Chapter 1: Mysteries Hidden in Shadow

The sun beamed through the clouds as the citizens of Hanalei Bay enjoyed a lazy afternoon. A picturesque island village nestled in the heart of the Azure Archipelago; a cluster of lush, tropical islands surrounded by crystal clear turquoise waters. The village is a vibrant tapestry of vibrant vines that cascade down their walls. The air is filled with the sweet scent of frangipani and salt from the sea, creating a refreshing and invigorating atmosphere.

The heart of Hanalei Bay was its bustling market square, where locals and visitors alike gather to trade goods and enjoy the island’s bounty. Stalls overflow with fresh tropical fruits, vibrant textiles, handmade crafts, while the aroma of freshly caught seafood being grilled over open flames wafts through the air.

The village is surrounded by lush palm groves and pristine beaches with soft, white sand that stretches as far as the eye can see. The gentle waves lap against the shore, providing a majestically, its slopes covered in dense jungle and taming with exotic wildlife. It was truly a place where time seemed to slow down, offering a serene escape from the hustle and bustle. It was a beacon of relaxation, easygoing living, and a taste of simple, carefree idyllic island life.

A young girl no older than 13 years old was scouring the outskirts of town, sprinting from alley to alley and street to street, pursuing something of the utmost importance. However, she didn’t have to search for long, as her ears picked up a loud crash from a house nearby.

“HEY YOU! Hands off my stuff, you little punk!”

Suddenly, a youngster was sent flying out the door. The back of his head crashed against a trashcan and some bottles. He was a short and scrawny young boy of 15. He was blessed with a bronze complexion and unkempt golden hair hanging in his face like a veil. He wore a loose sleeveless yellow hoodie, black loose khaki cargo shorts, and yellow sneakers. Adoring his head was a blue headscarf.

While he was recovering from being tossed around like a ragdoll, the owner of the shed was a burly and imposing sailor man much older than him.

“Oh, Sol, not you again,” the buff sailor groaned. “Didn’t I tell you to stop trashing my shed?! Brats like you never learn these days.”

“I already told you; I didn’t trash anything! I’m stacking my pride as a man and my soul as a traveler on this scavenger hunt! Once I complete it, I’ll be respected as an up-and-coming Slayer—”

A vein popped around the sailor’s neck as he spit vitriol the teenager’s way.

“Shut your mouth! You’re never going to leave this island anyway. That silly little pipe dream of yours is toast!”

The teenager got up on his feet instantly, ready to challenge the adult. He wasn’t going to take the insults lying down. He’d prove to everyone he had what it takes.

“Oh, yeah, wanna bet?”

Like a cheetah pursuing prey, Sol charged ahead, ready to land a punch to the sailor’s face. However, the grown man proved to be much faster as he dodged the punch. In retaliation, he grabbed the boy’s arm and twisted it behind him. And like a wrestler on live television, the sailor bent over backwards, slamming Sol’s head into the pavement. And with that, the fight was over in an instant.

“Tch, that’ll teach you to mess with my shed,” the man boasted as he dusted himself off.

The lad tried to retort but was too dizzy to even speak in coherent sentences. This only served to prove his opponent’s point.

“See? You can barely stand up. You’re a worthless little brat with nothing to show for it. You’ll stay here until you grow old. And only fleas will mourn you! Now, run along home to your mama, chump!”

After spouting his taunts, the sailor man returned to his house, leaving Sol to seethe in frustration.

“I’m not worthless. I don’t have fleas…and I don’t have a mama, either…”

It was always like that. Sol would express his dreams and ambitious. The adults would either laugh, or smile and nod along. None of them took him seriously. Which was one of many reasons why he longed for adventure outside his island home. As he sat down and licked his bruised pride, a voice from a distance addressed him.

“SOOOLLLL!!!”

Just then, the girl sprinted towards the boy’s side. She had short chocolate colored hair. She wore a large pink ribbon on her head, a white top with short puffy sleeves, a pink floral skirt with shorts, and scandals with flowers adorned in them. Her ocean blue eyes aimed on the lad with concern as she helped him stand on his feet.

“There you are, Sol! You alright? That sounded like it hurt!”

“Oh, N-Noe, hey there!” Sol replied sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. “Did you see all that just now?”

Swiftly, he recovered as he lifted his nose in the air, hands on his hips.

“Don’t worry. As you can see, I’ve already recovered. No way that stuck up jerk will bring me down! As an up-and-coming slayer, it comes with a territory.”

“Right,” Noe giggled. “So, how’d your search in the shed go? Found anything good?”

The young teen shrugged and shook his head, disappointed with his mistake.

“Nah, nothing at all. Just a whole lot of junk. Must’ve guessed wrong. How about you?”

Sol’s friend grinned like a cat as she revealed her findings.

“As a matter of fact, I found this all by myself!”

Like an actress would perform in a movie, the young girl presented a worn-out yellow oven mitten with dramatic flair.

“Behold! The golden gauntlet of power!”

With pride written all over her face, she offered it to the ecstatic Sol. The scavenger hunt was off to a great start despite a few bumps on the road.

“Awesome work, Noe! That’s the first artifact!”

“Yeah, I know, I’m amazing. So, what’s next?”

Sol crossed his arms and closed his eyes, contemplating.

“If my memory serves me right, the next treasures are…the jade ring…and the staff of light.”

“And don’t forget,” Noe reminded him. “…we need to collect these things before sundown, or we’ll lose.”

The lass shuddered at the thought of being the maid to Sol’s rival.

“Blech, I want nothing to do with that awful Tidus! You know, this is really all your fault, Sol. If you didn’t take up the challenge, we wouldn’t be in this predicament in the first place. You had better show some responsibility for this, or I swear—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Sol replied dismissively. “You don’t have to nag at me. Come on, let’s show this off to Tidus!”

“Right behind you!” Noe chirped with a nod.

The two youngsters dashed back to the bridge of the town plaza, where Tidus and his entourage awaited them. The reddish orange-haired teen leaped off of his impromptu seat and marched towards Sol, smirking with arrogance.

“Ah, if it isn’t Sol Nakos. You’ve taken a while to come back. Have you decided to finally give up? Hah! An up-and-coming slayer, my foot! You’re gonna have to put some pep in your step. Otherwise, you’ll never find the three artifacts before sundown. This challenge is as good as won!”

“Don’t get too smug just yet, Tidus! We’ve already found the first artifact, see?”

Sol displayed the yellow oven mitten for Tidus and his goons to see. The entourage whispered back and forth to each other of this progress, as if a famous celebrity graced their presence. The lad’s obsidian eyes widened with surprise.

“Ugh! You actually found the golden gauntlet of power!”

“Darn right I did! Pretty impressive, eh?”

However, the astonishment quickly faded as Tidus let out a hearty laugh.

“Oh please! It’s a little too early to celebrate, Nakos! You still have the jade ring and the staff of light to collect! Tick-tock!”

“Piece of cake,” Sol smirked. “We’ll find them in no time!”

“Only thing is…where do we find them?” Noe asked, holding her chin with her hand.

“Well, I’m glad you asked, my dearest Noe,” Tidus grinned mischievously as he slowly paced around Sol. “Here are two hints: the jade ring is in a place where seagulls are heard squawking every day. And as for the staff of light…that’s a secret!”

“Are you kidding?” Sol turned his head to glare at his rival. “What kind of a hint is that?”

“Once you’ve collected the ring, then maybe I’ll offer more information. But until then, I suggest you start looking. It’s almost time for dinner!”

Almost on que, his goons laughed alongside him. Paying them no mind, Sol and Noe continued their scavenger hunt. If their stroke of luck helped them find the golden gauntlet, there was still hope for them yet.

“Man, that guy is something else! Leaving us only one hint? So cheap!”

“At least the ring won’t be too hard to find.”

“How so?”

“Think, Sol! What place in Hanalei Bay has seagulls squawking every day?”

“You mean…Apopo Harbor?”

“Exactly! Come on, hurry!”

The young duo stood at the edge of the bustling port harbor, their eyes scanning the area for any sign of elusive ring they were tasked with finding.

“Okay, let’s think,” Noe said, her eyes darting between the various stalls and stacks of crates. Where do we usually see the seagulls hanging about?”

“Probably some place where all of them gather in numbers. It shouldn’t be that hard to find.”

Through the busy docks, they weaving between fishermen unloading their catch and merchants haggling over prices.

They began to walk along the docks, their ears tuned to the sounds around them. The harbor was filled with the cries of seagulls, but one area seemed to be a hub of activity for the birds. A group of them was gathered around a small, weathered pier, squawking and flapping their wings.

"That must be it," Sol said, pointing towards the pier.

As they approached the pier, the sound of the seagulls grew louder, and the birds took flight, revealing a small, hidden alcove beneath the wooden planks. The boy and girl knelt down, peering into the alcove, and there, nestled among the rocks, was a small, intricately designed ring.

"Got it!" Sol exclaimed, reaching in and pulling out the ring. It was made of silver, with a large green diamond attached to it. "We found it!"

Noe smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You were right, Sol. The clue led us here."

Sol handed the ring to his friend, who examined it closely. "It’s beautiful," she said, admiring the craftsmanship. "This must be the ring we’ve been looking for."

As they made their way back to the village, the ring safely tucked away, the kids couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. It wouldn’t be long until they recovered the last artifact and won the challenge. But before they could continue their search, someone bumped into Sol, causing him to nearly fall on the pavement.

“Hey, watch where you’re going!” Sol exclaimed with annoyance.

“Me? Right back at you!” the other boy rebuked, “I didn’t see you around that corner! How was I supposed…to…?”

However, his rant stopped at the sight of a familiar face. A red-haired youngster, a few years younger than Sol quickly stood on his feet. He was sweating bullets as his body turned stiff.

“Oh, shoot! I’m busted!”

“Wait, isn’t that…Tidus’ brother?” Sol inquired. “Chappy…Chumpy…?”

“Chappu,” Noe corrected him as she picked something up from the ground. “Are you alright? Why in such a hurry?

The youngster gets into a defensive stance.

“I-I don’t know anything! S-s-scram!”

“But you dropped something. Don’t you want it back?”

Revealing the key in her hands, she showed it to the petrified Chappu.

“That’s the key to my brother’s closet! Give it back!”

“A closet?” Sol questioned, confused. “Wait, is that where the last artifact is?!”

“Oh, no…what do I do…I blurted the secret out…waaahhh!!!”

The little boy got on his knees and begged through exaggerated sobs,

“Please don’t tell Tidus I dropped the key! He’ll scold me for sure! But I dropped it after I bumped into Sol! I was supposed to protect it! I’m a failure.”

Noe approached the boy like a mother would her own child, by kneeling down and touching his shoulder in comfort.

“Don’t say that Chappu. You’ve done a good job holding on to it for so long. Tidus would be proud of you.”

“R-r-really?” the boy asked through his large, fat tears.

“Yes, so stop all that blubbering. You’ve done nothing wrong. Right, Sol?”

“Yeah, Noe’s right! And it’s not like your big brother is going to know about it. Not unless you tell him yourself. So, how about this; make up a cover story. Say we roughed you up a bit and forced the key out of your hands. Easy as that.”

“Oooohh, I get it!” Chappu realized as he got up from the ground. “Okay, I can do that much. In fact, why don’t I show you where the staff is?”

“Well, that would definitely save us the trouble. Lead the way, then.”

Chappu wiped his tears with his shirt sleeve and smiled with gratitude.

“Thanks, you guys. And just between us, I hope you win the challenge.”

“That makes two of us,” Noe muttered with worry.

As promised, Chappu brought the scavengers to his and Tidus’ house. He went into his brother’s room and unlocked the closet with the key. As soon as he did, he went back down stairs to reveal it to the other kids.

“Here it is—the staff of light!”

The so-called “staff of light” was nothing more but a mere broomstick with a silver handle and star stickers plastered on it. Sol and Noe cheered in jubilation as Chappu offered it to them. However, they weren’t out of the woods yet. They still had to present their last two artifacts to Tidus before the sun descended over the horizon. After parting ways with the boy, the young scavengers returned to the town plaza to confront Tidus once more. However, someone else had already beat them to the punch.

Two adults were busy chewing out the boys while lowering their heads in shame. They had bumps and bruises on the face, courtesy of the adult woman’s fury. One of the adults was a woman with the same reddish hair as Tidus and Chappu. She had her hands on her hips while berating her oldest son.

“What is the meaning of this foolishness?! You have no reason to disturb the peace with these pranks! Hey, are you listening Tidus?!”

Sol and Noe looked on, expectantly. This wasn’t the first time their neighbor blocked the bridge to town. It was only a matter of time before some reprimand was in order.

“Whoa, check it out, Noe,” Sol laughed uproariously. “Tidus is getting a whopping and an earful. And from his own mother, the mayor, no less! That’ll teach him to mess with us, huh?”

“Serves him right. We kept telling him time and again to stop blocking the bridge,” Noe grunted. “He really is stupid.”

“But how are we going to get past them without being spotted?” Noe shrugged her shoulders.

“Let’s just act casual. We have nothing to do with Tidus getting in trouble at all.”

“Point taken.”

So, the duo walked across the bridge as quietly as possible, looking nowhere else but forward. However, the mayor sensed something behind her and glanced their way.

“Ah, Sol, Noe, good evening to you both. Weren’t you playing with my son earlier today?”

“Of course not, ma’am!” Sol replied, sheepishly. “I’m too busy running errands for my dad. We do own a restaurant after all.”

“That’s right, Miss Mayor,” Noe chimed in. “We just happened to be passing by.”

“Gimme a break!” Tidus snapped, pointing his finger at the other boy. “I wouldn’t be caught dead playing with monkey boy over there! Sol and I were having a BRAWL!!”

The mayor trained her glare at the golden-haired lad now. If looks could kill, he would’ve been struck dead right about now. Women truly were scary when angry.

“I knew it! So you are involved in this, you little liar!”

“Shoot! We’re busted! Make a break for it, Noe!”

And with that, the boy and girl dashed away as fast as their legs and feet could take them. They crossed the bridge, ran down the market place, and further down the road. And turning the corner, they went into a second-story house.

The most popular place in Hanalei Bay was none other than the Golden Gullwing Grille. It was a busy local restaurant in the morning and afternoon with all the workers coming in for a hearty breakfast and lunch. It was also the home of Sol and his father, who lived on the second floor.

“And safe!” Sol said between heavy breaths. “Man, that mayor can be pretty scary at times. She really didn’t have to be THAT mad, right Noe?”

“True. It’s just that all the regular things you do are bad. That’s why no one believes you!”

“You really know how to rub it in…” Sol sighed. “Anyways, we made it home. All that running made me really hungry. Wonder what’s for dinner…?”

The teenage boy approached the kitchen stove and tried to open one of the pots. However, he was stopped dead in his tracks by a stern, deep voice.

“Hold it right there, young man!”

Suddenly, a rectangular aluminum tray slammed on the top of Sol’s head.

“Ouch! Dad!” Sol exasperated as he turned to glare at his father. “What the heck was that for!?”

Loto Nakos, the owner of the restaurant, was a physically fit adult man of 42. He had a black buzz cut, dark blue eyes, and was dressed in a crisp white chef’s shirt and pants.

“How many times do I have to tell you?” Loto scolded, hand on his hip. “No dirty shoes in the kitchen!”

“Yeah, well, you didn’t have to hit with me that stupid tray!”

“No back talk, young man! You know the rules of the Golden Gullwing Grille; always keep the kitchen clean.”

“Fine, fine,” Sol groaned in annoyance as he stepped out of the kitchen, “I’ll move out of the way.”

“Hi there, uncle Loto!” Noe greeted the chef. “You know, if you keep whacking Sol’s head, he’s going to get stupid.”

“Hah!” Loto laughed, returning to the kitchen stove. “Don’t you worry about that, Noe. The boy’s brain can’t get any worse than it already is..."

"DAAAD! Seriously? I feel betrayed. How can you say such things about your only beloved son?”

“Well, why don’t you just stay out of trouble, and I won’t have to, hmm, Sol?”

The golden-haired boy sighed in defeat, unable to make a retort. He scratched the back of his head.

“Shessh…I feel like a trouble magnet today…”

Sol’s father opened a lid of a cooking pot and smiled with satisfaction. He closed the lid and turned to the kids.

“Anyway, you showed up at just the right time. I’m about to close up shop for dinner.”

“Great! All that running around outside gave me an appetite. Noe, you’re joining us, too, right?”

Noe furrowed her eyebrows in worry. Loto and Sol always invited her over to their house for dinner. She could’ve easily gone back to her own home to eat.

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to impose—”

“Nonsense, little lady,” Loto gently assured her. “You’re my son’s best friend, aren’t you? That makes you family! Besides, we are having spam fired rice tonight.”

The young girl’s eyes beamed with joy at the mention of her favorite dish. All uncertainty quickly evaporated. She clapped her hands in joy as she stood up from her seat.

“Then count me in! Time to eat!”

---------

After a few moments of hand washing, Sol and Noe went upstairs, helping Loto set up the dinner table. With the combined efforts, they wasted no time sitting down to indulge in tonight’s feast.

The cozy dining room of the Nakos household was filled with the warm glow of a chandelier and the delicious aroma of a home-cooked meal. The table was set with simple, elegant dinnerware, and a vase of fresh flowers adds a touch of color to the room. Laughter and conversation fill the air as Loto, his son Sol, and Sol's best friend Noe sit down to enjoy dinner together.

"Alright, dig in, kids," Loto said with a smile, taking his seat at the head of the table.

Sol wasted no time, eagerly serving himself a generous portion of spam fried rice. "Dad, this smells amazing. I don’t know how you do it."

The father chuckled, passing the salad bowl to Noe. "Years of practice, my dear boy. And maybe a secret ingredient or two."

Noe, who was already halfway through her first dinner roll, nodded enthusiastically. "Agreed. It’s incredible. Makes our recent activities all the more worthwhile.”

The chef beamed with pride. "Thank you, Noe. I’m glad you like it. By the way, the curator of the museum came to have lunch here. Funny, she usually brings her own lunch to work. Anyway, she wanted you to come over to the museum tomorrow.”

“Oh, yeah? For what?” Sol asked.

“She wanted to return something you left with her. Let me guess…was it the necklace from your mother?”

The boy blinked in surprise at his father’s sharp intuition. He glanced the other way, sheepishly.

“Was it really that obvious…?”

“You’ve had that for years now, even after she passed away. But you know, when I first met your mother, she always wore it around her neck. It must’ve been a family heirloom.”

“Oh! That reminds me; can you, by any chance, tell me how you and Aunt Soliel first met? Noe asked. “Pretty please?”

Loto held his chin in thought, as if trying to find the right bits and pieces of the memory to set the scene. It felt like an eternity when two souls found each other and forged a new life together. A nostalgic smile spread across the man’s face, finally putting fragments of memory together.

“Let’s see…once a upon a time, a lone ship drifted at sea. It was a serene and quiet night with no moon or waves. A gorgeous young woman with golden locks boarded the ship for a mission. But suddenly, a band of rugged pirates appeared and took over the ship at the drop of a hat. They intimidated the passengers, stealing their possessions and holding some hostage.”

“Wow, a terrifying turn of events,” Noe commented with interest. “What happened next?!”

“The leader of the pirates leered at an alluring necklace wore by the golden-haired woman. With pure envy and awe. The pirate drew a sword and said: gimme that jewel, wench! But she obstinately refused.”

“Hah! That’s sounds like mom for sure!” Sol chuckled lightly. “And then what?”

“The leader challenged her to a duel,” Loto continued. “Both opponents were evenly matched, but the girl proved victorious with her sharp mind and agile skill. Struck by the courage of the woman, the pirate leader decided to turn over a new leaf!”

“So, the pirate who challenged Sol’s mom…I wonder who he was like? Maybe a tough, burly looking guy or something?”

“Hah, far from it. The pirate leader was just a boy around your age! A handsome lad named “Loto the Razor!”

“Whoa, you? A pirate?” Noe gasped in surprise. “…seriously!?”

“Seriously. I was pretty young back then. I did a lot of things I regret.”

“Well, I can see where you got your famous cooking skills from, Uncle Loto! That just makes me admire you so much more.”

Loto laughed as he scratched the back of his black mane. Looking back on his younger days, he was no different from how his son behaved today.

“It’s still kind of embarrassing. So, don’t go blabbing it to the neighborhood, okay? They pretty much all know anyway…”

“It was such a romantic story! Now I gotta go on a nightly voyage too when I’m older. Maybe I’ll find a cute pirate boy who’ll challenge me for my belongings, huh?”

“Yeah right. Only in your wildest dreams…” Sol muttered. The girl threw a dinner roll his way.

“Hey, I heard that!”

The evening wore on, the conversation and laughter continuing long after the last bite of rice and rolls were eaten. Soon enough, night grew darker, and it was almost time for much needed respite. After Sol walked his friend back to her house, he went back to help his father clean up the kitchen and the dinner table. All was pleasantly quiet until the boy asked,

“So, pops,” Sol began, wiping down the kitchen counters. “My sixteenth birthday is coming up soon. I want to do something different this time around.”

Loto raised an eyebrow and smiled wryly as he washed the dishes.

“Such as?”

“Such as, traveling outside Hanalei Bay. Seeing what’s out there in the world.”

At that suggestion, the father’s smile faded away instantly. His face was pale as a bedsheet and his oval shaped glasses flashed for a second. The peaceful atmosphere grew thick with tension. After a moment of pause, Loto responded again, his scrubbing of dinner plates becoming more forceful.

“No. That’s not happening.”

“Why not?” Sol frowned.

“Because, our place is here, in Hanalei Bay.”

“And that’s another thing: we’ve always been on this island! Dad, don’t you ever dream about what you’re missing out on? Don’t you want to see what’s out there?”

Loto turned his head and trained his uneasy gaze at his teenage son.

“What could possibly be out there for us, Sol? Convince me.”

“I don’t know—something—anything! Like seeing new places, meeting new people. Exploring the outside world for a change. Nobody seems the least bit interested in that!”

“Maybe it’s because none of them ever come back for years.”

“Yeah, and your point?”

“I’d rather take my chances staying here, rather than take risks I’ll regret. Sol, I understand your eagerness to see the world. I had the same ambitions, too, during my younger years. But eventually, I’ve come to realize how dangerous and unforgiving Benham can be. Your mother was a victim to that same world.”

“And that’s another thing…how was it possible for mom to die of sudden illness? I mean…there could’ve been a cure for her, right? She looked healthy from the pictures I’ve seen of her. It makes no sense!”

“That’s enough, son. There’s no point in dwelling over that. The past stays in the past. I meant what I said. We have no reason to travel anywhere. Everything we need and want is in this island.”

“Ugh, which is why it’s so boring!” Sol groaned with irritation. “Seriously, what are you so afraid of? You’re such grouchy old killjoy.”

“Not another word,” Loto admonished, his voice much harsher than before. “Just forget about those dreams of exploring the world. That’s not what you should be focusing on. Your ancestors worked tooth and nail to build the islands as they are now. Maybe once you’re at my age, you’ll have a much better appreciation for this so-called boring life.”

Not wanting to argue any further, Sol kept quiet as he finished cleaning the stove. He stomped his way upstairs, toward his second-floor home. What a stubborn old man, the boy thought, he never understands anything! As a way to calm his negative thoughts, Sol went straight to his room and shut the door behind him. He approached his bookshelf, searching for a book he could escape to for the night before bedtime. And luckily for him, he did.

Fire and Sword was an ongoing comic book series that Sol discovered when he was 12. From the very first volume, the lad was instantly immersed in the story and its many characters. It took him to a whole new world of possibilities and opportunities. It introduced him to globetrotting adventures, thrilling battles, and inspiring friendships. All the things he longed for outside of Hanalei Bay. What he wouldn’t give to jump into that same world of excitement and wonder.

But when will that day come? When will he ever experience the same things that his favorite characters did? If so, then, will that day ever come? Patience was a virtue if not a frustrating curse. Only time would tell for promising things to come.

Yet, Sol could only feel time passing by without a backward glance. Time was slipping away from his fingertips the longer he kept waiting. 

The following morning, Sol and Noe paid a visit to the Koheke Museum. Luckily for them, they didn’t have to travel too far to get there. The museum was located downtown and a few blocks away from the train station.

The grand, echoing halls of the Koheke were dimly lit, with the soft glow of display cases illuminating ancient artifacts from practically all corners of the world. The air was cool and carried the faint scent of polished wood and history. At the end of a long corridor, a heavy wooden door stands slightly ajar, leading to a private viewing room. Inside, the atmosphere is hushed and reverent, with plush velvet ropes and velvet-draped pedestals awaiting the arrival of the museum's special guests.

Upon arriving, the receptionist was more than kind enough to escort them to one of the exhibit halls, where the Curator herself stood, swiftly writing things down in her clipboard. She was a healthy-looking woman in her early 50s, with her greyish hair tied neatly in a business-like bun. She wore a black shawl over a white shirt with a long grey skirt. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she greeted the two youngsters.

“Ah, Sol and Noe! Good morning! The both of you arrived at just the right time.”

Dr. Melika approached a draped pedestal at the center of the hall, her hands trembling slightly with anticipation. "This statue," she began, "is believed to be over a thousand years old. And now I’ve just finished its restoration!”

With a dramatic flourish, she pulled back the cloth, revealing a magnificent statue of a deity, its features intricately carved and its expression serene and timeless. The stone seemed to glow in the soft light, capturing the essence of the divine.

Noe gasped; her eyes wide with wonder. "It’s breathtaking," she whispered, stepping closer to examine the details. "The craftsmanship is incredible."

Sol nodded; eyes fixed on the new statue. "I can practically feel the history emanating from it. When did you get this?”

“A week ago, actually. I checked with a few of my colleagues. It seems that it was found at a hidden abandoned temple located on Metrex. Apparently, a priest from Babylon traveled the world, building statues of this mysterious deity.”

“The new continent Metrex, eh? That’s where Big Fork City resides, isn’t it? I’d like to go someday.”

“I bet you would,” Melika smiled fondly. “You’ve always had that wonder lust since you were little, Sol.”

“So, why is this important, again?” Noe asked, unsure.

“This will be the first artifact outside of Hanalei Bay. We’re hoping for more people to show an interest in something vastly different. And this Babylonian statue is the first step. Not many people care much for history outside of the islands. Which is quite a shame in itself. According to the Babylonian myths written in the early archives...the kingdom was the beacon of possibilities and limitless abundance. Some say it was a floating city with ships that travel to the stars.”

“Steam engines that run forever,” Sol chimed in.

“Sanctuaries and cities frozen in time,” Melika added.

“Great sorcerers who never age!” Both said in unison. Noe blinked twice and tilted her head.

“Are you two…. finished yet?”

“Sorry, Noe. We’ll be through in a couple of minutes.”

“Okay. But no dilly dallying. After all, I’m a very understanding lady, you know.”

Dr. Melika cleared her throat before continuing. “Anyway, this statue is believed to represent a Babylonian god of wisdom and protection. And it’s been my privilege to study it."

As they circled the statue, taking in every detail, Dr. Melika shared more about its history and the significance of its discovery. "The temple it was found in was dedicated to the god, and it’s thought to have been a place of pilgrimage for those seeking guidance and protection."

Sol listened intently, his mind racing with questions. "Do you think there are more artifacts like this out there, waiting to be discovered?"

Dr. Melika nodded; her expression thoughtful. "Absolutely. There are countless treasures hidden beneath the earth, just waiting for someone to uncover them. It’s a never-ending journey of discovery."

“Speaking of discovery, I nearly forgot why I came here. My necklace…?”

“Ah, yes, thanks for reminding me…”

The middle-aged curator revealed a breathtaking sapphire necklace that exuded elegance and mystique. At its heart lies a stunning deep blue sapphire, cut into a teardrop shape, which seems to capture the very essence of the ocean. The teardrop is surrounded by a delicate halo of smaller, brilliant-cut diamonds, further enhancing its natural beauty with a dazzling sparkle.

I did examine it the other day, like you asked me to. I can’t tell if it’s real sapphire crystal or fake. I tried to do a chemical analysis, but no results came. So, until I can think of another way, I’ll give it back.”

Sol frowned in disappointment as he retrieved his necklace. Ever since his father gave it to him a few years ago, Sol wondered about its significance. He couldn’t explain it, but he sensed the necklace was more than a memento from his mother. What if it held some sort of magic power, like in his favorite comic books? What if it contained a piece of history from long ago? All those questions cut short and left unresolved.

“I understand. Thanks anyway.”

“But,” the curator added. “…if you want to, maybe you should analyze it yourself. When you’ve finished looking at the statue, come to my office. I have something special for you.”

The curator excused herself as she departed the exhibit hall, leaving Sol and Noe to continue gazing at the new addition to the museum. Despite the letdown, the golden-haired islander remained hopeful as he placed the jewel around his neck once more.

“Well, so much for that,” Noe sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “But at least we got a cool looking statue in exchange, right?”

“True. Folks in town will be surprised by this for sure. And maybe that’ll inspire them to go out and see the rest of the world.”

“You know, I’m amazed you knew that Big Fork City is in the new continent Metrex. Guess you have more brains than I thought, Sol.”

“Of course!” Sol laughed made a confident pose. “I can’t go on any adventures if I don’t know where the heck I’m going. But you know, it’s really boring just listening to other people unraveling unsolved mysteries and old history. Metrex is awaiting me with mountains of exciting things. Like this statue here!”

Against his better judgement, the teenager stepped into the panel and tapped the statue three times. He lifted his nose in the air, hands on hips.

“Someday, I’ll be leaving this island and finally see what the outside world has to offer!”

Suddenly, the Babylonian statue started to fall apart. First the head slipped off. Then the arms collapsed, then wings, and finally the stone hit the floor. Noe backed away in horror at what unfolded right before her eyes.

“Sol, you idiot!” Noe shouted. “What have you done?!”

A panicked Sol covered his friend’s mouth and shushed her.

“Quiet! J-j-just calm down!” Sol stammered frightfully. “The only thing we can do is fix it! Yeah, that’s it!”

“Are you crazy?” Noe whispered sharply. “It’s impossible! We should just be honest and apologize…”

“No way! You saw how happy the curator looked when she finally restored this statue. I can’t do that to her. I remembered what it looked like. Come on, hurry!”

After a few suspenseful moments, the youngsters began to reattach the statue. However, the statue ended up being drastically different. The arms and legs were misplaced awkwardly, and the head was upside down. The wings were completely crooked. Noe stared at it suspiciously and skeptically.

“Sol, you sure that’s right? It looked different to me from how I pictured it.”

The boy tilted his head slightly, feeling unsure of himself.

“I don’t know. Maybe?”

Then, he scratched the back of his head and chuckled sheepishly.

“But it’s 70% correct, right? On a test, that’s a passing grade, you know.”

“You’ve completely missed the point, Sol,” Noe replied in a deadpan expression and tone.

“A-anyway, we still have to speak with the curator, right?”

“Agreed. Let’s not worry her.”

And with that, the two kids quietly left the exhibit hall, closing the door behind them. A moment later, the statue began to completely fall apart again.

--

Arriving at the curator’s office, Sol and Noe noticed Dr. Melika searching around in the cabinet for something.

“And, here it is! I didn’t want it to get damaged. So, I carefully placed the thing in one of my cabinets.”

“Boy, Dr. Mel, you always keep your office nice and clean, huh?” Sol said, playing it cool. “That’s how my dad operates too.”

“Hah, when you’re older, you start to appreciate more cleanliness.”

The curator closed the cabinet and approached the kids as she simply asked,

“By the way, I heard a loud crash just now. Did something happen?”

Suddenly, there was a much louder crash from the other room. Everything nearly went dark for Sol and Noe as they knew full well what had happened. Like football players at a game, they huddled together, deliberating in a hushed tone.

“Noe, what do we do?” Sol asked. “Should we come clean?”

“You’re the one who broke the thing!” Noe rebuked. “Figure it out!”

Melika titled her head in confusion.

“Um, kids? Are you alright?”

Sol darted his eyes to Noe and then to the Curator. There was no way around it. He had to admit to his accidental mistake. Wiping the sweat from his brow and sighing deeply, he said,

“Actually, ma’am... I broke the statue.”

There was a moment of silence before the middle-aged woman let out an uproariously whole hearted laugh. Sol and Noe were baffled beyond belief.

“Hah, hah, hah! Sol, you truly are hilarious! If that were true, I’d have a heart attack! Just imagine…all those painstakingly long hours of restoring the statue…straight down the drain.”

Sol joined in the laughter, playing it off cool.

“Y-yeah, that’d be a crying shame, eh, Noe?”

“Yup, pity that…” the girl said, crossing her arms and nodded firmly.

“All jokes aside, though,” Melika said. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Cool! What is it?” Sol inquired.

In the curator’s hand was a fancy white envelope with a red stamp in the back.

“This is your letter of introduction. The Genesis Republic have established an archaeological dig at the Manu ruins. I arranged two people to visit.”

Sol’s brown eyes beamed with surprise. His mouth slack jawed.

“Dr. Melika…this is…! Thank you so much!”

“Sol, isn’t this great?” Noe cheered, patting him on the back. “You always said you wanted to go to a dig site! Now you can add that to the bucket list.”

“I’m just happy to see your faces,” Melika commented. “Show this letter to the army and they’ll let you visit. But, don’t wait too long to go there. They started their work sometime during the early morning. They’ll probably be finished soon. And maybe…just maybe…you’ll find out something about that necklace of yours.”

“Well, let’s not waste another minute!” Sol shouted in jubilance. “Manu ruins, here we come!”

With Noe following close behind him, the teenager sprinted out of the museum, excitement practically bursting out of him. As soon as they were out, the young duo let out a breath of relief. They made it out unsuspected. Now they can move on to—

“AHHH! The Babylonian statue!! I just finished fixing it!!”

Both kids’ eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at the curator’s shout of despair.

“Uh-oh! We’re in hot water now!” Noe spoke. “What’ll we do now?”

“Think we should just come clean?” Sol wondered. “Maybe the curator will forgive—”

“Who did this? Where did that person run off too?! Now I have to sacrifice hours of sleep repairing this again!!”

And suddenly, the idea of confessing when right out the window.

“Nope. No way. Forget it. She’ll have us inlaid upon the statue in a heartbeat.”

“You’re right,” Noe agreed. “I feel bad Dr. Melika, but for now, let’s head to Manu ruins.”

So, without looking back, the duo went off to the train station, where their first adventure awaits.