After leaving the Forest That Watches, Batista and Kista stepped into a world unlike anything they had ever known.
The ground beneath them dissolved into a soft, rolling mist, and when it cleared, they were standing at the edge of an endless ocean. The water shimmered with dark and mysterious colors, and a heavy fog hovered above the waves, hiding what lay beneath.
Kista peered into the vast sea. "Father… what is this place?" he asked, voice trembling slightly.
Batista looked out at the horizon, his gaze steady and calm.
"This is the Ocean of Secrets," he said.
"Here, truths are hidden, and betrayal lurks beneath the surface. Every wave can teach you something… if you are brave enough to look."
Kista hesitated, sensing a strange energy in the air. Suddenly, a shadow moved beneath the water. Something large and unseen stirred, making the ocean ripple like it was alive.
Batista kneeled beside Kista. "Remember, my son," he said gently, "not all dangers are visible. Some come from those you trust… and sometimes, betrayal is closer than you think."
The mark on Batista's leg began to glow again, brighter this time.
"This is Code 21," he explained.
"It is the key to understanding this world. The ocean will test your judgment and your heart. Remember every lesson, Kista, for each is a step closer to the truth."
As they stepped into the shallow water, the mist swirled around them, and the ocean seemed to whisper secrets that only the brave could hear. Kista felt both fear and curiosity. He understood that this was not just water… this was a mirror of the soul...