"Now we must find the river of Shivergrave. What path does the map show Kevin?" I asked
"The location of the river is not on the map, Iael. So it's a blind search from this point ." He said.
"That is rather unfortunate. Let us follow the path based on the thickness of the vegetation on the ground. Trees with dense leaves will surely lead us to a river." I said and asked."I hope there is only one river here, we don't want to be confused.
"Yes, this forest has only one water source he answered. "That is a relief then," I said and walked ahead with my friends flanked by my side.
It was around an hour later that we found the river of Shivergrave. The last place to pass before entering Lumeris. It was located just below the mouth of a steep mountain, flowing southwest into the Afarat Sea.
"This sure would have taken time if we were to walk like normal humans. Jafet commented, digging his feet into the cool water and giggling while splashing water on Kevin as if to start a water battle, but he was ignored completely.
"That cold bastard " he scowled in annoyance.
Serena let out a big breath of relief, squatting down and cupping a handful of water to drink from the small opening of her hand. " It would have been pure torture had we been humans then. " she looked up and flashed that devastating smile of hers.
"If you are done freshening up, then let's get going it will be dark soon," I said
"Okay, Kevin help me up Serena stretched her hand and Kevin held her up. We proceeded to cross the river. To the place where my answers are.
"Why does the water seem not to end? It looked narrow from when we started crossing . But why does it seem to be getting wider?" I halted my movement and asked my comrades.
"Its width seems to be widening the farther we move." Jafet spoke, turning around to look from where we came from, he added."And the forest behind us can not be seen anymore.
"So, are we stuck in the middle of nowhere? Let's keep going forward since going back is not an option. I said and continued the flight for my friends to follow. We all fell into a pensive mood, no one was talking we were all just looking out for whatever may come out for us.
The four of us floated further down the
river that seems to have no end. At that time, my eyes flashed as I discreetly swept it over the surroundings. I did not want to be too obvious for my friends to panic more than they are doing at the moment.
As we continued the endless travel, suddenly the scent of freshly plucked roses wafted through our noses as if it had been sprinkled in the air around. Its sweetness smells more addicting than normal roses would smell.
"What is that?" Serena asked, covering her nose as the scent got a bit irritating.
"How would we know?" Jafet answered.
"Silence, all of you," I commanded and concentrated on the whistling sound I had been hearing for a while now. Which seems to be getting louder the deeper the fragrance of the roses gets.
"Do you hear something? " Kevin asked "I think I can hear someone whistling" I said then suddenly the calm water surged forward and rose like angry sea waves crashing onto us and before any of us could react to the situation, we were sinking deep into the water.
I looked around and saw that I had been separated from my friends. NO one was in sight.
The water felt heavy, and my throat seemed tight, my voice coming out in a choking sound. I called out to any of them. But I eventually lost my voice.
As I continued getting pulled down to the bottom of the river, all I could think of was that we couldn't separate, they came on this journey because of me after all. And I don't know about Jafet, but Serena and Kevin can't fight these creatures alone. I ought to be with them.
I fought to swim upwards, but my body felt like jelly. The most vulnerable I have ever felt in my entire existence. I did not feel like this even when the veil marked me for the first time. I couldn't even lift my limbs as if they were not attached to my body anymore. I hit my head against a rock they sat at the bottom and then everything went black
My eyes flickered open in an unfamiliar place. This place was humid and dark. I remember being pulled underwater before losing consciousness. But this place appears to be a cave,or I'm I wrong?
I tried moving my body and it moved now. Previously, when I was getting dragged, my body felt useless, but now I have my strength back, and that weak feeling i had scared me. I clenched and unclenched my fist. The vulnerability seems to have been a hallucination.
I walked aimlessly for about half an hour without finding the opening of this cave.
"Kevin !, Serena! I screamed and shouted in frustration, feeling my throat hurt, but there was no sign of them anywhere.
Then I saw the silhouette of a man, clad in dark robes with his long hair that had an abnormal length for a man swaying lightly behind him. Shadowy smoke circled him rapidly.
"Who... I swallowed hard and called out again louder and bolder this time. "Who is there?" My throat really feels uncomfortable right now.
"Sir, do you know the way out of this place? Still, my question was met with silence.
"Hello," I tried again. Why is he deaf?
He responded after taking his own sweet time by turning around to face me. He has the bluest eyes I have ever seen, with well-defined and sharp features that can capture thousands of hearts. Though I'm a man myself but I can't deny that the being before me looked sinfully captivating that which makes my heart bleed.
"I have finally get to meet you, the third prince, Iael of the kingdom of Avagarth. His low deep voice boomed and echoed in the hollow cave.
"Do you know me? No, actually, what I mean is do we know each other?
"Why wouldn't I know you?" he said from behind me, wait was he not standing in front of me just a moment ago? The corner of his lips turned up slightly in amusement.
"You have this after all " he whispered behind my ear and before I could register what was happening, I felt a searing pain in my forearm, that lunatic, has burned where the mark is on my skin.
"Argh!" I screamed and vanished from his grip, putting a distance between us .
I glared at him. The iciness in my eyes matched the deep hatred he had in his while gazing at me. He is not hiding it anymore, his eyes now sharp and calculating.
"You are related to the rift and are probably an enemy judging by the way you are looking at me right now," I stated
"Were you the one who got me dragged down here? I asked him.
He stood there and looked at me without answering. "What do you want? I probed again. Why is he dumb? I thought.
" It is strange, I thought that rotten old man would choose a human again this time, but what? He raised a mocking brow. A demon, that is totally unexpected but I should not be perturbed. He is always full of surprises. "
"What are you talking about? Who chose whom?" I asked him, guarding my arm and watching his movements closely.
"You don't need to know that because you ain't getting out of here alive. He laughed loudly, although there was nothing amusing here.
"I have been waiting for this moment and it has finally come, and I have observed you and I know you got some skills in there so don't disappoint me " he added his eyes turning from blue to a vivid shade of black.
" I do not know you, nor do I know your reason for wanting my life. But I won't fight against someone in a meaningless battle while not knowing whether my friends are safe or not, " I shouted back at him, standing my ground and gazing at him with a murderous gaze.
"Look at this brat, you can not guarantee your safety, but you are here worrying about someone else. Don't panic. My minions are taking care of them. I hope they are strong enough to hold out, hahaha. "
"Shut up!! I shouted my body visibly, shaking you won't hurt a single hair on their body, I promise you, you wouldn't like to make an enemy out of me ." I warned him and with that my temperament was growing chilly with every passing moment.
" Whatever grudge you have with the drape, go and deal with the man you spoke of personally and leave my people out of this."
"If I could find that man, I wouldn't have kidnapped and brought you here, dear prince. Maybe killing you will bring him out of his hiding. "
"Let's see about that," I said, and he took a step back from me.
Large dark fur wolves emerged from a portal behind him.
"These are mythical beasts of the crysos, the kingdom of ice. Let's see what you got, young prince he taunted, leaning against the wall.
"It would be a taint in my reputation if I kill a boy who can't even handle these wolves by himself. "He chuckled, his eyes carrying a bone-chilling coldness that sent shivers down my spine.
"You beast," I mumbled
My brows creased together as I focused my attention on the pack of wolves surrounding me.
"Attack," he commanded
The previously slowly approaching wolves suddenly leaped to come right at me
I pulled a dagger from my boots, readying myself to strike . If I can't escape this fight then I choose to fight, i don't think I can take down these wolves on my own even if I don't use the riftflame, slicing them up with my dagger would be enough.
I slowly summoned my powers and locked gaze onto the wolves who were salivating heavily ready to pounce on me
I remained in my spot, waiting for them to make the first move.
"Howl!!"
Once the howl was heard from the wolf who seemed to be their alpha, the wolves' long claws that seemed to gleam razor sharp in the dark came rushing towards me with the intent of pinning me down and tearing me into shreds.
I timed myself properly and struck out in a flash. My agility, combined with my teleporting magic, increased my speed greatly.
I thrust the dagger into the neck of the wolf who leaped at me first. And then I felt their skin repel the dagger. Its body shook as if to shake me off. I changed my mind and charged it with hellfire, feeling it burning hot blade and melting into the skin of the wolf. I sank it deeper, and an angry growl sounded, and I saw a gush of blood spray out. I moved out of the way quickly, and the wolf collapsed.
After striking the first wolf, I immediately took a step back. I formed balls of flame on my fingertips. " All of you come, and let's see this till the end," I shouted at them and started throwing the balls of fire at them.
It sizzled through their skin, and a low whimpering sound could be heard. They all burnt at the first touch of the flames I made, and instead of turning to ashes, they turned to water and evaporated away.
Is it because he said they are from an ice kingdom? I questioned myself, "This place seems more interesting than I thought."
"You really are as tough as I heard," but it is too bad that such potential will go to waste, you would have been a special weapon to the elder. "He said, his face changing from pity to amusement.
"Stop that sneaky attitude of wanting to tire me out cause I have great stamina you can not even comprehend. "
"Fight me head-on and let's end this petty game." I said, gripping my sword tightly from sheer annoyance.
He raised his hand, and dense cloud-like darkness formed beneath his feet. "Let's do that then.