The Spawning Lake
The guardian of the Spawning Lake swayed, his scales now soft tones of pearly iridescence, the purple potion no longer covering him and pooled around him in a vast circle. The once dark dais now made of stone of pristine white – as if all had been drawn from it to complete the final deed.
It was still enthralled within Hazel's illusion. Even as it swayed in submission a portal to the Dreamscape reopened and the star globe was instantly tethered again. The divination tool calmed and Shylah separated herself from it as it returned to its place in the dreamscape.
Hazel lowered to the ground next to her mother, her wands moving into her robes on their own accord, due to a preset incantation rather. She swayed and Marcel caught her in his arms.
Minerva pursed her lips as Marcel pulled a bright orange packet from his pocket. He popped it open under Hazel's nose and bright orange sparks flew out and covered her body in crackling noises. Hazel's eyes fluttered and she smiled slowly as she saw her mother's stern look. "I am okay mother. Just a little tired."
She went to support her own weight and swayed dangerously. Marcel caught her again. "Can't you wait even a few seconds? Allow the potion to do its work."
"Exactly!" Minerva shot her head in exasperation as she watched the restorative magic move through Hazel.
"Technically that was a restorative not a potion."
Marcel rolled his eyes and let go of her. She stood with ease and her eyes were focused. "If she is able to correct she is good enough to carry on."
Evervine stood and clapped her hands, her eyes moving to the razor snake and then to the items still slowly turning high above the Spawning Lake. "Are we here for all of them or one of them."
"None of them."
Minerva,, Evervine, and Marcel looked to Hazel. She was breathing deeply, holding her head and opening and closing her eyes dramatically. "Those are just regular spawns. I guess there was seven at once because of the conflict."
She spoke without looking at anyone and then she regained herself enough to walk. She looked up to the items, their fate lines still clear to her.
Two had connections leading to Evervine and one each to Marcel and her mother. "It would seem four of them are for you. Don't ask me how you obtain them, or if you are even supposed to get them now. I am not using my third eye anymore today." She shook her head to keep the disorientation at bay.
She looked to the razor snake just as it collapsed, it body still coiled around the now white dais. Hazel exhaled, her head clearing now that the snake was no longer fighting the illusion and was fully immersed. If the illusion truly claimed the snake it's soul would forever be tied to Hazel's personal dreamscape.
She wasn't quite sure how she felt about that, but she ignored it foe now and moved toward the Spawning Lake. It was a massive body of black water. As she moved forward she could see that it's surface was as still and reflective as glass.
The seven items spinning above it were perfectly reflected in its surface. Hazel narrowed her eyes – the reflections seemed too perfect.
Hundreds of feet from the water a black translucent walk shot up before Hazel. She stopped instantly. The clear black wall rippled with green and purple hues. She looked through it and knew, through her divination instincts, that this was the water's of the Spawning Lake.
Hazel pursed her lips. "I am here for an item to help me with the cursed item the 'Emotion Doll'". The wall and the surface of the lake vibrated as one and the seven items began to spin in the opposite direction.
"It seems we have to deal with these seven first."
Evervine nodded, looking up at the two she knew were hers. "Good idea. I have a feeling that we can't get to them without you."
Hazel sat before the black barrier. "Well at least try before you say that Evervine."
"I have tried. I can't move from this spot Hazel."
"So am I."
"Me as well."
Minerva and Marcel chimed in as one. Still Hazel leaned back on the vast shore and closed her eyes. Everything was still for a long moment and then – seemingly in her sleep – she waved her hand and portals opened behind, Minerva, Evervine, and Marcel.
"Use these." Before anyone could complain white hands with blue lines likes painted appliques reached out and pulled each in and then place them before the items.
Marcel yelped and swallowed his Fairy Flight potion in a convulsed gulp. "Give warning Hazel! Not all of us fly naturally!" the words croaked out of his throat.
Evervine cackled with the glee of a maniacal warrior on the verge of a great battle. "She did! Come! Claim what is yours Marcel!" She streaked towards the two items that seemed to pulse like tacking beacons to her minds eye.
The Spawning Lake swirled up, black glass and fury surrounding Evervine and her items and she became stark still.
Marcel gasped but Hazel spoke calmly as Minerva rose to her item. "Calm yourself Marcel. You just need to prove yourself to the lake. The Item has already claimed you. It is like the lake is stuck in a routine or instinctual response. Trust yourself and go get what us yours."
Marcel's four pink gauzy wings beat against the wind furiously. With determination on his face he rose toward the item that seemed to strum his heart strings.
Hazel, her eyes still closed, rested and waited. She felt no concern for her mother or friends. She had already seen their fate, now it was time to rest up and ensure her own.