Coral Dreams
>
The sea breeze carries a faint briny scent. Nearby, villagers call out to one another, their voices as bright as the local seabirds. Sand clings to your boots, just another piece of this coastal tapestry that ocean and tide continue to weave.
Climate change threatens this low-lying island with severe flooding. It's been marked uninhabitable, and all residents will be relocated shortly to a neighboring conservation area.
You are almost done with verifying the evacuation list. This serves as one last mission before your vacation, and everything has gone smoothly.
Good work out here, Commandant.
Chrome nods in your direction and approaches. Wanshi trails beside him, stifling a yawn as he goes.
Commandant.
The two from Strike Hawk were assigned to handle the headcount on the other side of the island.
By the looks of it, they are done already, and much faster than expected at that.
Our side of the island was pretty sparse. We've got everyone accounted for over there. Anything we can help wrap up here?
We're just finishing up too. The locals have been cooperative. Honestly...
It's gone more smoothly than I expected.
Same here. No problems on our end either.
A hearty laugh rings out nearby. Beside you, an elderly man dressed like a local shows up.
'Course we wouldn't want to trouble you young folks.
You're... the island representative we coordinated with earlier, right? Thank you. You've made this much easier for us.
Oh, I didn't do much. In times like these, folks understand how things are, no matter what comes.
Besides, the water's been creeping higher every year. Anyone with eyes could see we'd have to go eventually.
Even so... missions like this usually aren't this smooth.
We learned something else while we were over there. The residents are planning a farewell festival. Preparations are well underway.
Captain wanted to pitch in after we wrapped up... but they told him guests should just sit back and enjoy themselves.
Haha, see those little fellows on the rocks over there?
The old man plucks a tiny shell from the rocks, his weathered face crinkling with a broad smile.
We call 'em "tooth-pickers" around here. Barely a scrap of meat on 'em, but they're everywhere. When I was a boy and the tide pools came up empty, I'd grab a handful of these just to have something to show for it.
Looks like a periwinkle.
Mm. One of the most heat-resistant things in the ocean. Star of Life has a team studying them, figuring out how organisms adapt when temperatures get extreme.
Well now, you know your stuff, young man! That's right. Had a whole team of scientists come through studying these snails. Said our local kind's something special. Can survive in... what was it now... seventy degrees?
To survive out here, you've got to endure plenty. Withstand the gales, weather the storms, brave the summer swelter. The snails do it. So do we.
When our ancestors first landed on this island, times were hard. Storms raged for months on end, waves strong enough to wash everything away. They made it through all that. So where can't we make a life for ourselves?
Even if we leave this island, our heritage and spirit stay with us. We'll honor our home in other ways. This festival here is one of 'em.
After all, if we all went down with the island, who'd pass our ancestors' stories on to the next ones?
Oh, it's nothing so grand. You've been working hard all day. Time you got some rest.
We're grateful you came. Been ages since things felt this lively around here. It's a rare chance. Go on and enjoy the beach while you can.
What we're proudest of here is the scenery. Especially the sunset. Priceless, that is. A treasure beyond measure. You absolutely must see it.
I'll go with the captain.
That's right. Gray Raven's been carrying more of the workload than Strike Hawk today. Please, let us handle this part.
Let me have a look here... near the waterline... why, that's my place! No need to notify me about that one.
Go on now, all of you. After you see the sunset, you'll be right on time for the festival. Make sure you come back for it.
The old man's enthusiasm is palpable as he gives Chrome and Wanshi hearty pats on the shoulder, his grip firm and insistent.
Chrome exchanges a glance with you, then breaks into a resigned smile.
We're much obliged, then.
Think nothing of it! My grandson's been running off to the beach every day lately. You'll probably bump into him out there. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
On the way to the beach, traces of past relocations are still visible. It seems that as sea levels rise, the island's residents have already begun moving to higher ground in anticipation of what lies ahead.
But those modest efforts couldn't change the inevitable. In the end, they still have to leave their home behind.
A short walk later, the coastline opens up before you, waves lapping gently at the shore. Most of the residents are busy in town preparing for tonight's festival, and the beach stretches nearly empty save for two figures. One of them looks strikingly familiar.
Whoa, Commandant!
That's right! Bet you missed me, huh?
I'm here because I'm Lady Qu's right hand, obviously!
This island used to trade with Kowloong, y'know. Their seafood was a huge hit there, always flying off the shelves!
So when Lady Qu caught wind of the relocation, she sent me over to lend a hand!
She holds an intact conch shell in her hand, while similar shells rise in a small pile at her feet. Catching your appraising look, she puffs out her cheeks in silent protest.
Hey! I'm not just messing around, okay? These conch shells are for the Sea Spirit Rite. Important stuff.
Is the Sea Spirit Rite connected to the festival the villagers told us about?
The festival's for us leaving the island, yeah. But the Sea Spirit Rite—that's our biggest local tradition. We hold it to pray for good weather and safe passage at sea for the year ahead.
Thing is, we won't be here when the Sea Spirit Rite comes around this time. So a lot of folks are treating this festival like it's our last one.
These conch shells Pulao's been helping me gather are for the Sea Spirit Conchs we use during the festival. We make wishes on 'em, then leave 'em on the beach when everything's over. The waves carry 'em out.
Legend says if your Sea Spirit Conch floats, your wish'll come true before too long.
You can't skip traditional festivals!
So when I heard he was out here collecting shells for it, I jumped in to help!
I owe it all to Pulao. No way I'd have gathered this many before high tide on my own.
Ah, don't mention it! We've got enough now, but honestly? Gathering them was the easy part.
A proper Sea Spirit Conch takes some work. You gotta polish the shell, paint each family's guardian spirit on the outside, then seal the opening with a mix of beach sand and glue made from local plant sap.
The relocation came at us faster than anybody expected. Even this farewell festival got rushed together, let alone doing all the proper Sea Spirit Rite steps. Going through the whole process to make a proper conch... nobody's really got the time for that anymore.
So I've been spending these last few days just gathering enough shells to make up for it, even if it's only a little. Can't polish 'em up right, but... it's better than nothing, y'know?
This is meaningful work. Please, let us lend a hand.
That's a huge help! Thank you so much!
With the flourish of a magician pulling a rabbit from a hat, Pulao produces a stack of sandpaper and distributes it to everyone present.
These conchs were hand-selected by yours truly! The surface patterns on this kind come off way easier than your average shell.
Polishing is taxing work. It requires patience, and the true art is finding just the right pressure.
Your hands learn the rhythm as you go, each motion becoming smoother. Watching the conch take on a pearlescent sheen brings you a quiet sense of accomplishment, along with a growing curiosity about how the finished piece will look.
Nah, they're different things.
We live off the sea here. The ocean provides, so we show it respect in return. The Sea Spirit's more like the ocean itself. Like a god, y'know? Where we put our faith.
Guardian spirits are more... personal, I guess? The elders say every creature in the ocean has a spirit that watches over the kids who grow up by the shore. You've seen those paintings on the outside walls of some houses? Those are each family's guardian spirit.
They're just old traditions, honestly. But we make a point to keep 'em going every year.
The young man shares more about life and history on the island.
He speaks of towering waves that crash in during storm season, of tide pools dotting the shore when the water retreats, and of secrets hidden in breathing holes along the intertidal zone.
These are stories that belong only to those who call the island home.
The tales make the tedious work fly by.
Before long, only one conch remains to be polished.
I can't believe we actually finished... I don't even know how to thank you properly! Here, keep that last conch. Make a wish with it.
It is, yeah. But we've got this belief that the first person to make a wish with a Sea Spirit Conch at the rite gets good fortune for the whole year.
You've all helped us out so much. Please, take this first wish. It's precious to us, and we want you to have it as thanks.
I gotta head back and finish prepping for the festival. Make sure you all come tonight, alright?
Huh? You wanna give it to me? But you guys...
We trust Commandant's judgment.
Thank you, Commandant! I'm gonna go seal it up with the rest of the glue right now!
And don't get too close to me when I'm making the wish, got it? If anybody hears it, the whole thing's void. Rules are rules.
The girl dashes off to a spot just beyond and busies herself with some private task. Then, she lowers the conch onto the sand with care, shifts it once, twice—until it sits just so—and then runs back to the group.
There! Now we just wait for the Sea Spirit to... hear my wish.
Everyone knows a conch cannot float; its very density forbids it. And yet, that is exactly why legends persist. The impossible nourishes mystery, and mystery feeds the imagination.
Still, a collective breath catches, every gaze pinned to the shell lying in the light of the sinking sun. The waves wash over it, pulling it seaward, then releasing it back.
Then a larger wave surges forward. Caught in its swell, the shell at last departs the shore, drifting through the foam where clear blue merges with churning white.
And to the wonder of all who watch, the Sea Spirit Conch that bears Pulao's wish floats serenely upon the water.
Could the Sea Spirit actually be real...? Pulao... your wish is going to come true. I'm sure of it.
Hmm... I see...
The Kowloong girl watches the conch recede into the distance and falls into an uncharacteristic hush. The silence that settles around her speaks volumes.
Sorry. I, um... I cheated.
All eyes find the girl now, and everyone waits for her to speak.
Doesn't matter how much you polish a conch. It's never gonna float. Everybody on the island knows the floating Sea Spirit Conch is just a story they tell.
But today... I wanted the wish to come true. So when I was sealing it up, I might've... tampered with it. Just a little. So it'd float.
My wish is that tonight—absolutely, positively—everything goes perfectly, and the festival's a huge success!
This day is special! It deserves to end with a wonderful night!
Pulao clasps her hands tight and repeats her wish with prayer-like devotion. As if in answer to her heartfelt plea, a beautiful fish leaps from the water in the distance, streaking the sea with a trail of silver-white.
Strike Hawk will see to it. We'll ensure everything stays safe and runs smoothly.
Captain, don't go sneaking off to patrol by yourself halfway through. We're doing this together.
Yeah...! I want everyone to really enjoy it! For it to be all lively and fun!
Making everybody happy is literally the whole point of a festival!
Com—man—dant!
A clear voice, unmistakably familiar, rings through the air. Turning toward it, you find an energetic girl beneath the vast vanilla sky, her hand raised in an excited wave as companions gather around her.
It's Nanami! We heard there was a festival going down, so everybody came to check it out! Also this place is, like, stupid pretty?!
Nanami found the ULTIMATE exploration spot! Nature's gift to Nanami: a giant natural diving board!
It's a cliff. By the sea. That's literally it.
But seriously! Could the rest of you maybe NOT hurl yourselves into saltwater just because it looks fun?! Can we please, for once, avoid unnecessary damage?! Please?!
Blehhh, Zavier's such a nag.
Well, guess we don't have to worry about the festival being too quiet now.
Commandant, we should start heading to the festival too.
In the distance, bonfires glow and throw red strokes across the canvas of the sky.
The thought gives you pause. You take one last look at this final sunset.
It more than lives up to the praise of those who dwell here. The sun hangs motionless between sea and sky, its tender light tinting the clouds with lavender and blush pink. You are caught now, drawn between a sea of molten gold and a horizon that feels like a dream.
Lucia, Wanshi, Chrome, and the others have paused too, waiting in quiet companionship beside you.
Down by the docks, figures scurry like ants among the relocation ships.
On the sea breeze drift faint echoes of the local tongue laced with laughter as if they, too, pause in their labor to savor the fading light.
The people here carry themselves with a steady optimism, meeting the uncertain future without flinching. And yet, it is that very quiet acceptance that sharpens the sorrow of their leaving.
Before long, the customs and traditions that define this place will slip into memory, vanishing alongside the beauty of this shore.
It's alright, Commandant. Sunsets will always be there for us. As long as we're alive to see them.
The Earth keeps spinning. The sun's still going through fusion every second. This ocean is part of the water cycle, so it'll turn into clouds, rain, and morning dew.
Every single element that made this sunset possible... it'll all still be right here with you.
And so will we. Everyone who saw this together... we're not going anywhere.
That's right. No need for sadness. We'll carry this memory with you.
Commandant, we can stay longer, if you want.
With strength and optimism, the islanders carry on. What has passed is passed, yet it endures in the hearts of those who remember, kept alive through story and memory.
Here, with cherished companions beside you and the sunset's gentle heat still cradling the evening, a swell of emotion rises. You know, deep in your bones, that this will be a festival that stays with you always.
