The glowing path led them back to the edge of the glass lake. The water stretched out before them, impossibly still, reflecting the stars and trees with such precision that it felt like another world entirely. Caspian stared at it, the Keeper's words echoing in his mind.
"Return to the lake," he muttered, kneeling at the water's edge. "The answers are in its depths."
Ellara stood beside him, her expression tense. "The lake is not what it seems. It doesn't just reflect what's above—it reveals what lies beneath. Your truths, your fears, your fate. Once you step into it, there's no going back."
Caspian's jaw tightened as he glanced up at her. "You've done this before."
She hesitated, her emerald eyes flickering with something unreadable. "Yes. And it nearly destroyed me."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with warning, but Caspian shook his head. "If this is the only way to find answers, I'll take the risk."
Ellara reached for his arm, her grip firm. "This isn't bravery, Caspian. It's madness. The lake doesn't just show you the truth—it makes you face it. And if you're not strong enough…"
"I'll be fine," he interrupted, his voice steady. "I have to do this."
Ellara's grip loosened, but her gaze didn't waver. "Then I'm coming with you."
He raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said it nearly destroyed you."
"It did," she said softly. "But I survived. And if you're going to face the lake, you'll need someone who knows what to expect."
Caspian nodded, grateful for her resolve. Together, they stepped into the lake.
The water was warmer than Caspian had expected, wrapping around him like silk as he waded deeper. It didn't ripple or splash, remaining perfectly still, as if it were made of glass. The stars in the reflection seemed to pulse, growing brighter with each step.
Ellara moved beside him, her staff glowing faintly, casting a soft light around them. "Whatever you see, don't lose focus," she said, her voice low. "The lake will try to pull you under—into memories, fears, illusions. You have to hold on to what's real."
Caspian nodded, though his heart pounded in his chest. The water rose to his waist, then his chest, until finally, they were submerged entirely.
The world around them shifted.
Caspian opened his eyes to find himself standing in a field of golden grass that stretched as far as the eye could see. The sky was a deep shade of violet, with two moons hanging low on the horizon. It was a place he didn't recognize, yet it felt oddly familiar.
"Where are we?" he asked, turning to Ellara.
But she wasn't there.
"Ellara?" he called, his voice echoing in the vast emptiness.
A faint whisper reached his ears, carried on a nonexistent breeze. He turned, and the golden grass began to wither, turning black and brittle. Shadows crept across the field, and with them came the unmistakable sound of footsteps.
"Caspian," a voice called—a voice he knew too well.
He froze, his breath catching in his throat. Slowly, he turned, and there she was: his sister, Anya. Her dark hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, and her blue eyes sparkled with the warmth he remembered. But there was something wrong. Her skin was pale, almost translucent, and her figure flickered like a candle flame.
"Anya?" he whispered, his voice cracking.
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Why did you leave me?"
The question struck him like a blow. "I didn't leave you," he said, stepping toward her. "You—you were taken from me."
Her expression hardened. "You could have saved me."
The words echoed in his mind, dredging up memories he had buried deep: the day the palace was attacked, the fire, the screams, and Anya's hand slipping from his grasp as the soldiers dragged her away.
"It wasn't my fault," he said, his voice trembling.
"Wasn't it?" she asked, her form shifting. Her eyes turned cold, her smile twisting into something cruel. "You're a prince, Caspian. You had power. You had choices. And yet you chose to save yourself."
"No!" he shouted, his fists clenching. "I tried! I tried to save you!"
The shadows around her deepened, and her form began to dissolve, melting into the darkness. "You will always fail," her voice whispered, echoing in the void.
Caspian fell to his knees, his hands gripping the blackened grass. The weight of her words crushed him, threatening to drag him under.
But then, a hand gripped his shoulder, pulling him back.
"Caspian!" Ellara's voice cut through the darkness.
He looked up to see her standing over him, her staff glowing brightly. The shadows recoiled from its light, retreating into the edges of the field.
"This isn't real," she said firmly, pulling him to his feet. "The lake is trying to break you. Don't let it win."
He nodded, his breath shaky. "I saw her," he said. "I saw Anya."
Ellara's expression softened, but she didn't let go of his arm. "I know," she said. "The lake shows you what you fear most. But it's not the truth. It's just a reflection."
Caspian took a deep breath, steadying himself. The golden grass began to regrow, the shadows fading entirely.
"We need to keep moving," Ellara said, her grip tightening. "The lake isn't done with you yet."
Caspian nodded, determination hardening his features. Whatever the lake had in store, he would face it. For Anya. For the truth. For his freedom.