I keep a watchful eye on Flynn the whole time. I don't trust you and I never will. Nightfall came faster than usual. I want us to keep going. We'll rest when we find a city or town. I step out onto the dock. A small paddle boat is tied to the dock. We have to travel across the large lake. I stare into the water. Who knows what's lurking down there?

  "Wait, the troll is getting in the same boat as us? He'll tip it over!" Flynn says.

  I place my hand on the hilt of my sword.

  "His name is Valor. I let those little comments and insults slide before, but now I won't. Shut up and keep moving," I say.

  The five of us sit in the boat. It's uncomfortable of course, but we have no other options. Hazel rows out from the dock. A small cut is on her neck. At first, she was in complete shock. She's doing much better now.

  I keep an eye on the lake and the forest around it. I know something's out there. I can practically feel it.

  "You can calm down," Marina tells me.

  "No, we have to be on edge. We have to be ready for anything," I reply.

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  The boat completely flips over. I land in the water. When I rise to the surface I turn to Marina.

  "See?" I say.

  "There are hundreds of other reasons why it happened," she replies.

  "After everything we've been through, this is the time you want to be a skeptic?" I ask.

  Something across from us rises to the surface. Bright green glowing eyes stare at us. The creature raises its head. Dark green scales cover the creature. Two long horns grow from its head. The sea creature has a serpent-like body.

  I take action. I flip the boat back over and climb in. The others follow my lead. I grab Flynn's bow. I've never shot one before. I look at the others. No one else knows. I really don't want to do this!

  "I...need your help," I say as I cut him loose.

  He takes the bow before drawing the arrow back. The sea monster is ready to attack. He lets the arrow go. The serpent dodges it and sinks below the waves.

  Where did it go? When will it reappear? It rises from the water and slams its tail into the end of the boat. I fall into the water. The serpent glides through the water towards us.

  I draw my sword and swing it. I hit the creature in the side. Blood flows through the water. It starts to retreat. I grab onto one of its horns. The serpent emerges from the water. I'm standing right on top of it. I raise my sword up and plunge it into the serpent's head. It falls into the lake. I try my hardest to reach the surface. Valor is the one who helps me up. It's a long swim to the other side of the lake. I lay on the ground for a few minutes.

  "Luna, that was awesome!" Hazel says to me.

  "Yeah, it was so awesome to almost drown!" I reply.

  "Man, you really can't take a compliment," she says.

  I pull myself off the ground.

  "Come on. The night isn't over yet," I say.