Channa turned her head to smile. She seemed to have larger, flatter teeth than mine, and they were an ivory color, not as if they were dirty but as if that was simply their color.
“No, of course not.”
I raised my brows, waiting for the rest.
“Most of us are born down here and never step foot above ground in our life spans. This is the only light we know.” Her English was much better than our initial guide’s.
Channa continued to lead us across the expanse of cavernous space. It was crazy big, and at the same time eerie. I didn’t like the feeling of being covered by thousands of tons of rock. Suddenly I paused, stunned by the vast expanse of lake spanning the entire side of the cavern, its ripples reflecting off the dull spheres of light.
“This is the sacred water, the most revered of all places on Crais. None of the tribes reside here; this is the meeting ground where once a year we convene for catch-up and restoration.” Channa halted us on the edge of the water, and despite my best efforts I could not see the other end of the lake. “If the water accepts you, then we will do our best to assist you.”
What the hell did that mean? Were my last thoughts as a hard shove from behind sent me, and I’m assuming the others, straight into the dark depths.
Chapter 5
I panicked as an inky blackness closed over my head. I’d taken a second to prepare myself for the icy cold, but the water was warm and thick as it sucked me down. Despite the fact we’d been standing on the edge, this lake did not have a gradual tapering down to the deep part. I sank like a rock, and there was no ground in sight. I expected the white suit to fill with water, dragging me down faster, but it stayed light and close to my body.
It felt like hours, but could have only been seconds before my survival instincts kicked in and I started to fight the cloying suction surrounding me. But I was helpless, unable to fight and unable to rise against the powerful force. Closing my eyes, I reached for my energy. I was still weak but one thing my training on First World had done was teach me to control my power. And to find more even when I thought it was empty.
I drew a shield around myself, expelling the water and finding free particles of oxygen to fill it. I then sent out small energy balls to light the surroundings. From what I could see I was alone; there was no person or animal around me. I was still sinking at a rapid rate through this never-ending lake.
Screw this.
I was not drowning there that day. Dying was not an option for me or my friends. I needed to be alive to fight, for the worlds, for my family and most of all for Brace. Because I knew without any doubt he was fighting for me. As I had this thought a light appeared beneath me.
Okay, anyone want to explain how there’s a light at the bottom of the lake?
As the illumination drew closer I tried to determine the source but it was bright, too bright for me to see anything. As I sank into it, its intensity forced my eyes closed for a brief moment.
And then I was free.
I dropped the shield and re-opened my eyes, having no idea what I was about to see. I was sprawled on the edge of the lake again. Lucy, Talina and Lucas were beside me. And I was completely dry. I shook my head a few times. Had I just imagined everything that had happened? The three other faces looked just as shocked as I felt.
“Can someone tell me what the hell that was?” Lucy was angry. She jumped to her feet, her dry blond curls flying everywhere. “I couldn’t swim or fight that water. I was actually preparing for death, you know, choosing my funeral songs and everything, and now somehow we’re back where we started.”
“Not exactly where you started, I’m afraid.” The voice came from the shadowy wall to our right.
I spun around, an energy ball already formed in my hand.
“Blast them, Abbs. I’ve had enough for one day.” Lucy crinkled her nose.
“You do not need to defend yourselves; since the water did not reject you I know your intentions are pure. Water is our most untainted source. Nothing can lie to it.”
He stepped out of the shadows, walking into our light. He was average height, as was everyone on this planet so far, skin purple-black, and bald-headed. He wore intricate wooden shields along his forearms and large bone ornaments threaded through his ear lobes and nose. He held himself with a strength and majesty that spoke of leadership.
“I am Jordan, the high priest of the Craicor, the underground people of Crais.”
I lowered my hands, letting the energy fizzle out in small streams of light. I really loved the control I was gaining over my powers. We were becoming attuned to each other.
“Tell us what happened in the water,” I demanded.
“And how the hell do you survive living under the ground?” Lucy added in annoyance.