As Oliver and Gregory sailed from the shore, the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow across the sky. The last rays of the golden sunlight slowly faded away, leaving a deep, dark blue in the atmosphere. The sky became a black canvas dotted with sparkling stars shining like diamonds.

     Oliver and Gregory stand on a wooden raft in the middle of the lake as they paddle, surrounded by deep waters as deep as a tower. In the distance, they can still make out the grassy plains, but the greenery slowly fades into an indigo hue as the night settles in. As the sun sinks below the horizon, the stars sparkle above them.

     As he paddles continuously, Gregory's arms ache from what feels like hours of rowing. He looks over and sees Oliver staring straight ahead at the lake's far surface. After glancing around and seeing nothing that catches his attention, Gregory clears his throat and paces towards his friend.

"Oli?" Gregory called out as he resumed paddling.

"Yeah?" Oliver responded, gazing in every direction.

"If I remember correctly, I spotted a crocodile in this lake last year," Gregory said, his wavering glance lowering at the gentle waters.

"Really?" Oliver raised a brow, looking at his friend in concern.

Gregory nodded. "Eh... I'm not sure if reptiles lurk beneath these waves, though. It could just be a large fish," Gregory stated as he shook his palm.

     Oliver took a deep breath and leaned over the raft's edge, peering into the dark waters below. Then, he summoned a soft glow of light from his fingertips, illuminating the world beneath the surface. As the light shined beneath the waves, groups of small fish darted around, and their scales glinted.

      As his gaze travelled further down the lake, Oliver noticed several large, snouted creatures swimming around. His eyes widened in surprise, and his brow furrowed. Oliver's eyes locked on the marine life underneath the serene waves.

"...Those are sturgeons," Oliver said.

"Sturgeons?" Gregory asked as he stepped beside Oliver and looked at the lake's bottom. He then shrugged. "Oh- well... uh... I mean, sturgeons do look a bit like crocodiles from a distance because of their long snouts."

"You had me scared for a moment there," Oliver admitted, grinning as he resumed paddling.

"Well, I was worried..." Gregory placed a hand in his pocket. "Slightly," he glanced at Oliver.

"What we should worry about are the Pyrovoidians," Oliver stated, looking back at the dark horizon.

"Well... what do Pyrovoidians look like, in your opinion?" Gregory asked as he resumed rowing.

Oliver's gaze scanned the horizon. "Probably... like a crazy group of demons affiliated with cults or serial killers," he guessed, squinting as he paddled.

"For me, they might appear like an amphibian or a fish. Since we're searching on a body of water, those Pyrovoidians might have a similar form to those living in water," Gregory said while paddling.

"If it turns out to be a fish, we shall roast it and feed it to the whole town," Oliver joked as he shook his head and smirked.

"Ha!" Gregory giggled. "Karma."

Suddenly, Oliver's expression turned worried. "Wait a minute... why did I allow you to board this raft?" he pondered, looking at Gregory.

"What? What troubles you?" Gregory asked in concern.

"I fear for your safety, Greg. Those Pyrovoidians are not to be trifled with," Oliver replied, his voice quivering.

Gregory reassured Oliver. "Don't worry, Oli. I have a pledge to be with you wherever you go. I will exercise caution nevertheless," Gregory said. "Plus! I am willing!"

"I should've left you with the coachman in his carriage until I returned," Oliver panicked.

"We cannot turn back now. We have ventured too far," said Gregory.

"Look, I have elemental powers to protect myself, alright?" Oliver said, putting his palm on his pounding heart. "You don't."

"I may not have elemental powers, but I carry potions to heal myself, just in case," Gregory smirked, opening his coat and revealing glowing potions hiding in his pockets.

Oliver sighed, his glance fixed on the potions in Gregory's pockets. "Oh... good." Taking a deep breath, Oliver stated, "...But... please, if you see anything, tell me immediately."

"I see you..." Gregory leaned closer to Oliver's face, his eyes gleaming like a star.

"Huh...?" Oliver leered at Gregory as his brows furrowed.

"I see you..." Gregory ventured while smirking. "...Friend."

"Well, that's quite absurd of you, Mister," Oliver scoffed as he rolled his eyes. "You're, indeed, such a flirt," Oliver chuckled.

     The two young men chuckled as they rowed deeper into the tranquil lake. Despite the vastness of the water ahead, they were determined to venture further into the unknown. While paddling, they continued their conversation as the soft breeze carried their voice over the water.

"So, anything peculiar in sight, Junior?" Gregory asked.

Oliver giggled. "Don't call me 'Junior', Greg," he replied.

Gregory smiled. "Alright, 'Oli' is it is then," he said playfully.

"Better," Oliver clicked his tongue.

Suddenly, Gregory spotted something ahead, causing him to gasp. "Oli..." Gregory huffed as his eyes widened.