The Lost Kingdom (The Fifth Element Chronicles)

Chapter 9 [part 2]

With the evening before us announcing the nightfall, we saw the River of Lies glistening.

It was no ordinary River, it was a sort of perfect display of water, shimmering and sparkling. The crystal clear water reflected the last rays of the day's sun.

'Are you sure this is it?' I asked standing next to him and looking at the map.

He, quickly pulled the map out of my view.

'Of course it is. I know how to read a map.'

'I'm not saying you don't, but how did you know it was called that?'

'The map says so princess.'

'So you've never been here before?'

'No, I didn't even know it existed.'

'Then how can you be sure that...?'

'Hush.'

A female voice shouted to us from beneath our feet.

A beautiful mermaid pulled her torso out of the water, holding what I assumed was her tail in the water.

'You're talking too loud and you won't stop arguing, you must be husband and wife. I'm trying to sleep for all the Gods. How I hate marital arguments.'

'We're not...' we said at the same time and earned a smile from the mermaid.

She was truly stunning, with red hair, freckles and big green eyes. Her eyes resembled her giant fin that sloshed with every move she made.

'Relax, it was a joke. Are you lost?'

Caelus crouched down to her level and watched her with his blue eyes. Did he want to seduce her? I was disgusted.

'Actually, we just found what we were looking for,' he replied with a smile.

'We are here for the test,' I stepped forward, not putting up with another minute of that game they both wanted to play.

Caelus stood up and glared at me angrily. I wasn't going to waste time with his attempts to seduce the mermaid.

She changed her expression.

She went from laughing, to serious in just a second.

'I don't know what you're talking about.'

'You know very well what we're talking about,' I replied now approaching her.

I was tired of getting nothing, of looking and not finding. I wanted once and for all to be given the chance to get what I wanted. I didn't want to lose again, this time I would win. I would achieve my goal. No matter who stood in my way.

So yes, I was rude and maybe a little mean, but it was necessary.

'Gaia...' Caelus wanted to intervene, I guess he didn't expect my reaction.

'Gaia?' repeated the mermaid. 'As in Gaia the princess of Crescendo? The one who brought back the magic?'

I didn't lower my gaze, I kept looking at her to show her that I really was. I couldn't look weak now.

'I can't believe it. The little princess saves the magic and now she wants to find the Tree of Life.'

'I thought you didn't know what we were talking about,' I replied with speed.

She smiled.

'Very clever. All right, I'll help you. But I just have to ask, are you sure you want to face the test? Once you agree there's no turning back.'