Gasp

Cough Cough Cough

After my cough finally went away, I called out in to the woods.

“It’s not polite to stare”

That’s when she walked out, the girl from the basement.

This time she didn’t show any signs of hostility.

“. . . um sorry m-my mistake”

She quickly bowed after shyly apologizing to me.

Hm? Well this was different she turned from a flash flood in to a puddle.

“Who are you?”

I said sternly since it seemed she had me in some regard.

“My name is Aura and I’m a fae like you. Though I’m only a half”

Well this could work to my favor.

“Aura is it? My name is . . Tanya, a pleasure to meet you”

“S-sorry, I’m still a little taken back. I’ve never met anyone like me before”

“Oh? What do you mean by that?”

I tried to give her a calming smile.

“I’m part fae, so I have a lot of mana. But at the same time, I’m a water elemental. I can sense something similar from you”

I slowly approached Aura and placed my hand on her shoulder.

“That’s correct”

I waved my hand and created a stone bench.

Then I used my other hand to cause plants to grow on it.

Now the hard stone was covered by a soft plant layer and I motioned for her to sit.

“I came to this place searching for something and I found this curious lake. It showed me . . interesting visions”

Aura’s eyes widened a little and a look of worry started to appear on her face.

“Oh, um Tanya be careful. This lake is . . . special. The humans believe that just because it can cleanse dark magic it is

holy. But that’s not the case. It does things to your mind if you let it affect you. Please, promise me you won’t come here to

see those visions anymore”

Curious, this lake didn’t feel that way.

But it’s not a bad idea to take caution.

I nodded and asked her another question.

“How old are you? Fae are usually long lived and for you to be even half a fae, you must be thousands of years old”

“Hardly, I turn 16 this year”

“WHAT? Who are your parents?”

“I grew up in small village not far from here. It doesn’t exist anymore. I never knew my father and my mother . . . She was

horrible to me so I left her as soon as I realized that I could”

“I sensed from the earth that you rampaged from the capital. Can you tell me why?”

“. . .”

She hesitated in telling me anything but I pressed on.

“You seem like you have something on your mind. Perhaps I can help”

Aura stood up and started to walk towards the lake.

Suddenly the water in the lake started to rise to form orbs of water.

“Can you hear my story out?”

“Of course”

“Thank you”

The orbs started to change shapes to provide visual aids I assume as Aura started her story.

“A long time ago, a mighty empire stretched across the continent. They were the pinnacle of human rule on this side of the

earth. But one day they grew too prideful and took something from those who should never be disturbed”

I guess Aura assumed I didn’t know some parts of the history of the land and decide to start from the beginning.

“Yes, when the Rokans kidnapped the child of the elder dragons. Then they scorched all the lands on the earth until they

disappeared with their island”

This was my own story, it felt weird being the subject of an old legend.

I thought Aura might fill in something about the disappearance, but sadly she continued.

“The empire later couldn’t keep it self together after being damaged so much. So, it fractured in to some of the countries we

know today. More and more civil wars broke out until one day, seven countries bordered this area. They all claimed this

area as their own but no major skirmishes occurred”

“Yes, this I know but how is this relevant to your troubles?”

Aura showed me a sad smile and made the water form in to a small figure of a child.

“My troubles stem from the conflict of this land and it all started over 70 years ago”

I didn’t how to respond but deep down I knew.

“The countries were too busy fighting amongst each other to properly claim the land. One day, two of those countries

became more powerful than the rest and they had to choose sides. There was a village here that wasn’t bound to any of

their rules. At least it was, until the day it was destroyed by monsters. A small boy lost his family and everything he cared

about that day. This boy later became the conqueror of the countries that he blamed for him losing everything. Apparently,

he claimed to be a king since he was acknowledged by the goddess of the earth. She was said to have saved him and took

the form of a dragon as she flew away”

. . . .

“The king unfortunately, was too strong. He never prepared a proper heir and everyone thinks that as soon as he dies, war will breakout again”

“This history lesson is starting to drag on. Cut to the part where it’s your problem”

“My problems seem insignificant compared to all that but it’s important. When I was growing up in the village, I met a boy

who became my friend. I could tell he was . . special and he could tell I was as well. One day he started to treat me coldly

and before I knew it, he was so different. I eventually discovered that he had come to this lake before changing so much. I

then found out that a demon had been whispering to him.I tried to confront him but he lashed out. He later left the village

and after a while so did I. I found out later that he was actually a noble from a very powerful house. I realized the demon

had egged him on and was aiming for the king’s throne. I tried to stop them but I got captured until you rescued me”

“So, your childhood friend has gone crazy and you want to save him from some demon. Is that correct?”

“Yes”

“Don’t worry about it, I can help you confront this demon”

“Would you? Thank you . . “

I was starting to think I might be in over my head here.