23 Etheric Fruits 1 (1/2)

”Idiot! Die then.” Meryl said, watching Ed leave.

”Let's go.” the captain said turning to follow Ed.

”Captain what are you doing?” the vice captain asked.

”This was too simple. If I'm right, we are really walking into a trap like he said.” the captain answered.

”Captain, who are you going to believe, him or me?” Meryl asked indignantly.

”How can you tell if this is not an illusion? If it is, you are in it too. If it isn't he is in the illusion. His perception is higher than even you, talk more of all of us here. We would walk into burning fire without knowing. Which do you think is more likely? We have superior capabilities with illusions or he does?” the captain asked. They all seemed to see his point.

They had head that Ed broke Meryl's enchanted eyes. If this was so, then the odds are they are walking into a trap.

”So, are you also classifying me in this 'we' you are talking about?” Meryl's eyes darkened.

”Meryl, do as I say! You are just angry about the possibility that he is right.” the captain ordered and followed Ed with his men. Her expression turned vicious as she followed behind them.

By the time they had gotten to Ed, he was deep inside the 'water'. By the time they were neck in, they started to question this. Was this truly an illusion? Were they just following this man to die?

Meryl predicted that they would turn back after staying under the water a while. She was following slowly behind them, most of her body was still out of the water.

The group were about to be completely submerged when Ed said, ”it's an illusion. But I don't think it means you can't die in it. There is no water. You better believe it; it's better safe than sorry.” Ed said entering the water completely. His words caused the group to tense, before they followed him. Meryl smirked at the turn of events. If they die, she would take the treasure all for her self. This was a good ending, she thought.

The others first felt water threaten to enter their lungs. Ed breathed in as though there was no water after all, he could not even see the water they saw. It took a while, before the other's eyes cleared after struggling for a while. They found themselves standing on a bridge. They looked at where they were standing before, saw water and paled. If not for this boy, they would have died. They frowned when they noticed Meryl had returned to the water with smirk.

They tried calling to her, but the captain stopped them.

”This is a game a of luck. We brought her to help us through the illusions, yet she falls to one, what is the use of keeping her with us?” The captain said, but then, Meryl stopped half way into the water as though confused then returned to where Ed had 'drowned and dived in.

to her, she was diving in, to them, she was jumping flat on her tummy, on the bridge. She got up in a daze. When she saw them looking at her, she paled. It seems Ed was right. Many may not have understood the logic of what she just did, but Ed did. She had heard them talking. A look at her expression and you could tell. Though she shook it off moments later, he could tell she was now guarded against them.

The captain did not spare her much of a glance as he turned and they continued their gourney. They did not bother to thank Ed either, which did not bother him.