noveldrama
Chapter 118 : Empty
Chapter 118 : Empty
POV Elsa Frostine
My heart was pounding with overwhelming intensity, a whirlwind of emotions seizing me at that moment. I was experiencing nervousness, happiness, and a hint of fear, all amalgamated into a cocktail of sensations. For years, I had harbored the belief that I would never be able to awaken my bloodline heritage.
Immersed in that world of uncertainty, I tirelessly strove, dedicating myself entirely to the art of magic. However, the results seemed elusive, and the furtive glances and whispers around me only served to diminish me even further.
I carried the weight of hurtful words and disdainful treatment for a long time, but everything changed drastically thanks to Anthony. Now, in this moment, I find myself transformed into a swordswoman. This new facet not only does not bother me, but it deeply impassions me. I discover a love for the movement of the sword that I had never experienced before.
And somehow, the outcome of this transformation fills me with indescribable happiness.
I contemplate my armor, shining under the sunlight, and the hilt of my sword rests gracefully at my waist, marking my masterful rank. A smile forms on my lips as I perceive the gleam of both, feeling a comfort and satisfaction that I never thought possible. Once considered the black sheep of the family, an outcast destined to bear that stigma, I now see myself transformed into something more.
I am the second princess of the noble Nieves family, known for its magical legacy, but now also as a skilled swordswoman.
Anthony instilled in me that dignity and pride are fundamental pillars in the life of a swordsman. Therefore, I feel no shame for the person I have become. Rather, I feel a deep pride for the accomplishments achieved in these past six months. I wouldn't change a single bit of my new identity for anything in the world.
If I had the chance to go back in time, I would make exactly the same decisions over and over again.
Although the path has been arduous and challenging on numerous occasions, I couldn't have traversed it without Anthony's guidance and unconditional support. His presence was crucial to my progress. I remember vividly our last encounter; I felt completely helpless and weak. If it weren't for his intervention against the bandits, who knows what would have become of me at that moment.
"Then let's go in," I commented to the two people in front of me, although I knew it could be dangerous, I knew very well, but I couldn't stop the feelings inside me, looking at the cloak of darkness at the bottom of the lake my thoughts raced, if within that void lay the flower of the 7 stars, just thinking about it made my body tremble a little.
"Of course, we are going in," declared Anthony with a smile radiating warmth, nodding affirmatively. I responded to his gesture with a smile of my own, thus uniting our intentions to venture into the place. However, amidst this positive exchange, I felt a pair of red, sharp, penetrating eyes fixated on me.
A slight shiver ran through my body as I unmistakably recognized Lysandra, who infused a palpable fear when it came to Anthony. Despite my efforts to maintain a calm expression, a nervous smile formed on my face as I also nodded, acknowledging Lysandra's imposing presence at that moment.
We prepared to submerge into the waters, each enveloped in our own protective cloak: me with my aura and Lysandra with her mana. Despite having coated my body with the comforting glow of the aura, I could still feel the penetrating coldness of the water.
Within the aquatic darkness, the clarity of the waters was surprising. Wherever I looked, I could only distinguish the shapes of rocks and compact earth that composed the lakebed. The absence of life in this underwater environment was puzzling, generating an air of mystery that enveloped each of our movements.
Several minutes passed in silence until we finally reached the announced layer of darkness. Here, the water became even colder than before, as if the same coldness seeped into the depths of our bones.
A smile illuminated Anthony's face as he gradually descended into the layer of darkness surrounding us. With each step, the dense shadow seemed to engulf him until his legs disappeared entirely, plunging into an impenetrable abyss. Following his example, Lysandra flashed a sinister smile before beginning her own descent, slowly disappearing into the darkness surrounding us.
Determined to follow the path laid out by my companions, I ventured into the layer of darkness cautiously. However, as I felt my feet touch that invisible threshold, an unsettling sensation of fear seized me. Even the comforting protection of my aura was not enough to completely mitigate the cold enveloping me.
Whispers began to caress my ears, resonating in my mind with disturbing intensity. Indecipherable words repeated in an endless cycle, forming a cacophony that echoed in the depths of my being, challenging my sanity and unleashing a wave of inexplicable fear.
"Ignore the whispers, no matter what they say, just ignore them," Anthony's reassuring voice resonated through the darkness. Although his figure was invisible to my eyes, I decided to cling to his words. However, as I progressed, the constant whispers began to acquire disturbing clarity. They came from all directions, filling the space with a cacophony of voices.
Some begged for help desperately, while others cursed their own existence in an endless cycle of lamentation and regret.
The cries and desperation seemed to permeate the air, enveloping me in an atmosphere of palpable anguish. Within that abyss of darkness, time seemed to lose its meaning, trapping me in an eternal present where pain and desolation reigned supreme. An overwhelming feeling of insignificance began to take hold of me, enveloping me in a mist of sadness and confusion.
My thoughts clouded, losing myself in the whirlwind of emotions and desperate thoughts.
In the next moment, just as I felt myself irreversibly sinking into the darkness, everything suddenly faded away. Upon opening my eyes, I met Anthony's concerned gaze, his penetrating red eyes fixed on mine. "Are you okay?" he asked with obvious concern in his tone. Somewhat bewildered and disoriented at that moment, I nodded in response.
I watched as he pulled a golden apple from his ring, and instantly recognized the type of fruit it was. Golden apples were characteristic of zone 2, known for their revitalizing and calming properties. Anthony handed me the apple, and after consuming it completely, I felt my mind relax and gain clarity amidst the confusion that enveloped me.