The forest gradually changed as Liam and Tatiana followed the sound of rushing water, the noise becoming clearer with every step they took. At first it was nothing more than a faint rumble hidden beneath the endless chorus of birds and rustling leaves, but before long it grew into a constant roar that echoed through the trees.

Thick vines hung between towering trunks while enormous emerald leaves brushed against their shoulders as they walked. Shafts of golden afternoon sunlight pierced through the canopy above, painting moving patterns across the forest floor as the breeze gently swayed the branches overhead. The air itself became cooler the farther they traveled, carrying with it a refreshing scent of clean water mixed with wild flowers.

Tatiana walked several steps ahead, following the sound with absolute confidence. Every now and then she’d pause, tilt her head slightly like a wolf catching a distant scent, then nod before continuing again.

"I told you I heard it."

Liam chuckled behind her.

"I never said I doubted you."

"You definitely doubted me."

"I questioned your judgment."

"Same thing."

"No, it’s not."

She rolled her eyes, unable to hide the smile on her face.

After another minute of walking, the roaring became so loud that they no longer needed her enhanced hearing to know they had arrived. A wall of enormous tropical leaves blocked their path, each one nearly as tall as Liam himself.

Tatiana reached out first and gently pushed the leaves aside.

The moment the greenery separated...

Both of them froze.

"...Whoa."

The word escaped Liam’s mouth almost instinctively.

Before them stretched one of the most breathtaking sights either of them had ever witnessed.

An enormous waterfall cascaded from a cliff hundreds of feet above, its crystal-clear water crashing against smooth white stone before spilling into an impossibly blue lake below. The falling water glittered beneath the afternoon sunlight, turning into countless tiny diamonds that shimmered with every movement. Mist drifted gently through the air, catching the light and creating faint rainbows that appeared and disappeared depending on where one looked.

Surrounding the lake was what looked almost like a hidden paradise.

Flowers of every imaginable color bloomed across the rocks—deep crimson blossoms, brilliant sapphire petals, golden lilies larger than dinner plates, and delicate violet flowers that glowed faintly beneath the constant spray of water. Thick emerald grass stretched between polished stones, untouched and impossibly vibrant.

Strange birds flew lazily overhead, unlike anything Liam had ever seen on Earth. Some possessed feathers that shimmered between blue and silver whenever sunlight struck them, while others had impossibly long tails that left trails of tiny glowing particles behind them as they glided through the air. A pair landed near the edge of the lake, chirping softly before hopping between the flowers without the slightest fear.

Butterfly-like creatures floated peacefully through the mist, their transparent wings reflecting every color of the rainbow whenever they caught the sunlight.

Even the air felt different.

It was pure.

Fresh.

Almost sweet.

Every breath filled Liam’s lungs with an indescribable freshness that instantly relaxed his entire body.

He honestly thought the witches’ hidden settlement back on Earth had shown him the peak of nature’s beauty.

He had been wrong.

This place felt untouched by civilization.

Untouched by greed.

It was like discovering a forgotten corner of the world that existed solely to remind people how beautiful nature could truly be.

Neither of them spoke.

There simply weren’t any words worthy enough to interrupt the moment.

Then Liam slowly turned his head.

His gaze landed on Tatiana.

She was standing only a few feet away, completely unaware that he had stopped looking at the scenery.

The soft mist drifting through the air settled gently onto her long red hair, making the fiery strands glisten beneath the sunlight. A few loose locks danced across her cheek whenever the breeze passed, only to settle again moments later.

From the side, her profile was almost unfairly beautiful.

Her smooth forehead flowed naturally into the elegant bridge of her nose before ending at soft, naturally full lips that were curved into the smallest smile. Her long eyelashes rested against her cheeks each time she blinked while her bright eyes reflected the waterfall itself, making it seem as though tiny rivers flowed inside them. Her flawless pale skin carried a healthy warmth beneath the sunlight, and the peaceful expression on her face made her seem completely at home inside this hidden paradise.

She wasn’t posing.

She wasn’t trying to look beautiful.

She was simply enjoying the view with quiet, childlike wonder.

And somehow...

That made her even prettier.

Liam found himself staring.

Not because he intended to.

His eyes simply refused to look away.

For a brief moment he even forgot about the waterfall behind her.

His attention rested entirely on the woman standing beside him.

Tatiana continued admiring the scenery until she suddenly felt something.

Someone was looking at her.

She slowly turned her head.

Their eyes met.

Liam hadn’t even realized he’d been caught.

Tatiana blinked once before instinctively touching her own face.

"...Is there something on my face?"

Liam remained silent for a second before a small smile appeared on his lips.

Without answering, he simply shook his head.

Then he leaped from the rocky ledge.

His body landed gracefully several meters below near the edge of the lake with barely a sound.

Tatiana remained standing above for another second.

Her fingers slowly lowered from her cheek.

She replayed the last few moments inside her head.

He wasn’t looking at the waterfall.

He wasn’t looking behind her.

He had been looking...

At her.

The realization arrived all at once.

Heat rushed straight into her cheeks.

Her ears turned bright red.

A smile slowly spread across her face before she could stop it.

"...Idiot."

She whispered it so softly that even Liam couldn’t hear.

Her heart beat noticeably faster.

For some reason...

Knowing that Liam had been staring at her made her happier than the waterfall itself.

She bit her lower lip to stop herself from smiling too much before lightly jumping down after him.

She landed effortlessly beside the lake.

Immediately, tiny droplets of water drifted onto both of them.

The waterfall continuously crashed against the rocks below, sending an endless curtain of cool mist into the surrounding area. Every few seconds another gentle spray reached them, cooling their skin without actually soaking their clothes.

The refreshing sensation made Liam close his eyes for a brief second.

"...Okay."

He opened them again before looking around.

"I admit it."

Tatiana looked at him.

"You were right."

She folded her arms proudly.

"I usually am."

"Don’t push it."

She laughed, the sound blending naturally with the rushing waterfall.

Liam glanced toward the clear lake before looking back at her.

"I guess..."

He shrugged.

"...taking a bath out here might not be such a bad idea after all."

Tatiana’s smile grew even brighter as she looked back toward the magnificent waterfall, the cool mist continuing to drift across both of them while the hidden paradise welcomed its two unexpected visitors.