Hawaii's sun burned hotter than Yeh Yao had imagined.
Stepping out of Honolulu International Airport, the tropical humidity hit like a wall—even for Malaysians accustomed to heat. Marcus led them to a taxi, rattling off an address on the North Shore.
"Where exactly are we going?" Alicia asked, tying her hair into a ponytail against the swelter.
"Pupukea," Marcus answered. "A small town on Oahu's North Shore. Our intel suggests the Light Hammer's wielder was last seen there."
Yeh Yao watched the scenery flash by—palm trees, azure skies, and distant ocean composing a postcard-perfect vista. Three days had passed since Kuala Lumpur, his first real combat experience wielding the Lightblade's full power.
"What's on your mind?" Alicia murmured, noting his silence.
Yeh Yao smiled faintly. "Just thinking—if not for the blood moon, we'd probably be in class right now, stressing over exams."
Alicia nodded, her expression wistful. "Life changes in an instant. But honestly?" She hesitated. "I don't regret this. It feels... right, somehow. Like we were meant for this."
Yeh Yao understood. Despite the dangers, this mission filled a void he hadn't known existed.
"Any details on the Hammer's wielder?" he asked Marcus.
Marcus shook his head. "Just a codename: 'Surfer.' Allegedly a local instructor, but we'll need to investigate."
"How do we find him?" Alicia pressed.
"The North Shore surfing community's tight-knit," Marcus explained. "We'll canvas local schools and beaches. Extraordinary abilities don't stay secret for long."
The taxi left Honolulu's bustle, tracing the coastline northward. As urban sprawl faded, the landscape grew wilder—towering mountains on one side, the endless Pacific on the other, the road a ribbon between them.
After an hour, they reached Pupukea—a quintessential Hawaiian beach town with colorful low-rise buildings, streets lined with palms and hibiscus. The air smelled of salt, sunshine, and barbecue.
Marcus checked them into the Blue Wave Inn, a modest but tidy beachfront lodging. "Get settled," he said. "Then we'll hit the beaches at sunset—best time to gather intel."
Yeh Yao and Alicia shared a twin room adjacent to Marcus's. After unpacking, Alicia eagerly changed into resort wear.
"We've got free time," she declared. "Let's scout those famous surf breaks!"
Yeh Yao chuckled but followed her out. Alicia's relentless curiosity was one of her most endearing traits.
They strolled the shoreline, toes sinking into warm sand. Offshore, surfers carved across towering waves with breathtaking skill.
"I can't believe anyone rides those," Yeh Yao marveled as a surfer navigated a four-meter wall of water.
"That's the Banzai Pipeline," a cheerful voice said behind them. "North Shore's crown jewel."
They turned to see a local Hawaiian man grinning at them—mid-twenties, sun-bronzed with curly black hair tied back, sporting a floral shirt and shell necklace.
"Visitors? I'm Nāhele—surf instructor."
Yeh Yao and Alicia exchanged glances. Nāhele—precisely matching their intel.
"Yeh Yao, Alicia," Yeh Yao introduced. "From Malaysia."
"Malaysia!" Nāhele's eyes lit up. "Dream surf destination! Sabah's breaks are legendary."
Alicia smiled. "Not as epic as this, though."
"Every wave has its soul," Nāhele said philosophically, pointing to a red-wetsuited surfer. "See that guy? Jake—best on the North Shore. Almost supernatural skills."
Yeh Yao studied the surfer's flawless technique. "You surf too?"
Nāhele grinned. "Born on a board. Mostly teach beginners though." His eyes twinkled. "Want a lesson tomorrow?"
Alicia jumped at the offer while Yeh Yao hesitated—they were here on a mission, not vacation. But her eager gaze wore him down.
"Basic level," he conceded.
"Perfect! Meet here at 8 AM," Nāhele said. "Bring sunscreen!"
As he sauntered off, Alicia whispered, "Think it's him?"
"Too coincidental," Yeh Yao agreed. "Tomorrow's lesson will be our chance to observe closely."
They spent the afternoon beachcombing, discussing how to confirm Nāhele's identity without arousing suspicion. At sunset—a spectacle of molten gold and crimson—they regrouped with Marcus at the inn.
"Nāhele?" Marcus mused. "Fits the profile. But we need proof he's the Wielder."
"We've got surf lessons tomorrow," Alicia said.
Marcus nodded. "I'll dig up local rumors. Unexplained rescues, feats of strength—anything suggesting supernatural abilities."
Over dinner, they strategized.
"How do we convince him to join?" Yeh Yao asked.
"Every Wielder has unique motivations," Marcus said. "Some embrace their role; others resist. We must understand what drives Nāhele."
Yeh Yao recalled his own recruitment. "He'll need the full truth."
"Exactly," Marcus agreed. "But first, confirmation."
Next morning
At dawn, Yeh Yao and Alicia met Nāhele at a gentler break northward. For two hours, he patiently taught fundamentals—paddling, popping up, balancing.
Yeh Yao progressed surprisingly fast—perhaps the Lightblade enhanced his reflexes. Alicia struggled but persevered.
"Natural talent," Nāhele praised as Yeh Yao rode a small wave. "With practice, you could tackle serious swells."
Suddenly, the ocean convulsed unnaturally. The water churned as an eerie energy pulsed through it. Nāhele's smile vanished.
"Shore. Now." His voice held uncharacteristic steel.
They paddled frantically as a massive shadow emerged—a shark-like monstrosity with obsidian scales and hellish red eyes.
"Shadow Jaws!" Yeh Yao recognized it from Marcus's files.
Beachgoers screamed and fled. Nāhele had vanished—until a golden flash erupted from the waves!
There he stood, transformed—his easygoing demeanor replaced by battle focus, wielding a colossal glowing warhammer etched with ancient runes!
With a mighty leap, Nāhele smashed the hammer down on the creature's skull! The beast roared but retaliated, jaws snapping!
Nāhele dodged, spinning the hammer into a vortex of energy before unleashing a concussive blast!
Yeh Yao summoned the Lightblade. "Alicia, get clear!"
"Hit its gills!" Nāhele shouted as Yeh Yao joined the fray.
They fought in sync—Nāhele's brute strength complementing Yeh Yao's precision strikes. When the monster finally dissolved into shadow, they stood panting on the sand, studying each other.
"The Lightblade," Nāhele breathed. "Thought it was myth."
"Like the Light Hammer," Yeh Yao countered. "Seems we're both chosen."
Nāhele's grin returned. "Well, lesson's canceled. Guess we've got bigger things to discuss."
Marcus arrived, handling authorities with practiced ease before joining them at Nāhele's secluded beach hut—a rustic sanctuary adorned with surf memorabilia.
After Marcus explained the global Hellgate crisis, Nāhele stared at the ocean through the window.
"Three months ago," he confessed, "this hammer saved me during a rescue. I've been learning its power since... but wasn't sure I wanted this responsibility."
Yeh Yao nodded. "Neither was I. But seeing what those creatures do—how can we stand aside?"
Nāhele turned, resolve hardening. "I'm in. But full transparency—no secrets."
"Agreed," Marcus said.
"Next stop?" Nāhele asked.
"Yunnan, China," Marcus said. "The Light Bow's wielder."
Nāhele whistled. "Hawaii to China—that's a leap. Always wanted to see the Great Wall."
Alicia laughed. "Yunnan's southwest China—nowhere near the Wall."
"Oh." Nāhele scratched his head. "Guess I need a geography refresher. But hey—adventure, new friends, saving the world? Count me in."
His infectious optimism lifted their spirits. With Nāhele aboard, their team felt complete.
That evening, as Nāhele packed, he paused before his first surfboard—a gift from his father.
"I'll be back," he whispered. "When this is over."
Yeh Yao waited at the door, watching his new comrade bid farewell to his old life. The road ahead was perilous, but for the first time, victory seemed possible.
They were no longer individuals, but a team—a fellowship of light against the coming darkness.
And this was only the beginning.