Three weeks had passed since my seizure and nightmare. I was managing to push that aside. I was feeling a little better. 'Remember...Mom and Dad are doing this to protect me from other, much greater dangers besides the humans...' I kept reminding myself everyday. They just wanted what was best for me...what would keep me alive.

But just to be on the safe side, I decided to keep an eye on Neteyam. I made a promise to myself that I will not let him die. Not on my watch. My soul left my body when I heard the conch shell sounding. I immediately turned my head to look outside. Tuk immediately ran out to see what was happening, with Dad following behind her. "What was that?" Tuk asked

I stood up and walked outside. The villagers were all diving into the water. There were large splashes in the distance. "What's going on?" Lo'ak asked curiously as Tsireya swam up to us on her Ilu. "The Tulkuns have returned! Everybody, our brothers and sisters have returned." Tsireya happily told us, and gestured us to follow.

The Tulkun had come home after their endless cycle of migration. I watched with wide eyes as some Tulkun jumped out of the water, singing happily. And then, I felt a force behind my back. It was enough to push me into the water. Neteyam's laughter came from behind. "Come on. Let's go meet them!" He smiled. I just nodded in response, smiling back at him. 

"Yeah, but don't think you're safe after that stunt you pulled." I laughed, calling Stevie over to swim on her.

'The Tulkun are fun! They love to sing!' Stevie told me, sounding excited. 'I can't wait to meet them in person.' I thought, smiling as Stevie began to swim towards the Tulkuns.

There were so many of them... They were very big, and to think this reef was capable of holding so many in a little space. One Tulkun swimmed above us and I was able to see his underbelly. Each Tulkun seemed to have a marking of some kind. All the markings were different and unique.

I felt a nudge on my arm. I turned to my right and saw Ao'nung. "Come meet my Spirit Brother." He signed to me. I accepted his invite and followed after him, passing by Kiri, Tuk, and Rotxo as they were holding onto a fin of Rotxo's Spirit Brother.

It was a time for stories of their season apart...of deaths and births. Old friends and new loves. Seeing this was enough to calm my heart. The Tulkun were so beautiful...

This was the calm before the storm...