Chapter 979: Rain Forest
Arty’s joy was almost infectious to the others. She skipped the last few steps to the water, leaning forward so close that her hair nearly brushed the mirrored surface.
Her eyes sparkled wide and unblinking, drinking in every glimmer of sunlight bouncing off the ripples like she’d stumbled into a fairytale. Then she remembered that she is, in fact, in a fairytale.
"This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying the kind of breathless wonder only a teenager could muster.
She crouched to touch the cool water, gasping at its clarity. The reflection was so sharp she could see every strand of her hair and every drifting cloud above.
The lake itself was a living painting. The water was shimmering blues that deepened toward the center, framed by the lush green of the forest.
The waterfall at the far end spilled in a graceful sheet. Its constant murmur harmonizing with birdsong. Dragonflies darted over lily pads. Their gossamer wings catching the sun.
The air smelled faintly sweet, like flowers and clean rain. Something like this was not existed in the city where she lived.
Esther stepped up beside her with hands on her hips, a faint pride in her voice.
"Moon Lake’s famous for that color. The water’s infused with natural Magic energy from deep underground, you know? That is what gives it that crystal glow. People say it can soothe the mind if you sit by it long enough."
Annette joined them, kneeling to let her fingers skim the surface of the water. "And at night, the moonlight makes the whole lake glow silver. The old stories say it’s blessed by a spirit who fell in love with the moon." She smiled softly, glancing at Arty. "We won’t see that today, but it’s worth coming back for."
Arty’s mouth formed a little "o" of awe.
"A glowing lake... and a moon spirit..." She hugged her knees, her gaze sweeping across the scene as if committing it to memory. "I’m definitely coming back. Hehe."