Bubbles

Maris is sitting on the soft sand, her bare feet digging into the cool granules.
The sun is setting, casting a warm golden glow over the ocean.

Suddenly her older brother Kai sits down next to her.
She just looks at him but doesn't say anything.
He just keeps sitting there, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

He's always been the adventurous one, eager to explore the unknown and discover new places.
Maris, while being intrigued by his stories, is more cautious and prefers the safety of their small village on that small island close to the Fruit Coast with her friends.

As the waves come closer she watches them crash against the shore, creating a symphony of bubbles that are dancing in the foam.

Kai

Oh, these bubbles...

Maris

You always loved these bubbles, didn't you?
I still wonder why...

Her voice is barely audible over the sound of the waves.

Kai smiles. His gaze never leaves the water.

Kai

Bubbles are like our world, Maris. They're beautiful, but they're also fragile.
They can only exist for a short time before they pop and disappear.

Maris nods, fascinated.
Could this world just cease to exist in a matter of seconds?

Maris

But we aren't living in a bubble...

Kai sighs, turning to face her.

Kai

Maybe not literally.
But have you ever wondered what's outside the world we know?
This part of the world is our little bubble.
And your bubble might be even smaller. Your bubble only contains this island. And maybe the Fruit Coast. You've never been anywhere else.

Maris

But even if I haven't been everywhere yet, we basically know everything about the world, right?
You told me all of this yourself!
The Fruit Coast, the island ocean, the rock ocean in the south.
The jungle, the wasteland, the cold mountains.
And the central city of course.

Kai

Sure, but that's only what we know about.
What if you just kept going? Past the last village, past everything?
Do you really think the world just ends there?

Maris

Of course not! It probably just goes on like this forever.
Fewer and fewer people, until there's nobody around.

Kai

Not at all! You still know so little about the world, my cute Maris.
But that's okay. You're still young.

Maris

Hey, I'm old enough. Just tell me!
I just don't see how the world could be different.
You said, it doesn't just end. And it also doesn't go on like this forever.
So what else could there be?
Will there be more huge cities like the central city?

Kai

Actually, nobody really knows what's outside the world we know.
That's why it's called the known world.
Maybe you're right and there will be more places like this very far away.
The further we get away from the center of this world, the more forces try to push you back.
You usually don't notice them. We're still too close to the city.

Maris

No, we're not.
The city is around a hundred kilometers away.

Kai

You have to get further away. Don't you know how huge the known world is?
It's hundreds of kilometers until you reach the last human civilization.
And it's almost twice as far until you reach the actual border of the known world, which cannot be crossed.

Maris

So what's behind this border?

Kai

As I said, there's still not much we know about the outside world.
We have some information. But I'm not sure if I should tell you. Not many people think it's valid anyway.
This information was spread some time ago.
Before I was born, there was a researcher named Ellis, who spread this information.
She's the only person known to have left the known world and come back again.

Maris

Why have I never heard of her before?
Do you really believe this?

Kai

I know she existed. There's a lot of evidence.
She was very well known for a short amount of time.
Even back then many didn't believe her. But the rumors still live on.
Sadly she soon disappeared again.

Maris

Oh, that's sad. Did she...

Kai

Nobody knows what happened to her. But because of her, we know there's something outside.
It's a harsh life out there. Not many people.
And she left a powerful treasure there. She left the truth about this world.
The Dark Heart is out there!
It will free us!

Maris

What?
Free us?
From... what?
So you think we are trapped here?

Kai

That's the world we live in, Maris...
They won't let us out. That's a fact.

Maris

But why?

Kai

There are many stories.
Some say they want to protect us from this harsh world.
Others believe they want to hide something from us.
But no one really knows for sure.

Maris

Who are they?

Kai

They?
I think I told you enough today.
It's getting late.

Maris looks at her brother.

Maris

You know more about the outside world, right...?

Kai has to chuckle as he ruffles her hair.

Kai

I don't know everything, little one.
But I do know that it's important for us to explore and learn about the world around us.
Even for a young girl like you.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, beautifully carved wooden box.

Kai

Here, I got this for you!

Maris takes the box, her fingers tracing the delicate carvings.

Maris

Thank you, Kai!

Kai

But don't open it before you're ready, okay?

Maris

Sure! But... how would I know?

Kai

When you're ready, you'll know.
So come on, let's go home.
It's late!

As they walk back to their small village, Maris can't help but think about the stories Kai had told her.
She wonders what secrets lie beyond the ocean.
And what happened to Ellis.

Maris wants Kai to sleep in her bed.
He won't stay for long this time, so she wants to spend as much time with him as possible, even if they're just sleeping.

The next morning, Maris wakes up to an empty bed next to her.
She rushes outside, only to find the village already bustling with activity.
Soon she spots Kai standing by the docks with a determined look on his face.

Maris

Kai, you're already leaving? Where are you going?

Kai turns to face her, excited.

Kai

I'm going to find the treasure, Maris.
I'm going to explore the outside world myself.
I'll be the one to bring back the truth about this world.

Maris is excited as she watches her brother board the small boat.
She waves goodbye, tears flowing down her face.

As the boat sails away, Maris clutches the wooden box tightly, her mind filled with images of the unknown places of the outside world.

When he left, she realizes he would probably not come back if everything he told her is true.
She has to be strong and brave, just like Kai, if she ever wants to join him on his quest for the truth.

While Maris is sitting at the beach with her older brother Kai, he lets her have a glimpse of how he sees the world.
He tells her about the history and mysteries.
And he tells her about the plans he has.
Maris is really intrigued by this.