From Hero to Her: Cale's Quirky Adventure

Chapter 16: Clues in the Sand

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the island as Cale and his companions set off to explore their tropical surroundings. The locals, now thoroughly convinced of Cale's divine status, had prepared a delightful feast, and as much as Cale tried to navigate the situation, the villagers' adoration only added to the comedic chaos of their adventure.

"Okay, team! Let's uncover the secrets of this island!" Cale declared, puffing out his chest in mock confidence. He tried to shake off the remnants of the 'goddess' incident from the day before. "We need to find out more about the God of Mischief and how to break this ridiculous curse!"

As they wandered along a winding path flanked by tall palm trees, Raon flitted about, darting here and there, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "What do you think we'll find? Ancient treasures? Magical artifacts?" He was practically bouncing off the ground.

"Or maybe a giant, snoring sea monster," Choi Han added, grinning. "That seems to be a common theme for us."

Cale rolled his eyes. "Let's try to avoid any sea monsters, please. I've had enough excitement for a lifetime."

"Maybe there's a god of snacks hidden somewhere," Ron chimed in, feigning seriousness. "Then we can barter with them to turn you back."

"That would be ideal," Cale replied dryly. "Except I'm pretty sure gods don't trade snacks for favors. Just look at how those villagers reacted yesterday!"

Alberu walked beside Cale, trying to maintain a composed demeanor. "Well, regardless, we should keep our eyes peeled for any signs or clues. The sooner we find something, the sooner we can figure out how to reverse this curse."

As they continued their exploration, the group came across a small clearing filled with strange symbols etched into the rocks. Intrigued, they gathered around to examine the markings.

"Look at this!" Rosalyn pointed excitedly at one of the symbols. "This looks like it could be part of an ancient language!"

"Or an elaborate doodle," Cale said, squinting at the rock. "It could just be some kid playing around."

"Definitely not a doodle," Eruhaben stated firmly, examining the symbols with a serious expression. "These markings are ancient. They might hold the key to understanding the God of Mischief's curse."

As they debated the meaning of the symbols, Cale felt a familiar tugging sensation at the back of his mind. "I wish my ancient powers would be more straightforward," he muttered. "They're always so cryptic."

Suddenly, a whisper echoed in his head. Find the truth, Cale. The pieces are scattered, but they can lead you to your freedom.

"Did you all hear that?" Cale asked, his brows furrowing in confusion.

"Hear what?" Choi Han replied, tilting his head. "Are you okay? You've been acting strange since we got here."

"Yeah, Cale," Raon added. "Didn't you eat a little too much of that goddess feast?"

"I'm serious! I just heard something!" Cale insisted, feeling increasingly frustrated. "It was about finding the truth and the pieces being scattered."

"Pieces?" Alberu mused, looking around. "You mean like a puzzle? This could be a clue!"

Cale sighed. "I really don't want to play a game of 'find the missing pieces' right now. Can't my powers just give me a clear answer instead of these riddles?"

Just then, another whisper floated through his mind. Trust in your friends, Cale. They will help you see the path.

"Okay, now I'm definitely losing it," Cale muttered under his breath, crossing his arms. "First, I'm called a goddess, and now I'm hearing voices. What's next, a musical number?"