Kapitel 88: The Brave Girl
As dawn unfurled, painting the sky with shades of pink and gold, Aria woke with a sudden start. She was not in the familiar confines of her Daddy's bead, rather she was in a spacious and ornate palace that belonged to Amazon Lily. A fleeting wave of confusion washed over her, only to be replaced by a clear recollection of the events from the day before.
Her gaze darted to the woman sleeping soundly next to her - Amelia, her mother. The rest of the family lay in varying stages of sleep, scattered around the room. The one person missing, however, was her Daddy. A small frown knitted her brow as she sat up, scanning the room again in hope. But he was nowhere to be seen.
"Mommy," Aria called out, reaching up to tap Amelia's cheek gently. There was no response. "Mommy," she called again, this time a bit louder. Her words dissipated into the quiet hum of the morning, unanswered.
Aria huffed, puffing her cheeks in frustration. She slid off the bed, her tiny feet padding against the cool stone floor. With a decisive nod, she set off in search of her Daddy.
Exiting the palace, she found herself in the heart of the island, amidst beautiful flora and statues that towered over her. She craned her neck to see the city, its distant silhouette faint against the soft glow of the morning.
Her heart sank slightly as she realized she had no idea where to go. The day before, they had journeyed a great distance from the ship, traversing through thick forest and open fields. Now, the sight of the endless forest and the vast sea was nowhere in sight. However, the pluck that Aria was known for didn't waver.
She stood there, her small form a stark contrast against the vast landscape. Tapping her chin thoughtfully, she contemplated her next move. The logical solution, she decided, was to go on an adventure. With her path undefined, she was to rely on her instincts, and maybe some good luck.
With her decision made, Aria wandered off in a random direction, her eyes sparkling with a sense of curiosity. Her footsteps were quiet but steady as she ventured into the unknown, a soft hum escaping her lips.
Every now and then, she would pause to study something that piqued her interest - a vibrant flower swaying in the gentle breeze, an exotic bird with colorful feathers perched on a tree branch, or a peculiar looking stone on the path.
She wandered, meandered, and strayed, but never faltered. Even though her Daddy was nowhere in sight, Aria didn't allow fear to creep into her heart. With every step she took, every new sight she encountered, she was brimming with excitement.
The island, with its lush greenery and exotic wildlife, was a sight to behold, something her Daddy would have loved to explore with her. As Aria traversed through the unknown, she couldn't help but hope that her path would lead her to him.
With each passing moment, her resolve grew stronger. She was on a mission, a grand adventure to find her Daddy. But before long, Aria realized that she was lost. The once intriguing labyrinth of flora and fauna was now a daunting maze. Her tiny heart pounded against her rib cage, but she refused to let fear take over her spirit. Aria was brave, just like her Daddy.
Inside the palace, Amelia's eyes snapped open. Something was amiss. She sat up and looked around. A sense of dread washed over her as she noticed Aria's absence. She was used to Aria's adventurous streak but this felt different. Her baby girl was nowhere in sight. The panic she had kept at bay was starting to creep in.
"Aria," she called out softly, her voice echoing off the high ceilings of the palace. Silence answered back. She rose, her silk robe flowing around her as she ventured further into the sprawling palace, her voice growing louder with each call. "Aria!" But there was no answer.
Her heart pounded against her chest as she began to run, calling out Aria's name until it became a desperate plea. Doors swung open, curtains fluttered as she moved frantically, but still no sight of her precious child.
The palace slowly began to stir. Bleary-eyed and confused, the rest of the family emerged from their rooms. Amelia ran to Shakky, the worry evident in her eyes. "Shakky, we need to find Jack," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Shakky nodded, a grim expression marking her weathered face. Swiftly taking Amelia's hand, they made their way towards the ship, trailed by the imposing figures of the Kuja Warriors. Their footsteps echoed in the hushed morning air, each sound punctuating the severity of their predicament.
As they arrived at the ship, they found Jack, his eyes soft and attentive, cradling Robin and feeding her gently. Beside him was Olvia, her arms wrapped around his in an intimate embrace. Upon the sudden arrival, she hastily withdrew, a blush creeping up her cheeks. She assumed, due to Amelia's presence, that she had overstepped a boundary. Yet, without a moment's hesitation, Jack pulled her back into his embrace, his arm encircling her waist. A tender smile graced her lips, her heart fluttering at the comforting familiarity of his touch.
Amelia, though, was too caught up in her anxiety to notice these subtle interactions. Her voice, when she finally spoke, cut through the peaceful morning, "Jack, Aria, she is missing." Her words echoed through the ship, the previously serene ambiance shattering instantly. Jack's eyes hardened, his entire demeanour changing in an instant. His tender expression morphed into a glacial stare, his concern evident. "How did it happen?" he demanded, his voice as cold as ice.
Amelia's face crumpled at his question. "I woke up and she was gone," she admitted, the guilt etched into her face. Jack moved to her side, his fingers gently cradling her face. "Calm down and think. What else can you tell?" he asked, his tone softer. Amelia leaned into his touch, drawing strength from his proximity, "She can't have been gone long. I could still feel her warmth in the bed... But I don't know anything else."
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