Something Bigger Part 1

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

         "We must wait for the whirlpool to turn white before we jump." Eric said. "But once it does, you cannot hesitate." He stared at Aden until he nodded.

         "I'm not really sure what I expected when I started this, but jumping into a swirling poll of water didn't make my list." Aden joked.

         But Eric didn't respond. Instead, he studiously reread the piece of parchment he'd read so many times in the last few days. 'Immerse yourself in the swirling whirlpool. But only with a clear reflection will you reach your destination.' Eric glanced toward the canopy above the small lake. A single aged tree grew in a small island and best ever so slightly to shield the water. A curse escaped in a whisper - there was no time to work their way across to another open portion of water.

         At first, Eric himself was going to climb the tree and force it to bend even further, but with despair, he realized that Aden would be unable to perform the casting. "I need you to bend that tree out of the way." He pointed.

         Aden followed Eric's finger to the tree on the island nearly 50 feet into the lake. He cast an inquisitive look at Eric, but Eric was already back at the cart doing a few final preparations. So Aden grudgingly waded out into the cold lake water and within the first several steps, started to shiver. The water worked it's way up his clothes and there were a few steps Aden had to swim instead of walk. It wasn't long before Aden dragged himself up the tall tree, each firm foothold taking him higher into the brisk air.

         "Bend it toward me." Eric instructed, so that's what Aden planned to do.

         He reached the top of the tree where only a few branches protruded from the tree's narrow center. He embraced that narrow center before rocking to and fro, emphasizing the rock that brought him, and the tree, closer to Eric.

         "I'm not sure this is going to work!" called Aden hesitantly. "And I cannot guarantee I'll be able to hold this thing bent for very long."

         But Eric knew that. And he had planned for that, already worked out the timing. "Just bend it! You won't need to hold it for long!"

         So Aden continued rocking and before long, his weigh had the tree leaning steeply toward Eric. His descent sped and Aden found himself shuffling his grip to keep himself anchored to the bending tree.

         "You had better be ready!" He shouted, incredibly unsure of his grip. As the tree slowed, quite suddenly, it tried to flick Aden off. But he held on and dangled feet about the water.

         Eric glanced anxiously at the small, but existent, shadow of the tree on the lake. "Can you bend it anymore?" He yelled. But as he lay eyes on Aden's dangling form, he muttered, "Right." He then cursed, prayed, and threw his mixes into the lake, muttering the memorized incantation. His voice grew louder until it echoed among the forest trees and over the lake water.

         The lake water began to circle Aden and his tree island. The current sped and, were it possible, Aden's grip would have tightened alongside the muscles in his chest. Eric stood feet from the shore, having stumbled away from the water, and watched the lake anxiously.  "White, turn white!" he breathed urgently. The water swirled and swirled and turned the black of a moonless night, regardless of the clear moonlight above.

         Eric's heart sank.

         But as the current began to rise even further, it absorbed the moonlight and started to shine and Eric grew hopeful once more. It was working!

         "My grip!" Aden yelled, one hand already nearly off the tree. The water continued to glimmer silver-white in placed, but it would be several moments before the portal would be consistent.

         "You mustn't enter the water before the portal is fully formed! Creatures lurk int he blackness in between!" Eric warned, his voice barely audible above the roar of the water.

         "I can't," Aden yelled. And with that, one hand's grip was gone and the other was fast failing.

         "Hold on! Just a moment more!" But Aden's howl answered Eric before words had a chance. The lake flashed white a fraction of a moment before Aden crashed into the violently churning water, which promptly swallowed him.

            "Aden!" Eric hollered. He dove into the lake without a thought.