Kapitel 39: The Turning Point [4]{Edited}

Leo squinted at the impossible sight before him.

A shimmering expanse of liquid hung suspended in mid-air, defying gravity as casually as it defied explanation.

Unlike any earthly water, it seemed to writhe and pulse with an eerie inner light.

This was an abnormal sight.

That much was certain.

However, that was not all… there was also the reflection.

A young man stared back, an image with hair as black as ink and eyes that held the fire of rubies.

A tremor of unease ran through Leo.

Though they shared the similar features, he knew for a fact that this wasn't him. Yet, a curious familiarity tugged at the edges of his memory, like a half-forgotten dream.

[Le…o…le…]

A voice, fractured and faint, echoed in his mind.

It was Mel's voice, but distorted, like a whisper struggling through a storm.

"Mel, is that you?" he called out, searching the dense forest around him.

[L…oo… Ir…le… LEO!!!]