Chapter 21: Shadows On The Horizon

The following morning, a thick mist hung over the village, with eerie silence landing across the shore. Emma woke into a feeling of her heart pounding; somehow, she knew that something did not feel right. She quickly dressed, completing the buckle around her neck. The weight reminded her constantly of the road ahead.

She came out and found Leo waiting by the beach, staring at the horizon with a tense expression.

"Did you feel it too?" he asked her, turning to her, concern etched on his face. "Something is.off today."

Emma nodded, clenching her pendant tighter. "The ocean feels different. There's something lurking in these currents-something dark.

The words had barely been uttered, when a blood-curdling scream tore through the morning silence. Villagers quickly assembled, eyes darting to the trees lining their haven. Emma's heart was racing as she saw smoke rising in the far distance.

"That was from the village square," Leo said, already running up the path.

Emma followed suit, her mind reeling. Did they return that quickly?

When they finally arrived at the square, chaos was what they saw, as a number of villagers were struggling to douse the flames that covered a supply cart. A young man was lying on the ground a short distance away, clutching his arm in pain. Emma recognized the boy as Ben, one of the sons of fishermen.

"Ben!" she shouted out, running to him. "What happened?"

Ben looked up, his face pale. "They came out of nowhere…dark-cloaked figures. They were looking for someone…someone with a 'powerful amulet.'" He glanced across at Emma's pendant, and she felt a pang of guilt.

Leo frowned, glancing around. "They're after you, Emma. They must have returned for the pendant."

Emma's fingers instinctively closed over the pendant, its warmth spreading into her hand as if a silent reminder of the bond she shared with the ocean. "Then we need to be ready. We can't let them harm the village."

Just then, Naida appeared, a quiet yet commanding presence in the room. With her silver eyes, she took stock of the scene in front of her before addressing Emma and Leo in an even, calm voice.

"They are relentless, those who would seek the power of the ocean," she said. "But they are not invincible. Emma, the magic of the ocean is strong, and it is time you learned how to tap into it properly."

Emma's heart leapt. She'd been practicing her powers, learning to control small bursts of water, to feel the pull of the tides. But she didn't know just how deep the power ran inside of her.

"Are you prepared to learn, Emma?" Naida's voice was low, but her eyes seemed to bore into the distance.

Emma swallowed, the fear being washed away by a rising determination. "Yes. Teach me."

Naida nodded, gesturing for her to follow. They walked to the edge of the shore, the mist clinging to the water like a shroud.

Focus on the ocean," Naida instructed. "Feel its pulse, its rhythm. The ocean is alive, Emma. Its strength courses through you, waiting to be tapped into."

Emma closed her eyes, allowing herself to fall into the sensation of the waves lapping at her feet. She focused and felt the warmth of the pendant spread across her chest, filling her with an energy that was both foreign and familiar.

She raised her hands slowly, her focus upon the water before her. With a command from her, waves rose and coiled into a spiraling column of water that hung in mid-air. She opened her eyes with wonder at the sight.

"You're a natural," Naida said, a small note of pride in her tone. "But this is only the beginning. The power of the ocean is great, and you must respect it-or it will consume you."

Emma nodded, her eyes never leaving his. She opened her hands, letting the water fall back to shore with a soft slapping sound. She felt a well of pride rise but also sobering sense of responsibility.

Naida continued with, "These strangers…they may be strong, but they have nothing to do with the sea. That is what gives you your strength, Emma. It's not in the wielding of the magic of the ocean-but the understanding of it, the honoring of it."

As Naida spoke, it sank in, and with it, her realization-this was not something to be feared, but rather embraced, as now it was a part of her.

Just then, Leo came running up. "Emma, Naida—some villagers saw the strangers around the eastern cliffs. They're combing the entire village."

Naida's face blackened. "Unyielding. But they've underestimated the strength of this village…of its protector."

Emma met Leo's eyes and a fire of defiance was lit therein. "Let's go."

 ---

They went on forward to the east cliffs, mist obscuring everything around them. She heard only the distant whispers of the sea soothing and guiding her further ahead. She saw figures approaching them-dark forms moving within the fog, shrouded by shadows.

Leo tugged tight on his staff, stepped protectively in front of her. "Stay close, Emma. If they attack-"

"I can manage," Emma interrupted, her tone more steady than her insides. "It's high time I took a stand."

The figures emerged from the mist, five in all, their faces hidden beneath hoods. The apparent leader was the man with piercing blue eyes she had dealt with before. He sneered as he spotted Emma.

You think you can challenge us?" he sneered. "The spirit of the ocean belongs to us. You're just a girl."

A burning anger rose inside Emma, but she kept control. "I'm more than just a girl," she said. "The ocean chose me, and I won't let you take what doesn't belong to you."

The man laughed, his laughter hollow and chilling. "We'll see about that.

He raised his hands, the dark energy crackling between his fingers. Before she could even react, he loosed a jagged confluence of power at her. But she wasn't having that. She lifted her hands, calling upon the magic of the ocean. A shield of water rose around her, absorbing the attack and dissipating it into harmless mist.

The man's eyes widened in shock. "Impossible.

Emma stepped forward, a firm voice: "Leave this village, or face the ocean's wrath."

The other figures paused, glancing sideways, but the leader snarled and raised his hand in another assault. Before he could strike, a huge wave surged from the ocean and crashed down with a force that shook the cliffs.

The strangers were flung back, scrambling to get away from the water's furor. Emma stood her ground, feeling the strength of the ocean course through her veins. She was no longer fighting off attackers; she was protecting her home, her people, her purpose.

When the wave receded, the leader struggled to his feet, his face contorted with rage and disbelief. He shook a quivering finger in Emma's direction. "This isn't over. We'll be back, and then you won't have a prayer."

Then, he and his cohorts vanished in the fog, the dark outlines consumed by darkness.

As the last of the strangers vanished, the tension oozed from Emma's body. She turned her eyes to Leo, who stood there staring at her in awe.

"You did it," he whispered. "You really stood up to them."

Emma smiled, a mix of relief and pride drenched within her. "I couldn't have done it alone. The ocean…our village…everyone was with me.

Naida steps forward, her hand on Emma's shoulder. "You proved your worth today, Emma. You are not only a host to the spirit of the ocean; you are its guardian.".

Then she stood at the horizon, looking out at the lifting of the mist with the sun clearing through the clouds. Emma felt a sense of peace, a sense of belonging that seemed to elude her for so long. The call of the ocean was no mystery; it was a part of her, guiding her, grounding her.

She knew that her journey was far from over as she and Leo walked back into the village. Those shadows threatening her world were still out there, lurking and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. But now, she was ready for them.

With the spirit of the ocean now inside her, she felt unstoppable, especially with her friends by her side.