Chapter < 21 >

Beside the spirit lake in the fairy's territory, Petal was having a leisure conversation with the High Priestess, Setra. They were both seated on a long wooden bench facing the lake.

In the surroundings, there were lots of creatures moving about; White deers with glowing antlers, mushrooms, glowing butterflies, small plant-like humanoids, and lots of tiny animals that were nothing less than cute. They were scattered around the lake, some drinking water, others playing or relaxing. Very few were actually sleeping.

It was a very magical scenery compared to the daytime.

After Glowmyth left, Setra and Petal had been discussing matters concerning the upcoming war. The land hand been rather peaceful for a long time due to many differing factors. However above all other reasons there was what everyone referred to as 'The nightmare Legend', which was what they were currently discussing.

"Could it really be true?" Petal asked with a nervous expression. Just the idea of it had terrified her. No one wanted the legend to really be true, after all.

Setra slowly shook her head side to side. "It's been nearly five thousand cycles since the Era Of Dragons ended. The only proof of dragons that we have are the skeletons scattered across the land of Terramis. Still, no one knows if the blood dragon truly existed." She paused and looked up at the stars. "If the five thousand cycle legend of resurrection is really true then there's a chance it may really be resurrected due to this upcoming war." She let out a sigh and shook her head. "Everyone has grown restless and many people don't believe in the legend anymore. We can only hope that it was just an old liars-tale used to keep the land at peace."

"But aren't the spirits really certain that it's true? What if it is Milady, how do we stop it? It still hasn't been five thousand cycles, too much bloodshed may bring it back to life." Petal exclaimed. She trusted in the judgement of the spirits and believed in them hence she believed in The Nightmare Legend.

"I wonder what makes this human so special that he'd be capable of what the spirits suggest." Setra muttered as she formed the tiny holographic image of Craig on her palm. "What magic could we possibly grant him and why would we?" Her brows furrowed as she frowned. She looked at Petal. "If the spirits are right about the legend, then there's nothing to fear." She looked back at the image of Craig. "For this is how we stop it."

Petal looked at the image of Craig but she didn't feel more reassured. "But they also said that he would either free us from the darkness or join it. What if he does the latter instead?"

Setra sighed helplessly. "That is beyond our control and prophecies aren't exactly accurate. The most I can do is to make the correct judgment now so we can have a better future." She dissolved the image. "Glowmyth is only the first step. I'll know what to do once I meet him in person."

Suddenly, the surface of the lake shone brightly, lighting up the vicinity, creating a spectacular sight.

"The spirits are rather active today." Setra exclaimed as she stood up and flew over to the lake, floating above it. She looked down at water's surface and made a few hand signs as she muttered something indistinctively. Soon afterward, a beam of light shot up from the lake illuminating her body, before vanishing. Her eyes focused on the lake's surface with a white glow within.

A portion of the lake's surface, as large as an average door, formed a mirror like reflection and began displaying images. It first showed a wooden boat floating across a lake. After the boat came to a stop, the figure of a man appeared along with a tiny fairy on his shoulder. Following the fairy's descent onto the boat, the man stood up and leaned off the edge of the boat, only to be shot by a blue glowing arrow in the heart. He then collapsed into the water and shortly after, the tiny fairy dove in after him.

The scene changed to underneath the water, where Craig could be seen sinking to the bottom of the lake. Not long after, a bright golden glow radiated from his body and the transparent image of a golden lotus manifested around his body, with him at the centre.

Setra, who's gaze was locked onto the lake was flabbergasted. The look of intense shock on her face was marvellous. "It can't be!" She uttered as her eyes widened. "A divine lotus?"

That was when the overlapping sounds of whispering voices echoed in her mind causing her to furrow her brows and listen intently. The so called 'spirits' were sending her an important message. When they were done, Setra immediately went into action.

She slowly descended and placed her hand onto the lake's surface, injecting her mana into it. The lotuses on the lake slowly drifted over to her location and formed a full circle, continually rotating around her. "Glowmyth can you hear me!" She yelled softly.

Some time passed before a response came. "Lady Setra? Where are you? Are you here as well?" Glowmyth replied. Her tone of voice was panicky and hasty.

"I'm at the Spirit Lake. I already know of your current situation." Setra replied. "Listen, can you see the human?"

"I can't." Glowmyth's voice echoed in response. She didn't question how she knew of the situation, understanding the capabilities of the High Priestess. "There's a bright glow blocking my vision. I'm not sure what is going on. Did you do that?"

"Head straight for that light and grab onto him." Setra's voice also contained a hint of urgency. "We don't have much time. I'm going to activate a portal using you as the coordinate. Hurry before its too late." She urged.

Glowmyth, who was in the water, surrounded by an air bubble, shot downwards into the ball of golden light beneath her. She headed straight for the center, which was where she saw Craig's body before the bright light appeared.

Tap.

She landed on top of something and to her surprise, within the light she could actually see that it was Craig. She was standing on top of his abdomen, which was surprisingly warm. "Lady Setra I'm ready." She exclaimed after grabbing onto his clothing.

Above the Spirit lake, Setra heard her call and closed her eyes. Then she placed her other hand onto the water and softly yelled, "Activate."

The lotuses spinning speed increased and soon a whirlpool took form in the water underneath her.

In the lake in the elves territory, a strong spinning current appeared around Glowmyth and Craig's location. It surrounded them for only an instant and as it settled, the two of them were nowhere to be seen. It had not even affected the surface of the lake which remained as tranquil as ever.

Above the Spirit Lake, Setra was floating above the settling whirlpool that served as the portal she had just opened. At the center of the disappearing whirlpool, Craig and Glowmyth appeared in a sphere of water that slowly faded away.

As soon as they appeared, Setra used her magic to lift Craig's body into the air and brought him to shore, laying him down onto the soft, green grass. She slowly descended and landed beside him.

Glowmyth who was standing on top of Craig's body flew up to Setra and did a small bow. "Lady Setra." Her tone was respectful as usual when facing the High Priestess.

Setra nodded with a smile. "It's good to see that you're safe and sound." However her smile turned into a solemn expression as she moved her gaze onto Craig's body on the ground. "Sorry to be so sudden with you, but I would really like to know what you discovered about this human. He just might... be a serious problem."

"Serious problem?" Glowmyth repeated as she looked down at Craig. It was only then did she notice the hole in his chest, through his heart. She hadn't seen what happened, so she didn't know where he was injured till now. Her tiny facial features compressed with concern. "Is he going to be okay then? He should have been shot through the heart by a Spirit Arrow. How could he be a serious problem when he should be dead?"

Setra could hear the concern in Glowmyth's voice and thus asked, "You sound concerned for his well being, which is so unlike you. Why is that? What did you learn about him?" Her voice was still gentle and carried no harshness but the tone was serious.

Glowmyth pondered how best to respond as she herself felt conflicted inside. She initially judged Craig, full of biases toward humanity, but just a few hours with him and she had a complete change of heart. "He's... Probably not the purest heart you can find, but his charisma and personality are genuine and straightforward. He came here risking his life on behalf of somebody else which is admirable. He's also strangely weird, which is the best way I can put it. He could understand me without a translation spell and may even be able to see ghosts." The thought and mention of ghosts made her shiver.

Setra began to ponder, "I don't know about these other things, but the fact he could understand you directly is a bit strange." A bit of curiosity was added to her gaze. "Who was he risking his life for then, and why?"

To the side, Petal was also looking at Glowmyth with curiosity.

"An elf." Glowmyth replied. "Not just any elf, but an elf princess. She is afflicted with dragon fever and needs the rainbow medicine that can only be made using all seven lotuses."

"Including the black lotus." Setra interjected. At the mention of dragon fever she had already realised what Craig's purpose was for being there. "So he came to elves forbidden territory to find the mysterious lotus pond in hopes of finding the rarest lotuses."

"But why would he brave such danger for an elf?" Petal questioned. "Could She be his lover? Isn't romance between humans and elves forbidden?"

Glowmyth shook her head. "I don't think so. I don't know much of the details but according to what he said they had only just met."

They were all left pondering the matter suspiciously, wondering what was the truth behind the situation.

Setra was the most suspicious of his motives. She was doubtful of whether his story was the real truth. Moreover, she was perplexed by the incident that had just occurred. "We will find out the truth once he wakes up." She said as she stood there, looking at him attentively.

Glowmyth and Petal were both confused. Craig was out cold with a hole in his heart and she wasn't doing anything. Yet, not long ago she was so hasty about getting him across. They both thought her motive was to heal him and save his life.

In fact shouldn't that have been the first order of business?

"But why aren't you doing anything, have you already cast a healing spell on him?" Glowmyth was confused. In her knowledge, healing spells weren't that simple. They required constant chanting and a steady supply of mana. She had been wondering what the High Priestess was up to.

"I didn't." Setra replied with a very light, dry smile. "Have you forgotten that bright glow you saw coming from him?" She asked.

"I didn't. I was wondering how you were able to do that. What kind of spell was that?"

Setra shook her head. "That wasn't a spell that I cast. It didn't have anything to do with me at all."

Her words left Glowmyth even more confused. "So then, what was it?"

Petal also looked at Setra as she had no idea what they were speaking about. She hadn't seen any of the happenings within the lake.

"A Divine Lotus." Setra replied.