A few minutes had gone by. Scarlet had to force herself to stop hugging Eloise, even though she never wanted to let go. “El, there’s something else I need to tell you.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
Hoping Eloise wouldn’t find it too cheesy, Scarlet leaned toward her for a quick peck on the lips. Eloise kissed her back, blushing.
Eloise’s smile turned into a look of concern, she took a step back, “Wait, what was that you were saying about your mother? You didn’t really freeze her, did you?”
Scarlet looked down at the floor as she spoke, “Um, I really did…I wanted to make sure she wouldn’t be able to hurt you ever again. That sorta worked because while it did freeze her, she’s probably going to thaw out eventually. I’m not sure what I’ll do then. Freeze her again, maybe?”
Eloise stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Scarlet, squeezing tightly. “I am so sorry. I’m so sorry that I’ve been so selfish. I was so concerned about myself and what I went through that day. I didn’t even stop to think about how you must be feeling. I cannot imagine what you must be going through. Freezing your own mother could not have been an easy choice.” Scarlet stayed silent, hugging Eloise back.
After almost a decade, Eloise had finally opened her door. She smiled weakly, then began to tear up. “Oh Scarlet,” she said quietly. “I’m a hideous monster.”
Scarlet reached out to comfort her. “All I see is a beautiful woman who has a new radiant look.”
“No…”
“Seriously! You look as though you painted a masterpiece your face. You’re completely stunning!”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
“…Stop looking at me like that, you’re making me blush.”
From the other side of the door, Eloise finally spoke. “I–I don’t know if I’m ready for you to see me,” she said.
Scarlet tried very to contain her excitement at finally receiving a response, but she couldn’t resist doing a quick, happy dance. She then cleared her throat before speaking. “What do you mean? I bet you look just as beautiful as the last time I saw you,” she said, holding her ear up to the door.
“No…I…I look so different now.”
Scarlet gasped, “So you look even prettier, then? Wow!”
Scarlet heard a little laugh. “No, my face is different colours now. I look like a complete mess.” Eloise said.
“I don’t believe you. Why don’t you let me see?”
“I can’t…”
“Missy, I froze my own mother for you and swam into the home of Death himself just to come see you. I’d be so disappointed if I had to leave without seeing your face and those beautiful eyes again.”
“I don’t know…”
“You can take as long as you need to fix your hair if you’ve got bedhead, you know. Nixie told me I’m supposed to leave when she tells me to, but I think I can fight her off for a bit and buy you more time.”
She heard another laugh, “No, my hair is fine.”
“And you’re dressed, right?”
“Yes…”
“Then it sounds like you have no excuse to not open the door and let me see you before Nixie drags me away.”
Not completely sure what to do, Scarlet began to speak to Eloise through the door. “Eloise? It’s Scarlet…Well, this is a nice home you have, El. All of this red in the hallway is a bit frightening though, even for me…Uhh…You don’t have to worry about my mom anymore, by the way. I shot her with a frost ray. If I’ve calculated everything correctly, she’s going to be on ice for a few years. She won’t be able to hurt anyone else for a long time.”
Scarlet was led around so many corners that she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to find her way back to the canals. Once they came to a long hallway decorated with red wallpaper and carpet, Juliet stopped in front of a dark brown door with gold accents. “This is her room,” she said. “We’ll give you some privacy.“
“Just call my name when you’re ready to go,” said Nixie.
“Alright, thank you,” said Scarlet.
Just when Scarlet thought she could swim no further and began to worry if she might drown, she and Nixie had finally arrived at their destination. Scarlet looked up and she could not tell if there was a ceiling. All she saw was a strange blue and purple swirling light. Juliet was standing at a dock connected to a black-bricked mansion. It was as if Juliet had been waiting there for them. “Hello, Nixie! What brings you here?” she asked
“I hope you’ll forgive the intrusion. This is Scarlet Spark and she seeks to speak with your daughter.”
“Ahhh, so this is Scarlet. Eloise had told me so much about you when you were both younger. I’m so glad you came. After what had happened, I thought I’d never get to meet you.”
“I have to be honest, I thought you would be mad when I showed up here. You’re not angry with me?”
“Why would you think that I would be angry? My husband saw what happened and he knows you did not hurt our daughter.”
“I did though, in a way. Didn’t he see how I did nothing to stop my mother or help Eloise? I’m just as guilty.”
“No. We hold no grudge against you. You do not get to choose your biological family, after all.” Scarlet smiled a little. “Please, follow me to Eloise’s room, won’t you?” Juliet requested.
The Lady of the Lake slipped into the water and beckoned Scarlet to follow. They dove underwater and Scarlet found that she could swim much faster than before. The two continued swimming until they came to an underwater tunnel. The tunnel led them to a cave in which there was dry ground. Scarlet was surprised that she was able to breathe there. Nixie then led her through a series of dark caves, which eventually led to a manmade canal filled with dark plum water which forced them to begin swimming once more. The canal to the Underworld was long, dark, and winding. With every stroke, Scarlet felt as if she was being watched. It was almost as if the gargoyles on the stone walls were not mere statues.
After waiting several minutes, Scarlet heard a melodic voice call out to her. “Hello! Is that you, Scarlet Spark?”
Scarlet turned towards the voice. “Uh, yeah!” she said, running over.
“My name is Nixie Cascade.”
“Uh, Nixie! Right! Hi! Um, I hope this isn’t too weird–the Sun Goddess’ daughter asking for help from the Lady of the Lake, I mean.”
Nixie laughed. “It is a bit strange, I will admit. I think your mother has always been too afraid come here, honestly. I’ve always wondered if she thinks I will drag her into the water to try and put her flames out.”
Scarlet smirked, “Water and ice are her weaknesses and she does tend to be a bit paranoid. Your assumption is probably not too far off from the truth.”
Nixie smiled, but it quickly turned into a frown, “So, you were calling out for my help?”
“Oh yes, that’s right. I heard that you’re the one who tended to Eloise Azura the day she was hurt.”
“Yes.”
“I need you to take me to her. I’ve heard that you know the only safe way to enter without becoming undead.”
“Yes, this is also true. However, there’s no guarantee that she’d want to speak with you. My son Neil has tried numerous times, but he only gets silence.“
“I want to at least give it a try. I owe it to her.”
“If we are going to do this, I will need your full cooperation. You will stay close to me and do exactly as I say. You must also be prepared to leave the Underworld when I tell you to.”
“I understand.”
“We’ll leave now, then.”
After traveling all day and all night, Scarlet had finally arrived on the shores of the great lake. “Uh…Miss Lady of the Lake? I’m sorry, I don’t know your name. I–I could really use your help right now. I think you’re my only hope for helping Eloise. I’ve heard–even after all this time–that she’s still hasn’t recovered from what happened. She hasn’t spoken to anyone in years, she locked herself in her room and never leaves, and it’s all my fault. I don’t know if she’ll ever speak to me again, but I want to set things right.”
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