It was at that time that Apollo felt his cheeks heat up and everything around them stopped. He could see the fire in Eilororis’ eyes along with something that he couldn’t put his finger on. A couple of seconds went by – though it only felt like hours to the two – before Eillana cleared her throat, making the two snap out of their somewhat blissful trance.

“Sorry.” The two said together before they stood up, not looking at the other’s eyes.

‘Oh, the tension is torturous.’ Ernan said looking at the two elf maidens and human boy with folded arms, ‘May the gods just let the ground eat me up so I don’t have to bear witness to this.’

“We should be going now.” Apollo said cutting the tension.

‘Thank you, Mr. Zhen!’ Ernan thought his mind celebrating for having some of the tension discarded.

The other two elves nodded before Apollo asked Ernan if he could ride with him instead.

“Of course, you can.” Ernan said before whispering, “You looked like you could use it.”

Apollo smiled gratefully at him before they all mounted the horses and started to head off.

“Those four seem to be getting along.” Arcus said as he and Fisar watched the them go.

“The time draws nearer for them Arcus.” Fisar said in a somewhat grave tone.

The centaur nodded before the two sighed.

“It’s always the innocent that are targeted.” Arcus said sadly, “Jodan would be so disappointed in himself.”

Fisar gave his friend a pat on the hand before sighing, “We both know that he and the old crew did everything we could to prevent Apollo from going down that path.”

“But did we really?” Arcus asked, “You know sometimes I often wonder if we could have done more to stop this.”

“Like what?” Fisar asked before Arcus looked at the palm on his hand, “That’s what I thought.”

*

Once they got to the lagoon Apollo found himself awestruck by its majesty.

“Speechless I see.” Eilororis commented upon seeing Apollo’s awestruck face.

The lagoon was deeply hidden by gigantic tree roots and other greenery, a few waterfalls that looked like a few minutes’ walk that connected to the lagoon via stream.

“You don’t really see anything this beautiful back home.” Apollo said as they stopped, “Well much anyway.”

“Oh, you poor thing.” Eillana teased as they got off the horses.

Apollo rolled his eyes while biting back a smile before he noticed something.

“Do you have any clothes to change into?” Apollo asked turning to the girls.

“Well Ms. Jigi and I can take off our jackets along with our shoes of course and when we dry off, we can just wear them after we take our shirts off.” Eilororis said simply as she took Rapidlight’s riding gear off, “You’re not a pervert, are you?”

Apollo’s eyes widened as a deep blush surfaced before he waved his hands around in denial.

“Of course, I’m not!” Apollo exclaimed, “My grandfather raised me to respect women and their privacy!”

Eilororis and Eillana laughed with Ernan as they enjoyed the reaction of the flustered teenage boy.

“Alright already.” Eillana said as the three elves stopped laughing.

“That was adorable.” Eilororis commented before giggling a little, “I’ve never seen someone get so flustered before!”

‘Control it Apollo.’ Apollo thought to himself as he held himself back from just tackling the silver haired elf who only just continued to giggle.

“Stop that!” Apollo said his blush only deepening.

Eilororis gave another giggle before she stopped and the four of them began to take off some articles of their clothes off. Once Apollo took his hoodie and shirt off the elves looked at his upper bare body in, all of them gave a different look of emotion. Eillana’s face had completely turned red and Apollo was sure there was steam coming off of it, Ernan’s face gave a look of disturbance, Eilororis’ face though was the only one out of the three who looked worried.

“What happened?” Eilororis asked as she gently touched one of Apollo’s many bruises.

Apollo flinched a little at the slight contact before Eilororis retracted her hand a little.

“I’m sorry.” Eilororis apologized quickly.

“It’s fine.” Apollo reassured quietly.

Eilororis gave Ernan a look before the male elf nodded and lead Eillana – who was still red in the face – to a different location away from the two.

“Who did this?” Eilororis asked worried.

“I don’t want to talk about it…”

“I may be a stranger to you Apollo but I’m worried about you.”

“Let’s just say I never had the best experience back home.”

“I’m sure nothing back there is as bad as it is here.” Eilororis said as she sat down on a tree root.

“What are you talking about Eilororis?” Apollo asked sitting beside her, “Lumene feels more like home than the Netherlands ever were.”

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“Sad to hear that.” Eilororis said quietly, “Just like Earth things here aren’t always what they seem.”

“Like what?” Apollo asked before saying in a low whisper, “I know about The Sisterhood but anything beyond that is- “

“Unimaginable?” Eilororis suggested.

“Horrifying.” Apollo corrected her, “If only writing about The Sisterhood makes both my father and grandfather scared then I don’t know what else could make me so terrified.”

Eilororis gave his hand a gentle squeeze and smile before sighing and looking at the lagoon.

“You know what my dad always tells me when I feel scared?” The elf maiden asked as she crossed her legs, ““Fears are nothing more than a state of mind Eli. You should never let your mind give in to that state.””

“Eli?” Apollo asked snorting with laughter.

Eilororis smiled shyly before she caught sight of Ernan and Eillana walking back to them.

“If you’re not comfortable with showing us your bruises you can always put your shirt back on.” Eilororis suggested before standing up and folding her arms, “Though I expect you to tell me who gave you those though.”

Apollo chuckled quietly before he stood up and whispered in her ear, “I’ll try.”

A few minutes later the four of them were in the blue water smiles on all their faces. Apollo was laughing at how much fun he was feeling before he was attacked by a wave that Eilororis made.

“What was that for!?” Apollo demanded with a smile on his face.

“Ever heard of a water fight?” The silver-haired girl asked, “Or are you humans so uptight that fun doesn’t even exist?”

Apollo got annoyed of the elven girl’s teasing before he sent a wave of water towards her, causing the elven girl to fall on her backside.

“Hey!” Eillana said laughing as Ernan sent a wave of his own towards her, “Ernan not funny!”

“It is a little bit funny.” Apollo said laughing along with Ernan.

“Yeah, you know what else is?” Eilororis asked before the boys shook their heads, “Sent small fierce waves down on the poor males’ souls.”

Apollo and Ernan’s eyes widened before the two of them were engulfed in the wave before the washed up on the shore.

“That!” Eilororis exclaimed as she and Eillana laughed.

“Cheater!” Apollo exclaimed as the two males stood up, “You’re just lucky we didn’t drown!”

“How is it called cheating exactly?” Eillana asked as they walked up to them, “She only used her magic which she technically has a right to use.”

“It’s called cheating cause one of us here can’t even do magic yet.” Ernan said.

“Oh, yeah that could be called cheating in a way.” Eilororis said in a thinking manner.

“’That could be called cheating’ you did cheat!” Apollo accused playfully.

Eilororis laughed sheepishly before Apollo once again felt his spine chill.

“Apollo are you sure you’re alright?” Ernan asked seeing Apollo look behind him to the bushes.

“I thought I felt something.” Apollo said before shaking it off, “It’s probably nothing though.”

“Alright then.” Eilororis said hesitantly before she went back to the water, “I’m going for a swim.”

The other three nodded before they walked to where Shadowheart and Rainheart were tied up before Eillana hung her shirt on a nearby root, Apollo retrieved his guitar and joined Ernan on the shore who started a fire.

“Seems like you’ve grown attached to Ms. Arcaniss, Sir. Zhen.” Ernan observed as he stroked the fire before he took out what looked like cookies.

“What’s that?” Apollo asked, tuning his guitar.

“Licorice and caramel cookies.” Ernan explained.

“Isn’t it a bit early for sweets?” Eillana asked as she sat beside him, her jacket covering her upper body, “We haven’t even had lunch yet.”

“It’s in my bag!” Eilororis exclaimed surfacing.

“I’ll get it.” Ernan said standing up and putting the cookies back into his own bag, ‘Ms. Jigi and Sir Zhen need to sort somethings out.’

“You and Eilororis seem to be getting along well.” Eillana said as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, “One might even say you two have known each other since birth.”

“You could say something like that.” Apollo said sheepishly as he strummed the strings of his beloved guitar, “Something about her just seems to interest me. It almost seems like she’s trying to tell me something without causing any suspicion.”

“Do you like her?” Eillana asked jealousy bubbling in her stomach.

Apollo stopped mid-strum before his face turned a light tinge of bright red.

“It’s not like that!” Apollo exclaimed waving his arms again before he saw his guitar lean towards the fire a little and quickly steadied his beloved instrument, “She just has this weird aura around her that I’m interested in.”

“Really Eilororis, Slow-Cooked Saffron Fish really!?” Ernan exclaimed laughing a little making the two end their conversation as he and Eilororis walked up to them, “I swear you’re addicted to this stuff.”

“It’s like you with those cookies of your’s.” Eilororis said sitting down between the two boys.

*

After a lunch filled with food, laughter, and the occasional singing from Eilororis and Apollo they divided into pairs. Ernan and Eillana went to go explore while Apollo and Eilororis peacefully sat on the shore beside the lagoon.

“So, about your bruises.” Eilororis said as Apollo pulled his shirt on, “You still haven’t told me how you got them.”

“Well, aren’t you persistent.” Apollo commented as he strummed his guitar again, “And you still haven’t told me about your Stone of Melodic.”

“Touché.” Eilororis said dipping her feet in the cool water before looking at the waterfall, “How about I tell you about how I got this after you told me who gave you those bruises.”

Apollo sighed before he agreed though reluctantly.

Eilororis made a gesture for Apollo to start talking before he sighed and stared at the crystal blue water. He stared at his reflection before he began to tell his experience back on earth for the second time since he arrived at this almost dreamlike world. Apollo didn’t know why but he felt just as relaxed with telling Eilororis his story just as he was when he told it to her mistress. He felt safe with retelling his home life to the purple eyed girl, Eilororis’ reactions however were the opposite to Eillana’s reactions. She stayed quiet only nodding her head at some parts and gave a deep sigh at some parts.

“I’m impressed.” Eilororis said closing her eyes a slight smile on her elegant face, “It takes someone strong to go through what you’ve done but it takes someone stronger to tell what you’ve gone through to a stranger.”

“Is that a good thing?” Apollo asked confused at what the elf maiden was saying, “Cause I’m a bit lost right now.”

Eilororis laughed making something in Apollo’s heart skip a beat.

“You don’t need to worry about anything Apollo.” Eilororis reassured, “From where my mother comes from its somewhat admirable.”

Apollo felt himself blush at the compliment before rubbing his neck sheepishly with a smile to match.

“Thanks.” Apollo said before looking at the clear sky, “I don’t think anyone has ever said that to me.”

“Really?” Eilororis asked with a look of confusion, “Nobody has told you that ever since you came here?”

Apollo shrugged a smile on his face before he once again felt the metal string of his guitar.

“Have you ever sung ‘Lavender Blue Dilly Dilly?’” Apollo asked strumming a few strings, forgetting about asking where Eilororis got the white stone necklace around her neck.

Eilororis laughed as she rested her head on her left shoulder and her right arm on her right leg that was lifted.

“It was the last song your grandfather ever sung to me before he stopped visiting.” Eilororis said, “It’s easily one of my all-time favorites.”

“Let’s see how well you know it then.” Apollo said before he started to play the song.