It was much easier than Mateo thought it would be to find a ship. He did what he had been told. He walked East until he hit the shore and then continued south until he came to a small fishing village. The villagers were humble people and were very kind to him. It made him sad to think of what would happen to them if the Dark Army reached them before he could help. At least they had boats, a possible way to escape. They informed him that there were no ships going to Enchancia but that he could take one going to a larger port and then he'd be able to sail to Enchancia from there. Mateo thanked the villagers and paid his way on board.

When the ship pulled away, Mateo settled himself in a corner below deck. He opened the Codex Maru and continued to study. There was always more to learn. He often repeated pages or even entire sections of the book to make sure he hadn't missed anything. "Read between the lines" Ataguchu had told him and the wisdom rang in his mind. He searched through the pages, looking for the chapter regarding channeling magic through inanimate objects. As he flipped the pages, a folded up piece of paper slid out of the book and fell into his lap.

He raised his eyebrows and twisted his lips into a curious grin. "Where did that come from?" he wondered aloud. Then he glanced down at the page it had fallen from. "Finding Enlightenment" he read. "Ataguchu" he said with a small chuckle. "Of course".

He unfolded the note. It read:

Mateo,

Though what I am about to tell you may be shocking, you must still find trust in me. I beg your forgiveness for the roll that I've played in the beginning destruction of the Ever Realm. Forty three years ago, I had a vision about the wand. Someone had found it and had been using it. It had been hidden not far from my cottage. I set out on a journey to find the one who now possessed this artifact. I found her rather quickly and she, skeptical of who I was turned the wand on me. To my surprise, it worked. She missed me with her spell, but it worked. My first thought was that I had finally come across the next generation chosen one. It had to be her, only a Maruvian can control the magic and she did this. I finally was able to convince her of who I was and what her destiny would be. I began to train her. It wasn't long though before she decided it was her time to leave. I was confused but I let her go. I then learned that she had traveled South to Avalor and used her sorcery for evil. It wasn't until I was visited by your Grandfather, Alacazar, that I realized I had been mistaken. He had been in possession of the potion and it had yet to be used. That woman was not the chosen one. We realized that the ancient prophecy told to the Maruvian wizards was about to come true. When she was defeated by Princess Elena, she came back to me. Frail and drained of her magic. She wanted my help but I turned her away. She found help elsewhere. Those who helped her regain her power also stole books and uncovered the secrets about dark magic. She taught herself the ways of the dark wizards who destroyed Maru many years ago. She figured out how to summon the dark spirits. These are the undead who now march for Avalor. They obey her and her alone. She is more dangerous than we had ever imagined. She is Maruvian. She knows about the artifacts. Regretfully, because of me. She will be able to channel their magic. If she gets her hands on all the artifacts no one in the ever realm will stand a chance. You have a difficult task at hand. Find Enlightenment and you will find the help you seek.

Mateo lowered the note and his jaw dropped. "Shuriki is Maruvian!" Mateo pondered with astonishment and a bit confused. How could that be? Enlightenment, that's where he would find the answers? "OK then!" He said to himself.

He sat up straight and cross crossed his legs. He placed his hands on his knees and closed his eyes. He took a few deep breaths in and out, slowly relaxing himself. Nothing. He squinted one eye open and looked around. Not really sure what he was expecting to see. Nothing. He squeezed his eyes tight and took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. "Ohhh mighty ancient Maruvian wizards? Now would be a good time to speak to me.." He said awkwardly, feeling a bit dumb about talking to people who had been dead for hundreds of years. "Yup... Jusssst waiting I guess... Nothing?"

He then opened his eyes, hunched over and let out an exasperated sigh. "This is ridiculous!" He stated and went back to studying the Codex.

It was a long journey to the kingdom of Enchancia and Mateo was grateful to get off yet another boat. He wasted no time and headed straight for the palace to meet with King Roland, Queen Miranda and their daughter Princess Sofia. Sofia wore the amulet that he sought out. The same amulet that Elena had been trapped in for 41 years. It was she who, with the help of Mateo, had freed Elena and helped her overthrow Shuriki the first time. Mateo had no doubt that they would see him right away and help however they could.

"Mateo!" Sofia shouted with excitement as she ran towards her old friend after being summoned by her parents. "It's so good to see you again! But what are you doing here in Enchancia?"

Mateo exchanged a sullen look with the king and queen and Sofia grew concerned.

"What's going on?" She asked.

"Well, we've been waiting for the right time to tell you this... " King Roland started. They had been informed not that long ago about the situation in Avalor but never had the heart to tell Sofia. "Avalor has been invaded once again. Shuriki has taken complete control. The Royal family is gone"

"What?!" Sofia gasped. "What do you mean gone?! They're dead?!"

"I'm so sorry Hun" Miranda told her daughter, kneeling beside her and placing a hand on her shoulder for comfort.

Mateo stood off to the side and hung his head. He had been in a secluded part of the world for months so until that day, he too had been ignorant of the fate of the royal family.

"So what happens now? Shuriki just wins?" Sofia wondered, anger beginning to stir within her.

"No" Mateo replied, lifting his head and going to the princess's side. "I won't let that happen. I'm going to defeat her but to do it I need your help. I need to find six Maruvian artifacts. They contain magic that only I can channel. Once I do, I will be strong enough to defeat her and her army."

He then explained to her the history of the Maruvians, the note that Ataguchu had left him, how he was born with Maruvian blood and everything she needed to know about the dark army.

"So what can I do to help then?" Sofia asked eagerly.

"I need your amulet." Mateo told her. "It's one of the Maruvian artifacts."

"Done" Sofia said. Without hesitation, she removed the amulet from around her neck and handed it over to Mateo.

"Thank you Sofia" Mateo responded, admiring Sofia's noble heart.

"And if you need anything else..." Roland offered.

"Thank you King Roland. Right now though, I have to do this on my own. It's safer if you all stay as far away from Avalor and it's surrounding kingdoms as possible. If things change, I will let you know" Mateo told him.

"Where will you go now?" Sofia asked.

"Cordoba" Mateo said. "There's a ring there I have to find. Not sure where yet..." He continued, stratching his head, a bit uncomfortable at his lack of guidance at the moment. The amulet was easy to obtain, he knew that it would be. But the ring, along with the dagger would be the most difficult. "I have to start somewhere I guess" He concluded with a shrug.

"I believe in you Mateo" Sofia told him genuinely. She took his hand in hers and just nodded, giving Mateo the confidence that he would need.