Mystictale

The Serenity River

The Serenity River
((Luna Up Above Chapter))

°Historia's Pov°

Aszia bid me farewell as I waved to her as I left her hollow tree home. As I walked onto the grass opening in front of Aszia's home, I took out the scroll she had given me. I had woken up early to get a head start.... Aszia gave me a simple hint.. That the river was called Serenity River and I was looking for a woman named Luna.

The scroll was thankfully in English but was also a map and guide. If you wish for sanctuary, follow the river of peace. And let the river be your guide to safety.

I recalled the words Aszia used as I studied the intricate designs of the flowing map. It looked as if it was made of water, flowing and seemingly easy to follow.

According to the map, the river was only a few hours walk from here. Not too bad, considering how I believed that maps can be overexagerating the distance. But we'll see how it goes!

I began my journey to the river, slowly but surely.... I'll have my freedom.

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The sound of running water splashing against rocks made my head snap up in hope. I looked around frantically to see a long river right in front of me. Hallelujah! I ran to it, dropping my satchel by the edge and dropping to my knees before ducking my face into the cool, refreshing water.

I gasped at how cold it was and splashed water over my body and drank huge gulps of it.

"What do you think you're doing?"

I stopped mid sip of the hand ful of water I had and looked below my hands to see a girl.

I shrieked in surprise, falling backwards and my butt landing in the dirt. Jesus Christ she scared the living hell out of me!

The girl tilted her head, resting her elbows on the dirt edge of the river. Then I noticed something very interesting. Half of her face was shimmering like blue florescent scales and the other half was quite normal except for the light blue skin. And her eyes... They were black with glowing blue irises.

"H-Hello." I greeted though the girl glared at me and narrowed her eyes.

"Hello. But mind I ask you why you are drinking the water of Serenity River?" The girl interrogated. I felt my heart stop for a second and my eyes seemed to widen with hope. I made it?! Yes!

Then the situation at hand made me clear my throat and act more polite. "I'm sorry for drinking the water. I have been traveling for hours to reach this river. And I'm looking for a woman... Her name is Luna?" I stood, dusting my butt off of the dirt.

The girl just smirked, her eyes softening. "I accept you apology and you're looking at her. I'm Luna. Goddess of the Serenity River." she snapped her fingers and a ball of water appeared to be floating above her hand.

"Hand me your canteen." she instructed, staring at my satchel. I quickly and without hesitation gave her the canteen. I was afraid she would throw that water at me.

Or get angry if I didn't. She's quite scary to argue with. I watched as she took the canteen from my palm and directed the water into it, making me smile gratefully.

As she handed the canteen back to me, I bowed my head politely before saying a thousand thank yous.

Luna laughed and waved her hands. "Your welcome. It's the least I could do for you since you were very honest. Honesty is the first thing you must prove to me to flow down the river."

I nodded. "Yes. I'm looking for a calm and nonviolent place to live... You see, I ran away from home. In search of sanctuary and in peace. So Aszia guided me to you, saying you can help me."

Luna grinned and laid her head on her arms as if interested in what more I have to say. "Aszia? The Griffin? I'm surprised she didn't kill you. How come?"

I was at a loss on that one. I honestly have no idea why she spared me. She did say I was different but not how I was different than the rest of my kind. Which is utterly strange to me.

"All she said was to come to you. So can you help me?" I disregarded her question and I saw her frown before sighing.

"Yes. I can help you. But you have to prove me that you are not selfish.... I want you to prove to me you are fearless. Your fear is heights, no?" Luna lifted her head and stared at me for some form of conformation.

I blinked at her, feeling chills roll down my spine and my blood run cold. Heights. I've always hated them. Even as a baby, My mother told me I hated going to the top of the hill in Terrasis.

I gulped before answering with a soft 'yes'. Luna smiled and snapped her fingers again, this time the air below me swifted me off my feet and high into the air.

I screamed in fear as I went higher and higher. "If you stop screaming and calm yourself down, you will prove to me. I'll give you 15 seconds to do that." I heard Luna say from below me in the river.

I whimpered and looked around. There was no escape... And from this height I could possibly die. I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this! I was hyperventilating and panicking, my heart rate increasing by the seconds that went by.

But as time went on, I felt my head go fuzzy and then... Silence. I was calm, and floaty like I was underwater. I let out a deep breath as I felt myself be lowered quickly to the ground.

Once my feet touched the ground, I opened my eyes and pressed a hand to my chest. Luna clapped and giggled enthusiastically. Why did she do that?! What did that prove?!

"This task proved to me you were fearless and willing to give up your fears.. For peace. Well done. Now, I will give you two items that will help you on your journey. One being a sword of my people. The blade itself is called Yssgrasil (Ya-gra-sil). And the other, a crafted raft for you to sail upon. I wish you pleasant traveling." Luna handed me a narrow wrapped in leather sword that seemed to have a light blue tint to the steel.

While I studies the fine sword, I hadn't noticed the floating and small boat rocking against the edge of the river. I gaped at Luna before smiling like a fool and bowing my head in respect.

"Thank you."

"Your very welcome. And to reach you destined place of peace.. You must go North to the Land of Elves and beyond that I cannot say. But the Elves shall help you once you arrive there! Farwell, Historia the Human!"

And then she submerged underwater, leaving me to get on the boat and push it off the edge. The river seemed to do all the work so I just sat against the small mast and pulled out the map and my charcoal pencil.

I wrote Luna the Moon Goddess under the Serenity River and with the huge tree I labeled Aszia the Griffin of Wisedom.

I smiled and closed my eyes as the boat rocked me soothingly into a deep and calm sleep.