Chapter < 23 >

Standing beside they Spirit Lake, Petal and Glowmyth looked at Setra with wonderful expressions. They both knew what a divine lotus was, after all, the Spirit Lake was formed by one.

When a Divine Lotus was born, it would form a pond in its infancy. Over time, the pond would become larger and larger untill it became a lake. Once the lake was formed and the mana was abundant, the Divine Lotus would become its core. After becoming the core, the Divine Lotus would lose all self awareness. Thus the lake would then be known as a Spirit Lake, capable of linking with the world of spirits.

This was basic knowledge that most Fairies knew. What was surprising was that Divine Lotuses were so rare, even the fairies who knew about them had never seen them. They only knew that the current Spirit Lake must have been formed from one.

"Was it the Spirit Lake?" Petal asked as she looked at the sparkling sheet of Lake water. It only made sense that the Spirit Lake should be the only culprit, after all, where else could one find a Divine Lotus. Although lotus ponds came to form after the birth of Divine Lotuses, they weren't unique to it. There were ponds with lotus flowers in many places giving rise to a troubling question. Which one was formed by a Divine Lotus? What was also perplexing was that it was as difficult to detect a Divine Lotus as it was to find one.

Setra shook her head. "It wasn't. This Divine Lotus was hidden in the elves territory all this time. We never expected their so called Lotus Pond to be an actual original." Her gaze shifted onto the lake. "The spirits apparently thought that the power they foresaw came from us, from our Spirit Lake. It all makes sense now. We aren't the ones to grant him any power. He was chosen by that Divine Lotus for some reason."

"Chosen?" Glowmyth asked with an inquiring gaze.

Setra sighed. "Yes, but, It would have been a good thing if not for one troubling factor." Her gaze shifted back to Craig's body. "The spirits detected malevolent energy within that divine lotus, and so did I. The reason why I tried to get him over as soon as possible was to either stop the fusing process or to cleanse the corruption with the help of the Spirit Lake."

Glowmyth's inquiring gaze deepened. "Then...?"

"It's too late now." Setra proclaimed helplessly. "You can't interrupt a completed process and the cleansing can't be done once the fusion is complete." She paused with a slightly awkward, hesitant look, "Well, technically he can still be cleansed but the process would kill him without a doubt. It would only be harmless if done to the Divine Lotus Itself."

"So what are we going to do now?" Petal asked timidly, as if she was afraid of something bad happening.

"Are we to kill him milady?" Glowmyth asked, a bit out of sort.

Setra rolled her eyes at Glowmyth. "If killing him was an option I wouldn't have said that the cleansing process can't be done. Don't tell me that now you know the entire situation you're no longer concerned about him?" She teased.

"Pah, who was concerned." Glowmyth acted as if she was being wronged. "I only did as you said and reported back honestly. Hmph!" Her cute little face couldn't hide the hue of blushing pink.

Setra raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Well then I guess we should get rid of him after all. I was only considering his life for your sake. I don't mind getting my hands dirty." She began walking over to Craig's body. It was ironic how she was planning to kill someone who was technically, dead.

Glowmyth's defenses shattered in an instant. Her false bravado and mischievous self melted away as if it didn't exist. She wasn't sure if Setra was joking or not. "But, didn't you just say killing him wasn't an option?"

Setra stopped and turned around, looking at Glowmyth with a taunting smile. "There it is, proof of your concern." Although she was a high Priestess, she was very friendly and playful with the fairies and animals. "Otherwise, why would you try to stop me."

Petal giggled at the scene between the two.

Glowmyth realised that she had been played for a fool. She silently accepted the truth as she flew over to Setra's side. Looking down at Craig she said, "I don't know how to explain it but I don't want anything bad to happen to him. I didn't even hesitate to dive into the water when he fell in. I just panicked and felt sad."

Her eyes suddenly widened as she placed both hands on her head. "Am I under some kind of spell?"

Setra began giggling which turned into laughter. "Silly little Glowmyth, humans can't do magic remember? The truth is, you most likely fell in love with a human in a matter of hours. You said it yourself, his charisma and personality caught your attention, no?"

"That's not what I said." Glowmyth rebuked.

"But that's what you meant." Setra countered, her smile never fading.

Glowmyth covered her face in embarrassment. Thinking back to the moment she cut through the roped bridge made her even more embarrassed. 'What if I had killed him'. She thought, full of guilt.

Suddenly, a faint glow emanated from Craig's body catching everyone's attention. They all cast their sights onto him and even took a few steps back.

Setra kept a sharp focus on him, searching for the malevolent energy she detected before. So far she could only sense the pure untainted energy of the Divine Lotus.

The faint golden glow around Craig's body receded into the hole in his chest which shot a bright concentrated beam up into the sky. The wound began to slowly heal and soon closed up completely, cutting off the beam of light. Then he just laid there, motionless.

Setra kept her focus locked onto him, in thought. 'I didn't pick up that malevolent energy from earlier. Did he somehow cleanse it himself?' She began making assumptions as to what might have caused the change.

Everyone stood there, silent for some time. When there was no movement from Craig for over a minute, Petal broke the silence. "Could he have... died? Was it too late to save him?" From her point of view, Craig possessed no aura. She detected nothing when using the 'Focused eye' which was the ability everyone used to detect auras. There was also the 'Focused mind' Which was more advanced and could detect auras without sight, using the mind.

Setra and Glowmyth were wondering the same thing as well.

Setra however, did have an assumption in mind. 'Could the Divine Lotus be hiding his aura. It would make sense since it is practically impossible to detect a divine lotus unless it reveals itself.'

"Look, he's breathing." Petal exclaimed a bit too excitedly. All the suspense and anticipation had her caught off guard.

Glowmyth and Setra had simultaneously noticed it too. They had all been using the same sharp focus.

"Mn." Craig let out a light groan as he slowly regained consciousness. His eyes snapped open in an instant, full of alertness and vigor. His pupils moved and locked onto the trio standing some distance away from him. He turned his head to look at them. Immediately he noticed Glowmyth, 'Little Fairy.' He thought shifting his gaze onto Setra. 'Avanelle?... No, this must be the woman she impersonated.' Then he looked at Petal. 'She's new.'

This all happened in a split second, as if his mind and sight were in overdrive. This was the result of the Divine Lotus's power having not fully settled.

Craig moved and sat upright, however it happened so fast it left Setra and the others mouths agape in shock. It was as if one moment he lying on the ground unconscious then in the blink of an eye he was suddenly sitting. The transition from lying to sitting was nearly indiscernible.

Although it seemed unbelievably fast to them, Craig felt as if he had casually pressed onto the ground and pushed himself up. He had no idea that his senses and reflexes were in overdrive.

"Little Fairy?" He called out, looking around attentively. "What happened? Why did the lake change so... ?" In the middle of his questioning, he noticed the rings of concentric lotuses on the pond. They had returned to their positions after the the portal closed. 'This is, the lake I saw in my vision.' He had noticed that the lake was a lot different from the one he fell into. The entire surroundings were different in fact.

Glowmyth flew over to Craig and as she did he extended his hand, which she landed upon and stood looking up at him. "How do you feel? Any evil thoughts?" She directly asked.

What?

Craig was confused. "Huh. I feel fine. Evil thoughts?" He asked.

With the her hands on her waist Glowmyth asked tauntingly. "Do you want to kill me or anything here?" She pointed around randomly.

Craig was extraordinary lost. "What are you talking about?"

"Well, do you?"

Craig's forehead creased as he pondered quickly. "Okay, I guess I just have to answer. Hmmm." He closed his eyes as if he was thinking long and hard. Then he shook his head, "Nope, no desires to kill. I'm not an undead you know." As he said this he checked for the hole in his chest, which was gone. 'So it really is gone. Did the lotus heal it, or did they?' He looked up at Setra and Petal.

Glowmyth had just covered her ears. "Ghosts and undead keep them to yourself! Okay!"

Craig couldn't help but laugh. His laughter resonated through the quiet lakeside, causing all the creatures big and small to perk up their ears and look in his direction.

Setra raised an eyebrow in surprise. She had never seen Glowmyth so intimate with anyone other than she the High Priestess. She was usually cold to even other wisps and fairies. How unbelievable was it that in just a few hours she had gotten this close to a human no less. 'So he really can understand her without the need for a spell.'

With dignified, light steps, Setra walked over to stand a few feet away from Craig. She did a curtsey, as if she was a princess preparing to dance with a prince. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person, potential saviour of Terramis. I am the High Priestess of the fairies, Setra Stardust. You can address me as Lady Setra or just Setra if you like."

Petal also walked over and did a small bow. "Nice to meet you. I am Lady Priestess's Fairhand. My name is Petal."

Craig quickly stood, which also happened in the blink of an eye, causing Petal to involuntary retreat backwards a few steps with some unease in her eyes. Craig felt that something was off. 'Do fairies fear our kind that much?' He thought.

It was glowmyth's statement that gave him some realisation. "How are you moving so fast? Is that an ability of the Divine Lotus?"

Craig looked down at Glowmyth on his palm with a puzzled and bewildered expression. This time however, he didn't pay attention to her question and instead copied the actions of the fairies. He did a small bow and introduced himself. "Craigavon Stormfrost. A nobody from the human kingdom."

Setra acknowledged his greeting with a nod and a smile.

Craig looked down at Glowmyth. "I take it since you mentioned the Divine Lotus you all already know what happened?"

"More or less." Glowmyth replied.

Craig looked at Petal. "So then, what happened. She seems afraid of me. Did I do something?" He suspected that whilst he was unconscious, something might have happened.

"You're mistaken." Setra stated assuringly. "She's not afraid of you per say. She's just frightened by what you're capable of. After all, you humans have left a bitter taste on everyone's tongues." Her tone remained calm and tranquil, without any intention to offend. She was simply stating the truth.

The nervousness on Petal's face grew distinct as Setra made that statement. Not knowing Craig's nature or personality she was afraid he would take things to heart and retaliate.

Craig smiled awkwardly and scratched his head. "My kind have truly done a number of malicious deeds throughout history. Fortunately it's not inherited and has to do with one's character and upbringing."

Setra was surprised by the calm easygoing reaction Craig had. She had in fact already began testing his character. It was time for her to judge whether this human was worthy to befriend or not.