Halonar

The Witch

The day started the same way as it did every week.

A whistle would blow, indicating it was time to wake, Jack and Bel would get up, put on their clothes, and head to work.

Jack sold Fido about a week ago, since living in these conditions couldn't afford a donkey. And the work schedule was grueling.

Jack wanted to leave, but knew he couldn't, at least not yet. Bel seemed content with staying, despite backbreaking work and little to no food. Jack couldn't keep doing this, he had to escape.

But how?

The gate Jack had passed earlier was heavily guarded. Spears and swords glimmered in the distance. Jack had no weapons, well unless his shovel counted, it had a higher level than his sword, which surprised him, considering it wasn't even supposed to be used as a weapon.

Jack got a small amount of fruit and vegetables, He didn't see Bel anywhere. Maybe she went home early.

When Jack arrived at Bel's house, he noticed the lights were off.

He wandered a bit, looking for a candle. He was stopped by Bel's voice.

He turned around. Bel leveled a Knife at his face.

Jack backed up. He knew it, Bel had to be a witch.

She growled at him, picking up a name tag. "Jack, Guild member of the Autumn Branch." She glared at him, "So you're a hero huh?"

Jack didn't know how to respond, but he wanted to see where this went. "Yeah I am," he responded.

"Get out." Bel seethed. "Take your stuff and go."

"Why?" Jack asked.

She only got angrier. "Because people like you killed my parents."

Jack was shocked, "What?"

Bel continued glaring at him. "One thing I don't get, why are you here with me?" She said, "Answer me before I kill you where you stand."

"Bel," Jack said, calmly, "I'm not a hero."

"Yes you are."

"No I'm not."

As the tension hung thick in the air, Jack could feel the weight of Bel's accusations bearing down on him like a heavy burden. He met her steely gaze with a mixture of defiance and understanding, his mind racing with the need to explain himself, to bridge the gap between their disparate worlds.

"I may be a member of the Autumn Branch, but I'm not like the Adaraians who hurt you," Jack asserted, his voice tinged with earnestness. "I joined the guild to make a difference, to fight for justice. But I've seen firsthand the corruption that festers within its ranks, and I won't stand for it."

Bel's grip on the knife tightened, her eyes narrowing as she studied Jack's face for any hint of deception. "You expect me to believe that?" she spat, her voice laced with bitterness. "After everything they've done to me, to my family?"

"What did they do?"

Bel shook her head, "I don't remember much, but when I was just a small child, they were killed by a hero, they did nothing wrong, but alas, they were slaughtered before my very eyes."

"Why?" Jack asked.

"Because my mother was a witch, and my father an alchemist." She responded, "They were seen as threats to be exterminated, for a bounty I can only assume."

When Jack said nothing, Bel continued.

"I see people starving every day!" she cried, beginning to break down. "I know who's in charge and I want to bring them to their knees! For this was the village my parents perished in, I am sure of it!"