Lin Xueyo
Lin Xueyo threw caution to the wind and stepped inside. It felt as if the cave pulsed as her foot collided with the floor. It went unnaturally quiet the moment she went in, including the insects chirping like they sensed her presence.
She told herself to turn back, that this was a foolish and impulsive decision, but her feet carried her forward anyway.
Her eyes widened, taking in the gems that were embedded in the walls and roof of the cave, as she turned the next corner. She was grateful it was a straight path, and there were no other paths else sh
The sound of water reached her ears, making her pause. Cool breeze blasted against her face as she moved faster, and an unexpected urgency filled her.
Lin came out to an open space, it looked so unreal, something out of this world. There was a pool in the middle of the space, Lin wasn't sure of the depth but the water looked very enchanting.
The moon was bright, reflecting on the water and casting it in an eerie, supernatural glow.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" A feminine voice startled her from behind.
She turned to see a very stunning woman dressed in black robes. The woman had silver hair and eyes, and looked to be Lin's age. She walked like her feet didnt touch the ground, and her smile made Lin Xueyo feel uneasy.
"The pool always captivates me every time I see it, no matter the amount of times I have seen it."
"Who are you?" Lin's voice was firm, eyes narrowed in suspicion. She wondered where the mysterious lady had come out from. Were there other paths leading up to this place?
"Who I am shouldn't matter to you, my dear," The lady smiled, raising Lin's hackles. "What should matter is what your heart desires." She twirled in delight then moved forward to join Lin at the pool.
"What my heart desires?" Lin muttered. The Emperor. Her heart desired the Emperor but she kept mute hesitantly watching the strange lady approach.
"Yes dear, what your heart desires. And I can sense it's a man you desire." Her tone dropped in disdain and she muttered something under her breath.
"How do you know it's a man I desire?" Lin's suspicions grew, " Are you a fortune teller, a tarot card reader?"
Was this all staged to extort something from her? Was this a prank? Had she slipped and let others suspect that she had an unhealthy crush for the Emperor? This must be one of the attendants from the camp but the mysterious looked nothing like a lowly servant. She was too pretty and majestically looking and her walking step was so poise.
"Now that is an insult, I'm not any of those, I'm something more." She stopped beside Lin staring at the glowy pool. "As for your other question, a lot of people like you that have come here always have a similar desire, desire of heartstrings."
"Love." Lin whispered.
"Yes." She clapped her hands in delight and her face went serious once again. "Your desire must have been really strong to make this cave visible to you. Desire really doesn't know no bounds."
"You didn't tell me who you're."
"You don't need to know who I am. Do you want your desires to be fulfilled or not?" The strange lady's tone turned stern.
"I, uh?" Lin licked her lips in anxiety.
"Do you mortal or not?" A closer look at the lady's face revealed that all friendliness and giddiness was gone and she meant business now.
She was so nervous and her gut warned her that this was not advisable. But Lin was desperate, she wanted the Emperor's affection. Oh how it would feel to have his gaze fixed so lovingly on her.
Even though it sounded silly, Lin knew this would work in her favour, she didn't know how but she was sure she was having a magical encounter.
"I do."
The lady nodded her approval and stated her directives, "Good. Do not ask any questions, just do as I say or you leave. Is that clear?"
Lin wanted to say something or rather ask a question because she wasn't so sure but thought better of it and just went with the flow.
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
Lin nodded. "Yes. i'm sure."
The woman's moon-like eyes narrowed. "Good. Now let's proceed." The lady stepped back from Lin and gestured at her. "Take off your clothes."
"Excuse me?" She stuttered.
"Will you swim clothed?"
Lin Xueyo blushed. "N-no but…" No one aside from Ru has seen her nakedness. So it felt so awkward for a stranger regardless of the fact that it was a woman - if it had been a man, Lin would have carried herself out of here and not look back- seeing her in her most vulnerable state.
She thought of the Emperor, cold as he was, handsome as ever. Her heart wrenched. If there was even a chance that swimming in a strange green pool would make him fall in love with her…so be it.
Lin Xueyo shed her clothes.
"Better." the woman beamed. "Go into the water,"
Lin Xueyo did as she was told, shivering as the cold water enveloped her. She hugged herself, looking up at the woman. "W-what next?" she asked through chattering teeth.
The woman twirled again and clapped her hands, her smile widening. "You're a trusting one, aren't you? Not that I blame you, after all, love makes fools out of the best of us."
Lin Xueyo didn't like how that sounded. "W-what?"
The woman knelt beside the pool and cupped the side of Lin Xueyo's face. Up close, her eyes were entirely colorless, not silver. "My dear, sweet mortal, you will have the love you desire,"
Against the uneasiness and restlessness growing in her belly, Lin Xueyo blinked. "I will? For all eternity?"
The woman nodded. "Yes. But good things never come for free. And your love is great, far too powerful. Be warned, you shall pay the price for such magnitude of love."
"But i–"
"You will suffer Seven hells…seven seas…" the woman started to say, but the winds picked up. Lin Xueyo looked around her, her chest caving in, wondering where the wind was coming from. It got louder and louder, showing no signs of stopping. When she screamed, her voice couldn't be heard.
The woman's lips were still moving.
Lin Xueyo couldn't hear anything. The water glowed brighter. The winds became deafening.
The woman's eyes began glowing.
Lin Xueyo, scared witless, tried to get out of the pool and run. The moment she made a move, the woman grabbed both her shoulders and pushed her down, holding her head under the water.