Chapter 13 

I let out a long, dragging sigh while hugging my knees to my chest. "Do we really have to ride that?" My gaze narrows when I observe Klovis trying to push a small boat into the water. The moment we left the second stage, we found ourselves on a small island surrounded by water.

Looking for the door to the next level isn't a problem because we have already spotted it. The only problem is, we have to sail to get there. I don't think that I need to explain why that would be a bad idea. The water looks dangerously deep, and who knows what kind of creature lies within?

I may be crazy, but that does not mean that I have to be suicidal crazy!

"Livia, you know that we really don't have a choice but to move forward." Klovis takes a break from pushing the boat to look at me. He looks disheveled and tired. His clothes are like tattered rags, completely different from the regal black and white attire that he was wearing before we left the palace.

Actually, I know I look worse than him because he had to take off his coat and place it over me. He said nothing at the time, but from how flustered he looked, I can only imagine.

I know that Klovis is right. We have to keep going because we definitely can't go back the way that we came. I stare at my palm, where a giant red feather lies. I did not even notice that I was holding on to Dadi's feather until we managed to pass through the door. Looking at it gives me a tightening feeling in my chest. The floor guardian and I have only met each other briefly, and yet the thought that he's going weighs heavily on me. It's weird. The other creatures from the previous floor have gone back after a few minutes of waiting on the island with us. A special door appears before them, as if the realm were trying to convey the idea that this is not their true home. Just as it was about to leave, the purple tiger, Lexus, locked eyes with me. His look is one of longing and melancholy. The most surprising thing to me is the way he bows his head in deference and then turns around to go back to pass through the door.

I pocketed the feather before looking at Klovis stubbornly. "I don't think that I have to tell you that there's definitely going to be something in the water when we attempt to cross it."

Klovis laughs nervously. "Yeah. That's pretty much a given." His posture and the way that he hesitantly places his hands on the boat tell me that he would really rather not cross the waters as well. God knows how much luck we've used up in the last two floors. "Come on, Livia. We've got Jade with us now, so it should probably be alright." He points to Jade, who has assumed its larger size, to help Klovis move the boat.

"I wish you had not added the word 'probably' to that statement."

"Hey. I can't lie if you have forgotten."

"Sure." I sigh, getting up and dusting my pants before moving towards the boat. It's not small, and it's not big. The size seems to be good enough to fit the three of us inside. "No life vests. Go figure."

"Life vests don't exist in this realm."

I let out a groan. "I can already feel it. This might be the floor where I will actually die."

"Hey, don't say that. Jade and I will protect you."

I stare at him and move my lips doubtfully. "Mmhm. Sure, your highness."

"I was under the influence of a coward on the last floor!" Klovis starts to get defensive when he realizes why I gave him that look.

I look away from him and focus my attention on the boat. "I didn't even say anything."

We soon managed to push the boat into the water. The ripple that it sends on the water is making me nervous, not to mention the creepy creek that the boat makes as soon as the three of us are on it.

There are only two oars available and two seats. Klovis and I take the back seat so we can row together while Jade sits in front to keep an eye out for monsters.

We are already seated and ready to move when Klovis's arm suddenly begins to glow. It's the same arm where he usually gets the instructions for each floor. It's really odd that it onlyglows now that we are on the water.

"What does it say?" I tensely ask and grip the oar tightly. "What's the rule for this floor?"

"Don't look back." He reads aloud. "Huh, that's a pretty easy—"

"Don't even dare to finish that sentence because we know that it won't be."

His face goes completely expressionless, and he ends up looking like a reprimanded puppy. "Yeah." Klovis sighs defeatedly, gripping his oar nervously. "Are you ready?"

"Nope. Absolutely not." I shake my head vigorously and turn to him. "You?" Klovis's response comes as a nervous chuckle, which I think is worse than mine since he is the one capable of fighting.

I have minimal experience when it comes to rowing boats. I doubt that Klovis has either, since he is a prince and all, but he does have the advantage of strength and stamina. The time it took us to work together to make the boat move is rather embarrassing. Klovis has to make sure that his pace is evenly matched with mine just to keep the boat moving forward.

Jade, who sits opposite us and faces forward, is keeping an eye out in case there's something in the water that would go after us.

It's been a long time since we've sat in silence paddling and yet, the door that we are supposed to go through doesn't seem to be getting closer. My arms are getting tired and heavy, but if I slow down even for a bit, the boat is going to turn.

"Do you want to rest?" Klovis wasn't even breathless when he asked me the question. He sounds like he is merely having a normal stroll with me rather than working our arms off from rowing.

"I'm fine." I'm not fine. I'm tired and hungry. We've been moving since we left the palace and I have no idea how many hours or even days we've been here. "The sooner we leave this place, the better. I don't like deep waters, Klovis."

Klovis has a worried expression written all over his face, but he knows me so well that I won't even try to argue with him when I've already made up my mind.

"Alright, but we are going slow because I'M tired." I have never looked in his direction so fast before because fairies can't lie so I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Excuse me? You're tired?"

"Yep."

"You're kidding." There's no doubt in my mind that he was doing this in favor of me. I believe that he is tired, but not so tired that he wants to rest.

"I'm a fairy. I think that pretty much answers your question." He stops and starts to slow his pace, which I have no choice but to match. "If we weren't in such a predicament, don't you think that this might be considered a d—" Whatever he wishes to say gets interrupted when we hear a low rumbling coming from Jade.

He's looking at the water with clear aggression. This time, Klovis and I stopped rowing. Klovis gets his blade while I grip the oar like a weapon. The instant we stop moving, the water becomes still. Wariness settles in when we start to hear something bubbling in front, right where Jade is perched.

"Jade, be careful." Klovis reminds him when he sees the emerald beast leaning close to check what's making the water bubble.

I could not tell what Jade was staring at, but a few seconds after Klovis warned his emerald beast, something sprayed water at him, causing him to yelp in surprise and retreat almost to the point where he was sitting on Klovis and me.

In a flash, Klovis and I went to check on Jade. Klovis dries off Jade's eyes with the sleeves of his shirt as he ruffles Jade's head and laughs softly.

"It's just water, bud." He says its in relief.

"Yeah, but what splashed him?" I wonder, looking back at the head of the boat and nearly screaming at what's now looking over at the bow of the boat.

A young woman with her arms resting on the bow smiles brightly at us. Having long, white hair and blue eyes makes you shine like the ocean. The fact that she has flawless pearl-white skin and a red fish tail that she uses to spray water over our heads is giving me a clue as to what she is—a mermaid.

"Oh my. I did not realize that we have visitors." She slurs alluringly and her gaze darts to Klovis, who is still poised and ready to attack if given the right reason. Despite Klovis's unfriendly demeanor, the mermaid grins and licks her lips. She leans back, completely exposing her naked chest, while sizing up Klovis with her gaze. "A very handsome visitor, that is."

I blink slowly, which suddenly narrows when I stare at the mermaid. My grip on the oar tightens on one hand while my other goes up to cover Klovis's eyes.

I don't know why, but I suddenly have a hatred for mermaids.

***Zhier***

The young prince swings his sword, successfully decapitating the creature looking like him. Dark ooze drips from the tip of his blade, making him express disgust. His boots crack when he realizes that he stepped on a broken mirror. Looking back, he notices that only three of his men are able to survive their look a like reflections. Even so, they all look dead and scared.

"Your highness, if Prince Klovis and Lady Livia have gone through here, don't you think—"

"Finish that sentence and I'll end you." Zhier's waning immediately quieted the fae that spoke. Zhier is angry and they know that they shouldn't test his patience any more than the numerous mirror reflections that he took out. "They are alive. As much as I despise Klovis, I know that he is going to keep her safe. Until we can catch up to them, we need to keep going."

Zhier's victory over the floor guard caused the mirrors to shatter, revealing the exit. Upon entering, he and the other two faeries discover that they have been transported to a new level, complete with new obstacles. A red brick road appears before them, and suddenly they are surrounded by dense woods.

"I don't have time for this!" Just as Zhier was about to plunge his blade on the brick road, a roar made him pause.

"Hey, don't do that!" A purple tiger makes its way from the forest and stands before them. "If you damage the brick, we're all going to be in trouble. Again."

"Again?" Zhier lowers his blade slowly while keeping an eye on the odd creature. "Why should I follow you? Who, or what, even are you?"

A saddened expression crosses the tiger's face before it stands tall and proud. "I am this floor's new guardian. My name is Lexus."

*~*~*~END OF CHAPTER~*~*~*