---- VALERIA "There was a legend that an unparalleled power was hidden there.


    However, the fools who ventured into theke never returned." Aterrifying, haunted ce with certain deaththat''s exactly our destination, no doubt about it.


    So we gathered our few belongings and headed toward the Lake of the Dead, praying not to be the next ones on the list.


    "Guys, you''re always by my side," I took Celine''s hand, and Quinn nodded beside her.


    We all made our way through the wild forest at night, pushing forward without stopping, through bushes filled with sharp branches under the thick canopy of trees that blocked the moonlight above our heads.


    As we approached theke, the humidity and cold in the air intensified, and another unsettling detail sent shivers down even the bravest among usthere was no sound.


    Not the hiss of nocturnal animals, the flutter of owl wings, not even a single firefly floating in the air.


    Nothing.


    It truly felt as if life had been sucked out of this ce.


    We emerged from the forest and reached theke''s shore, where a thick mist hovered over the water and stretched to the pebbles on the shore.


    Looking into the distance, only a dark fog covered the entirendscape.


    "Step closer and test the water," the King ordered one of his men, who obeyed.


    ---- No matter how much they tried to act brave, the nervousness was obvious in everyone.


    "My Lord, I can''t see the bottom; it''s too dark," the man replied, leaning over the shore but not daring to touch the water.


    The Vampire King stepped behind him and mercilessly kicked him in the rear.


    With an unmanly scream, the warrior fell face-first into the water, sshing around.


    We thought something terrible would happen, but after a few seconds, he got up,pletely soaked but still in one piece.


    "Well, it seems safe enough.


    Still, Valeria, take the artifact and lead the way.


    You''ll go first," he said, opening the box for me.


    Ireached in and pulled out the guide that would take us through this final obstacle.


    It floated slightly in the air, transforming into a silverpass and moving above theke''s surface.


    "Should we look for a boat?" I asked hesitantly.


    Surely, he didn''t expect me to step into those treacherous, uncertain waters.


    "Don''t worry, dear.


    You''re the safest one here.


    Now move.


    I can feel it great power is near," he said, staring off into the fog that covered theke''s horizon, his eyes gleaming green with greed.


    Isighed and subtly signaled to Quinn and Celine.


    They knew that if anything happened, they should either escape or stick close to meif I could save them.


    Summoning my courage, I lifted my dress and took the first step,