Shadows Beneath The Moonlit Lake

The water of Moonlit Lake was unnaturally still that night reflecting the silver glow of the full moon with a clarity that made it look like a portal rather than a lake. Aria Fenton stood on the wooden pier her boots damp from the mist rising off the surface. She had returned to her childhood town of Hollowmere after ten long years hoping to find peace in its quiet woods and empty shores. Yet the lake held a presence she could not ignore as if something beneath the surface was watching her.

Aria wrapped her coat tighter around her shoulders breathing in the cold air. Her memories of Hollowmere were strange and fragmented filled with half remembered nights when the lake whispered to her. Her therapist had insisted they were childhood delusions but now standing here with the moon casting its enchanted glow she felt the same pull she once had as a child.

Just as she turned to leave the water rippled. Not from the wind. Not from any fish. The ripple expanded spreading in rings until something broke the surface a faint shimmer like a figure rising from beneath.

Aria froze. The figure stepped from the water though no droplets clung to him. A man emerged tall with wet black hair cascading around a face too beautiful to be human. His eyes glowed faintly blue like the heart of the lake itself.

Do not be afraid he said voice smooth and resonant. I have waited for you Aria.

Aria stumbled backward breath caught in her throat. Who are you. How do you know my name.

The man took a gentle step forward his presence calm yet haunting. My name is Lysander. And you knew me once though you do not remember.

Aria shook her head. I would remember someone like you.

Not if your memory was taken he said sorrow shadowing his expression. For your own safety.

Aria felt her pulse quicken with fear and curiosity. You are not human are you.

Lysander smiled faintly but with sadness. I am bound to the lake. A guardian spirit sworn to protect the veil between this world and the waters below.

Aria swallowed hard. What does that have to do with me.

Everything he whispered.

As he approached the air around them shimmered faintly like moonlight bending to his presence. Aria backed up until she reached the end of the pier. Her voice trembled. Stay back.

I would never harm you he said softly. But the truth must be restored. Ten years ago on a night just like this you drowned in this lake.

Aria stared at him horrified. That is not possible. I am alive.

Because I saved you Lysander said. I pulled you from the lake and breathed life back into you but the price was your memory. It was the only way to keep the shadow that tried to claim you from finding you again.

Aria shook her head feeling dizzy. This cannot be real.

Lysander reached out but stopped inches from touching her. Let me show you.

The lake behind him rippled again. Images formed on its surface like reflections from another time. Aria saw herself younger running along the pier laughing. Then she saw something else a dark shape lurking beneath the water waiting. She watched her younger self slip fall and vanish into the depths. Shadows coiled around her body dragging her down. Then a burst of blue light pierced the darkness. Lysander.

Aria stumbled backward unable to breathe. You saved me.

Lysander nodded. And since then you have been tied to this lake just as I am. But the shadow has returned. It seeks you again.

As if summoned by his words the moonlight flickered and the water churned violently. A low whisper drifted across the lake a voice cold and hungry. Lysander’s expression hardened. It knows you are here.

Aria grabbed his arm panic rising. What does it want with me.

Lysander looked into her eyes with unbearable softness. You hold a light inside you a soul that resisted its pull. It wants to claim what it believes it lost.

The lake erupted as a darkness burst from the surface forming a colossal shape like a serpent made of smoke. Its eyes burned with void like hunger. Aria screamed as it lunged toward her but Lysander stepped in front of her his body glowing with fierce blue light.

Stay behind me he commanded voice echoing with ancient power.

The shadow roared and struck Lysander sending him crashing into the pier. The wood splintered beneath him. Aria ran to his side shaking. Lysander please get up.

He pushed himself to his feet light flickering around him. My power is fading. The lake weakens. The shadow grows stronger each time it rises. I cannot defeat it alone.

Aria swallowed fear clawing at her chest. Tell me what to do.

Lysander took her hand the contact sending a rush of warmth through her veins. Your soul is connected to the light of the lake. If you accept that connection if you awaken what lies within you you can help me seal the shadow forever.

Aria looked at him trembling. And if I do not.

He hesitated. Then the shadow will consume you and the lake will fall into darkness.

The shadow rose again towering above them its roar shaking the pier. Aria closed her eyes forcing herself to breathe. She felt a strange warmth spreading from Lysander’s touch into her chest. A light she did not understand pulsed beneath her ribs. When she opened her eyes they glowed faintly blue like his.

What is happening to me she whispered.

Lysander smiled with awe. You are remembering who you were before the drowning. Before the shadow marked you. You have power Aria. Power you were never meant to lose.

The shadow lunged again. Lysander raised his hand sending a blast of blue energy but it barely slowed the creature. Aria felt instinct take over. She raised her own hand light bursting from her palm in a brilliant arc. The shadow reeled back shrieking.

Aria gasped. I did that.

Lysander looked at her with fierce pride. Yes. And you can do more. Together we can seal it but you must trust me. Aria do you trust me.

Aria met his gaze heart pounding. Yes.

He pulled her against him hands clasping hers as light swirled around them. The lake responded glowing from below as if the waters themselves awakened. The shadow roared and struck but the light shielded them forming a dome of shimmering blue.

Lysander whispered into her ear. You are stronger than your fear. Let the light rise.

Aria closed her eyes focusing on the warmth inside her. Memories surfaced ones she had never known she lost. Her childhood. The night at the lake. The feeling of falling and the terror that swallowed her. Then the moment of light when Lysander saved her. How she reached for him even as she drowned. How her soul recognized him even then.

Light erupted around her exploding from her body in a surge so powerful it illuminated the entire valley. The shadow screamed twisting violently as the light wrapped around it dragging it back toward the depths from where it came.

Lysander shouted Seal it now Aria.

Aria thrust her hands forward and the lake responded the waters rising like glowing tendrils pulling the shadow down. With one final roar it vanished beneath the surface swallowed by blinding light. The lake stilled returning to perfect silence.

Aria collapsed to her knees gasping. Lysander knelt beside her pulling her into his arms. You did it he whispered You saved yourself. And me.

Aria looked up at him eyes still glowing faintly. What happens now. Am I tied to the lake forever.

Lysander brushed a strand of hair from her face his touch gentle and warm. No. With the shadow sealed your connection is no longer a curse. You are free.

Aria felt relief flood her. But what about you. Will you disappear.

Lysander exhaled slowly looking out over the moonlit water. My duty is complete. The lake no longer needs a guardian. I am no longer bound.

Aria’s breath trembled. Does that mean you will leave.

He cupped her cheek lifting her gaze. It means I can finally choose. And I choose to stay with you if you will have me.

Aria stared at him tears gathering. You waited ten years for me. How could I ever say no.

Lysander smiled a rare genuine smile that filled her chest with warmth. Then let us leave this lake together. Not as guardian and saved soul but as two beings choosing each other.

He helped her stand and they walked along the pier hand in hand the moonlight shimmering on the calm water below. For the first time Aria felt whole complete as if every piece of her had returned.

Behind them the lake remained still peaceful and silent no longer haunted. The shadow was gone. The guardian was free. And two souls once separated by myth and memory finally walked into a future written by their own hands.