Her emerald eyes narrowed as she observed the energy. It was tearing apart violently, growing and hurtling toward her from beneath the ice.

She shut her eyes, embracing herself to drive the chill out of her body, and leaped to her right, only to have the force follow her, making her scream in shock and open her eyes.

"Is it after me?" Muttering, her eyes widening, she looked around to see two other mages engaged in combat with the same entity that seemed to be chasing her alone.

She was having lunch in the castle when her companions pulled her outside and informed her that there was an unusual activity taking place on the frozen lake situated in the middle of the forest.

"How come it is pursuing only me?!" Shouting, Sage started running across the ice, her boots sliding smoothly as the cold wind whipped her flaming red hair in the other direction.

"Maybe it is because you are a fire mage!" One of the mages, Darren, who had the ability to control water, yelled at her, and she grimaced.

"Please do not agitate her; she might melt this ice and we could drown." Katherine, the second mage who also held the power of water, remarked as she dashed in the direction of Sage.

Abruptly, Sage pointed to the forest at the end of the frozen lake and said, "You two, leave the ice, I intend to melt it." She was hoping for the best because she could not swim and would most likely drown if she fell through the ice.

Sincerely, she was not giving it much thought.

"I am not keen on this idea." Katherine was dismayed by Sage's confident demeanor.

Unexpectedly, the roaring cracks grew more severe, dividing into three sections and approaching three of them. In an instant, the power broke through the ice beneath their feet and let them drop into the frigid water.

While the cold, dark water prevented Sage from seeing her companions, she made every effort to swim but ended up drowning.

She was numb.

Her body had succumbed to the cold, causing her veins to freeze and breathing to become challenging. She tried using her fire abilities, but nothing happened.

Blinking her eyes open, she continued to wave her hands and legs when her gaze fell on a handsome man who was staring at her emotionlessly.

He appeared ethereal, as if a dream. His hair was long and pure white, and it swung majestically in the water, his ice blue eyes gleaming dimly.

Sage lost her breath as she locked her gaze on him. Her attempt to cry out for help to him was met with water spilling into her mouth.

Was this the end for her? What about her father? Her kingdom? Her friends? Sage fought the urge to surrender. She waved her arms until the bitter cold started to freeze her joints and made her open her mouth in agony.

"Not giving up?" The man suddenly asked, his lone eyebrow raised in amusement.

He could speak?! But they were underwater! Sage reached out her arms to him, hoping he would help her, but all he did was give her an icy look before disappearing.

Her pupils dilated. And her screams were muffled as water continued to enter her mouth. The next instant she stopped moving and let the darkness swallow her.

.

"I will let you live, but you will have to do something," She heard a deep voice whisper in her ear. Her ear briefly froze from the icy breath before she passed out again.

...

"Sage! Sage! Sage, wake up!" Following the frantic cry, Sage was hit hard in the chest. Her body went from being cold to being alive as she instantly surrounded herself with roaring flames.

"Sage!" The instant the fire that surrounded her went out, she heard Katherine scream. She opened her eyes to see Darren looking worried and Katherine on the verge of tears.

"W.. what happened? How long have I been unconscious?" Sage asked, coughing heavily.

A relieved-looking Darren answered, "It is nighttime, Sage."

His words pulled Sage's gaze out into the pitch-black, starry sky.

Katherine, her forehead creased with deep lines of concern, whispered, "We searched the lake for two whole hours but we could not find you there. Instead, we found you here in the forest."

Sage scanned her surroundings and took note of the trees. She turned around to face her worried-looking friends.

"Don't.. I am alive and.." She paused her words recalling the white-haired man from the water. "Did you notice anyone in the water?" Her head ached a little and she asked eagerly.

"No, not at all." Darren responded slowly.

Katherine sighed and rubbed Sage's brow slowly.

'How did I escape the lake?' Sage asked her thoughts. The man in the lake didn't save her.. so she was supposed to be dead. Sage pondered the reaction of Katherine and Darren if she revealed to them that she had spotted the most stunning and ethereal man she had ever laid eyes on in the frozen lake.

"I am so glad you are okay, Sage," Katherine grinned, tears welling up in her eyes.

Sage gave her a quick smile and sank down with a moan. "We do not know what that thing was but it might be a threat to Credia." She muttered, her demeanor serious.

"Whatever it was, it is no longer there." Darren said, standing up. "We ought to return; everyone must have noticed our absence." He continued, pulling Sage up by her arm.

Sage brushed the snow from her slightly damp clothes and offered a weak smile to her companions, who were staring at her with worried expressions.

"Did you actually see something in the lake?" Inquisitively, Darren asked.

Surprised by the question, Sage looked at Katherine, who was waiting for her to say something. She studied their faces, wrangling her fingers, debating whether or not to tell them the truth.

"No,"

"Oh," Darren's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"A few minutes ago, you inquired as to whether we had seen anything in the water." Katherine questioned sharply. It was obvious she did not think Sage was telling the truth.

"There is nothing to be concerned about; I simply asked." Sage lied, swallowing hard and averted her gaze from Katherine.

"Well, the only thing that counts is that you are okay and we have to return." Saying that, Darren strolled into the woodland.

Sage was relieved that there were not any more questions, but knowing Katherine, she knew there would be plenty more once they returned to their kingdom.

Katherine followed Darren's lead.

Just as Sage moved, a colder breeze began to blow behind her. Realizing no one was behind her, she screamed, spun around, and trembled in fear. She bolted after her friends, screaming out loud and eventually ran past them.

.

In the middle of the forest lay a frozen lake.. perfectly smooth, unbroken. There was a tall, powerful man with long white hair standing in the middle. His appearance could easily be mistaken for that of a god.

His icy blue eyes lingered, concealing any trace of emotion.

"She is just right." A cunning smile curved his lips as he whispered.