Arian couldn't use his legs, but he could still move his upper body, so he used all his strength to crawl backward, so his head was free from the stones, and positioned himself in a way that he lay parallel to the water.
Without wasting any time, he made himself roll sideways, towards the water.
Because the water was so close by, it wouldn't take Arian long to reach it. After all, the ground was sloping the closer it got to the water, so he got faster with each turn. Maybe four turns, and he would be in the water...
...but of course, Sublimus was faster.
Before Arian reached his salvation, the beast's teeth wrapped around Arian's right leg and jerked him backwards.
In a moment of horror, Arian quickly stretched out his hand, making himself as long as possible. It was only for a moment that his fingertips brushed the water, but it had been enough. He felt the strength rush through him. It was enough for him to turn around, ignore the pain he felt in every fiber of his body, and hit Sublimus as hard as possible.
Arian's fist connected with Sublimus' soft snout, arguably one of the most sensitive parts of a qilin's body. Sublimus groaned in pain, flinching back and covering his snout protectively with one of his hooves.
The beast was distracted enough for Arian to hastily position himself sideways again and to roll further.
It only took him three turns before he lay in the water.
Immediately, he felt a wave of new strength wash through him. He felt more energized, more alive, more aware... but most importantly, he felt his legs again.
Oh, and his wounds didn't hurt as much, too. The pain was still a lot, but at least it was a bit more bearable, which was a relief nonetheless.
Arian didn't dwell on this wonderful moment, though. Instead, he turned himself around and began to swim as fast as he could.
Only a moment later, he heard a loud splash behind him. It was so close, Arian felt the water from Sublimus jump splashing onto his face.
It told him the beast was close behind him. Probably very close.
Arian dodged instinctively, diving under the water service.
He wasn't a moment too late, as Sublimus' maw only missed him by a hair's breadth.
The prince wanted to be relieved, but he couldn't be just yet. He was still in danger of being caught. He immediately started swimming again, as he realized Sublimus kicked around with his legs, probably trying to hit Arian and thus slow him down. Luckily, the beast's movements were sluggish in the water, so Arian could swim away without too much trouble.
To avoid further danger, Arian decided to stay beneath the surface, just to make it harder for Sublimus to pinpoint where exactly he was.
Arian had realized the beast was reluctant to dive beneath the surface. He didn't know why, but he gladly used Sublimus's wariness of the water to his advantage.
Thus, Arian dived deeper until he was sure even Sublimus couldn't see him from the surface. Then he changed direction by making a sharp right turn.
He continued to swim in that direction until his lungs commanded him to get back onto the surface.
He also wanted a break, since his wounds burned and his body ached.
But he couldn't give in to his desires, he had to continue, no matter the pain or discomfort.
As soon as his head appeared over the surface, the prince looked back.
To his luck, Sublimus had continued to swim in a straight line.
For now, Arian had an advantage, even though the prince was sure it wouldn't take Sublimus long to find him again.
So Arian swam faster than he had ever done before, ignoring the pain that made him wince with each stroke.
He tried to swim as much as he could underwater, hindering Sublimus from seeing him easily.
During this time, Arian realized that what he wanted to see, or what the vision wanted to show him, could technically be underwater.
The realization hit him so hard, he almost froze in his movements.
This was highly unlikely, right? What should something underwater have to do with why girls at the Akai-Dezato Academy felt dizzy or exhausted?
What nonsense! Arian shook his head mentally. No, the solution must be on the surface.
So he tried to stay afloat as he looked around himself feverishly, trying to see something.
But it was still dark, and he couldn't see far.
He wanted to curse, especially when he looked back and realized Sublimus was coming closer. Looking around cost Arian precious time.
Damn it, how should I ever find, what the vision wants me to see?, he thought while he took up speed again. To his surprise, he realized his body didn't ache as much as it did before.
He looked down at himself. Even though he couldn't see much and couldn't stop to properly examine his body, he had the suspicion his wounds were healing.
So this water doesn't just lend me strength, it also heals me?
How magical!
Arian wondered why it hadn't the same effect on Sublimus, but decided he didn't have time for it.
It might be that I have an affinity for water, while he doesn't, Arian thought, and increased his speed again.
Even though he was stronger and faster in the water, he still pushed his body to the limit.
When he looked back after some time, he realized he was leaving Sublimus further and further behind.
That was great and a relief... but still, he hadn't found the heart of the vision yet.
So Arian suppressed the urge to stop and catch his breath. Instead, he continued to swim as fast as possible.
The sooner I get out of this vision, the better.
Arian didn't know how long he had been swimming. it could have been an hour, but it could have been five hours as well.
All he knew was that he felt exhausted and he was close to giving up.
He even played with the thought of drowning himself. What better place to kill himself than here. It would happen on his own accord, like he whished, and no one could stop him. Even Sublimus couldn't. Arian had left him behind a while ago.
Now he was in the middle of the sea, in the middle of nowhere. He turned around, looking around himself if he could see something.
And finally, Arian saw indeed something. There were mountains in the distance.
So when there are mountains, there is a shore, Arian concluded. Does that mean I have crossed the lake?
Without hesitation, the prince swam towards the distant rocks.
When he to close to the shore, he suddenly halted. On the right side of the shore, he could see silhouettes of humans.
Arian slowly drew closer. As he did so, he realized all the silhouettes were women. They stood near the water. Some bent down and drank the water directly, while others filled large canisters with the water.
They were all completely quiet. Their movements looked utterly natural to them. Once they were finished, they would retreat to the rocks, where they disappeared from Arian's sight.
Arian was stunned. He wasn't sure what he should make of these women, who all appeared to be around his age. And they all had the same slender body type, with impeccable curves.
Even from afar and in the dark, they looked seductive.
Arian swam closer again, but at that moment, his vision turned blurry.
He realized he had seen what the vision intended for him to see.