Witchcraft

Sleep eluded the witch that early morning. Awake far before the sun, Alana sat beside Alice, hugging her legs. Tears streamed down her cheeks as the gravity of her situation once again weighed on her. She kept her gasps muffled as the overwhelming emotions squeezed her chest.

Her father. What was she thinking? Surely he suspected her true motives. He was no fool; he knew what he was doing at the house.

He will come.

Stop.

He will come.

You can’t act like this.

He will come.

What if Alice wakes up?

Gritting her teeth, Alana fought to compose herself. Eventually the water finally left her eyes and her body felt lighter. With a strained breath, she let her head inch back to the pillow. The witch pulled Alice close to her and closed her eyes.

Yet...

The world would not let her go.

Her eyes often cracked open, revealing the knight. Head hung in slumber, he was still as a statue. She would have thought him dead if it weren't for his faint movements of breath. For some reason he’d avoided the spare bed beside her and Alice, instead opting to sit on the floor.

The fear of her past still chilling her back, Alana ran various theories of the knight in her mind. Partially to calm her cold sweat, and partially to understand who this boy truly was.

The knights were long gone. So much so Alana knew very little of them. Enemies of witches, hunters of witches, that was the extent of her knowledge. She had never cared to learn more. Why would she when their order had been gone for nearly one hundred years?

So, how was it then that this boy was before her? Some force put him before her, at her mercy. What was she thinking? If the knight had ignored her wishes, her and Alice would have been killed. She squeezed the girl closer. Still in a deep sleep, Alice buried her face in Alana's neck.

Why did he not kill her? Was it simply due to her promise of information?

No, if that was the case he would have grown impatient all this time. He would have threatened Alice and demanded information.

What was his deal?

As she went through the possibilities her eyelids fell before her, bringing a comforting darkness.

Blue.

In the darkness a cold blue shone.

Alana's body grew hot and her eyes shot open. She was back in the quiet, dark room.

Something was in there with them. Despite being aware of this, Alana could not move. Her eyelids grew cumbersome and they soon forced her vision to darkness again.

Her ears tickled at indistinguishable whispers. Thoughts raced through Alana's head that were not her own. She grit her teeth, trying to control herself. Visions of the past began to swim into her mind. The hushed voices started to grow coherent.

"The wolf."

"Who was the wolf?"

"What exactly did you give it?"

"How many had you killed?"

"The wolf is coming back."

"He wants what is his."

Small, soft fingers wrapped around her forearm. Alana felt herself calm at Alice’s touch.

But the hand was cold, frigid. It squeezed, digging its nails into her skin.

It was not Alice.

"WHY…"

A voice hissed. Its tone was light, like a child’s, but its malevolence perverted its softness.

"IT BURNS! IT BURNS! MOMMY IS SCREAMING. FIRE! FIRE! IT HURTS!"

Alana’s breathing grew faster. Another set of fingers wrapped around her ankle. A man’s voice.

"HOW MANY LIVES WERE STOMPED OUT UNDER THIS HEEL? I COULD BREAK IT LIKE A STICK."

Another set of cold, rough hands ran along her thigh. A masculine voice bellowed.

"WE LOVED YOU, AND YOU RID YOURSELF OF US! OF YOUR OWN DAUGHTER!"

Fingers clawed into her throat.

Alana’s eyes snapped open.

A mass of darkness filled her vision. Two white slits opened in the void and stared into her eyes.

"YOU SLEEP THERE WITH MY DAUGHTER, YOU FUCKING MONSTER! YOU KILLED US! HER FAMILY!"

The shadows screamed in unison.

"DIE!"

"DIE!"

"DIE!"

"DRAG HER TO THE PIT!"

"DRAG HER TO THE PIT!"

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Alana saw shadows looming over her and Alice. Her body was frozen, unable to move. Above the humanoid silhouettes was a set of glowing blue eyes.

Releasing her neck, the female shadow slowly rose from her. They whispered something that chilled the witch to the bone.

"We’ll see you soon, Alana."

Heart pounding and covered in sweat, Alana shot up and anxiously examined the room. Her eyes ran past the knight multiple times, but finally her gaze fell on him. His head was raised, and he silently looked at her.

She returned his gaze, still panting.

Behind him the dark sky shifted into a pinkish tint as the sun began to wake.

“Bad dream?” He asked flatly, sounding tired himself.

Wiping her cheeks, she nodded.

Silence hung in the room. After countless seconds the knight finally spoke.

“What’s the deal with Rebecca?”

Alana stared down at her lap.

“You said this was an alchemist town, but she is friends with you? You gave me the impression witches and alchemists don’t get along.”

Alana smiled. “You brute. It’s not like they’re going to run us out of town.” She turned to face him. “Me and Rebecca grew up together. She and I are witches. Or rather, she was one.”

“Was? Is it really the kind of life you can leave?” It was then that Maxwell saw that the witch’s smile was tired, weak.

She leaned against the wall at the bed’s foot, arms crossed. Her blue eyes were calculating, watching the witch as she rose from the bed and knelt beside Maxwell, looking out at the waking sky. What was once pink grew gray as clouds began rolling in.

“Maxwell, how is it that you sit here today? How is it that you exist? I thought the knights were gone.”

He was silent for a moment. Alana kept her gaze outside, taping her index finger to the window sill. She was confident the knight would not attack her for such a question.

“I’m tired of answering questions with a question.” He grumbled.

“As am I.” She said, resting her head on her arms. “This is a quid pro quo. You ask, I answer. Then I ask and you answer. You wanted to know something very personal, so I ask for something personal in return. Fair?”

Maxwell sighed. “You make this complicated.”

Alana chuckled and her heavy heart lightened slightly.

“My father. He was a knight. The things I wear and use are his.”

Alana’s interest peaked. She turned her back to the window and slid to the ground, sitting beside the knight. “You sound so young. How was your father a knight?”

“My father served a sect of them. Most likely the last one.”

“What is your goal, Maxwell?”

He turned his head to her. “Your turn.”

She sighed. “Yeah, yeah.” There was something to talking with someone whose face was hidden. Alana felt calm and trusting of Maxwell. It was as if he was something more than human.

“Rebecca was a great witch, but she was not a cruel woman. She’s one of the few people I’ve met that I could call truly selfless. She did not belong to this world, so I got her out. My standing is no joke. I can make demands, so I did. On good terms of course. I gradually got her further and further away until finally she could vanish from it.”

Abigail entered the knight’s mind. His chest ached; a feeling of regret for leaving someone so kind. Maxwell’s eyes fell to the wooden basket on the floor. He would return it to her.

Alana caught on.

“Is your girl like that? Ah, young love! Wait, how old are you?”

“She is. Her kindness was a surprise to me.” Maxwell sighed, thinking on the next question. Time had passed so quickly, he neglected to track the years. “In my late teens or early twenties… I think?”

He looked to the witch and she dejectedly laid her head on her knees. “That makes me close to ten years your senior.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “You don’t look old. In fact you look very young.”

He thought nothing of the comment. But he noticed a surprise shock in Abigail’s red eyes. She also took notice and plopped Herself down in front of the two, arms crossed.

“What is your goal, Maxwell?”

“I want to kill these monsters, these demons. All of them.”

“You think its possible?” Alana asked, eyes wide.

“It doesn’t matter if it is. I have to do something. My family’s honor demands it.” Maxwell looked over his shoulder and out the window, towards the last patch of the sun’s glow. “These demons hate us, and we worship them. They deceive and sacrifice us like we’re nothing. There is no justice in this, no truth. I want our past back. Our home back. The Great One wills it.”

“The Great One?” Alana’s eyes grew wide.

Maxwell looked to her. “You never heard of him? He’s the great creator. The knights serve him. He cast the demons down here from the sky, and it’s our duty to finish them.”

Alana looked to Alice and hugged her legs. Pain entered her eyes as a smile formed on her lips. “Our fathers are different, knight.”

He cocked his head at her. “I don’t understand.”

She rolled her head on her knees, facing him. “You’re a kind man at heart. I can tell. Be careful with that Maxwell. People will take advantage of you.”

“What makes you say that?”

She gave him a toothy grin. “I got four questions in. You got one.”

The knight felt his cheeks redden and Alana rose. “Lets get ready, Maxwell. We can continue this at the next stop.” She began walking away from him. “Oh, and be careful with flirting. Your woman would not appreciate it, and older women can be quiet a bit of trouble.”

“Idiot.” She murmured with a puffed cheek.

With a sigh Maxwell looked back out the window. The room grew dark as the overcast sky full formed.

…

Time was always a blur for Maxwell. He would often do his best to focus on a current situation, but before he knew it the moment was over. In his marches he would stare off in the distance, thinking to himself:

“Before I know it, I’ll be there. So I’d best enjoy this location now.”

He was now in a similar situation. Leaving Rebecca’s home and the town was a blur. She had pointed to a valley north, saying it would be the best path.

“Go north. It will be a bit more difficult with the land, but you two will manage fine.”

Maxwell had watched the conversation between Rebecca and Alana as he held the door for Alice.

She had been quiet all morning, hovering around Alana with Her blue eyes furrowed in thought.

“Thank you for everything, Rebecca.” Alana whispered, feeling in her gut this would be the last time she’d see Rebecca. Her friend, who was still wiping sleep from her eyes. Her friend who left this horrific world behind her. Yet, here Alana was. Back in her life. Dread squeezed her heart. “I’m sorry, for everything.”

“Alana-”

“If something happens to us-”

Rebecca brought her friend in for a hug. “Don’t talk like that, Alana. You’ve done so much for me. Please, don’t act like your life is over. Its not.”

She pulled away, but held Alana’s shoulders. Rebecca gave her a toothy smile. “Don’t worry. Once this is over we’ll all see each other again.”

And here the three were. Walking past the colored leaves of autumn as they entered the valley. Alice, arms outstretched, ran around the two of them. The wooden basket swayed in her grip.

“Hey, Max. Is the girl that gave you this nice? I bet she is!”

“You’d be right.”

“You think she would let me keep it?”

“Probably.”

Alana looked over her shoulder. “Alice, don’t run too much. We have a lot of walking to do.”

The child slid on her heels and began walking, shoulders slumped.

“Max, listen to me.”

Blinking Maxwell peeked to his side. She walked beside him, a determined look on her face.

“Alana is haunted by demons, monsters of her past actions. I heard their cries of anger and anguish. If they’re to be believed, she’s done many dreadful things. Be careful around her. Even those that seek redemption still struggle with their flaws, for no one truly changes.”

Pain swirled in Her blue eyes. She ran her fingers between Maxwell’s and squeezed his hand. “We all meet the fate we deserve. This was understood when you picked up your blade, but I wonder how many others know this fact? It seems that Alana became aware of it at some point, but others think themselves above the grand judgement.”

“We just have to do the best we can.” Maxwell whispered, listening to his voice echo in his helmet.

He squeezed Her hand.

…

The trail snaked uphill for a long distance. The incline was sharp, but Maxwell was content. The sight of autumn and the cool air calmed his heart. He occasionally glanced at Alana, whose gaze he sometimes caught. She seemed at peace as well, occasionally looking to the trees. It was the same for Alice. Her curious eyes grew larger with each site.

They reached the top, and after moving through a series of trees they found a plateau. In its center was a large tree. Its arms eagerly stretched around it, lightly covered in orange. Near it was a river.

“Wow!” Alice yelled. She jumped beside Alana. “This is so pretty!”

The witch smiled. “It is.”

Maxwell examined the area. The open grassland was encircled by trees. To him, it seemed man made.

“I think we should stop here.” Alana said, looking to the sky.

Maxwell followed her gaze. She was right. The overcast sky grew darker. Making a temporary home under the tree, they found their places and prepared for the night. Maxwell sat against the tree’s base, scanning the forest around them. Alice sat by the river, skipping rocks and watching fish. Alana handed her some bread and made her way to Maxwell, sitting beside him. She offered him a loaf. The knight took it with a silent nod.

He arched his helmet back enough for his mouth to be exposed to the cool air and began eating. Alana sighed and ate. “You really like being wrapped up, huh?”

“I do.”

Silence hung between the two as they ate. When Maxwell took his last bite he continued their conversation. “Why do they want Alice?”

Alana’s face grew pale and she looked to Maxwell. He wiped his mouth and pulled his helmet down.

Alana looked back to the river, watching Alice splash the water.

“You can be perceptive.”

“It didn’t take much to understand you were running away, but why was the tricky part. I assumed us meeting Rebecca was a fail-safe, and I imagine we’ll meet more of your friends as we move. Do you think one of them will shelter Alice? Who was that man at your house? I assume he is interested in her… or you?”

“I’m not a good person, Maxwell.” Alana began. She crawled in front of the knight and sat on her knees, putting her back to Alice. The witch stared Maxwell in the eye. “Watch Alice, I don’t want her coming near.”

“Why-”

“I killed her family.”

The statement hung in the air.

Wind shot through the tree line, making the leaves and grass sing. Alice giggled as water droplets poked her.

“Alice’s mother was no witch, but she was born of our bloodline. Maxwell, how many people have ashen hair?”

“Your bloodline?”

His question was left unanswered. Alana’s voice trembled as she desperately confessed to the knight. “Our school reaches far beyond my town, and I mean far, Maxwell. We enter schools, governments, anywhere with authority and we gather information. We run tests in schools, in hospitals, in workplaces. If someone is found with potential they are sometimes recruited under the guise of advanced classes or jobs.”

Alana took a breath and continued. “It was odd. One family refused their child. Usually we just accepted that, but not this time. I was sent to convince them. Alice was really small then.” Alana’s eyes clouded. “The Grand Luminary was with me and we…”

Maxwell’s blood boiled. Yet, Alana continued.

“I don’t understand what happened to me, Maxwell. We brought her back with us, sobbing and screaming. I was assigned to be her teacher. I guess it was the trauma, or her being so young, but Alice just changed. One day she was just asking where her mom and dad where.”

She gasped, gaze falling to the grass. “I felt nothing! I killed so many people for them and felt nothing. Yet, one day, out of nowhere suddenly, I…”

She ran her hands over her face. Her wide eyes peeked between her fingers, tears streaming down. “I killed my own lover! My own child! And I felt nothing! Yet, with Alice… I… I…”

Maxwell saw Alice raise her head, hearing Alana’s cry. Grabbing Alana’s head, he pulled her close, placing her head on his shoulder. Anger swirled within him, and yet…

“Calm down.” He said flatly.

She sobbed, gasping for breath. Her body convulsed in his arms. The witch never had anyone to confess her actions to. And now it all came flooding out. Her body ached and exhaustion overwhelmed her, yet Alana felt light as a feather.

The knight had no words to offer her. There was no comfort. He too had killed. His hands were bloodied with that of creatures and people that worshiped creatures.

“Don’t think like that, Max. There is a difference in killing the right and wrong thing.”

He looked to Her. She stood behind Alana, arms behind her back. Her eyes held both anger and sorrow.

“That’s enough. I understand the situation. We’ll protect Alice, and get her away from this.”

Alana placed her hand on Maxwell’s shoulder. “Thank you, knight. Once she’s safe, let me help you.”

He remained silent, unsure how to respond.

“Without Alice, I have nothing. Please…”

She knelt down beside Max and placed Her hand on his back. “Repeat after me, Max.”

“You’ve killed enough. Both you and Alice are done. We’ll get her somewhere safe and you’'ll stay with her. I’ll deal with the rest. Alice will need you, after all.”

Alana calmed and raised her eyes to meet his. “Your eyes Maxwell, they’re blue…”

"“We have to do the best we can, Alana. Our actions will be with us until we die, then we go where we belong. Take comfort in that, because you won’t be treated unfairly by The Great One.”

The witch stared at him with wide eyes. “I-”

“Alana!” Alice yelled.

The child eagerly dashed to them and the witch desperately wiped her eyes. “What’s wrong? I heard you yelling!”

“She fell down.” Maxwell said flatly. “Hit her head on my shoulder.”

Alice cocked her head. “Huh? You did? You always get on me about crying when I get hurt! No fair!”

Alana laughed. It was a weightless laugh, genuine. “I’m sorry. I was just surprised.”

Maxwell watched the two girls talk, emotions swirling in him.

…

Darkness soon consumed the sky, but the clouds had thankfully cleared. Sleeping was never natural for the knight. Maxwell awoke to the shining stars and glowing moon. His back was against the tree, and Alana and Alice lay to his side, hugging each other and resting their heads on their backpacks.

"Max, what do you think?"

She sat on her knees before him.

Maxwell remained silent and looked to the moon above. Its yellow glow brought little light to him. His eyes fell from the moon to the tree line.

“I don’t know-”

“Max!”

He saw it.

Figures in the tree line. Three humanoid silhouettes. He rose, holding his blade. More began emerging from the bark, standing inches away from the plateau. While their shape was human, their heads were something else entirely. The moon faintly outlined long snouts and antlers.

Maxwell snapped his gaze to his sides and back. More and more began walking out of the darkness, standing in the tree line.

They were completely surrounded.

“Max!” Alana yelled. His gaze snapped to the witch as she gently pressed Alice against the tree. Alice fell to the grass and hugged her shaking legs as Alana joined Maxwell’s side.

“Sorry. I was watching them and failed to alert you.”

“Watching them?”

“Give me some credit, Maxwell. I have my tricks.” She gave him a playful wink. “It’s related to the eyes of the owl.”

Despite the situation Maxwell couldn’t help but smile himself. “I am curious to see you fight,”

After all, this is what he was made for, and that was true of the witch as well. Despite their regrets, this was their purpose.

A rhythmic thump sounded from the woods. It matched the beat of the trio’s heart and, without a doubt, that of their audience.

The crowd roared, sending birds and owls into a panicked flight. The men in the woods screamed and screamed.

Then the ground trembled. Maxwell froze as he saw a familiar set of yellow eyes in the darkness of the forest. They floated in the void, well above the humanoid figures. The eyes swayed and the ground rattled shortly after. It moved further, right to the forest’s edge. The moon light revealed its skeletal snout. A few inches above its mouth were a set of twisted antlers, pointing straight at Maxwell.

It’s voice bellowed. “A knight…”