The Tale of Xenosa

River Nymphs

Cheska's POV

Sweat trickled from our foreheads as we continue to venture in this vast forest. In seemed like the more northern we get, the more it gets hard to navigate as everything begins to look the same. I think we were already here a few minutes ago. Ever since we got down from the cliff where Lady Katalina's hut stood, we kept going north. Following the directions written on the map. We realized we were going back into the deep forest again, and as we did the surroundings seemed like they were all the same. Going back to what I've said a few minutes ago, it seemed like we took a wrong turn. AGAIN. "I swear we took the other path this time, what on Earth is happening?" Lacresia said as she huffed out loud and sat Indian style on the ground. I could tell she was getting frustrated, I really can't blame her given our situation. We had a deadline to meet after all, we need to get to the gate by sunset. She's right though, we're just going in circles, repeating the same paths we too. I then remembered a story Nana told me when I was little, engkantos, or spirits of the other worlds, guardians, fairies, and even nymphs love to toy and play with humans. She told me that they were responsible for the various cases of disappearances happening around town. They tend to play around with travelers giving them illusions about the paths they've chosen. They think they've gotten far but the truth was they were still on the exact spot where they started. The way to break the illusion is to wear your shirt inside out. "Hey Cres, ever heard of Lamat?" I asked Lacresia as I approched and sat beside her. "Hmm. Yep. You think we're being played with right now?" she answered. "I think so, I don't hear anyone who could be toying with us though. All I hear is the river current" I said. She was busy looking at the map barely sparing me a glance when her eyes suddenly lit up, "Wait," confused I answered her with, "What?" "What did you say just now?" She said, "Uh I said what?" I said unsure with the answer I've given her. "No silly, I mean the one before that." I then nodded finally getting what she was saying, "Oh that. Yeah, I said I could hear the gushing of water from the river nearby" I answered. "There's no river in the map, Ches. " She said, a few moments later our eyes widened at our realization. "River nymphs!" we both exclaimed at the same time. We both got up from where we sat and followed the sound. Nymphs are typically kind creatures towards humans. They're known to be playful and energetic much like fairies only human sized. They are known to grow plants and care for rivers. They are usually the children of the lesser gods who mate with other creatures of the forest. I've read that information from Lady Katalina's books. Time well spent! I think they're called diwata by the tagalogs. I'm not entirely sure. We ran as fast as we could fearing that we'll lose the sound of their laughter and the river. Then finally we found them. Nymphs being the jumpy creatures they are, jumped into the river the moment we got there. I was confused though, there was no river in these parts indicated on the map. Perhaps we we're lost. I decided to take some of the river for my tumblr and then proceeded to drink there myself. Ah cold, fresh and refreshing. The magic of the river nymphs sure is handy. I'll give them that. Lacresia did the same perhaps she too got thirsty. If you were wondering why we freely drank into the rives, that's because nymphs guide places with pure nature. It mean that nothing here was manmade. They not only guard the place but take care of it as well by cleaning it and ensuring that no filth should be in it. "Ches, we should wait for them to come back up. We'll need to ask them for directions." Cresia said. I just nodded at her in agreement. After a while of waiting the nymphs decided to come back up and greet us. They were human sized but a little bit scaly on their arms. I wasn't sure if what they had were hands or fins. Their faces looked human apart from the fact that they didn't have the normal nose bridge people have, their hair is twisted into sections making it look rope like, it looked awesome by the way and most of their skin had a tint of blue and green on them. It seemed to be reflecting the river's color.Okay I have to meet. They're pretty cool to look at. They seemed like they were studying us, as their heads moved the way an alien would do. Like in the movies when they see human for the first time and inspect their flesh thoroughly. They weren't aliens though, as we came from the same Earth just not the same world. "Uh hi there" Lacresia said awkwardly. She was the first to break the tension surfacing in the air. Their eyes widened at that, seemed like they were shocked we could talk, but nonetheless they smiled and waved "Hello there young demigods! Why do you disturb in our dwelling place," The one who appeared to be the leader greeted. I was getting major extraterrestrial vibes here. I didn't want to weird them out so I had to say something, "Hello. We're you guys the ones playing with us?" I said going direct to the point. The nymphs looked amongst each other and whispered their faces looked shocked and confused as well. "Not to worry we're not mad or anything. We're just wondering why. We're demigod trevelers. My name is Cheska and that girl there," I said while pointing at Cresia, "is Lacresia. We're on our way to the gate of Biringan, We were told one was near here." The nymphs huddled together, they looked like a football or basketball team planning out what to do with the opposing team. Occasionally lifting their head to sniff the air around them, weird. In times like those there were two options they could take. Seeing how they had the advantage here, it's either they play nice or dispose of us quickly. Nymphs as far as I know loathe it when mortals barge in to their homes. I'm hoping it's the former though. I looked over Cresia and saw that she was just as nervous as I am, it looked like we had the same thing on our minds. Anxious for their decision my sweat began to trickle on my forehead. This has got to stop already. I thought to myself. Excessive sweating is so not attractive. After a while their leader spoke again and said, "It appears that one of our members, Julieta has found enjoyment in making you two lose your way. We're very sorry for the inconvenience dearest demigods, as nymphs we are below you in rank and we'd like to say our dearest apologies. We wouldn't want the wrath of the gods to be released upon us" They said as they knelt down. Okay, that is so not the reaction I was expecting. I hope this was how they "played nice". "Well uh, it's all good guys no need to do all that stuff," I said while scratching the back of my head, realizing how things were getting more awkward the more they stayed in that position. "No, we insist. It's just that one of you hasn't beed visited yet. Her scent is not as strong. It only brought confusion and curiosity to our fellow river nymph" I then realized this was how they wanted to make amends. They didn't have to though. I wasn't used to this kind of treatment so I insisted on stopping them. "It's fine though really, we're all friends here aren't we?" I said smiling, while trying to eliminate the tension in the air. Dismayed I was, as the nymphs didn't deliver the reaction I was hoping for. I was so grateful 'cause after that Lacresia cleared her throat and said "Yeah it's all chill guys. Loosen up" I could sense she was trying to muster the kindest voice she had so that she wouldn't scare them away. Knowing how frustrated she was awhile ago I was impressed. I then remembered hoe nymphs had suffered the wrath of gods and demigods alike, they were often cursed and made fun of. I wasn't sure about the reason why. It's just their stories tend to go in that direction most of the time. I felt sorry for them. Was this how hierarchy of supernatural being like? And with that last thought, they finally stood up. "We are not going to punish you guys or anything." she continued to say. I just bobbed my head up and down indicating that I agreed with her. "We're grateful for your kindness dear demigods. Please, allow us to give you the chance to bathe in our waters as a form of our atonement to you," the leader spoke again gesturing for us to go in the river. "Oh we shouldn't.We know how hard you guys work to keep the waters clean. We don't want to spoil it with the dirt from our trip" I said. I fear that this may be a trap, just something to lure us into the waters and gods know what they'd do to us if that happens. I know how Nymphs got super overprotective about their territories, they don't want it spoiled. I just know it. They hated pollution. Apart from being playful they were mischievous as well. "No no. It would be an honor to let the daughter of the sea god bathe in out waters. It is our pleasure to let our waters carry away the filth from you" the leader said while looking at me. " My mouth gaped open at what it said. If I could see my reflection right now I'm pretty sure I'd say I looked like a deer with headlights on. I-Im the daughter of the god of the sea? Did I hear that right? It might just be a mistake though. Nothing was for sure. Plus we're not that filthy we just left the hut a few hours ago.I was still debating with my mind but I was shocked as I saw Lacresia run towards the river, "C'mon Cres it's time to bathe in some nymph water!" she said sounding hella excited leaving no trace of her frustration a while ago, " Wohooo!" she screamed as she jumped into the river.