That Bloomin' Curse

Ch2 The Curse And An Empty House

(if you don't know who Hazelle is, there is a witch npc in the game that I just repurposed and gave an identity to for the story. Picture of Hazelle above.)

Subcon Forest was not a place for just anyone to enter and exit as they please. There was a reason these woods had such a feared reputation and was rumored to be haunted. Because it was. By the King Snatcher of Subcon(as he liked to refer to himself) and his ghastly assortment of minions and dwellers behind him as his undead army, anyone who went in NEVER came out which added to the entire frightfulness of it all!!...Well no one except three little giggling girls who were currently playing with toys and crayons and a certain red head who was busy tending to her garden somewhere. BUT THEY DIDN'T COUNT!! The dark sky and dead trees twisted with dangerous vines as the sun dared not shine here. If that won't convince you to stay away then maybe the giant chunk of the forest that always so dangerously cold will? Or perhaps the section that's always burning bright with enchanted flames? Or maybe the ghostly king who claimed trespassers' souls as his own or the rumor of a powerful witch? Either way, whatever helps to keep trespassers out he was all for it. But he had no real responsibilities today. The brats could wonder around his woods as long as they didn't go near the frozen half or Vanessa, or they could go exploring on any other part of the planet for all he cared. As long as they were all back home and in bed by six he was fine with it. And Poppy by now knew these woods pretty well so he wasn't so worried about her. Right now he was sitting down enjoying his book of dark tales and legends as he relaxed in his home. The old book in his claws as glowing yellow eyes scanned over the story unfolding from it's yellow pages.

Down in the world unknown there laid a kingdom drab and dark. Where darkness and shadows collided and lived in fear and power. One would be mad to even think about stepping in a place like this. Where the dead are gone but still there, the shadows played and roamed and full of terror. A frightful place brace heros dare not venture unless they wish to meet a tragic fate. Yes. This one place was alone ruled by a power hungry spirit, spited by his love in life and now seeks vengeance on any mortal who dared be foolish enough to be beckoned into his awaiting claws-

"Hello, Snatchy. Still reading those same drab books on cursed kingdoms? It's a bit ironic don't you think?"

Yellow eyes narrowed before the book was lowered and he stared right at copper eyes. "Oh look who it is. It's the annoying witch that bugs me all the time. Don't you have a cauldron to stir?"

Hazelle only chuckled and rose a brow. "Really Snatcher. I thought you'd be more nice to an old friend. How's Poppy doing? It's been awhile since I've seen her." 

"Just tell me what you want THIS time. Or are you here just to bother me again."

She tutted. "Now let's not start a fight. There's children just outside of your tree." He frowned harder. "Oh alright if you're going to be a baby about it. I came here to ask you about that mansion you've had in your forest for quite some time." She gestured with an arm.

A brow rose on the ghost. "The mansion?" That was Vanessa's old family home when she wasn't in her castle or at the summer house he usually stayed at when he was alive and visiting her. But now she was forever trapped in her summer house and the mansion being inside his territory was now his. But that begged the question."What the peck could you want to go there for?"

"I want to check out the old place for possible magic remnants. If there's magic festering in there for over a thousand years then imagine what I could do with that."