Alba

Part 1

Alba breathed a sigh of relief as she crested the hill. Toward the bottom was a tiny stream leading to a beautiful lake. It was the first water she'd seen in a few days, and supplies were running low.

Alfons reached the top a few seconds later and looked down at the lake as well. "Well, thank the gods for that, huh? Another day and we would have run out. We need to pack more the next time in case we get lost like this."

"Yeah, and who's fault is it for not packing enough this time?" she retorted, starting down the hill.

"Mine, sure." he admitted. But it's yours for getting us lost. I thought elves kept better track of that sort of thing?

She rolled her eyes and ignored him. Sure, elves usually had better knowledge of the world and terrain, but out here? This was far from home.

"We should camp here tonight," he said. "Get hydrated and refill everything. Then figure out how to get back to the fort."

"Yeah, I agree." No use arguing with that.

After a couple minutes they reached the shore of the lake. The water was clear at least, so should be safe enough to drink. They both bent down and scooped the water into their mouths, drinking heavily before filling up their flasks. The refreshing feeling soothed them after the last few days of travel, and across the surface of the lake, the sun was beginning to set.

Wordlessly, Alfons began to unpack a few items. Bedrolls and blankets were laid out. Fortunately, it was warm enough that fire wasn't an issue, and the crescent moon gave them enough light to see. After a couple hours of discussing their next direction, they went to sleep.

No more than an hour after that, Alba felt herself waking up and she looked at the still surface of the lake. She could see Alfons as well standing in the middle of it, gazing at the moon with the water up to his neck. She smiled, and walked out to join him.

Part 2

The water quickly grew deeper and deeper as she walked. Alfons was taller, and the water was soon covering all but her eyes as she gazed up at the moon as well. Everything was peaceful. Calm. It was such a beautiful and warm night with a clear sky.

Alba tried to take a breath after standing there a while but got only water. She stifled the choking feeling in her lungs. It was such a beautiful lake. Alfons was still beside her, gazing up at the moon as well, unblinking as she was.

She tried to take another breath and she felt her lungs filling with water. Without meaning to, her feet kicked off from the bottom and she coughed violently, gasping for air as she did. Something wasn't right. Her body was telling her that, but she couldn't figure out what it was. After getting a mouthful of air, she stood in the lake again, still gazing at the moon.

What was happening? Her mind raced and Alfons turned to look at her, his first movement since he'd come out to stand in the lake. Emotionless, he reached out toward her shoulders and held her down.

Her mind began to panic as she swallowed another mouthful of water, and she felt her senses start to return. Why was she in the lake, and why was Alfons there with her? She pushed up on his arms and kicked off from the bottom again, gasping and choking as her mouth breached the surface. Alfons simply stood, unmoving. Without thinking, she swung a fist at his head and he reeled, releasing her. She gasped for another breath and swam toward the shore, her lungs burning with pain. Behind her, she could hear Alfons yelling, but it was all she could do to take more painful breaths.

Reaching the shore, she doubled over coughing and vomiting up water, still gasping for air.