Pov ~ Reve
We moved in a silence as deep as the shadows that clung to the ancient stone walls, descending the winding staircase that seemed to stretch into the bowels of the earth. The air grew cooler, tinged with the faint scent of moss and damp stone, until at last, the stairs gave way to a narrow canal. At its end, a small boat awaited us, its dark wood worn smooth by the passage of countless secret journeys. This hidden route, as Cyrus had informed me, was known only to a chosen few.
Without a word, we stepped into the boat, the old boatman offering a silent nod before taking up the oars. The boat glided forward, cutting through the still waters as the castle receded into the distance, its towering spires soon swallowed by the night.
"Are we bound for the Oasis River?" I ventured, my voice barely louder than a whisper, uncertain if it was safe to break the silence.
"Most certainly," Cyrus replied, his tone calm but laced with the unspoken weight of our mission, "If fate is kind and no challenges cross our path." He offered me a smile, I found myself returning it. Then, as though seeing me for the first time, his eyes traveled slowly from my feet to my face, lingering with an intensity that made my pulse quicken. When our gazes met again, something in my stomach fluttered—an inexplicable, exhilarating sensation that made the air between us feel charged. My cheeks flushed, and instinctively, we both looked away, the moment stretching into a silence heavy with unspoken thoughts.
At last, the boat scraped gently against the shore, our destination looming ahead like a dark sentinel. Cyrus was the first to step out, his movements fluid and sure as he extended a hand to me. I took it, his grip firm and reassuring as he helped me onto the solid ground. His touch lingered for just a moment longer than necessary, sending a shiver up my spine. He then exchanged a few brief words with the boatman, who nodded once more before pushing off from the shore, leaving us in a silence broken only by the distant murmur of the water.
"Are you ready to return?" His voice was soft, almost regretful, as though he wished to offer me an alternative, a different path than the one that lay ahead.
"I certainly am," I replied, though the conviction in my voice belied the turmoil in my heart. We stood there, side by side, the weight of what was to come pressing down on us.
"Is this the place?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.
"Yes, it is," he confirmed, his tone somber. No further explanation was needed; we both knew what this place signified, the end of one journey and the beginning of another.
Cyrus stepped forward, his hand lifting in a graceful, fluid motion as he began to trace intricate patterns in the air. His voice, deep and resonant, filled the night as he chanted, "Alestic commona hocks twada." Over and over, the words rolled off his tongue, their meaning a mystery to me but their power unmistakable.
Before us, the still surface of the water began to churn, a whirlpool forming at its center, glowing with a light so brilliant it made the night around us seem darker by contrast. The whirlpool swirled with increasing speed, pulling the water into its vortex, its light intensifying until it seemed to pulse with a life of its own.
Cyrus turned to me, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that took my breath away. "Now," he said, his voice tinged with sadness, "You must close your eyes and leap into the whirlpool. But remember, Reve, once you do, there can be no return." His words hung heavy between us, the finality of them echoing in my mind. We stood close, the space between us charged with unspoken emotions. I could feel the warmth of his breath, the nearness of him both a comfort and a torment.
Without thinking, I closed the distance between us, wrapping my arms around him in a tight embrace. "Thank you," I murmured, my voice thick with emotion, "For everything you have done for me." His scent, sweet like honey, enveloped me, and for a moment, I allowed myself the luxury of simply holding him, memorizing the feel of him against me. Reluctantly, we parted, the loss of his warmth leaving me feeling colder than before.
"I wish I could have met the Night Weavers before leaving," I whispered, the regret in my voice undeniable.
"That would only place them in greater danger, Reve," he replied gently.
"Yes, I suppose you're right," I conceded, though the longing in my heart remained.
Cyrus took my hand, his touch soft yet firm, and lifted it to his lips. He pressed a kiss to my skin, the gesture meant as a farewell, but the moment stretched on, neither of us willing to break the connection. I was entranced by the sheer magnetism of him, my heart pounding in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears. Time seemed to stand still, and for a heartbeat—perhaps two—I was lost in the moment, in him.
But then, in a swift, fluid motion, I moved. I was upside down . Then I see a big dragon,it's claws wrapped around my waist, lifting me effortlessly off the ground. The world spun for an instant, my breath catching in my throat as I was pulled into the air, held in his embrace, suspended between the earth and sky.