Distant Shores 2: Waves Of Time

The Ruby

"Coral? Coral? Are you alright?"

You're brought out of your shock by Edward, gently rubbing his hands up and down your arms.

"Sorry... I'm just, well I'm not sure what all I'm feeling..."

You trail off, not sure how to get your thoughts in order because your head won't stop spinning.

"Here Coral, sit down."

Oliver pulls out his desk chair for you and you collapse into it. The stress overwhelms you and you start crying, letting the tears flow down your cheeks. Edward kneels beside you, one hand rubbing your back, and the other reaching up to wipe a tear away. All three of them are looking at you with concern, so you breakdown and tell them everything; Robert is alive, you actually came back, and you are going to find a way to stay permanently.

"Robert's alive? How is that possible? We saw my father stab him."

"Believe me Oliver, I'm just as confused. I'm not sure how this time traveling thing works, and honestly I don't think we'll ever find out the truth. My theory is that going through the portal and ending up back in the future started a new timeline for him. I have no clue where he ended up or what his plans might be, but I know we haven't seen the last of him."

You turn to look at Edward. His blue eyes are filled with curiosity.

"You read about our life in the future? What all happened?"

You grab both of his hands, lacing your fingers through his.

"We had so many adventures, Edward. We lived a life of excitement."

You tell him everything, from saving Tiburon from a hurricane, to dueling with the Seven Pirate Kings. His eyes light up, listening to all the epic stories that await you two. Finally you get to the part that you hate so much.

 "At the end of the exhibit was a portrait of you. It said that I kept coming back to find my one true love. Then for some reason I couldn't come back anymore, and you spent the rest of your life sailing the seven seas, waiting for me to return."

You throw your arms around Edward, and start crying again.

"I refuse to let that part happen. I love you and I'm going to find a way to stay no matter what."

"Coral, I love you so much, of course I'd always wait for you. But if a life here is what you want, I'm going to help you find a way to make it happen. I want this future too. I don't ever want to live a life that you're not a part of."

You wipe your eyes and blink back more tears. Edward's reassurance brings you comfort and a new sense of purpose.

"Well if I'm going to figure out a way to stay, then we need to learn all we can about this compass. So Charlie, how exactly did it end up here in our possession?"

"Last night in the crow's nest, I saw something shiny in the port side net. I only saw it for a split second, so I thought I imagined it. As soon as my lookout shift was done, I went to the netting and saw it again. I pulled the net up and there it was, like magic, just waiting to be found. I would've told you last night, but I didn't want to walk in on you guys."

You blush and Edward gives you a charming smile.

Charlie leans forward to hand the compass to you. You expect it to start glowing, but once it's in your hand nothing happens. It doesn't glow, nor does it give you any sense of direction to head back towards Magdalena's temple.

"It's not working. It's supposed to be glowing...so why isn't it doing that now?"

 You turn the compass over and admire the gold inlay pattern etched on the back. That's when you see it, something you hadn't noticed before. There is a small switch. It's gold in color as well, so it blends into the rest of the compass' design. You dig your fingernail under the inlay pattern and towards the switch. You hear a click and a small compartment slides open on the side of the compass. You gasp when you see a beautiful ruby hidden away in it.

There are more mysteries surrounding this compass than you realized; and you are determined to figure them all out.