Snippet #372337

Mana made a gurgling sound of surprise as her ankle was violently tugged and pulled under the strong currents. Her entire body was submerged in the darkness as she struggled to keep her face above the great lake. Failing greatly, Mana inhaled a mouth full of water in a desperate attempt for air and rescue, although she knew it was pretty much hopeless; She subconsciously released the basket of lilies she had been busy collecting near the water's edge and exhaled slowly, allowing the air bubbles to rise upwards as she was drawn into the unknown by a peculiar force. Her blue eyes flickered weakly as she continued her descent and failed to keep them open as she lost the will to remain rebellious towards her "attacker". Mana reached for the rays of brilliant light that had managed to permeate through the water's body; Her vision grew dark as her body went limp from fatigue.

* * *
Mana, irritated and drenched in cold water, awakened as she opened one eye in irritation at the voices. The girl had been listening to the unclear voices for quite a while now, although she appeared to be half-conscious while laying in the lake. She shook her head beneath the shallow water and sat up, squeezing the liquids out of her golden locks. Her delicate features bore an expression of surprise as she surveyed her surroundings; The girl felt slightly out of place and hastily stood, her white tunic dripping all over as she stumbled her way to shore, loudly stomping over the pebbles in an ungraceful manner. She took no notice of the 2 others standing there and focused her attention on the tiny, pixie-like creature. "H-hey.." Mana began clumsily. She grasped the red sprite, completely unaware of her selflessness, and held the creature in the palms of her hands. "Hey.." she repeated, louder and clearer this time. The bluriness that had burdened her mind gradually lifted, allowing her to think more rationally. "That was quite rude of you to call us out here like that! What about our families?!" she demanded, glaring at the sprite indignantly.

The ground rumbled beneath their feet and green, leafy vines sprouted from the ground. The plants grew upwards, rapidly expanding and circled around Mana's waste, ankles, and wrists, contorting in various shapes and sprouting new vines from the original roots. Shocked, Mana drew away from Cheyl and grabbed the elegant rapier that was hanging from her waist. She proceeded to hack off the roots with no luck, as they seemed to be attracted to her. The girl shook with anger and growled dangerously to no one in particular. The vines responded to her growing emotions by blossoming exotic, purple flowers.