Chapter 149
*Air Temple Island. Ten minutes after Yo and Driya left.*
An unusual silence blanketed the playground, a stark contrast to the usual chorus of children's laughter and chatter. It seemed the girls had found something more exciting to do. As the saying goes, "If you don't hear a child, they're definitely up to something."
"Dad and Mom aren't home, and little Celine isn't around either. This is our chance!" whispered Hime, her voice slightly excited. She was always the mastermind behind any adventure.
"We need to act!" nodded Kushi, her partner in mischief.
"I don't know... I don't want to upset Mom and Dad," Tomoko said hesitantly. She wasn't always on board with her sisters' wild ideas.
"I'll check the house, Kushi, you take the garden, and Tomoko, you handle the rest," Hime declared, her leadership skills shining through. There was something in her voice that made you want to listen. Tomoko didn't hesitate for long; deep down, she had an adventurous streak too, though she often tried to suppress it.
Unfortunately for the girls, their words and movements were easily seen and heard by Celine. The island was filled with hidden "watching" and "listening" plants, allowing Yo, Gaia, Driya, and Celine to keep an eye on the children. If the girls had been more skilled, they might have noticed the plants. But their energy far outpaced their control and understanding of their powers. They'd only recently begun proper training.
One person, however, was aware of the entire surveillance system. Shika, being half-spirit and half-human, was a step ahead of her sisters. Sadly for the girls, Shika's abilities didn't hinder her at all. She assumed everyone knew about her powers... Yes, she wasn't very socially adept and a bit scatterbrained, but their father loved her even more for it!
"Father's too protective. Let them see the world as it is, and I'll keep an eye on them," Celine thought to herself, already aware of her sisters' plan. Kushi walked right past her, unaware, as the gap in their powers and abilities was too vast.
Fifteen minutes later, the conspirators gathered again, their eyes gleaming as they held a map of nearby territories, deciding which city to explore.
"Tienhai is too dangerous; we might run into our parents' acquaintances. Let's choose Hinai—it's only two hours away by boat," they agreed. But another problem arose: "How do we get there?"