As their spaceship approached the alien planet, an endless expanse of turquoise water stretched out before them, reaching all the way to the horizon. It was a sight beyond anything Artemis had ever dreamed of. “I’ve never seen a pond this big,” she thought, not realizing it was a vast ocean, its distant waves creating a gentle, soothing murmur.

  The silver spacecraft descended swiftly and, without causing a ripple, gently dipped into the water, coming to a stop and opening the round hatch on its underside. Immediately, the surprisingly sweet smell of the water filled the ship’s interior.

  Helios’s yellow helmet closed with a glowing visor that kept the water out. He handed Artemis a glass helmet that fit her head perfectly. With a soft click, it sealed, and she felt herself surrounded by a comfortable bubble of air. “Ready for our first adventure?” Helios asked with a relaxed smile as he adjusted his helmet.

  They stood at the edge of the hatch, which shimmered like an inviting portal into the unknown. The young turtle felt her heart beat faster with excitement before they both stepped into the water.

  As they submerged, Artemis couldn’t even see the seabed in some places. Her stomach tingled as she gazed into the seemingly endless depths.

  Before them, however, lay a magnificent coral reef that had her awestruck. “Wow, how enchanting!” she thought, marveling at the vibrant colors and lively activity.

  Helios smiled, and although he said nothing, Artemis heard his words in her mind: “Yes, it truly is.”

  She looked at him in surprise. “Can you hear my thoughts? And I can hear yours?” she asked, astonished, without making a sound.

  Helios nodded as if it were the most natural thing. “I have an ability that allows us to communicate telepathically with each other and with others. It’s especially useful here, under water.”

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  The turtle was impressed with her friend’s gift, but the unfamiliar world around her drew her attention so intensely that she didn’t dwell on it and turned back to the fascinating sights in the water.

  A distant, flickering light caught their eyes, rising from the ocean’s deepest depths. Their exploration of the colorful realm had drawn the attention of a special ocean dweller. The glowing figure drifted closer and closer until a friendly Ehlaw appeared before them. The almost translucent, whale-like creature’s body pulsed with a breathtaking display of light.

  “Hello, you two. What brings you to me?” The Ehlaw’s thoughts echoed clearly in their minds. At the same time, her melodic voice resonated through the water, causing Artemis’s shell to vibrate softly.

  The turtle’s eyes widened as she took a closer look at the magnificent creature. It was larger and more impressive than anything she had ever seen. The Linea gave her an encouraging look, which made her feel confident to speak up.

  In her thoughts, filled with awe, she said, “This is my friend Helios, and my name is Artemis. We come from far away. We’re curious to know what you find most important in life.”

  The Ehlaw turned slowly in the water as she considered her answer. “I love expressing my feelings through music, art, and dance. In this way, I show who I am and leave my mark on the world. It also helps me through difficult times and to find my way again. I especially enjoy singing and dancing with my friends. These moments mean a lot to me. They’re a connection to myself and to others.”

  She performed a few graceful movements, playing with bubbles and producing high-pitched sounds that gently radiated in all directions. At the same time, her skin shimmered in colorful patterns, in perfect time with the sounds. The captivating display held the two friends spellbound.

  Something special was happening in the spaceship as well. Suddenly, glowing rings appeared on the surface of the Kensho stone, capturing what they had experienced on this planet.

  The turtle and the Linea met many more sea creatures. Together, they sang and danced joyfully into the night. When they happily and tiredly returned to the spaceship and the Gordan rose once more toward the stars, Artemis said in surprise, “Look! The stone looks different!”

  Helios smiled as he observed the glowing rings on its surface. “Fascinating, isn’t it?” he replied. “Its constant changes reflect not only what we’ve learned but also how we feel. Now, it reminds me of how inspiring and moving art can be.”

  Artemis looked at the stone in wonder and said with excitement, “I can hardly wait to see what we’ll experience next.”

  The Linea nodded. “The universe is full of mysteries, and our journey has only just begun.”