"W-what is this place?"
Isla looked around at the large chunks of rock that surrounded the dark lake. On the sides of the rock scattered many bones and human skulls.
Isla immediately backed away from a feeling of fear and suffocation due to the intense dark aura. This place is very dangerous and should not be visited. Seeing the abundance of human bones and skulls made Isla shudder. Her mind started to ramble, would everyone who came to this place end up like those bones?
"Don't think about it, Miss. The bones you saw belonged to witches and wizards with evil hearts. The reason we chose this path to the Agora, was because Hugo's men who were currently hunting for Emrys's Legacy wouldn't be able to get through this way. "
"But why? Then are you sure we can go this way?" asked Isla, still looking unsure. Besides, she didn't see the path that Rex had just described.
"Of course sure, just trust us. They will not take this path, because witches who have evil intentions will not be able to go this way. And those skeletons, are those who dared to summon the inhabitants of the lake. This lake is called Lake Kaala, where your intentions and heart can be read if you touch the water. If your intentions are good, beautiful beings will come who will gladly escort you to the Agora. But if your intentions are bad, then you will meet beings who are the opposite."
Rex's explanation did not immediately make Isla's heart feel relieved. She came to this place without any purpose whatsoever, after all, she was forcibly kidnapped by a man named Kai and also a cat that can talk and change its shape.
Isla was still frozen in place. Kai, who had not taken part in giving a long explanation before, was already crouching on a large rock, preparing to dip his right hand into the lake water. Rex also did the same. The brown-haired man glanced over his shoulder, looking slightly impatient.
"Come here quickly! Trust us, nothing will happen. Unless you prefer to stay here, with the skulls," Kai said.
The man's words sounded slightly threatening. Isla had no other choice but to follow the two of them. After all, she can't come back because the road to her world is closed again. Isla had decided to come to this place, wanting to know what kind of thing was living inside her body. Until people who claim to be wizards are eager to get it.
Isla advanced slowly, crouching between Kai and Rex. She let out the breath she had been holding before deciding to dip her hands into the lake water. It felt cold when the water touched the skin, radiating up to the elbow like an electric current that instantly made the muscles in her hand go numb.
The originally calm lake water is now slowly rippling on its sides. Then a whirlpool appeared in the middle of the lake which grew bigger and deeper. The incident was followed by the arrival of a glimmer of green light that glowed emerging from the lake.
Kai immediately pulled Isla backward as the girl was enchanted by the events that were happening before her eyes. The turbulent lake water got bigger and bigger as well as the green light that glowed more and more brightly.
The lake water soared high enough when a large object suddenly appeared and protruded from the lake. The water of the lake pooled around the cave, causing a large splash that wet the three figures who were standing near the rock.
Isla was speechless when she saw a slick creature, the body of a horse with skin that glowed green like an emerald now floating in the middle of the lake. Its mane is a mix of red and blue, while the back of its body has a fish-like tail of the same color as the rest of its mane. What she saw seemed impossible, but it happened.
"W- What is that creature?" She muttered in a trembling voice.
"That's Hippocampus, a legendary creature who is friendly and will gladly lead us to Agora," said Kai. "But don't offend him and make his owner angry. What are you waiting for, let's go? He doesn't like to have to wait too long."
Kai answered Isla's question as if without any burden at all. He did not know even though at that time Isla almost fainted, her body was shaking unbelievably. Because it was the first time she saw a creature that had never existed on Earth, was now standing straight in front of her face.
Kai was even now stroking the creature which kindly immediately offered its back for a ride. The creature then neighed like a horse, as if ordering two people who had not yet moved to get on its back.
"Come on Miss, don't be afraid. He is the most friendly and beautiful creature, you will like him."
Yes. Isla's surprise now turned into boundless admiration. This world showed all the things that Isla had never encountered in her world. This world is just an image that once crossed her head. But who would have thought, at this time he was trapped in that world of imagination? But the difference is, this image has now turned into reality.
"Why? Have you changed your mind?" Kai asked when Isla shifted in place. It was clear the girl looked doubtful. That cold face can also form other expressions.
"No. It's just that this is too sudden. One night my life felt completely changed. I don't know if my choice to go with you guys was the right one."
Kai pondered. He gave a small sigh as he felt Isla wasting his time. "Well, maybe the options I'm offering aren't all that appealing. But aren't you the one who's curious about your strength and also the man who came up to you that time?"
Isla nodded.
"Then what are you waiting for?"
Isla glanced at the man's emerald eyes that held no hesitation. Isla is curious about Kai's true strength. Kai's aura is indeed very strong, bright, and positive. However, Isla could also sense something dark hidden within Kai. The same aura as the man back then.
Isla stepped toward the rock. From that close range, she could see the smooth body of the Hippocampus. However, what is unique is that the back of the creature is quite rough and not wet. Isla could see Kai and Rex sitting comfortably.
"Just sit in front of me!" said Kai.
"What?!"
"I just don't want you to suddenly get swept up in there. Because riding a Hippocampus takes a bit of skill."
"But..."
Without approval, Kai pulled Isla to sit in front of him. The girl couldn't refuse, especially now that Kai was now embracing him from behind while both of his hands were holding onto the beautiful creature's mane.
After that, it happened very quickly. A clear bubble appears and covers the dorsal hippocampus. It was used to protect the rider so he could breathe underwater.
After the bubble was completely closed, then the creature began to move slowly into the dark black lake. Isla held her breath as the air thinned slightly. The light emitted by the creature's scales illuminates the inside of the lake which turns out to be full of human bones piled up and arranged to form a high hill.
Kai noticed Isla's fear. Sitting that close, Kai could feel her body shaking. No matter how tough humans are, they will shudder at the scenery that unfolds in that place.
Rex who was sitting behind suddenly crept forward. He heard Kai's request to accompany Isla. Despite her surprising appearance, Isla is much more open to Rex.
The journey in the dark lake was quite long. The hippocampus continued to fight against the current, piercing the darkness of the lake to its depths. She doesn't know how deep the lake is, but it seems bottomless.
"Don't worry, Miss. After coming out of this cave, you will see a true sight."
"Cave?"
"Yes. Kaala Lake has no bottom, but the inside of this lake is connected with several caves that connect it to the open sea."
Isla was surprised. "So you're saying we're going across the ocean?"
Rex nodded. Meanwhile, Isla remained silent. She was still not used to this dark sight. Even though the Hippocampus' body gave light, it didn't make her feel any better.
Not long after, the Hippocampus, which was always pointing downwards, suddenly swooped upwards. Isla realized that they had just come out of the mouth of the cave and were now in the open sea. But total darkness still enveloped them as if they were in the deepest ocean.
"You better close your eyes!" Kai ordered from behind.
"What's wrong? Why do you sound scary?"
"Something we will miss later might interest you. I'm sure you don't want to see them, even though on Earth they are described as beautiful creatures."
After Kai's words ended, Hippocampus' movements started to shake a little. Moves right and left as if avoiding something. Kai swiftly caught Isla's body which almost fell. Like it or not, Isla had to accept it when Kai's hands hugged her tighter from behind. Then she fell into that dark ocean. Just imagining it sends chills down my spine.
Something fast moved around the Hippocampus. Currently, the sea is still dark, only the light from the Hippocampus body provides illumination. But the light of the creature's body was enough to make what was around it
The road that is passed is now full of towering stone pillars. The number is not just one, but very many. Isla wondered how deep the bottom of the sea was. How did this stone pillar grow so long?
Just then, a flash of shadow appeared again around the Hippocampus. Very fast and dark. Strange screeching noises have been heard ever since. shouted at each other like the sound of people who are fighting.
"What's that?"
Once again, the shadow passed quickly, followed by more and more shadows. The shrill sound became more real when the shadows now even swarmed around the Hippocampus. Staring at the three riders with fiery angry eyes.
Isla was speechless as her eyes caught sight of a group of creatures with female bodies but fish-like tails. Their bodies are completely black with long claws that look sharp like knives. But what was most terrifying were their faces. Her entire face was black with glowing red eyes. The human body is full of dark scales. And those long clawed fingers have membranes.
Isla's imagination about beautiful and beautiful mermaids immediately vanished, because, in reality, they weren't as beautiful as they were described they were very scary.
"Wh-why are they looking at me like that?" asked Isla as she watched the Mermaids crowd around staring at her as if she were prey.
"Naturally, your existence as something foreign attracts their attention. No wizard has brought humans before. So, seeing you is like prey for them," explained Kai.
"Then what will happen now? There are so many of them, how do we get past them?"
"Don't worry. No one will dare to attack us as long as we are with the Hippocampus. Injuring these beautiful creatures, it would be as if they were waiting for their death."
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't I tell you, don't hurt or offend the Hippocampus? Don't make its owner angry."
Isla understood what Kai meant. Isla had read that Hippocampus was related to Poseidon, the lord of the seas. But the problem now is, is it possible for Hippocampus to break through this crowd of Mermaids numbering in the hundreds?
Isla's worries were answered when Hippocampus continued to penetrate the crowd of creatures. Keep swimming up until the darkness that surrounds it begins to decrease. Gradually the Mermaids walked away, shrieking angrily. They hate the light from outside. They followed the Hippocampus only to the limit where light started to enter the ocean.
The terrible scenery below has now been replaced with a beautiful view of the real ocean. Isla was stunned by sea plants called coral reefs, growing in so many different shapes and colors. Not to mention that flowers of unknown types were growing all over the place.
Fish and other marine animals live so pleasant and peaceful. There is a very calm and quiet atmosphere created. They had just passed an ancient shipwreck with cartoon treasures strewn around it.
"Is it real?" asked Isla.
"Of course. But don't even think about picking it up. Everything that falls into this sea belongs to Poseidon."
"Poseidon?"
Isla again enjoyed the amazing sight. Now her eyes are presented by another slightly different plant. The plant has fruit and flowers. Isla saw the flower bloom rapidly and immediately produce pink fruit. Isla didn't know that such a fruit existed.
"I want to ask, where exactly are we going?"
"Agora Port. A place where magicians come and go from other parts of the world" answered Kai.
"So there is a place like that in your country?" Isla exclaimed. "Then what about me, is it okay for you to take me there?"
"Of course it's problematic. I even broke the rules and should be punished. But that doesn't matter now. Saving you from death is more important."
"What do you mean?" Isla glared. Kai just gave him a sharp look.
"I will tell you, Isla. You will die if the relic is removed from your body."
Continued...