“You must have a pretty good lead going if we’re outside this early in the day.”
“I have no doubt about it.”
Tyler would say back in an enthusiastic manner.
Terphenvik Lake was a sprawling town situated between the lake of the same name, and the coast of the island. It is known for its cultural significance, and for the ferry that ventures off to other islands.
“Ya know how Artemis’s statue can be found in New Upferd? Apollo’s statue can be found right here in the city, and it’s also the rumored location of his shrine, too.”
Brian pondered.
“Well yeah but we don’t entirely know that for sure though. I mean, Tommy found Artemis far from her shrine. Remember, he found her in the woods behind Cape Kiaba.”
Tyler would gesture him to continue following, trusting the map he laid out on his phone. He was determined to find the shrine.
“True. I remember one thing he mentioned is to be wary of our surroundings; because he also mentioned something about mist surrounding him.”
The two boys would soon stumble upon the big lake, and steadily walk around its perimeter.
“If the rumors are correct, his shrine resides near the lake itself. But the bigger question is...where, exactly?”
The mist would show up and rise around Brian’s face as he continued to walk behind Tyler, resulting in him starting to cough.
“I..think I may have an idea…”
Tyler turned around, starting to notice the mist, too.
“Oh, heck. You’re right.”
“Yeah..and I’m..feeling..super..lightheaded for some reas-”
Brian would pass out.
Tyler looked over at Brian while he himself was swaying back and forth.
“Me..too..”
The two boys passed out on the ground as the mist grew heavy and surrounded them.
They’d soon wake up shortly after all the mist faded. The setting around them was different; it was still all lush forest, but the lake had been replaced with a hot spring, and blue lanterns floating around them.
Brian looked around.
“W-What the..where..?”
Tyler glanced around.
“I..have no idea…”
“Is this..the shrine?”
“You are correct.”
Said a voice.
They turned around, only to see a figure looming over them.
Tyler quickly shuffled away in the opposite direction.
“N-No way!”
Brian looked up.
“H-He’s..”
“We..”
Apollo nodded.
“Guess that dream trick of mine worked after all, and I suppose that’s what led you two here.”
Tyler nervously nodded his head at the tall sitting dragon.
“Y-Yes sir.”
“Y-You’re not gonna kill us, are you?”
Apollo tilted his head.
“What? No. I’m an Island Guardian, I protect, not harm.”
“Ironically, Artemis’s visitor thought the same thing. But compared to you two, he was a feline.”
Brian’s ears perked up.
“Ah..haha...well..about that..”
“...that feline just so happens to be my older brother..”
The angel dragon chuckled.
“Heh. Talk about a pure coincidence.”
Tyler would gaze at him.
“Wait, so why have you summoned us both here?”
Apollo sat down and lifted his front paws up to shrug.
“No particular reason. I was curious to see if you’d be able to find me.”
He’d then smile at the two, stretching his arms outwards.
“And I’m glad you did. As a reward, I shall offer a hug.”
Tyler didn’t hesitate to get close to him and hug into his fur. Brian stood pretty distant, unsure.
“Ehh..I don’t know..”
Apollo reached his muzzle over and nudged him.
“Cmooon. You know you want a hug.”
The husky scoffed and looked away.
Tyler was a bit too distracted by the warmth Apollo’s fur gave off.
“He’s just being stubborn. Brian absolutely loves giving hugs.”
Brian looked back at Tyler.
“I-”
“Ty!”
“You didn’t have to rat me out like that!”
“I’m not ratting you out if it’s true. I know you.”
He’d turn and grab his arm, dragging him over to the dragon as Apollo wrapped them both within his paws.
The husky reluctantly hugged him back, looking in another direction to hide his face.
“Bah..fine.”
Apollo squeezed them both a little more.
“Heh heh. I knew you’d like it.”
Tyler would look up at him and smile.
“I already know I do. Plus, I have so many questions I need to ask you.”
The dragon softly smiled.
“Well then, ask away!”
Tyler brought out his journal.
“A lot of our island history can simply be read in history textbooks in the library, but one of the only things that were never documented was this ‘super evil’ ancient thing that you, Artemis and the other two Guardians deemed as a threat. So I ask humbly, Island Guardian Apollo, if you have an answer to this long standing question.”
Apollo softly stroked his chin as he let the two boys free from his grasp.
“Aye..that was oh so long ago..but the only thing I can really recall is that it was definitely big. It was like..a magical, world destroying titan. We don’t know who created it to begin with, considering people didn’t have superpowers back then..but whoever did was an absolute mad man. It was just so dangerous that we needed to destroy it first before it would to us. We just barely got through.”
Brian spoke up.
“Do you know if it would ever rise again?”
The dragon shook his head.
“Doubt it. Its parts are spread throughout the entirety of the Caribbean Ocean. Whatever evil magic was in them has more than likely dispersed by now, it’s been about..what, a little over 200 years? Yeah. But..even if it were to rise once again, I don’t think our powers combined would be able to stop it, considering we were nearly killed the first time…”
He’d then notice the hazy clouds surrounding the two boys.
“Ah, heck. Looks like your bodies are ready to be sent back.”
Tyler went up to Apollo and hugged his snout.
“It’s alright. Thank you for answering my question the best you could, though, I appreciate it.”
Apollo softly nudged him.
“Of course, kiddo. Whenever you guys need me, you know where to find me.”
Soon enough the mist would envelop the both of them and send them back to the other side of the realm. Artemis would suddenly appear behind him.
“You didn’t tell them about the Prophecy?”
Apollo looked at his sister and shook his head.
“They weren’t one of the eight that needed to hear it.”
Artemis titled her head, a little confused. "I mean...yeah, but who knows how strong the titan will be if it gets brought back. The eight of them might need the help, ya know."
Apollo pondered that thought. "True...We'll see in due time."
This comic series is, in a nutshell, going to be based on my own childhood experiences from growing up in the Caribbean with my family.
Caribbean Escapades primarily focuses on Brian and his close friend Usui. Joined by their friends, Sammy, Jinx, and Tyler, as well as their classmates, they leave their home island of St. Monusea and venture across the Caribbean for the summer; they experience new things and new people to befriend, and on occasion, old and familiar faces as well. And who knows? Maybe they'll discover new things about themselves, too!
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