Later that night they gathered around different small fires. The beach was filled with the sounds of laughter, shouting, and some horrible singing. Hilo was sitting next to Oran.

'Stop, just stop I'll read your damn book.' Oran said while standing up.

'Tell me when you're done so we can talk about it.' Hilo said but Oran had already moved away. He went to lie under a tree far away from the fires. After a short while Captain Ben sat next to Hilo interrupting his questioning of why Leon's stories weren't adding up.

'Aaron told me about your situation.' Captain Ben said.

Hilo took a bite out of his fish. '

So what do you think about coming with us?' Captain Ben said.

'What?' Hilo said.

'Look kid, it's not right for someone your age to be here alone. Surrounded by beings who'll outlive you. You need to interact with people your age who can help you grow as a person. People who understand your mortality.' Captain Ben said.

'Kalena and the others may be different from me but they are still my family. I can't just leave them and what if gramps comes back and I'm not here.' Hilo said.

'Hilo, have you ever seen a beastman before today. How about a lizardman?' Captain Ben said.

'…No' Hilo said.

Captain Ben let out a sigh before taking a sip of his drink. 'Kid, we don't have long in this realm. You need to start living your life before it ends. I don't think your grandfather would have wanted you to wait for him like this.' Hilo stared at the captain as the sound of crackling wood and horrible singing got louder. 'Look if you really want to see your grandfather again then you'll have better luck looking for him yourself.' Captain Ben said.

'But…'

'I understand it's a scary decision but at the end of the day, it's yours. Whether you take it or not it's all up to you.' Captain Ben said.

Hilo sat there as all the sounds around him became muffled until only the crackling wood was left. The night ended and the crew began packing up and heading back to the ship.

'Kid we're leaving at sunrise tomorrow. We'll wait for you until then.' Captain Ben said carrying a passed-out Oran on his back.

After everyone left Hilo sat there in front of the only lit fire on the beach staring at the ship as the smell of burnt wood from the extinguished fires felt soothing. The crackling of the wood and crashing of the waves echoed throughout the beach. Hilo had spent many nights on the shore before but today was different. Maybe the captain was right Hilo thought. A chilling wind blew through making Hilo shiver for a while. He looked down only to realize that the fire had already burnt itself out a while ago.

Rising to his feet Hilo turned to the forest and walked home. The normally comforting chirping of the birds made Hilo feel disorientated as he started stumbling over the roots. His walk back felt like an eternity as he tried to get his mind off of what the captain said. Leaving now meant abandoning everything he's ever known and if he left and didn't find his grandpa then what? Even if he did what would he say or do? Although he didn't want to admit it Kalena had a point. No matter what the reason it doesn't change the fact grandpa abandoned him. Kalena, after all, he said Hilo wasn't sure how he was going to look her in the eyes again. No, this is my home and I can't leave it Hilo thought. After a few more steps he found himself humming one of the songs the crew was singing. Stopping for a moment he slapped himself. They're leaving tomorrow.

I should stop thinking about this and focus on getting some sleep for tomorrow's training with Kalena Hilo told himself. He then tried clearing his mind but no matter how much he tried his face couldn't stop smiling and his mouth couldn't stop humming that song. He didn't know the lyrics but that didn't matter he knew the feeling behind it.

Finally arriving at his destroyed cabin Hilo rummaged under the debris looking for his painting only to find it was torn. He pulled out his papers and tools placing them on his bed.

He then turned to the bookshelf. Letting out a sigh of relief as he pulled out his book which was somehow without a scratch.

Hilo lunged himself into bed or at least what remained of it staring at the stars past his nonexistent roof. He blinked once and dawn had already arrived. Looking at the sky he realized that yesterday wasn't a dream. Hilo turned to his side to find his book and equipment were gone.

Leaping to his feet he searched throughout the cabin's ruins for his stuff but couldn't find them. Maybe this was a sign he thought before jumping back into bed and the thoughts he didn't want to think about came flooding back.

While trying to fight these thoughts back he is interrupted by Kai and Kalena who walk out of the forest.

'You're going to be late at this rate.' Kai said.

'Sorry… I got distracted.'

'Heh, the same old excuse?' Kai said.

'We had a talk with Apela and the others and we think you should leave with them. Those outsiders, Kahakai vouched for them saying they could take care of you.' Kalena said.

'What? I can't just leave.' Hilo said

'Hilo…it's fine. Go and live your life if you don't leave now who knows when you'll ever get the chance again. When you're tired and need a place to come back home to we'll be here for you.' Kalena said staring at Hilo's hazel-dyed eyes. 'You look just like him. Those eyes never looking at the now…I guess it runs in the family.' Kalena said.

Kai knelt down and handed Hilo a sack. 'I put your tools, book, some water stones and something special in there don't open it until you've sailed away.' Kai said tying Hilo's jet-black hair up. Hilo stared at the floor as Kai went on. '

This is… here.' Kalena said giving Hilo a sword.

Hilo took the sword and unsheathed it. It felt alive as the sun hit its raven blade.

'Lehu.' Kalena said.

'Huh?' Hilo said.

'That's its name Apela and I worked on it hopefully it can keep you safe.' Kalena said.

Hilo leaped at them holding them tight.

'I-I'll miss you' Hilo said.

'We'll miss you too Hilo.' they said holding him tight for a moment before letting go.

'Make sure you get some reading done. You need to try something other than that adventure book.' Kai said.

'Yeah.' Hilo said.

'Make sure you keep warm. The weather is different out there. There are places that have cold sands that reach the horizon.' Kalena said.

'It's called snow.' Kai said.

Kalena's hair began flaring up before returning to its coal-like color. The sun's rays began peering through the trees.

'Hurry up or you'll be late.' Kai said.

Hilo grabbed the sword and sack. 'Bye! I'll be back with both gifts and stories.' Hilo said as he is swallowed up by the forest. The two stood there as the birds chirping began.

'Let's go back.' Kai said.

'Go on ahead I… I'll be there soon.' Kalena said staring at the ruined cabin.

'I'll wait it's not like I have anything interesting going on anyway.' Kai said.

Hilo flew through the forest as the birds chirping began but today they were surprisingly louder than normal. He arrived on the beach to the crew who were all waiting for him.

'Ha, he came.' Aaron said.

'Told you.' Oran said as he pulled his hand out and Leon flicked two silver coins over to him.

'You made it kid.' Captain Ben said.

'Sorry I'm late.' Hilo said. They then boarded the ship and it began to sail away. As they were leaving Hilo took a long look back as the volcano erupted an ash cloud came out and towers of ocean shot up into the sky.

'Bye' Hilo whispered to himself.

The choice to move forward or to stay in place is a difficult one but only when you choose one or the other only then does your story begin.