Page 49 of Cerulean Truth
I shook my head.
"So, how do we fly? By ourselves?" I asked quickly.
Stephen answered, "This is actually the tricky part. You can't fly through the Second Layer by yourself when entering Cyclos. You have to activate the swings." He pointed to my left to indicate where they were.
"Swings?" I asked with a puzzled expression, turning my attention to the left, where out of nowhere, a dozen swings appeared, hovering but a few feet above ground. Hovering swings! It was absolutely awesome.
"Now, to check if you're 'ill-mannered,' as we diplomatically call it, the swings have a built-in sensor which works somewhat like a mirror. The technology is quite advanced, based on translation we use for interrogation techniques and the True Bond," Stephen explained proudly. I suspected he had played quite a role in developing this Second Layer of Protection.
I couldn't help but ask, "The True Bond?"
"Yes, it's our only existing form of telepathy. Nothing to worry about for now. But its magic came in handy when building these sensors. All you have to do is catch a tear from your eye and drop it in here." He opened a small watch-like compartment embedded in the side of one of the swings.
I inquired, "What if I don't feel like crying?"
Stephen responded, "Well, one can tear up without having to cry, but you're right; sometimes, we're in a hurry. Can you grab the small black box I gave you earlier?"
I frowned, having completely forgotten about it. I rummaged through my pockets and located it a moment later. I handed it to Stephen, who produced a small bottle resembling a spray. He sprayed the liquid into his eye, causing him to tear up in a matter of seconds.
"A bottle of magic tears?" I gasped.
"Nope," he replied dryly while wiping the tears from his eyes with his sleeve, "menthol."
I burst into laughter. Who would have thought?
"You'll see, Emma, most of what we use is easily adaptable for humans."
"Why?"
Stephen smiled and winked, saying, "You'll find out soon enough."
After I dropped my tear into the watch-like hole on the swing's side, it seemed to decide—for lack of a better word—my intentions were pure and activated it for travel.
"It's easy and comfortable," Stephen explained. "Easily maneuverable, compact, and perfectly suited for navigating the natural habitat of the fjords."
I stifled a laugh, deciding not to tell him he sounded exactly like an annoying salesman on a tv-commercial.
Aside from Stephen’s peculiar behavior, I was still having a hard time believing what I was seeing. Brooms, dragons, or even riding on giant birds, I had anticipated it all. But hovering swings... this was beyond my imagination.
What began as a small, incredulous chuckle, soon escalated into uncontrollable laughter, bordering onto hysteria. I was doing my best to be a trooper, attempting to process all the new information being thrown at me, but this was just too much. It felt absurd, like something out of a dream. In a desperate attempt to confirm my reality, I pinched myself, but nothing changed. Hovering. Swings.I swear…
Stephen beckoned me to take a seat, which I did, completely rattled.
I sat down on the swing, knuckles white from clutching the side ropes, eyes practically closed, all rigid.
I used to love swings on the playground when I was a kid, but I’d never seated in one which magically progressedand somehow knew how to navigate fjords—which were also popping up all over the place by the way— so yeah, the experience was slightly different. I heard Stephen chuckle.
"It will be over soon," he reassured me.
After what felt like an eternity, the swing came to a full stop. Stephen helped me out of it, and I couldn't help but marvel again at my new surroundings.
It was a genuine oasis, complete with the sound of waterfalls not too far away. The scenery was simply out of this world: a vibrant, translucent stream flowing into a glistening lake, with graceful green bushes lining the fjords behind me.
The setting was enhanced by the presence of flowers in their most exquisite colors, adding more than a touch of elegance. In the distance, an abundance of trees and unidentifiable plants stood, undoubtedly housing more wildlife than I could possibly imagine.
It might not have been the grand castle and magical train from the Harry Potter books, but I didn't care anymore. It was a place of dreams and magic, and I couldn't help but smile, feeling like a kid on Christmas morning.
"This is the final layer, the Third Layer or Oasis, and personally, I find it to be the most enchanting of them all. We won’t be able to use the swings here; we’ll have to proceed on foot as it's intended. Most importantly, it's home to the river we'll need to cross to reach Cyclos, where the final protection comes into play. Follow me," Stephen said, his smile bright.
