A Parallel Universe

Chapter 5

This was the end. Mayla was going to die. She will die because of me. I shouldn't have left the tent. I closed my eyes, unable to see the devastating moments. I wanted to disappear, wanted to return back to my parents. But all of this wasn't possible. Because of my curiosity, someone was dead. I braced myself for hearing the sound of snapping bones as Mayla hit the ground, but strangely, it never came. I opened my eyes to find a surprising scene, Mayla was sitting on what seemed like a giant water jelly. She was gasping for breath, apparently still terrified of her near brush with death. The boy was standing in front of her, asking her if she was alright. I frowned. Wasn't that the same person who tried to kill her a moment ago. I noticed that Aaren and the fire boy had stopped fighting and were staring at them. I walked over to where they were standing. Mayla immediately rose to her feet and started dusting off her clothes.

"Now we can all listen to each other," the white boy said.

We all looked at him and Aaren rushed to his sister's side checking if she was okay.

"What do you mean," I asked him.

"We all started fighting without even understanding the reason," he continued.

"Well, you tried hurting Silena and you just hurted my sister," Aaren snapped at him.

"I didn't try hurting Silena. I was simply asking her for the reason that brought her that deep in the forest. As for your sister, I wanted a scene that will stop the fight. Had I left it to Cyan here, he would have probably burned you to ashes," he said pointing at the fire boy.

"I don't care about your noble intentions. My sister is hurt because of you," Aaren said, pointing to the bruises that covered Mayla's Arms and face.

"Oh, I am deeply sorry," the white boy said, "Allow me."

He moved toward Mayla and Aaren immediately stood in front of her, blocking his way. But then Mayla whispered something to his ear and he backed away. The boy continued moving towards her and created an orb of water. I was about to lounge at him when he started to move it around Mayla's body. Every bruise or scar it touched immediately vanished. After he was done, Mayla's skin was back to normal. Everyone stared at him in awe.

"Why did you help them," the fire boy -Cyan- asked.

"Because they were here to help a friend in need and that is a pretty good reason. I am Cyrus by the way," he said as he extended his hand to Mayla. She shook it back but I could clearly see she was still shocked by what had just happened.

"Maya," she said. After everyone was properly introduced I asked the question that was looming in my head. "Are you The Dark?"

"We are known by this name for some of you," Cyrus replied.

Mayla, Aaren, and I each took a step back. We were standing in front of the most feared creatures in this parallel universe. Yet, one of them had just saved Mayla.

"Do you have any objection," Cyan asked.

"We don't harm anyone. As for the people who came here and disappeared, it was probably because of The Moon Lake. It could also be because of a Malory, a Phob, or The Huit," Cyrus said.

"The what," Mayla asked.

"This forest wasn't just forbidden because we inhabit it. It was forbidden because of its nature. Everything here is savage, bloodthirsty, and barbarian. This lake, The Moon Lake draws anything toward it and then drowns it. Just to have food. That is what happened to you Silena. If Cyan hadn't saved you, you would probably be at the bottom of the lake," Cyrus said.

"Thank you," I told Cyan reluctantly.

"How come you aren't affected," Aaren asked suspiciously.

"Dark or not, this is still water and I am an Aquakinetic," Cyrus said.

"You are also annoying and weird," Cyan added.

"And you are powerful and caring," Cyrus said.

I had a million words to describe Cyan and caring was not one of them.

'Where is Skyla," I asked.

"We left her sleeping in the tent," Aaren said.

"You guys live in a tent," Cyan said mockingly.

"And where do you live," Aaren asked in the same tone.

"In a hollow tree," he said.

"Are there many around here," Mayla asked.

"There are about four more," Cyan said.

"Are they beside yours," Mayla asked again

"Yes. They are around the perimeter," Cyan said.

"Can we live there," I asked.

"Yeah. Probably," Cyan said.

"So can we go bring our friend and then go with you," I asked.

"Yes of course you can," Cyrus said before Cyan could snap at us.

"Thank you," Mayla said.

We returned to the tent and woke Skyla up. She was half asleep, half awake as we took her to the lake. We explained to her everything on our way there. Cyan was tapping his food nervously when we arrived.

"Finally. Took you long enough," Cyan snapped.

"Can you show us the way," I snapped at him in return.

"Follow me," he said.

We walked after him in silence. I noticed that Cyrus didn't follow us.

"Aren't you coming," I asked him.

"You want me to sleep in a hollow tree when there is a whole lake here," he said.

"You live in a lake," I asked, surprised.

"Sure thing. Now good night," he said.

"Good night," I replied.

He turned and stepped into the lake. He kept sinking until he was completely submerged in water. I wiped my head and followed Cyan and the others. Now things were starting to change for the better. Or were they?