Back in the cave.

Kate was heartbroken when she arrived at the end of the passage only to be greeted with another dead end.

Dang!

She was sure the flickering of light that she had seen in the distance was already the entrance of the cave!

She made a detour, braved the darkness, and kept walking. Finally, she arrived!

Now that she's here...dang...it's just a burning torch and behind it is another thick wall of the cave...nothing else...aargh!

But why did she met a dead-end over and over again?

Was the entrance of the cave is just an illusion that her brain had created?

Does it mean, this will happen again if she will choose another way? She looked on both sides, two passages again to choose from. This time she will try the left side!

Maybe it will finally bring her out of the cave.

She hurried her steps, hoping to get to the other end in just a short time.

A few minutes later.

She saw another flickering light in the distance. She doesn't want to lose hope yet. After walking for so long, she's getting tired and badly needed water to quench her thirst.

"I need water!" she said aloud.

But why is it that the closer she gets to the end, she feels so tired and sleepy again?

But her iron will to succeed is much stronger than her tiredness and sleepiness. She struggled to keep walking but dared not stop. She must reach the end of the passage, no matter what!

She can't accept that all her efforts will fall in vain.

She keeps walking like a zombie, gasping for air, her throat dry.

A few minutes later.

She reached the end and standing still at the mouth of the cave in awe.

Hooray! She finally succeeded!

God was so kind to her because she saw a lake a few meters from the cave. It has sparkling clear water!

Oh, God! She needs water!

She sprinted towards the lake and scooped her hands on the warm water and drink all she can. The water tasted heavenly in her throat. It has a sweet after taste to it.

After drinking enough water, she stopped and looked around her. The lake was surrounded by towering trees and wild plants in all sizes and forms.

The atmosphere is so quiet, the only sound she can hear was her breathing.

This area looks like a safe place to rest for a few minutes. After walking for a long time...she needs to relax her aching feet. She needs to gather enough strength to continue exploring the forest. She wants to go back to the exact place where she and Esmeralda parted ways.

Around her are big trees in all sizes.

She strutted towards one particular tree with its roots can be seen protruding in the surface of the soil.

"This is a good place to rest!" she murmured to herself. She eagerly plopped down and settled cozily above the roots.

After making herself comfortable, she closed her eyes and dozed to sleep.

Unaware that someone was watching her movements.

The roots of the tree came to life, moving, and cradling Kate like a baby. Then slowly the earth opened up and Kate was swallowed whole until she can no longer be seen on the surface.

A melodious humming sound can be heard throughout the forest and stopped altogether a few minutes later.

~~~

Back in the cave.

Jegun rose from the wooden bed and went to the chamber where he put the girl.

As expected, she's gone!

"How annoying!" he muttered to himself. The girl was not afraid of the vampire bats. He was lying about the bats to scare her and prevent her from venturing outside the chamber.

But it didn't stop her from trying to escape!

That girl didn't know that without his guidance and magic, she can't get out of the cave on her own.

With a heavy sigh, he exited the chamber, shaking his head.

Hmm, where to find the girl?

He can only think of one place where the girl ended. He was wondering if it's not too late yet?

Jegun disappeared from the chamber in an instant.

He reappeared outside the cave where the crystal lake was located.

He stood near the lake, sweeping his gaze around him. There was no sign of Kate. But he knows better.

"Alright, come out in the open now!" he demanded.

A two-foot elf jumped from one of the branches of the big tree and landed on the ground in front of the old man.

Jegun spotted the elf and acknowledged his presence. "My friend..."

"What's up, Jegun...long time no see...!" the elf replied with a smile. "Why you're here?"

"Um...I was looking for a girl. Have you seen a pretty human girl coming out of the cave?" asked Jegun.

The elf shook his head and replied, "I haven't seen a human girl coming out of the cave for a long time..."

"Are you sure?" Jegun asked the elf once again.

The elf didn't reply.

Jegun inspected the elf's face looking for a sign of recognition on his expression. "How about the trees around here? Did they attempt to...to... hide the girl?" he asked.

"Hmm, the tree... I dunno... I haven't seen it when it happened earlier. I just come here a few minutes ago, so whatever happened before I come, I have no idea at all..." the elf said.

"Okay, as you say so. I believe you," Jegun said. He ignored the elf and checked every root of the tree surrounding the lake.

The lake was only twenty meters in length. It has sparkling clear water. All the plants in the area benefited from this water originating from this lake. He also takes water from this lake as his source of drinking water.

Jegun inspected the roots of the tree one by one.

He noticed that one of the trees had disturb soil. It looks like it was freshly dug.

"Hmm...this tree might be the culprit of that girl's disappearance," he murmured. He looked around him, but the naughty elf can no longer be found.

Time to get to the bottom of it!

Jegun closed his eyes, his mouth was moving fast as if reciting a magical spell.

A few seconds went by... he disappeared from the surface instantly.

He reappeared a thousand feet below the ground.

In the kingdom of the elves.

The kingdom of the elves was located inside a maze of tunnels, passages, and chambers. It is a large cave hidden below the ground.

The king of the elves is Jegun's friend.

The king's chamber is the biggest area inside the cave.

The chamber was guarded by the elf guards who recognized Jegun's presence right away. He was known to them as the Sage.

"Hail the Sage!" the guards spoke in chorus.

Jegun nods his head. "Guards, can you please send someone to tell the King that his humble servant is outside his chamber waiting for his presence. Please?" he requested politely.

"Yes, Sage," one of the guards replied and entered the closed door.

A few minutes later, the guard returned and instructed him to enter the door.

Jegun went inside.

He was brought to a chamber with a wide clearing.

In the center is a big tree with big roots poking in every direction and there she is...the girl!

She was cradled by the roots of the tree like a baby...she's sleeping like a log.

If he didn't arrive on time, this girl will never be able to wake up ever again. She will become fertilizer to the king's favorite tree.

There are wooden chairs and tables near the tree. Jegun lowered himself on one of the chairs and stared at the girl while waiting for the arrival of the king.

He rose to his feet and sauntered towards the tree. He was planning to take the girl away before the king arrives.

"My friend...nice to see you here in my kingdom!" the king's voice echoed in the air.

Jegun froze on his feet, then he slowly turned around and smiled. "My King...how are you?"

"I'm fine...sit down..." the king said. Among the elves living inside the cave, he was the tallest of them all, his height is about 4 feet tall.

They settled in the chair.

The king surveyed the face of his guest. "What can I do for you? Is today the day we finally leave this castle?" he asked excitedly.

Jegun shook his head. "Ah... not today my... friend. I'm here for another reason," he said and pointed at the tree. " You see that girl cradled by your favorite tree?"

"Yes, what about her?" the king asked in puzzlement.

"I'm here to take her back. She is my guest in my cave. I need to return her to Esmeralda's side tomorrow," Jegun explained.

The king's brows furrowed. "What does that girl has to do with Esmeralda?"

"She is Esmeralda's companion. I don't want her to know of my existence. If she will start poking deeper, she might find out that I'm the one responsible for her companion's disappearance. Besides, we have agreed that we should remain low key. It's better that they think we don't exist, right?"

The king laughed. "Ah...I know what you mean...when the time comes we will flee from this castle together with my family. No one should know about it because it's a big secret, right?"

"That's correct!" Jegun nodded his head in confirmation. He whispered something on the ear of the king.

The king's eyes sparkled. "Oh, that's good! By all means, I will instruct the tree to release the girl now!" he said excitedly.

He stood up and walked towards the tree. He caresses the tree's trunk and whispered something to it.

A few minutes later, the roots of the tree began moving and formed a giant hand cradling the sleeping girl as it gently settled Kate on the surface of the table, done, the roots returned to its natural form.

"Thank you very much for your understanding, my King! I'm going back now to my place," Jegun said.

"Alright, don't forget your promise, okay?" the king reminded him.

"Yes, of course. I won't forget it!" Jegun replied and touched Kate's shoulder.

In just a blink of an eye, Jegun and Kate disappeared from the king's chamber.