Overview:

The moon drains Princess Ruana’s life force in exchange for lunar magic, leaving her on the brink of death. She narrowly survives by replenishing herself with healing waters. Lost in Echidna’s cavernous network, Ruana encounters Hestia, the Goddess of the Hearth, who guides her to the Oracle of Delphi. There, Ruana frees the aging Oracle and escorts her to her final resting place—beneath the golden sun at the cave’s edge.

Meanwhile, Captain McKinley prepares for a suicide mission against the twin terrors of the Messina Strait—Scylla and Charybdis. He sends Peregrine’s crew robots, ROBO3000 and CleanBot, away before launching his attack. After successfully defeating Scylla, Ruana tries to stop McKinley from sacrificing himself. In a heartfelt moment, they confess their love before he unleashes their spaceship’s full power at Charybdis, destroying the monstrous whirlpool.

After the battle, Uncle Ronald discovers his latent powers and channels them to restore their damaged headquarters. With his newfound strength, he jumpstarts their systems and rescues the unresponsive McKinley. As they leave, their ship hurtles toward the present-day, carrying both hope and uncertainty in the wake of their perilous mission.

On the sixth day, Twin Terrors of the Sea Strait.

— The Seven Days Prophecy

In the cavernous depths of Echidna’s lair, a single beam of moonlight poured in through a large hole in the ceiling, casting an eerie glow across the rocky chamber. Princess Ruana stood alone, surrounded by shadows in the aftermath of her battle with Echidna, the mother of monsters. The sea princess, her red hair cascading over a flowing seafoam-green and lavender gown, held her lunar scepter at her side, her expression somber, weighed down by what she knew was to come.

She looked up at the full moon, its silvery-white beauty now a terror, gleaming like a pearl above her. Promise me one thing, Ruana: never wield the moon’s power, no matter the cost. To do so would be to forfeit your own life. Her mother’s words, a stern warning she’d once dismissed, echoed in her mind, drifting through the chill night air as if spoken anew.

The moonlight intensified, growing so bright it seemed to pierce through her, as it had moments ago when she called on it to vanquish Echidna. Ruana’s eyes widened as the light slanted down from the cavern’s opening, illuminating her like a figure in an ancient rite. She dropped to her knees, clutching her scepter tightly as she felt her life force being pulled upward toward the moon. A soft glow—seafoam green and lavender, the colors of her aura—began to rise from her, drawn up in shimmering waves toward the celestial light.

Pain rippled through her body as the life drained from her, yet she held her head high, her hands clasped over her heart in a gesture that looked almost like prayer. Her skirt billowed gently against the ground, a final act of defiance. She was now entangled in the double-edged power of the moon, which had turned on her as swiftly as it had her enemy. Summoning the last of her strength, she called forth the waters, gentle and ethereal, shimmering in periwinkle and aquamarine, like a dream from the depths of the ocean.

These mystical waters circled her, washing over her form and replacing the life that the moon had taken. Caught in a desperate tug-of-war, Ruana felt herself being sustained, her strength replenished even as it was siphoned away. At last, the moonlight receded, having taken the full measure of her energy. The waters faded, leaving her breathless but alive—a miracle.

Ruana knelt in the silence of the darkened cavern, where her archenemy Echidna had vanished without a trace. The soft glow of the full moon filtered down, casting a gentle, muted light on the place where she remained, still as a prayer. Alone.

Princess Ruana eventually lost her way in the twisting network of Echidna’s dark cave. The endless branching passages and shadowed chambers seemed to stretch into eternity. From the depths of the darkness, a small but bright orange flame emerged, its soft glow illuminating the cavern walls. Ruana watched intently, hearing the faint sound of footsteps approaching. As the light grew nearer, she saw it was a flame floating above the open palm of a breathtakingly beautiful, modestly veiled woman.

“Who are you?” Ruana asked, her curiosity piqued by the stranger’s mysterious presence.

“I am but a guide, Daughter. I’m here to help you find the way.” The veiled woman’s voice was humble and warm.

Ruana studied her cautiously. “How do I know I can trust you?”

“What does your heart tell you, Child?” The woman answered Ruana’s question with her own, her gaze calm and inviting.

The veiled woman turned and began to walk, the flame lighting the way. Sensing a goodness in her presence, Ruana followed. Together, they moved through the cavernous passageways, the soft glow guiding their steps. After some time, Ruana spoke again, unable to keep her thoughts to herself.

“You’re not just a mere guide,” Ruana ventured, her eyes narrowing slightly.

The woman turned to face her. “You see into memories well, Daughter.”

“You’re Hestia, goddess of the hearth, home, family, and the bond of close communities,” Ruana replied, recognizing the woman’s true identity.

Hestia smiled gently. “You are indeed perceptive.”

“You’re the eldest among Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus,” Ruana continued, studying her.

Hestia listened in silence.

“And yet, you relinquished your seat on Olympus to Dionysus, one who had only just ascended to godhood,” Ruana murmured, curious.

“When my youngest brother Zeus honored me with the hearth of Olympus, I tended it each day without fail. But when the time came, I chose to relinquish that dignity to prevent conflict and needless bloodshed. Battles may create champions, but they also leave behind weeping wives and mothers, and fathers, sons, brothers, and husbands who do not return. What matters is that I continue to be the hearth, a warmth that binds families and communities together.” Hestia’s voice was soft but resolute.

Hestia gazed at Ruana one final time. “I leave this flame with you, Child. You are so close. Remember, there is strength in yielding. I have no regrets, for I protected what truly matters.” Slowly, Hestia’s form began to fade, her figure becoming small embers that floated into the darkness.

The flame drifted into Ruana’s hands, hovering and burning brightly. “It’s warm,” she whispered, holding it close.

Princess Ruana stepped into a chamber deep within Echidna’s cave, carrying Hestia’s flame with her. Before her, the elderly Oracle of Delphi was helplessly pinned to the cavern wall by thick, dark, thorny vines with venomous tendrils. The sea maiden passed by Echidna’s stone throne, now vacant after the monster’s defeat.

“You’ve come to destroy Typhon’s body before his ultimate awakening. But his tomb is no longer here. Echidna is gone. I am all that remains,” the Oracle spoke somberly, her voice weary but resolute.

Ruana remained silent as the bright orange flame above her palm divided into five tongues of fire. Each one floated toward the Oracle, burning away the vines and freeing her. With gentle care, Ruana led the frail Oracle outside, bringing them to a waterfall bathed in sunlight under a clear, blue sky. The sea maiden sat down, cradling the weakened Oracle in her arms and lap.

“I could hear only the waterfall, though it was just beyond the chamber where I was bound,” the Oracle began, her voice barely a whisper. “Echidna, the mother of monsters, imprisoned me within those dark, thorny vines so she could see through my gift. She made her lair in the place that was once my own—stealing my home to fuel her dark purposes. She kept me alive unnaturally for centuries, binding me to serve her will.” The Oracle’s voice quivered, a lifetime of stolen years weighing in every word.

Ruana listened quietly, absorbing each painful truth.

“I can barely remember what it’s like to bask in the sunlight,” the Oracle continued, her eyes drifting to the sky. “To feel the breeze, hear the serene water flow, see lush greenery, and watch clouds that float, soft and white like cotton. The sky is as blue as the sea…” Her voice trailed off, as though savoring the memory.

Ruana held her steady, unfazed in her silence.

“I devoted my life to Apollo, god of the sun and prophecy. I was merely his mouthpiece, sharing his words and visions with humankind, without fail. I only wish to worship him once more, to be with him, to serve him eternally—if the Fates, the gods, and the order of the Cosmos would allow it.” The Oracle smiled softly, gratitude and peace filling her gaze. “Thank you, my daughter, my child, for being here. I am grateful not to leave this world alone.” With those final words, the Oracle’s form faded into dust, which drifted up toward the waterfall.

Ruana watched the dust ascend, following it with her gaze as it joined the sky and melted into the light of the sun.

At the Peregrine spaceship, headquarters of the Seven Acolytes, Captain McKinley (Benjamin) sat in the command center on the captain’s seat, gazing intently at the large screen. A powerful electromagnetic disturbance had registered on the radar, its signal significant enough to appear clearly. The screen flashed with words: “SIXTH WAVE.”

“On the sixth day, terrors of the sea strait.” Cerulean Arlentis’ (Topher) words echoed in McKinley’s mind—a haunting line from the Seven Day Prophecy foretelling waves of Greek monsters invading the mortal world.

Shortly afterward, Captain McKinley met with ROBO3000, a tall humanoid robot, and CleanBot, a small machine with a screen, trunk, and conveyor-belt base.

“The space pods appear to be working well, Captain,” ROBO3000 assured him.

“That’s good to know,” McKinley replied, nodding. “It’s reassuring that you and CleanBot stick together.”

“I do my best to assist my partner,” CleanBot affirmed, standing close to ROBO3000 as usual.

“By the way, where’s Uncle Ronald, the spaceship’s mechanic?” McKinley asked.

“He didn’t report for duty today. Maybe he’s unwell,” CleanBot replied, sounding worried.

“That’s fine. I’m sure Uncle has a good reason for his absence,” McKinley said thoughtfully. Perhaps he needed time to grieve Topher.

“And what about Ruana? Any idea where she is?” McKinley continued.

“She isn’t on the spaceship. We’re currently unaware of her location,” ROBO3000 informed him.

McKinley’s eyes lingered on ROBO3000. What matters is that Ruana is absent.

“There’s something I’ve been curious about. Right after we first transformed into the Seven Acolytes two months ago—where did the codenames you gave the team come from?” McKinley asked.

“They’re from character profiles we read in the magical board game, Star of Vis – Seven Acolytes & Seven Worlds. The board is hidden in a vault on this spaceship,” CleanBot revealed.

“I chose each based on appearances,” ROBO3000 explained. “Michael wore superhero spandex, so I called him Spartan. Allison’s heart wand, pink ruffles, and ribbons matched the magical girl ‘Love Fey.’ Sophie had two antennae and bee wings, so I identified her as the cartoon ‘Bee Girl.’ James was trickier because of his eccentric style, but his electric guitar pointed to ‘Oppa Rockstar,’ the K-pop idol.”

“Roanne transformed into a mermaid, and later wore a seafoam green and lavender gown. That suited her title, ‘Ruana, the Mermaid Princess.’ You, in cobalt blue and titanium armor, became ‘Captain McKinley, the Ranger and Commander.’ And the late Topher, in his silver and gold armor with a holy sword, embodied ‘Cerulean Arlentis, the Paladin and Holy Knight,’” ROBO3000 detailed.

“A thorough explanation, as always. Impressive,” McKinley complimented, tapping buttons on his space gauntlet.

Behind the two robots, glass capsules silently opened, swiftly pulling ROBO3000 and CleanBot inside.

“Captain?! What’s going on?” CleanBot asked, startled.

ROBO3000, after a pause, spoke. “Are you saying the Sixth Wave is upon us? And you plan to face them alone? You might survive the sea monster, but you’ll need us—me—to strategize against the whirlpool that could sink a ship!” ROBO3000 protested, knocking on the glass surface of his pod.

“It’s too dangerous. Losing Cerulean was enough,” McKinley replied. “I’m sending you away for your safety.”

“It’s been an honor to work with such a capable and data-driven crew like you, ROBO3000,” McKinley continued, addressing the humanoid robot.

Then, turning to CleanBot in the adjacent pod, he added, “And CleanBot, you’ve developed a heart and soul as human as any of ours. I can barely tell the difference anymore.”

He took a deep breath. “People say I criticize more than I praise. It was true back when I was student council president and here on the spaceship with Michael—Spartan. I’ve always feared that praising too much would lead to complacency. I valued efficiency and productivity above all. But now, I’m breaking my rule…because I may not get another chance.”

“No, Captain! This is a suicide mission!” ROBO3000 shouted. “Let us—let me out!”

“Goodbye, ROBO3000 and CleanBot,” McKinley said, his voice steady. “When you find Uncle, treat him to black macaroons and a tarry hot mug of crude oil in my honor. This is Captain McKinley, commander of the Peregrine, honorably dismissing and relieving you of duty to headquarters.”

With one final command, he activated the pods, and they ascended out of the room.

The two space pods ejected from the Peregrine, shooting far into the daylight sky and beyond.

“Captaiiin!!” the two robots cried in unison.

Alone on the Peregrine spaceship, Captain McKinley (Benjamin) sat in the command center, firmly positioned in the commander’s seat. On the large screen in front of him, the coordinates—location and area—locked onto the map. The illuminated, sleek keyboard glowed as he typed. Moments later, the display flashed: LIGHT SPEED TRAVEL. Captain McKinley pulled a lever, activating the sequence.