Chapter 22: Unveiling the Past

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the cruise ship as it glided smoothly through the Mediterranean waters. Inside their hidden spot, Chris, Light, Elina, and their new companion Sara settled in for the journey ahead. The tension from their initial meeting had eased slightly, but questions still lingered in the air.

As they made themselves comfortable, Chris turned to Sara. "We have about an hour until we reach Venice. Maybe it's time you tell us everything."

Sara nodded, her expression somber. "I owe you that much. Let me start from the beginning."

Sara's mind drifted back to her childhood. Growing up, she had always sensed something different about her family, but her father had kept many secrets. It wasn't until she was older that the truth began to unravel.

"After Fin's death, my father was a broken man," Sara began, her voice tinged with sadness. "He called me into his study one evening, and that's when he told me everything."

Her father's study was a dark, cluttered room filled with books and artifacts. Sara remembered the way he looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination. He revealed that he had a son from another relationship—Fin. The news came as a shock to Sara, who had never known she had a half-brother.

"He told me about the Crystal Hunters, about the powers we possessed, and about the dangers that came with them," Sara continued. "He had kept it a secret to protect us. But after Fin's death, he knew it was time for me to know."

Sara's father had spent years researching the crystals and the organization that sought to control them. He had discovered that Fin's death was no accident. It was a targeted attack by the Crystal Hunters, who feared the power Fin could wield.

"My father was determined to protect me and make sure I was prepared," Sara said, her voice growing firmer. "He trained me in secret, teaching me how to harness the power of my crystal—the Green Crystal. It gave me the ability to manipulate nature and plants."

As she spoke, Sara demonstrated her powers, causing a small vine to grow and wrap around her fingers. Chris, Light, and Elina watched in awe.

"I spent years honing my abilities," Sara continued. "But my father warned me to stay hidden, to keep my powers a secret. He feared that the Crystal Hunters would come for me next. My father was surprised when he learned that Fin and his friend had two crystals in their possession. That's how I learned about you, Light."

Light wasn't sure if it was fate to meet Fin's sister or a bad joke, but he continued listening to her words.

It wasn't long before Sara discovered more about Fin's death. Through her father's research and her own investigations, she learned that a man named Silas was responsible. He was a high-ranking member of the Crystal Hunters, ruthless and powerful.

"Finding out about Silas filled me with a need for justice," Sara said, her voice hardening. "I knew I had to find a way to stop him and protect others from the same fate as Fin."

Sara's journey had been long and dangerous. She had to navigate a world of shadows and deception, always staying one step ahead of the Crystal Hunters. When she heard about Chris, Light, and Elina, she knew they shared a common goal.

"I've been following your journey," Sara admitted. "I knew that together, we could be stronger. We have to stop the Crystal Hunters and bring down Silas."

As Sara finished her story, the group sat in silence, absorbing the weight of her words. Chris felt a newfound sense of resolve. They were not alone in their fight, and with Sara's help, they had a better chance of succeeding.

Elina broke the silence, her voice soft but resolute. "Thank you for sharing that with us, Sara. We're stronger together."

Light nodded in agreement. "We have to be careful, but I believe we can trust you. We all want the same thing."

Chris looked out the window, seeing the distant outline of Venice growing closer. The ancient city, with its winding canals and historic buildings, awaited them. "We're almost there. Let's be ready. Elina's Grandfather told us that someone is gonna meet us here. But we have to be ready for an upcoming danger."

Light's eyes gleamed with determination. "We will be ready. I believe in us."

Elina placed her hand on Chris's arm, her touch grounding him. "We will make it. For Emma and Fin."

Light brought a bottle of wine from his backpack and 4 plastic cups. He poured wine into each cup and raised his cup to make a toast. "Let's make a toast to our new companion, Sara. We don't know what dangers are ahead of us, but with everyone backing each other up, I know we can make it."

Everyone together, "CHEERS."

With renewed determination, the group prepared for the challenges ahead. The city of Venice awaited them, along with new allies, hidden dangers, and the promise of uncovering more about the mysterious crystals and the Crystal Hunters.

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To be continued.