The Parallel Paths

Disgusting Monstrosity's Below

It had been a few hours since the two embarked on their journey. Sure they were unexperienced though don't underestimate them, too bad that's not how everyone thought. Those who did, would meet their fate if ever crossing paths.

A flower, slowly freezing upwards. Once so vibrant and colorful now resting in the hands of death, slowly withering away. The frost was just reaching the tip, barely reaching the bud.

"That storm, it's spreading fast yeah?" Suggested Elara, her finger tip just barely sliding off the bud as she observed the flower, pulling her cloak over her golden locks.

Zack was standing there looking down at her with his arms folded across his chest. He scoffed, rolling his eyes and looking away.

"Isn't the whole point of a cloak to be discreet? You're like a walking star with that gold." He teased, a faint grin curving in the corner of his lips.

Elara scowled, slightly embarrassed but mostly annoyed. She then stood upwards, turning back towards him.

"That isn't what I asked." She replied, annoyance lacing her voice thickly.

He chuckled, only laughing or smiling whenever Elara was insulted or when he was the one insulting her. Elara hated his immaturity.

After a moment he did take her question into consideration, nodding his head slowly yet firmly before speaking.

"Yeah it is, we have to be quick while keeping an eye out for Alice." He muttered, narrowing his gaze to stare out into the distance.

The land ahead was slightly dull and misty. Frost building up thin grass leaves or ice icicles staring to form on the tree branches if not already there.

The air was cold, a whirling breeze fluttering past the two that was slightly wet. It was hard to see through the thickets of the trees but up ahead was more forest, it was confusing and almost frustrating.

The two had been walking for about an hour. Zack was watching for anything lurking in the bunches while Elara read the map. It had been silent the entire time with a few teasing from Zack or directions from Elara. The queen had left them with a map showcasing all of Lemuria, their first stop was the fire kingdom.

The two were coming up on a swamp, the smell was rancid like someone had died. The water was green sewage and caked with moss. The cattail's were massive, swaying roughly in the breeze.

"You fucking stink man." Elara muttered out of no where, pinching her nose and making a face of disgust.

"I KNEW YOU WOULD FUCKING SAY THAT!!" Zack exclaimed, quickly turning over to glare at her deadly with annoyance. Elara instantly started to giggle, covering her smile with a hand.

Zack sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a groan of annoyance and shaking his head in disappointment.

"That isn't even me, it's the stupid swamp up ahead." He grumbled, shoving his hands into the deep pockets of his baggy pants, frowning.

"Yeah.... sure...." Elara muttered suspiciously, still not fully convinced but in her heart she knew it was the swamp up ahead. Zack about to reply until he saw her eyes narrowing down closely to the map.

"What?" He questioned, glancing over to her.

"There's been nothing but trees for miles now." Muttered Elara, Zack glancing over her shoulder and staring at the map.

"Why the hell is a fire kingdom next to the forest anyway? There are so many things wrong with that." He grumbled, placing a hand on top of Elara's head and smushing it down, trying to get a better look at the map.