Questionable Change

Things are not as they seem. - Daily Flash Fiction Entry.

The lake shimmered behind them as Darius and Elara stepped through the half submerged archway, soaked to the knees and shivering from the unnatural chill that clung to the water. The world twisted again; just like it had in the glowing forest. One moment, they were surrounded by mist and ruined stone one minute; then the next...

They were in a bustling town square.

Colorful banners snapped overhead in a warm breeze, market stalls brimmed with fruit and woven cloth, and children darted between legs, laughing. It was midday. The sun blazed, and everything looked...normal.

Too normal.

Darius blinked and looked around. “Where are we?”

Elara, dripping and mud streaked, brushed soggy hair from her face and frowned. “This looks like Ember’s Rest. Just...newer. And cleaner.”

A horn sounded in the distance, and suddenly everything stopped. The music. The market chatter. The laughter. One by one, the townsfolk turned to face them; every pair of eyes falling on the strangers standing in the square, soaked, armed, and very out of place.

“Everyone is looking at us,” Elara said under her breath, trying not to reach for her blades.

Darius forced a smile. “Let’s hope that’s not illegal here.”

Then, a voice rang out from the crowd. “The marked ones have returned!”

A cheer went up; Elara’s hands froze over her daggers.

A robed figure approached from between the vendors, their face hidden beneath a silver trimmed hood. “You passed the first gate,” they said with reverence. “You’ve crossed the trials of the forest and the mirror lake. Now the Flamekeeper awaits you.”

Darius and Elara exchanged a wide eyed glance.

Elara whispered, “Will we never be done with tests?”

Darius sighed. “With our luck? We’ve just scratched the surface.”