Episode Twentysix: The Greatest Power

Shuka and the Waterfallers had waited patiently for the Runners to finish the bridge and run along, out of their sight. Then they carefully crossed the bridge. Noting the footprints on the ground, Shuka was glad to see that they took the other path. "We need to hurry." She told the others. "It is already late afternoon, and the sun will be setting before we know it." They all agreed with her.

No one but Shuka had been down this way before. Even Weeko and Leia had been caught up in the rapids of the river when they passed this way last, and hadn't noticed the trees and flowers. Kali was a bit scared. She had never been where she couldn't see the sun going down over the ocean. She wanted to believe that they would be ok, but wasn't so sure. Shuka decided to tell them more about their mission while they walked.

"The Queen's Black Pearl came from a giant clam that washed up on the shore of the city where the Palace of Prosperity is located, and is the most powerful source of energy on the island." Shuka told them in her dramatic manner. "You see, the Legend of Isola says that anyone who touches the pearl and helps another is given inner peace and hope. But anyone that keeps the pearl for him or herself withdraws from the others and his or her her heart is filled with worry and doubt."

"After it had been found, the King gave the pearl to the Queen, who cautiously held it in her scepter. One day, one of the sons of the King and Queen, Ipo and Iso, went missing, she took the pearl out of her scepter to harness it's power to find him."

"Incredible!" Kali exclaimed. "Then we can use the pearl to find the sea monster and Lakia, can't we? But why do we need the plant?"

"Well, using the powerful pearl in her hands instead of the scepter made her age very quickly. She had to be given the fruit from the Longevity Plant in order to stay alive." Shuka paused a moment before continuing. "Sadly, they never found their son before they themselves disappeared."

As the sun started to go down behind them, Akio saw that the path came close to the river again up ahead. They approached the North-West tip of the Rim of Promise, where there was a tiny little empty village with a sign that read: Fire City. The five of them peered inside the entryway, and noted a huge fire-pit that merely needed to be lit.

"I think we should build a fire here and stay the night." Weeko said. "We still have a ways to go and we are running out of daylight." The group agreed and passed through the gate. Shuka walked over to the river and sat by the shore.


"Wait! Father!" Hong remembered that voice. "Don't you remember me?" The woman who was trying to get through the crowd broke free past them and ran to Hong as he turned around.

"Onawa?" She nodded. "Onawa! Well praise the Guiding Hand and Isola herself!" It was one of his daughters. He hugged her.
"Many of the others are here too!" She told him. Then Onawa continued, "Father, this is your grand-daughter." and she placed her hand on Amaci.

Hong was very excited about finding his daughters there in the little village. He promised his daughters that he would return there as soon as he was done with the needs of the King and Queen. Young Leader Amaci urged Lakia, Blanne, and Hong to hurry.

The three climbed back into the passage along with the Tribe's three hunters, and quietly and quickly traveled toward their destination, The Darkened Forest. Partway through, Lakia began to hear the sound of water. They stopped at a wide area, that had a trickle of water flowing down into a bowl-like feature on the wall. There was a small opening in the passage that led upward. Lakia didn't go out, but looked out the opening.

Shuka sat there by the river and gently spoke to the gods of Isola. She told them about how much she missed Lakia and how she hoped to see her family again. Leia walked over to Shuka and assured her that they would do their best to find the girl. Kali came over too and sat down. Then she called into the twilight, "Lakia! We love you and and want you to come home! We're not going to stop looking for you! La-ki-a!"


Lakia sat by the opening, watched the sun go down over the mountain and listened. As the wind blew through the opening, it sounded like a familiar voice was calling for her to come home. She called back, "I'm coming! I'll be home soon!" Then turned back to her fellow adventurers. "Let's go" and they continued on their way.

Kali turned to her mother and Shuka, "Did you hear that? Lakia answered us!" But they assured her that Lakia was on another island, far from here, and it must have just been the wind. They all got up to head for the newly lit fire, when Leia stumbled and fell. She cried out in pain, for her leg was broken...

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