Calytrix is a young witch who just turned 20. As is customary for all witches of her age, she must leave her home village and explore the world. She journeys to find her own place within it and a purpose, but magic is declining and only a few witche...
As I stepped into the garden, I noticed the heavens briefly blaze in crimson and gold. Nightfall descended like a curtain drawn by an invisible hand. It was all natural this time. There was no rushing it, but I still felt that I wanted to have more time.
A panicked Valerious ran across the garden. Once I caught his eyes, he immediately ran towards me and questioned me whether we had solved anything. I felt bad that I had to shake my head in the negative.
Don't worry is what I wanted to say, but it felt like a lie.
"Calm yourself down; it is unbecoming of a king," I said as I caught myself sounding like Akios.
Valerius seemed to listen to my words as he stood perfectly still.
"Akios and I will shortly meet up with Andrezey," I continued as I mimicked a farewell motion I picked up from the noble ladies.
"Can you trust them?" Valerius asked me.
"I guess," I said, giving an indefinite answer as I was leaving.
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"There you are!" Akios quickly intervened between our hands. "Andrezey is getting impatient."
He quickly led me to the rendezvous point with Andrezey. So quickly that I barely had a chance to notice my surroundings.
Akios's hand felt a bit sweaty as we entered the empty room where Andezey waited.
"Finally," Andrezey looked at us as he let out a sigh.
Akios bolted the door behind us as Andrezey started unbuttoning his shirt.
"Wait... what?" I couldn't comprehend what was happening.
"I need to take off my shirt so you learn of my predicament," Andrezey said.
As I awkwardly looked around, my gaze fell on the giant contract over Andrezey's chest area. It was scorching red and seemed to pulsate. The dark energy I felt from it made me want to run away but I stood motionlessly fighting the sickness dark magic brought me.
"Once it's done with burning my insides and the colour turns to black, I'll be dead," Andrezey said without hesitation.
I glanced at Akios, who seemed unnaturally calm. What should I say? No words came to my mind, only that we should help Andrezey.
"This is only a test... they thought they could get rid of me," Andrezey continued. "They were the ones who caused the black holes but want me to clean their mess."
"I..." A barely audible whisper escaped my lips.
Akios noticed my nervousness and patted me on the back, but I remained still.
"The question is?" Andrezey breathed heavily. "Will we end this world or not?"
