The Warrior

Lakes and rivers are beautiful – from afar. They sparkle gloriously in a thousand different blues. Cyan, azure, cerulean, royal blue, teal, you name it. It's times when I notice this that I long to take off and dive straight into the depths. I long to swim like a fish, to dart around the watery kingdom like I do on the terrestrial one. A fierce desire awakens inside when the others slide in gracefully (or not so; Herry likes to cannonball). If only I did not fear the water, I would be right behind them.

Of course, that all changes once you get close enough. The waters turn hideously black. You cannot penetrate the depths with your eyes. You can hardly see your feet; beyond your toes is nothing but a void. This is what brings me to a halt at the beach, when the waves tickle my feet, inviting me to follow them past the shore. I cannot be comfortable when I cannot see what is around me.

Clear lakes are no better. They may be shallower, but they are no less dangerous. The mud near shore is like quicksand; it struggles to keep you down, sucking you in deeper when you fight back. The lakebed is covered with a thick mat of long seaweed. They sway innocently with the currents, but I see the logs entangled in their mess, never to surface. I know that once I get close enough, the traitorous lengths will wrap around my ankle and drag me down.

This is why I panic around water. I am afraid of what will happen if I go in. If I am lost, Cronos can never be defeated. If I am lost, I will never have the chance to tell her how I feel.

When Phobos' mask infected me and Lykon went after her, I put her first. I fear losing her more than anything. I fear that more than drowning. I fear it more than being alone in the dark forever. I fear it more than never defeating Cronos. I would throw my life away to stay in New Olympia if it meant I could keep her safe.

I know that Atlanta thinks it silly that the Warrior should fear anything. Even though she hides it, I know she has fears too. But I will do everything I can to shield her from them, even if it means swimming the seven seas a thousand times over.


I have no idea if the lake descriptions are true for all; I'm basing them off of two lakes that I've been to quite a few times.

S.H.