Chapter 1
1540 Words
Bloodmoongrove
A place no living creature was brave enough to venture.
The witches claimed the forest and turned it into their Covenstead after the Purge war. They hid within in the dark enchanted forest and only come out at night to hunt. Until today. One of the witches had the backbone mad of steal to kidnap one of the villagers’ little girl who was caught playing outside the invisible barrier Rubeus created to protect his kingdom. One of the guards spotted the witch running away with the screaming girl.
Kayla was ordered to save the little girl before the witch turns her into lunch.
Witches are the most feared mythical creatures in the realm because of their mystery and power. They are the only known living creatures who still practices and possesses arcane magic. (Black magic.) Proven over time to be creatures of the darkness and treachery. Unfortunately for her, most of the tales were true.
Centuries ago, when sorcerers were only a myth. Witches held them hostage and tortured them with their evil, dark magic. The sorcerers started to observe their magic and found a way to overpower the witches with their own magic.
After escaping and killing all the witches, sorcerers decided to live in exile to find ways to bring an end to black magic.
Her father was the most powerful sorcerer and her mother was an Assassin. Through their bond, her mother found out about her father’s existence and his tribe that was living in the mountains for centuries.
Kayla is the only living Assassin who possesses the powers of a sorceress. The mages back in the village were still suspicious of Kayla’s magic because they continue to speculate about her strange phenomenon and evolution in the practice of spellcasting.
Every creature outside the kingdom only knew her as a Hassassin. A cold-hearted killer who works for Rubeus. The strongest and oldest Wizard of the kingdom.
Rubeus hired Kayla to do his dirty work to protect his kingdom and she returned the favour because he let her stay in his realm after her village burned down and she being the only survivor.
With knives concealed inside her sleeves, she entered the dark, gloomy forest. She felt the world underneath her feet shift as if it was crying out from fear but not from her presence. The forest was spiritless, dark and with no sign of a living creature. Dark-skinny trees with twines that looked like long crooked fingertips. The unwelcoming wind howled around her. Warning her to get out and run away from this forest or be killed.
Kayla focused on the dark path ahead and listened closely to any sound of distress. She feared nothing. Not even death itself. She ignored the warnings and continued to proceed deeper into the forest.
In the depts of the woods, she found the witch's battered old cottage surrounded by dark chanting music. Her magic coiled through her veins as she felt the mysterious and evil power of magic wavering around her.
She crouched down between the trees trying to hide in the shadows. She took in her surroundings and tried to find a way into the cottage without being seen. Like her. Witches could sense intruders from far away. She saw smoke coming from the shimmy. She only had a few minutes left to save the girl. She pulled out her daggers from the various places and moved towards the house. The porch stood about four feet off the ground, supported by a couple of low beans. Squatted down, she peered over the edge. Coast was clear.
She hooked one of her legs onto the porch and pulled herself up. She slithered over the corner, keeping close to the deepest shadows. Hugging the wall, she slid towards the front door. She winced at the inevitable c***k that sounded as her weight shifted on the slick wood. Daggers in her hands, she slowly pushed the door open.
Her eyes skimmed throughout the cottage. The crackle of the fire tickled her skin. A cauldron bubbled slowly in the corner, leaving off the most infernal and rancid vapours. She found the little girl sitting on the ground in front of the scorching heat of the fire staring at her with wide eyes. She was tied up with a rope and her mouth was concealed by magic.
“Entering a house without an invitation. Shows lack of respect.” A voice tsk from the darkness.
“Taking a child from our forest gave me free entry.” Kayla repositioned her daggers in her hands. The darkroom flared to life as the door shut behind her. “Give me back what belongs to me, witch,” Kayla said, reaching for a sword that was positioned on her back.
A gush of wind pushed and pulled her further into the lair of the witch. She reached for her magic when she sensed undoubtedly strong power coming her way. She diverted the firebolt and watch it explode in front of her. She heard the witch hissing at her.
“Ahh. The Hassassin finally ventures into my lair. The all-mighty and strong warrior. I am going to have fun stripping away your flesh.” The witch hummed.
“First you have to come out and play.” She dared the witch.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something moving towards her. The witch’s spindly legs covered the distance between them in a flash. She was hideous of appearance. Her skin had a zombie-white, colourless pall to it. Her hair was lank, lusterless, falling around her like strings of rotting straw. A row of teeth, blackened and broken into stubs like old tombstones. Kayla could smell the mildewy and sickly passage of breath.
“You seem a bit old for a 100-year-old witch.” The witch growled at her and sent her flying across the room. Her body smashed into a cupboard and landed on a wooden box filled with chickens.
She winced, rolling over onto her knees. “Stealing from the village. That’s an offence. Now, I have the right to send your remains back to hell where they came from.” Kayla pushed herself onto her feet.
Before the witch could strike her with another powerful blow. She jumped up, flicked her wrist, the sharp point of dagger zipped across the room and sank into the witch’s throat, puncturing her windpipe.
The witch’s eyes widened as she staggered back when she saw the glow in Kayla’s eyes. “Sorceress.” She wheezed. “That’s impossible.” She sputtered.
Kayla smirked at her. She yanked the dagger from her neck, watching blood spatter onto the floor. Kayla stabbed her twice more before cutting her throat and throwing her into the scorching heat of the firepit.
She looked at the girl watching her with round, scared eyes. This is the part of the job she hates. Witnesses.
Kayla slipped her daggers back into her various places before breaking the spell that was keeping her lips sealed. The girl didn’t flinch when Kayla touched her or pulled her dagger from her pocket to cut the ropes. “Is she coming back for me?” The girl asked rubbing her wrist.
Kayla looked at the fire and watched the witch’s body burning. “Maybe if she has resurrecting spell,” Kayla said with a pinch of amusement when she looked back at the girl.
The girl at least caught her joke. She gave her a smile of relief. “Let’s get you home. Your mom must be going out of her mind by now.” The little girl nodded and accept Kayla’s hand to pull herself up. She followed Kayla out of the cottage and stayed close to her in case they have another visitor. The other witches aren’t going to be thrilled when they find out that Kayla killed their sister.
“How did you know where to find me?” The little girl asked as they were making their way through the dark woods.
“I followed your scent,” Kayla answered. The power Kayla possessed gave her the skill to track down any mythical creatures through their magic.
When they left the woods, she called her horse with a whistle. A few seconds later a black stallion emerged from the forest in front of them. “Midnight.” The girl greeted her horse with a smile. Midnight nickered at the little girl and nodded his head as if he was greeting her.
She found Midnight when he was a foul. She raised him and he became her travelling companion. Kayla walked up to him to acknowledge him. “Good, boy.” Midnight lowered his head, nickered and bend a back leg. Kayla brushed her hand over his head thanking him silently for waiting patiently for her. “Let’s go home.” She told them both.
She helped the little mage girl mount Midnight and then followed in pursuit. She grabbed the reins and called out for Midnight to take them back to the village.
- Writer
