One became the High Witch, and the other is widely known as the Jade Witch. Two sisters with the ancient bloodline running in their veins.”
At this revelation, everyone is shocked, and the sight of their eyes bulging like they are about to be ejected from their sockets gives the High Witch a twisted sense of joy. Now you know how it feels to be ‘shocked senseless’. You haven’t heard anything yet. By the time I am done with you, you will have to pick up those eyeballs, along with your jaws, from the floor before I end you.
“Now, tell me,” Estelle cocked her head to the side, like a doctor trying to explain something simple to a mentally challenged individual, “why I would fear the likes of you. If not for her intervention, would you still be alive to spout nonsense?”
Estelle does not need to categorically mention the ‘her’ in this context. Everyone knows that the only witch who wields power over the High Witch is Evanora Vischer. She may be old, but her words still hold sway in the realm of magic.
How ironic it is that the subject of their deeply-seated, longstanding grudge is the reason for their survival thus far. Unfortunately, it is often said that the ones who are shown mercy often do not deserve it, like the petty thief pardoned by a local chief and later on convicted as a hardened robber by the Emperor.
“The process of Awakening truly is one that bears mentioning. It should not be hidden from the world. Yet, Fate has chosen to play games with my family again. I am one of the most powerful witches to ever walk the realm of magic, yet I have been given a daughter who is essentially magic-less.”
It seems impossible for the witches to be more astonished than they already are. But the words of the High Witch give them a rude awakening- everything is not always plain black and white.
“My daughter failed to Awaken. As if that isn’t enough, her attempt at Awakening would have been fatal had I not intervened in the nick of time, sealing up the orifice of life within her permanently.”
Loud gasps permeate the atmosphere.
“You may call me selfish, but I would rather she remains without magic, no stronger than a mere mortal, and live than risk a battle whose odds are totally against her. While the realm of magic mourns the loss of another fallen genius and the hope for a new era, I mourn the loss of a worthy successor and the end of my ancient lineage.”
Locking gazes with the redhead witch, she smirks.
“So you do not need to stress yourself with concocting another useless plan to usurp me. Fate is already working with your favor, and when I decide to retire, you will be free of me.”
Heidi’s brain is in overdrive. Why is she telling us all of this? What is her aim? Certainly not pity, because the woman standing in front of me does not in any way look or sound pitiful. Now that I think of it, she actually sounds pretty confident and resigned, like we have all walked into a …
Heidi’s face is tinged with a somewhat unnatural color. Don’t tell me…. This cannot be happening.
As if she reads Heidi’s thoughts, the High Witch walks closer to her and reaches out to touch her face.
“This can be happening, dear. I only regret that we didn’t meet in less terrible circumstances. We would have made good acquaintances.”
Against her better judgment, Heidi finds herself nodding, agreeing to the High Witch’s words. She could see the logic in this- if they met in different circumstances, there would be no stalemate, no dead ends. There would be a proper conclusion and everyone would depart without qualms. But things are not destined to end like this.
Perhaps, Heidi’s smart mind realizes that this is her end, as she is not as shocked as the others when the High Witch announces her intentions.
“You all must be wondering why I am telling you all of this. I promised you a story, and I bet that it was an interesting one, seeing the priceless looks on your faces. Now that I have played my part, allow me to grant you a reward that befits your efforts.”
The imminence of their deaths hits them with the force of a ton of bricks.
“Y-you d-d-dare n-not…”
“I dare not? What do I not dare to do?”
“If you kill us, there will be consequences.”
“I’m aware of that, and I will naturally handle whatever results ensue from this unfortunate encounter.”
“You c-c-cannot k-kill us.”
“Give me a reason to spare your life, and I will.”
For the next fifteen minutes Heidi watches as the elderly witches she looked up to transform into blundering idiots, making a mess of an already messy situation. What makes them think that the High Witch will spare them?
She may not be a psychologist, but she can tell that the glint in Estelle’s eyes speaks of the promise of death. There is no chance for salvation.
Thus, instead of joining the fray, she steels her resolve and awaits death.
Heidi’s demeanor stuns Estelle, and she moves even closer to her, adjusting her posture till their eyes are on the same level. The High Witch lifts a hand to the younger witch’s cheek and strokes it in an affectionate manner. This action causes Heidi to burst into tears- she feels the warmth of a mother’s touch, but the knowledge that she can never experience that feeling again causes her extreme pain.
“In your next life, if you ever have one, I hope you choose the right path.”
Estelle speaks these words to bid Heidi farewell, but the former does not know that these words will set the younger witch on an entirely different path, one that will be of immense help in the future.