They shouted louder for the leaders in the cabin to stop the ferry, which stopped just beyond the center. The crew approached the edge, throwing something for the other in the water to hold, some asked how he had fallen off the raft, while the man coughed a little lost:
– I don't know... I just fell.
The crew captain listened to his explanation for a moment, glancing at the young people who were watching the situation with curiosity, frowning he went back to his cabin, looking intently at a small information panel:
– No magic...
One of the crew accompanying him heard his murmur – Captain, is there something wrong?
– Get back on course, and you… – The captain looked at the one he had asked – Keep an eye on the passengers.
Returning to the group, Elaxi glanced out of the corner of her eye at Mr. Gef beside her, he had his head down as he gently patted his hat. Elaxi looked away as she saw a small smile on his lips, he helped them get away from Kesla, maybe he thought that like him, they had an important reason to leave the place where they were living.
Lifting his head he smiled at them – I can tell you some stories if you like, I've traveled to many regions.
– It would be great! – Harumi readily agreed, Leila and Celine also stared at him, waiting for him to start, and soon the others did the same, but not with much interest, Mr. Gef was helping them and even planned to tell a little about the faraway places so that they had an idea of where they were going and what they were doing, as well as who they might be messing with.
Raphael eased his grip on the amulet, it gradually losing its luster, soon looking like just an ordinary gem.
Felipe had an excited expression as he listened to Mr. Gef talking about his travels, but it wasn't them that left him that way, but the spell he had trained for so long, after all, this time, even if it had been with the help of the amulet, he managed to perform his spell perfectly, he would probably be able to perfect it with some time.
The rest of the route was filled with the stories of Mr. Gef, who recounted his bravest adventures, his sailings from Friegenia to the Yuugen Empire, from Yuugen to Wu Wang, and then back to Friegenia, for him to prepare a new shipment of products to sell in the small Kingdoms of Letagia, Baria and Almalorantia.
– We are approaching the city of Zali – One of the crew approached to warn the passengers, told them what he should do, he returned to his post to coordinate the delivery of the products to the docks in the city of Zali, in the Kingdom of Nairot.
As soon as they docked, the group accompanied Mr. Gef on the way down, Elaxi turned to him – Thank you for your help.
Mr. Gef smiled as he put on his hat, adjusting it on his head – My pleasure, see you then, it was great talking to all of you – He turned to leave, heading to a small boat.
Harumi – Why don't we go with him? He could give us a ride at least to the city of Koragot.
Elaxi shook her head – He's done enough... let's find an inn to rest, we only have a few hours to dawn.
– As soon as it's dawn, we'll go back to the docks and try to rent a boat – Asterin headed towards town, the group went to a nearby inn.
They entered an inn near the docks, the inn attendant seemed to sleep with his hand supporting his head while leaning on the counter, Elaxi walked over and knocked on the counter, the attendant woke up with a start, looking to where Elaxi had hit, he woke up and collecting the coins he looked at Elaxi, who just nodded casually – Three quarters, for just One night.
– Right right, this way – He left the balcony and led them to the second floor, pointing out the rooms – These ones, would you like something to eat?
Elaxi replied as she looked into one of the rooms – No need, but we'll need a takeaway meal as soon as dawn, we'll leave immediately, we'll be in a hurry, I'll have to bother you with that.
The attendant nodded – No problem, the meal will be ready for you when you leave the inn, have a good rest.
As soon as he went down the group faced each other again, Elaxi looked at the boys and pointed to one of the rooms – I think you already know what the division of the rooms will look like, right?
Raphael nodded, heading towards the room closest to the stairs, Nevra, Felipe and Matheu followed him, the girls then went back to talking to each other – So we'll share a room and you another one? – Leila asked as she pointed to Elaxi, Aysel and Asterin.
Asterin nodded – Just like in college, sleep soon, we need to get there early or else we'll miss the boats.
They separated, entering the room they were going to share and watching for a while, Leila pulled out two quilts from her individual space – Harumi, you sleep in the bed, Celine and I will sleep in the quilts.
Harumi – Are you sure? I can sleep on a quilt.
– It's fine, it's good to get used to it, we won't always have an inn to stay, next time we'll change – Celine said while helping Leila to arrange the quilts on the floor.
Harumi nodded, getting ready to rest, Leila and Celine soon finished and lay down too, falling asleep right away.
Not long after falling asleep, a soft voice broke the silence in the room.
– ...Celine.
– Hm? – Celine replied with her eyes still closed, she was almost asleep, so she responded very lightly.
– Celine – The voice called her again.
Celine frowned, sharpening her hearing she heard Leila and Harumi's steady breathing, they had already fallen asleep... Celine remained with her eyes closed.
– Sophia… – Suddenly feeling a soft breath in her ear, Celine opened her eyes, looking back she found only Leila, already sound asleep – Maybe I'm hearing things.
A strange sensation ran through her body, an unknown energy gliding through every inch of her skin, feeling light and relaxed until drowsiness returned to consume her... Her eyes moved around the room as they slowly closed, the drowsiness left her body at the moment she found a shadow in the window, with bright white eyes staring at her, Celine was transfixed, this time, the shadow looked like the one she saw in her dreams, maybe she was really dreaming.
– Celine, don't move – Leila spoke at her side.
– Why is this thing following you? – Harumi was also awake, Celine felt slightly more relieved, but now knowing it wasn't a dream.
A warm light shone beside her, Harumi shot towards the window, but before she reached the flame itself it extinguished, looking now at the window, the shadow had already disappeared.
Celine sighed in relief, turning to face Harumi:
– What do you mean she keeps following me?
– Ah… – Harumi looked at Leila, who sighed as she turned her gaze to Celine – There was one night that Harumi felt disturbed in her sleep and ended up waking up, she saw this shadow on the window staring at you while she was sleeping, she woke me up to see and so he used the spell to cast out the shadow, after that time the shadow didn't appear again, now it's back...
Celine looked stunned, imagining the scene that while she slept that thing was watching her with a fixed stare, not even blinking. Her body shuddered.
– Have you ever seen it before? – Harumi asked approaching Celine and massaging her arms as if she was trying to warm her up.
Celine lowered her eyes with a strange expression – Already... but not like this.
Harumi looked at the window again, Leila also remained silent as she watched the window.
– What is this shadow? – Celine muttered, she was tired but now too scared to sleep easily, snuggling into Harumi's warm embrace she tried to stop thinking about that creature watching her sleep.
Leila and Harumi heard her murmur, remaining silent for a few minutes before Leila replied – It sounds like a curse... – She spoke as she pulled one more blanket for Celine from her space, covering her.
Celine looked at her, Leila continued – I've seen something about it, this thing doesn't seem to want to hurt you, but it's been watching you... When you first saw it?
Celine remembered the dreams she had while traveling to Kesla, also the dream she had still in her Kingdom – In some dreams... the first time I saw it, it turned into a man with long claws and a silver hair...
Leila and Harumi were thoughtful, listening to Celine's explanation they tried to imagine some meaning that could be related, Celine continued – He asked if I remembered him and in the end, he pierced my chest... with his claws.
They both froze, looking at Celine and finding her with only a thoughtful expression, Harumi bit her lower lip, turning her gaze to Leila she asked – Are you sure that thing doesn't want to hurt her?
Leila still looked shocked, automatically answering Harumi's question – I didn't feel danger, it was just watching her…
Leila frowned, looking at Celine she asked in a worried tone – What if this is a forethought of your future?
Harumi widened her eyes, staring at Leila scared, Celine was also shocked by the question, but still she started to think about it - 'A forethought of my future...'
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
In Kesla, Thamy was standing in front of his dorm window, he watched the forest beyond the school walls, frowning he sighed worriedly.
– Thamy? – Ikuto stood up while rubbing his eyes, yawning he looked at his roommate: "
– Why are you awake? What are you looking at? – Thamy turned to look at him, Ikuto noticed that he looked worried about something and his expression quickly turned serious – Did something happen?
– Ikuto... that time, how did you know Harumi wasn't in her dorm? – Thamy asked turning his gaze to the window.
Ikuto was a little embarrassed at that moment, putting his hand on the back of his neck he replied – Well… I gave her a gift once and this gift is something that helps me know her location and if she is not in danger…
Hearing the explanation, Thamy looked at him again with a complicated expression, he thought it might be something like that, but hearing his friend explain still made him a little awkward – Right, so could you use that again?
– Eh? – Ikuto blinked, not understanding what Thamy intended with this, but still focused on locating Harumi – She is…
Ikuto started, pausing for a moment before finishing his sentence – ...out of school?
Thamy sighed – My suspicions were correct, I felt a strong energy coming from the barrier, I was worried and researched it for a few minutes, I found a small thread of energy coming from the Tasvali family amulet, but Raphael wouldn't run away from school like that.
– I'll go get them – Ikuto got up, putting an outfit over his pajamas and taking a dark robe, ready to go after Harumi, but before he went through the door he felt a hand on his shoulder – Ikuto, the last raft has already left, even if you go after them they won't hear you because they've probably gone out to chase the real culprit in the stealing gifts.
Ikuto was breathing heavily, both out of nervousness and out of the rush just now:
– So… what we'll do? That is very dangerous.
Thamy narrowed his eyes, his expression thoughtful – Don't worry, I've already thought in something.