The tiny rowboat rocks gently beneath my feet as I sit on the tiny bench, staring out over the vast ocean that stretches out around me in all directions. The moon is steadily rising over the horizon, casting a silvery glow over the smooth waves. Memories flood into my mind as the rowboat sways back and forth. Memories of my friends, of the nights spent lying on the ship's deck staring up at the stars and the moon, of the countless journeys and adventures we had taken on together. Those were the same friends I had abandoned out of my own fear. The same friends I had sworn to that we would always be a team. A single tear rolls down my cheek as guilt settles in. My own fears had caused my judgment to become clouded to the point that I had abandoned the people who had become my family after I lost everything.  I stare at my hands, where I still wear the bracelet my friends and I had gotten as a sign that we would always be together. 

Suddenly, I stand up, causing the tiny rowboat to sway precariously under my feet. I have to go back, I have to make it right. I quickly sit down before I grab my map and compass. I scan the map as fast as I can. Based on the direction of the ocean's waves, I had drifted miles from the others and the ship. I place the compass on my knee and grab the oars. I row through the night, focused on getting back to my friends. As I row, a school of Glimmerfish begins leaping out of the water around her. I feel myself smile softly as memories flood into my mind. The others and I had seen a school of Glimmerfish on a trip to the Great Coral Reefs of Aldune. The fish had leaped so high that they could reach the ship's deck, and their scales had shone so brightly under the moonlight that you could see tiny rainbows.

 Finally, as the sun began to spread its warm rays across the world, I could see the port city of Mist Haven. There at the dock was the ship, the others and I had many adventures with, the Silver Tempest. The ship's masts rise into the sky, and the cream colored sails flutter lightly in the soft morning wind. The ship's hull practically gleamed in the early rays of the sun. The clean freak of our group, Xavier, could spend hours cleaning the ship. I hesitate slightly before rowing to the docks. How will the others react? Will they be mad? I push those thoughts out of my mind and row to the docks. I have to apologize, no matter what. 

 

As I climbed out of the rowboat, one of my friends, Miriam, noticed me. Within seconds, the others are running towards me. Before I can say anything, I find myself in the arms of my friends. Tears start to roll down my face as I try to explain, but Jack, the tallest and quietest one of the group, shushes me by pulling me into a hug. "It's ok, Scarlet. It's ok," says Jack softly. I cling to Jack like he is my lifeline as the others wrap their arms around me. The group remains in a group hug for a few minutes as everyone enjoys being together again. After a minute, the group breaks apart. "I'm sorry, everyone." I say as I wipe my face with my hand. "When we got that guest, I just got so scared," I explain. Lira, one of the group members, hugs me tightly. "It's ok, Lettie, we get it. The great abyss is scary for everyone, but especially you. We will be with you the whole time, even if it gets really dark," says Lira as she rubs my back. I smile softly. "I think I'm ready to try the quest," I say as I look at the others, preparing myself to face my fears for my friends. Over the next few days, we prepare to enter the abyss. We prepare special magic crystals that will allow us to breathe and speak underwater and protect us from the cold of the abyss. 

Even as my nerves start to show, my friends rally around me, their laughter and reassuring words easing my fears. They help calm my nerves, reminding me that I'm not facing this daunting moment alone. As we get closer to the abyss, my nerves start to show, but my friends make sure to help ease my nerves. Finally, we reach the great abyss. A dark hole plunges downward in the middle of the shallow sea. We anchor the ship and prepare to get into the water. I take a deep, shaky breath in an attempt to calm my nerves.  Jack takes my hand in his as we jump into the water. We start to swim into the abyss. As we swim downwards, the magic crystals protect us from the cold and allow us to breathe. Soon, the light begins to fade, and the abyss becomes darker and darker. Fear and nervousness start to set in. I can feel my breath hitching in my chest, but in my mind I tell myself I have to go all in, not only to face my fear but for my friends. Jack squeezes my hand, and the simple gesture gives me some comfort. 

The abyss is now pure black, and all we can do is keep swimming downwards. Suddenly, a few bright lights appear beneath us. Within seconds, beautiful lights surround. The walls of the abyss become a beautiful world in the darkness. Glowing plants and coral line the walls of the abyss, giving off a beautiful, soft light. Small jellyfish and fish swim around the abyss and give off their own unique light. Some glow white while others have a rainbow-like shimmer. We look around in awe at the wonder in the depths of the abyss. My fear starts to fade as we look around. A small shark with glowing scales swims up to me lazily. It looks at me and swims off again. All too soon, we reach the bottom of the abyss. Our feet hit the sandy floor as we look around. In front of us is a long, dark tunnel. The lights of the glowing sea creatures and deep-sea plants no longer reach us, but crystals that form spiral formations along the tunnel's walls and ceiling glow in a soft light that illuminates the tunnel just enough to see. The others and I look around as we swim down the tunnel. 

After swimming for a few minutes, we reach a large circular room with six pedestals and a large altar in the center. On each of the pedestals is a crystal with a rune on one face facing in different directions. 

Luke, the youngest out of the six of us, accidentally nudges one of the crystals. The crystal turns so that the rune is facing the central altar. Suddenly, a stream of light appears from the crystal. The light hits the central altar and creates a strange shimmer. Charlie, the smart one of the group, studies the altar. "Maybe if we align all the crystals so that the runs face the altar, we can solve the puzzle," says Charlie. Everyone moves to a pedestal, and one by one, we twist the crystals. 

Brilliant lights shoot out from the crystals, illuminating the underwater cave in a blinding white light. On the central altar, a giant shimmering pearl appears. The pearl shimmers in rainbow hues even as the lights from the crystal fade. We stare in awe before Luke steps forward and picks up the pearl. He carefully puts the pearl into a bag before starting to swim out of the tunnel and the abyss. As we swim back to the surface, we marvel at the beautiful ecosystem the abyss created. Once we reach the ship, we all have a smile on our faces. That night, after a huge feast to celebrate our success, we all lounge on the ship's deck, staring up at the stars. "That wasn't so bad after all," I say softly as I stretch. The other laughs as I get lost in my mind. I had faced my fears and had gone on a wonderful adventure. A smile spreads across my face as I stare up at the stars, wondering when and where my next great adventure will be.