The moment we wake up, we eat a little bit of what’s left of the soup, then, pumped for our adventure, we board one of the boats. Always the gentleman, Blake takes the oars and sits confidently in the middle. He tries moving the oars, but constantly gets it wrong. The boat tips from side to side violently as he looks at it in confusion. He clears his throat and tries again, but the results are just as disastrous. Trying to hide my laugh, I take over.

“You need to move them at the same time and slowly, so we don’t tip over.” I explain and he nods with an adorable expression. “I used to row with my father when I was little, but sadly, we don’t have time anymore, and now I live in another country. Still, I love doing it occasionally, being out on the water, it reminds me of home.”

“That sounds so nice! I used to go fishing with my parents, but they never taught me how to row, and now we don’t have a boat anymore, our previous one sunk.” Blake replies softly.

“Maybe I can teach you.” I say and move behind him.

The boat tips from side to side as we shuffle and Blake even trips a little but doesn’t fall. We get in position as I sit behind him. I firmly hold his hands and hug him from behind as I tell him the movements and do a few demonstrations. We move back and forth as the boat makes tiny waves in the calm water. We chuckle slightly as we row together, crossing the crystalline river. It’s quiet and peaceful, the only sounds being the slight creaking of the boat and the moving water. Blake is getting more confident and laughs happily as he goes faster. I chuckle at his enthusiasm. He is so warm and smells like flowers, I think as I help him row. My face is a little red, but I’m not embarrassed, I just smile happily, enjoying the moment. Orange leaves fall from the trees around us and wind gusts occasionally ruffle our hair as we make our way to shore. In just a bit, we’re on the other side. Lots of mushrooms decorate the dark grass and flys buzz around us. The trees are tall and small white flowers grow beneath them. We get off the boat and stretch a little. Suddenly, something catches my eye.

“Lake! Look at those mushrooms! They are so beautiful! They are Amanita muscaria, or as most people call them, Fly agaric.” I exclaim happily as I point at some cool red and white mushrooms. “Very poisonous though, don’t touch. If you would eat one, let’s just say you would see a lot of pretty colours. Small piece of advice on mushrooms, the more colourful, the more dangerous.”

“Noted!” Blake replies happily and ruffles my hair as we enter the dark woods.

We walk for a bit, till we reach a huge monument and a crossroad. The marble depicts a family of three. A mother, a father and a little girl They are all wearing clothes with intricate designs and are pointing in different directions. The girl points towards the path on the left and holds a sign saying: “The mine”. The father is pointing towards the path on the right. His sign says: “Blackwood Mansion”. And the mother points towards us, her sign saying: “Crescent Mountain”. I approach them slowly. They look a little bit like the people in my dream, just older. I touch the statue, trying to find the year it was made, when suddenly, their eyes light up. Purple light engulfs the monument, and it starts spreading around like a plague. Blake steps in front of me as the world around us changes, turning dark purple. The trees glow hauntingly and leaves fly in our faces as the wind intensifies. Particles and stars are coming from the ground as if the apocalypse had come. Small tremors can be felt as the sky above us turns dark, clouds engulfing the sunny day. Purple lightning threatens the world as a horrible sound echoes throughout the forest.

“Elwyn, is this you?” Blake asks with a little tremble in his voice.

“No! No purple mage would be able to do such a thing on their own. Our powers are just fire and making stuff float!”

“Elwyn….” an echoey female voice whispers from somewhere in the forest.

My blood goes cold in my veins and icy sweat forms on my face. Blake’s eyes get bigger as his hands glow green and his expression becomes serious. All this time, the voice I’ve been hearing was real?! I look around with fear.

“I’ve heard that voice before!” I whisper with a trembling voice.

“What?! Why didn’t you say anything?” Blake asks with shock.

“I thought it was only my imagination playing tricks on me!” I answer as thunder strikes once more above us.

“Elwyn Redwood… Come to me…” the disembodied voice speaks once more.

We look up at the sky with terror in our eyes as more cold sweat drips down my face. This can’t be happening!

“No no no no!” I murmur to myself as I take a few steps back. “Blake, we need to get out of here! Now!”

Blake looks at me with a little sadness as thunder strikes above.

“Elwyn, you need to get out of here. There is an exit in the mine, that’s how I got in here. You can use it to escape!” Blake says, putting an emphasis on the you.

I grab Blake’s arm.

“What about you?!” I shout desperately over the wind.

“I’ll distract it! And I need to make sure all of this energy doesn’t get out of the forest! I’ll be fine! But your presence must be angering the curse! You need to leave! Now!”

Blake shakes me off and starts running towards the mansion. He only looks back once and smiles through the fear. Our gazes connect and my breath stops for a few seconds as I move my head in a denial motion. Please, don’t! I want to speak, but I can’t hear my voice.

“Please go!” Blake shouts before he disappears in the darkness.

I take one step towards the path on the right, unsure of what to do. I need to stay, I know I do. But I’m so afraid. I cower as a tree falls right in front of me. Blake is lying, he can’t do this alone, he’s just trying to protect me, he needs my help. I need to go after him. I take one more small step.

“Elwyn…. Redwood…” the voice echoes once more and I freeze.

No! I can’t do this, I’m not strong enough! I back away in fear as tears flow down my face. I’m sorry, Blake! I close my eyes and take a deep breath before running towards the mine at top speed, not looking left or right. The purple clouds are coming down and engulfing the forest into a thick fog as I make my way through the foliage. The trees’ branches feel like arms that are trying to grab me and the wind is pushing me away. The purple particles are flying all around me and an earthquake shakes the world as I reach the mine.

“Elwyn…” the strange echoey voice shouts in anger this time and my heartbeat increases substantially.

I enter the dark cave. I can’t see anything. Small droplets of water echo throughout the cavern and the walls have a mouldy and wet texture to them. I look around the darkness, hoping for a glimpse of light, but there is none. I walk slowly as I stumble very often, my only guide being a small purple flame. Am I going the right way? Bats fly by me, shrieking in fear. I scream as well until they are gone. I sigh, thankful that I’m ok and continue my journey into the gloomy darkness. I can feel the pathway going deeper and deeper into the mountain. Carefully, I manage not to fall. The echoes of my steps are the only thing I hear. Suddenly, I realise something. That smell…  It smells like salt. I touch the walls. I must be in the salt mine Blake mentioned. We didn’t go deep enough to see the salt before. I always loved visiting salt mines when I was a child, wish this was a different circumstance. The cold is getting worse, so I zip up my hoodie and hug myself in the hope of getting warmer. Maybe I should turn back and try another path? No, I’m sure I’m fine. Suddenly, I see a little light up ahead. The cave is going down and the rock is slippery as I try to make my way towards the warm glow. At one point, without thinking, I speed up the pace until I stumble and fall all the way down.

“Auch… That hurt a lot! But nothing’s broken”

I look around to see a small lantern on a wooden crate. I’m out of the entrance and in the mine proper now. A big room lies in front of me and a small river flows peacefully in the middle of it. The water sparkles in the warm light of the lantern and the walls are covered in dark shadows. This place would be quite peaceful if it wasn’t for the fact I am actively in danger. I take the lantern slowly as dust falls off it. It’s old and a little rusty, but also beautiful. Its light colours the world and shows me the secrets of the cave. The walls are covered in white and grey salt that shines because of the orange flame. Stalagmites and stalactites point towards each other and planks of wood hold up the ceiling. I look at the lantern with sorrow. Blake must have left this here. My gaze turns towards the cave behind me. No, I must get out of here, he’ll be fine.

I jump over the river and go deeper into the mine. Minecarts and pickaxes decorate the narrow corridors as I make my way through them. The light of the lantern is not very strong, but it brings colour to the cave. At one point, I reach a chasm. I look down, but it looks bottomless. I slightly shiver at the idea. I can see a bridge that will lead me over to the other side, but it looks a little rickety. Suddenly, my eyes are filled with relief and excitement. There’s sunlight on the other side. It must be the exit! But my happiness is not to last. There is another earthquake and the cavern shivers. Rocks start falling from the ceiling, thankfully, just in time, I catch them with my powers. I hold them in the air, but the overuse of my powers is draining me. Sweat flows down my face as I grunt from the effort.

“Elwyn! Come back!” the voice shouts and the cavern trembles, more rocks falling ahead of me.

I look with fear and realise that the cavern will collapse the moment I stop holding it. I look ahead. Freedom! I’m so close! Only a little bit more. I look at the rocks I’m holding above as a purple light surrounds them. Wait! Blake! I look towards the forest. If I get out, the tunnel will collapse and he’s going to be trapped here. No! What do I do?! Another tremor hits and even more boulders fall. I crouch from the effort. What do I do? If I stay, I might never get out again. The boulders will have sealed the way and I’m not strong enough to move them. But if I leave, Blake will be trapped here forever. Alone. Tears flow down my cheeks as the realisation of how terrible this situation is hits me. Dust is falling all around me as the tremors continue. My power weakens and the rocks drop lower. Now it’s my last chance. But Blake! I look towards the forest. Will I just leave him here? I close my eyes as tears flow down my cheeks. You need to be brave! You need to have courage! I take a deep breath and, with my hands trembling from stress, I let go. The boulders fall with a thud, dust rising from the ground as I escape the cavern. Once it all calms down, I look with sadness at the blocked path. I approach it slowly and touch the rocks. I might never get out… But I’ve made my choice. I had the courage… I smile to myself and take a deep breath. Determinately, I turn around and start running as fast as I can. I exit the mine, pass by the statue once more and take the right path. I can see a huge mansion up ahead. Wooden balconies decorate the exterior and huge pillars hold the roof. It looks old and worn down by age. Moss has climbed its way to the second floor and vines are embracing the house. Crooked windows with shattered glass reveal only darkness inside. The railings of the balconies have long been gone and the lavender and white paint is now faded. I slow down as I approach the mansion. The elegantly carved doors are opened, and a red carpet is inviting me inside. I slowly climb up the stairs of the small terrace and reach the entrance. Inside, it’s dark, but pictures are hung on the wall and a grandfather clock is ticking calmly. I look up at the sky. The purple light and fog that have engulfed the forest are coming from this house. Its walls are glowing eerily and the echoing thunder from above creates an ominous painting. Suddenly, I hear a scream of terror and my hands and eyes glow purple. Hold on, Blake! I’m coming!