"That's... that's my father." I said still struck with awe.

Telnu lifted his head and looked at me once more, I felt like he was looking into my very soul this time. I felt more like a math equation he was trying to see from every angle and solve, than a human being.

"I knew something about you seemed familiar. You are the protector's daughter, your father was incredible to me and saved my life and as I cannot repay my debt to him I would like to offer my services to you.

If you ever need me just call on me, say into the wind,

Telnuan the serpent of gold and green I ask for your help,

and I will be there before you can blink." He finished bowing his head gracefully to me. Swallowing I bowed my head back and thanked him.

"You know the reason you feel so at home in the water is because your grandmother was a water spirit, a surprisingly calm one at that." He said curling his scaly mouth into a smile.

"Really! Wow that makes a lot of sense and I can hold my breath longer than other people too. That makes a huge amount of sense. Wow, my grandmother was a water spirit!" I exclaimed smiling widely and laughing at the thought.

Telnu nodded his great emerald head and looked at me again more thoughtfully it seemed this time.

"I knew your father before you were born and I actually had a visit from him a while back maybe when you were about 3. He knew that it wasn't safe, that he couldn't keep it safe any longer. He told me that he had to entrust it to a new mind, one that was unaware of prejudices and threatening factors. He entrusted it to you Lena.

You and your father have the same characteristic of doing things your own way instead of others that preceded you. He was the first of his line to take the relic outside of the spirit world and you must be the first to figure out a way to end this once and for all."

He said his voice serious.

My smile had faded ad replacing it was a huge weight sitting on top of my shoulders.

How could I do that?

"But I don't even know how it works or how to open the box."

I said exasperated.

Resting his head on my lap again for comfort he continued.

"You have powerful ad intelligent blood in your veins. Look into your memories and everything your father has told you, they are clues.

To find a way to end all of this you must figure out how to destroy the relic and thus destroy the greed.

The first spirits weren't the smartest of beings, and created something that granted us what we wanted but unknowingly acted like a drug to us. We grow weak knowing it is gone and yet grow greedy when it is near. If you destroy it the intelligence won't leave like many believe, it is a living-breathing thing in this realm. You have to believe in it for it to keep living. You must destroy the relic to stop the feuds and shadows that lay across the land, in doing so you will help the spirits realize that this world is slowly dying because of their mistreatment and greed in it.

Does that make sense?"

He asked his words swimming heavily in my mind.

I nodded weakly. This was a lot of information.

"How do I destroy it once I open the box?" I asked hesitantly.

Telnu looked down at this, clearly not knowing the answer and my heart began sinking again.

"Unfortunately I don't know how, only the protector knows that, but maybe he left a clue somewhere. Are you doing this all by yourself it doesn't seem likely that all of these events happened simply because you breathed." He said a chuckle rumbling in his throat at the last statement.

I smiled at that, it was a very unlikely story.

"Actually I am a good friend with a girl who came here about 2 years ago. Chihiro is her name, and her friend Haku came to find her in the human realm. From there the events just kind of fell into place, he was looking for the relic and I had come to visit Chihiro and she wanted me to come and help them find the relic. It was quite ironic or a stroke of luck that the relic he was looking for was in my possession and I turned out to be someone that no one knew existed yet could be helpful in the quest, I guess you could call it."

I finished looking at the water thoughtfully.

Fate sure had a funny way of showing itself in my life.

The sun was beginning to set now, it's orange gold rays gilding the water as it rested on its surface.

"Well then you aren't alone in this. I remember hearing about the Chihiro you are talking about. She caused quite a stir here didn't she? And Haku, he is a trustworthy river spirit. You should tell them both what I have told you about destroying the relic, they may not believe you at first but I'm sure eventually they will understand. You have good friends to help you Lena, don't forget that. It may have started out as their mission, but now it is yours, it's your destiny and your birthright." Telnu said his eyes apathetic and kind as he looked at me.

I nodded and we simply sat from then on enjoying the changing scenery around us.

My clothes had completely dried from the time that I had gone swimming and a slight breeze swept across the water to chill my skin.

"Lena! Lena! What are you doing out there!" My head whipped around, and I smiled when I saw the handsome voice belonged to none other than Haku, who was standing on the dock looking shocked and on edge.

"Hey Haku, I'll be right over!" I yelled back and smiled.

"Well it looks like you have to be off. It was a pleasure meeting you Lena, I always enjoy making new friends. Now remember all that I have told you and the incantation I gave you if you ever need me." He said his yellow eyes staring at me intently.

"I will, I promise. Thank you so much Telnu." I said back.

"Well why don't I carry you back over so you don't get those dry clothes wet again." He offered chuckling as I nodded.

Lowering his head I stepped onto the scaly surface and knelt down holding onto his head for support and he glided towards the dock.

Coming closer I waved and smiled at Haku, and was surprised to see Chihiro open the boiler room door and come running up to Haku as well.

Telnu lowered his head and set me down softly.

I turned around to see Chihiro at a loss for words and Haku looking between Telnu and eye warily.

Telnu lowered his great head into a respectful bow to Haku first.

"I am pleased to meet you again Kohaku River. Don't worry I took very good care of Lena here and she has much to tell you both. Please keep your minds open, what I have to say has been known by many for hundreds of years." He said and I smiled at his manners towards Haku.

Haku bowed back his black hair moving slightly in the breeze and the golden sun painting his pale skin where it landed.

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well Telnuan of the Gold and Green. Thank you for watching over her, and I will do my best to keep my mind open." He said his stiff body relaxing as he spoke.

Telnu turned to Chihiro now and bowed as well.

"Lena has told me about you young Chihiro of the human world, and I have heard a lot about you from passerby's. Always remember friendship is an unbreakable bond, even here in this realm." He finished, causing Chihiro to look at me confused but nonetheless bowed respectfully back to the sea serpent.

I turned back to Telnu as his head came down for me to pet him once more.

"Take care Lena Sagnaska, I am sure we will meet each other again." He said, his head nudged my shoulder and I put my arms around his head in a hug.

"I will, and thank you, you don't know how much everything you said meant to me." I said smiling and moving back.

With one last nod he dove back into his familiar depths now growing dark as the sun hid below the horizon.

Turning back to the other two I moved forward and pulled them into a big hug. That meeting sure made me feel sappy.

"Sheesh Lena, you are getting into more crazy adventures on your first day than me." Chihiro said laughing as she hugged me back on my right.

I shook my head, "Not even close to the craziness you went through." I said laughing with her.

I looked over to my left, where my arm was still wrapped around Haku's waist making me turn bright red as I noticed my ballsy behavior.

He was slightly taller than me and he looked down at me curiously.

He wasn't mad which was good, and he wasn't on edge anymore, which put me at ease.

A chuckle erupted from his lips as he looked at me and back at the water behind us.

"I think being friend with you will bring many surprises. Good or bad, I'm still not sure." He said smiling as he pulled Chihiro and me into him and releasing us.

I swear I must be the shade of a tomato, how embarrassing.