GODAN GEARLOCK: Godan & The Water Goddess Stone

Boss Rocko led them to a quieter alley at the edge of Somara. His steps were somewhat hurried.

The houses along the street were dilapidated, but one stood out—it looked better maintained. Its wooden walls had been recently painted, and small plants thrived in clay pots placed neatly out front. This was the home of Grandma Miru, an elder respected by most of Somara's residents.

"Why are we here, Boss?" Jomie asked, trailing behind with hesitant steps.

He never imagined he'd visit Grandma Miru's house—the old woman who was said to possess extensive knowledge about the city's past.

"There's something important," Rocko replied curtly, his gaze fixed ahead. The man had no intention of letting the trio leave just yet.

Godan glanced at Marta, who shrugged as if to say she was just as clueless. Yet, beneath their confusion, all three of them sensed an opportunity. If anyone knew more about the Water Goddess Stone, it had to be Grandma Miru.

When they reached the door, Rocko knocked three times firmly, as was his habit. Moments later, the wooden door creaked open, revealing an elderly woman with long gray hair tied neatly in a braid.

Her eyes were sharp, despite the wrinkles on her face betraying her advanced age.

"Ah, Rocko!" Grandma Miru said, her voice low but filled with authority. "You've finally come. I received your message two days ago. And who are these young ones?" She turned her piercing gaze toward Godan, Marta, and Jomie.

"They're just kids who work at the incineration site and sometimes scavenge," Rocko replied. "I thought they might need to hear this too."

Grandma Miru studied them for a long moment, as if assessing something invisible. "Very well. Come in," she said at last, opening the door wider.

The interior of Grandma Miru's home was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the oppressive and harsh atmosphere outside. The wooden floor was spotless, shelves were packed with books and rolled-up maps, and the aroma of spices hung in the air, making the three of them feel as if they had stepped into another world entirely.

"Have a seat," Grandma Miru instructed, pointing to a woven mat in the living room. Rocko sat comfortably, but Godan and his friends felt slightly out of place, careful not to touch anything.

"So, what do you want to discuss, Rocko?" Grandma Miru asked, pouring tea into small cups.

Rocko took a deep breath before replying. "It's about the Water Goddess Stone."

The three young scavengers immediately straightened their backs, their full attention locked on the conversation.

"What more can I help with regarding that?" Grandma Miru asked. "I've already shared everything I know years ago. The legends, the supposed locations—everything. But no one's ever found it."

"But Somara is deteriorating," Rocko said, his tone grave. "Water is becoming scarcer, and the waste piles are out of control. The factories can't keep up. If we don't do something, this city won't survive. I think... I think there's something you haven't told us. Something you've been keeping secret."

Grandma Miru's sharp gaze fixed on Rocko. The room grew tense, and Godan felt his heartbeat quicken.

"I've hidden nothing, Rocko," Grandma Miru finally said, her voice cold. "But there is one thing I never mentioned because I wasn't sure of its truth."

"Tell us," Rocko urged.

The elderly woman sighed deeply, then stood and retrieved a rolled-up map from one of her shelves.

She placed it on a small table in the center of the room and carefully unrolled it. The map appeared far more detailed than anything Godan and his friends had found in the ruins.

"This is an old map of the Amhail Continent, and here is where our city lies," Grandma Miru said, pointing to several spots with her trembling fingers.

"Before this city became a wasteland, Somara was a prosperous trading hub. Far more prosperous than any other city on this continent. The Water Goddess Stone was believed to reside here, inside the Oran Tower. But that tower collapsed long ago—you can still see its ruins from the settlements."

"The Oran Tower…" Godan murmured. The name felt unfamiliar, but he was certain it referred to the ruins they had visited recently.

"But there's a rumor," Grandma Miru continued, her gaze shifting to the three of them. "That the stolen Water Goddess Stone was actually moved to a safer location by the city's last guardians. That location can only be found using an artifact called the Star Key."

"The Star Key?" Marta asked, her eyes widening as her mind raced to connect the pieces of the puzzle they had found.

"Yes," Grandma Miru confirmed. "The artifact disappeared along with the fall of the Oran Tower. If you truly wish to find the Water Goddess Stone, you'll need to locate the Star Key first."

"And you don't know where the Star Key is now?" Rocko asked.

Grandma Miru shook her head. "No one does. But there are rumors that the artifact may still be hidden in one of the ruins at the edge of the city, buried underground, maybe."

Godan's heart pounded. This all felt like a massive puzzle, and it was finally starting to come together. He looked at Marta and Jomie, seeing the same expressions on their faces—excitement, curiosity, and determination to continue their search.

"Then we need to find the Star Key, don't we?" Godan finally said, his voice firm.

Rocko's eyes narrowed suspiciously, as if he had just realized something.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" he asked.

Marta and Jomie both turned to Godan, silently urging him to explain everything to Rocko and Grandma Miru.

Slowly, Godan pulled a journal from his pocket. Both adults were visibly shocked—they clearly recognized it as the journal that had been sought after years ago.

"Where did you get this?" Rocko demanded.

Godan, assisted by Marta and Jomie, recounted the chain of events, starting from the landfill to the ruins.

"No wonder my instincts told me to bring you here," Rocko exclaimed. "I only planned to teach you a few things, but this..."

Grandma Miru looked relieved, grateful that the journal wasn't in the hands of someone dangerous. Rocko promised to help them as much as he could, though he couldn't abandon the factory that supported Somara's residents.

Godan and his friends pledged to continue searching for the Water Goddess Stone.

Grandma Miru nodded slowly. "But be careful, young ones. There's a reason no one has found it yet. The world is full of dangers—not just physical ones. Don't lose yourselves in this search."

The tension in the room eased, but Godan knew their journey was just beginning. Now, with the journal, the old map, and the information about the Star Key, they had a clearer path forward. One thing was certain—the Water Goddess Stone wasn't just a myth.