Episode Twentyone: A World Away

After Dodo and his team went through the gong statue early that morning, the Waterfallers began gathering what they needed. Kali was one of the Forgotten Five that Weeko and Leia found when they came down the waterfall. Akio was Weeko and Leia's only child. Shortly after he married Kali, the Great Ocean delivered a crate full of kids. Between the children and the work that still needed to be done, Weeko and Leia began to forget about their old home. Akio found Shuka's family in the forest near the southwestern ridge of the shore. They have been like family ever since.

Weeko, Leia, Akio, and Kali Waterfaller, met Elder Shuka by the gong shortly after breakfast. Seeing that they had gathered food, blankets, walking sticks, and several torches, Highest Elder Tarik gathered the second group of adventurers together for words of encouragement. He warned them that they needed to succeed in their mission because the future of the Western Shore was at stake.

Shuka carefully opened the ancient door. A rush of water came pouring out. This time the water that flooded the area caused the coconut trees to produce extra fruit. Even though they were now all wet, they were still as excited as ever to see how the Southern Shore was doing.

Tarik rounded up the builders in the village center, and discussed the plans with them. After seeing the vision that the gong granted them, they knew that they needed to rescue their loved and lost tribe-members. Realizing that the island wasn't that far away, they agreed that the simple raft would work. If there was time they would build the larger boat.


Early that same morning, Blanne, the Great Sea Spirit, hurried into the ocean. He pulled out a golden medallion from under his garment, held it up to the sky, and waited. The remaining clouds whisked away, and the sky became a beautiful shade of blue. When the sunlight hit him in just the right way Blanne transformed back into the great fish. Lakia wrapped the blanket that Hong had given her around her waist like a skirt. Hong helped her to sit upon the back of the great fish. Then he climbed up and sat down behind her, and then Blanne emerged himself under the water and swam quickly on their way.

Blanne brought them to the shore of the southernmost tip of the island. Lakia again touched her heart and held the medallion, and Blanne transformed again into a man. They rested on the beach and ate breakfast. Meanwhile Blanne explained about the King and Queen. "Normally, they eat of the Longevity Fruit and live a long time. But their highest councilman, Paco is trying to overthrow the throne and had been destroying all the plants that bear that fruit." Blanne told them. "He also stole medicinal plants, herbs, and flowers from all over the island. He had been trying to make himself strong and fast. Some of his combinations have worked, and others he just puts into vials and throws them into the river or ocean."

Hong and Lakia listened carefully as Blanne went on. "One night Paco stole the King's medallion. After that the King and Queen were afraid for their well-being and fled the palace. They knew it was time to train one of their sons to take over the throne. They went deep into the Darkened Forest and hid there for years. Many villagers believed that they passed away. Others believed that Paco was given the throne." Blanne paused a moment.

"I have tried unsuccessfully to stop Paco in the past. So the King and Queen have been in hiding, waiting for help to arrive. That is why I am here to bring you to them. But Paco might be watching. We will have to sneak in to meet them." Blanne finished.

"Forgive me for asking, Your Highness, but if you couldn't defeat him before, what makes you think that Hong and I will be enough help to you now?"

"Because we're not alone." Blanne replied with a smile. "We will soon have help. They are on their way now and will meet us further along."

Jem quickly closed the flap that let the water pour out. "Let's keep going." she said. Before long, they started seeing cracks in the ceiling and beams of mid-morning sunlight broke through. Yet, Piku, who struggled with moving so slowly, did not put out his torch. An hour or so later, they were out of the tunnel-like part of the passage. In front of them were three separate walkways: one straight ahead, which led to another tunnel, one that turned off left and to the north, turning back a little bit the direction that they came, and one that turned right and to the south, leading up a little hill.

"Leader Dodo? Which way do you want us to go?" asked Piku.
Dodo turned to Samar. "Do you remember which path leads where?"
Samar looked every which way, trying to remember...

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