Chapter twelve
An aquarium that keeps drowning
As Elizabeth stood in the sleek, glass elevator, she felt a sense of weightlessness wash over her while her eyes were drawn upward to the soaring ceiling that seemed to stretch infinitely, where the dim lighting gave way to a mesmerizing beam of golden light shimmering in the distance.
Just as Elizabeth immersed herself in the wonder of the moment, Victoria suddenly gripped Elizabeth's hand with a sense of urgency, her fingers cool against Elizabeth’s skin.
With a swift and decisive motion, she pulled Elizabeth out of the elevator, tugging her into a world beyond the shimmering light, where possibilities awaited just out of sight.
They loomed through the glass wall easily, as if emerging through a pool of clear water. The glass had melted in midair when Victoria touched it. She smiled, waving her hands, and the glass wall reformed to its original shape and disappeared into the darkness.
Floating in an endless, shadowy tunnel, Victoria murmured unfamiliar songs, seemingly facilitating their levitation.
As they drew closer to the radiant object, Elizabeth felt a thrill of astonishment bubbling up inside her, almost spilling out as a joyous shout.
There, illuminated by a soft ethereal glow, stood an enormous aquarium, its smooth glass panels reflecting the shimmering light like a treasure chest sparkling under the sun.
Victoria snapped her fingers with a flourish, and miraculously, their feet met the solid, cool surface of the ground beneath them. Towering above them, a grand sign adorned the wall, its letters meticulously etched and painted in vibrant hues, declaring ‘Alutic Aquarium—the traveling cruise’ in an ornate font that seemed to come alive with each flicker of light.
With a confident push, Victoria swung open the heavy front door, unleashing a wave of enticing aromas that enveloped them in a warm embrace.
Inside, the atmosphere was electric with excitement; patrons boasting magnificent eagle wings glided gracefully among the exhibits, their laughter like a gentle breeze.
Young teens, much like themselves, gathered in clusters, poring over glossy newspapers filled with vibrant articles and illustrations, while others sampled a delightful array of freshly prepared seafood, each dish a work of art that delighted the senses with its colors and aromas.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” laughed Victoria. She walked straight to the counter where a rather severe-looking woman stood, “Elizabeth Jordan, and Victoria Vincent. Two tickets, from Midgard to Alfheim, the Ethereal House, Level One.”
“Yes, your ticket, hallway MA, tenth concrete, good luck.” The waitress answered nonchalantly, handed Victoria two tickets, and immediately turned away. Clutching her chest slightly, she was sniggering under her breath.
Elizabeth nudged Victoria, who paid no heed, engrossed in conversation with another winged woman who appeared lost.
Elizabeth’s heart raced as she darted her gaze around the bustling aquarium, where laughter and chatter filled the air. Her attention snagged on the waitress who had handed them the peculiar ticket; she was now huddled over a telephone shaped like a conch shell, her lips moving quickly in hushed tones, as if giving voice to a secret meant only for the device. It struck Elizabeth that the waitress seemed to be hiding something important from them.
However, Victoria appeared blissfully unaware of the tension in the air. With a radiant smile illuminating her face, she beckoned to Elizabeth, “Come on, let’s go.”
Victoria led her into a shadowy hallway, the silence pressing in around them like a heavy fog. The gray concrete walls were cold and unyielding, and the faint smell of damp earth lingered in the air.
They walked until Victoria stopped before the tenth concrete block on the floor. She reached down and tapped it with a deliberate motion that sent a plume of violet smoke spiraling up, swirling in mesmerizing patterns before the block shimmered away, revealing a hidden trap door beneath.
With a swift motion, Victoria swung the door open, and a chill rushed up from the dark abyss below.
The spiral staircase descended into inky darkness, each step echoing softly with a rhythmic pulse, inviting them into the depths of the unknown.
Victoria's voice quivered with excitement, “Time to hit the road, ready?”
They climbed down, and down, and down carefully.
Surrounding them, the space seemed to enlarge.
The walls reflected glamorous lights to the floor; somewhere above, they heard a clanking noise.
Victoria nudged Elizabeth hard on the forearm.
Elizabeth spun around, frowning.
They stood on a sprawling platform, encircled by immense, transparent tubes that towered like sentinels of glass. Each tube contained a mysterious liquid that churned and bubbled energetically, releasing ghostly wisps of vapor into the cool air—an unsettling reminder of the unknown alchemy contained within.
The sound of the liquid boiling was like a distant, rhythmic heartbeat.
“Jump down,” Victoria whispered, her voice barely rising above the chaotic symphony of hissing and bubbling.
Her eyes shone with an adventurous spark, darting toward the shadows that loomed beneath the platform. Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest, to ask how they could possibly make such a leap, but before any words could escape her lips, Victoria had already slipped away, disappearing into the engulfing darkness below.
Feeling a surge of panic, Elizabeth leaned over the edge and gasped, her heart pounding like a war drum. The staircases spiraled downwards, extending as far as her eyes could see, twisting into an endless void that seemed to swallow up the light. The sheer drop beneath her filled her with vertigo; the pit felt alive, urging her to succumb to its depths.
She began to pace erratically along the platform’s edge, glancing down into the abyss, while a chilling dread nipped at her skin. The air around her had transformed into a bitter cold, and she shivered involuntarily, feeling her body react to the imminent danger. Her breath formed small, trembling clouds that hung briefly in the frigid air before disappearing.
Suddenly, the glass tubes surrounding her began to groan ominously. Cracks spiderwebbed across their surfaces, and the vibrant liquid within began to seep through the fissures, flowing out like thick, oily tears—almost as if it were draining the warmth from her very core. The temperature plummeted further, making her teeth chatter and her resolve falter.
Yet still, she remained rooted to the spot, paralyzed by fear and uncertainty.
Time was slipping through her fingers, each passing second echoing the urgency of her situation.
In the midst of her turmoil, a sudden, gentle voice filled her mind—a soothing but insistent presence.
“Be brave, my dear, let’s do it.”
It resonated with warmth, pushing aside her trepidation. Without thinking, Elizabeth felt an unseen force nudge her forward, and she teetered on the edge of the platform. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment.
Rather than plummeting into the abyss, she felt herself being lifted as if the very air embraced her. An exhilarating rush of warmth enveloped her, washing away her fears.
The soft whisper of wind caressed her face, and birdsong fluttered in the distance.
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After what felt like both an eternity and a fleeting moment, Elizabeth dared to crack open her eyelids. She glided effortlessly through the spacious chamber, her heart finally settling.
As her feet touched the ground, she found Victoria waiting for her, illuminated by the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi that clung to the walls, a welcoming sight amidst the surrounding darkness.
She smiled with satisfaction, “Exciting?”
Elizabeth nodded; it was indeed the most comfortable feeling she had experienced.
Victoria snapped her fingers, and the blue flames ignited instantly.
She sent that beam of light flying ahead of them, forming a glowing corridor that led them to the interior.
As they moved, oceanic creatures like jellyfish and whales swam past them. Elizabeth attempted to touch a dolly orca, but her fingers passed through its body; the orca, visibly annoyed, swam away.
Surrounding them were the illusions and shadows of mysterious beings. For a moment, Elizabeth realized they were submerged in the ocean. Remarkably, she could breathe freely; water was not gushing into her nostrils.
“Let’s get aboard,” Victoria whispered as they got on the cruise, which was moored near the wharf. The upper deck was alive with the exuberant chatter of a diverse crowd, faces animated with joy and anticipation.
Sunlight cascaded over the scene, creating a warm glow that highlighted the smiles of friends huddled together. In one corner, a group of young women flipped through glossy magazines filled with vibrant fashion spreads and striking travel photography, their eyes widening with inspiration as they shared excited whispers.
Nearby, a couple of aspiring people diligently tested their intricate magical tools—magipen shimmering with subtle hues and ancient scrolls unfurling with a soft rustle. As they practiced spells, tiny sparks danced in the air, casting bright lights that twinkled like a constellation.
Victoria strode purposefully toward the lower deck, her shoes clicking rhythmically against the gleaming hardwood floor.
As she navigated past exquisite sculptures and vibrant portraits of glimmering celebrities, the sounds of animated chatter from nearby families drifting in the air.
Eventually, Victoria rounded a corner, where a magnificent gold-framed door stood proudly at the end of a long, deserted corridor.
With a gentle breath, she blew on the ornate doorknob. Beams of warm light cascaded from the elegant chandelier swaying above her head. The beams twisted and twirled, forming an exquisite key crafted from the finest silver. It floated gracefully before Victoria for a fleeting moment, causing her to giggle in delight as she waved her hands.
The key gracefully glided into the keyhole, turning with a satisfying click that reverberated in the stillness. The door creaked open, revealing an astonishing sight that left both girls speechless.
The cabin's interior was a breathtaking expanse, lavishly large enough to comfortably house two elephants side by side.
Luxurious chandeliers dripped with sparkling crystals, casting a soft, ethereal glow that seemed to breathe life into the space.
Sumptuous sofas, upholstered in the softest silk, inviting the weary to sink in and relax. Nearby, a petite cupboard stood sentinel by the window, adorned with intricate golden tassels that gleamed like stars against the deep wood.
In one corner of the room stood a grand four-poster bed, its canopy draped in fine black lace and whisper-soft silky curtains that billowed slightly as if caught in a gentle breeze.
“Wow, this is the most extraordinary place I've ever seen in my life!” Elizabeth exclaimed, her voice a mix of awe and excitement, her eyes sparkling with kid-like wonder.
With a flourish, Victoria poured two crystal flutes of champagne, the bubbles dancing within the glass.
She placed them carefully on the intricately carved nightstand and plopped down on the sofa.
Elizabeth sat down gingerly and swept around the room.
Victoria pushed the glass before her, smiling.
As Elizabeth took a sip, the crisp, effervescent drink tingling on her tongue, her mind began to drift. She recalled the enchanting flying lady she had glimpsed the night before and marveled at her vivid dream—the one that had foreshadowed her last day of school—now unfolding in a reality that seemed woven from the fabric of fantasy.
Wait, did that mean she could literally travel through her dreams?
Just before Elizabeth could ask Victoria about the whatsoever, a heart-piercing shriek resonated from upper-deck.
They cautiously poked their heads out of their cabin door, their hearts racing with curiosity and dread. To their shock, the once desolate corridor was now teeming with people, a chaotic rush of frantic movements and anxious shouts.
"Damn it, I should’ve known!" Victoria hissed under her breath, her eyes wide as she exchanged a worried glance with her companion. Without wasting another moment, they dashed towards the entrance, their feet echoing against the metal floor. As they reached the platform, they skidded to a sudden halt, taking in the scene before them. Another family was barreling down the walkway, urgency etched on every face.
The mother, with wide, panicked eyes, was yelling for her children to hurry, while one of the young girls, with long, flowing silvery hair that danced with the wind, sprinted ahead.
In a heart-stopping moment, the girl made a desperate leap onto the deck, but misjudged her landing. She lost her balance and tumbled into the frigid water below, the splash echoing in the hectic atmosphere.
With wide, terrified eyes, her trembling hands thrashed against the surface, desperately trying to keep herself afloat. Her frantic cries for help were drowned out by the cacophony of the crowd.
Despite her mother’s desperate pleas for the ship to slow down, the crew member at the helm remained indifferent, his focus locked firmly on the departure as the vessel began to pull away from the dock.
"Stop! You’re going to kill my daughter!" she shouted, her voice laced with panic and desperation. Her heart raced as she watched the ship race ahead, its powerful engines roaring against the icy waves. The worker, unfazed by her plea, turned to her with a chilling indifference.
"That is your issue," he replied flatly, eyebrows raised in disdain. "If I slow down for her, this ship will be delayed, and I’ll face consequences from my superior. Besides," he added with a dismissive shrug, "my salary isn't worth wasting on an insignificant girl."
As he spoke, the vessel surged forward, churning up frothy whitecaps that splashed against the sides, further intensifying the girl’s struggle.
She fought against the frigid water, every stroke a desperate bid for survival, but the ship seemed to pull further away with each passing second.
She had to catch up; if she failed, the guards waiting at the wharf would surely catch her, and they were notorious for their brutality.
Above her, the other girls—those cruel, spiteful figures—stood on the deck, their laughter ringing in the air like a mocking melody. They pointed and jeered, their voices dripping with malicious glee as they relished in her plight.
No one had the stirring feeling to help, no one yearned to save her precious life, and no one had the slightest attempt to become a hero because of what the worker had said.
And without a doubt, not a single one among them would have dared to defy the command issued by the loyal servant of the Fairy Lord.
The air crackled with an unspoken tension, as the weight of the order hung heavily over them.
“What can we do?” whispered Elizabeth quietly.
Victoria surged ahead, heart racing as she sought to lend her support. However, an unseen barrier suddenly slammed into her, sending her hurtling backwards. Victoria collided with the wall, the impact resonating with a sickening crunch that echoed through the air.
Elizabeth sprinted back, her heart racing as she called out to her friend. However, an invisible force seemed to anchor her in place, as if the very ground beneath her feet had transformed into quicksand. She looked down in horror, realizing that her heels were firmly embedded in the polished wooden floor, glued by an unseen power. Desperation filled her chest as she opened her mouth to cry for help, but the sound was trapped inside, stifled by an overwhelming silence.
The lady was rapidly descending into the water, her flailing arms slicing through the surface as the cold grip of the depths pulled her down. Desperation etched across her face, she gasped for air, bubbles escaping her lips and faded away. The waves swallowed her with relentless force, each surge dragging her further from the safety of the shore.
Elizabeth reached out desperately, yearning to assist her friend, but an eerie stillness gripped her limbs. It felt as though a heavy weight had settled on her body, as if time itself had conspired against her in that agonizing moment.
Suddenly, a booming noise echoed across the shoreline, breaking the cool calm of the afternoon.
Elizabeth turned her gaze toward the horizon and was startled to see an opulent carriage rolling up to the dock, its polished wood gleaming in the sunlight.
The guards at the dock, their heavy armor clinking softly against their bodies, shifted uncomfortably as their unfocused gazes sharpened at the sight. Alarm flickered in their eyes when a commanding figure emerged from the carriage. He was a man of imposing stature, dressed in an elaborate coat adorned with gold thread.
One of the guards dropped to one knee, fear flickering across his features as he stammered, “I’m sorry, sir, it seems we departed a bit too early.”
With a dismissive wave of his hand, the man commanded the guard's arrest, his voice laced with authority.
He cleared his throat, the sound sharp and commanding, and announced, “All of you, my son is still in the carriage, and he hasn’t boarded yet. Also…” His gaze swept towards a girl struggling in the water, half-submerged and gasping for breath.
“Dispose of her. A pistol will do nicely; I’ve heard it makes for a perfect crimson in the river. She’s a nuisance and has no right to pollute these sacred waters with her filthy body—” The guards nodded like marionettes pulled by strings, dread etching itself onto their faces.
One guard snapped his fingers, and a shimmering net, iridescent in the sunlight, materialized at his command.
He hurled it toward the girl. The glittering threads ensnared her, drawing tightly around her limbs as if alive, leaving her helpless.
Panic surged in her chest; she couldn't swim, couldn't scream—her eyes widened in terror as she felt the invisible force twisting her arms painfully behind her.
She was yanked backward toward the shore, the water cascading off her frail body. As she was dragged, her sobs were silent, caught in her throat like the breath she could hardly take.
The guards gripped her by her hair, wrenching her harshly to the sandy bank, where she lay, drenched and shivering, staring up in utter terror.
Just a few paces away, her mother’s heart-wrenching wails pierced the air,
“Please, your highness, I beg you—”
“Another bastard,” the man muttered lightly, as he nonchalantly drew a gleaming pistol from his belt.
He aimed the cold, metallic barrel of the gun squarely at the unarmed woman standing before him, his finger steady against the trigger, muscles taut with anticipation.
The tension in the air was palpable, a heavy mist of uncertainty hanging over the scene.
His finger pressed down on the trigger.