Crustel

Chapter 43

      After the overwhelming moment, I held the scroll tightly and walked towards the exit. I knew the truth. I didn't turn myself into a mermaid. Although Lexter was a sling, he still had his powers. We both swam and got back to the waterfall. It was night. The stars were shining bright but not as bright as the silver moon. We were wet. "Can't we stay in the tent for a while? We need to rest. I never knew being a sling would be tiring," Lexter said with his tired voice. "Only an hour," I said as I walked towards the woods. "Hey, you agreed to rest but where are you going?" He asked. "I will be back in an hour!" I roared. He stayed silent. He went into the tent as I went to the woods. My amulet started glowing in green. "Who's this?" I asked as I didn't close my eyes. I heard evil laughter. I knew it was her. I forced myself not to close my eyes but I failed. 

     "So, how was the dad-daughter sentimental moment?" She asked. "How did you know?" I hissed through my gritted teeth. "As I said before. I was just a few centimetres away from you. You will never find me. Be ready to hand down the crown of Ardian and Crustel to me," She ended up with laughter. I knew she was still with me. I had to get to Hatakuna. I ran towards the tent. Lexter was sleeping. I kicked his hands. "Hey!" He shouted. "We're leaving now! We don't have time to pack up this mess!" I thundered. He was confused. "It looks like it's midnight. I am too tired," He crawled around the tent. I raised one of my eyebrows and asked, "Zoya and Isa?" He immediately got up. "We're leaving now. Where's the map?" He asked excitedly. I thought that he was more excited about saving Zoya rather than his mom, Isa. 

      We walked over mud till mountains. When we got here, I never felt that this trail would be tiring. We seemed to be lost. I saw the green-pink river and the purple beam. I left Lexter behind and ran towards the beam. I ran too quickly till I forgot that there was a river between the purple beam and me. I fell into the river. I heard Lexter's laughing. "I wanted to warn you!" I heard him. To my dismay, the purple beam was actually from underwater. It was like an underwater destroyed village. I saw a bluefish and a yellow tang. "Giel and Gale?" I whispered as I swam near the fishes. Unfortunately, they were not the kids. They were real fish. "Hey, don't block our way," They swam as they growled. I witnessed the purple beam was even deeper from a wrecked ship. I swam towards the wrecked ship. Suddenly, the Eternal Flower that I took from the castle floated out from my pocket. It was glowing in purple too. 

     It moved towards the purple beam. So did I. I saw purple smoke around the wrecked ship. I went through the thick smoke. I went on the ship. It was still strong. "Hello?" I asked. No one replied but to my horror, I heard someone was crying. It sounded like a girl's voice. "Hello? Anyone?" I asked as I entered a room on the ship. The beam was even brighter. I saw her. Her hair was glowing in purple. "Who are you and why are you here?" I asked as I pressed her shoulders. She was frightened. She jumped. She spoke in Ard. "Who are you? How did you find me? Go away before you are killed!" She said quickly but her words were not clear. I replied to her in Ard, "I am Cora. I hope you might know me. Who would kill me? What are you doing here?" She was surprised at first to know that I was speaking in Ard. "You speak Ard too?" She asked then added, "He will kill you. Go away! I am cursed. My curse will affect you. Wait! You're Cora! Oh my gosh! You should get out immediately," She got up and pushed me out of the room but I refused to leave. 

        I saw through a window in the ship. It was like few sharks were swimming and guarding the ship. "Oh no! Hide here. He is here!" She pulled me and told me to hide behind a gigantic closet. The dresses were too fine as those seemed like wedding dresses. I heard footsteps. The girl sat at the place where I met her. I could hear the conversation. "Sir?" She asked. "Did we have any visitors? I can smell a new meal?" He said. To my dismay, I realized that the Eternal flower fell out. It was with her. "Well! Well! This seems like the Eternal Flower," I knew he noticed it. "Don't lie. It's great news that we have a meal today!" He said as I was able to hear his tummy rumbling. "No! There wasn't anyone," She tried to lie but she was caught red-handed the moment I sneezed. I got out of the closet. To my horror, it was the Captain that controlled Lexter's powers. I knew I made a worse decision. She groaned. "Well, I came here just now! Just leave her," I said. He wandered around me. "Is this the Queen?" He gasped. The moment he said the word, 'QUEEN' The purple smoke became thicker.

      I didn't reply to him. "Your highness, your reason of arrival?" He bent as a sign of respect. "Who are you? Why is she here?" I asked as I raised my voice a bit. He bent again, "She's the servant. Her name is Zoya! She's brought here for her punishment! I am Captain Enon, The Captain of Ardian's Express Ship," he stands still after finishing his sentence. "What was her sin? You have already cut her tongue before!" I roared. He trembled. "Your highness, she is a traitor! Her friend escaped. She's lying to me! She has to die," He stared angrily at her. I didn't cast any spell. Deep inside I knew I was not powerful enough to overtake him. All I did was, "She will deserve her punishment but not by you. Since she's a traitor, I will handle her," I said as I mounted a spell to have my sword. He bowed, "As you wish, your highness!" said unwillingly. Zoya cried too loudly. "Pleeease Leave me! I want to be alive. I want to live. I swear I have no idea where are Lexter and Ethan!" I stopped for a moment. I turned to her, "What do you mean with Ethan?" I thundered. All she did was faint. I took her back with me. I saw Lexter was sitting hopelessly on a rock beside the river.