Ch-6: The Lake of Memories

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Ch-6: The Lake of Memories 🌑💧

Days passed like petals drifting on water.

In the palace of Velmora, Elion’s laughter echoed through the halls — soft, innocent, and full of life. Everyone adored him. The maids brought him flowers, the knights bowed to him, and Prince Adrien couldn’t imagine a day without seeing his smile.

But sometimes, at night, Elion’s dreams turned dark. He saw flashes — water swallowing him, voices screaming his name, two faces in the shadows, eyes full of jealousy. When he woke, he would sit silently by the window, touching his heart as if something inside hurt but had no name.

One bright morning, Adrien decided to take him out for a ride. The forest air was cool, scented with blooming lilies. Birds sang, and the river nearby shimmered like glass.

As they rode deeper into the woods, the path opened — revealing a wide, still lake, shining under the sun. Its waters looked calm… yet strange, almost whispering.

Elion froze. His eyes widened. His breathing quickened.

> “This place…” he whispered.

Adrien stopped his horse. “What’s wrong?”

Elion climbed down slowly, his feet moving as if pulled by something unseen. His reflection rippled across the surface — and suddenly, a sharp pain struck his head. Voices echoed — “Push him!” “Let the water take him!”

Elion clutched his head, trembling. “No… no… I know this place.”

Adrien rushed to him. “Elion, what are you saying?”

Tears filled Elion’s eyes. “I came from here.”

Adrien froze. “What?”

Elion pointed to the lake, his voice breaking like a child remembering a nightmare. “I woke up… from inside that water. It was cold… dark… it hurt.”

He took a step closer, drawn by the same cursed pull. The water shimmered, almost alive — whispering his name, “Elion…”

Adrien grabbed his hand. “Don’t go near! This lake… it’s cursed. The villagers call it the Memory Eater. Anyone who touches it loses themselves.”

Elion turned to him, eyes wide with fear and wonder. “Then… maybe it took my memories.”

Adrien’s heart pounded. “You mean… you came from this lake?”

Elion nodded weakly. “Yes. I remember nothing before it. Just water… and pain.”

The wind picked up, swirling around them. The lake’s surface rippled violently, as if the curse was listening. For a brief moment, Adrien thought he saw shadows under the water — two faces watching, grinning, whispering in the dark.

He pulled Elion back, holding him tight. “Don’t look. Whatever happened here… it won’t take you again.”

Elion buried his face in Adrien’s chest, trembling like a lost child. “Why me? Why did I fall there?”

Adrien stroked his hair gently. “You’re safe now. That’s all that matters.”

But as they turned to leave, the lake’s whisper grew louder — a soft, echoing voice calling from beneath the water.

> “Come back… Prince of Elaron…”

Elion stopped for a moment, his eyes glowing faintly — the first spark of his real self trying to awaken.

Adrien pulled him away quickly, unaware that destiny had just begun to unfold.

The cursed lake wasn’t done with Elion…

It was only waiting — for the right time to return what it had taken.

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