"Wooooo!!!"

  "Shit! Shit! Shit!"

  "My hands gonna sli-"

  Suddenly, Sophia's grip on the handle of banana boat failed. Making her fall to the water.

  "Sophia is out!" Beltrand shouts as he strenghten his grip to the handle. Shirna do the same as he also now hold the handle previously used by Sophia.

  Mateo and Shiva in the front shaking and screaming as the banana boat crashes to the waves. Claustrine meanwhile is clinging tightly to the very back.

  "What the hell is this ride?!" Claustrine screams.

  The banana boat crashes into a unsually large wave, making it fly. Unfortunately, the sudden rise also makes the boat flip. Thus leading to a bad landing and leaving Grand Ecstasy to the water.

  They easily float with the help of life vests they wearing. Everyone looked at each other then they laugh.

  "That's fun!" Beltrand speaks with elation.

  "Where's Sophia?" Mateo asked.

  "I'm here!"

  They see Sophia swimming towards them.

  Their banana boat and the speedboat pulling it now comes to their rescue and wait for them to climb back. So they can resume the ride.

  They rent the ride for an hour and they truly satisfied with the new experience as they return to their beach spot.

  "There's still water on my ears." Beltrand complain as he catch a bottle of cold cola thrown by Mateo. He opens it and takes a long drink.

  "Orange." Claustrine's request which Mateo follows as he gives him a orange soda.

  Mateo then opens a bottle of his own and drink as Sophia, Shirna and Shiva are choosing their drinks.

  "The erratic nature of the ride makes it more fun compared to the rides in amusement parks." Claustrine commented.

  "Agree. Though, we just always fall off the boat." Sophia said then chuckle as she remembers her unfortunate falls.

  Shirna meanwhile continues to watch the men surfing from the distance. Still mesmerized to the people riding the waves with ease even though some of them fall off their boards.

  "Want to try it?" Mateo asked as he notice Shirna watching the surfers. Shirna shake his head.

  "I think that requires a lot of skill. Our short time here is not enough for me to learn something like that."

  "That's true." Mateo nods.

  "So what we should do next?" Shiva asked.

  "Well, I'm hungry. I heared that this resort have a seafood buffet." Mateo's casual words, then he realizes what he just said.

  Mateo facepalmed slowly as he see the drooling face of his friends.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  "Now this is what I'm talking about. A thousand times better than those unseasoned crabs we have in Savagery Forest." Beltrand's excited comment as he see the the plate of butter crab put to table by waitress alongside other foods like clams, soups and a huge grilled fish.

  "Thank you miss." Beltrand's genuine appreciation followed by a smile.

  "Uhm... You're welcome sir." The waitress blushes.

  The moment the waitress leave, Beltrand picks a crab and skillfully breaks it in order to get the meat. Beltrand takes a bite and...

  "Hmmmmmm!!" Beltrand savours the juicy flavor bomb in her mouth.

  Watching Beltrand's reaction. The Grand Ecstasy quickly follows and indulges themselves to the food.

  "It's like a noble's feast." Sophia happily says as she takes a bite of the grilled fish.

  Claustrine takes a sip of the clam broth and smiles as she likes the taste.

  .

  .

  .

  "Ahhhh... That's amazing."

  "I'm so full..."

  Grand Ecstasy finishes the meal and they just sitting. Too stuffed and satisfied to walk.

  "So what do you think of the food?" Mateo asked.

  "It's great as always, I don't know why but there's something about this world's cuisine that taste superb." Beltrand's answer.

  "And most of time. The food are always new to us. Maybe that's the reason." Claustrine's opinion.

  "New food, new flavors. Even the fruits are new to us." Shirna's opinion as he curiously holding a banana.

  "But despite that. There's still flavor similars to our world. Like, isn't this orange taste similar to our world's Jajaka fruit?"

  Jajaka is a cactus native to Humilean deserts and treasured plant of Zelestre's West Wing. A teardrop shaped purple fruit full of small seeds, growing on the tip of the Jajaka's arms.

  The plant is also the inspiration for Zelestre Queen's crown due to its symetrical 6 armed shape.

  "I think that's the least of what's weird about this. Remember that this world have stories about elves like me." Shirna's opinion.

  "Ahh... Yeah that's weird. Not only elves. Goblins, Orcs many more creaures in our world are also exist here in story form." Sophia's opinion

  "You guys ignoring the fact that there's numerous interpretations of what elf would look like. From what I know, humanoid pointy-eared elf is just a recent trend."

  "You mean there's more type of elf in this world?" Shirna questions what Mateo just said.

  "Depends on the writer's imagination really. Some elfs looks monstrous while some looks like a small man. Hell, I just saw a story where elves are just artificial creature made of metal."

  "Ok let's say that elf are just product of human imagination in this world. But I think it's weird that there's more examples of coincidences. Golems, Dragons, Undeads and many more monsters in Yhigressia, I also see a fictional versions of them in Earth's literature." Claustrine's opinion.

  Grand Ecstasy went silent for a while until Shiva breaks it.

  "I think it's more weird that we overthinking this much. For me, I think whatever that peculiariy is, that's really just a coincidence. It's not like it's imposible to happen. especially that the existence of another worlds is now proven right by all of you." Shiva's opinion.

  Grand Ecstasy nods as there's merit on Shiva's world.

  "I guess you're right. Besides, all of them are just exist in fiction. It just show that people in this world are very imaginative to create magical creatures just by using their minds." Claustrine's statement.

  "Does that mean... Gods in this world are just fictional entities?" Sophia's sudden question. Mateo sigh.

  "Please Sophia. Let's not go on that route if we want to preserve our sanity."

  Not liking the way their chat is going , Beltrand observe his surroundings in order to find a new topic. He see a woman talking to herself in front of her phone held by some device. She's reviewing the food with professionalism.

  "Uhmm Mateo... What's the woman doing?" Beltrand asked as he sneakly point to the woman.

  "Ah that. What she's doing is vlogging."

  "Bagging?"

  "Vlog-ging. She's working right now."

  "Working? She's more like having her time of her life for me?" Beltrand is confused as the lady gleefully eats the food while also explaining to no one except the phone in front of her.

  Mateo pinches the bridge of his nose as he don't have an idea how to explain the concept to him. As Mateo and Beltrand indulges in their little lesson. Claustrine and Shirna can't brush off the feeling that lingering to them

  The two notices that everyone around them is giving them quick glances.

  "Is our secret got revealed?" Shirna asked quietly.

  "I don't think so."

  "But... Their stare is making me nervous."

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "You two should not worry too much."

  Claustrine and Shirna looked at Shiva who heared their chatter. Shiva is casually drinking his soda.

  "But it's weird that we getting this look for no reason." Claustrine's reasoning.

  "If that's the case, they should already looking suspicious at us since we're in the entrance. But I think I already know why they giving you guys a curious look."

  Shiva points his finger to the scars scattered on Shirna and Claustrine's body.

  "Our... Scars? What's wrong with them?" Shirna asked.

  Shiva leans his back to the chair.

  "You see. Our world is hmmmm... I can't really say that it's peaceful but it's a lot better compared to the past and to Yhigressia. There's no daily battle against monsters, wars are few and the peace is maintained by both authorities and citizens."

  "Not really different in our world if you asked me." Claustrine commented.

  "Hmm... Yes there's still commonality but. I think there's always a huge difference. Perhaps lets use your scars as examples. I guess those scars should be common on adventurers and soldiers like you as you risk your lives fighting monsters and stuffs right?"

  "Yes..."

  "This world doesn't have monsters to fight and most of the conflicts doesn't use swords and similar weapons anymore. Your scars a peculiar for a reason that such severe injury are a rarity here and gives a different meaning to the people around us."

  "The meaning being?" Claustrine asked.

  "That you guys feels like either victims of torture, survivors of a brutal attack or involved in criminal activity. That must be on their mind seeing those nasty scars in your body, no offense though."

  "It's fine. I think I finally understand now." Claustrine smiles.

  Shiva looks at Mateo who also riddled with scars of varying sizes. Mateo is still patiently explaining to Beltrand and Sophia.

  "I still remember when we finally see Mateo's scars after years since he went missing. Mom almost fainted and Mateo almost not return to Yhigressia as mom and dad prevents him on returning to your world."

  "But he's still with us." -Shirna.

  "Yeah. He's really stubborn right? Insisting on returning to the world that treated him harshly. But now that I see the people he befriend in another world. I think I finally understand why brother still wish to stay on Yhigressia despite our opposition." Shiva's comment as he looked at Grand Ecstasy with a sincere smile.

  Then he shrugs.

  "Well. Yhigressia being similar to our fantasy stories might be also a factor. It must be cool fighting monsters or casting magic. That must be a dream come true for any man ever."

  "Ah... Yeah." Claustrine gives a faint smile.

  "That's fucking absurd. You saying that your world have a way to instantly send information regardless on where they are?" Beltrand's shocked expression.

  "Yes. I might be on Nattunia but with the help of internet. I can send you a message, picture or video within seconds even if you're in Wygistria. As long as your location have internet access." Mateo's simplification.

  "And that lady there is sending her video to a thousand of people right?" Sophia asked.

  "Depends if she's sharing it in real time or she's just letting it stay on the internet. As you can see, the Internet is also like a very huuuuge library where you can search and find any information you want."

  Claustrine smiles as she watch the sighing Mateo as the two continues to ask questions.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  Nightime. Mateo is just staring in the ceiling, eyes wide open.

  He can't sleep not because Beltrand's squirming next to him. Instead, Mateo is flooded by thoughts. The scene in Morningdew house and his failures unlocked deep seated and painful memories he tried to hide. Memories happened since the time he got transfered to Yhigressia.

  Instead of trying to sleep, Mateo instead walk outside the cabin for breath of fresh air and calm himself. In his mind, sleep eventually gets if he just tired himself to the limit.

  "Should I drink?" Mateo asked himself only to shake his head slowly. There's nothing good drinking just to temporarily forget the demons inside his head as he thought.

  Mateo sigh softly and just watch the sea and the night sky in the cabin's balcony.

  .

  .

  .

  "Can't sleep?"

  Mateo is surprised to hear a familiar voice behind him. He looks around and see Claustrine walking towards him.

  "Did I wake you up? Sorry."

  "No, I also can't sleep.

  "You drinked too much coffee earlier."

  Claustrine stand next to Mateo and also place his arms on the guard rail, watch the night time scenery alongside him.

  "Yes. Because I want to join you on whatever is making you sleepless."

  Mateo's eyes widen slighly then he calms himself.

  "Is that obvious?"

  "Worry not. I'm the only one notice, yet. So what is it that bothering you Mateo?"

  Mateo looked at Claustrine, he can see the concern on her eyes. Yet...

  "It's nothing big Trinne. It would gone after few days."

  Claustrine shakes her head.

  "It's been 4 days now that you didn't get enough sleep. That's something that would not dissapear even if you ignore it."

  Claustrine pats Mateo's shoulder.

  "We appreciate that you acting fine and tough for us as the leader. But as a party, such feelings should not be one-sided right?"

  "I guess you're right."

  Mateo feels Claustrine walking away. And then.

  "Mateo, come here."

  On Claustrine's call, Mateo look at Claustrine and see her sitting on the sunbed. She's looking at Mateo smiling as she pats her thighs.

  "Here. Lie down and have some deserve rest."

  "E-eh?"

  "What are you looking at? Come here before I change my mind." Claustrine smiles.

  "Ah... O-ok."

  Mateo awkwardly sits next to Claustrine and then slowly lie down, using her thigh as a soft pillow. He's now looking on the starry sky.

  Then Claustrine gently pats his head.

  "So Mateo, what is bothering your mind at the moment?" Claustrine's calm question.

  The gentleness of Claustrine makes Mateo relaxed a little bit.

  "To be honest... There's too many to mention."

  "It's related to Dereia?"

  "She's one of them." Mateo answers.

  Claustrine continues to pat Mateo's head.

  "The recent events makes me remember a very unpleasant past I trying hard to forgot."

  "How long the past we talking here?"

  "It's 4 years ago. The time I got transferred to Yhigressia."

  "Perhaps you're ready to share that tale to Me."

  Mateo slowly shake his head.

  "I think I'm not ready Trinne."

  "I see... It's fine. Right now, what you need is someone that sooth your turmoil. So, just let me help you Mateo."

  Trinne continues to gives gentle headpats to Mateo. Mateo is surprise as what Claustrine doing is having an effect on him. He's becoming a bit more relaxed and at peace.

  "I don't know why but... This is somehow helping me calm a little bit."

  "Really? I'm glad I somehow help you." Claustrine smiles.

  "But I wonder. I'm not expecting you to do something like this Trinne."

  "Hehe. Surprised?"

  "Uhmmm... Yeah."

  "Geez. It's like you viewing me as someone with not compassion Mateo." Claustrine pouts.

  The two then softly chuckle.

  "Ahhh... I remember my sister."

  "Sister?"

  "Wait? You didn't know?"

  Mateo shakes his head.

  "I think all of us didn't know that you have a sister Trinne."

  "Heh. I guess we really don't know each other that much. But still we manage to become a functioning adventurers party."

  "Agree. So Trinne, why you suddenly remember your sister?"

  "Ah. Because this is what she's doing to me to calm me down. And from her perspective, I kinda understand why it's effective."

  "Your sister must a very kind person Trinne."

  "Absolutely."

  Mateo see Claustrine look from a distance. He can feel a melancholic nostalgia from her.

  "In fact. I'm not here adventuring with you and knowing your world if she didn't help me back then."

  "Trinne?"

  Claustrine snaps back.

  "Ah just forgot about that. Its a long time ago so it didn't bother me anymore."

  Mateo laughs quietly.

  "Look at you. Wanting me to tell my past yet you also hiding a baggage of your own."

  Claustrine look at him and give Mateo a sly smile.

  "Atleast I'm experienced and prepared enough to understand what you dealing with."

  "Then. How about tell me your story first?"

  The two just looked at each other and chuckle then followed it with a deep sigh.

  "You know Mateo. It's weird that we already adventuring for more than 3 years now yet we barely know each other's past."

  "I agree. It seems we're not ready to share our stories for now. But I'm sure we gonna do it eventually."

  "One thing is sure. Our bonds as a party is strong. And I'm glad we met each other."

  "Even with Beltrand annoying you?"

  "Hehe... I guess so."

  Claustrine continues to carress Mateo's hair.

  "How about you sleep now Mateo? Close your eyes and give your body a well deserve rest."

  "Are you sure? Your legs might be hurting now as my head must be heavy."

  "No worries. What important is you finally get a long sleep." Claustrine smiles. Mateo smiles back.

  "Thank you..."

  The calm and serenity he find himself with finally makes his eyes heavy. His eyes slowly close as he feel the gentle touch of Claustrine, the cold sea breeze and the relaxing sound of crashing waves.

  "Good night... Trinne."

  .

  .

  .

  After few minutes. Mateo is now sleeping peacefully with complete disregard with his surroundings nor the thoughts that haunting him.

  Claustrine observes the sleeping Mateo. She blush and smiles.

  "Sweet dreams Mateo."

  Claustrine looks at the night sky and see the moon illuminating the sea. Making it sparkle.

  "The moon is beautiful isn't it?" Claustrine speaks softly.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  The bringhtness of the sun reaches Mateo's eyes and he wakes up. Unlike his powernaps few days ago where he only gets 1-2 hours of sleep per day. Mateo feels very relaxed and refreshed as he sits and strecth his body. Mateo notices that he's sleeping on a beach bed in the balcony. He also feel the blanket covering his body.

  "Ah... right." Mateo smiles as he remembers last night.

  "Hey you finally wake up."

  Claustrine and Sophia appears. Claustrine holding two cups of coffee which she puts one in the table in front of Mateo. Then the two a sits in the nearby chairs.

  "I'm glad you finally get a good sleep Mateo." Claustrine is happy for Mateo.

  "Where is the others?" Mateo asked.

  Claustrine points on the sea and Mateo sees Shiva driving a Jet ski. His passengers being Beltrand and Shirna.

  "I see..."

  Clauatrine takes a sip of her coffee. Mateo also do the same so he wakes himself better. The caffeine quickly takes effect on him.

  Mateo then looks on the coast and as usual, the beach is still full of tourist enjoying the sun and water.

  "Why you two didn't join them?" Mateo asked.

  "About that. Shiva says that you also know how to drive that thing. So we two decide to just wait for you to wake up."

  "So we should not just sit here and let's go." Sophia's excitement.

  "Hahaha... Fine fine. Let's go and rent a Jet ski."

  .

  .

  .

  "THREE! TWO! ONE! GOOOOO!!!" Shiva's scream.

  Two Jet ski instantly gains spead as they race far away on the coast and people.

  On one of Jet skis is team Shiva. But the driver is Beltrand who's very excited on maneuvering the otherworldly vehicle.

  "THIS IS A LOT MORE FUN THAN WHAT I'VE IMAGINE!" Beltrand screams.

  "Focus on driving Beltrand!" Shiva screams behind him as he's the instructor for the team.

  Shirna enjoys the feel of both wind and mist of water hitting his body.

  On the other Jet ski is team Mateo. Mateo is the rider while Claustrine is clinging on his waist. Sophia is enjoying the ride as she just open her arms and screams.

  "Sophia! Hold tight or you might fall just like in the banana boat!" Mateo's shout.

  "Don't worry!"

  Mateo feels the smooth skin of Claustrine as she hugs him tight. But Mateo don't mind it and just focus on enjoying the race.

  The two Jet skis speeds between two points they assigned with. They crash and ramps between waves giving them a rough ride but it seems just give them even more fun.

  The race eventually ends with team Mateo being the winner.

  "Phew! That's intense!" Beltrand's satisfied reaction as Shirna is drinking fresh water. He accidentally drinks saltwater splashing on his face.

  "For a begginer, you drive the Jetski really well. Good job." Mateo's compliment.

  "Hehe it's nothing. Shiva's guidance is just good that I quickly grasp it."

  "Hey that's unfair. I also want to drive it!" -Shirna.

  "Me too!" -Sophia.

  "Me too." -Claustrine.

  "Ok ok. We still have time so don't worry." Mateo's is happy to teach them alongside Shiva.

  Thus the remaining rental time of the Jet skis are spent on teaching the others and letting them have their fun driving the vehicles. The otherworlders are surprisingly easy learners as they quickly grasp how to drive though they can only do basic maneuvers.

  When the rental time is done. They returned the Jet skis and gives a generous tips to the clerks that assist them. The clerks are clearly happy for the gift.

  "Thank you sir!"

  "You're welcome. Anyways, Is this resort have a bar?" Mateo asked the clerks.

  "Yes! Follow me sir."

  One of clerk voluntered himself and guide Grand Ecstasy to a bar hidden by trees and vegetation. The bar have a theme of tropical island paradise with nipa roofs and bamboo chairs.

  "Quiet a paradise huh?" Mateo commented.

  "Fits the mood right?" The clerk happily answers.

  "But... It seems the bar is still closed."

  "About that. The bar only opens during night time so I suggest that you should just enjoy elsewhere first then return later. But atleast you now know where its located sir." The clerk's honest explanation.

  "I see. Thank you."

  "You're welcome sir!."

  The clerk then politely excuse himself, leaving Grand Ecstasy in front of an empty and close bar.

  "Well... Lets go island hopping first." Mateo's suggestion.