Yong dropped to one knee, almost dropping Vera, but shin caught her just in time. The air in the surrounding suddenly felt thick, almost strangling. Yong felt his heart pounding fast against his chest as his breath grew rapid with the writings on his skin reacting to the thin heated whispers that could be heard from the near.
One by one, figures rose from the shadows with dark cloaks draping over their figures as they stepped into the misty surrounding. Their eyes glowed beneath the cloak, faces hidden and their presence ancient.
Yong shut his eyes tight, trying not to bring out the hidden being in him as it sensed yoong being weak... No not yet, he said to himself as he felt emmerse pain. Then his eyes shot open, looking around at the witches who were now murmuring spells under their breath, with his palm facing them, moving towards them.
Then Yong finally realized where they were — Theralith, the witches' forest.
" Outsiders," one came forward. Except you, she pointed at Yong. I've been looking forward to this day. How the mighty has fallen.She lifted her staff,waving it in his face, giving him a pained smile as flashes of memories crowded her head, remembering how yong looked when he set out to destroy the forest years ago,how his inner demon came into being,towering over all. How he almost killed Aveline before her own eyes, until she saw her disappear into a split tree. Her Young self could not understand what was going on till she became a self made warrior, preparing ever since for his return.You took my sister's life.... She paused, now I'll take yours.A life for a life. STOP... She froze in place as she heard a familiar voice. The crowd parted and from within stepped and older woman in white, her hair long and silver and her eyes were full of ancient wisdom everything seemed to stop in her presence even the wind went silent. she gently walked towards Vera. Aveline? She heard her name from whispers she looked over her shoulder and nodded then all bowed in disbelief .She hushed every whisper.Aveline raised her hand gently,then snapped her fingers.In an instant vera's eyes shot wild open. She step close to Vera looming over here and raised her hand gently with her eyes never living hers.Oh...the same eyes... The same light, she said. Yong instinctively took a step in front of Vera sheilding her with his weak form with shin alert. She tapped the trunk of a nearby tree twice with hair crooked staff and in a heartbeat the tree split into two halves creating an entrance.Coming?
...
Aveline led them deep into the witches' cavern as she walked over to a hung painting. There, lay her down, Aveline said in a stern tone, looking at a framed painting on the wall. Vera pushed herself into a sitting position and sat up supporting herself .. Aveline brought the painting over to her. Vera's mouth dropped, and her breath caught, almost dropping the frame. "Who... who is she?" Shin rushed over as she heard Vera. His eyes opened wide. She looked at Vera and then back at the picture, utterly confused and speechless.
Vera felt like she was looking at her own reflection in a mirror, but this time, the woman in the painting looked exactly like her — same face, same eyes — but with long jet-black hair flowing over her shoulders, while Vera had red curly hair. This can't be, she whispered.
That's my mother, the Lady of the Night. But she was our light, our shield, our strength... but also our weakness. She took a long pause as her face dropped. I wish I could say more. But the rest is left for you to decide. You have to see it yourself.
But how? Vera asked, still shaking slightly as she went close without fear.
Aveline turned to Yong and Shin. With her permission, she said carefully, I can show her why she is here.She turned back to Vera. Look at your fingers. You are whole again Aveline smiles at her as she reached for vera's hand.
Vera looked at her fingers. Does this mean...? She smiled with unshed tears.
Yes, your curse has been lifted since your coming here was the only way you could be you again.
Vera stood up with the frame in her hands. Do it. Show me. I'm ready.
Avaline held both sides of Vera's head, chanting words in an ancient language. Just then, all the candles flickered out at once. For a split second, darkness filled the room — then the candles flared back to life again.
By this time, Vera's eyes were blank. Aveline began counting down softly, "Three… two… one…"
Vera fell hard onto the bed, almost hitting her head. Then suddenly, she found herself in a dream, standing in the midst of a battle. She turned and saw two different groups fighting fiercely against each other.
Something caught her attention — a woman battling two men all on her own. Before Vera could move, the woman clutched her belly and fell to the ground, whispering an incantation even as she collapsed.
The two men stopped and watched as a glowing ball of light emerged from the woman's body. The light shot forward, tearing through the other group without mercy until none were left standing. Then, the ball returned to the two men — but before they could react, it turned bright red.
Just as the man wearing a crown raised his sword to strike the light, it suddenly darted away, speeding into the forest. It reached a clearing where three women were tied to stones near a glowing portal. Without hesitation, the ball of light entered one of the women.
The portal began to twist and behave in strange ways, forcing the priest to stop the sacrifice. The priest announced that one of the women was now pregnant. Vera witnessed all of this — the confusion, the fear, and the moment when the ball of light struck her mother.