Chapter Three: The Waiting Game
The Council’s domain loomed ahead like a fortress out of legend—massive, towering spires that seemed to touch the shimmering sky, guarded by intricate enchantments and wards no outsider could pass without permission. The three of them—Joy, Ash, and Zephyr—had walked for hours through the realm’s twisting paths and enchanted landscapes, and as they stood before the grand entrance, all they wanted was to get inside and finally begin the trials.
But when they arrived, a tall, stern-faced witch, clearly a lower-tier Council member, stood at the gate. Her eyes swept over them, lingering on each for a moment longer than was necessary.
"You’re early," she said, her tone cold. "The Council won’t see you until tomorrow. Come back at first light."
Joy’s stomach dropped. "Tomorrow? But we’ve come all this way."
The witch gave a sharp smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Rules are rules. Now, you’ll need to find somewhere to stay for the night. If you linger here, the wards will activate, and you won’t like that."
Ash clenched his fists, stepping forward. "We didn’t come here to be pushed around. Can’t you just—"
"Ash," Zephyr interrupted, placing a calming hand on his arm. "We’ll find somewhere."
The witch’s smirk grew. "Good luck with that. This isn’t a place for your kind." Her gaze flicked to Joy and Ash. "Half-bloods tend to be…unwelcome."
Before Ash could fire back, Zephyr gently guided him away from the gate. "Come on. Let’s go."
Joy felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her chest as they walked away from the Council’s imposing gates. They were stuck, with nowhere to go, and the disdain from that witch was just the beginning. She could sense it. This place was hostile, not just in its architecture but in its atmosphere.
"Great," Ash muttered, kicking a loose stone as they wandered down a narrow cobblestone street lined with enchanted lanterns. "No place to sleep, no money, and no one here likes us. Perfect."
"I can pay for a room," Zephyr said softly. They reached into the folds of their robe, pulling out a small pouch of shimmering coins—currency that glowed faintly in the realm’s magical light. "I’ve got enough to cover us for tonight."
Joy raised an eyebrow. "Where did you get that?"
Zephyr’s smile was secretive, but they didn’t elaborate. "Let’s just say I’ve planned for situations like this."
Ash groaned. "Of course. I forgot human money is worthless here."
As they ventured deeper into the realm, the streets became more crowded with other witches—purebloods, Joy noticed immediately, with their flowing robes and sharp gazes. Everywhere they went, they were met with cold stares and whispered conversations behind their backs.
"Look at them," one witch said, not bothering to lower her voice. "Half-bloods, all of them."
"Disgusting," another sneered, her eyes landing on Joy with open contempt.
Joy’s cheeks flushed, but she kept her head held high, determined not to let their words get to her. She wasn’t here for them. She was here to prove herself, no matter how unwelcome they made her feel.
After several failed attempts to find an inn that would accept them, they finally stumbled upon a run-down establishment on the edge of town. The witch behind the counter, a grizzled old woman with one eye, eyed them suspiciously but took Zephyr’s money without a word. The room she gave them was cramped and musty, with only two beds and a single small window that barely let in any light.
