Kite yawned as he woke up. Today was a new day. He wondered what he and his friends would do today.
He got up and cautiously eyed the door. Liliana might pop up at any moment and jump him for a hug.
The door suddenly swung open, and Kite jumped back, falling onto his bed.
He blinked as he saw it wasn't Liliana, but Sylvana.
"Sylvana? What are you doing here so early?" Kite asked, rubbing his eyes and sitting up.
Sylvana gave him a knowing smile. "Good morning, Kite. I wanted to make sure you're up. Today's the day we head to the bay, remember?"
Kite's eyes widened as the memory of their planned adventure flooded back. "Oh, right! The bay! I almost forgot!"
Sylvana chuckled softly. "I figured as much. Liliana and the others are already up and getting ready. I thought I'd come and get you before she decided to tackle you out of bed."
Kite grinned, grateful for the heads-up. "Thanks, Sylvana. I'll get ready quickly."
Liliana must've been so focused on preparing for their trip that she forgot to give him his daily morning hug.
After freshening up and grabbing his bag, Kite met Sylvana outside. The morning air was crisp and refreshing, filled with the promise of adventure. They made their way to the village square, where the rest of their friends were already gathered.
Liliana spotted Kite and Sylvana approaching and waved enthusiastically. "Kite! Sylvana! Over here!"
Elian, Cassia, and Tomas were busy checking their supplies, making sure they had everything they needed for the journey. Ludo was talking to his parents. His dad had the wagon ready.
Liliana's dad put their stuff inside the wagon.
"Morning, everyone," Kite greeted as they joined the group.
"Good morning, Kite!" Liliana said, bouncing on her toes. "Are you ready for our trip?"
Kite nodded, his excitement growing. "Absolutely. Let's get going!"
Mako clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright, kids. We're all set. Let's head to the bay and see what we can find."
The group climbed into the wagon. Kite gasped as he saw a boy with dirty-blond hair sleeping within the wagon.
"Who is that guy?" Kite asked.
"He's my big brother, Will," Ludo said, grinning. "Although, he isn't used to waking up this early."
Skyla poked the slumbering Will. "Wakey-wakey, big bro."
He grumbled. "A few more minutes, please."
Cat smiled. "Fine, but don't sleep during the entire trip, you here?"
Kite was surprised Ludo and Skyla had a big brother. Was he a shut-in or something? Until recently, Tomas didn't go out much either. But that was probably due to Elara being overprotective of the five-year-old boy. One couldn't say that about Will who appeared to be twelve.
Elder Mirrin chuckled as he glanced outside. "It's been a while since I've taken a trip out beyond the Whispering Forest."
Elder Michiko sighed as she held her husband's hand. "It's not good to stay cooped up in one place, dear."
He chuckled similar to his son. "In my defense, I do walk around town and the forest."
The path to the bay was scenic, winding through the forest, lush fields and past sparkling streams. The kids chatted excitedly, their anticipation building with spin the wagon's wheels.
As they neared the bay, the landscape began to change. The ground became rockier, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore grew louder. The sight of the bay itself was breathtaking—the water was a brilliant blue, and the cliffs and rocky shore created a picturesque scene.
"We're here," Mako announced, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and caution. "Remember, kids, stay close and be careful. The bay can be unpredictable."
As the group disembarked from the wagon, they stretched their limbs, soaking in the fresh sea air. The bay's beauty was captivating, with the sun gleaming off the water's surface and seagulls calling overhead.
Darian, always the strong and sturdy one, hoisted Tomas up onto his shoulders. "Alright, Tomas, you're our lookout. Keep an eye out for any interesting critters or hidden treasures."
Tomas giggled, feeling tall and important from his new vantage point. "Will do, Dad! I can see everything from up here!"
Elara, with her ever-practical nature, looked around and then turned to the group. "How about we set up a picnic by the beach? We've got plenty of food, and it would be nice to have a spot to come back to after exploring."
Liliana's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "That's a great idea, Mom! We can have a picnic and then go searching for shells and crabs!"
Everyone agreed, and they quickly set to work. Mako and Cat found a flat, sandy spot that was perfect for laying out blankets. Little Skyla sat down with her bunny and gently warned him not to jump into the waves.
The bunny seemed terrified of them, so there was probably no risk of him going for a swim.
Sylvana and Cassia began unpacking the food, spreading out an impressive array of sandwiches, fruits, and snacks. Elian and Ludo scouted the area for the best places to explore once they finished their meal.
As they all gathered around the picnic spread, the camaraderie and excitement were palpable. They shared stories and laughter, the sound of their voices mingling with the rhythmic crashing of the waves.
After they had their fill, Kite stood up and stretched. "Alright, who's ready to do some exploring?"
Liliana jumped to her feet, clapping her hands. "Me! Let's go find some shells and maybe some starfish!"
Darian carefully set Tomas back on the ground, and the little boy immediately started looking around with wide eyes. "I want to find a crab!"
Elara smiled, adjusting her hat to shield her eyes from the sun. "Just remember, everyone, stay within sight of the picnic spot. We don't want anyone getting lost."
The group split into smaller clusters, each setting off to explore different parts of the bay. Kite, Sylvana, and Liliana headed towards a tide pool, while Elian and Ludo climbed a nearby rock formation to get a better view of the area.
As they roamed, they discovered all sorts of marine life—tiny fish darting through the shallows, crabs scuttling across the sand, and vibrant sea anemones swaying with the tide. The children's laughter and exclamations of wonder filled the air, creating a symphony of joy that echoed across the bay.
Tomas, with Darian's help, managed to find a small crab, which he proudly displayed to everyone. Elara, Cat, and Mako took a moment to sit back and watch their children, occasionally chuckling at their antics.
After a while, Kite called out to the group, holding up a large, uniquely shaped shell. "Look what I found! It's huge!"
Everyone gathered around to admire Kite's find. Liliana beamed at her friend. "That's amazing, Kite!"
He grinned.
"I thought we came here to see some ruins," a voice called out. They turned to see Will walking out of the wagon.
Cat put her hands on her hips and smiled. "About time you decided to wake up, son."
He just nodded. "I had a nice dream. I was at a magic academy and was fighting this purple-haired guy with a weird sword."
That sounded interesting. Wait, did this world actually have academies like that?
Will glanced at me and blinked. "For some reason, you remind me of him."
Kite blinked. He did? Why was that?