["And the sea began to foam"]

I once asked my mother: "If the sea took Dad away, why do we still worship it?"

I was only eight at that time. Immediately, my mother's youthful features darkened, and I recognised the look in her eyes. It was the glint that surfaced whenever any tribe member broke the rules or threatened to disrupt the peace of the tribe.

However, at this question, the was also something else behind that stern look. Eventually, the crease between her eyebrows softened, and she let out a breath. She set down her pen and turned towards me with her arms slightly open. "Come here, Ariana."

I timidly trotted over, prepared to be chastised, but to my pleasant surprise she pulled me onto her lap, a rare show of affection.

"The sword can be our protector, yet it can also kill," her voice was low and tender. "Ans the sea is the same. We are the tribe of the sea; it is our responsibility to serve the ocean, for it has given us the power we need to protect our land. Your father-" Here, she hesitated. Her pensive gaze was now directed towards window that overlooked the shore, before she finally resumed. "The sea did not take him away. He was... offered a choice. He did it for everyone's sake."

At the last sentence, her voice grew monotonous.

"Do you think... I can bring him back if I become the next Holder?"

My mother burst out laughing, a mellifluous tone that brought a huge smile to my lips. She gently poked my head with a finger. "If you become, that is. For now, you have to work hard to win the Course."

I clenched my fists, a seed of determination germinating in my child-self.

"...Ariana!"

I snap out of my whirlpool of thoughts and turn around. Siena approaches me, her wavy brown tresses and yellow dress that accentuates her smooth sun-kissed skin dancing in the light zephyr. She has always manage to outshine everyone wherever she go, and even with just the two of us alone now, the sun bathes her in a twilight glow and the breeze seem to dance along to her heart's melody. Her lips quirk up into a small but flawless grin. "You were day-dreaming again."

"Well, technically, I am not," I gesture towards the sinking golden orb. "It's already evening."

She rolls her eyes. "Yeah, whatever. Anyway, I was looking for you everywhere, but it was as if you have disappeared into thin air." She settles down beside me and gently nudges me. "Are you that nervous for tomorrow?"

I scoff and return my gaze back to the waves rocking against the rocks beneath our feet. "Who wouldn't be? Well, I guess you, since you aren't taking part."

She hums. "Mm, I have no desire to devote myself to an entity that has the power to potentially kill all of us." She picks up a small pebble and drops it over the cliff. It disappears into the rolling waters beneath. "My magic isn't as strong as yours. You're one of the strongest of our age, you have potential."

I shrug, attempting to appear insouciant, but it is a futile effort in Siena's eyes. She smiles and pats my back. "Don't worry, Ari. I know you can do this."

We both linger in casual silence, just admiring the sea breeze and allowing ourselves to soak in the ambience. When I peer over at the turquoise waters, something catches my eye.

"Hey, Ena, what's that down there?"

"Hmm...?" She follows my line of sight. Just a few feet away, the waters do not splash against the cliff, but instead it streams into a shadowed area, as if there is a-

"A cave," Siena's voice is no more than a whisper. "How have we never notice it?"

I stand up and begin stretching. Siena, already seeing through me, scrambles up. "Wait, wait, Ari, no."

"Why not?" I flash her an eager grin. "We have been into every cave except this now, don't you want to explore it?" She falters slightly. "But... it's so low..."

"Don't worry, I've practically train for this," I reassure her, then tease, "unless you want to take the long way around." She huffs. "Honestly, I rather."

I tighten my ponytail. "All right, suit yourself." Without waiting for her rebuke, I take a leap.

The feeling of wind rushing past my ears kick start the adrenaline in my blood. My hand instinctively reach out, searching for the familiar tug, and the moment my palm tingles, I pull.

The waves rise at my command. I barely had time to take a deep breath before I plunge into the risen tide with a smooth dive. I concentrate, riding the waters that carry me to wherever I want. A triumphant smile grace my lips. Perfect.

Eventually, I curve into the looming mouth of the cave.

Siena arrives a few moments later, just as I finish squeezing the water out of my clothes. She smirks and holds up two torchlights. I can only laugh.

We both start to look around. I shine my light across the cave and crane my neck to look at the ceiling. It isn't as high as expected, easily reachable if I jump. The cave isn't anything out of ordinary, and fairly shallow, so there isn't much to look about.

I don't pay attention when feet hooks onto something, and I stumble, catching myself in time before I kiss the muddy floor. Slightly annoyed, I whirl around to search for the object.

It is a leather book. When I flip it open, the creased pages are already yellow in the lost of time, and mostly smudged due to the humidity trap in the cave, but at the very end, one page catches my attention.

"Ena, I found something," I beckon her over. Together we read the only page that is not illegible.

"Hejah Illumus Kegnog Ashli Poseindone,

Rectinum Ywatchna Eslera Vyan.

The one with the Blood called, and the sea began to foam."

I read out loud. Below, the words are smudged, so we can not continue. Before we could proceed, there is a loud crash of thunder that shake the cave.

Impossible. The sky is clear.

We glance at each other. We have to leave now. With the book in hand, we made a beeline out of the cave. And the sight we behold leaves us in total paralysis.

The water begins to bubble and froth as it curls back on itself. The tide is receding, drag in by an invisible force in the middle of the ocean. What is left of the ocean bed is sea foam and shells. The marine animals have been sucked in alike.

When we climb back to our village, everyone has gathered to gape at the horrifying sight. No one notices us, except for a woman from the front who breaks away from the crowd to approach us. I realise it is my mother.

Her eyes are wide, and for the first time, I recognise the fear in her cerulean irises. She grabs my shoulders, and asks me in a feeble voice:

"What did you do?"

♤[5/5/2020]♤

Oh well, I took this too far. Regrets but no regrets.

Somehow everything I write seem to come out as a whole novel concept lmao either way i hoped this at least intrigues you even if it wasn't well written.

:)