It is the summer right before Kiana and Alex’s second year in Depeche University.
—-
“Welcome to…. Yevend Guided Tours!!” announces Kiana. “Today we will be hosting our first ever trip through the fabled Astronomer’s Portal!” Her long pale pink hair swung outwards as she gestures proudly at its entrance.
Kiana and Alex are on a hiking trip at the outskirts of Breeze. Standing in front of them is an arch naturally formed in rock. Pieces of itself were held together by roots of the tree resting upon it. Despite it appearing worn and fragile, one can’t help but respect its resilience. She can sense it feels at peace after enduring the length of countless eras gone by.
“Oh my god what a super cool sounding place. Please tell us more, Chaperone Kiana!” Alex joins.
She glares at Alex and crosses her arms. “I’m not sensing enough enthusiasm in Team Yevend!” she commands.
“...........................”
“Ahem… Anyways." She sighs. "What makes the Astronomer’s Portal special you ask? Well, beyond us is a hidden lake that was first discovered by a group of astronomers.”
“Obviously.” Alex teases while smiling right at her. “Anything else, Miss Chaperone?”
Why is he being so difficult when he’s the one that showed me this place anyways. I know it’s our first time here but shouldn’t he know more than me?
Kiana sighs. She dulls her tone, “It’s rumoured that whoever visits this place is cursed with only 17 days left to live. The first group of astronomers died 17 days after visiting this place, and so has everyone else after them. There are still people who travel here despite the risks because every single visitor has claimed this to be the most unregretfully beautiful place on Earth. Strangely enough cameras don’t work here and satellite imagery becomes corrupted. The only records of this place are by word of mouth. Apparently the government is in talks of blocking this place off from the public.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Alex looked pale by the end of her seminar. She raises an eyebrow at him, “Didn’t you know this already?”
He shakes his head quickly.
Kiana wouldn’t admit it but his fallen stature made her feel a little nervous.
But I’m a Stargazer! It’s my mission to see this tour through!
She allows a surge of bravery to fill her spirit.
She smiles confidently and holds a fist over her heart. A gust of wind pushes her hair back, spotlighting the bravery her eyes are projecting. “Worry not young tourist! For it is my responsibility to ensure your safety! No one will be dying during or after due to this tour!”
Alex was at a loss for breath. He was surprised that Kiana could preach in such passion for their wellbeing.
She really is maturing. I had to baby her over everything while we were growing up. Even though we were born in the same year!! Oh, I’m so proud of her for growing up so much!
He sighs, while suppressing a prideful smile— luckily she didn’t notice. “Yeah, yeah. Can we get going? It’s going to be sunrise before we get past the front entrance.”
Her arms drop and she hangs her head low. Waahh, he doesn’t care that I’m trying to cheer him up. She exaggerates a sniffle.
He wraps his arm around her back. “There, there.” He says reassuringly as he begins to guide her past the arch. “Let’s enjoy the stars tonight and how about we live for 18 days after that.”
As soon as they took a step past the arch the sky began acting unusual. The cycle of night and day was getting faster.
“How is the moon out already?” Kiana points out.
And faster.
“I don’t know but I feel like..” Alex felt like the air was weighing him down. “Like.... I’m.. about to-” He heaves before passing out, taking Kiana down with him.
Suddenly, in the next second the sky brightened. The sun rose and gave its graces before collapsing to darkness in the same moment. The energy that day and night danced with was in mockery of their debilitated bodies.
Kiana struggled under Alex’s body but it felt like she was wrestling a marble slab. His body weighed as much as a skyscraper. “Star help us!” Her cries muffled through Alex’s unconscious body.
She stopped struggling, her efforts felt so hopeless. “RRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHH!!!” Kiana shrieks at the celestial bodies. She had never felt such an intense mix of fear, confusion, and rage.
Alex’s body suffocated her further until she passed out.
—-
“I welcome you to my domain.” An unfamiliar female voice presents itself. “It has been nearly a century since a human was cast into Aquarius Lake.”