"Do not fear dear children of Astra, for you are safe." A female voice echoes throughout the room.
"Despite your calming voice, we have no reason to trust you," bellows Slash, pointing his sword forward.
A ten-foot-tall fairy emerges from behind the staircase near the end of the fountain. Her hair is white in color, emitting a brilliant light. Her translucent pink wings are massive, spanning ten feet wide. They give off a gentle breeze as she hovers slightly above the staircase.
"My name is Ella. I am one of the servants of the Goddess Astra." Ella flies down into the pool, standing in the water. She wears a light blue dress. "This is the water from the heavenly city of Arcadia."
Ella gazes down at the party of four with a smile that could illuminate the darkness.
Slash looks at the water and takes his boots off, followed by his tunic. Shaking ever so slightly, he steps forward. "As the leader, I will go first," he enthusiastically says. "It's just like taking a dip in the pool with a bathing suit on." He smiles playfully, "But we are in a deep cave and could be attacked." He walks into the warm pool, lowering his body into the deep, soothing water.
Ella smiles, flying towards Slash. "You, brave warrior, have the faith to trust the unknown," she says.
Amanda sits Lorenz down so he can remove his weapons and armor. Then Amanda, still in full dress, runs toward the pool and jumps into the warm water.
"This pool feels like happiness." She grins. "This is wonderful! Oh, what a glorious story we must tell our townspeople," she says, throwing he hands into the air.
Sodina takes off her shoes and walks into the pool near Slash.
"My love, you are wonderful," Sodina says, wrapping her arms around Slash and kissing his neck slowly.
Slash blushes as he splashes water toward Sodina's face.
"Oh, you!" Sodina says, putting her hands together and splashing him right back.
Ella smiles as she sits at the edge of the pool.
"Dear humans, you know of the legend. Correct?" she asks the party of four.
The group nods, looking at Ella.
"Goddess Astra closed off these areas to the public and built enormous caves, volcanoes, and structures filled with trials of all types," she says.
"Legends say fountains like these are used across Esteria," says Amanda. She adjusts her glasses to ensure the fairy goddess before her is no illusion. "The history books say this is one of the last four fountains left because Helion defied the Goddess."
"You are the correct, young one, and our tears grant one hundred years of additional life," Ella adds. "You are practically like little brothers or sister to us."
Ella grabs Amanda and lifts her into the air, holding her like a young child.
"How cool is this?" Amanda says, swinging her arms in the air as Ella flies around the room.
Ella strokes Amanda's hair and twirls her in the air. Amanda puts out her arms, enjoying the experience.
Sodina looks at Lorenz, sitting quietly near the edge of the pool. "What's wrong, Lorenz?" she asks.
Lorenz looks down at the pool. "My leg is fully healed, and I am at peace enjoying this moment," he assures her. He searches for a joke but is at a loss. "I'd rather not trouble you with my endless thoughts." Standing up, he does a backflip into the water.
Hours pass as the party of four enjoys their time with Ella and relaxes in the pool.
"I would like to reward you for finding this place," Ella says. "If you have any vials, please give them to me."
Slash holds out his bottle, and Ella lifts it towards her eye.
"These tears may come in handy as you travel Esteria," she says. Ella cries into sixteen small vials before handing them back.
"Drink up, young ones." Ella smiles.
Slash turns to his group, drinking his tears right away, feeling more refreshed than ever.
Amanda raises her bottle to drink hers next. "Bottoms up," she cheers.
"Look out!" yells Slash. His eyes trace an object rapidly approaching from the room's entrance.
A spear impales Amanda through her chest, killing her instantly. "Amanda!" Sodina yells. "Amanda, come back to us!" "Where did that come from?" Lorenz bellows.
"Who dares defile this place?" Ella cries, shaking. She looks around, trying to ascertain where the attack came from.