Accepted

Two witches one path

Over the year, they had only gotten close enough to find me a few times. Those times I was caught in battle and unable to put more distance between us. I had been training on my magic, now able to cloak my presence for months at a time so no one would be able to find me.

But since my picture had been spread and a bounty placed my head, cloaking wouldn't do much good for someone who'd recognize me. Luckily, I'd been working on an invisibility spell. It only lasted a couple hours originally but after countless days of practice, I was able to extend those few hours to three days. I couldn't risk traveling to the Academy, even under the guise of invisibility. It was a 5 days journey from where I was from and someone was bound to pick up my trail after my invisibility wore off. One thing I learned is that money will drive anyone to do anything, even if it meant killing innocents to reach me and I couldn't put the Academy in that kind of risk.

I had to wait until my friends decided to come after me, which shouldn't be too long now. Throughout the year, I sensed them approaching less and less often. Now, it was down to once every 3 months. No doubt, their resolve has lessened after the countless unfruitful searches. Once they got close enough, I had three days to travel without being seen to meet them. I had to lead them to a secluded location and that was where I'd finally share what I had learned. If I could tell them the truth and convince them that I wasn't evil, that was a start. If they believed me, maybe others would. Maybe they'd be able to put their hate for me aside to protect our species.

But, I needed advice first. Which is why, I was traveling back to the place I never thought I'd go to again. The Forsaken.

I opened a portal, which was faster with dark magic than it was with Earth magic. It opened instantly and I stepped through, finding myself in the desert. Remembering the old path and deciding not to go through that again, I flitted quickly through the desert.

The magic of the old witch had created a bond between us so I didn't have to travel blindly, I could feel her presence nearing with each step.

After about half an hour, I halted, feeling her presence as near as I could hear my own heartbeat.

I opened my mouth to call out when I felt myself drop, just as I had when I was in the forest. I relaxed myself as I fell through the air, landing inside her house roughly. I scrambled up, realizing I was in the kitchen and the old witch was seated at the table, sipping tea. She looked the same as before, skin a bit paler but eyes as radiant and piercing and ever. I noticed a chair pulled out and tea prepared in front of it, raising my eyebrow at her. She was expecting me just as she was before.

I stepped forward, sitting in the seat while watching her silently. That was one of the many things I'd learned. There was much more you could learn by simply watching someone without even speaking. From the impressed smirk on her face and the calmness in her eyes, it was clear she didn't fear me which made my shoulders relax slightly.

"You've been busy."

"That's an understatement," I replied, ignoring her wandering eyes. I looked filthy, covered from head to toe in dirt and blood. I brushed away my knotted curls that kept fighting to shield my face.

She rose from her seat, walking over to the stove before pouring more tea into her drained cup and sitting back down beside me. She took long sips, her eyes never leaving mine.

Unable to handle the suspense much longer, I blurted out, "Don't you have anything to say to me? Questions? A reprimand for letting the darkness consume me?"

"Why would I reprimand you? Child, you've embraced your destiny."

"My destiny was to save the world with the light,"I asked, confused at her support.