Part 2 - Once again, nightmares.

Chapter 9 - Diverging Convergence

"We're here. We are preparing to dock," Captain Eldrin said, his hand deftly turning the ship with his magic.

Before we could fully dock, a sudden burst of water exploded from the left side of the first layer's wall. A figure shot through, moving at incredible speeds with water trailing behind it. Close to the figure was a girl, about my age and my height, gliding on a mirror-like platform. She looked in our direction, then waved to the guards following her, directing them towards the speeding figure.

She then turned her attention back to us and raised her hand.

The ship began to rock violently. "Everyone, hold on!" Captain Eldrin shouted.

The waves around us lifted and crashed into each other in a chaotic dance. The ship was tossed, and we clung to the sides to avoid being thrown overboard. As we neared the five kilometre mark, the waves began to calm, transforming into a controlled, mellow stream that guided us smoothly and hastily towards the dock.

The girl's control over the water was remarkable, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and curiosity. "What just happened?" I muttered, gripping the rail tightly.

Lyra looked at the girl with a straight face, "That is... the Water Prodigy. Marina Lark." She took a breath, "That girl is the reason why the war began. It was only for her so she could be birth properly."

As the ship docked with a slight bump against the wall, the girl descended gracefully toward the dock. The mirror-like platform she stood on dispersed into shimmering water droplets as she gently floated towards the ground.

She was a vision of blue, gold, and white. Her frilly coat featured a collar and hem stitched with luxurious white fur. The sleek, dark blue sleeves and the impeccable tailoring spoke of the finest quality and years of craftsmanship. Beneath the coat, she wore an elegant light blue long-sleeved corset with gold stripes down the front, highlighting her refined taste.

Her dark blue, denim pants were paired with an open-front skirt stitched with a delicate floral pattern along the sides, all accented with gleaming gold stripes. A deep carnation red short tie stood out vividly against her outfit. Completing her ensemble were dark blue high heels, tied with pristine white strings.

The rising sun cast a radiant glow, causing me to shield my eyes. As she stepped onto the ground, her features came into view.

Her silky, shiny shoulder-length blonde hair framed a face of striking beauty. Her eyes were a deep, captivating gold yellow. She moved with an ethereal grace that made her appear almost otherworldly to the onlookers. Her presence commanded attention and respect, embodying both elegance and power.

Another glance at her face revealed that her pupils were diamond-shaped, adding an otherworldly quality to her already captivating appearance.

"Oh my! Visitors! What a view! What brings all of you here?!" she said gleefully, her eyes sparkling as she made eye contact with each of us. Her voice had a slight sing-song quality, a new welcoming tone that put us slightly at ease despite the tense situation.

"We came to fin-."

"Finish the tour! Yes. Luminary Academy's tour..." Lyra interrupted Luna before she could finish.

Marina's head tilted, and her eyes seemed to sparkle even more. "A tour!? So, I take it you are from Luminary Academy!" She said as she shook all of our hands, her enthusiasm contagious.

As she finally shook my hand last, she continued, "There have been minor issues going on recently in Aqueonos, so be a little alert, okay? One of which is that girl who just ran super duper quick! But we'll catch her eventually!" There was a small pause before she continued once again. This time, the sparkle in her eyes dimmed slightly.