Chapter 866 Crystalline Statue



It was midday by the time Lee Seng reached the seaside shores. He stood on the sand, looking out at the water. He let out a sigh and moved towards the docks. His eight tails billowed freely behind him as he breathed in the wonderful smell of the sea.

"Savior…?" A voice called out. Lee Seng stopped and turned. A woman was curiously looking at him as if she wasn't sure if this was the right person or not. "Savior… Keng?"

"That's my brother." Lee Seng smiled. The woman grew a bit more nervous. "I'm Lee Seng, his brother."

"Oh, the twin." The woman whispered. She walked over to Lee Seng, hunched over. She had a small basket and grabbed something in it and offered it to him. "Please take this Savior." He took the item and noticed it was a hand carved piece. 

"What's it made out of?" Lee Seng asked, looking at the old woman. 

"Crystalline Stone. I found them along the sea line." The woman answered. Lee Seng noticed it was a carving of two people, embracing each other. It looked like Keng and Calis. "Savior Keng helped me when I was in need, so I told him I would make something in return for helping me back then. I heard from the Elder that he went away for a while, so I was surprised when I saw you standing here, dear. Could you please give him this?"

"Yeah, I'll give it to him when I go back." Lee Seng nodded.

"Thanks dear." The old woman smiled. She watched Lee Seng stuff it away in the Void Storage and turn to stare at the sea. "I don't mean to pry, dear, but it seems you have a lot on your mind. Is something wrong, Savior?" Lee Seng snapped out of it and braved a fake smile. 

"Well, it's nothing too big, ma'am. Just a lot to deal with." Lee Seng tried to sound okay, but nothing seemed to come out that way. The woman turned and kept her smile. 

"If you don't mind me asking, Savior, what's the problem?" 

"Well…" Lee Seng focused on the sea as he put his thoughts together. "It feels like fate's dumped a lot onto me as of late. I'm not sure you know this but I was in a coma for two years. I woke up almost four months ago and everything changed. I had to learn everything again. My friends had continued to live on while I slept. They still worry about me. And now… fate has me ready for a long fight I have to face in order to understand my true origins." He looked at his hand and frowned. The old woman nodded, staring at the sea and sky.

"It's okay to not know everything, Savior." The woman started. "I spent much of my life being scared when new things arrived. You may feel everything and be worried Fate will play a cruel trick on you, but we must endure the good and the bad in order to truly grow. You are at crossroads right now and all you need to do right now is breathe. Take time to give thanks to the gods for your life. Give thanks and ask for guidance in this time.

"I'm not really sure about fighting. I spend much of my time as an avid person of peace, but I see many warriors come and go. I remember one of them was sat near me one night and they were talking to one of the newer warriors. The newer warrior was wondering what they'll do in the upcoming adventure and the veteran told them 'in this line of work, we deal with life and death. We are put in situations which constantly take us to that place. Trust in the people who fight with you. Carry their burdens as they carry yours.' 

"I don't know what you're fully experiencing inside, Savior, but remember you are not alone in this. There are many people who fight similar fights. And your friends, your twin brother - they're probably just as worried as you are. Confide in them or find someone else to do so, but don't let it fester inside." The old woman smiled. "But that's all this old lady has for you, dear. Please give that to Savior Keng when you return. I will be on my way. Have a good day, dear."

"H-have a good day, ma'am." Lee Seng turned and bowed. The old woman smiled and waved goodbye before slowly climbing the beach towards hard ground. Lee Seng straightened himself up and turned to the sea. 

'Find someone to confide in.' Lee Seng thought. He took a couple breaths and closed his eyes. The sound of the sea lapping against the beach and the seagulls calmed him. It was odd he even came here, but he would continue on this journey. 

It didn't take Lee Seng very long to return to the Merfolk Village. It was bustling with life as soldiers took notice of him. They didn't stop the Fox Spirit as he entered. Many people gave the Fox Spirit odd looks. He made his way over to the Village Chief's building and greeted the soldiers stationed out at the front.

"Is the Village Chief here?" Lee Seng asked.

"What's your business with him?" A Merfolk Soldier asked.

"Well, I guess I could ask you guys…" Lee Seng whispered. He cleared his throat and spoke louder for them to hear. "I'm actually looking for Captain Calis. Do you know where he is? I've been here once so I'm not familiar with the place."

"Captain Calis? Are you his Fox friend?" The soldier asked.

"Something like that." Lee Seng smiled. The soldier looked past Lee Seng and cleared his throat.

"Oh, Cayi!" The soldier shouted. Lee Seng turned and noticed a Merman stop and turn to look at the soldiers. The soldier motioned him over. Cayi was lanky and held a staff in his hand. He was certainly handsome.

"Yes, sir?" Cayi responded. He took a look at Lee Seng, registering the Fox Spirit and then looking back at the soldier and then back at Lee Seng like he knew who this person was, but didn't.

"Are you done with your remedial classes? Can you do me a favor and take this Fox Spirit to Captain Calis?"

"Captain Calis?" Cayi looked up and down at Lee Seng. "Don't you know where he is? I've seen you hang out with him loads, Savior Keng."

"Oh, I'm not Keng." Lee Seng waved his hands in front of him. "I'm his brother, Lee Seng."

"Ah. No wonder…" Cayi whispered. He looked at the soldier and nodded. "Leave it to me, sir. I was going that way anyways. C'mon, Savior." Lee Seng followed Cayi. From what Keng shared with him, Cayi was much smaller. The young Merman must've had a growth spurt. His voice was deeper, his body was more pronounced and his face was certainly… eye catching. 

"Thanks for helping me." Lee Seng smiled. 

"Oh, no problem." Cayi smiled. "So, I heard rumors you guys went off Realm. Is that true?"

"Yeah. Personal business to attend to. Hopefully all goes well." 

"Ah…" Cayi nodded. "So what brings you all the way down here? You could've sent a message for Captain Calis."

"Well, last time he had amnesia so I'm not sure if he remembers me much."

"True." Cayi came to a door and opened it. He motioned Lee Seng in, who nodded and stepped in. A few eyes stared at Lee Seng as he entered. "He should be in his quarters. I'll take you to him before I—"

"Cayi, what're you doing now?" A small Mermaid woman asked. She moved straight up to Cayi and looked at Lee Seng. 

"Savior Lee Seng wanted to meet with Captain Calis. I told him I'd show him the way." Cayi answered.

"You were supposed to come directly here afterwards!" 

"Well, Sir Ranuld called me over. I couldn't ignore that." Cayi scratched his neck. Aliza sighed and then looked at Lee Seng. "I'll show him where Captain Calis is and then we can be on our way."

"Mermen…" Aliza sighed. "Things used to be easier when you were a pipsqueak like me… Now you're all grown…" Cayi smiled and looked at Lee Seng, motioning him to follow him. Cayi took him down the right hall and followed it for a while until they reached the end. 

"He's in there." Cayi pointed. "I can't stay or else Aliza will skin me alive."

"Thanks, Cayi." Lee Seng nodded. Cayi smiled and waved goodbye. Lee Seng stepped over to the door and knocked on it. There was no verbal response. He could hear someone moving behind the door. "Captain Calis?" He knocked on the door again. The movement stopped and was followed by a sigh. The door flew open and a messy Calis stood in front of him.

"Who are you?" Calis asked. "I didn't get anything about a Fox Spirit coming to see me…" 

"Well…" Lee seng gulped. He scratched his neck and naturally took a peek into the room behind Calis. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Well, I don't want to talk. Just cause I'm not helping the others right now doesn't mean they have to send a Fox Spirit to help me. Get lost." Calis slammed the door in front of Lee Seng's face. Lee Seng sighed and knocked on the door, again. "Get lost!" Something crashed into the door. Lee Seng tried the door with no luck. Calis had locked it.

"I just want to talk." Lee Seng told him. There was no response. "I came to see you because I wanted to talk about my brother and you. I know it's not my place, but I thought you should at least know what's about to happen." He rested his forehead on the door and looked down. "We might not come back. We might die and never return so I just wanted you to understand this… You and Keng had a close bond. I'm not sure what it is and it really isn't my place to pry, but… My brother certainly likes you. This really might be a life or death situation so…" 

Lee Seng plucked the statue out and set it at the door.

"A gift for you. Maybe it'll help you remember. I gotta go!" He turned and began to leave when he could hear something press against the door. He turned to it and cleared his throat. "Don't you want to understand whatever you're feeling inside? Maybe the gift will make your remember."