The second year of study went well. Mariel studied diligently in the classroom. When she returned home, she reviewed the contents of the textbooks and practiced with Deric every day until she began to use water magic as proficiently as fire magic and wind magic.
Time flies, it will be the end-of-year exams for the second year soon. This year Frederick expects to be able to score 1st in all subjects and beat Mariel. Lately Frederick has become more and more obsessed with reading. It encourages Mariel to intend to do the same because she doesn't want to lose her number 1 position to him.
"This year No. 1 will definitely go to Frederick." Frederick said in front of everyone in the second-year group.
"Let's see who is the best!" Mariel smiled and accepted the challenge.
It's time for the end of school exam day. All the students work hard to do the exam. The content from the Year 2 textbooks is much more intense and requires memorization a lot. This caused Mariel to spend more time preparing for the exam than before. When she has free time, I start practicing with Deric again. Mariel herself can divide her time very well.
After the exams at the end of the year had been completed, the students were all very tired from this exam. Most of the time, when they get home, they pass out and rest on their beds from exhaustion. To the point that some children even forget to eat dinner, mom and dad make dinner and leave it on the table. So, the children wake up in the middle of the night and come to the kitchen to eat.
Mariel was just like any other child. After a long day of exams, she felt exhausted as well. As soon as she slept soundly from the evening until she woke up again, it was almost midnight.
*Stomach rumbling with hunger*
"I'm so hungry. Did mom prepare dinner for me?" Mariel sat there holding her stomach, hungry. Then she got dressed and walked downstairs to find that Claudia had prepared hot corn soup and beef stew with warm rice. All the dinner is placed on a large plate on the dining table and has a special heat-food tray. This allows food to be kept for several hours while still being warm like it was just made. In addition, another glass of orange juice is also prepared.
Mariel sat down in the chair next to the dining table and started eating food. After finishing eating until she is full, she put away the plates, bowls, and glasses and wash them at the dishwasher. After putting the dishes and glasses into a dish storage, she went back to her bedroom on the second floor to rest. Tomorrow will be the weekend before the exam results will be announced next Monday, this gave Mariel 2 full days to rest, and Segal would come back home to visit the family. Mariel thought that they would go horseback riding in the wide fields around here to relax and see nature together with Segal. Then, in the evening, they would come back and practiced with Deric again.
"Alright, brush my teeth, take a shower, and get some rest." Mariel said, walking into the shower immediately.
As soon as she had changed into her pajamas, she immediately opened the bedroom door and went in.
*Wink*
Before turning on the bedroom light, it appeared that Mariel was in front of her. There was an old necklace shining red on her desk.
"This necklace was already hidden by father. How did it get here?" Mariel said and was very curious.
After turning on the bedroom light, she walked in and looked at this necklace with doubt.
Suddenly, a faint sound reverberated around her. A familiar voice that she had heard before when she attended the meeting with Deric and Claudia in the main auditorium in the capital city.
"Put it on and let's talk!" mystery sound command.
Mariel slowly picked up the necklace and put it on her neck. Then it was like she was hypnotized.
"I feel like I can't move." Mariel said as she tried to move her arms and legs but was only able to think.
"I haven't seen you in a long time, Mariel." said in a mystery voice.
"Apophis?" Mariel answered because she recognized this voice.
"That's right, it's me...Do you have time this weekend? I would like to meet you." Apophis said.
"Where are you?" Mariel asked.
"It's not far from your village, come into the big forest next to your house. As you enter deeper into the forest, you will find a black snake symbol on a large tree every 5-10 meters. Only you will be able to see it, but you must wear this necklace. Soon you will see a sealed rock cave, then use this necklace to open the way to me." Apophis explained.
"Can I take my brother with me?" Mariel asked. Because she was thinking of Segal, who was coming back to visit home tomorrow morning. So, she wants to invite him to meet Apophis too.
Apophis was silent for a moment. Then he replied,
"Sure! You can." Apophis said.
"Okay, I'll go in the afternoon." Mariel agreed.
"See you later, little girl. Don't forget to wear this necklace. Otherwise, you won't be able to come to me. I'm bothering you again. Can you bring me some food?" Apophis asked.
"OK. I'll prepare some bread and sandwiches for you." Mariel said.
"Thank you very much, see you soon." Apophis said.
Mariel then seemed to emerge from her hypnosis. The body returned to moving as usual and her body was soaked with sweat that was flowing all over the body.
"I have to take another shower." Mariel sighed and went back into the shower.
The next morning after breakfast, Mariel helps Deric and Claudia complete their daily activities in the barn. After that, Segal rode a carriage and arrived in front of the house. Everyone greets each other, embrace each other with care and then invite him into the house to sit and talk about various stories while drinking tea.
"Dad. After lunch, I and Segal plan to ride horses into the forest around here." Mariel said.
"Alright, don't come back late. Segal, take care of her." Deric said while looking at Segal.
"Yes, Father Deric. I'll take care of Mariel." Segal promised.
"I'm not a child anymore." Mariel said.
"I am worried. Don't go so deep into the forest." Claudia begged.
"Understood, mom." Mariel promised.
After finishing eating lunch, Mariel rode her Unicorn and prepared supplies such as bread, many homemade sausage sandwiches which included 2 large bottles of orange juice in her bag. In addition, she takes a sword in case they encounter danger so they can fight. As for Segal, he borrowed Deric's horse and rode along with Mariel. The horse's luggage was prepared with a medium sized floor mat, rolled up nicely, along with a sword and shield as well.
"Don't go too far, kids." Claudia warned again.
"Come back before dinner." Deric said.
" Ok." they answered and immediately rode their horses out into the wide field behind the house.
Mariel and Segal rode their horses into the forest filled with many large trees. She noticed a black snake symbol on a large tree.
"Brother Segal, this way!" Mariel said as she rode her horse and led the way deeper into the forest.
"Where are you going? It is too dangerous." Segal warned.
"It's not very far. Follow me!" Mariel said.
"Okay." Segal answered.
As time passed by, it became more and more like entering a deep forest where there was hardly any light reaching. Mariel rode her horse past several large trees bearing black snake symbols until reaching the destination.
"Unicorn. Stop!" Mariel ordered.
There was a large old stone cave in front of them. It had no entrance that could be entered at all.
Mariel dismounted the Unicorn and hooked the rope onto a tree not too far from the rocky cave. Then she took out some supplies and carried them with her while Segal followed from behind. However, Mariel was still a little suspicious.
"What is in this cave?" Segal asked curiously.
"Let me check it for a moment." Mariel touched the surface of the old stone cave and found that there were no symbols marking it at all.
"Maybe.." Mariel thought of one thing. Then she took out a necklace from one of her pants pockets.
"This old necklace that Father Deric kept this. How did you get it? Mariel." Segal asked curiously.
Mariel didn't answer, but instead held the necklace over her head in front of the old stone cave.
Suddenly, there was a sound of movement and vibration throughout the area where they were standing. Suddenly, the large rock at the mouth of the cave slowly split into two halves, enough to allow people to walk into the cave.
"Come, Brother Segal." Mariel took a bag full of supplies, a sword and carried a flashlight into the cave. She led the way to the inside.
Segal wanted to dissuade her, fearing that there would be danger waiting there but he agreed to follow along his sister, taking his sword and shield with him.
They walked deeper into the rock cave, approximately 300 meters deep. Inside the rock cave, it smelled musty, and it was filled with dew that flowed from the stalactites overhead without stopping. Finally, they reached the main hall inside.
Mariel and Segal walked through the corridor and entered the hall. Suddenly, a large rock fell on the floor where they were standing.
"Watch out!" Segal hurriedly embraced Mariel and rushed forward to dodge the large rock.
A large rock completely blocked the entrance to the inner chamber. Before they could think of anything, something terrifying happened.
*Snake hissing sound*
In front of them, it appeared a large, terrifying black snake. Its body was about 3 meters long. Its body had snake scales that were completely black, eyes were bright red like blood and its tongue was sticking out continuously.
"Get ready! Mariel." Segal immediately raised his shield and sword and used his fire magic.
"Understood." Mariel was also holding a sword and casting water magic and healing skills as well.
The large snake lunged at Segal with such speed that he was barely able to see it. Segal was fast enough to set up a shield in time. The sound of dark magic from the snake colliding with the Segal's shield caused a loud sound to be heard throughout the main hall.
Mariel immediately jumped and rushed towards the large snake while the snake was retreating because it had just collided with the power to Segal's shield a moment ago.
"Water Sword Magic!" Mariel slammed into the skin of that huge snake in several positions, but there was no damage to the snake's scales which covered its body.
"Very strong. The snake's scales were as hard as steel. I'll probably have to use a fire magic sword to help in another way." Segal said and slammed a flaming sword at him without holding back.
*Snake hissing sound*
Even after being attacked many times the large snake still fought against them.
Suddenly, a large snake's tail gathered dark magic power and slammed at Mariel and Segal at the same time, sending them flying in different directions.
"Ouch!" Their voices cried in pain when the body hit the stone cave wall until it fell on the ground. Both of their bodies were seriously injured after just one attack.
Immediately, Mariel slowly stood up and immediately transformed her energy line into healing magic. She cast a spell to heal herself and Segal back to almost normal.
*Snake hissing sound*
But it stood still and did not attack them continuously.
Mariel and Segal fought with the large snake in several moves, still unable to do any harm to it. Segal prepared to fight with his final attack.
"Let's do it! Sis." Segal ordered as he gathered fire magic power to his sword and hurried towards the large snake again.
"Alright! Brother." Mariel turned into a fire magic type and rushed to the max with the sword until it flashed a fiery red.
"Double Fire Swords!" The sound of the two fire swords' spells combined to form a huge ball of fire that rushed towards the great snake, ready to burn it to the ground.
*Snake hissing sound*
It hissed, then curled up on the ground and its scales doubled in size.
A huge fireball burned the entire body of the large snake, but it couldn't do any harm at all.
"How is that possible? We used all our power." Mariel said in exhaustion.
"Be careful. If there is an opportunity, you must quickly find a way to escape..." Segal said.
*Snake hissing sound*
The snake's tail slamming into their bodies caused them to crash into the cave wall again. The children's bodies were now more seriously injured than before.
Mariel slowly stood and healed Segal. Then slowly continues to heal herself until the energy is nearly gone.
"We're running out of power, what should we do?" Segal said in exhaustion.
"I'll help you to fight it at first. Just hurry and restore your strength first." Mariel walked to the front of Segal and used all her remaining strength to prepare for another wave of attack.
The large snake stared into Mariel's eyes, which were devoid of any fear. Ready to fight to protect his brother to the utmost.
Mariel gripped her sword tightly with both hands, preparing for full defense.
"Lol!!!" Laughter suddenly sounded throughout the great hall, it made Mariel and Segal shocked.
Immediately, the large snake gradually decreased in size, along with white smoke spreading all over the area, which was almost impossible to see clearly.
Mariel and Segal sneezed because they choked on the smoke, which almost hurt their eyes and nose.
Suddenly in front of them appeared a man looking at them with a neutral expression. However, she watched his slightly curved personality, it was like an old man wearing a familiar old brown robe. Mariel immediately remembered who the person in front of her was.
"Lord Apophis!" Mariel said immediately.