Chapter 36 - Thirty-Four (1/2)

The only good part was that because of my swimming skill my first reaction was to close my mouth and hold my breath, otherwise I would have swallowed it all in a go right down my throat.

But the sudden darkness and pressure from the water were unnerving, even more without knowing where I was and how deep; so before I started to panic for the lack of air I quickly searched my surroundings between half-open eyelashes, and saw I distant bluish light coming from above.

I start pushing the water down with my hands, putting my muscles to work as I feel the air escaping from my nostrils faster than I would like. Once I reached my limits I clenched my teeth and closed my eyes, totally focusing in putting more strength in my movements, and finally broke the surface of the water while I took scr.a.p.es and uneven short yet deep breaths, swallowing some water in the process.

While I was coughing it away, working myself off to keep floating, I looked around for Leonel only to see him emerge afterward, with no problems breathing as he held an air bubble on his face.

I could have used one of that you know?

Still mad at you though.

Once I see he is ok, I turn around, taking in my surroundings.

…

Dungeons don't make any sense, now I'm sure of it.

What-the-hell-is-a-freaking-tropical-island doing in the middle of the ocean underneath the earth?!

Like, is night and all, without a moon, but there it is, a piece of land surrounded by water; not salty though, not that it matters.

I won't- I don't even- sigh, I will just accept that we are now on an island surrounded by water and hope and pray deeply that the next door in on land.

Though I doubt, with my luck, sigh.

After my moment of self-doubt I start swimming to the island, getting more tired by the minute. I plop down the sand once I reach it, not very keen on moving right now. As I wait for my soul to return my body, Leonel simply walks off the water and goes into the palm forest, and says while he passes:

”I will gather some wood, encounter me there”

”Uhm” I responded faintly, shushing him away with my hand.

I stay still for a while, hearing the sound of the waves shocking themselves against the shore, a constant sound yet different every wave, rocking back and forth, filled with the rustling of leaves and the nocturne animals, and if it wasn't from the sand entering the crevices of my clothing's and rasping annoyingly all over my skin I might as well had fallen asleep here and there.

I stand, already feeling how swore my muscles will be tomorrow, and look around once more, taking in the details this time.

The water was crystal clear, and I could see the coral underneath the shallow parts, some of its plants shining in a white-blue light, giving a very peaceful image. I could even see some fishes going around, some white like ghosts close to the surface, but some colored ones were hidden in the corals.

It was quite the image.

There was even some wood in the more shallow part holding up white hammocks that were slightly dipping into the water. Frowning I turn around to the tropical island, seen some green hills and a lot of foliage, palm trees, and plants everywhere; the only part without it opened to a path made of stones and wooden railing.

There were some torches around, following the path, and it was tempting to lit them up as I pass; it would build a great pathway with the dancing flames; but as I didn't know yet what kind of creatures were around here I hold myself off.

I follow Leo's smell, which goes up the wooden path, until I reach a two store wooden cabin, a mixture of wood with a thatch roof, palm trees and a sense of tropically unique and different from mountain cabins, with a lot vivid colored mixtures, especially green and yellow.

The door was open and I could hear steps inside on the squeaky damp wood. I enter only to see Leo pushing two bamboo sofas with a cushion on top closer to the fireplace of the side room.

There is already firewood inside, and while I'm dry from my own warm body Leonel is still dripping wet. Hump, serves you right, payment for the lack of help in the water.

Not that I couldn't take care of myself, of course.

But I'm not thaaat bad, so a lit the fireplace with a simple breath, watching the flames crack and consume the wood.

”I'm going to have a look around, why don't you search this place up?”

I do not wait for his answer, going around the front door; since I came from the back door; and into the main path.

Then I stop in my tracks when I don't hear him move and peek over the window, seing him staring out into nothing, deep in thought, yet somehow… sad?

Sigh, maybe I went a little too far, but totally his fault, he deserved it…

Ok, I'll try not to be as meany, as my brother would say.

I checked around the place in an efficient way, moving my ears as I looked for predators, claw marks, strange smells, until I found a swing close to a lagoon that stood actually in a type of backyard from the house, which would be perfect as a source of drinkable water.

The swing hung from a tree that curved beautifully over the small lagoon, the big trunk giving away its age far before the height, though after the elven trees this was a mere baby in comparison.

The blue light from the fake sky was reflected over the crystal clear water of the lagoon, so clear and steady that beyond that reflex of the light you almost couldn't tell there was water there at all.

I dip my little toes in the warm water, wiggling them underneath as I refused to wear shoes and didn't need to take them off; they took away my feeling of the floor, it just… felt weird, wrong somehow.

I look at myself then, still in human form, those limbs, fingers, the hair, the lack of fur, and at the same time feeling strange yet nostalgic somehow.

Leonel could be taller than I, and older as well; I think he said 13?; but even with my 5 hound years I looked almost the same age as him… though not as tall.

Guess animals grow faster than humans and elves hum…

I went a little deeper into the water, feeling the rocks from the deep rasp against my skin, the water rising almost nothing when I reached its middle only to discover that there were little fishes going about, nibbling at my feet and tickling, stealing some giggles from me as I splashed my feet around.

I hear a sound than to my side, and I quickly turn only to see Leonel there, his angelical figure illuminated by the blue-silver light, his golden eyes warm as he smiled down at me, making me blush a little for my childish behavior.

”I got a present for you.”

That got my attention, perching my ears up and making the tip of my long tail wiggle. He continues, showing a leather bag filled with something.

”I was quick to collect, and after what you said about me not letting you attack I thought it would compensate a little. Sorry that I was so selfish… and sorry for always apologizing.”

Well, at least he was sincere, I'll give him that.