The morning passed in the blink of an eye. Joseph and I took advantage of our free time to practice a little swimming, but we stayed only in the part near the ship, as far away from the rocks as possible. The afternoon went even faster. Time flew by as Joseph explained to me about various cultures of people around the world and the workings of the World Government. I also began to read some books that were on the boat, about science and politics. All knowledge was vital if I wanted to have a full understanding of what I was about to face.

The sun had already set when Dominic arrived. Before I could talk to him, Joseph called him to speak in private. Maybe he had bad news.

The conversation of the two lasted only a few minutes. They both went back to the kitchen and sat at the table next to me.

-We have good news and bad news. Which do you prefer to hear first? -Joseph asked me.

- Bad, please. -I replied, trying to get it over with as quickly as possible.

-Well... -began Dominic. His voice was different, and his teeth were clenched. The look of hatred had possessed his face. - I went to town this morning and came across a whole fleet of the Navy. They are all over the city spreading posters and looking for information about us. Apparently, nobody knows who we are, much less where we are. Aunt Jull and Uncle Alan are reliable, so I know they will not give us out. Since there is no one in this city with the rank bigger than lieutenants, they most possibly have not revealed you name Althea. But we must be very careful when we leave here and when walking through the city.

I just nodded my head, confirming that I had understood. It was "less bad" news than I had imagined, but it was still something dangerous. I wasn’t ready to enter in a fight with the marines yet.

-The good news - Dominic continued as he realized that I had nothing to add. - is that I found Heath. He said the project is almost ready. But he is also having some problems, so to speak. The navy can't see us near him, or they will arrest him.

-So, what are the plans? - I asked. I knew they had prepared something to solve the situation.

-Heath will finish the ship in about a week - which is frighteningly impressive. During this time, we will avoid going to the city as much as possible and will keep an eye on the surroundings. Joseph and I will split up in shifts.

-I can help if you need it. -I said, even though I knew they wouldn’t agree to it.

-No. We have other plans for you. -Joseph said with a smile on his face.

 They kept silent, waiting for a reaction. It was obvious that they wanted to have fun with my response to the intimidation. I controlled my tongue and was as delicate as possible when answering them.

-What would those plans be?

-Training.

I sighted.

-Any other option? -I asked, without hope.

-None. -Joseph imprisoned.

We retreated early that night. Dominic was the first to watch and that prevented me from talking to him alone. Maybe he had listened to Joseph's advice and decided to avoid my presence. I didn't want to think about it and lay down, still with my thoughts focused on this same topic. In a few days I had already established a connection with Dominic, a bond much stronger than I had imagined. It was as if we had known each other for years and as if I was destined to meet him. I needed his presence. This feeling was something new to me and seemed uncontrollable. I felt a hole in my chest with that thought that he no longer would be around me.

And, at last, I fell asleep.

I was in a forest, tears flowing through my eyes. I was running desperately, running from something or someone, the pain throbbing all over my body. I looked back and saw the image of a gigantic castle, well lit. From afar I could hear the laughter. What was I doing there?

I arrived in a meadow and the sound of the sea hitting the rocks was loud. I walked further until I arrived at a huge gap. There was no more land in front of me, just a cliff, facing the sea. Falling from there meant death.

I took a step back and bumped into something. Hands held me, preventing me from falling to my end. I turned my face, looking for the owner of the hands and saw him.

His face was beautiful and pale, and his dark hairs were falling over his forehead. His eyes were intensely violet and seemed to hypnotize me. The man in front of me must have been around 20 years old and he was one of the most beautiful people I had ever seen in my life. I felt I knew him even though I had never seen his features before.

-Althea. -he whispered in my ear. His voice gave me the creeps and I tried to get away from him, but I couldn't control my own body. - I am waiting for you.

I woke up with a jump. It was the first time I had dreamed of something concrete in years. The first rays of light began to enter through the window, but even so it seemed early. I decided to get up soon to refresh my mind. That dream had been very realistic.

The deck was empty except for the gulls that were flying in search of fish. Joseph must have been on watch in the surroundings while Dominic seemed to be asleep.

I sat down on the floor, facing the horizon, humming a song, and I started thinking about my family. My memory was just a blur, where only recent events were clear. I searched every corner of my mind for any recollection of my parents, but their names were not known to me. Why had they left me with Aunt Guitan? Had they really abandoned me?

This time I heard him approaching.

-Good morning Dominic. -I spoke with a low voice.

-Good morning. -he answered, almost with a whisper, sitting next to me.

-Are you feeling better today? -I asked. If I realized in his answer that he was not I would not bother him with the questions that were still throbbing in my mind.

-To tell you the truth, I am. I'm much better now. Nothing goes unnoticed by you. -he said with his charming smile.

-Well, let's say you're not as discreet as you think you are.

-I will take more care from now on. I don't want to worry you for nothing.

I smiled knowing that it would be impossible. That seemed to be the right moment, so I started. It was harder and more painful to touch that subject out loud than I expected.

-Dominic do you know my parents' names? -I asked, quickly lowering my head to hide my pained expression. I felt a hook in my chest instantly. It was incredible the pain I felt, even though I had never met them.

-It's very hard for you, right? -he said, passing his arm over my shoulders and pulling me towards him.

-Yes. -I whispered.

-I've heard of your parents before I met you. -He started by not touching the name of the one who probably spoke of them. -Your mother's name was Sophia. I knew she was beautiful as an angel and had a huge heart. She was a doctor who would take care of anyone, regardless of receiving anything in return. I believe you have inherited many of her characteristics.

-Your father's name was Calanor. You inherited your powers from him. He was also a very good and cultured man. He dedicated his life to the fight against Orion's father, Cepheus, and to end years of wars and injustice. Both traveled around the world freeing countries from corrupt governments and sealing civil wars. Your mother treated the wounded and the sick, without distinguishing which side they were fighting on. On the other side was your father, who risked his life to get agreements, without the spilling of innocent blood. They were real warriors. When you were born, they decided to change their lives, for your sake. You were a miracle and since your first day of life your parents already knew that you would bring great accomplishments.

-I wish I had known them. -I said, feeling a bit sad.

-I am sure they are somewhere looking after you and also very proud of the wonderful person you have become.

-I don't feel like a wonderful person. I don't think I'm as good as they were. I wish I could do more.

-That makes you good enough. In fact, everything has its time. There's still a lot to come, and little by little we'll make a difference. Remember that you are just one person.

-Yes, I know that. Unfortunately. -I said in a sigh. It was at least for me a relief to know that I was not unwanted by my parents.  -What's the world like Dominic? The wars... Is there no peace anywhere?

-There are many good people in this world and also bad people Althea. Unfortunately, since ancient times wars are everywhere, and many innocents suffer from it. People are addicted to power and kill each other in search of it.

-And how do you think can I change this? – I asked sincerely. I couldn’t see how I would be able to help those people.

-You are known as hope. Your powers can help thousands of people and prevent more blood to be spilled. Orion is the opposite. He wants people to destroy and fight between themselves for the power he has. The sacred fountains, for example: he controls two of them. He sells the power to corrupt, bandits and to selfish people who step on others in order to reach heights. In exchange these people ally themselves to him.

-The fountains are controlled by him? So, do Orion's allies have powers like ours? -I still asked in surprise. That couldn't be true! The path ahead of us was much more difficult than I imagined.

-Many of them do. Scary powers, different and perhaps stronger than mine or Joseph's. However, not everyone who enters the fountains gains powers. Also, there is still another fountain that does not belong to him. There are also many people who have stolen the waters and used their power for the healing and good of others. It won't be easy to get to Orion, even when we have finally gathered a large number of skilled troops and I really hope that we won't have to face him head-on so soon. – Said Dominic with a trembling voice as he thought of that hypothesis. -Althea... -he continued, taking my hand. -If that moment comes sooner than we hope, I'll do everything I can to hold him long enough for you to escape. You must not face Orion yet. We cannot fight unprepared. We shouldn’t walk apart either. Always try to be close to me or to Joseph.

-Okay. I will do my best not to stray from you. But you know it's a little hard that problems don't come after me. -I spoke trying to change the course of the conversation to something less serious. - I can't promise you anything.

-Indeed, you are right -he said. Even so, I could still see the fear in his eyes. I knew that what he told me was just the beginning, but I wanted to change the topic for a lighter one.

-Tell me, what are the plans for today, Mr. Knight?

-Hmm... Let me see. Apparently, we will have a beautiful sunny day so we can opt for an irresistible training session.

-Ahrr... -I grunted at the same instant. Training was something that made me a little nervous, but I was already starting to accept it. It was more than necessary to do that.

Dominic, for a change, started laughing at my apparent discontent. I couldn't resist the magnificent sound of his laugh and started smiling as well.