40 Enigma

Allyria brought her eyes back to the lake. There was a gentle breeze, creating the single sound of rustling leaves. She watched as a single sparrow fluttered high above the emerald forest. A few feet next to her an eager chipmunk hastily scampered from tree to tree.

Enchanting. That was the only word she can think of that would describe the hidden wonder perfectly.

Allyria placed her hand on the water. It moved softly around her outstretched fingers, caressing coolly, eddying in their wake. She pulled her hand out and watched the drips, both transparent and opaque at the same time. They fall as if snatched by gravity to the saline below.

The water tempted her to take a swim. She hasn't been to a lake for so long nor has she ever taken a dip in it. The water called her, motioning for her to go in. Maybe it was also time she enjoyed her time and stop thinking about everyone in the castle.

It was a new experience after all, the kind of thing she'd talk about to Vysela or the other two to make them cry in envy.

Allyria plunged her hand into the lake for the second time, testing the temperature but immediately pulled away after getting stung by the touch. She stared at her hand, looking for any burns but it was as flawless as porcelain.

She studied her reflection in the water and rested the back of her palm on her neck, she wasn't sick either and she didn't feel anything like it. What is more, nothing seemed unusual. Everything was just how it was several minutes after they arrived.

All of a sudden, the water began to blob.

Heat emerged from the lake slowly like it was being boiled inside a voluminous pot, gas evaporating to the air. She couldn't understand how or where it came from. The sun wasn't too warm for the water. Everything was normal if you looked at it in a different vantage point.

Her eyes widened when the fishes started to go ballistic, reeling out of the water to escape. The lake was suffocating them, even the birds hovering overhead lost the ability to fly, diving straight into the bottom.

Sweat dripped on the side of her head. Hot. The whole place was burning hot. She stood up and tensed to her feet. Stepping back, the sudden shock made her muscle jittery. She couldn't understand what was happening.

She turned around to search for Kaius and tell him about it but he didn't seem to have the interest. He was nowhere to be found. She was alone and the lake was a non-living beast, alluring her to take a dive and burn her in the process.

The water wasn't calming down any moment. It simmered in anger as if it loathed her. But she didn't do anything wrong. She couldn't understand.

Allyria walked away from the lake and followed their way back, looking for Kaius. She didn't even realize she was already running. What happened in the lake was something she's never witnessed before and she doesn't know whether to be frightened or curious about it.

It was a complete disaster. The lake that was once enchanting became a water of the dead. She could still remember the picture from her very eyes. Birds, fishes, forest animals and the likes were floating on the surface, void of life. Steam continued to rise from the water creating a fog that was catching up on her.

The place she's considered as a hidden wonder just turned into a horror setting. It's like someone came only to destroy what was kept hidden for years to the world.

She was almost at the cabin when someone tugged on her shoulders.

"Allyria!"

She turned her head to see Kaius who was gasping for air, both his palms on his knees, "Where were you?" he asked, "I was about to go back to the lake but I saw you running. What happened?"

Allyria was about to answer when she noticed a sword shining from Kaius' hand. He must have seen the expression on Allyria's face when he handed it to her. "Uh… I brought you a surprise but I guess it's not a surprise anymore," he scratched the back of his head, a shy smile showing, "I saw you look at it yesterday and I thought I could give it to you since you refused the dress."

Allyria didn't want to dismiss the thought earlier but the anticipation on Kaius' face prompted her to set aside those fears and appreciate what he has done for the moment. Maybe today was not the time to say it to him. A smile worked its way slowly on the corners of her lips, "It's too much," she said, taking it. "But thank you."

She observed it, the steel sending a cold tingling sensation through her fingers. The sword had a jewel embedded on the center, swirling lines carved on the handle. The balance of the weapon in her hand was impeccable—not too heavy nor too lightweight, just enough for her to swing it effortlessly in different directions.

'How did he get this?'

For sure it wasn't a cheap weapon, second hand yes, but it's not something you can just buy on the street for a few pennies.

"Before you'd ask," Kaius started as if he heard her thoughts, "I bought it with the badge on my suit," he chuckled at his ridiculousness and tapped the left side of his chest, "See? It's gone."

The golden lion wasn't there anymore. He used to pin it on his tunic oftentimes just to remind him that he's still the prince of Cesparia but it's all gone.

Allyria stomped towards him, her eyebrows furrowed, "How could you sell that? It's the—"

"LET US IN."

A man's voice stopped them on their heels. It was a voice she recognized but she couldn't put his name to it. Someone like...

"There's something wrong," Allyria said, looking at the direction of the cabin.

"Come on," Kaius motioned for her to follow.

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