Chapter Sixteen: Crossing the Big Water

On the surface bubbles floated for a shape was seen, sinking deeper and deeper. Knowing he needed air, Chomper struck Mosses with a sweep of his leg, freeing himself and rising to get a breath, notching Mosses did the same. He must need air too, Chomper realizing what he had to do, waiting for another attack. When Mosses flew at him, Chomper moved into the set of jaws, smacking them down with his arms. He scrambled onto Mosses back and dug his claws in, hanging on for dear life. Pulled along, Chomper's head burst out to take a breath, shoving Mosses down and keeping him there. Bucking and bending, Mosses tried to bite or swat Chomper off, wearing himself down and struggling to hold his breath.

Switching to sharptooth, taking a shot in the dark, Chomper spoke. "You'll not harm me and take me to the far land, or else I'll prevent you from breathing ever again."

"Very Vell, I'll do as you ask."

Chomper shifted his weight and allowed Mosses to take a much-needed breath. Having a truce, Mosses held up his end of the deal and managed to cross the distance faster than Chomper could've, seeing an outline of land along the watery horizon.

"Land, of course, the Unknown is land that's unexplored." Chomper smiled and was happy to see his mother was right, that he hadn't fallen off the edge and reached what he believed was real, despite what others told him. Then he heard it, the voice calling. "Ah, ah, ah." "I hear you, and I'm coming."

When the water became shallow, Chomper slid off Mosses and faced him. "I thank you, Mosses."

"Yeah, vell, if you come back in, I'll be vaiting and von't show any mercy." Slapping his tail, he soaked Chomper's face.

"Okay, take care," Chomper said politely, waving goodbye.

He turned and made his way up the beach, entering a forested area, thinking it was no different from the land he left behind. Yet, when he saw some creatures in the distance, he knew he was no longer among beings similar to him, but rather foreign and strange. A herd of large being moved, having longs tusks, noses, and walking on all fours, covered in thick fur. Odd feathered birds flew across the sky, only a glimpse of a world unknown to him and his kind. Going along, he saw something in the distance, shimmering, glinting like a star.

Chomper:
"Every inch of me is trembling,
But not from the cold,
Something is familiar,
Like a vision, I can reach but not quite hold,
I can sense you there, like a friend I've always known,
I'm arriving, and it feels like I am home,
I have always been a fortress, cold secrets deep inside,
You have secrets too, but you don't have to hide,
Show yourself,
I'm dying to meet you,
Show yourself,
It's your turn,
Are you the one I've been looking for, all my life,
Show yourself,
I'm ready to learn,
Ah, ah, ah, (Ah, ah, ah)"

The voice, he followed it, finding it was guiding him, running to it and feeling his heart pound out of his chest. For he knew whatever lay ahead was what he'd been yearning to know for so long. The answers were there, waiting to be uncovered, discovered by him.

"I've never felt so certain,
All my life I've been torn,
But I'm here for a reason, could it be the reason I was born,
I have always been so different, normal rules did not apply,
Is this the day, are you the way,
I finally find out why,
Show yourself,
I'm no longer trembling,
Here I am, I've come so far,
You are the answer I've waited for, all my life,
Oh, show yourself,
Let me see who you are,"

Crashing through the timber, Chomper was eager to reach his destination, scampering up some rocks, and seeing a bazaar object among the clearing. It was a dome shape, not rounded by water or lava, but something he couldn't ever imagine. Though a bit fearful, he approached it and took in a metallic scent, knowing it was nothing that came from their world. He stood there, hearing a hissing sound and seeing an opening appear for him to enter.

"I've never felt so certain,
All my life I've been torn,
But I'm here for a reason, could it be the reason I was born,
I have always been so different, normal rules did not apply,
Is this the day, are you the way,
I finally find out why,
Show yourself,
I'm no longer trembling,
Here I am, I've come so far,
You are the answer I've waited for, all my life,
Oh, show yourself,
Let me see who you are,

Come to me now,
Open your door,
Don't make me wait, one moment more,
Oh, come to me now, open your door,
Don't make me wait one moment more, oh,"

When he passed the entrance, it reminded him of a cave, dark with only a few glowing lights of red, yellow, and even green. The moment he stepped in, it seemed to come to life, lights flickering on. The inside was amazing, pure white with silver and square-shaped stones aligning the ground. Smooth, cool to the touch, he heard voices, recognizing one among them. A series of images surrounded him, being memories, playing and belonging to none other than his mother, seeing her sing the tune that called him there. Chomper felt overwhelmed with many emotions, blinking to keep from crying. "Mother." He uttered under his breath.

Voces (Charity):
"Where the north wind meets the sea, (Ah, ah, ah)
There's a river, (Ah, ah, ah) Full of memories,"

Standing there, Chomper saw a see-through figure of Charity, gazing at him with a proud expression, smiling and glad he found her at long last. Was it truly her, perhaps visiting him from the world after death, returning to guide him, answers he'd long to know, ones she took with her in death?

Charity:
"Come my Chomper homeward bound,"
Chomper:
"I am Found,"
Both:
"Show yourself, step into
Grow yourself, into something new,"
Charity:
"You are the one you've been waiting for,"
Chomper:
"All of my life,
Oh show yourself,
Ah, ah, ah, (Ah, ah, ah)
Ah, ah, ah, (Ah, ah, ah)
Ah, ah, ah!"

Chomper went and tried to embrace her, only to walk past her, falling flat on his face. When he glanced back to her, she only grinned and chuckled, watching him rise to study her with a tender expression. Reaching his hand out, he watched it go through her.

"Mother, how, I don't understand any of this. What is this place?"

"They will answer your questions, find them and listen with an open mind." She spoke softly. "Know we did it all out of love."

"Mom!" Chomper went forward, only for her to vanish and leave him alone again. Swallowing a few times, he then picked up on a pair of scents, beings were in the area with him and he wasn't completely alone.