Under water gate

Chapter 12: Under water gate

[Vandrad]

"HOW DARE YOU TRY TO KILL ME?"

Adrian furiously roared at dummy Calhoun. The mud block his arrow hit was actually a giant tree root. Perhaps it was the tree's sensitive spot, it woke up and saw Adrian first.

The Medis valley was very rich in medicinal herbs and healing properties. So almost all the little flora beasts were present here.

Very old trees like this one were able to gather the healing essence from the earth, grow huge and have a mind of their own.

Adrian claws and dragon fire didn't do any harm to the tree at all. It has too much healing energy in it to heal itself.

It slapped Adrian left, right and center, then went rampant in the valley for a while before disappearing into the forest.

"I am just as shocked as everyone else. And if anyone is to be blamed, it should be your dearest uncle. I was peacefully sleeping. He was the one who put this bow and arrow in my hands."

Dummy Calhoun angrily replied. The little snake felt extremely wronged. Not only did he lose his sleep, but he was also getting scolded.

Sasha quietly clawed at his legs, telling him to keep quiet. Real Calhoun would never use so many words in a day.

"I don't remember asking you to aim at that stupid tree, your highness. Perhaps, did you already know the tree was there, and hence you planned to wake him up?" Vakra inquired with a solemn face. 

His nephews face was swollen and scratched. His left leg was severely wounded. Though he would heal quickly since Adrian is a dragon, things would have been worse if the old tree didn't chose to leave and kept playing with Adrian.

"Your highness. Your highness" A guard rushed into the camp and panted while pointing out of the tent.

"The tree.. The tree collapsed the east wall of the valley. Many deranged beasts sneaked into the villages nearby."

"WHAT?" Adrian angrily threw away his blanket on the ground.

Killing those deranged beasts in this valley was no problem at all. He would have cleaned them all in a few days and go back to the palace luxury.

But now they sneaked out. Where would he go and search of every single beast? It would take months.

And then his father. The main purpose of him coming here was to score some golden points. But now that seems like a far away dream.

"Y-You. This is all because of you." Adrian pointed at Calhoun and accused.

"If it makes you feel any better, then fine, it is all because of me. Happy?" Calhoun said and left to his tent. 

It was all good though. The longer they stay here, the better. The real Calhoun will have enough time to return back.

Meanwhile, the real Calhoun was taking a leisure bath in a cold lake.

Calhoun had his hands stretched out on both sides of a rock, his head falling back and eyes closed as he let himself relax in a small pond.

He had traveled non-stop for one day and two nights before reaching the outer borders of the Snowblood Mountains.

Now he understood why reaching the Snowblood Mountains was so difficult. Many would die of thirst and starvation long before reaching the foot of the peaks. The land was barren, and the sun seemed to suck the energy from your very soul.

Thankfully, the wolf he had bought somehow managed to find this pond.

He looked east. The journey ahead was still long, but at least the peaks were visible now.

Everyone said even looking at the Snowblood Mountains could send chills down one's spine. He had believed that, too. But now, it was different.

The peaks looked calm and peaceful, and for reasons he couldn't explain, he felt an odd pull toward them. Somehow, they made him feel alive.

"Let's go." Calhoun broke out of his thoughts and started getting dressed. He would get his answers and return home.

The prince was ready to set off, but the wolf sat still by the lake, unmoving.

"Let's go. We cannot waste time here," Calhoun said as he walked away, expecting the wolf to follow.

When he turned back, the wolf was still sitting by the water, staring at him.

He sighed and walked back to the wolf. It was a demanding creature, far more than he'd anticipated.

"What do you want? Don't you want to go home?"

The wolf held his gaze for a moment before suddenly jumping into the pond.

Calhoun frowned. Was it still playing? But as the seconds passed and the wolf didn't resurface, concern crept into his mind.

Then, with a loud splash, the white wolf burst out of the water, dragging Calhoun into the pond with it.

Calhoun's quick reflexes saved him from choking, but he still gasped for air as the wolf tugged him deeper.

He fought against the pull, intending to surface, but the wolf was relentless. Resigned, he glanced around the water to see what was so important.

That's when he saw it—a small tunnel-like opening sealed by an iron gate.

Curiosity piqued, Calhoun swam closer to examine it. He wasn't a skilled swimmer, so he had to surface for air multiple times before returning to study the gate.

It looked ancient. Very, very ancient. Four symbols formed a diamond on its surface—fire, a star, a crown, and a simple circle.

In the center, something was written in a script he didn't recognize. Despite years of studying various languages, nothing about it felt familiar.

Calhoun hesitated. Is it safe to touch it?

The gate looked simple enough to remove, with two handles to pull it out. But it also radiated an unspoken warning, as though it had been sealed for a reason.

Still, he felt compelled.

Taking a deep breath, Calhoun dove under again, his fingers wrapping around the cold iron handles. He pulled with all his might.

At first, nothing happened. Just as he was about to give up and surface, a sharp, searing pain erupted in his back.

It was unbearable, like fire coursing through his spine. He wanted to curl into a ball, to let go of the handles, but his hands wouldn't obey. It was as if they were glued to the gate.

His eyes widened, and bubbles of air escaped his mouth as he fought the pain. His lungs screamed for oxygen, but his grip remained firm, driven by a force he couldn't comprehend.

The gate shuddered. A faint hum resonated through the water, vibrating through his chest. The symbols began to glow faintly, pulsing with an energy that felt alive.

The pain intensified, and his vision blurred. He struggled to stay conscious, but darkness crept in, devouring his thoughts.

The last thing Calhoun felt was the cold water enveloping him, and the hum of the gate echoing in his bones before everything went black.

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[London]

Dylan was sitting in the basketball court watching his friends play. He wasn't in a mood to play. His thoughts were filled with Isabella.

She has been very weird lately. None of her friends might have noticed it, but he knew her like the back of his hand.

The way she smiles now is not how her carefree and cheerful smiles looked. And he had caught her zoning out a few times at home.

He was worried about her health and hence made sure she ate all her three meals properly. But she still looks pale every day.

He once asked if everything was okay, but she simply brushed it off, saying it was the exams stress.

"Bro. Remember the movie. Bring Isabella with you." Kyle said, wiping off his sweat with a towel.

Dylan nodded. A movie outing should be good. It will help Isabella relax.

The boys dispersed soon, but Dylan stayed back. There was nothing particular in his mind. He just wanted to stay and idle for a while.

But then he saw the person he didn't want to see -- Benjamin.

Anyone can recognize Benjamin with his flashy yellow sports car. Dylan just sat there for a while to see what exactly he wanted to do now.

It was already a surprise for him that he didn't bother him or Isabella after the car accident.

After a while, someone else approached Benjamin. Dylan was expecting Benjamin's girlfriend, Mia to come over, but it was Aaron.

Dylan straightened a bit and squinted his eyes. Yes. It was indeed Aaron. He didn't know what business Benjamin could have with Aaron.

Benjamin should be busy managing his daddy dearest's company. He didn't understand why he would hang out with a law student still in uni.

They didn't speak much, and Aaron left after exchanging a few words.

Dylan frowned and made his way to the Law department. Isabella has been hanging out with Aaron quite a lot lately. He wanted to make sure she is safe.

"Dylan?"

"Oh Bianca. Hii." Dylan replied politely. His eyes involuntarily searched for Isabella around.

"Are you looking for Isabella?" Dylan readily nodded to this question.

"Yeah. Do you know where she is?"

Bianca shook her head.

"I don't know. And this happens a lot lately. Isabella would not respond to messages after school. She would only reply back in the night."

"And her grades have been really bad. Like bad enough that she might fail. I don't understand what's going on with her."

Dylan slightly frowned. He daily sees Isabella study till late in the night and finish all her work in time.

Even if that's not the case, he knew Isabella was very good and responsible at studies. There was no way she would fail a course.

"When did you last see her?"

"After the class. The professor called her to talk about her results. She might have already left. It's been a while." Bianca answered.

Bianca really felt it was very weird. Isabella has three other courses alongside professor Grayson's course. She was acing the other three courses, but she was at the rock bottom in Grayson's class.

"Fine. I will check on her. Don't worry. Thanks."

"Mention not." Bianca was about to leave when Dylan remembered something.

"Wait. Did Isabella ever mention anything about Aaron?"

Bianca looked confused hearing this question. "Aaron? Who is he?"

"All I know is that he is a popular senior in your department." Dylan said a little bitterly. Though he loved business major, he felt it wouldn't be too bad to take law and study with Isabella.

"Oh that guy. Why would bells mention him? I have never seen them anywhere together." 

Dylan nodded and said goodbye. He walked back home to see if Isabella was back. She didn't reply to his message either.