Chapter 97 - Feel The Water

Before Christopher could begin training, he and Amanda went to the nation's dried up old lake. The people of Aeros needed water and food after the battle took place.

Plethora cut off the nation's water altogether when the sun rose on that day. Yet, despite this fact, the people of Aeros were at ease. They knew Christopher was there to help their nation.

The old lake was found on the east side of Aeros, in between two villages. Only a few people gathered to see what Christopher and Amanda could do with the blue crystal, those who knew they were coming.

Theo and Cassy were especially there together with the general. Christopher's most trusted men surrounded the area, waiting for a miracle to happen.

Standing at the frontmost part of the lake were Amanda and Christopher. They rested on a wooden platform that served as a docking place back when there was water in the lake. Behind them were the rest of their spectators.

"First, feel the water beneath the land," said Amanda. "When we were at the puzzle wood forest, I sensed the water practically more than a hundred feet below the ground."

"There is still water in Pelagy, but perhaps most have seeped underground. Because there is barely water on the surface, it disrupted the entire rain cycle," explained Amanda. "It prevented rain and finding water above the soil."

Watching Christopher study the dried lake, she said, "feel it. Feel the water, Chris."

Christopher nodded and said, "Okay. Here we go."

Everyone watched as Christopher raised his hand. As soon as he revealed the blue crystal, he said, "Wow, that was easy."

At the same time, streaks of blue light shone on his hand and his eyes while remaining in his natural form.

Like Amanda instructed, he tried to feel every water around him. Out of the blue, it was as if he could not hear anything else but water. Everything around him was silenced.

He sensed the water in his body; the water in everyone's body, but he could not reach far down a hundred meters, feeling any kind of water.

Ten minutes passed, and nothing happened. He could not possibly take out the waters from his people's body. He just could not reach that far below, in search of water.

He tried again and again, drawing his brows together. He imagined it, called it, and commanded it, but he gave up.

Christopher clenched his hand into a fist, closing his eyes and hissing. With a heavy sigh, he said, "I - I can't do it. I'm sorry, Amanda."

Everyone was left to sigh and wondered how soon can they have water. They all turned to Amanda for answers.

"It's fine. It's fine, everyone. I'll take care of it." She said before turning to Christopher.

"I just wanted you to try. It takes a little getting used to, commanding the spirit of the water," said Amanda to Christopher. "But did you sense water at all?"

"Yes, in my body and in the body of everyone," said Christopher. He looked at those around him before he added, "I'm sorry. Perhaps next time."

"For now, I'll fill this lake, borrowing the power of the blue crystal," told Amanda. "After we address the dire need of your people, we can commence training."

Amanda raised her hand and spoke to the blue crystal. She pleaded, "Spirit of the water, Mahli. Lend me your strength so I can fill this lake with water. The people of Aeros in need of water."

With enough concentration, Amanda could feel the spirit of the water responding.

Everyone saw how the blue crystal, once again, revealed itself, appearing from Christopher's palm and gradually flying off to Amanda's hand.

As soon as it landed on Amanda's palm, they saw the transference of light. It was now Amanda who was glowing in blue and not Christopher. Unlike Christopher, however, Amanda could change into the crystal's full form, changing into the second skin of blue.

Once again, everyone was amazed.

Theo felt goosebumps all over his body. Words of praises and astonishments were evident.

"Wow, it's just amazing," said Cassy. "So it's that thing that has been living inside my brother for so long?"

"Can anybody just borrow the power?" Zack asked one other of Christoper's best friend. It was his first time to see the power, being absent, and resting at the time of the master's arrival.

Kyle, on the other hand, was no longer surprised.

"No, only the masters of the earth could use the crystals," revealed Christopher. "More importantly, Amanda only has fifteen minutes each time."

Meanwhile, Amanda acted immediately. Knowing she only had fifteen minutes. She raised the crystal in her hand and felt the water beneath the ground. Not like at the puzzle wood forest, however, where water was easily sensed.

It took more than five minutes for Amanda to feel the water. It was three hundred feet below the ground. She quickly ordered silently for it to come up to the surface of the lake and fill it with water.

Slowly, everyone witnessed the lake filling up with water.

From the centermost part of the lake, they saw water coming about, and not a moment too soon, it covered nearly half of the lake.

Fifteen minutes passed, and Amanda felt the pang in her chest. She put a hand on her torso and frowned. She realized her time was already up.

"Amanda, give it back now. You are already panting," warned Christopher.

Abruptly turning to Christopher, Amanda said, "Mahli, return to your master."

Despite the lake being only half-filled, Amanda had to surrender the blue crystal. The power jumped immediately to Christopher and Amanda was back to her normal form.

Christopher immediately held Amanda, hugging her fully. He said, "Amanda, are you okay?"

Gasping for air, she coughed several times and hugged him back. After seconds of taking deep breaths, Amanda said, "I'm fine. I'm fine now. I just need to take a little rest."

"What happened, Amanda?" Cassy asked, rushing to their side.

Amanda smiled at Cassy and said, "Yes, Cassy, I am fine. It's just that although the masters can borrow from the other, we can only use it for fifteen minutes, or at least, as far as our body can handle. Only the assigned master of each crystal could only hold the spirit's true power."

"I see," said Cassy, putting a finger on her chin.

"No one could and can dare to take the power, destined only to the masters," told Amanda. "In excess use of the power that does not belong to us, death awaits."

Everyone turned to the lake and rejoiced. Even if it was half-filled, it was the start, the start of having water in Pelagy.

As they gazed at the lake, Theo walked to them, putting a hand on both Amanda and Christopher. He said, "Thank you, Amanda, for staying by my son's side... Thank you, Christopher, for wishing so much for our world - now you have every power to give it water."

Shifting his hands to each of their own, he added, "After we get enough food and water for our people, we will announce your upcoming marriage."

Theo's approach utterly surprised Amanda. Joy filled her heart instantly.. She silently said, 'Finally, he accepts me.'