‘That was anticlimactic,’ I complained as I stepped out of Aquaria.

‘At least we found out the cause of the Fluctus Currents,’ Jett consolidated.

‘You sure we couldn’t have gone through those geysers?’ I asked.

‘Lyvia. I saw a fish get incinerated through the submarine’s helmet thing. No way am I going through that without protection.’

‘Always needing protection, I see.’

‘What?’

‘Nothing,’ I snapped back, turning my head away.

‘Ok then. What’s the plan?’

We were out of the cave at this point. I racked my brains for any potential solution that would avoid me meeting people. I had already said my goodbyes to everyone and it would have been awkward to bump into my friends and family again. The only people I knew that I didn’t say anything to were my parents and the staff at my mansion. I sighed as I knew they were my last resort.

‘I think I’m going to go to my family for help.’

‘That’s a good idea.’

‘What? You’re not coming?’

My suspicions were raised. Jett always avoided meeting with my family whenever possible. I didn’t think it was my mother but, rather, it was my father who he was afraid of. I had to make sure though.

'So, you're not going with me to meet my father?'

'No. No. No,’ he paused before adding one more ‘No.’

As I expected.

‘You've got to stop being a coward, Jett. He's not that scary. We’re close by anyway, so you might as well come for a visit.

‘Easy for you to say. Anyway, I think I want to meet my old work colleagues.’

‘Suit yourself,’ I said, rolling my eyes.

'Alright. Thanks, you’re the best! See you soon!' he said, giving me a peck before running off. He tripped, falling flat on his face. I tried to hold my laughter but it became increasingly difficult. It was even funnier when he did it himself!

‘Yeah, yeah,’ Jett cried out, tears forming around his eyes. ‘Laugh it off.’

I still couldn’t believe this was the man I fell in love with.

****

After Jett and I split up, my first call of action was to contact auntie Rae. I recorded a message on a Lyriss, that I had stored in Aquaria, then watched as it flew, through constant spinning, to wherever she was. I told her to meet me at my house. It was located near the coast and close to where auntie Rae worked, so I expected to see her sooner rather than later.

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My house was almost directly above the cave Aquaria resided in. However, the path to the top of the cliff forced me to walk away before walking towards my house. I walked on the rocky beach, staring at the ocean like I used to, when my father took me to this exact spot. It was our favourite place in the country and was what got me interested in exploring the ocean in the first place. Now my father never came down anymore and I often snuck out alone to visit, much to my father’s annoyance.

The sightseeing made the journey shorter than expected. I arrived at a Mutans Lift, a small pod made up of the same material as Aquaria, on the side of the cliff. I entered it, pressed the wooden button and watched as vines stretched and moved to raise the lift. I ascended to the top of the cliff, where you could see the ocean in its full beauty.

The sun set on the horizon, giving the water an orange tint. I always found it amazing how the water can change colour based on the time of day: red in the morning; blue during the day; orange at dusk and black at night.

I had paintings- hand-drawn by me- to depict the scenery. They were hung up somewhere at my house. Well, I said ‘my house’ but I had gone a long time ago to live with Jett. My father wouldn’t give me my paintings though, or most of my works that I made by hand. He told me it was ‘punishment’ but I knew the real reason.

‘Liiiiillllyy!’ a familiar voice shouted.

I turned to the sight of a girl bounding towards me. She wore the traditional attire of a jacket, laced with silk, that was a size too big, as it flapped over her hands. Underneath was a crimson shirt that complemented her freckles and ginger hair. It was half-tucked in her beige trousers, that gave her a sloppy impression. It was typical of her and I would have been surprised if that wasn’t the case.

‘Cressa!’ I called out in return, embracing my sister as she leapt into my arms.

‘I knew it! It had to be you coming up the lift.’ Her was voice as ecstatic as ever.

‘Oh? How did you know?’

‘Guess who finally convinced father to become more modernised,’ Cressa said, pointing to herself.

‘Let me see. You?’

‘Correct! I set up surveillance around our land. I even saw your little smooch down below hehe,’ she sniggered, placing a hand over her not-so-hidden grin.

‘Shows how naïve you are, little sister. We’ve done much lewder things,’ I smirked as my sister’s grin turned into one of horror.

‘L-l-like, um, er, did you do that?’

‘Yes. We did that. Oh, and even worse.’

‘There’s more?’ Cressa’s face grew more and more red by the moment.

‘Such a maiden. I’ll tell you when you’re older.’

‘I-I don’t think I want to know.’

I patted Cressa’s head. The innocence of her generation was a prime target to make fun of.

‘I actually wanted to see father about something. Is he home?’

‘Yeah. Um, Lily, you sure you want to meet him dressed like that?’ Cressa said, pointing to the dress Jett had gotten me for our anniversary. I could tell why my sister was concerned.

‘I’m certain.’

‘Don’t blame me for what happens.’

‘I’ve been doing what I want all my life. He ought to be ready for this.’

‘If you say so. I’ll lead you there. There’s been some changes since you left the mansion. It’s been ages since you last visited.’

It dawned on me how long it had been since I saw my family. From the studies, to make aquatic transport possible, to my marriage, the only family member I spoke to on a regular basis was auntie Rae. It made me wonder what everyone was up to and it looked like I was going to find out.