there was silence. Come…Come…COME…COME… It was getting louder, and louder, the wind was getting stronger by the second. “Jane!” Marina shouted. “Jane!” she shouted again. She broke off from the wheel and shook her. “Marina?” Jane said, still a bit sleepy. “A storm!” Marina yelled as she got back to driving. The waves were hitting the speed boat hard, and they were getting wet everywhere. Jane was fully awake by now, and using the buckets on the ship, she started to scoop the water off of the deck. Just then, a giant wave hit the side of the speed boat, dousing everything, but Marina’s grip on the wheel stayed firm. “We are not tipping over,” she said to herself. All of a sudden, Jane slipped and fell overboard. “No!” screamed Marina. She knew she had to let go of the wheel. Desperately, she tried to reach out her hand for Jane.

“Got you...” she said, as she got Jane back on the deck. Trouble was not over yet though. “Drive!” Jane yelled as she gripped tightly on to the rail. Soon, she was covering the supplies. And just in time too. Another big wave hit them. And another. And another. They could barely breathe now, with all the waves, the wind. They were wet all over and were still in trouble. Now the biggest wave they had ever seen threatened to sink their boat. The boat capsized and while it did, Jane got hit on the head. Marina swam her hardest towards her, and she grabbed Jane and the remaining supplies. The strong waves hit her again, but she kept going. Everything seemed against her. The wind howled as Marina’s body felt like it was ready to give up. She kept going, and going...now, every part of her hurt. Jane was still unconsious, and she and Marina were floating in the middle of the ocean. Marina desprately looked for any piece of wood that they could hang on to.”Yes!” Marina yelled when she finally grabbed hold onto one. She climbed on and pulled Jane up with her. “Wake up, Jane! Wake up, please!” Marina shouted. She knew she desparetely needed Jane. She needed her best friend. “Uhhmm,” Jane moaned, spitting out sea water. “Everything hurts,” she complained. “You’re alive...you’re alive!” Marina squeeled in happiness–something she did not do very often. “Are you okay?” Marina asked. “I’m fine,” Jane answered, still sputtering and coughing. “What happened?” she asked as regained some of her strength. As Marina retold the tale, Jane felt gratitude for her best friend who saved her life. As the storm calmed, for a moment, the two girls felt a little safer and not so far away from home. Meanwhile, at home, Judie, Pheobe and Erik were still worrying about the girls, because, well, they were just kids. Their kids. Judie decided to take another round about through the town. Carrying

some water–and Marina and Jane’s picture–she went out the door calling out to Pheobe and Erik who were searching on the web to find any news from friends about the girls’ whereabouts. Soon, Judie was headed for the harbour. Marina had mentioned something about being far out at sea, Judie thought. She approached the guards by the dock. “Excuse me,” Judie called. “Have you seen these two girls?” she asked the guards standing by the pole. The guards closely examined the photo, and confirmed that they had seen the girls. “Those girls stole a family’s speed boat and took off,” the guards explained. Judie was jumping for joy on the inside. Now, if only she could figure out where they were. She jumped into the water. “LAND HO!” JANE yelled as she saw a mass of land ahead. Marina got excited and started paddling the boat with her bare hands. Jane did the same. It took them an hour of paddling before they reached to the island. Little did the girls know that this island they came upon was unlike any other. It was not on any map at all. No one knew that this island existed, and no one knew about the strange secrets it hid. “It’s as beautiful as Eden here,” exclaimed Jane, as they jumped on the sandy shore. But Marina was not paying attention. She was immediately captivated by a strange looking tree nearby. If you took a quick glimpse, you would think that is was an ordinary tree but, when you looked closer, you would see a strange looking spiral-shape right at the very heart of that tree. It was attractive and Marina wanted to figure out what it was. She tried to touch it, but she couldn’t...because she passed right through the tree–and she fell! While in the air, she could hear Jane falling behind her. Then splash! She was submerged in water. Everything blacked out. Thump…thump…thump… Marina’s heart beat as fast as a

hummingbird’s. She was now wide awake and was underwater… in a bubble. Jane was beside her in another bubble, but she was still unconsious. It’s dark down here, she thought. I’m dreaming...i’m dreaming… Marina repeated over and over, as she closed her eyes. Then she opened her eyes, only to discover that she was still there, in that dark empty place. Plop! Plop! It was a fish. The only fish in that entire cavern and it glowed; it glowed like the moon. It was blue–her favourite colour–and was almost transparent. It had strange markings on each side and had the most adorable eyes that stared at her own. Plop! The fish plopped into the bubble. It was so tiny. Just enough to fit in her palm. As Marina stood there holding the tiny fish, she knew that they had bonded–the fish and her. It was glowing even brighter now, as if it was glowing from happiness. “I’ll keep you,” she told herself. “Yes…” she heard a voice in her head say. The fish was communicating with her. “My name is Luna.” She woke up. She was holding a floating ball of water which rested on her hand where the tiny fish called Luna still glowed. Jane was right beside her staring as well into the little fish. Marina was amazed. She moved her other palm over it to the left and the little orb opened halfway. She moved her palm to the right and the orb closed. She looked up to Jane, who was staring at her. “What was that!?” Jane shouted with amazement. “I...I don’t know,” Marina answered, confused at what she did with the bubble. “Hihi...” a voice in her head said. It was the fish. “Uhhm… Jane the fish is talking to me inside my brain.” Jane stared at Marina looking very confused. “How?” she asked. “I don’t know but I want to find out.”

Just then, she and Jane saw themselves beholding a mesmerising world before them. The sky here was dark as the night in our world but stars in all sorts of bright sparkling colours coated its heavens. All sorts of familiar and unfamiliar animal species roamed this world, and many flew past them effortlessly. The fish were dazzling and danced like acrobats in the water. The trees and bushes were bejeweled with what looked like berries, and luscious fruits dangled on their vines. Little did the girls knew however that beneath all this beauty laid magic more powerful than anything they have ever seen. Their bubbles soon came to a halt. Marina, after admiring the scene, beckoned Jane to set up camp. “Jane help me find some wood,” Marina said. “Okay,” Jane replied, as she started gathering some sticks and twigs, while Marina gathered some leaves from nearby trees. “We need to set up camp because I’m guessing we’ll be staying here for a while, while we figure out how to get out of this place,” Marina responded, after Jane asked why they were setting up camp. “It was afternoon when we got transported here so it’s probably night. we can try looking for a cave or something tomorrow, she added. “Maybe we could build a boat?” Jane suggested. “Or a raft. “Good idea, Jane. Let’s start in the morning.” As Marina was lulled into deep slumber, she found herself underwater once more in another bubble with Luna. “Hello, Marina,” the fish said, as it communicated telepathically. She was still in the orb. “Could you let me out for a bit, I would like to stretch for a while,” Luna said. “Of course,” Marina said. As she opened the orb, the little fish got out and swam around Marina, tickling her in the process. Marina laughed so hard, and soon realised that she was feeling genuinely happy for the first time in six years. “That is enough fun for now,” the fish said as she swished her tail back and forth expanding the bubble. She then started to glow even brighter until she was enclosed in the light. Soon, the light faded reavealing that Luna

transformed into a kind looking woman wearing light blue robes. With her beautiful aqua eyes that seemed riddled with wisdom and strength, the lady was stunning, Marina thought. Her hair was a wavy cloud that was tinted with different shades of blue. Her skin was a tint of mixed aquamarine and minty green. Her hands had fins and she had gills at the right side of her neck. Oddly though, she carried a large scythe at one hand. “Hello, Marina,” the lady said. “Hi,” came Marina’s response. “I came here to send a message to you, and to guide you on this journey,” Luna said. “Sadly, I come to bring good and bad news,” she continued, forming an orb much like the one she was kept in. An image started to form–at first it was blurry and hazy. When the image started to become clearer, she realised it was her father. No, it could not have been her father. Her father had dark brown, joyful eyes, curly black hair that bounced even without hair gel, and had perfectly ironed clothes. But it was her father for he had the same eyes–except this version was lacking the joy and humour, and instead, was full of fear and doubt. It was the same curly hair that she played with when she was young but they were now droopy. And to top that, his clothes were all tattered and torn. “Mari,” a hoarse weak voice that was barely a whisper, spoke a nickname only my father knew. “Your mother and I hid something from you. We were once the King and Queen of a kingdom under the sea called Elipse, where the people were like our most faithful messenger and warrior, Luna. We were the things you people called mer-people, But we prided ourselves as Elps. We protected all the creatures of the sea and could morph water into different shapes, and used many powers. But, our kingdom had long been destroyed and the last remaining power of the Elps lies within your hands. Mari, I cannot sustain my powers any more. I am leaving the last of my strength to you and your mother. You must continue without me. Goodbye Mari.” Then, the image disappeared. Marina broke down to sobs, “Luna, Luna! Tell me where he is! Tell me! Did I run away for nothing? Am I to find out that my father is dead?”

“Marina, calm down,” Luna said softly. “How? How can you calm down if you ran away from home to find out that the person you’re looking for is dead!?” she screamed, her voice cracking. Marina sat down on the seabed to calm herself. Tears continued to roll down her cheeks. “No, Marina. You came here for a reason... To learn how to control your powers. Your father will always be there with you, and so will I. And Jane too. She is a good friend, Marina. Turn to her,” said Luna, who faded in her dreams. When Marina awoke up, she was clutching Luna who had wrapped herself and the girl in one big glowing orb. She knew she would never see her father’s face again, or feel his reasurring embrace anymore. Jane found Marina in her tent surrounded by an orb and beside her was Luna. Jane reached her hand in and her arms passed through. Then her torso and her legs. The orb expanded to accommodate a third occupant. Jane discovered she could breathe inside the orb, and soon settled beside Marina. She put her arm around her best friend, and a sudden flash shook her, and just like that, she knew all that happened. “Marina?” she asked, trying to hide the fear. Marina suddenly embraced Jane, and started crying onto her shoulder. She hugged her friend in return. They sat there in silence, enjoying the peace. Even for a while. They spent the rest of the day talking in the orb or eating what had been left of the supplies, just like they did inside their tents back in Batangas. Later in the day, Marina showed Jane Luna’s true form. “Hello Jane,” Luna said as she finished transforming. “Hi…” Jane said, mesmerised while Marina stood beside her laughing. “It is time for Marina to learn how to control her powers.”

A FEW WEEKS had passed and Marina was already in full control of her

powers. She learnt to manipulate water into different shapes and give them life. She could also create storms and cyclones and make water in to any weapon. Marina could also create anything she thought of, even without water around, since she could pick out water droplets from the air around her and the clouds, although she worked best with water itself. Luna taught Jane how to fight as well, and to use her surroundings for resources. All the while, Luna was reluctant to tell the girls why they were training when they asked every so often, so she told them that it was her master’s wish for his daughter– that was still partly true though. But oe day, the girls became too persistent. Luna finally gave in: she told them the prophecy of the Elps and it went like this: As the king of the Elpans fall, He shall steal the powers that call. In the land that is hidden, Lies the power that is forbidden. He will rise at the strike of dawn, And call upon his worst pawn. But a heroine, she shall rise, She will lead him to his demise. With an ally by her side, The forces of good and evil shall collide. When Marina heard this, she fell writhing in pain, as she saw glimpses of a creature so hideous that she tried to get into her own dreamscape and see what she could do. “Marina! Are you okay?” Jane said instantly, standing by Marina’s side. Luna touched Marina’s forehead, and she stopped. She then lifted her up, using an orb that she used to surround her before. “I am truly sorry, Jane. I should not have told you,” Luna said, as she looked at Marina’s unconsious body. “It’s okay, really, we just wanted to–” but she didn’t finish her words. They continued to walk to camp silently.

“YES, I’VE DONE IT!” Marina said to herself as she opened her eyes to see a beautiful horizon. The lush green vegetation looked spectacular against the blue lake. It was Taal lake. She was home. But, as she turned around to face the city she saw a massive whirlwind. There are no whirlwinds in the Philippines. She ran towards her town. As she did, she looked closer at the whirlwind. It was the thing she saw after she heard the prophecy. It was exactly how she saw it. With a massive tail and an almost translucent body covered with another layer of translucent scales, the creature had wings the size of a building, and glinting pale-blue teeth. Its mouth was foaming like a rabid dog and it had horns that were big enough to pierce through buses. But the thing about the beast that stood out the most was its eyes: the golden rims that surrounded the pupil mirrored pure hate and evil. Its pupils were as black as a black hole. “PHEOBE, ERIK GET OUT OF HERE!” shouted a familliar voice. “Mom?” Marina said as she turned around only to find her mother wearing a white top and jeans while manipulating the water from the tank that crashed over a building. She was trying to distract the creating while calling out to Jane’s parents. Other residents were also trying to get on the white seashell-looking craft that actually looked more like a giant hermit crab. “Mom!” Marina shouted as she tried to run towards her mother. “Marina, are you all right?” her mother asked while momentarily looking away from the creature. “What is that?” Marina asked as she shouted over the screaming people and the thing smashing everything in its path. “It’s one of his minions–his pets,” her she replied. “Marina, you have to get out of here... It’s not safe, dear” her mother cautioned. “But I’ve already mastered my powers, Mom. I came to help you,” she protested.

“Marina, please, if you really want to help, ask Luna about the Transformative Spell. See you soon my child...” she said. Marina woke up after that. “Jane!” Marina screamed as she woke up, her head still throbbing. “You’re awake! Jane cried out in relief as she entered the little room made out of sticks and leaves. “Fill me in...what happened after I fell?” Marina asked in an urgent tone. “Well we brought you back here and while you were unconsious you were saying something about a creature and the Transformative Spell or something like that,” Jane said. “Jane, I had a dream–no, actually, I bended the dreamscape… I was not with Luna... I was at home. Our home. What do you think? Should I ask Luna?” Marina said, as she finished recalling the story. “Maybe, but, it was just a dream,” hesitated Jane. “I know, but it was so vivid and real,” Marina replied. “So? What now?” Jane asked. “We tell Luna,” Marina said sternly.

“THE TRANSFORMATIVE SPELL?” Luna said in surprise. “Mom told me to ask you…” Marina said. “If the queen commands it, then so it shall be,” said Luna in an obedient tone. Meanwhile, back at Batangas, it was utter chaos. Everything that happened in Marina’s dream was actually happening. At first Judie couldn’t belive it. Marina was alive.... and she knew how to bend the dreamscape? It was impossible...unless Luna trained her. Marina, please, if you really want to help...ask Luna about the Transformative Spell. See you soon my child... For now, she hoped for the best while underneath a shell of a giant hermit crab with other residents and her friends.

AT THE FIRST day of her training for the transformation spell, she thought it would be easy. But it was 100 percent pure torture. It turned out that it was the easiest spell of all, but somehow, she just couldn’t do it. “It is okay, Marina. This is normal. It is especially harder because you’re not used to it. Remember, as royalty, you have to transform into three things: An Elpan, your chosen animal form, and, back into a human,” Marina recalled Luna saying. First, she tried turning into an Elpan. It did work, but only long enough to see herself in a mirror, and she didn’t even have a mirror. It took almost six weeks for her to master that part of the spell, and soon after, she found out that her animal form was that of an octopus. While she tried mastering her animal form, Luna and Jane were growing anxious. They hadn’t told Marina the news, but they knew they had to. They decided to wait until the next day before telling her. “Marina, remember that Prophecy and the line that mentioned the word dawn?” Jane asked. “Yes... What about it?” asked Marina. “Well Luna and I figured out that the exact date that he was going to attack will be on December 12, at precisely 12:00am. “So? We don’t even know when that is.” “Yes we do, When we left it was late August. Luna has been keeping track of how many weeks we’ve been here...and it’s a been twelve weeks...” Jane said anxiously. “So you do know when December 12 is?” Marina asked. “Yeah, it’s tomorrow,” Jane said reluctantly. After their conversation, Marina asked Luna if she could train a little later so she would have time to sleep for the rest of the day, and if she could wake her up during meals, or when it was time to train. Luna thought this was a great idea, and so she agreed. Jane joined Marina and rested as well. When it was half past nine, Luna waked Marina and Jane up. As

Jane practiced her moves, Marina transformed into an Elpan and Luna materialised a whole army of bizzare creatures: one had scales for skin but at the same time had human features like legs. Marina was guessing it was a female because of the other human features. It had gills even though it was part-human. Another creature had a human torso and legs, although his legs were also covered with scales.

IT WAS HALF past eleven and the soldiers were ready. Jane wore indestructable armour, while Marina who now had a bluish green tone to her skin, and green and blue hair although her eyes remained in its hazel tint. She wore a silky, yet indestructible dress that flowed past her knees. It was white and blue, and came with some very comfortable mint green boots that were actually made from a kind of rock found in Elipse, which was traditionally used for battle armour. At 11:45, they were all out on the grass, soldiers patroling the area. THUMP...THUMP...THUMP... The ground shook. A creature bigger than the one terrorising her hometown came out of the woods, glowing red with power. This was him. He had an army of disfigured-looking hybrids of all sorts of species, but he was the most disfigured of them all. His torso was of a human, yet he did not have a nose; instead he had two holes on his face, and brandished a mischevious grin. The rest of his body was covered with scales, and instead of feet he had a pair of snake tails. However, the most terrifying of his features were his eyes. They were golden and glistening and were red around the edges and carried an even more evil tinge. “So this is the warrior that shall deafeat me? Well, well, well, why not just go and flee?” its deep voice echoed. “You will fall, you beast. I will not back down!” shouted Marina. Little human wants to play, Just give up and I’ll let you stay. I’ll spare your lives including yours This does not have to end in wars.

He smiled. “I will never join you,” Marina shrieked. He frowned. “Ahh!” he bellowed as he and his army charged towards them. “Luna, Jane! Lead the soldiers to the armies. I’ll take care of him,” Marina exclaimed. Jane did not like the idea, but she followed. “Hey fish breath!” Marina yelled as she diverted the creature from his army. The land that you are standing on, Will lead to a great new dawn. It is where you shall heave your final breath, And give in to your death. “I will never give up no matter what!” Marina shouted again. “Foolish girl! You shall perish!” he shouted, lashing one his tails at the heroine. Marina ran. It was too huge a gap to jump over though. She then materialised her own scythe and slashed his tail. It did nothing. He was too big. Haha! You shall perish girl! “You think!?” she said smirking at the beast, while plunging her scythe into his tail once more. She materialised more scythes and plunged each of them into his flesh. Little girl, I am indestructable. “You wish!” Marina yelled, as she dematerialised each of the scythes, but one. She used that one to connect all the gashes. “Ahhh!” the creature screamed in agony. Marina used this opportunity to climb up to its chest. “Get off of me!” he shouted, trying to grab her. She grabbed on tight as she materialised three scythes and plunged them into his chest. He instantly disintegrated. But Marina fell flat on the ground. THUD!

“Ugh… wha...what happened?” “Marina!” Jane cried out, hugging her with tears in her eyes. “What happened?” “The things just disintegrated on the spot,” Jane answered. “We saw you lying on the ground,” Luna continued. She was happy that they won though. She embraced Jane and Luna. She was perfectly happy.

A FEW MONTHS later, They all returned home–including Luna who was given the power to transform into a human by Marina’s mother. Judie told Pheobe and Erik about her identity and they promised to keep it a secret. Twenty years later, Marina had her own family and had never stopped looking for Elipse. Her expeditions soon ran out of budget and she decided to go on her last expedition. Her husband and her best friend, Jane came with her. Marina left her daughter with her mother and went off. The murky waters of Taal were not going to stop her. She sensed something, not something bad, but the feeling of home. She tranformed. A little hut too perfect for rock formations started to become clear. She went inside. She saw something amazing: fifteen Elpans were having supper. But, one of them stood out. Could it be? She squinted her eyes. It was! “Father!” She ran to him, and hugged him and the other Elpans one by one. Now, she felt truly happy.

Marina Suarez’s father disappeared five years ago, leaving no trace behind. She has had enough of her life and decides to go out looking for her father, dragging her best friend along. As she gets closer and closer to finding her father, she suddenly hits a dead end. She and her best friend struggle to survive and comfort each other. More and more unusual things come along their way and she cannot take it anymore. A new discovery of who she really is comes along and she wishes to go home because of that. Will she ever find her father? And will she ever find out who she really is? ABOUT THE AUTHOR Carla Venice loves reading all kinds of books, especially fiction books. she was inspired by one of her favourite stories, “The Girl Between Two Worlds,” to write this story. Carla hates heights, but like one of her characters, she loves the ocean and animals.

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