Two squibs and a witch (Version 2)

Chapter 1: The Discovery

Jane Velvette Tolans had always felt an inexplicable pull toward the dusty corners of the old orphanage where she had spent her childhood. The building, with its creaking floorboards and peeling wallpaper, held an air of forgotten stories and whispering shadows. Among the musty scent of old wood and the faint traces of lavender from the potpourri in the hall, books became her sanctuary. They were her companions in solitude, and within their pages, she found the adventures and dreams that her reality often denied her.

On a particularly rainy afternoon, when the skies were heavy and gray, Jane wandered into the seldom-visited attic. It was a treasure trove of memories, cluttered with trunks and forgotten furniture draped in dusty sheets. As she rummaged through the detritus of the past, her fingers brushed against something cool and solid. She pulled it free from a tangle of cobwebs and dust—a large, leather-bound book.

The book was ancient, its cover cracked and weathered, as if it had borne witness to centuries of secrets. The spine was embossed with intricate designs that twisted and turned like vines, and the title, The Chronicles of the Huofeng Lineage, glimmered faintly in the dim light. Jane's heart quickened. She had never heard of the Huofeng family, yet something about the name resonated deep within her.

As she carefully opened the tome, a wave of warmth enveloped her, as if she had stepped into a sunlit glade after a long winter. The pages were yellowed with age, their edges frayed but still holding the rich, deep scent of parchment and ink. With each turn of the page, she felt a connection, a sense of belonging to something far greater than herself.

The words danced before her eyes, weaving a tapestry of ancestral magic and haunting curses. As she read, her pulse quickened, and her breath caught in her throat. One particular passage seized her attention:

"Only a member of the bloodline can reactivate the curse of Mywo Xianshen, a witch immortal spirit, whose anger was borne from the indifference of Shuimei Huofeng, a high lady of ancient China. Those cursed will be haunted by their ancestors until they uncover the truths of their lineage."

The gravity of those words pressed down on her like a weight. Jane's mind raced, thoughts swirling in a chaotic tempest. The Huofeng family had once wielded immense power, their roots stretching back to the Shang dynasty, a time steeped in mystique and magic. Yet their tale was marred by tragedy—lost descendants, a curse that clung to their lineage like a shadow, and the fading echoes of a magical heritage that seemed all but forgotten.

Most astonishing of all was the realization that she was a part of this legacy. As a squib—born into a magical family yet lacking any magical abilities—Jane had always felt like an outsider, a solitary figure wandering through a world filled with whispers of enchantment just beyond her reach. Yet now, faced with the revelations in this ancient tome, she sensed that her identity was intricately woven into the very fabric of the Huofeng lineage.

She traced her fingers over the delicate script, feeling a pulse of energy with every letter. The stories of her ancestors unfolded like a movie in her mind—brave warriors, wise sages, and fierce witches, all bound by blood and magic. But amid the tales of glory, the darkness of the curse loomed large, a chilling reminder of the consequences of hubris and neglect.

Jane leaned back against the dusty attic wall, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. What did it mean to be connected to such a storied past? What secrets lay dormant within her? She knew she had to uncover the truth, to delve deeper into the mysteries of her heritage. This book was not just a collection of stories; it was a key to a door she had never known existed—a door that might lead her to answers about her family, her identity, and the magical legacy that had been obscured for generations.

With renewed determination, Jane vowed to follow the threads of her ancestry, to seek out the truths hidden in the shadows. She would unravel the curse of Mywo Xianshen and discover her place in the story of the Huofeng family. The journey ahead was uncertain, but Jane felt an unshakeable resolve—this was her moment, and she would not let it slip away.