WHISPERS OF WATER

The morning light crept through the inn's modest window, casting long shadows on the wooden floor. The city outside was bustling with early activity, but inside, it was quiet—except for the soft murmurs of our small group preparing for the day.

I rubbed my eyes, shaking off the fog of sleep, my mind already racing with what lay ahead. We had to find the Hero of Water, but there was a complication. No one knew where he was.

Merlin was already awake, his sharp eyes scanning the room as he carefully packed his things. I could tell he was deep in thought, likely about the path ahead. Aria was still curled up beneath the blankets, her face peaceful but troubled.

"We'll leave once Aria is ready," Merlin spoke without looking at me, as though he could sense my impatience.

Eventually, Aria stirred, blinking as she slowly sat up, still looking exhausted. But her resolve was evident in the quiet way she moved, pulling on her cloak and preparing to face another day of uncertainty.

"We're leaving soon," I said softly, crossing the room to offer her a hand. "We'll make it through today. Whatever's ahead, we'll get through it together."

Aria looked at me, her gaze distant, and nodded. "I'm ready."

Merlin stood, his tall form casting a long shadow across the floor. "Good. This city ,That's where we might find some answers."

I frowned at the mention of the city. "You seem sure of that. But how do you know the Hero of Water is here?"

Merlin's gaze met mine, his face unreadable. "I know because I've been following the signs. The Hero of Water has been hidden for years—no one knows he's alive."

"But if no one knows about him, how will we even know where to start?" I pressed, still skeptical.

"This city has all kinds of races " Merlin explained, his voice low, as though revealing too much could invite danger. "It's said to house knowledge of the past, and perhaps even the Hero's location. We'll find clues here. I can't give you all the answers now, Leo. Trust me when the time comes, I'll explain everything."

I studied Merlin for a long moment, weighing his words. Despite the mystery, I trusted him. Whatever his reasons for withholding information, I knew he had our best interests at heart. And I wasn't about to back down now.

"Alright," I said with a sigh, standing up and moving toward the door as i cover my head with my hood. "We'll do this your way—for now. But the moment we have answers, I want to know everything."

Merlin nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained serious. "It's better if you know only what's necessary, Leo. There's a time for everything."

I wasn't sure I fully understood, but I trusted him enough to follow his lead. As we stepped into the bustling streets of the city, the weight of our journey settled over us once more. The investigatin gthe city is our first step,

by finding the Hero of Water.

As we made our way toward the steets of the city, the noise of the city began to fade. The street vendors and bustling crowds were replaced by the hum of murmurs from passing groups of travelers. But these weren't the usual conversations; no, these voices carried a tone of disbelief.

"Did you hear about the tournament?" one voice whispered, barely above the wind.

"Yeah. There's a competitor... some human... who's been using water magic," another voice scoffed.

"A human? Ridiculous! Humans can't have that kind of power," someone else muttered.

I glanced at Merlin, who seemed to take in every word without breaking his stride. Aria, too, kept her eyes focused ahead, but I could see her shoulders tense, her body language stiffening as if trying to hide.

"They say the human is powerful, though," one of the voices continued. "Almost like an elf... But no elf would dare compete. So it must be some kind of trick."

"Couldn't be an elf. The elves don't use water magic," another voice scoffed.

"Then what is it? A magic-user who doesn't belong here?"

The words hung in the air, full of tension. The other races, elves, fae, and more, didn't seem to care much for humans. They viewed us as weak, powerless, something beneath them. That's what made these whispers even more shocking—humans weren't supposed to have the kind of magic the other races wielded.

But it wasn't just the humans who were weak in their eyes—it was me. I couldn't help but feel the weight of their judgment. But that didn't matter right now. What mattered was that someone was using water magic—powerful enough to gain attention—and no one knew who they were.

Merlin, for all his knowledge, hadn't said anything yet. I could tell that he suspected something, though. But he was patient, waiting for the right moment.

Finally, we reached the outer gates of the city where the tournament grounds were set up. The area was swarming with competitors and spectators, a chaotic scene of excitement and tension. But amidst the noise and cheers, one figure caught my eye—standing among the competitors, covered head to toe in dark, hooded robes.

The atmosphere was electric as we neared the tournament grounds, the sounds of cheers and murmurs filling the air. The crowd buzzed with excitement, and I overheard snippets of conversation as we passed by.

"Did you see the way the water user fought?" one voice whispered. "It's unbelievable. No one's ever seen anything like it."

"Yeah, some say he's an elf. That power… no human could have that kind of control over water."

I could feel Aria tense beside me, and though she said nothing, I knew she had heard the same thing. She kept her gaze ahead, her features unreadable. She

"Who do you think he is?" I murmured under my breath, glancing around to catch Merlin's attention.

Merlin gave a small nod, his eyes focused on the crowd and the arena. "They think it's an elf. With how the water user wields power, they have no reason to believe otherwise."

The tournament grounds came into view, a large arena surrounded by spectators from different races—elves, fae, and others, all eager to witness the fight. At the center stood the water user, a hooded figure whose mastery over water was evident. The crowd gasped with awe as water swirled around the figure, a silent but mesmerizing show of power.

The figure had a hood that concealed their face completely, but their control over the water was unmatched, and no one seemed to question their identity. The crowd seemed convinced that they were an elf—no human could possibly wield that kind of power.

My heart skipped a beat. This was the person we'd been searching for maybe.

"We need to get closer," I said to Merlin.

Merlin gave me a long look, then nodded. "This may be our best chance to learn more."

I glanced at Aria. She caught my eye and gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, though I could tell she was still processing everything.

I turned back to the arena, my thoughts sharpening. If this really was the Hero of Water, I had to confront him. But there was one problem: the whole arena thought this was an elf. The rumors of a water user with such control had already spread, and no one suspected that the water-wielder was anything but an elf.

I needed to enter the tournament. It was the only way I could get close to him and find out more.

"I'm entering," I said, determination settling into my voice. "If that's the one we have been looking for I have to get to him."

Merlin raised an eyebrow. "You're sure about this? The risks are high if you are known."

"I have to this is our chance," I said firmly.

"If it happens and he tells you his name is Kai, then he's the one we're looking for," Merlin had said to me. For some reason, I felt like Merlin knew Kai. His words echoed in my mind as I quickly donned my disguise, pulling my hood low and adjusting my posture to blend in with the other contestants. I couldn't risk being recognized, especially with the possibility of demons lurking among the crowd. If they spotted me, they might send word to the Demon King about my whereabouts.

The announcer's voice boomed across the arena, amplified by magic. "The water user, undefeated and unmatched, will now face their next challenger. Anyone who can defeat this master of water will be handsomely rewarded!"

The crowd roared with excitement, whispers spreading like wildfire as more spectators gathered to watch the spectacle. The announcer continued, "This water user, rumored to be an elf, wields unparalleled mastery over their element. Who will dare to challenge them?"

In the center of the arena stood the figure in question, cloaked and enigmatic. He made no move,his stance calm but commanding, as though daring anyone to step forward. Their very presence radiated power, the air around them charged with magical energy.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. This wasn't just a fight—it was an opportunity. If this person truly was the Hero of Water, I had to know for certain. My mission depended on it.

I stepped forward, feeling the weight of countless eyes on me. My heart pounded, but I kept my head down, focused on the task at hand.

This wasn't about glory or reward. It was about the truth.

End of Chapter.