Crustel

Chapter 45

       As we went near the well, I saw the huge tree, with Ethan, Erica and Kanyal tied on its branch.  The Beast was guarding them. Unfortunately, Lexter stepped on a stick and it cracked. He smiled at me awkwardly. The Beast turned and had a glance. "Who is it?" He growled. We kept silent. "Maybe it would have been a bird or a fairy?" Kanyal interrupted. I heard Erica and Ethan groaning. We sneaked nearer to the tree. We tiptoed as quiet as possible. I climbed the tree as Lexter stayed at the tree's trunk. "Guys," I whispered. Three of them screamed which almost made the Beast startle. "Why did you guys screamed?" He roared. Three of them were silent. "I am asking a question. You better answer it or else!" He almost barked. Erica cut him, "It was like caterpillars crawled on our legs. He peeked at their legs. Quickly Ethan used his wands and created some caterpillars. "AAAHHH CATERPILLAR!!! Kill it! Kill it!" He was screaming like a child. Quickly an idea popped. I turned three of them into huge caterpillars. The Beast ran away. 

       "Cora, is it you?' Erica searched for me. I changed them back into their human form again as Lexter and I became visible. Three of them ran towards me and hugged me tightly. All of sudden, I heard Lexter coughing. "Who is this?" Ethan asked excitedly. "Lexter," I said. I saw an unhappy face. Erica and Kanyal were confused but Ethan was certainly unhappy. "Sorry, have we met him before?" Erica asked. "He's Lama's son!" I told as slow as a whisper. Erica and Kanyal gasped but Ethan stayed silent. Suddenly, Lexter went near Ethan, "Hey! You've grown up buddy! Don't you remember me?" He asked excitedly as he put his arm on Ethan's shoulder. Ethan took off his arm and said, "Yeah!" That was his only answer.  "Zoya's here too," I whispered to Ethan. He became anxious. "No. This can't be happening!" He mumbled. 

      Luckily, Zoya flew towards us. She sat on my shoulders. "Flying is too tiring!" She said tiredly. "Well, who is this?" Kanyal asked. "Zoya, these are my friends, Kanyal, Erica and," I didn't continue. She noticed Ethan. She flew quickly and tried to hug him. "Ethan! You're grown up. Why did run away?" She asked. Erica and Kanyal exchanged looks as they were puzzled. I interrupted, "Can we continue after we escape from this place and get to Hatakuna. Isa, Lexter's mom is waiting there. Now hurry up," I said quickly. Everyone followed me but Erica and Kanyal were continuously asking questions. "Is Isa Lama's wife?" "Why is she here?" "How are we going to save Prince Melyon?" "Ethan had been to Ardian before?" "Where were you?" They asked too many questions. All I was able to do was to stay calm and silent. "Guys, I promise that I will tell everything after we save my uncle and Isa from The FAKE ELVIRA," I said. 

     We went out the gate. "Well, we have to use the tricky trail, Cora!" Ethan said. "WHAT???" I asked as I was shocked. "Well, do you remember that if we get out from this gate and the only alternative way to get into Ardian is through the Tricky Trail!" He groaned. It hit me. I almost forgot that fact. The gate will be opened on the Coral Festival day only. It seemed we spent almost three days there. We really needed rest. I mean I needed rest because I barely slept. "Kanyal, can we stay at your place again?" I asked him with a tired voice. He told with his dramatic way, "I wonder that a monkey can't survive in an underwater castle!" Lexter was outraged. I tried to calm him down, "He's an Ardianyan!" I said. "Fine. You guys can stay in my guest palace. Since we have more friends," He said while rolling his eyes. 

      I turned Erica, Ethan, and Zoya into their mermaid and merman form. Kanyal noticed that I was in my human form and was about to jump into the water. "Hey, are you going to drown?" He asked. I just ignored him and swam towards his guest palace. Erica, Ethan and Kanyal were surprised. "Cora, you can breathe underwater like Kanyal?" Ethan gasped. "Sure I can," I told him as I swam further. Kanyal led the way. Soon we went to his palace. We went to our previous rooms. Kanyal prepared two extra rooms for Lexter and Zoya. He was quite kinder than usual. After we took our bath, all I remember was laying down on the comfortable bed. I slept like a baby. We had long days. I slept as I was knocked out. All of a sudden I heard few people screaming. I woke up immediately. "CORA!!!!" It was clearly Erica and Kanyal. They were knocking on the door like they wanted to break it down. "Coming," I said as I got down from the bed. When they heard me, they stopped knocking on the door. I opened the door. "WOAH! Cora, you slept for nearly half a day! We have to search Prince Melyon and Lama's wife," Kanyal said dramatically. Erica nodded as she agreed to him. I was shocked at first. I thought it was just ten minutes. 

   "I slept that much longer?" I questioned as I yawned. Erica gave me a deadly stare just like Kanyal. "Fine. Just give me five minutes. I will be back," I said as I slammed the door. I quickly took a two-minute bath and brushed my teeth. I couldn't change my dress as I didn't bring any extra clothes. I just took the scroll and my wand. The moment I opened the door, to my surprise Erica and Kanyal were still there. "You're super quick!" Kanyal said as he looked at me with a surprised look. "We're leaving!" I said. Erica stopped me. "Aren't you hungry? I mean you have powers but that doesn't mean you don't have a stomach, Cora!" She growled. We ended up laughing. We walked to the dining hall together. I witnessed Ethan, Lexter and Zoya were eating their lunch together. "It seems like you guys are getting along," I said as I took my seat beside Ethan. Ethan was unhappy but Zoya and Lexter were enjoying their time. "The first reason I escaped from them was, well you can see yourself! These guys gross. Always whispering something to each and other," Ethan whispered. I laughed out loud.