text: Nick, Amber and I decided to hang out by the lake today, just like in old times. We used to spend hours there, swimming, throwing rocks and jumping into the lake from a swing that was attached to a nearby tree. I guess that might have been the most fun I've had in my whole life. Especially now, since we see each other so rarely. After high school ended, everyone kind of went their own way. Nick is studying aeromechanics, Amber is studying biology and I... well, let's just say I took a year off. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do in life, and I wasn't going to waste that year on something I'm not interested in. Even though my parents still don't agree with my idea. They think that I'm wasting a year of my life either way. But it is MY life in the end, so I couldn't care less. Anyway, to get back to the topic. We're going to go swimming and maybe even sleep by the lake tonight. I guess we'll see where the adventure takes us. I grabbed a six-pack of beer and hopped into my truck. We agreed that I'd pick everyone up. So I did. After a five-minute drive, I arrived at Amber's place and honked four times. Amber glimpsed through the window and yelled: - I'm coming! - She ran out of the house, and I got out of my truck to have a proper greeting. She jumped on me, and I spun her around. Long time no see, sis. - I know, right? So, what have you been up to? - We make our way towards the truck. Nothing much. You know, the usual. - Oh, come on. We haven't seen each other for almost a year, and the best I can get out of you is "nothing much"? - Well, I really haven't been doing anything worth mentioning. - Did you decide what you were gonna study? - Nah. Not yet. I guess I'm leaning towards something techy. - Then you're definitely leaning in the wrong direction. - We both chuckle. Yeah, but technology stuff brings in the money. - It does, but will it make you happy? Besides, you couldn't stand doing something you aren't fully interested in. You'd get bored of it after two classes. - True that. - Nick is already waiting for us in front of the house. I don't even get to stop the vehicle, and Amber is already outside, saying hi to Nick. I love both of them, but I always felt like a third wheel. Not that I really mind. I love hanging out with the two of them. Hey, hey, hey, who's my favourite driver. - What's up, future Steve Irwin? - I'll take that as a compliment. - Nick and I have a very complicated handshake. I can't believe we both still remember it. You should. Are you guys ready for this? It's about time we had some fun together. - It's gonna be a great day. I'm as ready as one could be! I've been looking forward to this since we parted ways. - I know, right! - Amber says as she leans back in her seat. Having arrived at the lake, we set up camp and crack a beer. After that, we go swimming and do the usual: jump from the swing. It was so much easier when I was a kid. Growing up isn't fun. Depends on the viewpoint, to be honest. If I wasn't a grown-up, I wouldn't be able to spend the night here. In the open. Without my parents. Drinking beer. But here we are. We went to sleep in a tent that Amber brought. I guess they had a few spares at the college. Or at least that's what she said. I woke up in the middle of the night to use the "toilet". Which was a large tree. As I made my way back to the tent, I realised there was something wrong with the lake. Very wrong. It wasn't there anymore. Or at least it looked like it wasn't. I tried to get closer to where the edge of the water was during the day. To my surprise, there was no water. I ran to the tent to wake up my sleeping pals. We did drink, but I definitely wasn't that drunk. I removed the side of the tent which was used as a door and at that moment I got even more scared. Amber and Nick were gone. Their stuff was there, but they were nowhere to be found. I looked around the tent too, and there was nothing. No footprints. And my truck was still there. I turned around to face the lake once more. Somewhere around what should be the middle of the lake and the deepest point, a light turned on. That unknown light revealed a wooden house covered in moss. The door of the house opened, and a beautiful voice started calling my name. James... James... I need you. I need you to help me. - The first thing that came to my mind was a mermaid song. The way these words rolled off the person's tongue... it sounded like a mermaid song. It made me remember a story my mom always told me as she put me to sleep. It was some stupid myth about a goddess living beneath our lake. She showed herself only to worthy people. You know the classic, those who were honourable, pure of heart and similar shenanigans. And she always started everything with: "I need you to help me." Her most prominent moment was when she called upon a knight and gifted him a sword. The sword was made of moss and blessed by her divine might to be unbreakable. The one who yielded it had the power to command waves. The knight used that sword to defend the town from a savage army set to destroy it. He died during the battle, but he accomplished what he was destined to. The sword was never found. It's an interesting little story for a kid who loves knights and dragons. Especially since it was set in our town. But I thought it was just a story. As I was thinking about this, my legs literally walked me to the house. I found myself standing in front of the open door. Although the house looked ruinous from the outside, the inside shone with a golden shine. I stepped inside. Looking around, I realised that everything was actually golden. Directly across from where the doors were, there was a throne. On that throne sat the most gorgeous woman I had ever seen. Golden hair, an armour of beautiful moss, even though I have no idea how moss could be beautiful. She stood up and walked towards me. James. I am so glad you answered my call. I'm sure you have heard stories of me and all this seems very unreal. I assure you that it is, in fact, quite real. Everything you see around you is as tangible as you are. But we do not have time to dwell on such unimportant things. There is a task that you must perform. A task that will shape the future of this town, but also your own. Once more, a great danger has befallen this town. You must be the one who rids the town of this danger. - She points her hand towards the wall, and a golden sword flies towards her immediately. As it touches her hand, it turns into a sword made of moss. The sword of legend. I grant you the power to use this sword in times of need. In the name of Vadhillde, I knight thee. - I put my hands in front of myself, and the sword flies towards me, stopping directly in front of me. I grasp it and immediately fly out of the house and into the tent. Opening my eyes, I realise that it's daytime. I look around and Amber and Nick are there. Nudging both of them at the same time, I'm still trying to process the events which happened just a few moments ago. At least it felt that way in my mind. Slow down, James! Where's the rush? - Nick wakes up first. You won't believe what just happened to me. Or at least, what I think happened. - I retold everything that happened during this mysterious night, only to be greeted by bursts of laughter. You really want us to believe that Vadhillde manifested herself?! And that she chose you for some mythical quest? Dude, you're out of your mind! - Wise words from a guy studying aeromechanics just so he could create a spacecraft capable of transitioning through dimensions in mere seconds. I'm telling you what I had seen! And I held the sword with my bare hands! - Well, where is it, James? Where's the sword? - I look around and it's nowhere to be found. Maybe, it was all just a very elaborate dream, buddy. - Amber says as she pats me on the back. Maybe she's right. We get out of the tent and start packing our bags, but something is odd. The water level seems to be much higher than last night. I think nothing of it since I am still shaken by my visions. Or dream. Whatever. As we're about to leave, a service van with the emblem of Amber's college stops right next to my truck. Amber recognizes one of the people in the vehicle as her professor, Mr Hendricks. Hi professor, it's me, Amber Ardens. - Oh, hello Ms Ardens. I didn't know you were from this part of the country. You were pretty lucky, might I say. The water level had suddenly risen exponentially in just one night. It's unseen of. We were immediately contacted so we rushed here as fast as we could. - I'm in awe. And so is everyone else. This has to have something to do with my dream. Oh, my! But what could cause something like this? - That is what we are here for. We'll try to uncover the reason for this occurrence. Until then, I'll have to ask you not to go swimming anymore. - Of course professor. If you need anything, I'll be on standby. - Thank you, colleague Ardens. - We pack our stuff and I drop everyone off at their homes. It was quite a silent ride. But something keeps bothering me. I feel drawn to the lake, to its depths. Hopefully, it will fade soon. During the following night, the urge to go back to the lake overcomes me. I have to see what's drawing me there. I hop into the truck, and I'll be damned, what's sitting on the seat next to me: the freaking sword. I grab it and it feels much lighter than it looks. I arrive at the lake and immediately jump into the water without even taking my clothes off. I swim as deep as I can and for some reason, I feel like I could hold my breath forever. A the bottom of the lake, I find the wooden house. But the doors are closed. Still, I can hear a voice calling me, begging me to come in and help. But it's not the same voice. This one is raspy and gloomy. As I place my hand on the door handle, shivers run down my spine. Something's off. I open the door and the same view as yesterday appears in front of me. A golden interior. And Vadhillde is sitting on the throne. Thank you for coming, James. I truly need you. - Need me for what? Where is the danger? And why do I feel so uneasy? - You feel the danger in here. That is why you arrived. You fool. - The raspy voice exclaims. Vadhillde stands up and turns around to reveal a creature so hideous, which seems to be a part of her. It's as if she has two sides, two beings in one body. This creature is made of aquatic moss. Its insides are visible through the holes in the moss. But the most hideous thing about it is the face, a mix between a witch and a frog, such an awful abomination. She starts approaching me, and I grip the sword tighter. I point it towards her and she starts laughing as the house goes from golden and shiny to dark and gloomy. The walls become covered in mud, and the only thing that is still golden is the place on the wall where the sword once stood. Did you really believe that I would hand you the only weapon capable of destroying me? I am a goddess, not a foolish human! - She grabs me by the neck and lifts me up. I try to stab her multiple times, but the sword just goes through her. Remember how it once was and return it to that state. - I can hear the mermaidish voice once again. But what could it mean? I look around while I still can, but my vision is getting blurry. What can I do? I notice the golden spot where the sword used to be and throw it as hard as I can. The sword seems drawn to that place as if it was a magnet, and as soon as it touches the wall, the monster releases me and fades from Vadhillde's body. I fall to the floor, and everything starts to turn gold once again. Thank you, my boy! You've saved me and this town. As a reward may luck be on your side for all of eternity. - What was that... thing? - I ask as I stroke my neck. Nadhillde. My demon side. She slowly grows on my back through the millennia. Every now and then, she grows ever so powerful to overthrow me inside of our mind. In those moments, I require heroes such as yourself. Now go and use your reward well. - She touches my forehead and teleports me to my house. I open my eyes, and once again, it's daytime. My phone starts ringing as soon as I stand up. It's Amber. Hey, the professor called me. The water level magically receded. Want to go for a swim? - Sure, but you won't believe what happened to me last night. Also, I think I know what I want to study. - Can't wait for the story. Really? And what's that? - Cryptozoology. You know, researching mythical beasts and stuff. - That's not even a real science, James... - Try and say that to Vadhillde and Nadhillde. They seemed pretty realistic to me.