❛ 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒆 ❜

5

y/n couldn't believe the night she was having. first, she ran out on her family when they were having a fine meal, then she had an encounter with a wizard—come to know that it was none other than howl himself, her mom kicked her out, and she was threatened by the wicked witch of the waste, and now, she's walking away from her village and up a hill, knowing that she can't stay in her home town out of fear the witch may cast a spell on her.

not only that, but she was hiking in her fancy clothes which were not suitable for such movement and were uncomfortable beyond anything, especially since the train of her dress was dragging along the ground and getting slathered with dirt.

"just my luck..." y/n thinks out loud, why is it that she has always had a terrible life? she was starting to think that this was the work of a deity above and this was their way of playing some cruel joke on her. alas, with each step, her heart grew heavier, burdened by the ache of parting and the uncertainty of the road ahead. what would happen if she crossed a witch or a wizard up here and she couldn't escape like she did with the witch of the waste? she'd be cursed! what a terrible thought.

lost in her frantic mind, she didn't notice the uneven ground beneath her feet until it was too late. with a sudden slip, she stumbled forward, her hands reaching out in a futile attempt to steady herself. the fabric of her dress snagged on a jagged rock, tearing with a sharp rip that echoed in the quiet night. with a heavy thud, y/n found herself sprawled on the ground, the cool earth beneath her providing little comfort.

for a moment, she lay there, stunned by the suddenness of her fall and the sting of her torn dress. slowly, she rolled onto her back, gazing up at the vast expanse of the night sky.

above her, the stars shimmered like distant beacons, their soft glow a stark contrast to the darkness that enveloped her. in another time, she would have marveled at their beauty and found solace in their silent presence. but now, their brilliance only served to deepen the ache in her chest, a painful reminder of everything she had lost.

as tears welled in her eyes, y/n's lower lip began to quiver, her breath hitching in her chest. silently, she wept to herself, the sound of her sobs lost in the stillness of the night. she had taken everything for granted, didn't she? her mother, though how she showed it wasn't the bed, was only trying to help her get a move on with her life whilst her brother— poor sweet alex— the last thing he must've heard was y/n and her mom arguing. with each tear that fell, the weight on her heart grew heavier, threatening to crush her beneath its relentless pressure.

eventually, the storm of emotion began to ebb, leaving y/n drained but still trembling with grief. with a shaky breath, she pushed herself upright, her hands trembling as she brushed the dirt from her torn dress. though her body ached and her spirit felt as fragile as glass, she knew she could not stay there forever.

y/n then hoisted herself to her feet, her movements slow and unsteady.

"need to find someplace to stay..." unfortunately for her, she had passed what was left of the houses that were littered around the outskirts of market chipping. so, her only choices left were to find some cave to hide in for the rest of the night or walk even further until she miraculously came across another house, but who knows how long that would take? y/n is tired in more ways than one, she's been drained physically and above all else: emotionally.

sighing, she continued on her way to her unknown destination. y/n will just have to keep moving forward.

after a few minutes, y/n was suddenly jolted from her thoughts by a violent trembling beneath her feet. the ground rumbled and shook, sending shockwaves through her body, causing her to stumble and nearly lose her balance. panic surged through her veins as she realized that this wasn't just a mere tremor—it was something else entirely. fear clenched at her heart as she scanned the horizon, searching for the source of the disturbance.

and then, she saw it.

in the distance, towering above the landscape, was howl's moving castle. the very mention of its name had always sent shivers down her spine, filling her with tales of its mysterious owner and the dark rumors that surrounded him. but now, seeing it with her own eyes, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe mixed with terror.

the castle moved with an eerie grace, steam billowing from its chimneys and gears grinding as it roamed across the land like a monstrous, mechanical beast. houses, cannons, and other disparate parts adorned its exterior, giving it a grotesque and haphazard appearance. y/n's breath caught in her throat as she hesitated, her mind racing with uncertainty.

was she really about to enter the lair of the infamous wizard howl? the idea filled her with a sense of dread, unlike anything she had ever felt before. then again, if the blond man who saved her from those pesky guards really was howl, he was kind enough to have mercy on her. not only that, but he genuinely showed her a good time. maybe, just maybe, he'll be willing to give her a space to sleep for the night as well? soon, y/n'a gaze lingered on the castle, and her resolve hardened.

she had come too far to turn back now, and whatever dangers lay ahead, she would face them head-on. with a trembling hand, she took a tentative step forward, her voice barely above a whisper as she called out to the castle.

"stop!" she shrieked, her voice echoing across the barren landscape. "please, stop moving!"

for a moment, there was silence, broken only by the steady hum of machinery and the pounding of her own heart. and then, miraculously, the castle began to slow, its movements gradually coming to a halt until it stood still against the backdrop of the night about fifty feet uphill from where the h/c-haired woman stood.

relief flooded through y/n as she realized that she had been heard. but even as she approached the castle, her heart still pounded in her chest, knowing that whatever awaited her inside would be far more daunting than anything she had ever faced before.