A hidden survival

Chapter 1

4 years later...

"Are you excited?" Hana asked her student who's sweeping the floor. The girl turned around and grinned, "I can't wait!" Standing there, the little 11 year old girl was now soon to be 15 year-old. Her hair is longer but still braided the same way as then, she has grown taller and her body has developed into a woman's, no longer a child.

The mentor patted her head as she reminded, "Remember the rules Akane. Do not use your powers unless you're in danger." Akane gave an assuring nod. She was trained to be a proper witch under "The Great Witch, Hana" right after waking up from her death. In this village, one will only be able to get out of the village at the age of 15, where normally, young witches would be able to control their powers. Now, she could finally searched for Yuu and Mika who she could only see in her dreams for the past four years. "15, here I come!" She clenched her broom tight in her fist and cheered with a determined smile.

Hana glanced at her student who ran towards the young witches afar. "Time sure flies..." She thought.

Hopefully, she always be this happy... even after tomorrow.

The next day, Akane woke up, surrounded by thick clouds of smoke. "Teacher?" She called out as the smoke went into her lungs, forcing her to cough and making her eyes teary. She cleared her sight, wiping the tears that were blurring her vision but to no avail. With no other way around, she chanted, "Clarum Visum." The smoke cleared out of the way but the fire continued to burn. Hana was spot lying unconsciously on the floor. "Teacher!" She rushed to her side.

When Hana managed to open her eyes, she saw the crying Akane. "It's... the witch hunters... You have to go..." Akane ignored her warning and chanted some more magic to escape the fire but to no avail. Hana gripped Akane's hand. "It's no use... They have formed a witch barrier around this village with the help of the vampires and the demons. You alone will not be strong enough. Listen to me... You have to escape. It's the only way you can save those young witches and teach them to control their powers... Go, now!" Akane shook her head as tears flow out of her eyes continuously, "I won't leave you here to die, not when you saved me." Hana eyes teared as she reached her hand to Akane's cheek, "I have lived long enough, listen to me and go!" She demanded as she put her palm on Akane's heart and chanted, "Et Evadere."

Akane looked around and realized that she was outside the village, just a few meters away. She couldn't see it before but now that she's further, she could. The whole village was burning.

No!

She was about to run back to the house when she tripped over something. The next scene was horrid. She had tripped over a young witch's corpse. This young witch was the one who played together with her just the previous day. Looking around, she saw a burning village and witches, both young and old, lying motionlessly on the ground. Some have knives' cuts around their bodies while others have arrow shot through their heart and pulled out again, creating a hole. The whole witch village was completely destroyed within a single night.

The 15th birthday Akane had looked forward since she became a witch turned out to be her most painful day...

Authors note: A really upset twist in story. Can Akane remain strong?
Image is copyrighted.