They entered the woods later than they had planned. The incident earlier had caused them to be set back more than half a day.

The Twisted Thicket was known for its black towering trees that loomed ominously overhead. Even so Aurelia and Lucas were not uncomfortable in the woods. They had been through enough together that just the presence of the other made them feel more comfortable.

"We're so close." Aurelia smiled, making conversation.

"What do you mean?" Lucas wondered. He moved away from her, joking and pretending that physically was what she meant.

"You know that's not what I meant." She chuckled. It was a gift to hear her laugh again. Her laughter was sweet like wind chimes blowing in a soft summer breeze.

"You meant that our adventure is almost over." Lucas clarified. Aurelia nodded, the smile on her face fading but not disappearing entirely.

"I can't wait for it to be over." She admitted. "I'm tired. But,"

"You sort of don't want it to end." Lucas continued for her.

The smile slipped back on her face. "Exactly! Can you even think about how far we've come? A fortnight ago we were strangers. Now..." Blood rushed to her cheeks.

"Now?" Lucas wondered.

"Now I can't imagine life without you. You're my best friend, Lucas." She felt a little silly for having to say it. Well cheesy problem would have been a better term. It felt cheesy to say, but it was the truth.

They walked in a comfortable silence for what seemed like an eternity in the all too silent forest. Not a single creature even dared breath, let alone make noise, it seemed.

The forest was mostly dark, due to its looming, black pines that stood strong and tall, but Aurelia could see faint patches of sky through the branches. The sky was enflamed amber, creating a warm light on their faces when they stepped in patches of sight.

"The sun is going to set soon." Aurelia noted.

Lucas nodded. "We've still got a little less than half a day's walk to Orion's Hollow. We should probably find a good spot to sleep."

Aurelia agreed.

"I meant what I said, about not being able to imagine my life without you." Aurelia grinned at him.

"It didn't take long for you to become my best friend, did it?" He asked rhetorically.

"Not at all. I mean we fought pirates, faced magic, and spent everyday together since we started this. We have similar values and interests, like knowledge and learning. We're united to complete the same goal. I mean... It makes sense that we get along." Aurelia shrugged. She kicked a pebble on the ground with her foot.

"It was pretty instantaneous." Lucas grinned.

"Like friendship at first sight?" Aurelia joked.

Lucas rolled his eyes, still smiling. "I don't know about that. I remember first thinking about how you were well... Going to die."

"I thought I was too. Wait you didn't know who I was when we first met in the hallway!" Aurelia remembered.

"Oh." She was right. He remembered now. That had come later.

"So what was your initial impression of me?" Aurelia wondered. She had to ask. Curiosity tugged at her heart as a smirk tugged at her lips.

They were getting closer to running water. They both could hear it. There must have been a creek or brook around there somewhere.

Lucas gulped as blood rushed to his cheeks. He stared at the floor and forced his hands into the pockets of his vest. He mumbled something she couldn't quite make out, not making eye contact.

"Huh, what was that?" Aurelia's smirk grew.

"I thought you were beautiful." He mumbled.

Aurelia threw her head back and laughed at her friend's embarrassment. He recovered, only to glare at her.

"Well what was your first impression of me?" Lucas wondered, folding his arms.

"I thought you were were a total dork." She grinned. It was true, at least partially. When they had first met she had suspected he was a bit of a dork, intelligent, charming, quirky... But he didn't need to know that.

"Uh huh." Lucas didn't sound convinced. "Well at least your first impression of me is still true." He teased.

"Hey!" Aurelia pretended to be offended, creating friendly banter.

Lucas was not one to generally be immature, but in this case he stuck his tongue out in taunting. They both broke into laughter.

Most people who had gone on an exhausting journey would not be in such high spirits while wandering an eery forest. These two were certainly not most people.

Close by, a creek poured into a large, glassy lagoon. It came into their view just as the sun began to finish setting. Orange and purple reflected off the water's surface. The water seemed to glow a brighter blue the more the sky darkened.

Aurelia stopped in her tracks. Her breath halted. She knew this place.

"Aurelia, what's wrong?" Lucas wondered.

"I-" She took a deep breath. "I know this place."

It was the lagoon from her dream.