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Disclaimer: I do not own SoM or anything else saves a whole lot of weird ideas.

A/N

Hey everybody, long time no sees huh. Well lets just say that I've been up to many interesting things of late. Mostly I joined the US Military and the US Navy in particular. Well, while I was at boot camp I managed to actually become very creative and have since pounded out several chapters for not just this story but for some of my other older fanfics. So anyways on with the story.

Chapter 3

Ryan stared back at Luca in mild shock. Her last several words sounding like steel within the quietness of the Water Temple. Wondering what Luca meant, Ryan pondered how best to reply silently, trying to come up with a way to ask for a better explanation of what she meant. Ryan was brought abruptly out of his thoughts by Luca's soft voice speaking softly to him.

"Ryan, as you know I am 200 years old. Most people appropriate my age to my proximity to the mana seed of water." Taking a deep breath Luca sighs heavily as she continues on with her story. "However, the truth is that I am formed from the very water that flows throughout the entirety of this temple."

"I was born from a puddle that had collected within the lower reaches of the temple. When the mana was delivered here to the temple by the surviving members of the mana tribe 200 years ago after the last mana war. I was given life solely to watch and protect the seed, temple, and the lands which were supported by the water seed. Over time the land changed and the waters flowed out from around the temple to connect with the waters all over the world.

Ryan sat on the floor of the water temple. He had never known any of this about either the seed or Luca. In some aspects it was like he was a student to Luca.

Continuing on Luca glanced at Ryan and smiled lightly at Ryan as she continues with the story. "Over the years people have come and visited this temple several times. Some, like Jema, almost working for the good of mana. Others just looking to pray for a little way then be on their way. It can be a little lonely here however it's not very dull."

Moving closer to Ryan, Luca knelt on the floor before him and reached up with one hand and placed it over her heart. "Despite all those people who have come and gone from this temple, Ryan, what I have felt for you here is more then what I have felt for anyone else." Removing the hand from her chest, Luca scoots back from Ryan she stares at his viasge with a mixture of sadness and love.

"That is why there is one thing I need to show you Ryan." As she says this Luca closes her eyes and slowly her body begins to change into what seems like a humanoid being comprised of only water. Her hair now streaming down her back in a cascade like a waterfall. Opening her eyes to Ryan they now emitted a greenish light like seaweed on a warm summers night. "This is what I really look like Ryan. An elemental being made entirely of water."

Ryan stared at the feminine figure of water in front of him. It was amazing that such a wondrous creature could exist in the first place. Although Ryan had seen many amazing things in his journeys however Luca was a creature of beauty and not one brought out of evil. Reaching a hand out towards her Ryan lightly places it on the side of Luca's face. The skin, if you can call it that, was cool and moist to the touch however was in no way wet. Ryan gently runs his thumb along her as he stares into her eyes.

Moving closer to Ryan, Luca began to cry softly upon his shoulder. This was the first time in her 200 hundred years of existence that a person had shown feelings for her besides reverence. Usually everyone who came to the temple of water had already known of the mana seed and the guardian that watches over both. In fact Ryan was the first person in all that time to enter the temple without any knowledge of either the seed or its guardian.

Luca pulled back slightly from Ryan's embrace. Looking up into his eyes Luca could see the questions that danced upon his mind. However, a sense of tiredness also showed itself within his eyes. He hadn't completely recovered from his injuries. Smiling gently at the young hero, Luca places her hands upon the side of his head and releases a minor sleeping spell. As Ryan drifted off to sleep the maiden of the water temple pulled him close and held him like a mother would a child.

For a long time she sat there holding him. It was a new feeling for her being in love with this hero who had risked his own life for others fairly selfishly. He had no real reason to go out and fight the empire or those who were behind even them. Yet he done that and more upon his journey. Before that his entire world existed of only a small town and ancient stories.

Getting up from in front of the alter Luca crossed to one of the temples many windows. She had also sensed a dark foreboding presence within the waters. As if something still lurked out there seeking to release the seals of mana that scattered the world. Perhaps part of why Ryan was sent here once more was to begin the quest all over just as he had the first time. However, this time she would be going with him.

End Chapter 3

EA/N

Well sorry for the long delay on that chapter people. Hopefully no one thinks this story is as dead as I make it seem. I already have another chapter for this story ready too as well as gathering info for the next one. So expect another update here fairly soon.