Cryos wanted to keep a journal of what was happening, so he asked that I write about my trip to the beach. While he, Ryth, and Rona all went to get the Fire Key, Vegance, Ceae, and I went to get the Water Key.

The Fields went on forever while we walked towards the Maringan Shores. Not much was known about the ocean, though, except that it seemed to go on forever. I actually jumped the first time my feet touched sand. It was new to me, and I was not prepared for it. Ceae jumped up and down on the sand just because he could see his footprints. Vegance seemed unmoved by the sand. It was the ocean she wanted to see, and this was made obvious by her anticipation to push on.

There was a lot of sand between us and the ocean. The sand actually piled high enough up that we could see the ocean far off in the distance.

"Vegance, any idea where the Water Key could be?" I asked.

"Actually…" Vegance turned to me. "Rona actually told me many years ago that a monster lived in the ocean… It could be a start, but I'm not too sure if that's the place or not. We'll check there first."

"I hope it's a friendly monster for once," Ceae said.

"There's hardly ever a 'friendly' monster… We're probably going to need to fight," I said.

"I just wanna see the ocean first," Vegance said. The three of us treaded down the sand dunes and headed for the ocean.

I actually started to feel a little sorry for Cryos's group now. Cryos, Ryth, and Rona had to deal with a volcanic wasteland followed by a battle versus a fire demon… Vegance, Ceae, and I only had to take a peaceful walk down to the beach and stare at the ocean. We could relax after all of the stressful situations we had been through, watch the waves in constant motion, and talk about our future plans, if we should finish this journey.

When we reached the shoreline, I sighed deeply. The waves were calm and rolled gently onto the sand, and then they pulled back and repeated. The skies were clear and many ocean birds populated the air. Vegance sat down on the sand and stared out at the horizon.

"I wish Rona were here," Vegance said. "I don't care how heartless he can be… The ocean would definitely soften him up."

"The ocean is my territory," Ceae mumbled. I blinked and separated myself from Vegance and Ceae. I stared out at the ocean.

"Cryos," I whispered. "If only you were here…" I became quiet and felt a tear slide down my cheek. "I hope you're safe…"

Vegance walked silently up to me and put her hand on my shoulder. "What's wrong?" I shook my head silently. Vegance sighed. "You can tell me… C'mon, let's go have a little bit of a girl talk." Vegance led me by the shoulders to a spot further away from Ceae. I continued to sob quietly. Vegance sat me down on a rock and sat beside me. She joined her hands in her lap.

"Now… What's going on?"

"Cryos," I whimpered. I hung my head low where Vegance could not see my face.

"What about him? Did something happen before he left that I need to know?"

"No…" I fell silent for awhile. Vegance sighed again.

"Keia… Please, fill me in."

"Cryos… He went the more dangerous path… We left him to go to a volcanic wasteland headed by a fire demon… While we went to the beach… What if something happens to him? I want to be with him after this… After everything is done, I want to be by his side forever…"

"It sounds like you're in love…"

"I am… I almost want to take it back though… So that I don't worry so much, so that I don't hurt so much, so that I can focus on myself…" I threw my hands to my face as the tears came faster. For another while, I sat and sobbed, my body quivering from head to toe. Vegance scooted closer and put one arm around me. She put her other arm on my shoulder.

"Listen… It's not all great to hide your emotions either… It might actually be better to let the other know how you feel than to hide it forever, and never let them know what's going on… Believe me. I have feelings for Rona that I'm hiding, and I try to convince myself that he can handle himself… But what if I'm wrong? I tell myself not to worry, but it only makes it worse. Deep down inside… These feelings are crushing me. I'm hiding them, and I wish, like you, that I could just tell him how I really feel… But I'm older. I'm going to save it until everything's over, so that I can keep on fighting…"

I pulled my head up and took a deep breath. "But, what if, because he doesn't know… What if he doesn't keep fighting to stay alive?" I asked. "What if he lets himself go because no one will care?"

Vegance turned away briefly. "Then, it would hurt more if I kept the feelings hidden than if I let them out… I may need your help to let him know…"

I nodded. "We both have our guy problems… I'll keep going, for Cryos, and I'll help you with Rona…"

Vegance turned back to me quickly. "You'd do that?" she gasped.

"Yeah…" I patted her hand. "I would… You've helped me a bit." I mustered a slight smile and dried my eyes. I looked out at the ocean again. "Time and life both have one thing in common with the ocean waves… They come, and they go. What is left behind by our memories and love, however, is entirely left up to us… What is left behind by the waves is at the mercy of the ocean."

"That's very deep," Vegance said. "You're definitely learning."

"To be honest, I don't even know where that came from," I said and blushed. "But, thanks anyway." I slid off the rock and took a whiff of the ocean breeze. "You know, someday, I want to go out on those waves and explore new lands…"

"You might be able to someday… But for today, we need to find that ocean monster," Vegance pointed out.

"Yeah… Where should we-" I was interrupted by a scream further down the coast. I turned my head to Vegance. "Ceae!" Vegance and I ran back down the shoreline to where we had left Ceae. When we arrived, he was sitting back in the sand, his eyes wide with fear.

"What happened?" Vegance asked Ceae. "Are you alright?" Ceae silently pointed one finger at the water.

"What is it, Ceae?" I asked. "I don't see anything…"

"There was… T-there was… There was a thing, there, on the water… I saw it… I saw it. It looked at me, and then it disappeared… It saw me," Ceae said. He was clearly scared out of his wit. Again, I looked at the water.

"Are you sure? The water looks clear to me…"

"Keia." Vegance nudged me and pointed at the water. Small bubbles rose to the surface slowly, but the number of bubbles quickly increased. A spherical object emerged from the waves. I titled my head to the side. What could it be? The spherical object rolled around and then blinked. It was an eye! I leapt backwards in shock as another one, and another one, and another one appeared. Soon, eight eyes stared at us. Then, a large body rose from the ocean. The body appeared to be slimy and squishy, and it wore a gargantuan shell on its back. Eight skinny stalks rolled out from underneath the body: from these the eyes were attached. Eight eyes rose above the body, and two tentacles unfolded from the ocean waves. This monster stared us down, but seemed to be waiting us to make a move. Ceae cowered in fear, Vegance held a defensive stance, and I just stood there with my hands on Ceae's shoulders, looking up at the monster. Still, nothing happened. I let go of Ceae's shoulders and stepped closer, slowly, as though in a trance. The eyes followed my footsteps.

"Keia, what are you doing?" Vegance shouted. I ignored her question and put myself in a position in which I was the only one noticeable. I dropped to one knee and stared at the ground.

"My name is Keia… Your lack of action tells me you have no intention of harm…"

"Greetings, Keia," the monster replied. My head flew up in shock. The monster's voice was deep, but it was feminine. The voice must have come from within the creature, since no mouth was visible. "I am Maringa, guardian of these waters… What brings you to me?"

I turned to glance back at Ceae and Vegance. "We come seeking the Water Key… Our home is in danger, and we need it to save ourselves."

"How much is it worth to you?" Maringa asked.

"Name your price… I'd do anything to save our world, for the sake of Prince Cryos…"

"You're willing to sacrifice all that you have for the safety of all others? That is a sign of true devotion… A commitment to oneself and those you love… And, you are honest… Many have come for this Key, but none have displayed the heart they have in such few words… That is more than I require." From the waves came a small blue sphere. It levitated over in front of me and lowered into my hands. A drop of water splashed around inside.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"No, thank you… You are the first to pour your heart out to a monster known to 'terrorize' people… May your days be many." Maringa emitted a sorrowful wail and sunk back beneath the waves. I rose to my feet and held the Water Key tightly in my hand.

"That was easier than I thought it would be," I whispered. I returned to Ceae and Vegance and handed the Water Key to Vegance.

"Well, despite your insane actions… I guess we're good to go," Vegance said.

"Thanks… When you're desperate, I guess you'd do anything…" I replied.

"Can we go now?" Ceae asked.

"Where to?" Vegance asked.

"Anywhere but here!" Ceae exclaimed.

"How about that wayfarer's town in the middle of the Plains?" I suggested. "I imagine Cryos and the others will show up there."

"Not a bad idea… That's where we'll go then," Vegance said and smiled.

"Then let's go!" I said and motioned for Vegance and Ceae to follow. I ran off laughing because I knew I would soon be reunited with Cryos…