A long time ago there was a beautiful land for the native Tohono O’odham tribe also known as the Papagos. They were originally located in the area known today as Arizona. A beautiful island above the great sea below, on this island lived the Papagos tribe. The Papagos tribe were really proud of what their nation had built. They were all about peace. There were really no rules for the land they were living on. There were always just peaceful moments. Where the gods and animals came together for peace and harmony. The animals were their friends.

When you would see a butterfly, not only was it a sign of peace but also a sign of welcoming. Everyone adored the butterflies. Ofelia Zepada, the chief of the papagos, looked over his people and watched as they grew and taught their children the lesson of peace and honesty. Zepada wasn’t strict or hard on his people. However there was one rule he wanted them to follow. The rule Zepada made was to never look below or associate with the sea creatures below. The people were confused as to why the chief would put this rule into place, but they still followed the rule. They knew that if they were to disobey the sky chief they would be greatly punished.

Many of the sky gods had no problem with the rule. Some were not bothered by the sea and wanted no parts of it. Many wanted to fish in the great sea because they wanted to try something new. Others were terrified of the sea because there were things that were unexplainable and the sky gods were unknown to them. There were stories that the parents would tell the young children about the mermaids who lived in the great sea. They were believed to rule the great sea and many of the stories put fear into the young children so they can avoid it at all costs. Most of the animals known to the papagos tribe in the great sea were the sandy eels, sharks, shrimps, and the rulers of the sea, mermaids. Mermaids had unexplainable powers which were also another reason why the gods feared the great sea.

Upon the papagos tribe lived many curious people, one specifically named Oslac. Oslac had a spirit of curiosity. He had a mind of his own and believed in different ways of living. He loved his people and his tribe and the motto they stood by. However, Oslac also felt that there was more to the world than just their homeland. One day Oslac and his best friend Dakotah were playing with nature and listening to the wind. There was this game the papagos tribe would play with each other from time to time. 

The objective was to listen to the wind and let it guide you to peace. Since the butterfly is a sign of peace, the first to find the butterly would win. Oslac and Dakotah would split up and meditate so they could be at one with the wind. When they found the rhythm of the wind, they would follow it through their land until they found the butterfly. If you lost focus, you could lose the wind and would have to start all over. Once you found the butterfly you would go find the huge timpani drum located in the middle of the skyland and bang it twice. That will indicate that you found the butterfly and won the game. Dakotah would always win the game and Oslac was tired of it. He felt like he was unable to find the same peace as the tribe. He felt like something was missing.

‘’I just feel like there is something missing Dakotah’’ said Oslac. “What would there be missing in the land of peace. The sky chief has worked really hard to create this world for us. The sky land is perfect’’, Dakotah shouted happily. ‘’But what if there was more below us Dakotah. We should be able to explore the sea. We could find something that can be useful to our people.’’ explained Oslac. “You cannot be so curious all the time my friend. You know how the sky chief doesn’t play about the great sea. You can get in big trouble’’, explained dakotah. Oslac knew that his best friend was right but, His curiosity got the best of him. While on their second round of their butterfly search, Oslac was following the wind then heard an unusual noise towards the cliff. He decided to follow this noise and as he followed it, he became closer and closer to the edge. Once he was close enough to the edge, the noise stopped. 

He went closer and closer to the point where he can see the great sea. As he got closer to the edge, Oslac saw a flying figure of what seemed to be a butterfly. He reached out to grab the butterfly, but he fell. Falling all the way to the great sea, Oslac didn’t know what to think. He was falling into the unknown, his only thoughts were someone help me. Then thats when everything changed. 

In the water Oslac goes, not knowing how to swim, he nearly drowned.

On his last breath he was saved by a mysterious creature. The creature carried Oslac on its back for a while. However, the creature grew tired, so it called upon the great whale sharks. The creature put Oslac on the shark's back and something magical happened. The creature swam to the bottom of the sea and grabbed a handful of sand, seaweed, and a rock. It joined the items together and grew a small island right below the skyland. The creature took Oslac and placed him on the island and waited for him to become conscious. Not knowing where he was, Oslac woke up in panic. He was in shock of what happened and didn't know where to go. He was in the middle of nowhere with no food, and none of his people. He was only surrounded by water. He waited and shouted for help hoping that one of the gods would notice him and seek help from the chief, however, that was unlikely. 

As he is on this island, he sees something in the water that looked like a girl, but had no legs. Oslac was shocked by what he had seen. He came face to face with a mermaid. Oslac couldn’t even speak. He was terrified but also confused. He has never seen anything like her before. She had long hair and a beautiful colored tail. She barely said anything to Oslac. She just smiled. “May i ask for your name ma’am?’’ asked Oslac. She looked at him and paused for a second. It was almost as if she didn't trust him. But he welcomed her with a smile and told her that it was alright if she didn’t want to share her name with her. Then she quietly said, “Helmi. My name is helmi. If you don't mind me asking, why are you down here? Aren't you from the skyland? You humans are forbidden from coming to my sea world. Explain yourself,’’ Helmi said angrily. Oslac explained the whole scenario on how it was an accident. He told Helmi he just wanted to go home.