A Fairytale...

chapter 15: the first clue

The ancient stone structure in the clearing seemed to hum with power, a relic of a bygone era that still held a potent charge. Kristin, Marieke, and Farrah stood around it, each feeling the weight of the moment. The air was thick with magic, making every breath feel heavy.

Farrah, ever the scholar, was the first to speak. “These runes… they’re a mix of protective and concealment spells. Whoever was here wanted to keep something hidden and safe.” She traced her fingers along the intricate carvings, her mind racing with possibilities.

Kristin’s eyes narrowed as she took in Farrah’s words. “But hidden from whom? Us or someone else?”

Marieke, who had been standing guard, her senses still on high alert, finally spoke. “If this witch is as powerful as we think, she wouldn’t need to rely on these ancient spells unless she feared something or someone else.” She paused, looking around the clearing. “And I think that something might be close.”

Kristin nodded, her gaze hardening. “We need to uncover what’s hidden here, but we have to be quick. If there’s another force at play, we can’t afford to linger.”

Farrah knelt beside the stone structure again, her hands moving expertly over the runes. She murmured an incantation, and the air around them seemed to pulse in response. Slowly, the runes on the structure began to glow, the light growing brighter until it was almost blinding.

Suddenly, the structure shifted, and a small compartment at its base slid open with a soft click. Inside was a glowing crystal, pulsating with a strange, otherworldly energy. Farrah carefully extracted the crystal, holding it up for the others to see.

“This must be it,” Farrah whispered, her voice filled with awe. “This crystal is a power source—possibly the key to whatever the witch was trying to achieve.”

Kristin eyed the crystal warily. “Is it dangerous?”

Farrah shook her head slowly. “Not inherently, but in the wrong hands, it could amplify magical abilities beyond control. It’s no wonder she was hiding it.”

Marieke leaned in closer, studying the crystal. “If this is what she’s after, then we need to secure it. We can’t let her or anyone else get their hands on it.”

Kristin nodded in agreement. “We’ll take it back to the headquarters and analyze it further. But we need to be cautious—if the witch finds out we have it, she’ll come after us.”

As they prepared to leave, Farrah carefully placed the crystal in a secure pouch, ensuring it was protected from any external interference. The amulet they had been using to track the magical aura began to glow more intensely, indicating that the crystal’s presence was affecting the surrounding energy.

But just as they turned to leave the clearing, the oppressive silence was broken by a low, rumbling sound that seemed to come from all around them. The ground beneath their feet began to tremble, and the trees surrounding the clearing swayed as if pushed by an unseen force.

Kristin’s hand went to the hilt of her sword, her eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger. “Stay sharp. We might have just triggered something.”

Marieke and Farrah drew their weapons as well, forming a tight circle around the crystal. The rumbling grew louder, and the air around them began to crackle with energy. It was clear that they were no longer alone.

Out of the shadows, a figure emerged, shrouded in darkness. The shape was indistinct, as if it was made of the very shadows that clung to the forest. The figure’s presence was unnerving, exuding a powerful aura that made the hair on the back of Kristin’s neck stand on end.

“Who are you?” Kristin demanded, her voice steady despite the growing tension.

The figure did not respond, but the air around it seemed to grow colder. As it stepped closer, its form became more defined, revealing a tall, slender figure with eyes that glowed faintly in the dim light. The darkness around it seemed to ripple, as if it were alive.

Marieke tightened her grip on her weapon. “Is this the witch?”

Farrah’s eyes narrowed as she studied the figure. “No… this is something else. Something much older.”

The figure raised a hand, and the ground beneath them shook violently. Kristin, Marieke, and Farrah barely had time to react before a wave of dark energy surged towards them, forcing them to scatter. The crystal in Farrah’s pouch began to glow brighter, reacting to the figure’s presence.

Kristin rolled to her feet, her sword drawn and ready. “We need to get out of here, now!”

But before they could move, the figure spoke, its voice a whisper carried on the wind. “You’ve taken what doesn’t belong to you. Return it, or face the consequences.”

Kristin exchanged a look with Marieke and Farrah. They had no intention of giving up the crystal, but it was clear that they were up against something far more powerful than they had anticipated.

“We’re not handing it over,” Kristin replied defiantly, her grip on her sword tightening.

The figure tilted its head, almost as if considering her words. “Then you leave me no choice.”

With a swift movement, the figure sent another wave of dark energy towards them. This time, Kristin, Marieke, and Farrah were ready, their combined magic forming a protective barrier around them. The energy collided with the barrier, sending sparks flying in all directions.

Farrah’s mind raced as she tried to figure out a way to neutralize the figure’s power. “The crystal—it’s resonating with the dark energy. If we can channel it, we might be able to disrupt its control!”

Kristin nodded. “Do it. We’ll cover you.”

As Kristin and Marieke focused on holding back the figure’s attacks, Farrah quickly pulled out the crystal and began to chant an incantation. The crystal’s glow intensified, pulsing in time with her words. Slowly, the dark energy around them began to waver, its strength diminishing.

The figure let out a low, guttural sound—whether it was a growl of frustration or something else, they couldn’t be sure. But it was clear that the crystal was having an effect. The figure’s form started to flicker, as if it were struggling to maintain its shape.

With one final push, Farrah directed the crystal’s energy towards the figure, causing it to waver and then dissipate into the shadows. The oppressive energy in the clearing faded, leaving the three of them standing in tense silence.

Kristin exhaled, lowering her sword. “Is it gone?”

Farrah nodded slowly, though she looked uneasy. “For now. But whatever that was, it won’t stay gone for long. We need to get this crystal to safety before it draws any more attention.”

Marieke looked around the clearing, her expression wary. “And we need to figure out what we’re really up against. If this isn’t just about a powerful witch, then we’re dealing with something much more dangerous.”

Kristin sheathed her sword, her mind already racing with the implications of what had just happened. “We’ll head back to headquarters and regroup. But we need to move fast—there’s no telling what else is out there.”

As they left the clearing, the forest around them seemed to return to its normal state, the oppressive energy fading into the background. But Kristin couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched, that the shadows were still lurking, waiting for the right moment to strike again.

Unbeknownst to them, Anih watched from a distance, her eyes gleaming with dark amusement. The game had only just begun, and she was more than willing to play.

---

I might change the name farrah to Sabrina since the story is based on my friends and Kristin hates farrah so yeah and no anih isn't real it's just my name reversed and I took inspiration from my sign gemini since it symbolizes twin why not make a twin of my own