What else can go wrong today?
I let the tears flow, aware of what might have happened today. My hands tremble as I rise from the cold ground.
Typically, when I’m upset, heading to the kitchen is my first thought. However, something is pulling me out of the castle—like a force of wind pushing me toward a destination I’ve not been to in years.
Crossing the courtyard, I take in my surroundings. Flowers, sunlight, and fluttering banners momentarily blind me as I’mtransported back in time. The beautiful memory fades as I return to reality. Now, it feels as if a mist hangs over this castle—a shadowy vision of what once was and what we lost.
I stride past the final gate and the guards, leaving the castle grounds behind. No one even acknowledges my state, bloody and dirty in a ripped dress. I enter the outskirts of town, my footsteps echoing on the cobblestone streets as I head toward the forest that borders the southern gate. The vibrant green of the trees makes the town center seem colorless and dull. As I pass a few townspeople, they bow in my presence, their eyes widening at my condition. It won’t be long before news travels back to the castle.
Maines, Barlowe, and I used to play in this forest all the time as children. We would often dare one another to sneak out of the gates, only to be found moments later by the poor guards hired to watch children all day.
I walk along the grassy path, the soft blades bending under my feet. The forest is peaceful, with birds singing in the distance and the scent of grass and pine drifts toward me as I walk down the trail. It’s been years since I last visited this place, yet I can still make out the gentle lines of the path as the forest embraces me again.
My mother showed me the clearing in the forest one horrible day. She would bring me here to get away from the castle and soak in the tranquility of the surroundings. Being a Wiitch, it’s common to respond heavily to natural elements. Nature has always sung to me like a comforting lullaby. I later showed Maines and Barlowe this clearing, which became our favorite escape for daily adventures. We would often pretend to be in epic battles against each other—we never stood a chance against Barlowe, but we fought like hell to win.
As we grew older, so did his fondness for Maines. There were many times I wondered if he was in love with her. Whenhe announced that he was leaving, Maines decided to start her training as a healer, which led her to spend most of her time traveling and studying at the House of Hedro. I often wonder now if it was just a distraction and if her feelings for Barlowe were mutual.
As I reach the clearing, the forest breeze cools my porcelain skin against the warm sun beating down through breaks in the treetops. I sit by a tree that still shows the carvings we made as children. I close my eyes and listen to the nothingness around me; it’s calm and peaceful. Just as I relax for the first time, the thought rocks me.
“Look for where you feel most at peace, and I will guide you.”
I spring up, glancing in every direction. This must be the place my mother was speaking about in her letter—she’s leading me here to continue her story.
The first time I witnessed my father conducting one of his punishments was when I was ten—that day still haunts me. The King of Daramveer’s preferred method of torment was to make someone confront their deepest fears. As he approached the unfortunate man that day, I saw the light fade from his eyes as he extended his hand, nearly covering the man’s face. Shadows oozed from his hands, wrapping around the man's face. As the man screamed, I knew he was being shown something worse than death as my father cast illusions in his mind.
My mother brought me to the forest that day, to this very spot. I was petrified and never wanted to witness something that horrific again. It always bothered me to know that I could be capable of that same punishment if I ever saw fit.
I catch a glimpse of movement out of the corner of my eye and freeze. I turn to see the black-hooded figure hovering in the distant shadows. The creature’s long, stretched fingers point toward an area dense with trees, deeper into the shadows. I stepback as the unsettling feeling I had earlier fills my body once more.
I keep my gaze fixed on the creature this time, refusing to look away. Gritting my teeth, I peel my gaze away for just a second. I glance in the direction of the way it’s pointing. I notice a lone tree standing closer to the edge of the deep forest and, unfortunately, much closer to the creature.
I inch closer to the tree with an intense awareness. My breath becomes jagged as my heart sinks deeper into my stomach. A twig snaps beneath my foot, causing me to yelp, which only intensifies my already pounding heart. The creature remains in the shaded area, silently lurking in the shadows while I keep a close watch for any movement. As I approach the tree, I notice a small hole at the base, just large enough to conceal something if necessary. I crouch to get a better look and am surprised to find a small wooden box.
I lose focus on the creature as I reach into the hole, extracting the ornate container. The box is adorned with carvings etched into the light brown wood, highlighted in black and gold—it contrasts sharply against the green forest. A low growl draws my attention over my shoulder as a gust of wind sweeps my hair into my face. When I turn to confront the creature, it has vanished, leaving me to continue this journey alone—something for which I am thankful. I cautiously refocus on the box, opening it carefully.
A letter balances on top, and when I remove it, a small glowing crystal is perfectly tucked into the bottom, the black onyx glass shimmering in the dim forest. I react to the stone, vibrations traveling through my body. My shadows dance in its presence like it wants me to touch it, to use it. Without moving the crystal, I place the box down and open the letter.
Chapter 5
My shadow,
During the final battle, many kingdoms were laid to ruin, and many people perished. Hundreds of willing Wielders joined together to fight alongside the Greats. Ultimately, Kalix and Carobon stepped forward to face each other, issuing deadly blows, neither surviving. All who witnessed were too stunned, frightened, or injured to assist their Great Wiitches, leaving them to rot and eventually perish in the wind. From that point on, the world was plagued, and all who were born after that day were damned with magic—darkness straight from Kalix herself or sheer light from Carobon. This, my child, has been a curse ever since, even though many saw their magic as gifts, blessings. Good things can come from our magic if treated with respect, but horrible things can infect this world, too.
I know this forest is special to you… Oh, how you loved the utter quiet that this place could offer.
You’ll be tested soon, and how you manage these tasks will be imperative to the survival of this kingdom. Get focused, Briar, and don’t let your demons hold you back anymore—for I am with you always and closer than you think.
All my heart.
A small sob leaves my throat as the memory of my mother hits my chest like a thousand bricks. I continue to stare at the letter, now trembling in my hands, small water spots from the tears falling from my eyes. Small etchings begin to glow from the stone as if answering to the shadows within me. I slide my finger over the smooth surface of the crystal, and a shock zaps my finger, making me retract my hand.
Placing the stone back in the box, I carefully tuck it back into the tree. This isn’t anything I want to have in my possession until I can find out what the hell this is. However, the letter I’ll keep.
The creature has vanished, but the lingering shadows puts my senses on edge.
Why would the creature be here? Was it waiting on me to find this?
I rise from the base of the tree, slowly taking in my surroundings. The breeze has stopped, and the birds begin chirping their lovely tunes once more. A small twig snapping in the distance sends a rush through my body as I move through the clearing—the crystal I’m leaving behind is a constant thought in my mind.
