Reverence (A gothic Romantasy)

Chapter fifteen

Josie sat at Odessa's lake with her feet submerged in the cool, magical water, humming softly to herself. The surface of the lake shimmered with floating orbs of light, casting an ethereal glow around her. She listened to the symphony of insects and the subtle sounds of the night coming alive. As she lightly kicked her feet, sending gentle splashes into the air, she felt a sense of tranquility wash over her. The tranquility was soon interrupted by a distant, rhythmic beating of wings. The sound grew louder, resonating through her body like thunder. Josie lifted her eyes to the star-studded sky and gasped. Above her, soaring majestically through the air, was an enormous dragon, as dark as onyx. The sheer size and power of the creature took her breath away. It was Creed.

She had never seen Creed in his beast form before. Where had he been coming from? She remembered him saying he had been perched on the mountain when he saw her enter the dark forest. Josie swallowed hard, her chest tightening with a mix of awe and trepidation. She had never seen anything so horrifically beautiful. Creeds scales glistened under the moonlight, his wings spanning wide, creating a dark silhouette against the sky.
Her chest ached, and she instinctively placed a hand over her heart, trying to steady her racing pulse. The sight of Creed's dragon form was overwhelming, a blend of terror and fascination. Josie's mind buzzed with questions, but she knew there were no immediate answers. She needed to process what she had just witnessed.
Josie tore her gaze away from the sky and returned her eyes to the water. The orbs of light on the lake's surface continued their gentle dance, a stark contrast to the powerful image of the dragon above. She stared at the water for a few moments, her thoughts swirling. The ripples in the water began to settle, and Josie noticed a reflection that caught her attention. Curiosity piqued, she leaned forward, squinting her eyes to get a clearer view. The reflection was not just of her own face, but something else, something hidden beneath the surface. She dipped her hand into the water, disturbing the reflection momentarily, but as the ripples subsided, the image became clearer.

                        Photo via Pinterest

What she saw was faint but unmistakable: an ancient, ornate key. It glowed with a soft, otherworldly light, seemingly suspended far below the surface of the lake. Josie's heart skipped a beat. Could this be the key she had been searching for? The one to unlock the chest in the ruins?
She reached further into the water, her fingers stretching towards the shimmering key. The water felt cool and tingling, as if it were infused with magic. The orbs around her seemed to pulse gently, as if encouraging her to take the key.
With a careful, deliberate movement, Josie stood and readied herself to dive into the water, she took several steadying breaths and dove in. Beneath the moonlit surface of the enchanted lake, Josie's strokes were steady and determined, each pull drawing her deeper into the cool, shimmering depths. The water sparkled with an ethereal glow, illuminating her path as she swam toward the unseen bottom. As she descended, a faint light grew clearer, revealing an astonishing sight:
The key. As soon as her fingers closed around it, a wave of warmth spread through her hand and up her arm. Josie started swimming upwards and burst from the surface, gasping hungrily for breath. She pulled it out of the water, holding it up to the moonlight. The key was intricately designed, with delicate patterns etched into its surface, glowing faintly with an inner light.

Josie sat back, marveling at her discovery. The key felt significant, as if it held the answers she had been seeking. She couldn't help but wonder what secrets the chest in the ruins would reveal now that she had the means to open it. Her mind raced with possibilities, each one more intriguing than the last.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft thud nearby. Josie turned her head and saw Creed, now in his human form, standing at the edge of the lake. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were fixed on the key in her hand.
"You found it," Creed said, his voice low and filled with a mixture of surprise and approval. He took a step closer, his presence imposing yet comforting. "I didn't expect you to discover it here."
Josie looked up at him, her heart still pounding from the recent revelations. "Neither did I," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was just... I don't even know how I saw it."

Creed nodded, his gaze shifting from the key to her face. "The lake has its own magic. It reveals things to those who seek answers with a pure heart." He crouched down beside her, his eyes intense and focused. "This key is important, Josie. It's not just about the chest. It's about what it represents and what it can unlock within you."
Josie swallowed, feeling the weight of his words. She knew there was truth in them, even if she didn't fully understand it yet. "What do we do now?" she asked, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her.
Creed's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "We prepare. The key is just the beginning. There's much more to uncover, and you'll need to be ready for what lies ahead." He stood up, extending a hand to help her to her feet. "Come on, let's head back. We have work to do." Josie took his hand, feeling a surge of determination. With the key clutched tightly in her other hand, she knew her journey was far from over. But with Creed by her side, she felt ready to face whatever challenges awaited them. Together, they walked away from the lake, the orbs of light continuing their silent dance, guiding them back to the academy and towards the unknown future.