I wanted to yell, "Help!" but I couldn't...

The waves crashed over me.

I couldn't breathe!

Hi, it's Nova again. And yes, I'm underwater.

How did I get here? Well, I’m still trying to figure that out.

One minute, I was in the Enchanted Forest, watching the compass glow, and the next thing I knew, I was sinking in the ocean. I kicked my legs as hard as I could, but I kept going deeper. My heart was racing—was this the end? Would I ever see home again?

No, I couldn’t swim—I’m a fox, not a fish!

Just when I was about to give up, I felt something grab me. It was a mermaid!

Her long teal tail sparkled as she played a glowing harp. The music made me feel warm, and suddenly, I could breathe! I gasped as my legs turned into a beautiful mermaid tail. It was magical.

"Don't worry," she whispered. "I'll take care of you."

Her name was Seraphina, and she was the protector of this world. She didn’t say much, but her eyes made me feel safe. As she swam through the bright coral reefs, I noticed something strange—the water wasn’t just water. It was...emotions.

The ocean swirled with feelings—sadness, joy, anger—just like waves. Seraphina explained that in this world, the ocean was alive with emotions. If I wanted to learn how to swim, I had to learn how to ride the waves of my feelings.

“If you let them control you, you’ll sink,” she said. “But if you stay calm and move with the current, you’ll get through any storm.”

I was scared. How could I handle something as big as my emotions? But Seraphina stayed by my side, teaching me.

Over the next few days, she showed me how to float when sadness weighed me down by taking deep breaths and feeling the emotion without letting it take over. When fear came, she taught me to focus on what was happening right then. When I was deeply overwhelmed, she showed me how to take small steps so I wouldn’t feel buried under pressure. When anger bubbled up, she told me to stop and count to five before reacting to its current. And when joy came, she encouraged me to embrace it fully, letting it carry me.

Each emotion was like a wave in the ocean. I couldn’t stop them from coming, but I could choose how to deal with them. It wasn’t easy, and sometimes the sadness felt too heavy or the fear too strong. But with each wave, I got better.

Finally, I could swim!

Even though I felt proud, there was still a sad feeling in my heart. I couldn’t stop thinking about home—my forest, my parents, everything I had left behind.

“Seraphina, have you ever felt lost? Like you didn’t know how to get back home?” I asked.

She paused, her gentle eyes meeting mine. “Yes,” she whispered. “A long time ago, before I became the protector of this world, I was searching too—trying to find a place where I belonged. The sea has always been my home, but there were times when I felt like I didn’t fit in, like I was drifting with no purpose.”

I nodded. “I’ve been trying to get back to my parents ever since I found this compass,” I said. “It’s taking me to different worlds, but I never know if the next one will lead me home.”

Seraphina smiled gently. “The ocean may seem endless, but even the smallest wave always finds its way back to the shore. You may not see it now, but your heart is guiding you, Nova, just like your compass. You will find your way back home.”

Her words felt like a hug, and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel so alone. We were both searching, both finding our way through the unknown. Knowing that Seraphina had found her place gave me hope that I would too.

Before the compass began glowing again, ready to take me on my next adventure, Seraphina shared one last lesson:

“Feelings aren’t forever. They come and go, like waves. Even when they seem too big, they will always pass. Learning to ride those waves will help you find peace, even when times are tough.”

Her words calmed my heart, especially when I missed home.

Now, as I prepare to leave this underwater world, I feel different—not just because I’ve learned to swim, but because I’ve learned to manage my emotions, like waves, to always calm down when I need to.

The compass is glowing again, pulling me to the next unknown world. But this time, I’m not afraid. Seraphina’s strength will guide me.

Until we meet again, grab your SticKit, relax, and ride the waves with me.

Your friend,

Nova Star