WHEN THE SEA CALLS
Chapter 48: Connecting with the Bluestone

Chapter 48: Connecting with the Bluestone

"Can you try to absorb the light from the stone?" Aqua asked.

"I would love to but I don’t know how," Rhea answered.

"Do you know how to meditate? You sit, close your eyes, and try to free your mind. Don’t try to think about your problems. Just enjoy the atmosphere. You breathe in and out. Can you do that?"

Rhea nodded. "That seemed like an easy thing to do."

Rhea was already seated on the bed so she adjusted herself into a comfortable position and closed her eyes. She tried not to think about what she was going through.

"Breathe in," Aqua said. "And breathe out. You do not have to worry about anything. It won’t take much time either. Leslie would help out?"

Aqua waited until she was certain Rhea was ready to connect before sitting on the floor. She would be helping in the transmission of the light from the stone to Rhea’s body and also help her merge with it. She placed her hands together, her eyes closed.

It took a while before the transmission began. The room was soon filled up with the blue light from the bluestone. This was the time Reece and Leslie entered the room.

"Reece, get Celia out of there quickly," Leslie said.

Reece tapped Celia slightly and she opened her eyes.

"What is going on?" Celia asked. "Where is Rhea?"

Although Rhea was seated on the bed beside Celia, she could not see her; she had been blinded by the bluestone.

"Come with me," Reece answered.

"Where is..."

"She has been moved to the bed next to this one," Leslie answered.

Celia furrowed her brows. Why did she not know that?

"Why did she not..."

"You were asleep so she doesn’t want to disturb you."

Did she fall asleep? Celia wondered. She sighed. Maybe she did.

"You should go with Reece. Rhea is sleeping on the other bed," Leslie said.

"Then I will go with him," Celia pointed to Reece.

Reece moved closer to Leslie. "But Rhea is not there."

"She doesn’t have to. Celia’s mind will produce a sleeping image of Rhea on the bed. For as long as she believes Rhea is sleeping, she will see it."

Reece sighed. Isn’t that a hallucination?

Celia followed him out and just like Leslie had said, Celia could see Rhea lying on the bed sleeping. Reece did not see anything but he could tell from the look on Celia’s face that she was indeed seeing Rhea sleeping on the bed. Celia sat beside the bed.

"You can take a rest too," Reece said.

He had planned to make Celia fall asleep so he could go back and absorb the blue light in the atmosphere; Alan would be needing it.

"I do not think I want to..."

"Go to sleep now, Celia," Reece said flicking his fingers across her face.

Celia yawned slightly. Why is she feeling tired and sleepy now? She wasn’t feeling that way a few minutes ago. Why... She yawned again. She really needs to go to sleep now.

She placed her head on the bed and fell asleep immediately.

Reece sighed. He doesn’t want her to remember anything that has happened.

He left Celia to sleep and returned to join Leslie. They were halfway through merging Rhea and the stone. The room was very dark now. The power from the stone pushed Reece backward slightly.

He had been practicing how to use his power which made it easy for him to withstand the strength of it.

"I will join you," he said.

With Leslie around, he doesn’t have to worry about getting hurt.

Leslie nodded. With the help of Reece, they can get things done before anyone would notice.

Reece stretched his hands to Rhea and his eyes changed from the usual brow to red. His body was beginning to absorb the light from the atmosphere.

Aqua felt his presence. "You did not tell me you’ve met with the seal bearer, Rhea."

With Leslie and Reece helping out, she doesn’t have to put in much effort. She just needs to remain between Rhea and the bluestone.

This was to help get the power from the stone into Rhea’s body little by little until her body was strong enough to receive all, or it might hurt her.

Rhea opened her eyes. She could feel a strange surge of power inside of her now.

The room was also dark; she could hardly see Aqua. She had heard Aqua speak about the seal bearer but was not sure if she heard it correctly.

"Aqua?" She called. "Are you there?"

"Of course, I am."

"Who is the bearer of the seal?" Rhea asked.

"Can you see Leslie?" Aqua asked.

"I can’t. The room is dark."

"Look beyond the room, Rhea. Remember this room is an illusion."

Rhea furrowed her brows. How is she supposed to look beyond what she is seeing?

She looked around but everywhere was dark.

"Remember, this is not the reality. It is just a mirage created to help you connect with the stone quickly. Where are you, Rhea?"

"My room?" Rhea asked.

"Rhea, where are you?" Aqua asked again.

"In the school clinic," Rhea answered.

That is the reality.

She noticed the room had brightened up and she was back at the clinic. She could see Leslie and Reece too.

What is he doing here? And why is he so different?

"He is the bearer of the seal, Rhea," Aqua answered.

Rhea was surprised. Why is she still hearing Aqua speak? Isn’t she back to the clinic?

"I can hear you, Aqua."

"Of course, you can," Aqua answered. "You are not fully awake. The merging process is still ongoing."

Rhea sighed. She has yet to understand a lot of things going on. Also, how was Reece the bearer of the seal, or what does it mean to be the bearer of the seal?

"Aqua, can..."

She groaned. She was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

Why is she suddenly in pain?

Rhea tried to hold back the pain. Maybe that is what she needs to face during the merging process.

The pain became unbearable and Rhea screamed. "I am in pain, Aqua!"

Aqua knew what had happened immediately. Rhea’s body can no longer absorb the power from the bluestone and she needs to stop the merging process.

She flicked her hand and everything stopped. Leslie and Reece were pushed backward too.

"What just happened?" Reece asked.

"Her body cannot take it anymore," Leslie answered. "The merging process has been stopped."

Reece furrowed his brows. "Does that mean she is not the Aqua?"

"She is. Look!". Leslie pointed to Rhea’s shoulder. It was beaming. "The star sign has shown up."

Reece nodded. Rhea is indeed the new Aqua they all had been waiting for. But who would have thought that the new Aqua had been around them for a while now but they did not know.

"So what next?" Reece asked.

"Don’t you think you should be telling me the truth?" Leslie said.

Reece furrowed his brows. "Truth about what?"

"About the last royal blood. You have met with him or why are you trying to absorb the light from the bluestone?"

Reece sighed. It seems he can no longer hide Alan from Leslie.

"Fine. I will tell you. But how can you make me trust you?"

"You’ve already gotten proof. Don’t you think? I just helped Rhea merge with the stone. I would have tried to steal it if I wanted to."

Reece sighed. That is good proof. He doesn’t think Leslie would hurt them. But h can’t fully trust her yet, though.

"He is in this school too. He is my best friend."

"Did he know Rhea?" Leslie asked.

Reece nodded. "Yes. We did suspect Rhea could have a connection with the stone but I have never thought she is the Aqua."

Leslie smiled. "I suspected she looked like my sister, too, but who would have thought she was the Aqua. I want you to help me out with something, Reece."

"What is that?"

"Hide the star sign on Rhea’s shoulder. I know you can do this. She can’t control the bluestone yet. If others find out she is the new Aqua, her life will be in danger."

Reece nodded. Leslie is right. Rhea will get hurt and if she does, every one of them will be hurt too.

"And you have to protect her," Leslie added.

"I will try my best. Are you going to tell your daughter and her friend? They are supposed to protect her too."

Leslie sighed. "I think we should keep it a secret until she merges completely with the stone."

"What about Louie and his brother. They are wizards, you know that, right?"

Leslie nodded. "I do. But we can’t let them know either. Your friend can’t know either. It has to be between us until she merges completely."

Reece sighed. But how is he supposed to convince Alan about the absorption of the light from the bluestone?

"If you are worried about what to tell your friend. Bring him to me," Leslie said.

Reece shook his head. "He doesn’t trust anyone except me. He won’t come."

Leslie sighed. "Then you don’t have to transfer the light to him directly. I can help you do that. Give me your hand and just think of your friend."