The Warlock Castle at Arckwar Academy stands as a beacon of ancient knowledge and magical discipline, prominently situated in the north of the Academy. Its rich, dark earth-colored brick walls rise high into the sky, dominating the landscape with an aura of ancient power and mystery. The castle's structure is a labyrinth of towers, turrets, and sprawling courtyards, each corner steeped in the lore of countless generations of warlocks who have traversed its hallowed halls.
The grand facade, crafted from rich, rhizome-colored stone, stands as a testament to grandeur and history. Its surface is intricately adorned with detailed carvings of legendary birds and illustrious war heroes, their figures appearing to come to life as they shift with the light. Guarding the north entrance are massive iron gates, resplendent with the official emblem of Arckwar's Warlock Campus—a circular rune with twelve swords radiating like sunbeams. These formidable gates are flanked by towering statues of the founders, their gazes unwavering and eternally set upon the distant horizon. Pretty fabulous if you ask me.Inside, the hallways echo with the muffled footsteps of students, softened by the rich, dark sea-green carpeting that lines the floors. Walls are lined with oil paintings of its past headmasters, founders, again, and supremes, each frame gilded and meticulously maintained. Tall, arched windows allow shafts of sunlight to pierce the otherwise dim corridors, casting patterns of light and shadow that dance with the movement of the students. High, vaulted ceilings are adorned with chandeliers that shimmer with magical light, casting a warm, golden glow over the polished stone floors. Tapestries depicting epic battles, legendary creatures of the past and maps of Majesta's Chamber Domes hang from the walls, their colors vibrant and enchanting. Who needs a phone GPS when you have maps of the tapestries?Lecture halls are housed in grand chambers, each tailored to different aspects of magical learning. The Potions Lab, for instance, is filled with rows of ancient cauldrons with markings of old Majestean language, there are also shelves of rare ingredients—some rather questionable anatomical parts—and tables cluttered with alchemical instruments. The air is thick with the scent of exotic herbs and the faint hum of brewing magic—some of which had me vomiting for days. The Spellcasting Hall, on the other hand, is a vast open space with enchanted targets and training dummies that react to spells—pesky little bastards, if you ask me. Each chamber is fortified with magical barriers to contain spells and is often equipped with diagnostic devices to assess spell accuracy and power.The Dining Hall, a grand chamber with long, wooden tables, accommodates hundreds of students. An enchanted replica of Majesta Palace—a sky kingdom fortress above the clouds—floats overhead, casting a warm glow over the hall as the clinking of cutlery and the hum of conversation fill the air. The scent of hearty, delicious meals, prepared by the academy's skilled chefs, wafts through the room. I just had lunch, but I'm still feeling a little hungry. Raiver's game was postponed today too.Common Quarters located in the castle's towers are furnished with antique wooden pieces, plush rugs, and windows offering breathtaking countryside views. These spaces are the ideal spots for relaxation and socialization—although I steer clear of them like a cursed relic—featuring roaring fireplaces and comfortable seating that practically begs for a nap. Outside, meticulously maintained gardens stretch as far as the eye can see. Stone paths wind through lush greenery, leading to hidden nooks and lounging gazebos perfect for deep thoughts, midday siestas, and scholarly pursuits—if that's your thing.The training fields at Arckwar's Warlock Campus are a maze of obstacle courses, sparring arenas, and archery ranges, all designed to test and refine the students' magical skills. These hallowed grounds are reserved for the collegiate-level students, ranging from Year Thirteen to Sixteen. Although the campus prides itself on magical prowess over military discipline, once students hit the collegiate stage, they dive into the basics of weaponry training. As Jairen is always quick to remind us, combat isn't just about up-close brawling—there's more to it than meets the eye.And speaking of challenges, among the countless nooks and crannies where we could hide out, chill, or catch some sleep, Kaede had somehow managed to muscle us all into the library right after lunch—because apparently, facing the end of the world is no excuse to skip exams. Only Kaede would think that our impending doom could be solved by acing a test. Classic.This came as a huge surprise for us, considering Kaede isn't not friendly with my friends or with anyone other than family. And also, monitoring us revise for the exam? That's a first. What's gotten into him?The school's library is a marvel unto itself, a multi-story hall filled with towering bookshelves that seem to stretch into infinity. Ancient tomes, scrolls, and sentient grimoires quietly sailed gently through the air, occasionally guiding a student to the knowledge they seek—though it's a real pain when you're anxious, looking for more than one, or just clueless; the books all come raining down on you like a hailstorm, and let me tell you, it's not nice. The Great Reading Room, at the heart of the library, is illuminated by a massive enchanted skylight. By day, it bathes the room in natural sunlight; by night, it casts a soft, warm glow that wraps around you like a comforting blanket. Honestly, who needs those boring old electrical lights anyway?We were seated near the enormous arched windows: Blanche and Jolene were across from me, while Claude, his head bowed in slumber, occupied the seat to my right. Niccolo had joined us of his own volition—though his fear and borderline worship of Kaede were likely the reasons behind his presence. Kaede, seated two seats away from Jolene, kept a sharp, watchful gaze on us, his eyes darting our way with the kind of vigilance that could only be compared to a guard on patrol.How is anyone supposed to concentrate when an Aetherial Stone had just been pilfered from Arckwar? And with five more scattered across the globe? If the Infernals were to get their hands on all of them, it would be as powerful as the Encantadya Jewel snugly hidden in Majesta Palace. Oh, what I'd give to catch a glimpse of that jewel.I let out a frustrated sigh, closing the study booklet handed out earlier by Professor Darius, and slumped in my seat. Kaede, ever the hawk-eyed taskmaster, caught my move and shot me a steely look. "Cici, keep reading," he commanded with the kind of authority that made me want to rebel just out of principle."I wasn't even reading from the start to be honest," I muttered, and his stern gaze softened a fraction from the betrayal.Jolene, clearly exasperated, leaned forward across the table, her elbows perched on the desk. "He's got a point. You can't exactly breeze through year Twelve with a Grade A2 level. You'd need to at least bump up to a Grade E before collegiate," she said with concern.I glanced at Jolene, her sapphire eyes glowing as the sunlight filtered through the windows. With a sigh, I reopened my booklet. "Well, don't cry," I teased, trying to lighten the mood despite the grimace on my face.That comment made Kaede and Jolene pull back from their verbal assault. But that Infernal's been bugging me the whole morning. Before long, I closed my booklet once more, and Kaede and Jolene collectively dropped their pens on the desk, their heads bent in frustration as they glared at me with flaring nostrils and twisted frowns."Just hear me out," I said, leaning forward. There were a few students around, but none were close to our desk to overhear our conversation—probably because they were either scared stiff or too intimidated by Kaede. My friends, cousin, and younger brother hesitated before leaning in as well, forming a huddle of conspirators. "I think it's the Aetherial Stone, the one Prince Erenys was rumored to have brought to Arckwar as his proposal to Nenathi Arckwar during the Factions' emergence," I whispered, my voice low and urgent. She rejected him though. But Prince Erenys still gave it to Nenathi as a gift.Their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, except for Kaede, who seemed unfazed. I shot him a dry glance and asked, "But. . . you already knew it?""I had a hunch. You just confirmed it," Kaede replied, his tone nonchalant."Whoa, you trust her that much, Kae?" Niccolo interjected with a mocking laugh. I tried to give him a playful knuckle to the head, but Claude right in between us made it tricky to reach him. Niccolo stuck his tongue out at me, leaving me to glare in annoyance."Wait, how can you guys be so sure? There's a ton of rune stones in Arckwar's inventory," Blanche asked, looking genuinely confused.Niccolo cleared his throat, "Well, with the sheer magnitude of its power, I'd say it's beyond anything we've ever seen. So, what's there even left to pick from?" Kaede nodded vigorously. "And did anyone catch Principal Caster's dramatic entrance? He was so intense and serious, you'd think he was gearing up to declare war on the cafeteria. I half expected the ground to crack open right under his stare!""Please. . . Principal Caster is always making a dramatic entrance," I said."He's got a point. The Aetherial Stone was pulled from the heart of a star comet back in the 1600s. Starweaver Warlock, Anghell Collars found it after it fell," Kaede continued. Well, this isn't history class.Jolene nodded with a touch of sarcasm, "Yes . . . and he was also the lunatic so obsessed with heavenly bodies and the mysteries of outer space that he cracked a way to magnetize the star comet, tricking its kind into falling to Earth just so he could harvest more heart and power from it. Mad, right?"And his madness only grew, leading him to amass five more of those celestial bodies until—"But the Royal Family took the stones from him before he could do some irreparable damage on the world. There's no way that's in Arckwar. The institution would be in serious trouble." Blanche's voice trembled with panic and denial."Actually, before he was caught, Anghell had already scattered the other stones, and only one, his first momentous extraction, was left with him," Niccolo noted.A heavy silence descended upon us, and before another word could be uttered, I pushed my chair back and rose to my feet."Where are you going?" Kaede asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion."The lavatory," I replied, meeting his skeptical gaze."Are you sure?" Niccolo questioned. "Or are you just going to spy on Reyyyvurrr," he teased, his head dancing sideways and eyes fluttering like he's been possessed.I turned sharply to face him. "Do you want me to pee on you?"He recoiled instantly, pulling his head back."I'll come with you," Blanche began, quickly standing up. Before Jolene could back her up, I gently placed my hand on the desk and breathed a spell, causing them to slip back into their seats unconsciously. The warmth of the desk radiated under my palms like slowly boiling water. Within seconds, Jolene, Blanche, and Niccolo felt drowsy, yawning as they slowly fell asleep on top of their notes.Kaede stared at me, wide-eyed. "What—" he began, pausing to glance around to see if anyone had noticed."No one saw a thing," I assured him with a smug grin. "I set up an Illusion Ward minutes before you dragged us in here. As far as everyone else is concerned, this table is occupied by three teens who haven't bathed in four days and are desperately cramming for the exams."Kaede glared at me in disbelief, then sighed in frustration."Now, come on, I need your help," I said, urgency in my voice as I rushed out of the library. It took only a moment before I heard Kaede's footsteps echoing down the hall behind me."Cici, this is an awful idea," he warned, catching up to me.I whipped around a sharp left and began descending the grand staircase. "I haven't even told you what the plan is yet," I retorted."I don't require the specifics; I'm already aware that it's a profoundly ill-conceived and perilous plan." His voice dropped to a whisper as students climbed the stairs opposite us."Aren't you even a little curious?" I asked, glancing over my shoulder."Curious about what, precisely? And was it absolutely necessary to put your friends and Niccolo under a sleeping spell? What if Claude were to wake up?""Oh, Claude won't be waking up anytime soon—he's off in dreamland, living his best life and definitely not in a hurry to leave. And as for Niccolo, why not?" I chuckled. "And Jolene and Blanche definitely need the break; they've been hitting the books hard since the start of the week." I added with a sarcastic shrug. I didn't know he cared."Alright, you've made your point. But what exactly am I supposed to be curious about?""The stone," I said in a hushed tone as we reached the bottom of the stairs and made our way through the grandeur of the main atrium, where more warlocks passed by."The Academy is making every effort to recover it. Jairen mentioned that the Pillars have engaged Magus Sleuths from across the continent, including even Pilgrims, Historians, and Scholars, in the search for the Infernals. I don't see why it's any of your concern.""I just. . . can't shake the feeling that something's off.""You're being overly dramatic, Cici."Was I?I took a sharp left turn, guiding us onto a balcony that curved around the building, leaving us with only a few students in sight."This path leads to the staff residential courtyard," Kaede inquired, with a look of suspicion."I know, because that's where we're headed," I replied hurriedly, beginning the descent down the flights of stairs. "And I'm not overreacting, Kade. That Infernal could have chosen any dorm balcony, but it picked ours."Kaede fell silent, prompting me to glance back to ensure he was still following. He paused mid-step and sighed. "That. . . Well, I must admit, I found it rather unsettling at first as well. But there could be a multitude of explanations for that. One likely reason is that it seemed to have been seen descending from the Observatory Tower, according to Jairen, which is quite close to the girls' dormitories. Perhaps it was simply seeking a place to conceal itself, like all thieves do?" he added dryly."Then why did it seem to stare at me as though—" "You were awake?""Yes.""You saw it?""Yes.""It gazed upon you?""What's with the dramatic question?""Did it look at you?" Kaede asked, his tone sharp.I sighed and leaned against the brick wall. "I already said yes. Those ruby eyes—quite terrifying and creepy. I honestly thought I might have an accident right then and there," I chuckled, shivering as I recalled the incident. I shook my head. Well, it wasn't as terrifying as I initially thought; I was just caught off guard, I guess. But I certainly wouldn't want it visiting me again. I glanced at Kaede. "Why?"Kaede's expression clouded with a trace of frustration, as if it was somehow my fault that I had accidentally ended up entangled between Jairen and the Infernal's drama this morning. Then, just as abruptly, his demeanor shifted back to its usual cold and stern self. "Jairen never mentioned that you were awake.""Well, he charged in like a lightning bolt and took down the thing in a blink of an eye, and I was sort of behind him . . . I was on my way to the bathroom, you know?"Kaede opened his mouth, probably to fire off another question, when we both heard shuffling footsteps and voices from above. We quickly ducked and scrambled down the steps, spilling out into the staff residential courtyard."Cici, we're going to get caught," Kaede fretted."No, we're not," I assured him and chuckled.He let out an exasperated groan and threw his arms wide like a frustrated hawk. "sumda idalom slor," he chanted, casting a spell that enveloped us in a translucent, gloppy, blanket-like sphere, effectively camouflaging us from view."At the back," I instructed, guiding us around the residence house until we reached the backyard. There, we found ourselves in front of a weather-beaten wooden shack, its slender frame slanted backward with a flat roof and a drab, pale exterior. As I reached for the door knob, Kaede's hand shot out to seize mine. "Why are we trespassing? What's inside? Did you hide something in there? Is the stone there?" he asked delicately, raising his voice.I quickly covered his mouth and shot him a "what on earth" look before pulling my hand away. "No," I said, then pausing to allow a bashful grin to play on my lips. "But did you honestly believe I could single handedly steal the Aetherial Stone from one of the most highly guarded places in Arckwar Academy? You think I'm that powerful?"He swatted my hand away, "I think you're that much trouble," and pointed an accusing finger at me. "Cici, what is in there?" His eyes had darkened with worry."Won't you trust me?" I asked, my tone earnest.He glared at me, caught between a suspicious frown and that dangerously tempting curiosity that usually lands people in serious trouble. His eyes darted around, eyebrows knitting together as he surveyed the area, and then, with a dramatic sigh of resignation, he threw up his hands and accepted his fate. "Fine, but we need to hurry," he conceded, and I twisted the knob open. Darkness enveloped us as we entered, then the door creaked softly as it shut behind us. Instantly, floating bowls of fire flared to life overhead. This shack was no ordinary weathered structure but one of the secret passages leading to the dungeons. Though I wouldn't call it a secret now. The illusion ward Kaede had set up earlier receded until it vanished entirely.The floor, walls, and ceiling were pleasantly angled and constructed from thick, bulging graphite stones, their dark, imposing surface a sharp contrast to the structure's exterior. The scent, sweet and citrusy. Ahead, a silver metal gate stood with its padlock securely fastened. I approached the gate, with Kaede trailing slowly behind. Without touching, I directed my index finger toward the padlock, and felt a surge of magical energy—a thousand tingling pulses raced from my right shoulder to my elbow, spiraled around my wrist, and spread out through my hand until it converged at the tip of my finger. I willed the magic into action, and a slender red beam of light shot through the keyhole. A series of rapid clicks echoed through the space, and the padlock fell to the ground with a resounding thud.The gate opening forward of its own accord, made no sound. The bowl of flames continued its descent down the graphite-stone staircase, which now appeared flat and dry. Kaede and I peered down the steps, where only the initial flights were visible."Cici, where does that lead?" Kaede asked, his eyes flickering with hesitation as he glanced at me.I met his gaze with unwavering resolve and replied, "To the answers."*******************************************************Exactly ten minutes had passed since Kaede and I had slipped through the gate and carefully descended the spiraling staircase. Each footfall echoed sharply off the cold stone, and the bowls of fire suspended above us cast a flickering light on each step. Kaede's own creation, the Fylees—golden fireflies born from his unique fusion of magic and mundane technology—added illumination on our path. The staircase seemed to float unsupported in the darkness, with the hollow central core where a column should have been, is conspicuously missing. Everything else, however, was shrouded in pitch black."How on earth did you even come across this place?" Kaede asked, leading the way. Apparently, I had been too chicken to go first."Does it matter?" I replied."Yes, Legacie. I never would have imagined that such a dilapidated hut, hidden behind the staff quarters could conceal an entrance to the campus dungeons. Let alone that you'd know about it.""I have my ways," I replied.Kaede abruptly halted, causing me to lurch slightly and nearly lose my balance. I flailed my arms for stability, feeling as though I was surfing a tidal wave. Once I steadied myself, I snapped at him, "Don't stop so suddenly.""The stairs are sufficiently spacious enough to accommodate three average-sized men side by side. You'll be fine," he quipped. I scowled at him. "And upon further reflection, I believe it would be best if I remained oblivious to the manner in which you discovered this place. I think for once, I'd prefer to stay ignorant . . . and alive."I cracked a grin that escalated into a full-blown chuckle. That's one of the things I appreciate about him—he's not one to play the "wait and see" game with me. He gives up his inquiries with remarkable speed when I'm slow to provide answers and altogether evade his queries, preferring to tackle one issue at a time until his basket of questions are answered fully. He can control his curiosity and display patience—qualities I find myself lacking.How do I know this place? Well, let's just say it came to me in a dream—four years ago, to be exact. This is my first visit here, and now, every detail from that vivid dream is playing out exactly as I saw it. That's the whole story. I never take my dreams lightly. So, when they suddenly stopped last February, I knew something was seriously wrong. I mean there's always seriously something wrong with me. . . And this sudden, irresistible pull to follow that dream? It's tied to the Infernal. I can't fully explain it, but deep down, I know that today is the day I get to follow that vision in real life.When we finally reached what seemed to be the bottom of the stairs, the echoes of our footsteps vanished, leaving us in the presence of a single unquenched flame. Kaede summoned his golden-winged Fylees to scatter about as three small blue flames flickered ahead, hovering above three tunnel entrances."Cici, I trust you have a strategy planned in mind for this situation."I... think I do. I'm fairly certain I took a left turn.Or was it in the middle? No, I didn't go straight, that's for sure.I didn't turn right either. I remembered waking up with a stiff neck on my right side, so I know I didn't turn right.So where exactly is it?Middle?Left?Somewhere between middle and left?My eyes drifted to the floor, which was sandy but pitch-black, speckled with tiny, glistening particles—like someone had pulverized a pile of diamonds on it. The layer wasn't deep, more like a fine dusting of dirt. I remembered now. I began to walk, but this time, the flame overhead didn't follow. I signaled for Kaede's lightning bugs and they eagerly fell in line. I veered slightly left, then more toward the middle, stopping between the two tunnels. The wall before me was as sandy as the floor, black with thousands of tiny white dots, like stars scattered across a night sky.I heard Kaede shifting beside me. "Ci, is there a passage in that direction?" he inquired softly."I think so," I replied in the same hushed tone."Great," he said, dripping with sarcasm.I reached out and lightly touched the surface, feeling an instant chill. As my hand moved across it, the texture felt like brushing over a layer of coarse sand or finely crushed stones—not sharp, but smooth and almost soothing in a ticklish way. My fingers found a soft indentation on the wall, though it appeared perfectly level with the rest.Grasping Kaede's hand with one of mine while keeping my other hand on the small indentation, Kaede tried to withdraw his hand, but I maintained my grip. "Cici," he warned, his voice laced with concern. Clearly not in the mood for whatever this was. I shot him a look that clearly said, "You're going to want to see this.""Feel this; there's a slump," I said, guiding his hand back to the indentation.Kaede frowned and leaned closer to the wall, applying gentle pressure. "I feel it, but it doesn't seem to give," he murmured. He pressed harder until his hand slipped through the wall, and I gasped in amazement.He flinched and yanked his hand back. This was it! I plunged my fist into the slump in compensation, feeling around. "Rad," I whispered, then Kaede pulled my hand back."Be careful," he cautioned. "There's clearly a concealed passageway here, but to which room does it connect?" he asked, panting, his nerves clearly alight with either excitement or terror—I chose to believe it was excitement.I pressed against the slump again, my hands spread wide, while my other hand explored further down. Just as I was about to stick my head in, Kaede stopped me once more. "Cici, how about we use the Fylees, first." Alright, better them than me.He conducted the robot bugs and formed a replica of his anatomical outline and stepped onto the passage before vanishing to the other side. We were swallowed by darkness again, the only light coming from the flickering blue flames at intervals along the three tunnels. Kaede stood there in profound silence, eyes glued to the wall like it was the last episode of his favorite daytime soap.I flinched as the Fylees' mechanical arm shot out from the wall, reaching for us like it had a personal grudge. Kaede grabbed my hand before taking its cold, metallic grip. We were yanked in fast, the sensation akin to having a soft fleece blanket whipped away from my face.When we landed, everything looked exactly the same: the same dark, shadowy space, sandy floor, and the flickering flame at the base of the stairs. We'd ended up in the same place we'd just left. How. Huh???"Isn't this the same place?" Kaede asked, his voice tinged with confusion.Then a cool, thick breeze brushed against us. "I don't think so. It looks identical, but I'm sure we're in a different chamber," I said, feeling the air shift around me. This was as far as my dream had gone; the rest was up to Kaede and me. "And look, no tunnels here," I pointed out, gesturing at the walls.Kaede craned his neck and scanned the area. He commanded his spasming bugs to disperse, their mechanical forms exploding into a flurry of fireflies that scattered throughout the dim dungeon space."Alright, so where are we right now?" He started tracing the wall, his pets buzzing behind him and even directing some of them to spread out. "And how do you plan to get us back?""The same way we came in, obviously," I replied."The slump's gone, Ci. See for yourself."I spun around and examined the wall we had come through, pressing against it like it owed me money. He was right. The indentation had vanished. Ohhh. As I looked for Kaede, I saw him running his hand over the walls near the foot of the stairs. That's when one of his golden boys flitted around the staircase, revealing a hidden tunnel just around the bend. "Kaede," I called, grinning. I hurried towards it, circling the staircase. As I reached the entrance, an icy white flame ignited atop the tunnel's arch.I studied it when a creeping chill slowly enveloped my body. Kaede materializing next to me remained unperturbed and calm, a testament to his Elemental Domain of Ice-Cryomancy. Sunburst would be incredibly useful at this moment; only subtle tiny bursts might just save the day, for me. As that thought popped into my head, a silent thrill coursed through my body, warmth spreading from within and radiating outward. Hahh, tiny bursts are fine."Do you think this is the solution to my query earlier?" Kaede murmured, his brows lifting with intrigue.I grinned, "Only one way to find out."I lifted my leg and took a cautious step forward. When nothing happened, I proceeded fully into the tunnel. The walls were still rugged, bulging graphite stones, but instead of the usual bowls of flames, the space glowed with a silvery-blue hue, casting just enough light for us to navigate. What exactly is there to navigate? It's a straight-path tunnel and a visible light at the far end, a small, clouded white light was breathing gently like a baby. The floor was much sandier here than before, with grains crunching softly beneath our boots. Kaede and I exchanged a resolute glance and continued forward."What do you think is at the end?" I asked, my curiosity tinged with anticipation."Something significant, something well-guarded, and something you'll likely flee from, abandoning me in the process," he said in a deadpan tone, causing me to laugh."Such a beacon of optimism," I retorted, dripping with sarcasm.A hint of a smile tugged at his lips. "Did you perceive this in a vision?" he asked abruptly."I thought you were against knowing all the nitty-gritty details?" I teased."I'm worried," he confessed. "The last time your visions guided us, we found ourselves at the bottom of the Domage Well in Abrahall Estate. Don't you recall?"I do now. But that wasn't the last time."I'm surprised you still remember that.""We were only 8 and 7 years old. And I have always had an exceptional memory."The light at the far end grew brighter, surpassing the glow of the graphite stones, and beckoned us forward."You'd better brace yourself, Ci," he warned."I already have," I replied, as we cautiously advanced toward the flickering light.We emerged from the tunnel and stepped into a vast, thousand-foot cavern, where the sheer scale and splendor nearly knocked the wind out of me. Judging by the wide-eyed expression on Kaede's face, he was just as awestruck. The cavern walls, smooth and slick, soared around us, catching and reflecting the faint light from the water below. The floor, a stunning expanse of marbled white, flecked with grains of white sand that lay scattered near the archway where we'd just entered. Beyond the sandy patches, a pool of water shimmered with an icy blue hue, so still it looked like a sheet of glass—except for the centerpiece. At the cavern's core, a slow-moving whirlpool graced the marble floor, spiraling upward forming a delicate saucer at its peak. The water spun gently, each droplet gliding and multiplying with every turn in a languid, mesmerizing dance, as if time itself seemed to be in no rush here."Are we in another realm?" Kaede asked, his voice echoing off the cavern walls as I sauntered over to the slow-moving whirlpool at the center. Peering inside, I found it void of anything tangible, except for the swirling mass of white and blue luminescence that resembled a giant, astral vortex."No, we're definitely still in Arckwar," I said confidently, as Kaede joined me at the edge, squinting down as well."It's vacant. It seems that this is where the Aetherial Stone once rested, before it was taken," he speculated."Hmm . . . we can't be sure.""Why not?""Because the entrance is too easy? No guards, no traps—it's almost as if they want us to waltz right in? I mean, I know we entered an invisible passage but it all seemed too easy. No wonder it got stolen.""Or . . . perhaps the stone's already been stolen, so there's no need to bolster security. Why protect something that's no longer here?" he added with a grin, his tone laced with condescension.I stared at him, letting his words sink in. "Still."He chuckled, clearly amused by my ignorant persistence.I recalled the events from my dream. What did I do next?Kaede began carefully investigating the cavern, peeking down into the water. "Nothing's visible down there. The water is a dense blue, but it's not ice," he noted, letting his hand skim the surface sending ripples through the water. While he continued his meticulous exploration, I crouched in front of the whirlpool, trying to recall my dream.As I examined the slow turn of the water, its movement is sort of like a dance of complex details. Its slow, deliberate, graceful, rotation so gentle that it seems almost hypnotic. Tiny bubbles rise lazily with the same slow motion to the surface, catching the light in fleeting glimmers. The edges are fringed with faint, frothy streaks, where the water curls and churns with soft, whispering sounds. Looking closely at it is almost meditative.Then, I spotted it—gliding gracefully through the whirlpool was a diminutive pale green mermaid, effortlessly riding the languid current. Though I had no personal connection to this tiny being, a surge of warmth and a deep, resonant vibration welled up in my chest, accompanied by another fleeting, chilling ripple across my skin, like standing in a cold mist. But there was a comfort to it. "Amathaisah," I breathed, startled by the name slipping from my lips as if I had known her intimately. A thunderous rumble echoed through the cavern, shaking the very walls as though it might collapse. The shrunken mermaid vanished from the whirlpool, leaving me to circle frantically, searching for her presence, but she was nowhere to be seen. "Kaede!" I shouted, catching sight of him already sprinting toward me."What was that?" he asked wide eyed, his voice laced with urgency as soon as he reached me. "We need to leave, now." He grabbed my arm hastily as the ground beneath our boots trembled, making the floor already slick as an ice rink even more treacherous. We were heading back toward the tunnel when the sand around us surged upward, forming a sword-like X-shaped bristling with spikes, completely blocking our path."Whoa," I gasped, nearly losing my footing.Kaede and I backed away. "Did you touch anything?" he asked, his tone sharp with frustration."Me? No! Weren't you the one splashing around like a kid at a waterpark?" I shot back.His eyes dropped, looking as done with me as a cat with a cucumber. Another rumble jolted us, and Kaede instinctively shifted into a defensive stance, ready to chant a spell, when the shaking abruptly ceased. The menacing sand weapon still blocked the tunnel entrance. I never imagined sand could look so threatening, it looked like a sandcastle on steroids—just another reason to avoid the beach."It stopped," Kaede said, his breath coming in labored gasps. No shit, Captain Obvious. I gripped his arm, which was protectively extended in front of me."How do we get out of here?" I asked, my voice barely audible as the oppressive silence pressing down on us. We both scanned the cavern for an escape."We should—" a deafening thunderous splash roared through the cavernous space, cutting him off and forcing us to our knees. Water poured down on us in a sudden deluge, drenching us from head to toe. Kaede and I whirled around, just in time to witness a larger scale of the whirlpool, far grander than the small one at the center, make its dramatic entrance. I found myself contemplating my imminent rendezvous with the afterlife.Before us loomed a titanic entity, towering half the height of the cavern. Its pale, glowing green skin shimmered with tiny dusted flecks that resembled powder—or perhaps tiny hairs? Her long, dark green hair cascaded endlessly into the depths below. Only the upper half of her torso emerged from the water, but the scaly, glittering pattern of her tail, with its metal-like sheen, was partially visible and radiated through the surface."Is that a guardian?" Kaede asked, his voice tinged with awe."I have no idea," I replied, equally mystified.