Rebirth of the Fallen Zenith.-Chapter 35: The Whispering Lake

The Whispering Lake

The sun pounded down lightly from its peak, spreading a warm golden glow through the dark forest of Valeric's Southern Wood. Beasts had fallen. The hunt was proceeding smoothly.

Orion cleaned his silver sword as he loomed over the convulsing body of a six-legged pig-like creature called a Spinehorn. Its tusks curled forward like the blades of a sickle, but its eyes—still frozen with fear—had already begun to glaze.

"One more," he murmured and with a calm breath, Orion bent down, withdrew a small knife from his belt, and neatly carved out the glowing crimson eyes of the creature.

"This is my tenth beast," he said softly, slipping them into a separate pouch.

Elara stepped beside him, playfully twirling her blue whip around her wrist. "Tenth? I'm at twelve, brother."

"Fourteen," Lysandra said, wiping her blade clean with a cloth. "Not that I'm keeping score."

Orion smiled slightly. Naturally, you are.

He was not blind. Elara was attempting to prove herself, putting on a show of her talent and improvement since she'd chosen the whip as her weapon.

And Lysandra? She obviously wished to show off her proficiency in the Splash Sword maneuver and sought pointer from him.

They weren't hunting for numbers. They were hunting for approval and pointers.

Nevertheless, his sword strikes were clean, calm, precise—without pride or haste.

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

As they moved deeper into the forest, the distant hum of water reached their ears.

A clearing lay before them like the very breath of the forest. There, nestled in the embrace of soft hills and blooming bushes, lay a peaceful lake. The water was so smooth it seemed to be glass, reflecting the sky's blue as if a god had led it behind.".

Wildflowers bloomed in clusters along the lake's edge—orchids, soft lilies, and swaying bellroot. Thick grass padded their steps. Even the air here was different—cooler, cleaner, with a hint of the smell of moss and bloom.

The three reined in quietly, instinctively relaxing their guard. Something about this place—its peacefulness, the faint smell of blooming orchids and wet moss—provided a welcome respite from an otherwise bloody day.

Clean up, let's go," said Orion. "We're summoning too many beasts with all this blood on us."

Elara smiled. "Finally I clean my myself otherwise I smell like a stench in disguise."

Lysandra smiled humorously and headed on, ignoring to speak.

They let their equipment fall next to a group of flat rocks, knelt on the edge, and started washing their arms, faces, and dirty hands. Elara chuckled softly as she splashed water on her cheeks. "It's cold... but refreshing."

Lysandra tasted a few drops held in her palms. "Sweet. Oddly sweet."

Lysandra baptized her face in the lake and came up with droplets stuck to her lashes and sampled a few drops held in her hands. Her brows knit. "Sweet," she murmured. "That's. strange."

"Sweet?" Elara repeated, intrigued. She did the same, sipped a few drops. Her eyes went wide. "She's not wrong. It's... spring nectar-ish."

Orion scowled. Lake water is not really supposed to taste sweet... like both say.

Nevertheless, he reached down, a fistful to his mouth. But when about to drink, the sudden change caused him to halt.

Mist.

Thick and pale, unnatural, rolling in across the ground of the forest, covering the world in a white shroud. His range of view grew smaller. The birds had ceased to chirp. The wind had vanished.

He didn't know what happen he quickly turned his head towards Elara.

Elara was huddled by the beach, eyes shut, breathing shallow.

Lysandra fell beside her, motionless heap.

"What—?" Orion said, standing up hastily. "What in." running to them.

He felt for their pulses—strong, but weak. Out. He did not need to check for wounds or signs of poisoning.

His senses heightened immediately. No wounds. No blood. No poison.

His gut screamed something is not right.

Then he sensed it.

From the heart of the lake, the water started to ripple. then churn. then spin into a towering whirlpool.

Orion stepped back, his hold on his sword tightening. He lifted his aura high—preparing, ready.

And it rose.

A being of pure water—female in shape, liquid, statuesque, shining palely. Her form glowed like liquid crystal, her hair flowing like a stream of silver waves. Moonlit pearl eyes.

Orion's breath stalled. His heart pounded once, solid.

The water spirit hung just above the surface of lake, light falling around her in a halo, looking at him.

Orion stepped forward, closer to Elara and Lysandra. His muscles knotted.

This... this isn't a magical beast. This is something other. Something ancient.

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At the same time – On the otherside of the southern woods

Arin sat on a downed log, slowly sharpening his blade. His gaze was low—but his mind was running.

Edric stood with his back to a tree, relaxed, calm.

"You left them the message?" Edric asked without a turn.

Sam nodded. "Yeah. They said they will do it. Sometime after noon."

"It's nearly afternoon now," he said calmly with an eye sun. "That means... it's about to start."

Arin ceased sharpening. "You really think no one notices?" he asked softly.

Edric blinked. "Hmm?"

"Your little scheme to shatter his meridians." Arin stood up. "To disable him when nobody's looking."

Edric's lips curled into a half-smile. "OH! Dear brother nobody know our participation in this, if something strange happen in forest... the fault goes on magical beast."

Arin nodded and believe his brother words. Again, doing what he does.

Edric turns to Sam, "By the way you discovered where is Lysandre."

Sam pauses said, "Lord Edric, I send our other classmate to find her."

Edric merely humps on his reply and not said anything else.

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Back at the lake

The whirlpool churned. The mist grew thicker.

Orion stood alone; sword raised at the phantom.

Orion's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

The water-woman tilted her transparent head, her body glowing like moonlight captured in liquid form. Her voice reverberated in his mind; serene yet timeless. "I am Guardian of this holy lake. Keeper of its test and heritage."

Orion's eyes narrowed minutely. "A guardian?"

She nodded slowly, the movement producing soft ripples beneath her.

"Yes, I am Guardian"

He looked back. Elara was unconscious next to Lysandra, both of them pale, their bodies still, as if trapped in a dream they couldn't wake up from.

A fierce anger burned in his chest.

"What have you done to them?" His voice was low, controlled—but simmering with anger.

The spirit looked in his direction, her face unchanging.

"They drank from my lake without my leave. This is the price."

Orion's brows furrowed as he stepped closer. "So, if someone about collapses—thirsty, wounded, on the verge of death—they need your permission just to drink? You'd let them suffer... or die... rather than offer a drop of water?"

Her gaze didn't waver.

"No," she replied softly. "I only ask for respect. They did not ask. They took. And now they pay the price."

And regarding your question, "So, tell you three... are that much "And to answer your question... were the three of you so thirsty, so on the verge of death, that you couldn't find time to inquire?"

The words hit him like a slap—cold, but biting.

He clenched his teeth. "Then listen to me. I apologize. On their behalf. They did not intend disrespect. They were not aware. But they lie unconscious now as a result of it. Heal them, please."

The spirit's pale eyes shifted to him, their glow soft.

"You talk with honesty," she whispered. "But that is not sufficient.

This lake is part of a legacy—one that belongs to the worthy alone. Anyone who drinks from it without earning themselves must pay the price."

That word again—legacy. The word hit something in Orion—an echo in his soul.

He narrowed his eyes. "What legacy?"

The water around her churned slowly, shimmering with arcane symbols that moved across the surface like runes of old.

"The heritage of the ancient sage who shake heaven and earth by their power. Such heritage is left behind him for someone."

Orion's breathing paused for a second. "The heritage of the ancient sage? Can it have something to do with my past life and rebirth?" he thought rail break when sprit voice opened up in his mind.

Sprit voice deepened, as if a judge is about to render her sentence.

"If you wish them healed, there is only one way. Accept the test. Claim the legacy. If you pass—they live. If you fail... you perish with them, eternally."

A tense silence fell. And He looked at the spirit.

"I'll accept your test."

Sprit eyes flashed with gentle light.

"Are you sure, human?"

"Yes. But answer me one thing first."

She leaned her head slightly.

"What is it?"

"Those travelers... the ones who didn't make it... they all disappeared because they drank your water

Sprit eyebrows raised with slight curiosity.

"You pay attention. Yes. They drank from my lake. They didn't pass the test. And so, they never departed."

"And the beasts," Orion went on, "why are they never strong? Why hasn't there ever been a monster greater than you, Apprentice One-Star, that ventured into this forest?" also due to you.

The spirit smiled weakly. And She nodded once.

"Because they fear me. My presence is not one they can bear."

He breathed in hard. No escape. No rescue arriving. His friend's unconscious, the only way forward etched in myth and peril.

"I accept. I will undergo your test."

Sprit face became grave.

"Then hear me. If you fail, you will never depart from this lake—with them both. There will be no second opportunity."

Orion's voice was calm now, focused.

"I have no intention of losing. If this is the only path to saving them... then I'll carve through it."

The spirit's form brightened like a star at dusk, her translucent body glowing more intensely, casting long ripples of silver light across the glassy surface of the lake.

"You have chosen the path few dared," she whispered, her voice like wind over water. "Then hear now the name of the path before you..."

"The Trial of the Forgotten Waters."