Ethan woke up with only one thought after his first visit to Mikmak Village: to remember his family. His impressions of Wenona and the Mikmaks excited him and gave him hope that this powerful community might help him recover his lost memories.
However, instead of sharing this with Rowena, he decided to act alone. Perhaps this was a journey he needed to undertake on his own.
One morning, while everyone was still asleep, Ethan quietly left his room. The only sound echoing through the palace corridors was the faint resonance of his cautious steps. It was still before dawn, so no one would notice him. Assured that Rowena was asleep, he exited the palace and, using the hidden path he had learned on previous outings, set off toward Mikmak Village.
Throughout the long walk, he wrestled with his thoughts. Not being able to remember his family's faces was the greatest agony eating away at his soul. He was living without knowing who he truly was. He felt like a stranger in the palace, and not knowing his real family had become an unbearable burden.
When he reached Mikmak Village, the villagers were just waking up. People gathered around small fires in front of their tents, preparing to start the day. Ethan found Wenona among the tents. She smiled brightly when she saw him and came over.
"Ethan! It's so good to see you again!" Wenona said excitedly. "What brings you here? Isn't Rowena with you?"
Ethan took a deep breath and looked into Wenona's eyes. "Wenona, I want to ask you something," he said firmly. "I don't remember my real family. I want to remember them. Can you help me?"
Wenona looked at Ethan with puzzled eyes. Ethan sighed deeply, knowing he could trust her. He briefly explained his experiences and said, "Please help me, Wenona," with seriousness.
Seeing the seriousness in Ethan's eyes, Wenona's expression turned serious. She pondered for a moment and then led Ethan toward the forest outside the village.
"Follow me, Ethan," she said with determination. "I'll take you to a special place. There, you might find the answers you seek."
Ethan began to follow Wenona. The forest was shrouded in the soft mist of early morning. The sounds of birds and the rustling of the light breeze accompanied their walk. After walking for a while, Ethan noticed a light shimmering between the trees. It was as if this light pointed to a hidden treasure in the forest.
Wenona finally brought them to the edge of a small, clear lake. The water of the lake sparkled with the morning sun and radiated a soothing energy. Wenona took a deep breath and turned to Ethan.
"This is the Healing Lake, Ethan," she said softly. "The water of this lake can connect you with the past. If you want to see your past, you need to enter the lake. But remember, this process can be challenging. Things you don't want to see may surface as well."
Ethan listened carefully to Wenona's words. His eyes showed a mix of fear and curiosity, but he was determined. He felt he had no other choice. He wanted to remember his real family, to understand who he was. Taking a deep breath, he approached the edge of the lake, removed his shoes, and slowly stepped into the water.
At first, the lake's water felt cool and calm. But as Ethan waded deeper, he felt a strange energy in the water, as if the lake was touching his soul and opening doors to reveal his past. When the water reached his chest, Ethan suddenly felt dizzy. His vision blurred, and he suddenly fell into the water.
As he fell, a series of images flashed in his mind. At first, they were blurry, but they gradually became clearer. What he saw were his memories.
Fourteen years ago, when Ethan was just one year old, he saw himself on a large ship. The ship was battling giant waves in the middle of the sea. He saw his baby self in the arms of a graceful woman he recognized as his mother. The woman's face was filled with concern, her eyes brimming with fear. Beside them stood a man who could be Ethan's father. He had a strong, determined posture, but he looked just as frightened as his wife. Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed, shaking everything around, and the wooden deck of the ship began to rip apart.
At that moment, another ship appeared before Ethan's eyes. This ship belonged to Blackbeard's pirates. With its black flags and fierce crew wielding sharp swords, it had launched an attack. Ethan realized that the ship under attack belonged to the Kingdom of Ravenna. This was his parents' royal ship!
Ethan saw a memory he had never been able to recall until now.
Blackbeard and his crew had attacked the king and queen's ship. Swords were drawn, and a battle ensued. Ethan's mother and father did everything they could to protect him, but the pirates were too powerful. Ethan saw his baby self in the arms of the queen; his mother held him tightly. However, one of Blackbeard's men violently tore the baby from his mother's arms. Queen Nyla fought desperately to get her baby back but failed.
Ethan saw his infant self in Blackbeard's arms. Blackbeard took the baby to his ship's deck, where he and his crew cheered. After plundering the ship, Blackbeard and his men left the king and queen's devastated vessel behind. The royal ship of the Kingdom of Ravenna was severely damaged and left without its crew.
Ethan was shaken by these visions in his mind. What he saw were his first memories of his real family. He now understood why Blackbeard had kidnapped him and why he had grown up in his care. This was the missing piece that explained who he was.
When he opened his eyes, he was still in the healing lake. The water had brought him a deep sense of calm, but it had also revealed a painful truth. Slowly, he emerged from the water and wrapped himself in the blanket Wenona offered him. His eyes were filled with tears, but this time he wasn't crying. He now knew who he was and where he came from.
Wenona approached him gently. "Did you remember, Ethan?" she asked softly.
Ethan nodded slightly. "Yes," he whispered. "I know who I am now. But I don't know what to do with this information. My family... they were right under my nose all this time. Now I want to know them better."
Wenona looked at him with understanding. "In time, Ethan," she said. "These things can't be rushed. But remember, no matter what happens, you have friends by your side. That includes us Mikmaks. You can always come here."
Ethan looked at Wenona gratefully. "Thank you," he said. "Thank you so much."
At that moment, a new strength was born within Ethan. Learning the truth about his family had both saddened and strengthened him. He now knew who he was, but this knowledge placed a great responsibility on his shoulders. He had to decide how to carry this responsibility, and he was not alone on this journey.