It all started here. In this inky wet cavern under the lake, its wet and cold and dark, a certain smell exists here, cold and of the deepest manure and earthy rot dispite no life existing here. Only the after, only the moments during death. Part of it is comforting here, part of it is horrifying and eere. I do not know which side to lean into more. I brought a lantern with me, it flickers and dims the further i step into this cavern, the trek here snuffed out the wax's flame many a time. I had stepped through the jungle that surrounds the east side of the lake, part of it is waterlogged and the dew glows blue from the mysterious properties of the lake. Once i reached the wet podzol where the water seaps and dips into the main body, i had to abandon my satchel and hunters knife i had used to cross the forest as to not lose them in the black abyss of the lake. To reach this cavern i had to step into its waters and dive to the deepest portion of its abyss. I am not the strongest swimmer but the lake seemed to pull me down and into its belly, the only directional observations i could make were from what i could make out even through the stinging in my eyes. Once i finally reached the cave the lake ended, like a waterfall allowing the cavern to be void of a flood, only dampness along its walls and floor. Immediately upon my feet touching the rocky surface i attempted to light my lantern, i was not successful until my third attempt but i made careful to keep it lit. The uneven walls glisned a blue just as the dew had in the forest leading to the lakes bed, the electric blue fades as i travel deeper, into a darker, more ominous blue, and finally to a rich purple in the same hue as the ominous blue. I have found nothing out of the ordinary about the cave as i have explored it, i seem to be going down and in circles but only in shape, not experience. I wandered the halls of this cavern for the last many hours, i have brought no food nor water with me, but i suspect i am comming to the end of this labyrinth. I come into an open portion, a room of sorts, there is a variety of papers, and a large leatherbound book in the center of the back wall, a few desks and books line the adjacent walls, its dusty dispite being underwater, and cobwebs line the ceiling above me. Inside the center book is diagrams, drawings of horrorish creatures and descriptions in another language, and some in English. It describes the origin of this lake, how it has been here before time, before humans, how it has been set to awake every hundred years to reclaim its habitat, how there is no escape from its feed. It traps the spirits of those it swollows, keeping them and their memory to haunt its waters, it controls those surrounding its territory, changing their eyes to match their purpose, possessing their mind and body to its will and leading them to the water when its deeds are finished. I dont know what it wants or why it continues to awaken, i was only able to read for less than an hour before the walls creeked and a deep bellowing growl echoed the space, the walls shook and i ran through the tunnels i had first traveled all while the sound chased me and grew louder with every step. I leaped into the water separating the cavern from the lake and fought the current and the creature from pulling me back down, i failed and clawed desperately through the darkness for how long i do not know. I only found myself on the surface again gasping for air and clawing through the wet soil surrounding the lakes edges. I spared no time and quickly grabbed my satchel and knife and made my way through the forest in the dark. I had dropped my lantern at the cave entrance when i jumped into the water, but no matter, i found my way back to the streets of the neighborhood next to the lake, and i made my way back to where i am staying for the duration of my research. I must go back down there...
