The Life I Gained From Dying

Chapter 14 - Entrance and Exit

Damien and Ty stood before Lake Aestus with the others waiting closely behind them. Water from the lake began to swirl around the group as they created two breathing pockets to enter Aestus. Damien, Treya and Via were in one pocket while Ty, Faye and Aaron were in the next. Aaron tried to mask his disbelief as they descended into the dark lake. Faye took notice of his shifting expressions and his alternating gazes.

"How can you see where we're going?" Aaron asked. "Even when guiding us here through the forest, you guys didn't need a light."

"Call it a form of evolution." Faye answered. "Living down here for generations has forced the people of Aestus to adapt to the conditions down here."

"You've developed a sort of night vision."

"You're a smart one." Faye replied.

"Thanks."

This is insane. Aaron thought. There's so much to take in with this situation. We began talking underwater like it was natural. If this is an application of water essence then this stuff is incredible.

As the two bubbles detached from the suspended lake, Aaron was gifted the view of Aestus for the first time. The artificial sun was dim, but bright enough to illuminate the entire cave which housed the village.

"Welcome to Aestus." Both Elder Treya and Faye said to Aaron and Via.

Elder Mildred and Kenzo awaited their arrival in the landing zone while majority of the villagers were fast asleep. Both bubbles made their way to the ground, and the water from each bubble flooded into the soil around them.

"Welcome back sisters." Mildred stated.

Mildred took glances at both Aaron and Via but didn't acknowledge them anymore than that.

"I assume your trip was successful?"

"In many ways, but this isn't the place to talk about that." Faye replied.

"What happened with Mai and the others?" Treya asked.

"They fought a stage one Arashi on their own." Mildred replied. "They won but it wasn't exactly easy for them. Mai and the boy are resting at sister Aira's residence. The child is recuperating at her own home."

"Once their all alright." Treya said with a sigh. "We should prepare for a gathering in the morning. I'm going to sister Aira's place to talk with him. Kenzo would you accompany me please."

"...Kenzo." Aaron muttered to himself.

"When you get to Aestus, ask Kenzo to show you Kaden." Aaron remembered the words of the unknown man that appeared to him before.

Then... is Kaden really here? Aestus, Kenzo... Kaden. He's walking away Aaron, come on, call out to him. If there's a chance I have to take it.

Aaron took a step forward and hesitantly raised both of his frozen hands towards the backs of Kenzo and Elder Treya. Before he could mutter a single letter from his lips, a blade of ice extended towards his neck. The tip of the blade pressed against his skin just enough to draw a single stream of blood.

"You remember what I said right?" Damien asked. "Don't try anything down here, you won't be shown any leniency in terms of punishment."

"Stop it!" Via shouted.

She tried to step between Damien and Aaron but Ty held onto her shoulder.

"I must ask you both to be as quiet as possible." Elder Mildred stated. "We don't want to be disturbing the villagers with something like this. Of course if you don't comply we can always freeze your mouths shut."