Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Secret Waters

Entering into the water, Aribelle immediately felt each cut and blister on her body reawaken. Becoming agitated by the warm water, her face pinched into grimace as the open wounds on her hands and feet stung. Enduring the bitter reminder of her reckless pursuits, Aribelle continued to walk forward. 

Each step taking her deeper into the thermal pool, she persisted until its water lapped gently at her thin neck. Aribelle's muscles giving one last spasm of retaliation, they were eventually enticed into relaxing by the agreeable temperature of the pool. Tired from their eventful journey so far, she did not resist settling into her calm surroundings. The sound of her companions' slowly retreating footsteps moving further away. Aribelle was left with only the noise of the subtle ripples her movements provoked across the water.