The walk went on, droplets falling onto Thael's head every now and then. Eventually, they fell into a steady pace, and all the while had peculiar conversations of various topics. The man and Gianne had talked most of the time, Ivelis chiming in every now and then.

After a little while, she halted her steps. The two followed suit.

They've arrived.

Ivelis knew they were still deep inside the water but even underneath the vast lake, she could sense the powers from multiple figures moving around on land.

Terrifyingly mighty powers.

She took a deep breath and wielded her magic once more. A clean hole appeared above them, letting them see the sky even so deep in the lake. Stars twinkled in the dark night as she summoned water to hoist the three of them up. Thael looked around in wonder, like a child new to the world. Her cousin wasn’t new to any of it but had given a similar reaction.

The two of them sat on the platform of water that carried them, both surprised that somehow Ivelis had kept them dry when she was drenched in sweat. Her face had gone pale due to the amount of magic she had used by keeping the tunnel steady, but nevertheless Ivelis did not falter as they moved up.

"I never got to thank you for drying me, by the way. Thanks for using your magic," blurted Thael.

She picked up a sense of sincerity and shyness between his words. Her eyes were fixated on the waters, pretending to not have heard him. Gianne had given a short glare to dry him properly before the woman left the room. Clearly, she didn't want him to know she extracted the water from his clothes and hair for his comfort. Yet, the man somehow realized it wasn't because of the fire he was dry.

Ivelis didn't respond right away to see if he had more to say but the man was as silent as she was. Her head bobbed slightly after some time, sweat dripped from her chin as she willed her magic to hold. Just a little longer.

Long enough for them to reach the ones who summoned her. She gritted her teeth as she consumed more and more of her powers.

“I can see why your kind is known for art,” he suddenly mentioned.

She turned her head, “Oh?”

He stared into the water.

“You control the structure of the thing we walked in just now, right? The entire way here, everything seemed like nature framed into an art piece, even if it’s only water. It was as if you held it in the palm of your hands, displaying it so skillfully that those who see it will feel its beauty. Your gift makes one see the same thing but in a new way.”

She stared at him.

“The meaning of your gift is to recreate a creation itself, isn’t it? That’s how your bloodline got the gift because Artistin was the High Seater of Creations. It was because he was the Creation Seater, it was decided that his descendants will create too.”

Thael seemed to catch on quickly.

Gianne gasped but she only smirked, “I can’t tell whether you are smart or wise.”

“Neither. Just observant, miss,” he joked right back.

A small breath escaped her mouth in humor as she looked away, noticing they were nearing the surface of the lake. As soon as they emerged, the first thing they all noticed was the gelid air. Thick coats were soon wrapped around each of them and only then did she notice that they were in the middle of the lake. Without further prompting, her cousin used nearby rocks to form a bridge.

She arranged the rocks until a floating pathway was visible, the end connected to the land. Ivelis tested the floating bridge by jumping onto one of the large blocks. It swayed slightly at first but then returned to a stable position. Convinced it was safe, they cautiously made their way to land.

The rocks sank as soon as Thael placed both feet on solid ground.

He gulped but Gianne only shrugged.

She warned them to not move too far as they took in their surroundings. The place was covered in mist, and Ivelis squinted to see through it. To see the palace that lurked beyond. She knew the mist that covered their surroundings was enchanted to hide buildings, it was also designed to have a special treatment for unwanted trespassers. Anyone who wandered aimlessly into the mist with bad intentions would get lost and eventually run out of basic needs to survive.

From deep within the cloudy air, a figure emerged. “ Who is it? Show yourself!”

Even though it wasn’t clear, she could still make out the figure to be a guard. He was probably patrolling the grounds and heard them. Ivelis drew in a breath and let a deadly type of serenity fall into her face muscles. Gianne smiled knowingly. She let her entire body relax into a familiar position, allowing her gift to take place. Not water, but just as versatile.

A sly smile played on her lips, and then with a mocking tone she said, “No grand celebration for me? I see the council has finally run out of coffers to steal from. Maybe they can try being the whores they are now.” It was unlike her to have a poor attitude but this was a crucial move. Her cousin had a wicked grin and if Thael was observant like he said, he would realize what they were playing at.

They heard a gulp.

A thespian, that’s what Ivelis was. A person who could create truths or lies and ensure it was not her but you that will feed it to yourself, her form of art was acting itself. Like an artist, she has her tools to create her masterpiece which included her physical self, her mind, her voice and so much more. Everything played into place when you wanted someone to believe the show you were giving them. Even the smallest detail like where you’re looking or how you smile was important for any mistake could have your act fall apart.

He muttered under his breath, “So that’s why you’re referred to as The Art Queen. Everyone else either creates from something that has existed or something entirely new but you can do both. Very well, too if there are people who call you Artistin’s Heir.”

She sent him a look that had Thael morphing his lips to match Gianne’s grin.

The guard had now stepped close enough for them to see him properly. The man was wearing light armor and a cloak. Something around his neck caught her eye, a green pendant attached to a black bead chain hanging loosely. A pale look painted clearly onto his face as his eyes widened.

“O-Oh, Lady Ecawil. You have arrived.”

Her voice turned low but still carrying a pernicious tone. “Well? What the hell are you waiting for then? Should I be on my knees? If you don’t clear this stupid fog, I will not hesitate to drain your blood. It is liquid after all.”

The poor man stuttered an apology and proceeded to whisper an incantation. As the final words of an odd language left his mouth, the green pendant around his neck flashed a green light before dimming again. Out of the corner of her eye, the mist had started to clear bit by bit until it revealed a windy pathway that led to another staircase

She groaned audibly. “I’m damn tired, you really expect me to take such a long way? So much power, the council can’t even build a closer entrance. Your life or a shorter distance?”

Ivelis had an intimidating aura wrapped around her.

Before the guard could even say anything, she taunted him with a wave of her hand but not before giving a wink that set red to his cheeks. This was how The Grand Council described her as in their part of the world. She was this cocky yet charming woman, demanding and ensnaring, beautiful and bold. She cast a daring gaze at the man that had visibly shaking knees, and as her hair glowed like light amidst of darkness a satisfied purr came out of her mouth when the guard muttered, “As you wish.”