The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 53: The things we should have known. (Part 2)

The Witch of the Void stepped back, a strain of emotion finally creasing her brow, "Poppy is he speaking the truth?"

"Yes...," Poppy looked perplexed. "Is she your blood sister or like a soul sister?"

"She's related by blood," I answered with the truth which only confused them even more.

"That can't be." Poppy shook her head, "Witches don't have siblings. We don't even have parents." She paused realising what she had said. "I-I mean Witches don't have parents...."

"Poppy, I knew you were the Witch of Skies even before we met. You don't need to try lying," I smiled. "That's why I asked for your time. My sister is a Witch, that I'm sure of. The future I'm from is in danger. The Rift Walkers are in my world already and I need to know how to stop them."

"You really are telling the truth," Poppy frowned. "Sister..., what should we do?"

The Witch of the Void again stared at me, "I still cannot comprehend his words. There is something different about him. He is Void touched and related to a Witch.... What circumstances-."

It was then that Poppy's eyes widened. She had been looking at the Witch and I the entire time and saw what only a third person could see. Our matching hair colour, our matching eyes. Though I resembled my father more, there was a structure that we both shared.

"Holy shit. You're related!" Poppy yelled pointing at the two of us.

The Witch of the Void's frown creased slightly further, "Poppy do not be delirious. Witches cannot conceive children. We have no relation."

Poppy however locked onto my nervous expression, "Say it! Tell the truth."

"I-," again I didn't know what to say. Even my hesitation was like an admission. I could feel Poppy's mana filling the air, reading my body and prying into my mind. I faced the Witch, "I haven't seen you in a very long time..., mum."

The Witch's face froze and for the first-time genuine emotion leaked from her expression, surprise, confusion, even a touch of fear, "That's... that's impossible. I more than any Witch cannot have a child. My mana would be like poison. The power of the Void would kill whoever I partnered with."

Poppy was clearly excited by the revelation, "Proof! You have to have proof, right?"

I took the wallet out from my pocket and took out a single photo. It was a photo my entire family I carried a copy of. A photo of our family. Aria just born in her arms, Dad behind her and me clinging to her side, my mother in the centre smiling. I showed it to them.

"Wow," Poppy looked at the photo and then the Witch. "It really is you but you're smiling. I didn't even know you could do that."

The Witch held a hand to her forehead, "This- I don't understand. How could I...? I am the Witch of the Void. One of the original few. My life- my life...." A tear dripped down from her eyes without her even realising. "How could I look so happy?"

"We loved you," I spoke slowly. "Dad told us stories about you. You passed away not long after that picture was taken. He found you one day alone in the forest and bought you back to the city. You didn't remember who you were. It was only recently I found out you were the Witch of the Void. While I was lost in the Void, you spoke to me and saved my life. That's when I knew."

"The Void is timeless...," the Witch nodded slowly. "Your world doesn't have mana, does it?"

"No, it doesn't. Is that important?"